About maketodayrock.com: We celebrate musicians' birthdays, remember those we've lost, and highlight key moments in music such a release dates, chart peak dates, or anything else tied to a specific date. Pick any day from the menu in the top right. The front page shows recent obituaries.
October 22, 1976 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jon Foreman born in San Bernardino, California, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter of alternative rock outfit Switchfoot, which he co-founded with drummer Chad Butler and his brother bassist Tim Foreman in 1996. Cites Elliott Smith, U2, the Police, James Taylor, the Beatles, Radiohead, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ronny Jordan, Miles Davis, Keith Green, Nirvana, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin as influences
October 22, 1973 ~ Henry Cyril Franklin, commonly known as opera singer David Franklin, passed away in Worcester, UK ~ As an opera singer enjoyed popularity throughout the early 1951, his career paused by serving in the Army during World War II. A throat operation in 1951 forced him to retire from performing altogether, after which he ventured into writing and broadcasting known to the public for his appearances on the BBC Radio shows My Music and Radio ~ Franklin was born in 1908
October 22, 1968 ~ Orville Burrell, commonly known as dancehall, reggae rapper, singer Shaggy, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ First gained attention in the early 1990s with the Folkes Brothers cover Oh Carolina, used in the erotic thriller Silver. Though only a modest hit in the USA the single would reach No.1 in the UK. Burrell would however reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 with Bombastic and Angel featuring Rayvon
October 22, 1968 ~ Shelby Lynne Moorer, commonly known as Americana, country-rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Shelby Lynne, born in Quantico, Virginia, USA ~ Sister of singer Allison Moorer. Critics darling. Praised for her contralto voice. Well over a dozen albums to her name, starting with Sunrise released in 1989. Won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist for her 1999 I Am Shelby Lynne pop rock album, despite it being her sixth studio album. Duetted with George Jones on If I Could Bottle This Up, released as a single in 1988. Other well known songs include The Hurtin' Side, I'll Lie Myself To Sleep Again, Things Are Tough All Over and Gotta Get BackOctober 22, 1967 ~ R&B singer, songwriter, producer Tony Grant, full name Anthony Grant, born in Forest City, USA ~ Briefly lead singer of AZ Yet, taking over for Marc Nelson who left the band in 1997 to pursue a solo career. Appears on the band's hit single You're The Inspiration, a cover of a Peter Cetera. Grant would in turn be replaced by Ledon Bishop
October 22, 1964 ~ Kevin Michael McKeehan, commonly known as Christian hip-hop rapper, singer, songwriter TobyMac, born in Fairfax, Virginia, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of Christian rap trio DC Talk, especially acclaimed for their 1992 Free At Last album. Following the band's disbandement in 2000 McKeehan has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Momentum released in 2001
October 22, 1963 ~ Benedicte Christine Adrian Moutin, commonly known as singer Benedicte Adrian, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Best known as half of 1980s, 1990s pop duo Dollie de Luxe, the other half being Ingrid Bjornov. Has since sung in operas including with the Norwegian Opera and the Bergen Philharmonic OrchestraOctober 22, 1963 ~ Classical, jazz, hard rock cellist, bass guitarist, double bassist, composer Svante Henryson born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Worked with the World Youth Orchestra, the Oslo Philharmonic, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ryan Adams, Elvis Costello, Steve Gadd, Jon Balke, Ketil Bjørnstad, Arve Henriksen, Anders Jormin, Terje Rypdal, and Palle Mikkelborg
October 22, 1963 ~ Pianist, singer Walter Davis passed away in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Influenced by Leroy Carr. Recorded from the early 1930s through the early 1950s. Frequently backed by Big Joe Williams on guitar. Known for songs such as Come Back Baby, Ashes In My Whiskey, Blue Blues and perhaps his best known the 1931 rendition of Sunnyland Blues ~ Davis was born in 1911
October 22, 1958 ~ Drummer Bobby Blotzer, full name Robert John Blotzer, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as member of metal outfit RATT from 1982 until its disbandement in 1992, the band also including his schoolmate bassist Juan Croucier. Has also worked with Dokken, Vic Vergeat, Firefoxx, Twenty 4 Seven, Montrose, Contraband, Operation Mindcrime, and the Saints Of The UndergroundOctober 22, 1958 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Jan Gunnar Hoff born in Bodø, Norway ~ Played with artists such as Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Lars Danielsson, John Surman, Karin Krog, Maria João, Alex Acuña, Mike Stern, Ernst-Wiggo Sandbakk, Marilyn Mazur, Anders Jormin, Arve Henriksen, Per Jorgensen, Arild Andersen, Per Mathisen, Nils Petter Molvær, Stale Storløkken, Audun Kleive, and Mathias Eick
October 22, 1958 ~ Hard rock drummer, keyboardist Virgil Donati born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Considered one of the most technically proficient drummers of all time. Influenced by Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, and Ian Paice. As a solo artist especially acclaimed for his 1996 Just Add Water sophomore album. Co-founding member and principal songwriter of Planet X, known for the albums Universe and Quantum. Donati has also worked with Joe Walsh, Ring Of Fire, Bunny Brunel, Mark Boals, Frank Gambale, Seven The Hardway, and Randy Bernsen
October 22, 1957 ~ Rock, tango saxophonist, guitarist, singer Daniel Melingo born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ With a background in rock over time gravitated towards tango. Member of Los Twist. Member of Los Abuelos De La Nada. Has also worked with Milton Nascimento, Lions In Love, and David Murray. Released his solo debut album H20 in 1995 and has recorded primarily as a tango singer steadily to critical acclaim sinceOctober 22, 1946 ~ Trumpeter, singer, composer Jac Berrocal, full name Jacques Berrocal, born in St Jean D'Angely, France ~ Founded jazz ensemble Catalogue. Has also worked as a solo artist and collaborated with Ron Anderson, Pierre Bastien, Pascal Comelade, Jaki Liebezeit, David Fenech, Ghédalia Tazartés, Vincent Epplay, and Jason Willett
October 22, 1945 ~ Singer, songwriter Eddie Brigati, full name Edward Brigati Jr, born in Garfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of Joey Dee & the Starliters, taking over for his brother David Brigati. Member of blue-eyed soul outfit the Young Rascals, co-writing hits such as You Better Run, I've Been Lonely Too Long, Groovin', How Can I Be Sure, Beautiful Morning, and People Got To Be Free
October 22, 1945 ~ Leslie Abel Weinstein, commonly known as guitarist, singer Leslie West, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Founding member, co-lead singer of Mountain, known for their 1970 hit Mississippi Queen of their eponymous Mountain album. West had previously been a member of the Vagrants, with whom he scored the minor hits I Can't Make A Friend and Respect. In 2009 West would marry his fiancée Jenni Maurer on stage to a crowd of 15,000 after the band's performance at the Woodstock 40th Anniversary Concert in Bethel, New York. West had also performed with Mountain at the original edition of the one-time festival the Woodstock Music and Art Fair back in 1969 ~ Weinstein passed away in 2020October 22, 1943 ~ Classical, avant-garde violinist, conductor Paul Zukofsky born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Known for his association with some of the finest composers of contemporary classical music including Milton Babbitt, Easley Blackwood Jr, John Cage, Morton Feldman, Artur Schnabel, Roger Sessions, Stefan Wolpe, Charles Wuorinen, and Iannis Xenakis ~ Zukofsky passed away in 2017
October 22, 1942 ~ Singer Annette Funicello, full name Annette Joanne Funicello, born in Utica, New York, USA ~ Rose to fame as one of the most popular Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club. Would go on to release a number of recordings in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Noted for singles such as Tall Paul, First Name Initial, O Dio Mio and Pineapple Princess ~ Funicello passed away in 2013
October 22, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bobby Fuller, full name Robert Gaston Fuller born in Baytown, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Eddie Cochran, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, Dick Dale, and the Ventures. Fuller fronted the Bobby Fuller Four, its only other constant member his brother bassist Randy Fuller, the band known for songs such as Let Her Dance, Love's Made A Fool Of You, and their best known I Fought The Law. Just months after the latter, their breakout hit and to this day considered a quintessential recording of the era, reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100, Fuller was found deceased in his car at a mere age 23. The medical examiner checked both boxes for “accident” and “suicide” adding question marks. Fuller's death remains a mystery to this day ~ Fuller passed away in 1966October 22, 1933 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records Temptation ~ Written by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed. Recorded by Bing Crosby with Lennie Hayton & his Orchestra, introduced in the 1933 film Going Hollywood. Crosby would again record the song in 1945 with John Scott Trotter's orchestra and in 1954 for the Bing Crosby (A Musical Biography) album. Other notable versions of the song would be recorded by Artie Shaw, Perry Como, Mario Lanza, the Everly Brothers, Charlie Parker, and June Carter & Johnny Cash
October 22, 1931 ~ Harold Lee Chalker, commonly known as steel guitarist Curly Chalker, born in Enterprise, Alabama, USA ~ Worked with Lefty Frizzell including on Always Late (With Your Kisses) and Mom And Dad's Waltz. Worked with Hank Thompson including on Cryin' In The Deep Blue Sea and The Wild Side Of Life. Also backed Red Foley, Porter Wagoner, Hank Penny, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, and Bill Haley. Also guested on recordings outside country and swing such as Marie Osmond's Paper Roses and Simon & Garfunkel's 1969 hit The Boxer. Member of the Four Giants Of Swing, alongside jazz violinist Joe Venuti, guitarist Eldon Shamblin and mandolinist Jethro Burns ~ Chalker passed away in 1998
October 22, 1929 ~ Jazz pianist, conductor, composer Giorgio Gaslini born in Milan, Italy ~ Worked with Anthony Braxton, Steve Lacy, Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd, Max Roach, Gato Barbieri, Jean-Luc Ponty, Enrico Rava, Kent Carter, Jean-François Jenny-Clark, I Nuovi Angeli, Pierro Leveratto, Gianni Bedori, Julius Farmer, Paolo Damiani, Roberto Ottaviano, Claudio Fasoli, Bruno Tomasso, Daniele di Gregorio, and Roberto Bonati ~ Gaslini passed away in 2014
October 22, 1928 ~ Douglas Clare Fischer, commonly known as keyboardist, arranger, composer Clare Fischer, born in Durand, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording Pensative and Morning, the former covered by the likes of George Shearing, Art Blakey, and Freddie Hubbard, while the latter has been covered by Sérgio Mendes, Donald Byrd, and Tito Puente. As a leader or solo pianist, Fischer has recorded over fifty albums since the early 1960s including perhaps most notably America The Beautiful, Starbright, Just Me (Solo Piano Excursions), and On A Turquoise Cloud. As a sideman, Fischer has appeared on albums by Cal Tjader, the Jazz Crusaders, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Henry Mancini, Moacir Santos, Hubert Laws (In The Beginning), Art Pepper, George Benson (Give Me The Night), and Jeff Berlin, while as an arranger he has worked with Chaka Khan, DeBarge, Robert Palmer, Prince (Diamonds And Pearls), Diane Schuur, Céline Dion, Tony Toni Toné, and Al Jarreau ~ Fischer passed away in 2012
October 22, 1928 ~ Country singer Jimmie Rodgers records Waiting For A Train at Victor Studio, Atlanta, Georgia ~ Written by Jimmie Rodgers. Produced by Ralph Peer. Released as the B-side of Blue Yodel No.4 in 1929. The origins of the song can be traced back to a 19th century traditional found in various songbooks. Rodgers began performing the song around 1925 but could not recall the exact words. In 1928 Rodgers and Peer would rework the song to Waiting For A Train. George Harrison would cite both sides of the single as one of the earliest guitar recordings he ever heard, naming Rodgers as an influence on his own work. Gene Autry, Wilf Carter, Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Jerry Lee Lewis would each cover Waiting For A TrainOctober 22, 1926 ~ Arthur Hamilton Stern, commonly known as songwriter Arthur Hamilton, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Best known for penning Cry Me A River, first and most famously released by singer Julie London, a former high school classmate of Hamilton's. Through his connection to London, then married to film director Jack Webb, Hamilton was contracted to write several songs for the 1955 film Pete Kelly's Blues. Ella Fitzgerald was tapped to sing Cry Me A River for the film, yet the song was rejected. When London recorded the song for the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It, it became a global hit. The song would quickly become a standard and has since been recorded by hundreds of artists. When Hamilton penned the song back in the 1950s, the commonly used phrase “cry me a river” was relatively new to him. As he told The Wall Street Journal in 2010: “I had never heard the phrase. I just liked the combination of words. (…) It sounded like a good, smart retort to somebody who had hurt your feelings or broken your heart.” Other songs written or co-written by Hamilton include Bouquet Of Blues (Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore), About The Blues (Chris Connor, Ann Hathaway), Rain Sometimes (Nancy Wilson, Matt Monro, Susannah McCorkle), I Never Told You (Quincy Jones, Toots Thielemans), and Till Love Touches Your Life (Richard Williams, Shirley Bassey, Lou Rawls). Hamilton was the son of comedian and songwriter Jack Stern ~ Stern passed away in 2025
October 22, 1926 ~ Ivor Pomerance, commonly known as pianist, songwriter, arranger, producer Ivor Raymonde, born in UK ~ Best known as arranger and songwriter for Frankie Vaughan, Helen Shapiro, the Walker Brothers, Alan Price, and notably Dusty Springfield, including Springfield's I Only Want To Be With You debut single which reached top 10 in her native UK. Raymond's son bassist, keyboardist Simon Raymonde would reach success as a member of the 1980s, 1990s dream pop pioneers the Cocteau Twins and later co-found the Bella Union record label ~ Pomerance passed away in 1990