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 23, 2024 ~ John Allan Jones, commonly known as singer Jack Jones, passed away in Rancho Mirage, California, USA ~ First gained attention in the late 1950s, performing with his father singer Allan Jones in Las Vegas, to become somewhat of an anomaly during the 1960s, an era dominated by pop, rock & roll and British Invasion while Jones favored big band material, lush arrangements and romantic ballads, though ocassionally Jones did venture into pop, country and bossa nova. Well known songs include Wives And Lovers, Dear Heart, The Race Is On, The Impossible Dream (The Quest), and If You Ever Leave Me. To younger audiences, Jones is perhaps best remembered for Love Boat Theme, the theme to the popular TV show The Love Boat which aired from 1977 through 1986 ~ Jones was born in 1938
October 23, 2023 ~ Pop rock, trip hop guitarist Angelo Bruschini passed away ~ Member of pop rock unit the Blue Aeroplanes during the late 1980s, early 1990s, present on albums such as Swagger and Beatsongs. Member of trip-hoppers Massive Attack, including on 1998's Mezzanine and 2003's 100th Window, both acclaimed albums. Bruschini is also known for producing Strangelove's eponymous 1997 Strangelove album, which spawned the UK top 40 single The Greatest Show On Earth ~ Bruschini was born ca.1961
October 23, 2022 ~ Cowboy singer, guitarist, songwriter Don Edwards passed away ~ After spending years in obscurity rose to critical acclaim in the 1990s. Especially praised for the albums Songs Of The Trail released in 1993 and High Lonesome Cowboy released in 2002, the latter featuring backing from Peter Rowan and Tony Rice. Guested on Nanci Griffith's Night Rider's Lament of her Other Voices Other Rooms album released in 1993. Also known as an actor, notably appearing in the 1998 The Horse Whisperer film portraying the role of Smokey ~ Edwards was born ca.1935October 23, 2022 ~ Operatic soprano Galina Pisarenko, full name Galina Alekseyevna Pisarenko, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Best known for her association with the Stanislavski And Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre, remaining with the ensemble from 1961 through 1990. Also worked regularly with the Komische Oper Berlin during the 1970s, notably performing the title role in Carmen in 1976 ~ Pisarenko was born in 1934
October 23, 2022 ~ Conductor Libor Pesek passed away in Prague, Czechia ~ Considered one of the premier conductors of his day with a career spanning seven decades. Best known for his interpretations of Czech music, including championing lesser known composers such as Josef Suk and Vítezslav Novák. Closely associated with the Czech Philharmonic, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic ~ Pesek was born in 1933
October 23, 2021 ~ Conductor, composer Alfredo Diez Nieto passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Founded and conducted the Orquesta Popular De Conciertos. Composed symphonies and chamber music, incorporating elements from traditional Cuban folk music. Well known works include Los Diablitos, Estampas and Sudor Y Látigo. Led the band of the Cuban Revolutionary Army in 1965 and 1966. Also closely associated with the Orquesta Sinfonica De La Escuala Nacional De Musica and the Orquesta Sinfonica De Camaguey, acclaimed for his interpretations of works composed by the likes of Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Ignacio Cervantes, Alejandro García Caturla, Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes and Antonio Vivaldi ~ Nieto was born in 1918
October 23, 2020 ~ Ronald Clyde Crosby, commonly known as country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Best known for penning Mr Bojangles, covered by numerous artists including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, JJ Cale, King Curtis, Bobbie Gentry, Whitney Houston, Harry Nilsson, Johnny Paycheck, Bob Dylan, and Nina Simone. Other well known songs include Jaded Lover, The Pickup Truck Song, and Trashy Women ~ Crosby was born in 1942
October 23, 2019 ~ Singer Selena Gomez releases Lose You To Love Me, lifted off her Rare album ~ By far her biggest hit and her sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper, Lose You To Love Me is rumored to be about her on-and-off relationship with Justin Bieber from 2010 until 2018 when Bieber married model Hailey Baldwin. A potential clue is hidden in the lyrics, “in two months, you replaced us, like it was easy, made me think I deserved it”. Bieber was first spotted with Baldwin just two months after he and Selena Gomez split. In the end, however, Gomez realises she is better off without him. Although Gomez never confirmed the rumours, she would later comment on her intent with Lose You To Love Me: “I want people to feel hope and to know you will come out the other side stronger and a better version of yourself”
October 23, 2016 ~ Dance-pop, synth-pop, new wave singer Pete Burns, full name Peter Jozzeppi Burns, passed away in London, UK ~ Founded Nightmares In Wax by the late 1970s. The band would reach mainstream succes after renaming themselves Dead Or Alive, best known for their UK No.1 hit You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) of their 1984 Youthquake sophomore album. The single would also reach top 10 across Europe, and remains a radio staple to this day as one of the era's most vibrant songs. The band would continue to chart throughout the end of the decade, notably with singles such as Lover Come Back To Me, In Too Deep, and Something In My House ~ Burns was born in 1959
October 23, 2015 ~ Banjoist, steel guitarist Bill Keith, full name William Bradford Keith, passed away in Woodstock, New York, USA ~ Joined Bill Monroe's quintessential bluegrass outfit the Blue Grass Boys in 1963. Has collaborated with Ian & Sylvia, Clarence White, David Grisman, Tony Trischka, Red Allen, the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Muleskinner, Jim Rooney, Peter Rowan, the Great Speckled Bird, the Bee Gees, Judy Collins, Marcel Dadi, and the Woodstock Mountain Revue ~ Keith was born in 1939October 23, 2015 ~ Folk singer, actor Leon Bibb passed away in Vancouver, Canada ~ Father of Eric Bibb, with whom he also recorded. Performed at the first the Newport Folk Festival in 1959. Blacklisted during the late 1950s for alleged ties to left-wing groups and causes. Acclaimed for his performance on the soundtrack to the 1960 Luis Bunuel-film The Young One ~ Bibb was born in 1922
October 23, 2014 ~ Bernard William Jewry, commonly known as singer, actor Alvin Stardust, passed away in West Sussex, UK ~ Best known for his glam-rock era UK hits including Jealous Mind, You You You, Good Love Can Never Die, Pretend and I Feel Like Buddy Holly ~ Jewry was born in 1942
October 23, 2014 ~ Gloria Jeanne Black, commonly known as singer Jeanne Black passed away in Orem, Utah, USA ~ Best known for her appearances on Cliffie Stone's television program Jamboree from 1956 to 1959 and for a number of early 1960s Capitol Records singles including He'll Have To Stay, a No.4 Billboard Hot 100 hit and an answer song to Jim Reeves's He'll Have To Go ~ Black was born in 1937
October 23, 2013 ~ John Phlip Cawthra, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, singer Gypie Mayo, passed away in Bath, UK ~ Member of Dr Feelgood from 1977 through 1981. Co-wrote the band's best known, the UK top 10 hit Milk And Alcohol, with Nick Lowe. Also present on songs such as She's A Wind Up, Down At The Doctor's, As Long As The Price Is Right and Put Him Out Of Your Mind. Mayo also worked with a latter day incarnation of the Yardbirds from 1996 through 2004 ~ Cawthra was born in 1951
October 23, 1995 ~ Country singer Tim McGraw releases Can't Be Really Gone, lifted off his All I Want album ~ A ballad with the narrator observing all the items left behind in his house by a former lover, the punchline being she “can't be really gone” if all her things are still here. Warmly received by critics, who praised his sincerity and artistic growth since Not A Moment Too Soon, his previous album. Can't Be Really Gone would be Tim McGraw's seventh consecutive Billboard Country top 10 hit, peaking at No.2
October 23, 1989 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases Rhythm Nation, lifted off her Rhythm Nation 1814 album ~ In response to various tragic events at the time, specifically the 1989 mass murder at the Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California, where five children were killed and over two dozen more injured, Janet Jackson aimed to respond with a positive message of hope, unity and equality. Jackson and the song's co-writers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis took inspiration from the nightclub scene in New York, with people of different backgrounds all having fun and dancing, united in their love of music. Jackson has been quoted as saying the main idea behind Rhythm Nation was “how great it would be if we could create our own nation, one that would have a positive message and that everyone would be free to join.” Issued as the second single off Rhythm Nation 1814, it would peak at No.2 Billboard Hot 100. All seven singles lifted off the album would reach top 5 in Jackson's native America, making her the first artist to achieve this feat
October 23, 1989 ~ Singer Phil Collins releases Another Day In Paradise, lifted off his But Seriously album ~ Despite initial lukewarm reception, Another Day In Paradise, one of the singer's rare socially conscious songs, would become one of his biggest hits. It reached top 10 in well over a dozen countries including the No.1 spot in America, and earned Phil Collins and co-writer Hugh Padgham the Grammy Award for Record of the Year as well as nominations in four other categories. In Another Day In Paradise, Collins observes a man crossing the street to ignore a homeless woman, and the singer pleads with his listeners not to turn a blind eye. The singer would later tell of an encounter he had with a homeless woman on the street: “What (the song) deals with is people's awkwardness with it. When it happened to me, I just walked straight past. I thought, I'm doing the same thing as everybody else. I felt awkward. I didn't ignore her but at the same time I didn't stop and give her some money. That's what the song deals with, people just sort of starting to pretend it's not happening”
October 23, 1985 ~ Miguel Jontel Pimentel, mononymously known as rapper, singer, actor Miguel, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Has been critically compared to both Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and Prince for his distinctive sound drawing from R&B, funk, hip-hop, rock and pop. Released his full-length All I Want Is You debut album in 2010, its title track featuring J Cole becoming his first hit at No.7 Billboard R&B. Miguel has recorded consistently since as a solo artist, and has collaborated with the likes of Wale, Mariah Carey, Janelle Monáe, A$AP Rocky, and Kygo. As a solo artist, Miguel is best known for songs such as Sure Thing, Quickie, Adorn, and Sky Walker, all of which have reached top 20 Billboard R&BOctober 23, 1983 ~ Singer, actor Josh Strickland born in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ First gained serious attention as contestant in 2003 as contestant on the talent show American Idol aired on Fox. Would go on to feature in a 2006 Broadway production of Tarzan. Also performed in the Vegas burlesque show Peepshow
October 23, 1978 ~ Maybelle Addington, commonly known as guitarist, auto-harpist, singer Mother Maybelle Carter, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of the Carter Family, one of the most beloved and influential family outfits in country music. Helped establish the guitar as a lead instrument in country music. Member of the Carter Sisters. Married to manager Ezra Carter, with whom she had three daughters Helen Carter, Anita Carter and June Carter ~ Carter was born in 1909
October 23, 1976 ~ Pop rock, gospel, R&B drummer Aaron Spears born in Washington DC, USA ~ Session drummer active since the early 2000s, appearing on albums by Lady Gaga, Usher (Confessions), Distinguished, Miley Cyrus, JoAnn Rosario, Chaka Khan, DeWayne Woods (My Life's Lyrics), Tiziano Ferro, and Ariana Grande. On the TV side, Spears served as house drummer for the pilot of NBC's 2019 Songland songwriting competition show, and as music coordinator for the third season of The Masked Singer singing competition, aired on Fox in 2020 ~ Spears passed away in 2023
October 23, 1976 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, If You Leave Me Now by Chicago hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 for the first of two consecutive weeks ~ Up to this point the band had regularly reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, yet this lush ballad written by Peter Cetera, who also sang lead on the track, would be the band's first No.1. The group found a new audience and became much more successful, but also got earmarked as a soft rock group, which took the focus away from their grittier horn-heavy songs. If You Leave Me Now would earn the band two Grammy Awards, and remains one of their best known. The band would score two more Cetera-led hits, Baby What A Big Surprise reached No.4, Hard To Say I'm Sorry reached the top spot. After Cetera departed the group in 1985, he immediately scored two hit ballads, Glory Of Love and its follow-up single The Next Time I Fall, a duet with Amy Grant, both lifted off his Solitude-Solitaire solo debut album reached No.1 and No.3, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100October 23, 1972 ~ Britpop, indie guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Richard McNamara born in Mytholmroyd, UK ~ Member of rock outfit Embrace, sharing lead vocals with his older brother Danny McNamara. The band is known for a string of hits starting in the late 1990s including the UK top 10 hits All You Good People, Come Back To What You Know, My Weakness Is None Of Your Business, Gravity, Nature's Law, and World At Your Feet
October 23, 1971 ~ Soft rock outfit Bread release Baby I'm A-Want You, lifted off the album of the same name ~ One of the band's biggest hits, peaking at No.3 Billboard Hot 100, and one of their best remembered, Baby I'm A-Want You remains a staple of 1970s pop rock radio to this day. The song is best known for its off-diction, David Gates changing the lyrics from “baby I'm going to want you” to “baby I'm a-want you” to fit the melody, followed by “baby I'm a-need you” in the next line. Gates would later recollect: “I had written the song on piano, and when we recorded it on piano, it had no life. I went home demoralized, because I knew it was a good song. So I tried it on guitar and raised it a whole key, then redid it. It made all the difference in the world”
October 23, 1967 ~ Sludge metal, grunge, hardcore punk, experimental rock drummer, guitarist, singer Dale Crover born in Aberdeen, Washington, USA ~ Critically acclaimed. In-demand session and touring drummer. Best known as member of the Melvins. Also closely associated with Men Of Porn, Shrinebuilder, Crystal Fairy, and briefly Nirvana. Guitarist, singer for Altamont. Toured with the Fantomas filling in for Dave Lombardo, with OFF and with Red Kross. Has also recorded as a solo artist, notably the 2017 The Fickle Finger Of Fate album
October 23, 1967 ~ Trumpeter Miles Davis releases his Sorcerer album ~ The third in a series of six, preceded by ESP and Miles Smiles, recorded with a line-up known as Miles Davis' second great quintet, the trumpeter backed by saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams, Down Beat observed a transition from “big old fat lazy melodies” of his traditional bop past toward an “extraordinarily sophisticated route to expression”. Actress Cicely Tyson, then-girlfriend and future wife of Davis, graced the album cover