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 25, 1951 ~ Guitarist Richard Lloyd born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Co-founding member of Television. The band is especially acclaimed for its 1977 Marquee Moon debut album, considered one of the defining releases of the punk era. The band would record one more album, 1978's Adventure, before breaking up due to artistic differences, Lloyd's substance abuse, and lack of commercial success. Regardless, the band has been said to influence numerous artists including the Pixies, Sonic Youth, U2, Joy Division, and REM. The band reformed in the early 1990s
October 25, 1950 ~ Pekka Johannes Järvinen, commonly known as rock guitarist Albert Järvinen, born in Iitti, Finland ~ Chose his stage name in honor of blues guitarist Albert King. Best known as guitarist of rock outfit the Hurriganes, with whom he recorded two albums in the early 1970s and two more after rejoining the band at the end of the decade. During his hiatus from the band, Järvinen released his solo debut album Ride On and worked with Dave Lindholm. Reportedly, singer Elvis Costello also sought to employ Järvinen for his backing unit, but Järvinen declined. Following his second dismissal from the Hurriganes in 1981, Järvinen was briefly a member of the Sleepy Sleepers before forming the short-lived the Quips with Sleepers bandmate drummer Harri Lemola. Järvinen recorded two more solo albums, Braindamage (Or Still Alive) which included a guest performance from his big hero Albert King, and Mirror Tower, before passing away at age 40 of a heart attack while touring the UK ~ Järvinen passed away in 1991
October 25, 1950 ~ Singer Chris Norman, full name Christopher Ward Norman, born in Redcar, UK ~ Lead singer of Smokie through 1986, present on the band's best known including If You Think You Know How To Love Me, Don't Play Your Rock 'n Roll To Me, Living Next Door To Alice, It's Your Life, and Oh Carol, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK. Norman also notably collaborated with Suzi Quatro on the 1978 hit Stumblin' In. Oddly enough, it would be Quatro's sole American top 10 hit, peaking at No.4 Billboard Hot 100, while it failed to reach top 40 in the UK where she enjoyed a far greater popularity
October 25, 1948 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock guitarist Glenn Tipton, full name Glenn Raymond Tipton, born in Blackheath, UK ~ Known for his classically influenced solos. Co-lead guitarist of Judas Priest, joining the band in 1974. Present on the band's best known including the UK top 20 hits Take On The World, Living After Midnight and Breaking The Law. Released his solo debut album, Baptizm Of Fire, in 1997 during the band's hiatus. Tipton retired from touring in 2018 for medical reasonsOctober 25, 1947 ~ Singer, arranger, songwriter Frank Collins born in Liverpool, UK ~ Member of the Excels, Kokomo and notably Arrival, writing the 1970 hit I Will Survive for the latter. Would go on to become an in-demand session and backing singer for the likes of Bryan Ferry, Marianne Faithfull, Ian Dury, Marc Bolan, Alison Moyet, BB King, and Bob Dylan
October 25, 1947 ~ William Michael McGee, commonly known as drummer Mickey McGee, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ First gained attention in the early 1970s backing Linda Ronstadt on the Don't Cry Now album and subsequently Jackson Browne on the For Everyman album. Member of the Flying Burrito Brothers from 1975 through 1981. Has also worked with Juice Newton, for whom he co-wrote Blue and I'll Never Love Again, with Ricky Nelson, JD Souther, Warren Zevon, and Chris Darrow ~ McGee passed away in 2020
October 25, 1946 ~ Singer, songwriter Stephan Remmler born in Witten, Germany ~ Rose to fame as lead singer of Trio, which also included guitarist Gert Krawinkel and drummer Peter Behrens. The band is best known for their 1982 single Da Da Da, which became a hit in over two dozen countries including top 10 positions in the UK and the band's native Germany. Following the band's disbandement in 1986 Remmler has recorded as a solo artist, his work ranging from Schlager to rock. Notable solo songs include Keine Sterne In Athen and Alles Hat Ein Ende (Nur Die Wurst Hat Zwei)October 25, 1945 ~ Phillip Edward Volk, commonly known as bassist Phil Fang Volk, born in Nampa, Idaho, USA ~ Best known for his stint with Paul Revere & the Raiders from 1965 through 1967, their most successful period, and notably present on songs such Hungry, Just Like Me, and Kicks. Following his departure from the band Volk notably toured with Ricky Nelson as a member of Nelson's backing unit the Stone Canyon Band, replacing Randy Meisner
October 25, 1944 ~ Progressive rock, symphonic rock, pop rock singer, guitarist Jon Anderson, full name Jon Roy Anderson, born in Accrington, UK ~ Lead singer, guitarist of quintessential progressive rock outfit Yes, which he co-founded in 1968 with Chris Squire. Anderson has enjoyed several tenures with the band before finally departing in 2008. Aside from his time with the band Anderson has also had an impressive solo career, starting with Olias Of Sunhilow released in 1976, and is an in-demand collaborator, including notably forming the duo Jon & Vangelis with Vangelis. Other artists he has worked with include Jean-Luc Ponty, King Crimson, Tangerine Dream, the Warriors, Iron Butterfly, Milton Nascimento, Mike Oldfield, and Kitaro
October 25, 1944 ~ Mary Catherine Nivert, commonly known as singer, songwriter Taffy Danoff born in Washington DC, USA ~ Married to singer, songwriter Bill Danoff from 1972 through 1981. The couple performed as the late 1960s folk duo Fat City, later working under the moniker Bill & Taffy. Nivert and Danoff would co-write Take Me Home Country Roads with John Denver, the latter recording the song for his 1971 Poems Prayers & Promises album. The couple also formed half of the Starland Vocal Band alongside Jon Carroll and Margot Chapman, the band best known for the 1976 Billboard Hot 100 charttopper Afternoon Delight
October 25, 1942 ~ Jazz trumpeter, cornetist, hornist Terumasa Hino born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Leader and sideman. Considered one of Japan's finest jazz musicians. Influenced by Fumio Nanri and Hiroshi Sakaue. Active since the 1950s. Worked with Hideo Shiraki from the mid- to late 1960s. Well over 50 albums to his name as solo artist, leader or co-leader, starting with Alone Alone And Alone released in 1967. Has collaborated with the likes of Motohiko Hino, Masabumi Kikuchi, Randy Brecker, Gil Evans, Eddie Harris, Elvin Jones, Jackie McLean, Airto Moreira, George Mraz, Naná Vasconcelos, Sadao Watanabe, Joachim Kühn, Mal Waldron, and John Scofield
October 25, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress, activist Helen Reddy, full name Helen Maxine Reddy, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Active since the late 1960s. Dubbed “the Queen of '70s Pop.” Known best for her I Don't Know How To Love Him and her signature song and feminist anthem I'm A Woman, the former initially released as the B-side of her 1970 I Believe In Music single. Other well known songs include Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress), You And Me Against The World, Angie Baby and Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady, all of which reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Reddy passed away in 2020
October 25, 1938 ~ Producer, songwriter Don Davis born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Sessioned as guitarist for several Detroit-based labels, including Motown, before moving into songwriting and producing. Best known for his association with Stax/Volt and especially Johnnie Taylor, notably on the hits Who's Making Love, Jody's Got Your Girl And Gone and Disco Lady. Would set up several production and publishing companies, acquire Detroit's United Sound studios and found the Tortoise International label in the 1970s, working with artists such as First Fire, the Rockets, the Skyliners, and Dan Schafer ~ Davis passed away in 2014October 25, 1937 ~ Gloria Jeanne Black, commonly known as singer Jeanne Black, born in Pomona, California, 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 passed away in 2014
October 25, 1937 ~ Bossa nova singer, guitarist, songwriter Roberto Menescal born in Vitória, Brazil ~ Bossa nova pioneer known for his composition O Barquinho. Has worked with Carlos Lyra, Nara Leão, Wanda Sa, Ale Vanzella, Silvia Telles, Maria Bethânia, Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil, Jorge Ben, Caetano Veloso, Nara Leão, Elis Regina, Jair Rodrigues, Claudette Soares, and Joe Henderson
October 25, 1936 ~ Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez born in Havana, Cuba ~ Noted for his association with Carlos Valdés. Also worked with Africando, Arsenío Rodriguez, Conjunction Sensacion, Vicentico Valdés, Willie Rosario, Joe Cuba, José Fajardo, Tipica Novel, Alfredo de la Fé, Ismael Rivera, Rafael Cortijo, La Lupe, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Camilo Azuquita, Art Webb, and Roberto Torres ~ Rodriguez passed away in 2005
October 25, 1935 ~ McKinley James Millet Jr, commonly known as R&B singer, pianist, bassist, songwriter Li'l Millet, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for co-writing and first recording Rich Woman and for co-writing All Around The World in the mid 1950s. The former would be covered by Canned Heat, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, the latter would be used by Little Richard for the B-side of The Girl Can't Help It released in 1956. Millet would enjoy regional popularity throughout the 1980s ~ Millet passed away in 1997
October 25, 1933 ~ Jazz guitarist Jack Petersen, full name Jack Leroy Petersen, born in Elk City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Also played double bass, cello, piano. Worked with Hal McIntyre, the Matteson-Phillips Tubajazz Consort, Dave Brubeck, Randy Brecker, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Buddy DeFranco, Herb Ellis, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Milt Hinton, Lena Horne, Stan Kenton, Peggy Lee, Michel Legrand, Henry Mancini, Lou Marini, Ellis Marsalis Jr, Rufus Reid, Doc Severinsen, Clark Terry, and Nancy Wilson
October 25, 1926 ~ Jazz, bebop, hard bop saxophonist Jimmy Heath, full name James Edward Heath, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Brother of bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert Heath, with whom he also worked under the group moniker the Heath Brothers. Earned the nickname “Little Bird” for his small stature after his work with Howard McGhee and Dizzy Gillespie, his playing showing influences from Charlie Parker who was dubbed Bird. Has collaborated with Nat Towles, John Coltrane, Kenny Dorham, Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Nat Adderley, Benny Carter, Blue Mitchell, and the American Jazz Orchestra. As a composer best known for the jazz standards Ginger Bread Boy (Milt Jackson, Elvin Jones, Dexter Gordon), CTA (Miles Davis, Lee Morgan), and For Minors Only (Art Blakey, Chet Baker) ~ Heath passed away in 2020October 25, 1925 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Zena Latto born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Member of the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, one of the first all-female ensembles enjoyeing popularity during the big band era. Latto departed the band in the mid 1950s to found and front her own band the Modern Moods ~ Latto passed away in 2016
October 25, 1924 ~ Drummer Earl Palmer, full name Earl Cyril Palmer, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since the late 1940s Palmer has worked as a session drummer with a host of artists including on Little Richard's first few albums and just about every early Richard single, on Fats Domino's The Fat Man and I'm Walking, Professor Longhair's Tipitina, Lloyd Price's Lawdy Miss Clawdy, and on Smiley Lewis' I Hear You Knocking. Has also sessioned for TV and film soundtracks, and worked well into the 1980s with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Phil Spector, Ricky Nelson, Bobby Vee, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Eddie Cochran, Ritchie Valens, Bobby Day, Jan & Dean, the Beach Boys, Larry Williams, Gene McDaniels, Bobby Darin, Neil Young, the Pets, David Axelrod, Dizzy Gillespie, Earl Bostic, Onzy Matthews, Count Basie, BB King, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, Tim Buckley, Little Feat, and Elvis Costello. Member of the Wrecking Crew, a loose collective of first call session musicians which at times included Leon Russell, Jim Gordon, Plas Johnson, Hal Blaine, and Larry Knechtel ~ Palmer passed away in 2008October 25, 1918 ~ Greig Stewart Jackson, commonly known as bassist Chubby Jackson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Perhaps best known for his work with Woody Herman, driving Herman's rhythm section. As a leader acclaimed for his 1957 I'm Entitled To You album. Has also worked with Charlie Ventura, Dinah Washington, Charlie Barnet (Cherokee), Coleman Hawkins, Zoot Sims, Gerry Mulligan, and Lionel Hampton ~ Jackson passed away in 2003
October 25, 1913 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Ren Shields passed away in Massapequa, New York, USA ~ Best known for co-writing In The Good Old Summertime with George Honey Boy Evans. The song would be a hit in 1902 for both William Redmond and JW Myers. The song would become a standard covered by numerous artists including Uncle Dave Macon, the Andrews Sisters, Chet Atkins, Bing Crosby, Freddy Cannon, and the Osmond Brothers. Other songs co-written by Shields include Come Take A Trip In My Air Ship (Billy Murray, Johnny Cash, Natalie Merchant), Waltz Me Around Again Willie (Billy Murray, Cindy Walker), Down Where The Watermelon Grows (Eddie Foy, Homer & Jethro, Red Rector), and Steamboat Bill (Arthur Collins, Irving Kaufman, Smiley Burnette) ~ Shields was born in 1868
October 25, 1902 ~ Salvatore Massaro, commonly known as guitarist Eddie Lang born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Proficient on violin and banjo but best known as “the Father of Jazz guitar” and especially renowned for his work with Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke under the group moniker Tram Bix & Lang. Has worked with Red McKenzie in the Mound City Blowers, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Jean Goldkette, Adrian Rollini, Hoagy Carmichael, Jack Pettis, Bessie Smith, Clarence Williams, Paul Whiteman, Bing Crosby, and Rube Bloom ~ Lang passed away in 1933
October 25, 1885 ~ Samuel M Levine, commonly known as singer, lyricist Sam M Lewis, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as a songwriter, lyricist. Co-wrote Rock-a-bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody, first recorded by the Jockers Brothers in 1918 and covered by about an estimated hundred artists including Sam Butera, Johnny Maddox, Russ Conway, and Aretha Franklin. Co-wrote Dinah, first recorded by the Revelers in 1925 and covered by over three hundred artists including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Bill Haley. Other songs co-written by Lewis have been recorded by Marion Harris, Zez Confrey, Blossom Seeley, Sam Lanin (Five Foot Two Eyes Of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Girl)), Paul Whiteman, Guy Lombardo, Paul Robeson, Billie Holiday (That's Life I Guess), and Sam Donahue ~ Levine passed away in 1959