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 7, 1966 ~ Overton Amos Lewis, commonly known as blues, R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Smiley Lewis, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for about half a dozen 1950s singles, most notably Tee Nah Nah, Blue Monday, I Hear You Knocking and One Night Of Sin. The latter would be covered by Elvis Presley with slightly altered, less risque lyrics as One Night. Smiley's I Hear You Knocking would be covered by over a hundred artists, including notably retro rock and roll singer Dave Edmunds in 1970, whose single reached No.4 Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in the UK ~ Lewis was born in 1913
October 7, 1964 ~ Singer Sam Brown born in Stratford, UK ~ Daughter of singer, guitarist Joe Brown and singer Vicki Brown. Backing vocalist for artists such as Gary Moore, George Harrison, the Small Faces, Spandau Ballet, Adam Ant, Jon Lord, Pink Floyd (The Division Bell), the Firm, Dodgy and Nick Cave. As a solo artist known for a string of 1980s, 1990s singles, notably Can I Get A Witness, Kissing Gate and her best known Stop, the latter reaching the UK top 10. Formed Homespun in 2003 with David RotherayOctober 7, 1963 ~ Singer Ann Curless, full name Ann Katherine Curless, born in Albany, New York, USA ~ Member of Exposé from 1986 to 1996, sang lead on Stop Listen Look & Think, As Long As I Can Dream, and In Walked Love. Also wrote or co-wrote songs for the Degrees Of Motion, Celi Bee, and for Angela Bofill
October 7, 1963 ~ Keith Matthew Thornton, commonly known as rapper Kool Keith, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Ultramagnetic MC's. Also known under the monnikers Dr Octagon and Dr Doom. Debuted as a solo artist with the 1996 album Dr Octagonecologyst. One of hip-hop's most eccentric personalities known for his surreal, abstract and often profane or incomprehensible lyrics. Smack My Bitch Up, a hit for the Prodigy, was based on a sample of Keith saying “change my pitch up, smack my bitch up”
October 7, 1963 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones record I Wanna Be Your Man at Kingsway Sound, London, UK ~ Written by the Beatles' John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Produced by Andrew Loog Oldham and Eric Easton. The recording featured Mick Jagger lead vocals, Brian Jones on slide guitar, Keith Richards rhythm guitar, Bill Wyman bass and Charlie Watts drums. It would be released in November as their sophomore UK single, paired with Stoned on the flip side
October 7, 1962 ~ Country, alt-country singer, guitarist, songwriter Dale Watson, full name Kenneth Dale Watson, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Maverick carrying on the torch of hard-edged old-school country and subgenres, specifically trucking songs, adding a modern rock feel. Debuted in 1995 with the Cheatin' Heart Attack album and has been recording to critical acclaim and a devoted cult following sinceOctober 7, 1962 ~ Francis Hillman Blackwell, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer Scrapper Blackwell, passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Worked with Leroy Carr in the 1920s and 1930s, noted for recordings such as 1928's How Long How Long Blues. As a solo artist made pivotal recordings such as Kokomo Blues, which would later be reworked into Old Kokomo Blues by Kokomo Arnold and into Sweet Home Chicago by Robert Johnson ~ Hillman was born in 1903
October 7, 1961 ~ Peter Cassidy, commonly known as crossover thrash, thrash metal, hardcore punk guitarist, songwriter Spike Cassidy, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of DRI, an acronym for “Dirty Rotten Imbeciles.” Along with singer Kurt Brecht the only other constant member of the band, critically acclaimed for their 1985 Dealing With It album. Has also produced sludge metal band Acid Bath's 1994 When The Kite String Pops debut album
October 7, 1960 ~ Rock, pop singer, guitarist Kyosuke Himuro born in Takasaki, Japan ~ Member of the Death Penalty. Member of Spinach Power. Would rise to fame as lead singer of Boøwy, enjoying popularity during the 1980s. Following the band's disbandement in 1988 Himuro would venture out on his own, becoming one of the best-selling acts in his native Japan. Himuro's first seven solo albums, starting with Flowers For Algernon released in 1988, would all reach the No.1 position on the Oricon album charts
October 7, 1960 ~ Sonia Dronier, commonly known as singer Viktor Lazlo, born in Lorient, France ~ Sings in French, English, and German. Active since the mid-1980s, enjoying popularity in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and France. Best known for her 1987 eponymous Viktor Lazlo sophomore album, which spawned the Belgian top 10 hit Breathless, and its 1989 follow-up Hot & Soul, both produced by Belgian producer Lou DeprijckOctober 7, 1957 ~ Jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger Morten Halle born in Oslo, Norway ~ Worked with Cutting Edge, Oslo 13, Knut Værnes, Jon Balke, Søyr, Chipahua, Geir Holmsen, the Jazzpunkensemblet, Desfinado, Horns For Hire, Jan Magne Førde, Jan Eggum, Marianne Antonsen, Jørun Bøgeberg, Anders Jormin, Svante Henryson, the Teddybears, Viggo Sandvik, and Maj Britt Andersen
October 7, 1955 ~ Donald Orlando Shaw, commonly known as reggae singer Tabby Shaw, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Formed roots reggae harmony group the Mighty Diamonds with Judge Ferguson and Bunny Simpson, best known for their 1976 The Right Time debut album. Originally recorded Pass The Kouchie in 1981, notably covered by pop-reggae outfit Musical Youth as Pass The Dutchie ~ Shaw passed away in 2022
October 7, 1955 ~ Cellist Yo-Yo Ma born in Paris, France ~ Crossover classical cellist, recording in a wide variety of genres including bluegrass, tango, world music, folk. Child prodigy. Has worked with leading classical orchestras as well as pop and rock musicians inlcuding Carlos Santana, James Taylor and Bobby McFerrin. Over 90 albums and well over a dozen Grammy Awards to his name. Especially acclaimed for albums such as Yo-Yo Ma (Music That Matters To Him), Oigang Chen Iris Devoilee and Hope Amid Tears (Beethoven Cello Sonatas)
October 7, 1953 ~ Hector Juan Samuel Torres, commonly known as rock drummer Tico Torres born in New York, New York, USA ~ Invited to join Bon Jovi in 1983, a year prior to the release of their Bon Jovi debut album. Torres was initially reluctant to join the band, as lead singer Jon Bon Jovi was 9 years younger than him but persuaded by Jovi's charismatic stage presence. The band would go on to record over a dozen albums, selling over 130 million records worldwide, and score numerous Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits including the charttoppers You Give Love A Bad Name, Livin' On A Prayer, Bad Medicine, and I'll Be There For YouOctober 7, 1951 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter John Mellencamp born in Seymour, Indiana, USA ~ Heartland rocker. Influenced by Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, James Brown, the Rolling Stones. Recording since the mid 1970s. Known for hits such as Jack & Diane, the Grammy Award-winning Hurts So Good, Crumbling Down, Pink Houses, Lonely Ol' Night, Small Town, ROCK In The USA, Paper In Fire and Cherry Bomb
October 7, 1951 ~ Hard rock, metal singer Marc Storace born in Silema, Malta ~ Best known as frontman of Krokus. Drew critical comparison to AC/DC's Bon Scott and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant. Has also recorded as a solo artist as well as with acts such as TEA and Warrior. As an actor appeared in the films Anuk and Handyman, also contributing to both soundtracks
October 7, 1951 ~ Guitarist Míchael O Dhomhnaill born in Kells, Ireland ~ Major influence on traditional Irish musicians, especially through his innovative work with Skara Brae and with the Bothy Band. The former would be the first group to record vocal hrmonies in Irish language songs, the latter is widely regarded as one of the most important groups in Irish traditional music. Has also workled with Kevin Burke, Relativity and with Nightnoise ~ Domhnaill passed away in 2006
October 7, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Kieran Kane born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Formed the country duo the O'Kanes with Jamie O'Hara, known for a string of late 1980s singles including the Billboard Country top 10 hits Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You, Daddies Need To Grow Up Too, Just Lovin' You, One True Love and Blue Love. Following the duo's disbandement in 1990, Kane returned to a solo career. Kane also collaborated with Kevin Welch and Fats Kaplin, recording a number of albums under the group moniker Kane Welch Kaplin starting with You Can't Save Everybody released in 2004
October 7, 1947 ~ Philip Malcolm Williams, commonly known as guitarist, arranger, producer Pip Williams, born ~ Member of the Fantastics and the Vagabonds. Sessioned throughout the 1970s, notably present on tracks such Sweet's Poppa Joe and the Walker Brothers' No Regrets. Would go on to work as a producer, closely associated with Status Quo and the Moody Blues. Produced Jim Diamond's I Should Have Known Better hit single, which topped the UK charts in 1984
October 7, 1945 ~ Singer, drummer, keyboardist, songwriter, producer Kevin Godley born in Manchester, UK ~ Regular collaborator of Lol Creme, including in the Sabres, Hotlegs and most notably in art rock band 10cc, enjoying a particular successful run on the UK charts in the 1970s. The band is known for their irony-laden, tongue-in-cheek and over-the-top style, drawing from a wide variety of genres. Starting with their 1974 Sheet Music sophomore album they would score five consecutive UK top 10 albums. Welll-known songs include Rubber Bullets, The Wall Street Shuffle, Life Is A Minestrone, I'm Not In Love, Art For Art's Sake, I'm Mandy Fly Me, The Things We Do For Love and perhaps their best known Dreadlock Holiday, all of which reached top 10 in the UK. The duo would depart the band in 1977 and become known as Godley & Creme, directing music videos for others and from time to time recording as a duo, notably the 1985 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Cry
October 7, 1944 ~ Judith Lynne Sill, commonly known as folk, baroque pop, folk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Judee Sill, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach. Though the depth of her faith is debatable Sill wrote lyrics about Christian themes such as rapture and redemption. First artist to be signed to the Asylum label. Recorded two albums, 1971's Judee Sill and 1973's Heart Food, and demos for a third before dying at age 35 of a drug overdose. Though never commercially successful and only gaining limited recognition during her lifetime, Sill has been cited as an influence by artists such as Nick Lowe, Liz Phair, Warren Zevon, Robin Pecknold, and Daniel Rossen. Sill was referenced in or is the object of several songs, notably Laura Veirs' Song For Judee, Aaron Lee Tasjan's Judee Was A Punk, and the Fleet Foxes' Sunblind ~ Sill passed away in 1979October 7, 1943 ~ Bandleader Jimmy Dorsey & his Orchestra record Besamo Mucho ~ Written and originally recorded by Consuelo Velázquez this bolero would become one of the most popular Latin songs, covered by many. Released as a single by Jimmy Dorseyfeaturing vocalists Bob Eberly and Kitty Kallen, b/w My Ideal, in December 1943
October 7, 1943 ~ Guitarist Mick Wayne, full name Michael David Wayne, born in Hammersmith, UK ~ Fronted short-lived late 1960s rock outfit Junior's Eyes, known for their sole Battersea Power Station album and for backing David Bowie during 1969. Wayne has also worked with Hullaballoos, Bunch Of Fives, and the Tickle ~ Wayne passed away in 1994
October 7, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Andrea Lo Vecchio born in Milan, Italy ~ Active as a solo artist since the early 1960s, scoring a record deal with CBS after winning a talent contest in 1963. In-demand songwriter and collaborator. Closely associated with Roberto Vecchioni and Mina. Internationally perhaps best known for co-penning If I Only Had Time, a 1969 hit for John Rowles. Has also worked with Adriano Celentano, Shirley Bassey, Gigliola Cinquetti, Mireille Mathieu, Demis Roussos, Claude François, Ivan Graziani, Manuel De Peppe, and I Nuovi Angeli ~ Lo Vecchio passed away in 2021October 7, 1941 ~ R&B, soul singer Tony Silvester born in Colón, Panama ~ Orginal member of 1970s R&B outfit Main Ingredient, remaining with the band through the mid 1970s replaced by Cark Tompkins only to reunite in 1979. Present on the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Everybody Plays The Fool and Just Don't Want To Be Lonely ~ Silvester passed away in 2006