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.
September 18, 1973 ~ Jamie Alexander Lidderdale, commonly known as soul, funk, electronic singer, songwriter Jamie Lidell, born in Huntingdon, UK ~ Formed the duo Super Collider with Cristian Vogel, with whom he recorded the albums Head On and Raw Digits. Actively recording as a solo artist since his Muddlin' Gear debut album released in 2000. Perhaps best known for Multiply, used in the TV show Grey's Anatomy
September 18, 1971 ~ Operatic soprano Anna Netrebko, full name Anna Yuryevna Netrebko, born in Krasdonar, Soviet Union ~ Discovered and mentored by Valery Gergiev. Has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera, and the San Francisco Opera. As of 2022 there has been a debate over her association with Russian president Vladimir Putin. At one time rumored to be romantically involved with Putin, which she denied. Her name also appeared on a list of some 500 celebrities endorsing Putin in the 2012 election, though she stated she never signed this declaration. Celebrated her 50th birthday in 2021 with a concert held in the Kremlin. Her public condemnation however of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted the Putin-controlled Russian parliament to denounce her a traitor. As of 2023 she is also sanctioned by the government of Ukraine
September 18, 1970 ~ Johnny Allen Hendrix, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Jimi Hendrix, passed away in London, UK ~ Hugely influential guitarist set the bar for generations to follow. One of the first to extensively use tone-altering effects such as fuzz distortion, wah-was, and uni-vibe. The first to use stereophonic phasing effects in recording. Despite recording only three albums during his lifetime, Are You Experienced, Axis (Bold As Love), and Electric Ladyland, Hendrix is regarded as one of the most important and influential guitarists, expanding the range of the instrument. Well known songs include All Along The Watchtower, Hey Joe, Purple Haze, The Wind Cries Mary, and Foxy Lady ~ Hendrix was born in 1942September 18, 1970 ~ R&B saxophonist, arranger, producer Maxwell Davis passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Fletcher Henderson, Jay McShann, Jimmy Witherspoon, Percy Mayfield, Peppermint Harris, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, T-Bone Walker, BB King, and Amos Milburn ~ Davis was born in 1916
September 18, 1969 ~ Darryl Hill, commonly known as rapper Cappadonna, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Wu-Tang Clan, at times referred to as the “Unofficial 10th Member” and first appearing on the 1997 Wu-Tang Forever album. Also recorded as a solo artist, starting with The Pillage released in 1998, as well as with Theodore Unit
September 18, 1967 ~ Ricardo Bell, commonly known as R&B, new jack swing singer, actoringer Ricky Bell, born in New Jersey, USA ~ Formed the duo Ricky & Ralph with close friend Ralph Tresvant. The pair would go on to co-found the highly successful R&B, new jack swing outfit New Edition, known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Cool It Now, If It Isn't Love, Hit Me Off and I'm Still In Love With You. Bell would form Bell Biv DeVoe with bandmates Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe in 1990, known best for their multi-platinum Poison debut album which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Poison and Do Me both considered landmark tracks in the new jack swing genre
September 18, 1967 ~ Neoclassical, experimental composer Robert William Witt passed away ~ Married to colorature soprano singer Eva Mondrut. Mentored by Vincent Persichetti. Well known for integrating old themes into new works. Best known for the works Divertimento For Three Woodwinds, Te Deum For Chorus And Brass Quintet and Sonatina No.1 ~ Witt was born in 1930
September 18, 1966 ~ Pop rock singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Nigel Clark born in Redditch, UK ~ Best known for fronting Dodgy, rising to prominence during the 1990s Britpop wave scoring hits such as Staying Out For The Summer, If You're Thinking Of Me and their best known, the UK top 10 hit Good Enough
September 18, 1965 ~ Rock, hard rock, flamenco, jazz, blues guitarist, songwriter Dave Dunlop, full name John David Dunlop, born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Member of rock outfit the Full Nine, with whom he recorded two albums. Best known for his association with guitarist Rik Emmett, the duo working together in Triumph, the Rik Emmett Band, and notably as a duo in the Strung-Out Troubadours, the latter especially acclaimed for their eponymous 2006 Strung Out Troubadours album. Dunlop would release his long-awaited full-length Monarch Girl solo album in 2016, featuring backing from Emmett, Randy Cooke, David Blamires, Paul DeLong, and Don BreithauptSeptember 18, 1965 ~ Pop, pop rock singer Monique Klemann born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Along with sister Suzanne Klemann, Klemann was a key member of pop outfit Lois Lane. The band is known for late 1980s, 1990s hits such as It's The First Time, Fortune Fairytales, Qualified, and Tonight, all of which reached top 10 on the Dutch charts. Both Klemann sisters also sang with Girls Wanna Have Fun, an all-female Dutch supergroup named for the Cyndi Lauper song
September 18, 1965 ~ Pop, rock, country singer, songwriter Tone Norum born in Varde, Norway ~ Baby sister of Europe guitarist John Norum. Released her Joey Tempest-produced One Of A Kind debut album in 1986, which spawned the hit Can't You Stay. Her sophomore album, This Time released in 1988, would feature the Tommy Nilsson-duet Allt Som Jag Kånner as well as a guest appearance from virtuoso guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen on Point Of No Return
September 18, 1965 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, It Ain't Me Babe by the Turtles peaks at No.8 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written and first recorded by Bob Dylan, who included the song on his 1964 Another Side Of Bob Dylan album. It is generally assumed the song owes its inspiration to his former girlfriend Suze Rotolo. Shortly after Dylan's original the song would be covered by Johnny Cash with his then-future wife June Carter, and subsequently by Joan Baez. However, the biggest hit would be by the Turtles, who issued the song as their debut single in mid 1965. The band's lead singer Howard Kaylan has commented that Dylan saw the band perform at the Revelaire Club in Redondo Beach, California, and urged them to record the song for their debut single. Whether this telling holds any truth is unclear, yet it has been reported that Dylan favored a number of covers of his songs over his own versions, perhaps most notably Mr Tambourine Man by the Byrds and All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix. For the Turtles, It Ain't Me Babe would be their first of about half a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits through the end of the decade, including most notably the 1967 No.1 hit Happy Together. The band would also serve as a launching pad for singer, keyboardist Howard Kaylan and singer, guitarist Mark Volman who would go on to work with Frank Zappa and later form the duo Flo & Eddie. Over the years, It Ain't Me Babe has been covered by over 150 artists, however, none would top the success of the Turtles debut singleSeptember 18, 1961 ~ Martin Philip Beedle, commonly known as pop, pop rock drummer, percussionist Frosty Beedle, born in North Ferriby, UK ~ Member of Cutting Crew from 1985 through 1993, present on songs such as I've Been In Love Before, One For The Mockingbird, Everything But My Pride and their best known (I Just) Died In Your Arms, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit in 1986. Has also worked with artists such as Boy George, Sinéad O'Connor, Midge Ure, Zucchero, Clannad, Kim Wilde, Lifesigns, and ABC
September 18, 1960 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer Nils Petter Molvær born in Langevåg, Norway ~ Pioneer of future jazz, mixing jazz and electronic music. Worked with the Jazzponkensemblet, 1300 Oslo, Jon Eberson, Masqualero, Arild Andersen, Jon Christensen, Tore Brunborg, Sidsel Endresen, Django Bates, Robyn Schulkowsky, Moritz von Oswald, Martin France, Tim Harries, Jon Balke, Rita Marcotulli, Dhafer Youssef, Sienna, Manu Katché, and Chat Noir
September 18, 1959 ~ Rock singer, keyboardist, bassist Sérgio Britto, full name Sergio de Britto Alvares Alfonso, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Lead singer for rock outfit Titas, known for songs such as Marvin, Omem Primata, Comida, Misena and Epitano. Also fronted Kleiderman, known for their sole Con El Mundo A Mis Pies album. Has recorded as a solo artist, starting with A Minha Cara released in 2000
September 18, 1958 ~ Singer, activist Rachid Taha born in French Algeria ~ Algerian singer and activist. Influenced by Nass El Ghiwane and the Clash. Started as club DJ mashing up Algerian rai with rock, Led Zeppelin, Bo Diddley, Kraftwerk. Co-founded Carte de Sejour. Has been releasing solo records since the late 1980s. Blends rock, electronic, punk and rai. ~ Taha passed away in 2018
September 18, 1957 ~ Jazz guitarist, songwriter Emily Remler born in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by both pop and rock guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Winter, and jazz guitarists including Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Herb Ellis, Pat Martino and Joe Pass. Worked in bands such as 4play, Little Queenie and the Percolators before embarking on a solo recording starting with 1981's critically acclaimed Firefly. Has since worked with Larry Coryell, Astrud Gilberto, Bob Moses, Ray Brown, David Benoit, and Susannah McCorkle. Remler was married to Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander from 1981 to 1984. Remler died at age 32, barring the scars of an on-and-off drug addiction and a rock & roll life on the road ~ Remler passed away in 1990September 18, 1957 ~ Post-punk singer, guitarist Martin Bramah born in Manchester, UK ~ Co-founding member and primary songwriter for the Fall, remaining with the band through 1979 and briefly rejoining about a decade later. Co-founded the Blue Orchids. Founding member of short-lived rock outfit Thirst
September 18, 1953 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Carl Jackson, full name Carl Eugene Jackson, born in Louisville, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of the Virginia Boys, backing brothers Jim & Jesse for about five years starting in the late 1960s. Closely associated with Glen Campbell remaining with Campbell, who also recorded Jackson's Letter To Home, for over a decade. Also recorded as a solo artist starting in the early 1970s and has written or co-written songs recorded by Garth Brooks (Against The Grain), Alecia Nugent, Terri Clark, and Rhonda Vincent (I'm Not Over You)
September 18, 1951 ~ Douglas Glenn Colvin, commonly known as bassist Dee Dee Ramone, born in Fort Lee, Virginia, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member and bassist of punk rock band the Ramones. Initially also the lead singer but this role was quickly taken over by drummer Joey Ramone. Dee Dee was also the main lyricist, responsible for the majority of the band's lyrics including on Rockaway Beach, Poison Heart and Bonzo Goes To Bitburg ~ Colvin passed away in 2002September 18, 1951 ~ Saxophonist Steve Slagle born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Machito, Ray Barretto, Steve Kuhn, Lionel Hampton, Carla Bley, Mike Stern, Jaco Pastorius, Milton Nascimento, the Mingus Big Band, Elvis Costello, the Beastie Boys, and Dr John
September 18, 1949 ~ Guitarist, songwriter, producer Greg Leisz, full name Gregory Brian Leisz, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ In-demand session and touring musician. Worked with the Kingston Trio's John Stewart, the Funky Kings, the Blasters' Dave Alvin, Matthew Sweet, the Forest Rangers, Works Progress Administration, Ray LaMontagne, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Aaron Neville, Alison Krauss, Bon Iver, Haim, Joe Cocker, Robert Plant, Sheryl Crow, the Bangles, the Jayhawks, Whiskeytown, the Black Crowes, Bruce Springsteen, Grant Lee Buffalo, John Fogerty, Lucinda Williams, Peter Case, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Vampire Weekend
September 18, 1947 ~ Lyricist Bert Kalmar passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Kalmar worked as a magician, comedian and dancer before a knee injury ended his vaudeville career. Turning to songwriting Kalmar, often partnering up with Harry Ruby, scored numerous Broadway and Hollywood musicals, notably for the Marx Brothers (Animal Crackers, Horse Feathers). Well known songs co-written by Kalmar include Who's Sorry Now, I Wanna Be Loved By You, and Nevertheless ~ Kalmar was born in 1884September 18, 1945 ~ Alan Charles King, also known as singer, guitarist Alan Bam King, born in London, UK ~ Co-founding member of 1960s outfit the Action. After being dropped by their label the band would evolve into Mighty Baby, with King moving on to lead vocals. Co-founding member of Ace, known for their debut single How Long which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Subsequently worked with Juice On The Loose, with whom he recorded two albums
September 18, 1945 ~ Gospel blues singer, guitarist, evangelist Blind Willie Johnson passed away in Beaumont, Texas, USA ~ Known for a handful of late 1920s landmark recordings, considered influential on slide guitarists and gospel blues players. Best known for the hymn Dark Was The Night (Cold Was The Ground). Other well known songs include Nobody's Fault But Mine and John The Revelator. Johnsons songs would be rediscovered in the 1960s, finding a new audience with blues and rock artists. Bob Dylan covered Johnson's Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed retitled to Make Up My Dying Bed on his debut album. Others who covered his work would include the Soul Stirrers, the Staple Singers, Fairport Convention, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Tom Waits and Lucinda Williams ~ Johnson was born in 1897
September 18, 1945 ~ Philip Gary Schlein, commonly known as pop, rock singer, songwriter PF Sloan, born in New York, New York, USA ~ In-demand session musician and member of the Wrecking Crew. Honored in songwriter Jimmy Webb's song titled PF Sloan. Enjoyed his greatest succes as a songwriter writing or co-writing hits, mostly with Steve Barri, for Round Robin, Barry McGuire (Eve Of Destruction), the Searchers, Jan & Dean, Herman's Hermits (Must To Avoid), Johnny Rivers (Secret Agent Man), the Grass Roots (Things I Should Have Said), the Turtles, the Mamas & the Papas, Ann-Margret, Shelley Fabares, Terry Black, and the 5th Dimension ~ Schlein passed away in 2015