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 22, 1943 ~ Afrobeat, afro-soul, highlife saxophonist Orlando Julius, full name Orlando Julius Aremu Olusanya Ekemode, born in Ikole, Nigeria ~ First gained attention in the 1960s, notably with his 1966 Super Afro Soul album. Sessioned for much of the 1970s, often teaming up with Hugh Masekela. Would gain international attention after a number of re-releases in the 2000s and 2010s, leading to collaborations with the Heliocentrics ~ Ekemode passed away in 2022
September 22, 1943 ~ Singer Paul Hoffert, full name Paul Matthew Hoffert born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-founded Lighthouse, remaining with the band through 1973 and present on some of their best known including Hats Off To The Stranger, One Fine Morning and Sunny Days which all reached top 10 in the band's native Canada. Would go on to become an in-demand film composer, with scores such as The Groundstar Conspiracy, Wild Horse Hank and Fanny Hill to his name. Parallel to his music career Hoffert who holds degrees in mathematics and science has achievements as a researcher in science and technology
September 22, 1943 ~ Pop, new wave singer, dancer, actress, choreographer Toni Basil, full name Antonia Christina Basilotta, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for Mickey of her 1981 Word Of Mouth debut album. Written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn and previously recorded by Racey, originally titled Kitty, Basil's version would reach top 10 across the globe including No.1 spots in America, Australia, and Canada. For years, it was rumored that the title was changed to Mickey because Basil developed a crush on the Monkees drummer and lead singer Micky Dolenz. The claim has been denied by Basil though
September 22, 1942 ~ Marlina Burgess, commonly known as jazz, blues, soul singer Marlena Shaw, born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ First turned to music by her uncle jazz trumpeter Jimmy Burgess, who introduced her to recordings of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, gospel, and singer Al Hibbler who in Shaw's words “really knows how to phrase a song”. Her uncle first brought her to the stage to sing with his band while Shaw was still in her early teens. As a solo performer, Shaw has been active since the early 1960s, getting her first big break when a regular gig at the Playboy Club, Chicago, drew the attention of representatives of Chess Records, who then signed her to the subsidiary Cadet Records label. Though she never became a household name, Shaw is fondly remembered for her rendition of California Soul taken off her 1969 The Spice Of Life sophomore album, her highly acclaimed 1974 Who Is This Bitch Anyway album, and a string of disco tracks through the late 1970s ~ Burgess passed away in 2024September 22, 1942 ~ Michael Thomas McCarthy, commonly known as progressive rock, pop singer Mike Patto, born in Cirencester, UK ~ First gained attention as lead singer, frontman of Bo Street Runners. Would subsequently work with Timebox, his own band Patto, and Dick & the Firemen. Joined Spooky Tooth in 1974, present on the band's last album The Mirror. Following Spooky's disbandement later the same year co-founded Boxer with guitarist Ollie Halsall ~ McCarthy passed away in 1979
September 22, 1941 ~ Experimental folk, avant-garde singer Catherine Ribeiro born in Lyon, France ~ Critically acclaimed, boundary-breaking Ribeiro remained a cult figure throughout her career influential on fellow musicians. Well known for teaming up with composer Patrice Moullet in the folk, psychedelic outfit Alpes, the pair recording some half a dozen albums throughout the early 1980s with a revolving line-up. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1974 Paix album. Ribeiro also enjoyed a parallel career as a solo singer, starting with her Le Blues De Piaf solo debut album issued in 1977. Ribeiro counted musicians such as Julian Cope and Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon among her fans, the latter once stating in an interview: “Ribeiro's voice is so amazing and the music sounds so, I hate to use the word organic, but I just kind of relate it to the music. She is definitely an influence on me” ~ Ribeiro passed away in 2024September 22, 1939 ~ José Gallardo, commonly known as Latin jazz, jazz pianist, trumpeter, trombonist Joe Gallardo, born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Has recorded sporadically as a leader, most notably 1975's Sol and 1980's Latino Blue. In-demand sideman, known for his associations with Arnett Cobb, Mongo Santamaria, Penny McLean, Joe Pass (Joe Pass In Hamburg), Pee Wee Ellis, and Danny Gottlieb
September 22, 1938 ~ Pop, country, rock & roll singer, guitarist, actor Dean Reed, full name Dean Cyril Reed, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Dubbed “the Red Elvis” for his popularity in Eastern Europe. Lived much of his life in South America and East Germany. Sold millions of records in the Socialist bloc, often uncertified covers of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles. His only American charting single would be Our Summer Romance which only barely made the Billboard Hot 100. Though he always claimed his life-long faithfulness to the USA, Reed would be seen by Western media mostly as a Communist propaganda beacon ~ Reed passed away in 1986
September 22, 1934 ~ Pop, jazz singer, actress Ornella Vanoni born in Milan, Italy ~ Regarded as one of the foremost Italian singers, especially acclaimed for her sophisticated style. Known for songs such as Senza Fine, Che Cosa S'E, T uSi Na Cosa Grande, La Musica è Finita, Eternità, Una Ragione Di Più, Non Dirmi Niente, the latter an Italian version of the Burt Bacharach-penned Don't Make Me Over. Has collaborated with Vinicius de Moraes, Toquinho, and Enzo Gragnaniello. Found renewed international interest in the early 2000s when her 1970 hit L'Appuntamento was included on the Ocean's Twelve soundtrack
September 22, 1930 ~ Giovanna Carmella Babbo, commonly known as traditional pop singer Joni James, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Recorded prolifically through the mid 1960s. Best known for a string of 1950s hits starting with Why Don't You Believe Me, a 1952 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Other well known songs include Have You Heard, Your Cheatin' Heart, Almost Always, My Love My Love, How Important Can It Be, and You Are My Love ~ Babbo passed away in 2022September 22, 1930 ~ Chiyoko Suzuki, commonly known as traditional pop singer, actress Pat Suzuki, born in Cressey, California, USA ~ Best remembered for her role of Linda Low in the original 1958 Broadway production of Flower Drum Song, a musical penned by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Especially noted for her rendition of the show's I Enjoy Being A Girl which would be regarded as the definitive version
September 22, 1926 ~ Jazz, classical clarinetist, composer Bill Smith, full name William Overton Smith, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with Dave Brubeck. Also worked with Milton Babbitt, Anthony Braxton, Tom Collier, the Deep Listening Band, Barney Kessel, Gail Kubik, Shelly Manne, Red Norvo, and Pauline Oliveros ~ Smith passed away in 2020September 22, 1922 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Raymond Edwards born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Bass singer for doo-wop outfit the Silhouettes, known best for their 1957 hit Get A Job. Originally issued as the B-side to I Am Lonely, the A-side re-release sold a million copies and became the group's only hit, reaching the No.1 spot on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts. Later, the doo-wop revival group Sha Na Na derived their band name from the lyrics of Get A Job, they also covered the song for the 1978 Grease musical film ~ Edwards passed away in 1997