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.
April 1, 2003 ~ Singer, actor Leslie Cheung, full name Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing, passed away in Hong Kong ~ Over a career starting in the late 1970s until his death by suicide established himself as one of the most prominent singers to help develop Cantopop. Known for his flamboyant stage appearance. Has released over 40 albums, especially acclaimed for his 1987 Summer Romance album, and acted in over 50 movies ~ Cheung was born in 1956
April 1, 2003 ~ Rock, garage rock, alternative rock, indie rock outfit the White Stripes release their Elephant album ~ Retrospectively, Elephant would be cited by several critics as among the best albums of the 21st century, Rolling Stone naming it the fifth-best album of the decade. The band had previously recorded three albums, but it was Elephant that would become their commercial and critical breakthrough. Its lead single Seven Nation Army reached top 10 in the UK. The album, the majority of it recorded without the use of computers on equipment no more recent than 40 years old, would reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic, win a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album and be nominated for Album of the Year, losing out to Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by OutKast
April 1, 1999 ~ Jesse Albert Stone, commonly known as R&B pianist, arranger, producer, songwriter Charles Calhoun, passed away in Altamonte Springs, Florida, USA ~ Best known for penning Shake Rattle & Roll. First recorded in 1954 by blues shouter Big Joe Turner, and covered by numerous artists including Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Conway Twitty, Sam Cooke, and Buddy Holly, the song is one of a select few to be frequently named as the first rock & roll song. Calhoun has also made a number of memorable recordings himself, perhaps most notably the oft covered Smack Dab In The Middle, and has written or co-written songs recorded by Alvino Rey, Lucky Millinder, Ray Charles (Losing Hand), the Drifters (Money Honey), Lavern Baker, Amos Milburn, Ruth Brown (As Long As I'm Moving), Chuck Willis, Connie Francis, and Roy Hamilton. Producer and Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun is said to once have commented Calhoun “did more to develop the basic rock & roll sound than anybody else.” ~ Stone was born in 1901April 1, 1997 ~ Gospel singer, music director Milton Brunson, also known as Rev Milton Brunson, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Mentored by Reverend Thomas A Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson. Founded the Thompson Community Singers, well known for their regular appearances on Jubilee Showcase TV concert series. Especially acclaimed for his 1988 Available To You album, its title track becoming a gospel standard ~ Brunson was born in 1929
April 1, 1994 ~ Ella McMahon, commonly known as singer, songwriter Ella Eyre, born in London, UK ~ Released her Feline solo debut album in 2015. Reached the UK top 20 with the singles Comeback and Together. Best known for her associations with Rudimental on the 2013 UK No.1 hit Waiting All Night, DJ Fresh on the 2015 Gravity single, and with Sigala on the singles Came Here For Love and Just Got Paid, the latter two released respectively in 2017 in 2018
April 1, 1991 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Bjarne Nerem, full name Bjarne Arnuld Nerem, passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Among the top soloists on Norway's jazz scene. Influenced by Lester Young and Stan Getz. Through the early 1970s Nerem played in ensembles led by Rowland Greenberg, Thore Jederby, Simon Brehm, and Carl Henrik Norin, before venturing out on his own, eventually recording over half a dozen albums as leader or co-leader. As a sideman, over the course of his career Nerem has worked with international artists such as Roy Haynes, Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, Benny Golson, and Jimmy Witherspoon, as well with the finest Scandinavian jazz musicians including Lars Gullin, Monica Zetterlund, Gunnar Almstedt, Harry Arnold, Nils Lindberg, Jan Johansson, and Kjell Karlsen ~ Nerem was born in 1923
April 1, 1991 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Eddie Miller, full name Edward Raymond Miller, passed away in Van Nuys, California, USA ~ Got his start in music backing Julie Wintz in the early 1930s, and subsequently worked with Ben Pollack and Bob Crosby until being drafted in 1942. Following his stint in the Army, Miller returned to music and has recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Perhaps best known for writing Slow Mood, which served as the basis for Johnny Mercer's Lazy Mood. Miller has also guested on albums by Al Hirt, Si Zentner, Jack Lesberg, Ray Linn, and Heinie Beau ~ Miller was born in 1911
April 1, 1988 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Ed Drewett, full name Edward James Drewett, born in Essex, UK ~ Best known as a songwriter, his songs recorded by the likes of the Wanted (Glad You Came), Olly Murs, One Direction (Best Song Ever), Little Mix, the Vamps, Louisa Johnson, SG Lewis, Jonas Blue (Mama), John Newman, Max George, Louis Tomlinson, and Pabllo Vitar
April 1, 1988 ~ Pop rock singer, bassist Sting releases Fragile, lifted off his Nothing Like The Sun album ~ Though only a modest hit at the time of its release, over time Fragile has become one the singer's best known and most requested songs. Originally inspired by the murder of American Peace Corps volunteer Ben Linder by the Nicaraguan Contras, the song has become a song used for various causes, including a plea by environmentalists to care for the planet. Sting himself opened his 2016 show at Bataclan, Paris, with the song, almost a year to the day after the heinous terror attack at the same venue that killed 90 people. Sting would later comment on opening the show with this song: “I think it's an appropriate beginning, I think that song has a lot of uses that we never foresaw. I wrote the song in the '80s, I think. But every time something happens, it seems an appropriate song to play.” Fragile is one of the few songs where Sting plays guitar, as opposed to his usual instrument the bass guitar
April 1, 1987 ~ Pop rock group Crowded House release Something So Strong, lifted off their eponymous debut album ~ This song dates back a few years, as the band's frontman Neil Finn had written a draft of it while still with Split Enz, his previous band. Finn would record the song as a demo to be used when seeking a label and record deal for his new band Crowded House. The band's new producer Mitchell Froom would make several significant changes to Something So Strong, earning him co-writing credit. Issued as the follow-up to Don't Dream It's Over, the band's biggest hit, Something So Strong became their second and final American top 10 hit, peaking at No.7 Billboard Hot 100. In most other territories, with the exception of New Zealand where it hit No.3, Something So Strong would do significantly less, yet over time the song has grown on fans to eventually become to be regarded as a staple of Crowded House's discographyApril 1, 1987 ~ Genevieve Schatz, mononymously known as indie rock singer Genevieve, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Fronted the Company Of Thieves, with whom she recorded the albums Ordinary Riches and Running From A Gamble. The band is best known for Oscar Wilde. Schatz released her Show Your Colors debut EP in 2015
April 1, 1986 ~ Country, country pop singer, songwriter Hillary Scott, full name Hillary Dawn Scott, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of country singer Linda Davis. Brother of pop singer Josh Kelley. Co-lead singer of Lady Antebellum, known for hits such as Need You Now, American Honey, Just A Kiss, Downtown, Bartender, Champagne Night. The band was renamed to Lady A following the George Floyd protest to avoid unwanted associations with slavery and the Antebellum South, the latter referring to the late 18th century period preceding the American Civil War
April 1, 1986 ~ Brian Todd Collins, commonly known as rapper, singer, producer, songwriter Kid Ink, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity especially through the mid-2010s, starting with his Up & Away debut album released in 2012. Tracks such as Main Chick, Be Real, and Promise all reached top 20 on the Billboard R&B charts. His best known, Show Me lifted off his My Own Lane sophomore album, would also reach top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Regular collaborators include Chris Brown, Tyga, Lil Wayne, and Ty Dolla $ign. Heavily tattooed, his stage name refers to his love of tattoos, Collins showed off his tattoos for one of PETA's “Ink Not Mink” anti-fur advertisements
April 1, 1986 ~ New wave, pop rock outfit the Simple Minds release All The Things She Said, lifted off their Once Upon A Time album ~ Preceded by Alive And Kicking and Sanctify Yourself, All The Things She Said would be the third single off their acclaimed Once Upon A Time album that made top 10 in their native UK. The single also reached top 10 in Ireland and the Netherlands. Lead singer Jim Kerr, who co-wrote the song with the band's guitarist Charlie Burchill and keyboardist Mick MacNeill, would later tell Songfacts the inspiration for the song came from a news item about Polish political prisoners detained in Russia since the end of World War II: “There was an interview with wives of guys that had been away for a long time, taken away, and some of the beautiful quotations that the women had used became sort of the background for that song”
April 1, 1984 ~ Singer Marvin Gaye, full name Marvin Pentz Gay Jr, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Quintessential R&B singer helped shape Motown sound in the 1960s. Redefined R&B in the early 1970s incorporating social commentary, especially on the 1971 landmark album What's Going On. Influential on later subgenres such as quiet storm and neo-soul. Well known songs include Pride & Joy, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), I'll Be Doggone, Ain't That Peculiar, You're All I Need To Get By, What's Going On, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Let's Get It On and Sexual Healing. Shot to death by his father trying to intervene in a fight between his parents ~ Gay passed away in 1939April 1, 1983 ~ Jazz pianist Ken Kersey, full name Kenneth Lyons Kersey, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Though never a household name, an in-demand sideman held in the highest regards by his peers. Well known for his tenure with Andy Kirk, taking over for Mary Lou Williams in 1942. Kirk also recorded Boogie Woogie Cocktail, penned by Kersey. Kersey has also backed artists such as Lucky Millinder, Billie Holiday, Roy Eldridge, Red Allen, Cootie Williams, Buck Clayton, Sol Yaged, and Charlie Shavers. Kersey retired from music by the late 1950s for medical reasons ~ Kersey was born in 1916
April 1, 1983 ~ Singer, dancer, actor Sergey Lazarev born in Moscow, Russia ~ Member of pop group Smash through its disbandement in 2006. Internationally Lazarev is best known as a solo artist who represented his native Russia twice in the Eurovision Songfestival, first in 2016 with the song You Are The Only One and again in 2019 with Scream, reaching third place on both occasions
April 1, 1981 ~ Actress, singer Hannah Spearritt, full name Hannah Louise Spearritt, born in Great Yarmouth, UK ~ Member of late 1990s club, dance-pop outfit S Club 7, known for a number of European hits such as Bring It All Back, S Club Party, Two In A Million, Have You Ever, Say Goodbye and Never Had A Dream Come True, the latter also reaching the American top 10. The group was modeled after the Spice Girls by former Spice manager Simon Fuller. After the group's disbandement in the early 2000s Spearritt ventured into acting
April 1, 1975 ~ John Charles Wiltshire-Butler, commonly known as bluegrass, alternative rock, jam band, funk rock singer, guitarist, banjoist, percussionist John Butler, born in Torrance, California, USA ~ Frontman and eponym of the John Butler Trio, with whom he has recorded over half a dozen albums. The band is considered the premier jam band of Australia, his adopted homeland, and especially acclaimed for the early 2000s albums Three and Sunrise Over SeaApril 1, 1972 ~ Pop, dance pop, pop rock producer, songwriter Ozan Colakoglu born in Adana, Turkey ~ In-demand producer and songwriter for the likes of Nil Karaibrahimgil, Murat Boz, Nilüfer, Sibel Can, Gülsen, and especially Tarkan, starting with the latter's Yine Sensiz debut album released in 1992. Has also composed the soundtracks to several films. Arranged Every Way That I Can, Sertab Erener's 2003 Eurovision Songfestival-winner
April 1, 1971 ~ Raymond Lawrence Riley, commonly known as hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, rap rock, funk rock rapper Boots Riley, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Frontman of hip hop group the Coup. Frontman of Street Sweeper Social Club, co-founded with Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello. Riley has guested on recordings by Ant Banks, Galactic, Star-Fucking Hipsters, and Atari Teenage Riot. Riley is also known as a film director, screenwriter, and political activist
April 1, 1971 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Joost Zweegers, also known as Novastar, born in Sittard, the Netherlands ~ Member of the Sideburns, known for the single I Can't Let Maggie Go. Briefly a member of Milk The Bishop. Best known as frontman and eponym of Novastar, winning the 1996 Humo's Rockrally with Ten Eleven. A full-length epoymous Novastar debut album followed in 2000, its Wrong single becoming a hit in Belgium and the Netherlands. With his backing unit would open for K's Choice, Robbie Williams and Neil Young as well as play Pinkpop. Zweegers has recorded steadily since to mixed succesApril 1, 1968 ~ Indie rock bassist Joanna Bolme born in Florida, USA ~ Best known for her association with Stephen Malkmus, as co-founding member, bassist for Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks. Guested on recordings by the Spinanes, Jr High, the Minders, and Quasi. Served as mixer, engineer on recordings by Elliott Smith (Either/Or), Richmond Fontaine, and the Chimps
April 1, 1967 ~ Rock, pub rock bassist, singer, songwriter Paul Woseen born ~ Co-founding and alongside lead singer Dave Gleeson the only other constant member of the Screaming Jets, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with 1991's All For One. The band would enjoy popularity in their native Australia especially during the 1990s and is best known for songs such as Better, Shivers, and Helping Hand. Woseen released his sole solo album, Bombido, in 2013 ~ Woseen passed away in 2023
April 1, 1963 ~ Tenor saxophonist Antoine Roney born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Willie Bobo, and Mongo Santamaria. Brother of trumpeter Wallace Roney, whom he backed on over half a dozen albums including Misterios and Village. Recorded sporadically as a leader himself, especially acclaimed for his Whirling released in 1995. As a sideman, Roney has also appeared on albums by Jesse Davis, Cody Moffett, Carlos McKinney, Sarah Morrow, Lenny White, Will Calhoun (Native Lands), and Aruán Ortiz