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 11, 1978 ~ Jazz guitarist Jakob Bro born in Aarhus, Denmark ~ Influenced by Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, and Pat Martino. Bro was once described as a forward-thinking jazz guitarist whose music ranges from atmospheric to experimental, including the for jazz unusual use of looping and distortion, while still rooted firmly in tradition. In a 2023 interview with Guitar Player, Bro himself has stated his compositions “are about catching a glimpse of a feeling, sketching it down and then unfolding these sketches”. Bro has recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, and is especially acclaimed for Gefion, Returnings, and Bay Of Rainbows. As a sideman, Bro is most noted for appearing on Paul Motian's 2004 album Garden Of Eden and on Tomasz Stańko's Dark Eyes issued in 2009. Bro has also guested on albums by the likes of Jakob Dinesen, Teitur, Jonas Westergaard, Povl Dissing, and Nicolai Munch-Hansen, recorded collaborative albums with Joe Lovano and Wadada Leo Smith, and served as producer for Mark Turner and Thomas MorganApril 11, 1977 ~ Daniel Edward Stein, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ Fresh, born in Worthing, UK ~ Member of drum and bass collective Bad Company. As a solo artist best known for his early-2010s singles Louder featuring Sian Evans and Hot Right Now featuring Rita Ora
April 11, 1977 ~ Country songwriter Eddie Miller, full name Edward Monroe Miller, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing and first recording Release Me (And Let Me Love Again) in 1950. At first the song would be unsuccessful, yet over time it would become a country classic recorded by over 250 artists including Ray Price, Kitty Wells, Patti Page, Dolly Parton, and Ernest Tubb. Other songs written by Miller include Patsy Cline's In Care Of The Blues, Wynn Stewart's Playboy, and Faron Young's Wonderful World Of Women ~ Miller was born in 1919
April 11, 1977 ~ Country singer Waylon Jennings releases Luckenbach Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love), issued as the sole single off his Ole Waylon album ~ Written by Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman, who offered the song to Waylon Jennings simply because his name is in the lyrics. The song refers to a well-to-do couple whose position in the upper class has put strains on their marriage, with the singer suggesting they return to a simpler life by moving to the small town of Luckenbach. At the time, neither the songwriters nor Jennings had ever been to Luckenbach. Singer Willie Nelson, longtime associate of Jennings, guested on the original recording, joining his pal in the last verse. The song would spend eighteen weeks on the Billboard Country charts, including six consecutive weeks at the No.1 spot. Later, in his autobiography Jennings would reveal: “I knew it was a hit song, even though I didn't like it, and still don't”
April 11, 1976 ~ Cory Brandan Putman, commonly known as metalcore singer, guitarist, bassist Cory Brandan, born ~ Lead singer for metalcore band Norma Jean since 2004, replacing Josh Scogin. Co-founding member of mathcore outfit Eso Charis, which also included his brother drummer Matthew Putman. Has also worked with Living Sacrifice, Uses Fire, Fear Is The Driving Force, Radio Sky, Handshake Murders, Hundred Suns, and Orphan Twin. Guested on recordings by Spoken, Unearth, Stray From The Path, Le Castle Vania, Silent Planet, and My EpicApril 11, 1974 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Alexander Kuoppala born in Kuusamo, Finland ~ Rhythm guitarist for Finnish metal band Children Of Bodom from 1995 through 2003. Has also worked with Timo Rautiainen and with Valonkantajat
April 11, 1974 ~ Lavell William Crump, commonly known as rapper, producer, actor David Banner, born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, USA ~ Half of rap duo Crooked Lettaz, the other half being Brad Franklin. Producer, worked with Trick Daddy, Lil' Boosie, Lil Wayne, the Ruff Ryders, Nappy Roots, TI, Jibbs, Mary Mary, Maroon 5, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Jill Scott, and Ne-YoApril 11, 1974 ~ Alfons Candrix, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, violinist Fud Candrix, passed away in Brussels, Belgium ~ Brother of bandleader Jeff Candrix, with whom he also worked. Has also worked with the Carolina Stomp Chasers, Bernard Etté, Robert de Kers, Jean Omer, Charles Remue, Gus Deloof, Aimé Barelli, Django Reinhardt, and Hubert Rostaing ~ Candrix was born in 1908
April 11, 1974 ~ Pop punk, punk rock, alternative rock, alternative metal singer, guitarist, keyboardist Tom Thacker, full name Thomas Arnold Thacker, born in Langley, Canada ~ Lead singer, lead guitarist, co-founding member of punk rock, punk revival outfit Gob, known for songs such as I Hear You Calling, Soda, and Banshee Song. Has also worked with Sum 41, starting as touring rhythm guitarist in 2006 and as official member since 2009, for whom he co-wrote Screaming Bloody Murder of their 2011 albums of the same nameApril 11, 1972 ~ Singer Don Gibson records Woman (Sensuous Woman) at Acuff-Rose Sound Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Gary S Paxton. Produced by Wesley Rose. Released as a single the following June, b/w If You Want Me To I'll Go, it would be Don Gibson's last charttoppper on the Billboard Country charts. The song would notably be covered by Ray Charles on his 1984 Do I Ever Cross Your Mind album
April 11, 1972 ~ Producer, guitarist, songwriter Klas Åhlund, full name Klas Frans Åhlund, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Co-founded the Teddybears alongside his brother Joakim Ahlund. As a producer and songwriter has worked with artists such as Robyn, the Sugababes, Jordin Sparks, Eagle Eye Cherry, Kylie Minogue, the Bo Jaspers Orkester, Britney Spears, Melody Club, Katy Perry, Madonna, Ghost, Thomas Rusiak, Linda Sundblad, I Blame Coco, Swedish House Mafia, Mika, Usher, Tove Lo, Alesso, Ellie Goulding, Charli XCX, and Paloma Faith
April 11, 1971 ~ Singer Walter Van Brunt, also known professionally as Walter Scanlan, passed away in Dover, Ohio, USA ~ Vaudeville, Broadway, musical performer enjoying popularity through the 1920s. Perhaps best known for his 1914 Just Awearyn For You duet with soprano Elizabeth Spencer. Has also worked with Ada Jones, John Bieling, and the American Quartet ~ Van Brunt was born in 1892April 11, 1970 ~ Alternative rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Justin Fisher born in Mansfield, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known as bassist for Nerf Herder, present on the albums How To Meet Girls and American Cheese. Touring bassist for the Rentals. Lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter for Psoma. Has also worked with Avant Garde, which also included a then-unknown Rivers Cuomo, as well as with Matt Sharp, AM Radio, Shufflepuck, and Ridel High
April 11, 1970 ~ Producer, percussionist Remi Kabaka Jr born ~ Best known as drummer for Damon Albarn's virtual band Gorillaz. Has also worked with Albarn on other projects including DRC and Africa Express. Kabaka is also a manager for Steve Lazarides's London art gallery, which regularly exhibits work by street artist BanksyApril 11, 1970 ~ Eurodance singer Sannie Charlotte Carlson born in Skælsor, Denmark ~ Fronted the Larry Pignagnoli and Davide Riva produced Italian dance outfit Whigfield, known for 1990s singles such as Another Day, Sexy Eyes and Saturday Night, the latter topping charts across Europe in 1993
April 11, 1969 ~ Pop singer, drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, clarinetist, songwriter Chisato Moritaka born in Osaka, Japan ~ Influenced by Pink Lady, Janet Jackson, the Beatles. Dubbed “the Dance Queen” Moritaka has released her New Season debut album in 1987 and has recorded to commercial succes through the end of the century, selling over 5 million albums. Differs from other female pop singers that she mostly writes her own lyrics, often collaborating with songwriter Hideo Saito. Well known songs include Ame, Kaze Ni Fukarete, Suteki Na Tanjobi, Jin Jin Jingle Bell, and La La SunshineApril 11, 1966 ~ Singer, actress, songwriter Lisa Stansfield, full name Lisa Jane Stansfield, born in Manchester, UK ~ Member of the Blue Zone. Known for her debut album, 1989's Affection, and its hit single All Around The World. Also known for songs such as This Is The Right Time, Change, Time To Make You Mine and In All The Right Places
April 11, 1965 ~ Heavy metal drummer, guitarist, singer Tom Hunting born in Richmond, California, USA ~ Despite taking a hiatus from the band twice, first in 1989 for medical reasons to be replaced by John Tempesta, and again in 2005 to be replaced by Paul Bostaph, Hunting is the last remaining original member of thrash metal band Exodus. He has played with the band on over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Fabulous Disaster. Hunting has cited Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, and Clive Burr as his main influencesApril 11, 1964 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Steve Azar, full name Stephen Thomas Azar, born in Greenville, Mississippi, USA ~ Debuted in 1996 with his Heartbreak Town. Best known for I Don't Have To Be Me 'Til Monday, a country top 10 hit of his 2002 Waitin' On Joe sophomore album
April 11, 1963 ~ Jazz saxophonist, trumpeter, composer Arvid Gram Paulsen passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Worked with Rowland Greenberg, Lulle Kristofferson, Pete Brown, Svein Overgaard, Willie Vieth, Jens Book-Jenssen, Alf Sogaard, and Kari Diesen ~ Paulsen was born in 1922
April 11, 1963 ~ Guitarist, singer Nigel Pulsford born in Newport, UK ~ Co-foundinhg member, lead guitarist for Bush, remaining with the band through 2002, present on the albums Sixteen Stone, Razorblade Suitcase, The Science Of Things, and Golden State. Pulsford has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his Heavenly Toast On The Paradise Road album in 1999, and served as producer for Furlined, Emma Holland, and Dave Giles
April 11, 1961 ~ Rock guitarist, bassist Doug Hopkins, full name Douglas Owen Hopkins, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Co-founded Gin Blossoms, present on the band's first two albums. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Hey Jealousy, Found Out About You, Hold Me Down, and Lost Horizons. Also co-founded the Chimeras, remaining only shortly with the band, departing after a poor live performance. Suffering from mental health issues and depression and struggling with alcoholism Hopkins committed suicide at age 32 ~ Hopkins passed away in 1993April 11, 1960 ~ Singer Angelia Maria Sylvers born ~ Member of popular 1970s sibling R&B outfit the Sylvers, known for songs such as Fools Paradise, Boogie Fever and Hot Line
April 11, 1958 ~ Singer, guitarist Stuart Adamson, full name William Stuart Adamson, born in Manchester, UK ~ Co-founding member of punk rock, new wave unit the Skids, known best for their 1979 UK top 10 hit Into The Valley co-written by Adamson. Following his departure from the band in 1981 Adamson would form and front Big Country, scoring several top 10 hits through the mid-1980s including Wonderland and Look Away. The band would retain a cult following throughout the late 1990s. In the early 2000s Adamson formed the alternative country duo the Raphaels with Marcus Hummon, known for their sole Supernatural released in 2001. The band only played a handful of sets, with Adamson failing to show up for a concert date. He was found dead in a Hawaii hotel room after hanging himself with an electrical chord ~ Adamson passed away in 2001
April 11, 1958 ~ Rock, blues rock guitarist Vjatseslav Kobrin, also known as Slavka Kobrin, born in Cherepovets, Russia ~ Considered one of the premiere guitarists to come out of Russia. Founded rock group Rok-Steyabr in the late 1970s. Would go on to collaborate with Yuri Shevchuk, DDT, the Magnetic Band, and Jaak Joala. Co-founding member, songwriter for Ultima Thule, one of the most influential Estonian bands of the 1980s and 1990s ~ Kobrin passed away in 2016