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 22, 1974 ~ Indie rock, experimental singer, guitarist, keyboardist, ukulele player Shara Nova, previously known as Shara Worden, born in El Dorado, Arkansas, USA ~ Self-released two albums in the early 2000s with Shane Yarbrough under the moniker Awry, followed by a short tour. Best known as lead singer, songwriter for My Brightest Diamond, with whom she recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Bring Me The Workhorse in 2006. Has collaborated with or guested on recordings by a wide variety of artists, including Sufjan Stevens, Clogs, Todd Agnew, Jedi Mind Tricks, the Decemberists, Son Lux, and Meshell Ndegeocello
April 22, 1973 ~ Hip-hop, R&B, pop rapper, singer, songwriter Max Herre, full name Maximilian Herre, born in Stuttgart, West Germany ~ Married to singer Joy Denalane, with whom he has also worked including producing her 2002 Mamani debut album. Co-founded Freundeskreis. Co-founded hip hop group Kolchose. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Max Herre in 2004. Has collaborated with the likes of John Legend, Philipp Poisel, and Sophie Hunger
April 22, 1970 ~ Pop, rock, soul guitarist, songwriter, producer Dan Warner, full name Daniel Lawrence Warner, born in Florida, USA ~ Wrote for Enrique Iglesias, Lil Wayne, Mika. Has also worked in one capacity or another with Michael Jackson, Carlos Rivera, Shakira, Madonna, Céline Dion, Barbra Streisand, Barry Gibb, Alejandro Sanz, and Calle 13 ~ Warner passed away in 2019
April 22, 1970 ~ Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez, commonly known as singer, actress Regina Velasquez, born in Manila, Philippines ~ Considered one of the most influential figures in Philippine pop culture known for her vocal range and prowess. First gained attention in the mid-1980s through talent contests and briefly recording under the moniker Chona. Would release her full-length Regine debut album in 1987 and has recorded mostly to commercial succes since. Best known for her break-out Listen Without Prejudice album released in 1994, spawning the hit single In Love With YouApril 22, 1969 ~ Pop duo the Carpenters sign with A&M Records ~ The sibling outfit consisting of Richard Carpenter and Karen Carpenter sign with the label, to release their debut album Ticket To Ride the following October. The album failed to make the top half of the Billboard Hot 200. However, they would rise to fame in the early 1970s with smooth ballads, scoring four top 10 albums for the label. About a dozen of their singles through the mid 1970s reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100, including the No.1 hits (They Long To Be) Close To You), Top Of The World, and Please Mr Postman
April 22, 1968 ~ Producer, label executive Steve Sholes, full name Stephen Henry Sholes, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Executive and staff producer at RCA-Victor. Signed, produced artists such as Eddy Arnold, the Browns, Hank Locklin, Homer & Jethro, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves, Pee Wee King, and perhaps most notably Elvis Presley ~ Sholes was born in 1911
April 22, 1966 ~ Antonia D Reed, commonly known as hip-hop, altrernative hip-hop, jazz rap singer Bahamadia, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Debuted in 1996 with the Kollage album. In-demand collaborator, featured vocalist on recordings by the Roots, Jedi Mind Tricks, Morcheeba, Guru, Erykah Badu, and Towa TeiApril 22, 1966 ~ Singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Kimberley Dahme born in San Pablo, California, USA ~ Member of Boston from 2000 through 2012, rejoining on occasion in later years. Wrote With You taken of the band's 2002 Corporate America album. Sang lead on songs such of If You Were Love, You Gave Up On Love, and God Rest Ye Metal Gentleman
April 22, 1963 ~ Trumpeter Dave Ballou born in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 2000 Volition album. In-demand sideman, has worked with the likes of Andy Biskin, Michael Formanek, Satoko Fujii, Sheila Jordan, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Orange Then Blue, Tom Rainey, and Bauhaus QuartetApril 22, 1962 ~ Pop, rock, indie rock singer, guitarist Carol van Dijk, full name Carol Lee vanDijk, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Best known as member of Bettie Serveert, known for their 1992 Palomine debut album and its follow-up 1995's Lamprey. Also a member of country-rock outfit Chitlin' Fooks with Pascal Deweze
April 22, 1957 ~ Soul blues, electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter James Armstrong born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Albert King and Robert Cray. Has backed artists such as Albert Collins, Big Joe Turner, and Smokey Wilson. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Sleeping With A Stranger released in 1995
April 22, 1956 ~ Conductor, violinist Jukka-Pekka Saraste born in Heinola, Finland ~ Co-founded the Avanti Chamber Orchestra with Esa-Pekka Salonen, an ensemble specializing in contemporary music. Has also conducted renowned orchestras such as the Royal Symphony Orchestra, the Finnish Chamber Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Sympony Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
April 22, 1953 ~ Lucia Maria Turnbull, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lucinha Turnbull, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Opened for Os Mutantes. Formed the short-lived duo As Cilibrinas Do Eden with Rita Lee. Member of Tutti Frutti. Founded Bandolim. Has also worked with Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Moraes Moreira, Guilherme Arantes, and Erasmo Carlos
April 22, 1951 ~ Blue-eyed soul, pop rock, soft rock singer Paul Carrack, full name Paul Melvyn Carrack, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Perhaps best known as a solo artist, noted for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Don't Shed A Tear of his 1987 One Good Reason album. Keyboardist for early 1970s jazz-rock group Warm Dust. Fronted pub rock outfit Ace, known best for their 1975 hit How Long. Has also worked with Roxy Music, Squeeze, Nick Lowe, Mike + the Mechanics, the Pretenders. John Hiatt, and Spin 1ne 2woApril 22, 1950 ~ Jesse Willard Carr, commonly known as guitarist Pete Carr, born in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA ~ Worked with Joan Baez, Luther Ingram, Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs, Paul Simon, the Staple Singers, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Wilson Pickett, Hank Williams Jr, LeBlanc & Carr, Sailcat, and Hour Glass ~ Carr passed away in 2020
April 22, 1950 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Peter Frampton, full name Peter Kenneth Frampton, born in Beckenham, UK ~ Well over a dozen albums as a solo artist since the early 1970s. Best known for his 1976 Frampton Comes Alive solo album. The album would become one of the all-time best-selling live albums and spawn the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Show Me The Way and Do You Feel Like We Do. Member of the Herd from 1966 through 1968. Member of Humble Pie from 1969 through 1971
April 22, 1947 ~ Bassist, composer Barry Guy, full name Barry John Guy, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention working with pianist Howard Riley and drummer Tony Oxley. Closely associated with John Stevens, including as a member of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble. Frequently collaborated with Evan Parker. Guested on Japan's Nightporter of the 1980 Gentlemen Take Polaroids. Has also worked with Derek Bailey, Paul Rutherford, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Parker Guy Lytton, Barre Phillips, Mats Gustafsson, Cecil Taylor, and Amalgam. Married to violinist Maya Homburger
April 22, 1945 ~ Efstratios Dimitriou, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, accordionist, percussionist, songwriter Demetrio Stratos, born in Alexandria, Egypt ~ Co-founder, lead singer of progressive rock band Area. Has also worked with I Rebelli, Lucio Battisti, Juan Hidalgo, John Cage, Paul Zukofsky, and toured and recorded as a solo artist ~ Dimitriou passed away in 1979
April 22, 1944 ~ Classical pianist, conductor Joshua Rifkin born in New York, New York, USA ~ Acclaimed for his series of Scott Joplin albums, starting with 1970's Scott Joplin Piano Rags renewing an interest in ragtime. Also considered an authority on Johann Sebastian Bach. Has worked with the English Chamber Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, St Louis Symphony, the Bayerische Staatsoper, and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Also active in no-classical music including arranging for Judy Collins and working with the Even Dozen Jug Band on their pivotal eponymous 1967 The Even Dozen Jug Band album
April 22, 1943 ~ Soul pop singer, actor Mel Carter born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me, a 1965 Billboard top 10 hit and million-seller originally recorded by Karen Chandler in 1952. Other well known songs include Band Of Gold and All Of A Sudden My Heart Sings
April 22, 1941 ~ Jazz, pop keyboardist, producer, composer, pianist Don Grusin born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Brother of pianist Dave Grusin. Leader and sideman. Member of seminal Latin jazz outfit Azteca, which also included Pete Escovedo. Co-founded jazz fusion group Friendship with Lee Ritenour, Ernie Watts and Alex Acuña. Has also worked with artist from jazz and pop such as Randy Crawford, Billy Eckstine, Joe Pass, the Pointer Sisters, Gerald Albright, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Larry Carlton, Gilberto Gil, Airto Moreira, Shakatak, Zoot Sims, and Sadao Watanabe
April 22, 1940 ~ Singer, songwriter Ray Griff, full name John Raymond David Griff, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Wrote or co-wrote an estimated 2,500 songs. Artists who have recorded his work include Faron Young, Jerry Lee Lewis (Who's Gonna Play This Old Piano), Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, George Hamilton IV (Canadian Pacific), Johnny Horton, Bob Luman, Gene Watson, and Johnny Duncan ~ Griff passed away in [artist-ray-griff]
April 22, 1937 ~ Bernard Alfred Nitzsche, commonly known as keyboardist, saxophonist, producer, arranger, songwriter Jack Nitzsche, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Important behind the scenes musician and mentor to many, especially the top stars of the 1970s. First gained attention in the early 1960s as arranger serving as producer Phil Spector's right-hand. Credited on several early albums by the Rolling Stones as playing “the Nitzsche-phone” which would basically mean piano, keyboard or organ. Present on albums such as The Rolling Stones Now, Out Of Our Heads, Aftermath and Between The Buttons. Noted for his contributions to hit singles such as Paint It Black and Let's Spend The Night Together and especially for the piano solo on Angie. Wrote the music for over a dozen feature films including The Excorcist and One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest. Has also worked with Earl Palmer, Leon Russell, Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Parker ~ Nitzsche passed away in 2000
April 22, 1936 ~ Jazz, big band, jazz fusion saxophonist, hornist, flutist Don Menza born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ About a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, noted specifically for Horn Of Plenty released in 1979. Also well known for his saxophone solo on Buddy Rich's Channel One Suite. As a sideman, Menza has appeared on albums by Louie Bellson, Maynard Ferguson, John Lee Hooker (Folk Blues), Michel Colombier, Rita Coolidge (Rita Coolidge), John Klemmer (Constant Throb), Moacir Santos, Gloria Jones (Share My Love), Michael Omartian, Glen Campbell, Andrew Gold, JD Souther, Neil Diamond (Beautiful Noise), Phil Keaggy, Boz Scaggs, Leonard Cohen (Death Of A Ladies Man), Bette Midler, Seals & Crofts, Wendy Waldman (Strange Company), Supersax, Sérgio Mendes, Alan Broadbent, and Natalie Cole. Menza's son Nick Menza is the drummer for Megadeth
April 22, 1936 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Glen Campbell, full name Glen Travis Campbell, born in Billstown, Arkansas, USA ~ Member of the Champs, the Hondells, and the Wrecking Crew, the latter a loose collective of first-call session musicians. Campbell has appeared on albums by Jan & Dean, Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, the Beach Boys, the Monkees (The Monkees), and Merle Haggard (Mama Tried). As a solo artist, Campbell enjoyed popularity especially from the late 1960s onwards, well known songs include The Universal Soldier, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Wichita Lineman, Rhinestone Cowboy and Southern Nights, the latter two each toppping both the Billboard Country and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts in the mid 1970s ~ Campbell passed away in 2017