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 5, 1997 ~ Frenchie Edwards, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Stoney Edwards, passed away ~ One of the few African-American singers of significance in country music, recording about half a dozen albums through the early 1980s. Best known for first recording She's My Rock, a Billboard Country top 20 hit in 1972. The song would later be notably covered by Olivia Newton-John, Brenda Lee, and George Jones, the latter two both reaching top 10 Billboard Country surpassing the original ~ Edwards was born in 1929April 5, 1996 ~ Alexander Crossan, commonly known as alternative R&B, nu-disco electronic producer, songwriter Mura Masa, born in Castel, Guernsey ~ Debuted in 2017 with the Grammy Award-nominated eponymous Mura Masa, which included the dance hit Lovesick. Also known for his remix of Haim's Walking Away which actually did win a Grammy the following year
April 5, 1994 ~ Guitarist, singer Kurt Cobain, full name Kurt Donald Cobain, passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Guitarist, singer, frontman of pivotal Seattle grunge outfit Nirvana, known for songs such as Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come As You Are, In Bloom, All Apologies and Heart-Shaped Box. Cobain would die of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 27, yet be remembered as spokesperson of the Generation X and one of the all-time most influential rock musicians ~ Cobain was born in 1967April 5, 1988 ~ Free jazz, avant-garde jazz trumpeter, hornist player Alan Shorter passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Recorded two albums as a leader, namely 1968's Orgasm with backing from Charlie Haden and 1971's Tes East. Has also worked with his brother Wayne, Grachan Moncur III, Archie Shepp, Marion Brown, François Tusques, and Alan Silva ~ Shorter was born in 1932
April 5, 1986 ~ Táyo Grant Jarrett, commonly known as hip-hop, grime MC Scorcher, born ~ Member of grime collective Cold Blooded. Member of the Movement, alongside Wretch 32, Devlin, Mercston, and Ghetts. As a solo artist gained attention in the mid 2000s with a number of acclaimed mix-tapes, leading up to a full-length Concrete Jungle album released in 2009
April 5, 1981 ~ Alternative rock, post-industrial singer, bassist, keyboardist Mariqueen Maandig born in Philippines ~ Member of rock outfit West Indian Girl from 2004 through 2009. Subsequently fronted post-industrial band How To Destroy Angels, which also included her husband Trent Reznor. Has also collaborated with Bao and occasionaly provided backing vocals for Nine Inch Nails
April 5, 1981 ~ Folk, indie folk, indie rock, dream pop, metal singer, guitarist, keyboardist Marissa Nadler born in Washington DC, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums to her name, starting with Ballads Of Living And Dying released in 2004. Draws from traditional folk, country, Americana and dreamy pop, her amalgam sometimes described as dream folk. Especially acclaimed for her 2007 Songs III (Bird On The Water) album. Guested on recordings by Xasthur, Emily Jane White, Carter Tanton, Ben Watt, Lushlife, Mercury Rev, and Lawrence RothmanApril 5, 1980 ~ Michael Jones, commonly known as rapper, singer Wax, born in Washington DC, USA ~ A member of then-defunct group MacGregor when he became an internet sensation in 2007 after uploading Youtube videos of him rapping and singing. Best known for Rosana, re-released as an official single in 2012
April 5, 1978 ~ Alternative rock, hip hop singer Sierra Swan, full name Sierra Maria Swan, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Patsy Cline and Tori Amos. Daughter of country, pop guitarist, singer Billy Swan. Co-founded Dollshead with Graham Edwards. Subsequently worked with Black Eyed Peas during the late 1990s, notably present on the track Fallin' Up. Has since recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, notably 2014's Good Soldier produced by the Smashing Pumpkins-frontman Billy Corgan. Has also guested on recordings by Say Anything, John Oszajca, Frank Black, and ColdApril 5, 1977 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist, singer Håkon Kornstad born in Oslo, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Wibutee, Korstad Trio, Ketil Bjørnstad, Anja Garbarek, Live Maria Roggen, Bugge Wesseltoft, Sidsel Endresen, Paal Nilssen-Love, Mats Ellertsen, Knut Reiersrud, Jon Christensen, Eivind Sarset, and Pat Metheny
April 5, 1975 ~ Jordan Michael Houston III, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Juicy J, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Brother of rapper Project Pat. Co-founding member of Three 6 Mafia, known best for their 2005 hit single It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp. Active as a solo artist since 2002's Chronicles Of The Juice Man album. In-demand producer and collaborator, who has worked on tracks by Mike Will Made It, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Wale, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Wiz Khalifa, Marshmello, French Montana, Mac Miller, Katy Perry (Dark Horse), Ne-Yo, A$AP Rocky, Usher (I Don't Mind), and Robin Thicke
April 5, 1975 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, Lovin' You by Minnie Riperton hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Minnie Riperton and her husband Richard Rudolph, evolving from a draft version written in 1971, its melody created as a distraction for their baby daughter Maya Rudolph. Over the next few years Riperton further developed the melody while Rudolph wrote the lyrics and bridge. The song, her sole major Billboard Hot 100 hit, is considered Riperton's signature song and is noted especially for her high vocals. The song and parent album Perfect Angel were produced by Stevie Wonder, a longtime fan of Riperton's. Wonder, working under the pseudonym El Toro Negro to avoid contractual conflicts, also played piano on Lovin' You
April 5, 1973 ~ Singer, keyboardist, percussionist, producer, songwriter Pharrell Williams, full name Pharrell Lanscilo Williams, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA ~ Lead singer for NERD, which also included Chad Hugo and Shay Haley. Formed the the Neptunes with Hugo, producing and writing songs for the likes of SWV, Total, Mase (Lookin' At Me), Ol' Dirty Bastard, Jay-Z, Mystikal, Usher (U Don't Have To Call), NSYNC, Nelly (Hot In Herre), LL Cool J, Justin Timberlake (Rock Your Body), Kelis (Milkshake), Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani (Hollaback Girl), and Ludacris. Debuted as a solo artist in 2006 with the album In My Mind. Williams also composed the music to all three parts of the animated Despicable Me feature film series, which included the 2013 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 single Happy
April 5, 1972 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Pat Green, full name Patrick Craven Green, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Discovered by Willie Nelson. Debuted in 2001 with the album Dancehall Dreamer in 1995. Broke through in the early 2000s with the album Three Days and especially its follow-up Wave On Wave, the latter's title track Wave On Wave becoming a Texas music anthem and reaching top 10 on the national country charts. Has collaborated with Cory Morrow, Radney Foster, and with Josh Abbott
April 5, 1972 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor Waylon Payne, full name Waylon Malloy Payne, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of singer Sammi Smith and guitarist Jody Payne. Godson of Waylon Jennings. Worked with Keith Gattis, Willie Nelson, Pat Green, Lee Ann Womack, Cory Morrow, and Charlie Robison. Featured in the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the 2005 film Walk The Line alongside Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter. Portrayed the role of Hank Garland in the 2007 film Crazy
April 5, 1970 ~ Louis Thomas Watts, commonly known as blues, R&B, rock & roll singer Kid Thomas, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his 1959 George Motola-produced recording Rocking This Joint To-nite. Would continue to record into the mid 1960s but would be unable to replicate its success. Also worked with Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Bo Diddley, and Hound Dog Taylor ~ Watts was born in 1934April 5, 1970 ~ Avant-garde, downtempo, trip hop, indie rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist Miho Hatori born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Co-founded Cibo Matto. First to provide the voice of Noodle in the virtual band Gorillaz. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of the Beastie Boys, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Smokey Hormel, and John Zorn
April 5, 1966 ~ Rock, grunge guitarist Mike McCready, full name Michael David McCready, born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Eddie Van Halen. Lead guitarist, co-founding member of Pearl Jam, known for songs such as Jeremy, Spin The Black Circle, I Got Id, and Last Kiss. Involved with several side projects including Flight To Mars, Temple Of The Dog, Mad Season, and the Rockfords. McCready has also guested on recordings by Neil Young, Screaming Trees, the Wallflowers, Peter Frampton, Dierks Bentley, and SoundgardenApril 5, 1964 ~ British pop rock group the Beatles film the opening scene for A Hard Day's Night, the band's first film ~ The famous opening scene from their first movie, A Hard Day's Night, shows the band running away from several rabid female fans at London's Marylebone train station. The film portrays 36 hours in the lives of the group as they prepare for a television performance. Well-received by critics and a commercial success at the time of its release, retrospectively credited as one of the most influential of all musical films. Named “the Citizen Kane of jukebox musicals” by the Village Voice, while the New York Times pointed out the film was a subtle satire on Beatlemania and the Beatles themselves, portraying the band members as likeable young lads constantly amazed at the attention they receive who want nothing more than a little peace and quiet. The film included songs such as A Hard Day's Night, I Wanna Be Your Man, All My Loving, If I Fell, Can't Buy Me Love, and She Loves You
April 5, 1956 ~ Timothy TV Smith, commonly known as punk singer, guitarist, songwriter TV Smith, born in Romford, UK ~ Co-founded punk band the Adverts with Gaye Black, one of the first punk bands to reach the charts and best known for their 1977 single Gary Gilmore's Eyes. Smith has also recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, fronted TV Smith's Explorers and Cheap, and collaborated with the likes of Amen, and Fehlfarben
April 5, 1955 ~ Bassist, singer Peter Gifford, occassionally known as Giffo, born in Australia ~ Member of Midnight Oil from 1981 through 1987, first appearing on the band's Place Without A Postcard album. Present on most of the band's best known, including Power And The Passion, The Dead Heart and Beds Are Burning, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit in 1987. Gifford has also worked with Warumpi Band and Neil Murray. Following his departure from Midnight Oil, Gifford started a business selling female swimwear
April 5, 1954 ~ Composer, saxophonist, guitarist Allen Lowe born in Massapequa, New York, USA ~ Recorded about a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for New Tango '92 with the Orchestra X featuring trumpeter Doc Cheatham and alto saxophonist Julius Hemphill. Served as director for Jazz New Haven, organizing an annual festival in New Haven, Connecticut. Authored several non-fiction books on jazz, pop, and blues, notably Devilin' Tune used in courses at Harvard University and Yale University.
April 5, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Peter Case born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Formed short-lived power pop unit the Nerves with Jack Lee and Paul Collins. known best for their 1976 original Hanging On The Telephone which would be notably covered by Blondie two uears later. Formed rock & roll outfit Plimsouls best known for A Million Miles Away of their 1983 Everywhere At Once sophomore album. Case has also recorded as a solo artist, his 1986 eponymous Peter Case debut album produced by T-Bone Burnett and Mitchell Froom and featuring backing by Mike Campbell, John Hiatt, Jim Keltner and Roger McGuinn, his 1989 The Man With The Blue Post-Modern Fragemented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar sophomore album featuring David Hidalgo, Ry Cooder and Benmont Tench. Case has also written or co-written songs recorded by the likes of the Go-Go's, Marshall Crenshaw, John Wesley Harding, the Goo Goo Dolls, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen, and James McMurtry
April 5, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Stan Ridgway, full name Stanard Ridgway, born in Barstow, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Wall Of Voodoo. The band is critically acclaimed for their first two albums, namely 1981's Dark Continent and its 1982 follow-up Call Of The West, the latter spawning the alternative hit Mexican Radio. Ridgway enjoyed a parallel solo career since the early 1980s, noted for collaborating with the Police-drummer Stewart Copeland on Don't Box Me In for the Rumble Fish soundtrack. Ridgway also contributed songs for other movies and has recorded about a dozen solo albums, starting with The Big Heat released in 1986
April 5, 1953 ~ Pop, country pop, pop rock singer, bassist, keyboardist Wim Kerkhof, full name Willem Frederik Krekhof, born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ Co-founding member of the Amazing Stroopwafels, known for songs such as Ome Kobus, Ik Ga Naar Frankrijk and perhaps their best known Oude Maasweg