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.
December 18, 1984 ~ Nu metal, heavy metal, alternative metal singer, guitarist, bassist Derrick Tribbett born in Peoria, Illinois, USA ~ Brother of metal guitarist Greg Tribbett and Slipknot drum tech Matt Tribbett. Lead singer, guitarist for nu-metal band Twisted Method, known for their sole Escape From Cape Coma released in 2003. Following the band's disbandement in 2005 Tribbett formed Makeshift-Romeo with bandmate Derek DeSantis. Has also played bass for Dope from 2007 through 2013
December 18, 1983 ~ Guitarist Jimmy Nolen passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his association with James Brown, member of the JB's, present on hits such as Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, I Got You I Feel Good, It's A Man's Man's Man's World, Cold Sweat, Bring It Up Hipster's Avenue, Ain't It Funky Now, Funky Drummer, and The Boss. Has also worked with Johnny Otis (Willie & The Hand Jive), and George Harmonica Smith. Influenced by T-Bone Walker, BB King, Lowell Fulson. Known for his innovative guitar playing, often referred to as “chicken scratch”. Major influence on future R&B, funk and hip-hop acts such as Earth Wind & Fire, Tower Of Power, Chic, George Clinton, and Eric B & Rakim ~ Nolen was born in 1934December 18, 1981 ~ Singer Houari Manar born in Oran, Algeria ~ Blends upbeat rai with modern pop music. Released his debut album, Aachkek Mon Traitement, in 2006 and would go on to become a major force in the Mediterranean since. Best known for songs such Ha Mhayni and Hya ~ Manar passed away in 2019
December 18, 1980 ~ Singer Christina Aguilera, full name Christina Maria Aguilera, born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Released her eponymous Christina Aguilera debut album in 1999, which spawend the hit singles Genie In A Bottle, What A Girl Wants and Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You). Would go on to score numerous hits including the Labelle remake Lady Marmalade with Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink, Beautiful, Ain't No Other Man, and Keeps Gettin' Better. Aguilera has also collaborated with Great Big World (Say Something), Pitbull (Feel This Moment), and Maroon 5 (Moves Like Jagger)December 18, 1980 ~ Rock bassist Kelan Luker born ~ Retired from a college football career to join Submersed as a bassist, finding succes with the albums In Due Time and Immortal Verses. Following the band's initial disbandement Luker returned to college football, initially as a quarterback and subsequently as a coach
December 18, 1979 ~ Rock guitarist, drummer, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, singer, producer Justin McCain born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Co-founding member of hard rock, post-grunge unit Emphatic, perhaps best known for the songs Bounce and Get Paid of their 2011 Damage sophomore album. Co-founding member of Through Fire, known for their 2016 Breathe debut album. McCain would depart the band in 2023
December 18, 1977 ~ Axel Christofer Hefros, DJ, producer, commonly known as Axwell, born in Lund, Sweden ~ Formed the duo Mambana with Isabel Fructuoso. Has also worked with Tara McDonald and Supermode. Best known for teaming up with Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso in the house supergroup Swedish House Mafia. The trio would score a number of international dance hits throughout the 2010s, 2012's Don't You Worry Child a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit while One (Your Name), Miami 2 Ibiza and Antidote would do well across EuropeDecember 18, 1977 ~ Heavy metal, alternative metal, nu metal singer, keyboardist Maria Brink, full name Maria Diane Brink, born in Schenectady, New York, USA ~ Cites the Deftones and Pantera as influences. Fronts In This Moment, founded in 2005 and best known for their 2012 Blood album
December 18, 1976 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer Jack Lawrence born in Covington, Kentucky, USA ~ Worked with the Raconteurs, the Greenhornes, Loretta Lynn (Van Lear), Blanche, Dead Weather, Karen O, Karen Elson, Jack White, Dallas Green, JEFF The Brotherhood, Foshfee, Glim Spanly, and Wanda Jackson
December 18, 1976 ~ Indie rock, jazz fusion drummer, percussionist, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Joe Russo born ~ Forms the duo Benevento-Russo Duo with keyboardist Marco Benevento. Other notable credits include Cass McCombs, A Big Yes & A Small No, Fat Mama, Younger Brother, Shpongle, American Babies, Trey Anastasio, and Furthur
December 18, 1975 ~ Heavy metal, power metal, alternative rock guitarist Hugo Mariutti, full name Hugo Mariutti Pereira, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ First gained attention as guitarist of Shaman, which also includes his brother bassist Luis Mariutti, recording three albums through the mid 2000s. Would go on to work with Andre Matos, Henceforth, and Remove Silence. Mariutti released his A Blank Sheet Of Paper solo debut album in 2014
December 18, 1975 ~ Rashia Tashan Fisher, commonly known as rapper Rah Digga born in New York, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Q-Tip. Best known as member of Flipmode Squad, a hip-hop group led by Busta Rhymes. Regarded as one of hip-hop's most skilled female MC's. Debuted as a solo artist with the Dirty Harriet album in 2000. Has worked with Twice The Flavor, the Fugees (Cowboys), Bahamadia, Young Zee, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool G Rap, Talib Kweli, Masta Ace, Erick Sermon, Groove Armada, Wyclef Jean, RZA, and Marco Polo
December 18, 1975 ~ Shawn Randolph Houser, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Randy Houser, born in Lake, Mississippi, USA ~ In-demand songwriter, co-penning hits such as Honky Tonk Badonkadonk for Trace Adkins and Back That Thing Up for Justin Moore before starting a successful career as a singer, debuting with the Anything Goes album in 2008. Known for songs such Boots On, How Country Feels, Runnin' Outta Moonlight, Goodnight Kiss, Like A Cowboy and We Went, all of which reached the top 10 of the country charts
December 18, 1975 ~ Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, mononymously known as singer, songwriter Sia, born in Adelaide, Australia ~ First gained attention as member of acid jazz band Crisp. After the band disbanded in 1997 moved on to a successful solo career, starting with the album OnlySee. Known for songs such as Chandelier, Elastic Heart, Cheap Thrills featuring Sean Paul, and The Greatest featuring Kendrick Lamar. Has written for or worked with a wide array of artists including Zero 7, Sophie Barker, Lior, the Hilltop Hoods, David Guetta, Flo Rida, Alicia Keys, Angel Haze, Eminem, and Giorgio MoroderDecember 18, 1974 ~ Felix Delgado, commonly known as rapper Cuban Link, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Original member of Terror Squad. As a solo artist best known for the 2000 single Flowers For The Dead featuring D'mingo, a modest hit on the Billboard R&B charts, top 10 on the Rap charts. Has also worked with Big Pun, the Beatnuts, Fat Joe, DJ Skribble, Krayzie Bone, and Jon B
December 18, 1974 ~ Hard rock, punk rock, glam punk guitarist, pianist, singer Knut Schreiner born in Bergen, Norway ~ Influenced by the Stooges guitarist James Williamson. Lead singer of the Euroboys. Best known as lead singer of Turbonegro, a band known for its fusion of glam rock, punk rock and hard rock. Formed Mirror Lakes in 2010 with Frode Fivel. Served as producer for the likes of Amulet and the Lovethugs
December 18, 1972 ~ Singer, songwriter Eimear Quinn, full name Eimar Mary Rose Quinn, born in Mount Merrion, Ireland ~ Best known for winning the 1996 Eurovision Songfestival held in Oslo, representing Ireland with the song The Voice. Reaching 2nd place was England with its entry of Ooh Aah (Just A Little Bit) performed by Gina G
December 18, 1970 ~ Smooth jazz guitarist, singer Norman Brown born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, the Isley Brothers, Wes Montgomery. Worked with Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder, Kenneth Williams, Norman Connors, and with Kirk Whalum and Rick Braun as a member of BWB
December 18, 1970 ~ Paul Pesce, commonly known as drum and bass, jungle producer, DJ Peshay, born in London, UK ~ Rose to prominence in the early 1990s East London rave scene with classic releases such as Protegé EP, 19.5, Piano Tune/Vocal Tune, Psychosis/Represent
December 18, 1970 ~ Anthony Schappel, commonly known as R&B, gospel pianist, producer Shep Crawford, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Whitney Houston, Deborah Cox, Tamia, Sisqó, Kelly Price, Luther Vandross, Montell Jordan, Gladys Knight, Yolanda Adams, LV, 98°, Kenny Lattimore, Boyz II Men, and Heather Headley
December 18, 1969 ~ Keyboardist, violinist Irvin Duguid born in Aberdeenshire, UK ~ Best known as a member of Gun. Has also worked with Stiltskin, Fish, Paolo Nutini, Louise Rutkowski, and Fiona Mackenzie. Has also worked on a number of English musical productions including We Will Rock You, The Producers and The Full Monty
December 18, 1968 ~ Alejandro Sánchez Pizarro, commonly known as singer, composer Alejandro Sanz, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Multiple Grammy Awards winner known for flamenco-influenced ballads also drawing from pop, rock, R&B and jazz. Released his debut album, Los Chulos Son Pa Cuidarios, in 1989. Rose to national fame with its follow-up, 1991's Viviendo Deprisa. Broke through internationally with the 1997 Más album
December 18, 1968 ~ Rock, post-punk, garage rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jamie Hince, full name James William Hince, born in Buckinghamshire, UK ~ Forms the rock duo the Kills with Alison Mosshart, best known for The Good Ones of their 2005 No Wow sophomore album. Has previously worked with Fiji, Scarfo, and Blyth Power. Hince was married to supermodel Kate Moss from 2011 to 2016
December 18, 1967 ~ Theatre actor, tenor singer Mario Frangoulis born in Rhodesia ~ Critically acclaimed in Greece and neighboring countries. Known for roles in stage productions of Les Miserables, The Phantom Of The Opera and Grease. As a recording artist best known for Vincero Perdero and his rendition of the Moody Blues-classic Nights In White Satin
December 18, 1967 ~ Miland Petrozza, commonly known as heavy metal, thrash metal singer, guitarist Mille Petrozza, born in Essen, West Germany ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist, sole constant member of Kreator. Has also worked with Nail Within, Voodoocult, Volbeat, Caliban, and Heaven Shall Burn