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, 1963 ~ Glam metal, heavy metal, thrash metal drummer Greg d'Angelo born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known as member of White Lion from 1985 replacing Nicki Capozzi through 1991 and present on the albums Pride, Big Game and Mane Attraction. Has also worked with Zakk Wylde, the Pirates Of Venus, Antiproduct, Stephen Pearcy, Anthrax, and Britny Fox
December 18, 1961 ~ Angela Laverne Brown, commonly known as neo soul, R&B, soul singer, songwriter Angie Stone, born in Columbia, South Carolina, USA ~ Member of hip-hop trio the Sequence. Worked with Mantronix and with Lenny Kravitz prior to pursuing a solo career. Debuted in 1999 with the album Black Diamond. Best known for songs such as No More Rain In This Cloud, Wish I Didn't Miss You, Brotha and BABY featuring Betty Wright. Has collaborated with Alicia Keys, Eve, Joe, Snoop Dogg, Anthony Hamilton, Guru, Prince (U Make My Sun Shine), Omar, Macy Gray, Raphael Saadiq, and Dionne Warwick ~ Brown passed away in 2025
December 18, 1961 ~ Bandleader Leo Reisman passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Bandleader from the the 1920s and 1930s with some 80 hits to his name. Reisman had a habit of featuring composers and Broadway performers as band vocalists, including Harold Arlen, Fred Astaire, Clifton Webb, Arthur Schwartz, and Lee Wiley. Usually though Reisman used vocalists such as Frank Luther, Dick Robertson and later Sally Singer and George Buller. Notably musicians employed by Reisman included trumpeter Bubber Miley, pianist Eddy Duchin, and Mitch Miller ~ Reisman was born in 1897
December 18, 1961 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Twistin' The Night Away at RCA Studios, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Sam Cooke. Produced by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. Backed by René Hall, Red Callender, Earl Palmer, Tommy Tedesco, Clifton White, Ed Beal, Jackie Kelso, Streamline Ewing, Jewell Grant, Stuart Williamson. Released early 1963 as a single paired with You Send Me on the flip side it would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B charts. The UK release, featuring One More Time as the B-side, would reach the British top 10
December 18, 1961 ~ In its 6th week on the charts, The Lion Sleeps Tonight by the Tokens hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Originally a traditional Zulu song, Mbube for the Zulu word for “lion”, popularized by South African singer Solomon Linda in the late 1930s. Prior to the Tokens, variations of the song had been recorded by Miriam Makeba, the Weavers, and the Kingston Trio. Pop outfit the Tokens only sang the song for an audition with producers Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore to showcase their vocal abilities. The producers reworked the song to The Lion Sleeps Tonight. However, the band was so embarrassed by the new title and lyrics they actually fought the release of the single. Although the various band members would go on to enjoy success as producers and songwriters, as a band The Lion Sleeps Tonight remained their sole major hit
December 18, 1959 ~ Country singer, guitarist Claude Gray records Family Bible at Goldstar Studios, Houston, Texas ~ Written by a then-unknown Willie Nelson. Produced by Paul Buskirk. Released the next January as a single paired with Crying In The Night on the flip side. The single would become a Billboard Country top 10 hit for Claude Gray, peaking at No.7. The song would later be covered by Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen and George Jones. Nelson would release a version in 1980, which stalled at No.92 on the Billboard Country chartsDecember 18, 1958 ~ Frank Martin Strauss, commonly known as industrial, electronic percusssionist FM Einheit, born in Dortmund, Germany ~ Best known as member of Einstürzende Neubauten. Also worked with KMFDM, Goethes Erben, Diamanda Galás, Mona Mur, Andreas Ammer, and Ulrike Haage
December 18, 1958 ~ Kevin Walker, commonly known as post-punk, gothic rock, new wave guitarist Geordie Walker, born in Chester-le-Street, UK ~ Earned his nickname for his northeastern “Geordie” accent. First got into music at age eight, mesmerized by Love Sculpture's Sabre Dance. Co-founding member of Killing Joke, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums since its inception in the late 1970s. The post-punk outfit would enjoy popularity especially during the mid-1980s and are best known for Love Like Blood, a UK top 20 hit taken off their 1985 Night Time album. Walker has also played with industrial supergroups Murder Inc and Damage Manual ~ Walker passed away in 2023
December 18, 1956 ~ Rock, alternative rock drummer Billy Conway born in Owatonna, Minnesota, USA ~ Known for his jazz-influenced, stripped-down drumming style. Member of Treat Her Right. Member of Morphine, enjoying a cult following with acclaimed 1990s albums such as Good and Cure For Pain. After the death of frontman Mark Sandman in 1999 the band folded, Conway going on to work with Orchestra Morphine, Twinemen, Jeffrey Foucault, Cold Satellite, Kris Delmhorst, and John Statz. Released a sole solo album, Outside Inside, in 2020 ~ Conway passed away in 2021
December 18, 1956 ~ Jazz, gospel singer Chris Murrell, full name Byron Christopher Murrell, born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA ~ While in his teens fronted gospel outfit the Christian Disciples. Best known for his association with the Count Basie Orchestra, touring with the ensemble from the mid-1980s through the early 2000s. Released his Reprise solo album in 2002 to critical acclaim ~ Murrell passed away in 2017
December 18, 1955 ~ Walfredo de los Reyes Jr, commonly known as percussionist Walfredo Reyes Jr, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Son of percussionist Walfredo de los Reyes Sr, brother of Daniel de los Reyes. Best known as member of Santana during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Has also worked with Tania Maria, David Lindley, Jackson Browne, Jimmy Barnes, Boz Scaggs, Gloria Estefan, Robbie Robertson, Steve Winwood, Joe Sample, Lindsey Buckingham, Mickey Hart, Manny Charlton, and Chicago
December 18, 1953 ~ Elliot Steinberg, commonly known as guitarist Elliot Easton, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as constant member of the Cars, known for hits such Shake It Up, You Might Think, Drive, and Tonight She Comes. Has released a sole solo album, Change No Change, in 1985. Has also worked with the New Cars, Amy Rigby, Jules Shear, Lee Rocker, and Creedence Clearwater RevisitedDecember 18, 1952 ~ Peter Brian, commonly known as singer, actor, TV personality Frankie J Holden, born in Australia ~ Fronted Ol' 55, known for the hit On The Prowl of their 1976 Take It Greasey debut album. Other well known songs include Looking For An Echo, I Want A Rockin' Christmas, Stay (While The Night Is Young), and Two Faces Have I
December 18, 1952 ~ Country, rock guitarist, producer, songwriter John Leventhal born in New York, New York, USA ~ In-demand instrumentalist, plays guitar, bass, keyboards, drums. Engineer and producer. Prolific songwriter with over 200 songs to his name and the scores to Winter Solstice and Big Stone Gap. Arranged and played on Marc Cohn's 1991 hit Walking In Memphis. Produced and co-wrote Shawn Colvin's 1997 hit Sunny Came Home. Other notable credits include producing William Bell's 2016 This Is Where I Live, co-writing Rosanne Cash's 2019 Crossing To Jerusalem, and producing Sarah Jarosz's 2021 World On The Ground albumDecember 18, 1952 ~ Jazz, pop singer Patti Page records How Much Is That Doggie In The Window ~ Written by Bob Merrill, reportedly loosely based on the Naepolitan traditional Carnival Of Venice. Popularized by Patti Page whose single, featuring My Eyes on the flip side, would top the Billboard pop chart in 1953. Also recorded by Lita Roza, scoring a UK No.1 hit the same year, and whose version was once cited by longtime British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as her all-time favorite song. Ironically, Roza's best known song but she herself hated it and sang it only once, pressured by label executives, but vowed to never perform the song and she never ever did
December 18, 1951 ~ Country drummer Hugh Wright born in Des Moines, Iowa, USA ~ Co-founding member of Boy Howdy, known for early 1990s recordings such as A Cowboy's Born With A Broken Heart, She'd Give Anything and They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anynmore, all of which reached the top 20 of the country charts both in America and Canada ~ Wright passed away in 2015
December 18, 1950 ~ Randolpho Francisco Castillo, commonly known as heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal drummer Randy Castillo, born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ~ Inspired to take up the drums after seeing the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Best known for backing Ozzy Osbourne from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, including on the acclaimed No More Tears album released in 1991. Member of Mötley Crüe from 1999 until his death in 2002, present on the 2000 New Tattoo album. Castillo has also worked with Lita Ford, Red Square Black, the Bone Angels, and Bret Michaels ~ Castillo passed away in 2002
December 18, 1949 ~ Michael David Fuller, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Blaze Foley, born in Malvern, Arkansas, USA ~ Admired by peers. Had his songs covered by Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson (If I Could Only Fly), Lyle Lovett (Election Day), and John Prine (Clay Pigeons). Has been the subject of tribute songs by Townes Van Zandt (Blaze's Blues), Lucinda Williams (Drunken Angel), Gurf Morlix (Music You Mighta Made), and the Kings Of Leon (Reverend) ~ Fuller passed away in 1989
December 18, 1949 ~ Talent agent, label executive Troy Blakely born near Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Worked as tour manager for Mitch Ryder, and as assistant tour manager for Johnny Winter. As a talent agent Blakely has signed or represented artists such as Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, the Stooges, MC5, Nazareth, the Golden Earring, Canned Heat, Birtha, Lighthouse, the Raspberries, Blackfoot, Tim Buckley, Sammy Hagar, the Scorpions, Triumph, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Poison, Boston, Faith No More, Alice In Chains, King's X, the Black Crowes, Y&T, Rush, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Robert Plant, Bret Michaels, Fleetwood Mac, the Go-Go's, Lenny Kravitz, Judas Priest, Zakk Wylde, Whitesnake, Black Label Society, RATT, Cinderella, Dokken, Sebastian Bach, and Lita Ford ~ Blakely passed away in 2018December 18, 1948 ~ Conductor, organist Andrew Morris born ~ Director of Music at the the Priority Church Of St Bartholomew the Great, London, its choir known for their performances on BBC and ITV programs. Founded the New English Singers in 1974. Founded the New Bedford Singers
December 18, 1948 ~ Art rock, glam rock, electronic rock, new wave, post-punk singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, percussionist, songwriter Bill Nelson born in Wakefield, UK ~ Influenced by Duane Eddy. Released his Northern Dream debut album in 1971. Best known for his work with Be Bop Deluxe throughout the 1970s. Has also worked with Fiat Lux, the Orchestra Arcana, Channel Light Vessel, and the Invisible Girls. As a producer worked on recordings by Roger Eno, Gary Numan, the Skids, and A Flock Of Seagulls
December 18, 1948 ~ Lucien Voulzy, commonly known as alternative rock, French pop rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Laurent Voulzy, born in Paris, France ~ Fronted Le Temple De Venus. Worked with Pascal Danel from 1969 through 1974. Best known as a solo artist, internationally best known for the 1977 single Rockollection. French hits include Les Nuits Sans Kim Wilde, Le Soleil Donne, Paradoxal Système, and Derniers Basiers. Duetted with the Who singer Roger Daltrey on Ma Seule Amours of his 2011 Lys And Love albumDecember 18, 1947 ~ Singer Martin Reverby, sometimes known as Martin Rev, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Half of influential synth-punk duo Suicide, the other half being Alan Vega, acclaimed especially for their eponymous Suicide debut album released in 1977
December 18, 1947 ~ Harmonica player, singer Rod Piazza born in Riverside, California, USA ~ Best known for playing with his band the Mighty Flyers, co-founded with his wife, pianist Honey Piazza. Plays an energetic blues hybrid, drawing from jump blues, West Coast blues and Chicago blues
December 18, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist, drummer Alex Ligertwood born in Glasgow, UK ~ Ligertwood, especially praised for his four-octave vocal range, had been singing from an early age onwards, drawing inspiration from the likes of Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, and Curtis Mayfield. Ligertwood first gained serious attention in the late 1960s as a member of white soul cover band the Senate, which also included Robbie McIntosh of future the Average White Band fame. Throughout the 1970s, Ligertwood was a member of jazz-rock unit the Oblivion Express, including on the acclaimed albums Second Wind and Closer To It. Ligertwood would also appear on albums by André Ceccarelli, Lenny White, and Carly Simon. Internationally, however, Ligertwood would become best known as on-and-off lead singer of Santana from 1979 through 1994, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums, singing lead on songs such as All I Ever Wanted, You Know That I Love You, and the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits Winning and Hold On, and performed with the band at their 1985 Live Aid appearance in Philadelphia. Ligertwood also co-wrote several Santana songs during his various stints with the band, most notably Brightest Star, The Nile, and Somewhere In Heaven. Upon hearing of Ligertwood's passing, Brian Auger, Ligertwood's bandmate in the Oblivion Express, stated: “To me, Alex aka ‘Wee Eck’ was simply the best singer to ever do it. In all my years of music, I never heard anyone who possessed that kind of range or that effortless, carefree ability to soar through a melody. He didn't just sing songs, he lived them” ~ Ligertwood passed away in 2026