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.
February 15, 1978 ~ Gospel singer, choir director, arranger, composer Alex Bradford born in Bessemer, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced artists such as Little Richard, Bob Marley and Ray Charles. Backed Roberta Martin and Mahalia Jackson before venturing out on his own, founding the Bradford Singers and later the Bradford Specials. Best known for his 1954 Too Close To Heaven single, which sold over a million copies and achieved Gold status ~ Bradford was born in 1927
February 15, 1978 ~ Indie pop, indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Courtney Jaye born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Released her Traveling Light debut album in 2005. Best known for a number of songs featured in TV and film soundtracks, notably Can't Behave from the Aquamarine teen comedy film and several songs, including Who Wants To Date A Rockstar, from TV series such as Laguna Beach (The Real Orange County). Has collaborated with the Jayhawks's Gary Louris, Sugarland's Kristen Hall, Rhett Miller, Tift Merritt, the Indigo Girls's Emily Saliers, Thad Cockrell, and Butch Walker
February 15, 1976 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, nu metal singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Brandon Boyd, full name Brandon Charles Boyd, born in Van Nuys, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Incubus, known for songs such as Drive, Megalomaniac, Anna-Molly, Love Hurts, and Adolescents. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album The Wild Trapeze released in 2010, and collaborated with Sons Of The Sea, Snot, and Ben Kenney
February 15, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Kathryn Williams born in Liverpool, UK ~ Over a dozen albums to her name, starting with Dog Leap Stairs released in 1999. Has collaborated with Chris Difford, Ted Barnes, Thea Gilmore, John Martyn, Joel Salakula, Tobias Froberg, Ed Harcourt, James Yorkston, Marry Waterson, and Boo HewerdineFebruary 15, 1974 ~ Renee Ilene Sandstrom, commonly known as singer, child actress Renee Sands, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for her role as Renee on the children's musical TV series Kids Incorporated. Alongside several of her costars also a member of the band Wild Orchid for the entirety of their existence from 1990 to 2003
February 15, 1971 ~ R&B singer Aretha Franklin records Rock Steady at Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida ~ Self-penned. Produced by Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler. Aretha Franklin is backed by Donny Hathaway and Richard Tee on keyboards, Cornell Dupree guitar, Chuck Rainey bass, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Robert Popwell and Dr John percussion, Brenda Bryant, Margaret Branch and Pat Smith backing vocals. Horns provided by the Memphis Horns would be recorded later. Released in October as the B-side to Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For You Baby). The song would also be included on the Young Gifted & Black album
February 15, 1969 ~ Charles Ellsworth Russell, commonly known as jazz, bebop, dixieland, post-bop, free jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Pee Wee Russell, passed away in Alexandria, Virginia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. As a composer known for songs such as Pee Wee's Blues, Oh No, Stuyvesant Blues, Midnight Blue, and Missy. Worked with Frankie Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke, Jean Goldkette, Louis Prima, Bobby Hackett, Eddie Condon, Art Hodes, Muggsy Spanier, Marshall Brown, Ruby Braff, Buck Clayton, Thelonious Monk, and Al Sears ~ Russell was born in 1906
February 15, 1969 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, Everyday People by Sly & the Family Stone hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ In true fashion to the band themselves, one of the earliest racially integrated line-ups, Everyday People sends the message how everyone, regardless of race or background, is essentially the same. We are all alike, we are all everyday people, and should be able to live together. Everyday People became the first of three Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits for the band. The song stands as one of the most enduring tracks of its day and over the years would be covered by dozens of artists including James Last, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, and Taj Mahal. Alternative hip hop, progressive rap outfit Arrested Development borrowed heavily from the track, using the chorus and basic structure, for their 1992 hit People Everyday. Reportedly, organist Billy Preston, an in-demand collaborator for numerous artists including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, guested on the original recording of Everyday PeopleFebruary 15, 1968 ~ Fabienne Demal, commonly known as singer, songwriter Axelle Red, born in Hasselt, Belgium ~ Debuted with the album Sans Plus Attendre in 1993. Best known for songs such as Sensualité and Manhattan Kaboul, the latter a duet with Renaud. Worked with Steve Cropper, Isaac Hayes, Youssou n'Dour, Charles Aznavour, Francis Cabrel, Stephan Eicher, Sylvia Vartan, Arno, Tom Barman, Peter Gabriel, Michael Toles, Lester Snell, Jeff Anderson, and Damon Duewhite
February 15, 1968 ~ Marion Walter Jacobs, commonly known as blues harpist, guitarist, singer Little Walter, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ One of the most influential and admired blues harpists. Best known for songs such as Juke and My Babe. Has worked with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Sunnyland Slim, Muddy Waters (Country Boy), David Honeyboy Edwards, Floyd Jones, Ike Turner, Willie Dixon, Junior Wells, John Brim, Memphis Minnie, Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, Robert Nighthawk, the Rolling Stones, Hound Dog Taylor, and Koko Taylor ~ Jacobs was born in 1930
February 15, 1966 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record Ticket To Ride at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, primarily by the former. Produced by George Martin. Marked by some pop historians as one of the band's key songs, marking a progression and shift towards a more experimental and rougher sound. Used in the feature film Help and on the accompanying soundtrack album. Released as a single the following April, b/w Yes It Is, which topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic
February 15, 1965 ~ Nathaniel Adams Coles, commonly known as jazz, jazz-pop pianist, singer Nat King Cole, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Served as blueprint for later small jazz, jazz-pop ensembles. Father of singer Natalie Cole. Known for songs such as Sweet Lorraine, All For You, I Love You For Sentimental Reasons, Nature Boy, Mona Lisa, Too Young, Smile, and Send For Me ~ Cole was born in 1919
February 15, 1964 ~ Producer, bassist, drummer, saxophonist Brad Wood born in Rockford, Illinois, USA ~ In-demand producer. Notably produced or co-producer Liz Phair's Exile In Guyville, Placebo's eponymous Placebo debut album, Veruca Salt's American Thighs, Ben Lee's Grandpa Would, Sunny Day Real Estate's Diary. Has also worked with Red Meat, Touché Amoré, Skating Polly, Say Anything, Pete Yorn, Shrimp Boat, Calamity Jane, Mama Tick, Whale, Better Than Ezra, the Bangles, Sherwood, and CaseyFebruary 15, 1963 ~ Pop singer Bobby Vinton records Over The Mountain (Across The Sea) ~ Written by Rex Garvin and originally a 1957 R&B, doo-wop hit for Johnnie & Joe, reaching top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts. Bobby Vinton's version, taken off his The Greatest Hits Of The Golden Groups album would reach top 30 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and top 10 in Canada
February 15, 1962 ~ Singer Ray Charles records I Can't Stop Loving You at United Western Recorders, Hollywood, USA ~ Written and first recorded by Don Gibson in 1957. Other notable early versions included recordings by Kitty Wells, Roy Orbison, and Hank Locklin. The definitive version, however, and definitely more famous than the original would be by Ray Charles, who recorded the song for his Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music album. The single would reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100, his third No.1 hit after Georgia On My Mind and Hit The Road Jack. It would also earn Charles a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. To Charles, country music and R&B had the same feel, the same emotion: “You take country music, you take black music, it's exactly the same thing.” The tender ballad has been recorded by well over an estimated 300 artists, including Peggy Lee, Jim Reeves, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Elvis Presley, Solomon Burke, Van Morrison, and UB40February 15, 1962 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Somebody Have Mercy at RCA Studios, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Sam Cooke. Produced by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. René Hall served as the session's conductor and arranger. The line “tell me what is wrong with me” from the song would spur rumors that Cooke was suffering from leukemia. Included on the Twistin' The Night Away album. Subsequently featured as B-side of Nothing Can Change This Love, released in September 1962
February 15, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist Ali Campbell, full name Alistair Ian Campbell, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Lead singer, songwriter, longtime member of UB40, known for hits such as Red Red Wine, I Got You Babe featuring Chrissie Hynde, Don't Break My Heart, Homely Girl, Kingston Town, and Can't Help Falling In Love With You
February 15, 1958 ~ Jazz keyboardist Adam Holzman born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman. Leader and sideman. Worked with Bob Belden, Tom Browne, Wayne Escoffery, Charles Fambrough, Anton Fig, Robben Ford, Jane Getter, Randy Hall, Ray Manzarek, Jason Miles, Marcus Miller, Michel Petrucciani, Wallace Roney, Steps Ahead, Grover Washington Jr, Lenny White, Ray Wilson, Steven Wilson, Miles Davis, Dennis Chambers, and RushFebruary 15, 1957 ~ R&B outfit the Coasters record Young Blood ~ Written by Doc Pomus, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the latter also playing the piano. Barney Kessel on guitar. Released as a single the following month, b/w Searchin' recorded during the same session, it would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B charts. Notably covered by Bad Company for their 1976 Run With The Pack album, the single reaching top 20 Billboard Hot 100
February 15, 1955 ~ Pop rock drummer Hans-Joachim Behrendt born ~ Co-founding member of Ideal. The band is best known for their 1980 debut single Wir Stehn Auf Berlin and their eponymous Ideal debut album released by the end of the year. The band would call it quits after three successful albums, disbanding in 1983. Behrendt and several bandmates also notably contributed to Alphaville's 1989 The Breathtaking Blue album ~ Behrendt passed away in 2023
February 15, 1954 ~ Blues, jump blues singer Big Joe Turner records Shake Rattle & Roll in New York, New York, USA ~ Backed by saxophonist Sam Taylor, guitarist Mickey Baker, drummer Connie Kay and Atlantic Records executives Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun on backing vocals, Big Joe Turner recorded this Charles Calhoun-penned uptempo rocker. The single, featuring You Know I Love You on the flip side, would be released the next April and be a smash hit. Shake Rattle & Roll would later be covered by numerous artists, notably Bill Haley the same year and Elvis Presley in 1956, and to this day stands as one of songs that defined rock & roll
February 15, 1954 ~ Pop singer Marga Scheide, full name Margareth Scheide, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Rose to fame as original member of Luv' alongside José Hoebee and Patty Brard, known best for U.O.Me (You Owe Me), You're The Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse and Casanova. Following the band's heyday Scheide has recorded with Duo Deuce and released a handful of solo singles, notably Love Symphony, I'll Sing You A Song and Dance On
February 15, 1953 ~ Progressive rock, jazz fusion guitarist John Goodsall born in Middlesex, UK ~ Playing professionally since age 15. Worked with Babylon, Juicy Lucy, Colosseum and the Alan Bown Set early on in his career. Best known for his stints with Atomic Rooster and with Brand X which also included drummer Phil Collins. Has also worked with Zoo Drive, Bill Bruford, the Fire Merchants, the Long Beach Mercenaries, Tami Lynn, Franz Pusch, Leon Alvarado, and Cymbalic Encounters ~ Goodsall passed away in 2021February 15, 1951 ~ Pop, adult contemporary singer, pianist, songwriter, actress Melissa Manchester born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Barry Manilow. Sang backup for Bette Midler. Closely associated with Carole Bayer Sager, co-writer of a number of early Manchester songs. Released her debut album, Home To Myself, in 1973. Known best for songs such as Midnight Blue, Don't Cry Out Loud and You Should Hear How She Talks About You
February 15, 1950 ~ Classical trumpeter, cornetist Guy Touvron born in Vichy, France ~ Accomplished soloist. Renowned interpreter of baroque composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Tomaso Albinoni, and Giuseppe Torelli, and contemporary classical music. Premiered trumpet concerts written by Ivan Jevtic, Jacques Loussier, and François Rauber. Principal trumpeter for the Orchestre National De Lyon and the French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Formed the Guy Touvron Brass Ensemble by the early 1970s ~ Touvron passed away in 2024