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 23, 1985 ~ R&B family outfit DeBarge release Rhythm Of The Night, lead single off their album of the same name ~ Written by Diane Warren for The Last Dragon, a martial arts film produced by Motown with Berry Gordy Jr serving as the film's executive producer. For DeBarge Rhythm Of The Night would become their biggest hit, their second to top the Billboard R&B charts, and one of only two to reach top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it peaked at No.3. The song also reached top 10 in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and across Europe including the Netherlands, Ireland, and the UK. Rhythm Of The Night was also a breakthrough for songwriter Warren as it would be the first American top 10 hit solely written by Warren, who would go on to write or co-write dozens more major hits including for Starship, Chicago (Look Away), Bad English, Milli Vanilli, Taylor Dayne, Céline Dion (Because You Loved Me), Toni Braxton (Un-break My Heart), Aerosmith (I Don't Want To Miss A Thing), and Brandy. DeBarge would score one more major hit with Who's Holding Donna Now, which reached No.6 Billboard Hot 100February 23, 1984 ~ Benjamin Laub, commonly known as rapper, producer Grieves, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Indepedently released his full-length Irreversible debut album in 2007. First gained serious attenttion with his 2011 Together/Apart album featuring guest appearances from Brother Ali and Krukid. Has also collaborated with Kublakai, MC Lars, Transit, Horrorshow, Atmosphere, Watsky, and Spose
February 23, 1983 ~ Film composer John Williams is the big winner at the 25th Annual Grammy Awards, taking home three Awards for his work on the soundtrack to the Steven Spielberg film ET (The Extra-Terrestrial) ~ The score as a whole would win the Grammy Award for Best Original Score, while its main theme Flying (Theme from ET The Extra-Terrestrial) won John Williams the awards for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Arrangement on an Instrumental Recording. The score was the fourth in history to win an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Grammy Award, and a BAFTA. The previous two scores to win all four awards, Star Wars and Jaws, were also composed by Williams, who remains the only person to have won all awards for the same score more than onceFebruary 23, 1981 ~ Saul Feldman, commonly known as bandleader, clarinetist, saxophonist Shep Fields, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Popular 1930s bandleader. Known for songs such as Cathedral In The Pines, Did I Remember, Thanks For The Memory. Has worked with artists such as Sal Gioa, Lou Halmy, Gene Merlino, Dorothy Allen, Toni Arden, and Sid Caesar ~ Feldman was born in 1910
February 23, 1978 ~ René Pérez Joglar, commonly known as rapper, singer Residente, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Co-founding member of alternative rap band Calle 13, known best for songs such as Atrévete-te-te, Suave, Pa'l Norte featuring Orishas, and No Hay Nadie Como Tú featuring Café Tacuba. Has released his eponymous Residente solo debut album in 2017
February 23, 1977 ~ Electronic, breakbeat, house, alternative dance DJ, producer DJ Hyper born in London, UK ~ Released his full-length We Control debut album in 2006, featuring the Prodigy members Leeroy Thornhill and Jim Davies. Has remixed for artists such as BT and Paul van Dyk. Hyper's music has been used in video games and TV series including Orange Is The New Black and Leftovers
February 23, 1976 ~ Fado singer Katia Guerreiro, full name Katia Duarte D'Almeida D'Oliveira Rosado Guerreiro, born in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa ~ Born to Portuguese parents. Sang with Tuna Médica and Os Charruas while in medical school. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a fado singer, starting with 2001's Fado Maior, while still working part-time as a doctor
February 23, 1975 ~ Jazz saxophonist Wayne Escoffery born in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Carl Allen, Eric Reed, the Mingus Big Band, Ralph Peterson, Ben Riley, Ron Carter, Rufus Reid, Bill Charlap, Bruce Barth, Jimmy Cobb, Eddie Henderson, Mary Stallings, Cynthia Scott, Nancie Banks, Laverne Butler, his wife Carolyn Leonhart, the Monk Legacy Septet, Monty Alexander, Amina Figarova, and the Tom Harrell Quintet
February 23, 1974 ~ Harry Rubinstein, commonly known as pianist, songwriter Harry Ruby passed away in Woodland Hills, California, USA ~ Vaudeville pianist with the Bootblack Trio and the Messenger Boys Trio. Best known as a songwriter, longtime collaborator of lyricist Bert Kalmar. Together the pair was responsible for songs such as Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You) (Jack Denny, Ruth Etting, Frankie Laine), Who's Sorry Now (Bob Thompson, Milton Brown, Harry James), Three Little Words (Duke Ellington, Sam Lanin, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan), and Give Me The Simple Life (Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Carmen McRae) ~ Rubinstein was born in 1895February 23, 1973 ~ Alternative rock, pop rock keyboardist, guitarist Lars-Olof Johansson born in Huskvarna, Sweden ~ Member of the Cardigans, known for a number of 1990s hits including Lovefool, My Favorite Game, Erase-Rewind and the Talking Heads-cover Burning Down The House, the latter a collaboration with Tom Jones of Jones's 1999 Reload album. Johansson has also worked with acoustic country band Up The Mountain
February 23, 1968 ~ Hardcore punk, heavy metal drummer, singer, bassist, guitarist Chris Reifert born ~ Considered a pioneer of death metal and death doom. Drummed on Death's 1987 Screams Bloody Gore debut album. Founded, drummed, sang in Autopsy. Has also worked with Abscess, Ravenous, Doomed, Eat My Fuk, Painted Doll, Violation Wound, Machetazo, Immortal Fate, Nuclear Death, and Cathedral
February 23, 1967 ~ Conductor, violinist Alan Gilbert born in New York, New York, USA ~ Music director of the New York Philharmonic from 2009 through 2017. Has also worked with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Santa Fe Orchestra, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the NDR Symphony Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Opera
February 23, 1967 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Alf Svensson born in Sweden ~ Member of At The Gates from 1990 through 1993. Well known as co-founding member of Oxiplegatz. Has also worked with Oral, Grotesque, Diabolique, and with Liers In Wait
February 23, 1967 ~ Drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, singer, producer Chris Vrenna born in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Founded electronic band Tweaker. Played drums for Nine Inch Nails from 1989 through 1997. Played keyboards and percussion for Marilyn Manson from 2004 through 2011. Briefly a member of Die Warzau and Stabbing Westward. In-demand producer for acts such as the Smashing Pumpkins, U2, Skinny Puppy, Gary Numan, Scar The Martyr, David Sylvian, Mudvayne, Megadeth, Rammstein, Metallica, Weezer, David Bowie, Slipknot, Rob Zombie, Green Day, Adema, and the Wallflowers
February 23, 1967 ~ Classical, avant-garde jazz, experimental, punk, post-punk pianist, singer, songwriter Thollem McDonas born in California, USA ~ Eclectic solo musician and in-demand collaborator, covering a wide array of genres ranging from classical to free jazz and from experimental to punk rock. About half a dozen albums as a solo artists, starting in the mid 2000s. Founded the Estamos Ensemble, premiering original compositions by composers such as Nels Cline, Pauline Oliveros, Vinny Golia, and Ana Lara. Founded Tsigoti, an anarcho-punk group serving as a musical mouthpiece for his political activism. Other notable credits include the Debussy Project and the Hand To Man Band with Mike Watt, John Dieterich and Tim Barnes
February 23, 1963 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, Little Town Flirt by Del Shannon peaks at No.12 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Shannon frequently sang about the pain of heartbreak and being rejected. In Little Town Flirt, written by Del Shannon and Maron McKenzie, the singer warns of a girl who will only break your heart: “she's looking at you, giving you that smile, but I know she's gonna treat you wrong, so your heart just better be strong, 'cause you can get hurt, hur-hur-hurt.” Although not his best known, over the years Little Town Flirt would be covered by several artists, including Smokie and the Altered Images, both in the early 1980s, and the Electric Light Orchestra nearly four decades after Shannon's original
February 23, 1963 ~ Fiddler, guitarist Erik Hokkanen born in Clearwater, Florida, USA ~ Active since the mid-1980s. Draws from a wide variety of genres including old-time music, jazz, classical, country, rock, roots music. First gained attention backing Gary P Nunn touring the Southwest. Recorded his first album, Erik & the Offbeats, in 1987 under the group monniker Erik & the Offbeats and has recorded consistently since both as a solo artist and fronting several bands. Has collaborated with Joanne Shenandoah, the Mad Cat Trio, the Bad Livers, Junior Brown and Wayne Hancock
February 23, 1963 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock keyboardist Rob Collins, full name Robert James Collins, born in Rowley Regis, UK ~ Keyboardist, primary songwriter for the Charlatans, present on all of the band's five albums. Arrested and charged with armed robbery of an off-licence in 1992. Collins claimed to have no foreknowledge of the robbery until he heard a gunshot inside the shop and his friend exited. Would plead guilty to assisting an offender after the offence and serve four months in prison. Shortly before the recordings for the band's fifth album, Tellin' Stories, were finished Collins died in a car crash near Rockfield Studios ~ Collins passed away in 1996
February 23, 1961 ~ Vocal group the Top Notes record Twist And Shout at Atlantic Studios, New York, New York ~ Written by Bert Berns and Phil Medley. Orchestra conducted by Teddy Randazzo, King Curtis on saxophone, Bucky Pizzarelli guitar, Panama Francis percussion, and Gary Chester drums. At the time of its release, the song would be considered only good enough for a B-side, featured as the flip side of Always Late (Why You Lead Me On). However, when sibling outfit the Isley Brothers covered the tune a year later, it became an instant rock & roll classic. The original version by the Top Notes was produced by Phil Spector. Bert Berns, one of the song's two songwriters, signed on for the more famous version by the Isley Brothers, infusing the song with a gospel-fired soul passion absent in the original. Subsequently, the song would be covered by over an estimated 200 artists including the Beatles, the Miracles, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, the Shirelles, Elvin Bishop, and David Lindley
February 23, 1958 ~ David Alan Batt, commonly known as art pop, new wave, ambient pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter David Sylvian, born in Lewisham, UK ~ Rose to fame as frontman and primary songwriter of Japan, a pivotal band on the early 1980s New Romantic scene best known for songs such as Quiet Life, Ghosts and I Second That Emotion. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Brilliant Trees released in 1984, and collaborated with the likes of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Robert Fripp, Holger Czukay, Jon Hassell, Fennesz, and Nine Horses
February 23, 1957 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records One Night at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, California ~ Written by Dave Bartholomew, Anita Steinman, originally recorded by Smiley Lewis who reached the Billboard R&B top 20 with the tune in 1956. Elvis Presley's version was recorded with Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass, DJ Fontana on drums, Dudley Brooks tingling the ivories and regular backup choir the Jordanaires. It would be released as a double A-side with I Got Stung, which reached top 10 on the American pop charts
February 23, 1957 ~ Singer Ria Brieffies, full name Maria Petronella Brieffies, born in Lutjebroek, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of pop girl group the Dolly Dots. The band would score numerous top 10 hits in the Netherlands, starting in the late 1970s, including Tell It All About Boys, Hela-do-ladi-do, STOP, Do You Wanna Wanna, She's A Liar, Dreaming Of You, and What A Night. After the groups disbandedment has released a handful of solo recordings, notably the 1989 single Love Always Finds A Reason, a duet with Glenn Medeiros. Briefly toured with her own jazz band, het Ria Brieffies Kwintet, before retiring from music in the 1990s ~ Brieffies passed away in 2009February 23, 1955 ~ Pop, synth-pop, new wave singer, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Howard Jones, full name John Howard Jones, born in Southampton, UK ~ Helped define the British pop in the 1980s, starting with his 1984 Human's Lib debut album. Best known for songs such as What Is Love, Like To Get To Know You Well and Things Can Only Get Better
February 23, 1954 ~ Rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Louis Bertignac born in Oran, French Algeria ~ Member of Shakin' Street. Co-founding member of Téléphone, known for French top 10 hits such as Un Autre Monde and Le Jour S'Est Levé. Founded Louis Bertignac & les Visiteurs. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Tony Visconti-produced Elle Et Louis album released in 1993. Produced, arranged, played guitar on Carla Bruni's 2003 Quelqu'un M'A Dit debut album
February 23, 1953 ~ Reggae, gospel singer, guitarist, songwriter Carlene Davis born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica ~ Active since her mid-teens. Member of pop trio the Toreadores while living in England. Pursued a solo career while living in Canada, gaining attention after relocating to Jamaica in the 1980s. Scored local hits with songs such as Peace And Love, Like Old Friends, It Must Be Love, Dial My Number and Going Down To Paradise. Duetted with Gregory Isaacs on Feeling Irie of Isaacs' 1985 Private Beach Party album. Has turned to gospel music after recovering from breast cancer in the late 1990s, her 2000 single This Island Needs Love becoming a hit in several Caribbean countries