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 26, 1971 ~ Erica Abi Wright, commonly known as singer, songwriter Erykah Badu, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Opened for D'Angelo at a 1994 Fort Worth show, which drew attention of label executive Kedar Massenburg, who immediately signed her. Debuted with the Baduizm album in 1997, spawning the singles On & On, Next Lifetime, and Otherside Of The Game. Also known for songs such as Bag Lady and Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip-Hop), the latter featuring Common. Member of the Soulquarians. Also collaborated with Busta Rhymes, the Roots, Macy Gray, Violator, A Tribe Called Quest, Zap Mama, Sérgio Mendes, will.i.am, the Wu-Tang Clan, Flying Lotus, and Janelle MonáeFebruary 26, 1971 ~ Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin, commonly known as actor, singer Fernandel, passed away in Paris, France ~ First gained attention as comedian in French vaudeville, operettas and revues. Took his stage name from his mother-in-law's pet name for him, “Fernand d'elle” (Fernand of her). Would go on to become one of of France's top comedians starring in numerous films, including Italian and American films ~ Contandin was born in 1903
February 26, 1971 ~ Karl Martin Sandberg, commonly known as producer, songwriter Max Martin, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Rose to fame in the late 1990s as producer, songwriter on songs such as Britney Spears' Baby One More Time, the Backstreet Boys' I Want It That Way and NSYNC's It's Gonna Be Me. Has written or co-written some two dozen Billboard No.1 hits, totalling sales of over 130 million. Well known songs include Maroon 5's One More Night, Taylor Swift's Shake It Off and Blank Space, the Weeknd's Blinding Lights. Other artists who recorded songs produced, co-produced, written or co-written by Martin include Pink, Usher, Avril Lavigne, Jessie J, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande, Cyndi Lauper, and Adam LambertFebruary 26, 1969 ~ Blues singer, pianist, songwriter Bernice Edwards passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Known for a number of mid 1920s recordings including Moaning Blues, Mean Man Blues, Hard Hustling Blues, Butcher Shop Blues. Unlike many of her female contemporaries Edwards penned or co-penned a vast amount of her songs ~ Edwards was born ca.1907
February 26, 1969 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Chris Wilis, full name Christopher Willis, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Initially a gospel singer but best known for his collaborations with house DJ, producer David Guetta as lead vocalist on songs such as Just A Little More Love, Love Don't Let Me Go, Love Is Gone, Tomorrow Can Wait, Everytime We Touch, and Gettin' Over You
February 26, 1967 ~ Upright bassist, bass guitarist Audun Skorgen born in Ålesund, Norway ~ Worked with the Velvet Lounge Orchestra, Frode Grønmyr, and Marita Røstad
February 26, 1967 ~ Jazz pianist Bill Clifton passed away at sea aboard the SS Argentina ~ An in-demand accompanist of the swing era, and considered an early and important influence on jazz pianist Bill Evans. Clifton decided to become a professional musician after hearing the music of Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington. Noted for his Piano Moods, released in 1950 as one of the first long-playing records, yet best known as a sideman to the likes of Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Bud Freeman, and Abe Lyman. Clifton also accompanied some of the era's greatest singers including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Ukulele Ike, and Ilene Woods ~ Clifton was born in 1916February 26, 1967 ~ Walter Gabriel Pichon, commonly known as jazz pianist, singer, bandleader, arranger, songwriter Fats Pichon, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Active since his teens. Worked the river boats, big band and New Orleans dance halls. Worked with Duskey Stevedores, the Eleven Aces, Luis Russell and with a then-unknown Dave Bartholomew as early as the 1930s ~ Pichon was born in 1906
February 26, 1966 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Ebbot Lundberg born in Vasterås, Sweden ~ Best known as lead singer of the Soundtrack Of Our Lives from 1995 through 2012, co-founded with Bjorn Olsson and Ian Person. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album There's Only One Of Us released in 2012, and collaborated with Jane Birkin, Turbonegro, Nina Persson, the Cardigans, the Teddybears, and Olle Ljungström
February 26, 1965 ~ R&B singer Marvin Gaye releases his I'll Be Doggone single ~ Written by Smokey Robinson, Warren Pete Moore, and Marvin Tarplin, with Robinson also serving as producer. Released as the lead single off Marvin Gaye's Moods Of Marvin Gaye album, the single would become his first Billboard R&B charttopper, his third Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, and his first million-seller. Background vocals were provided by the Miracles and the Andantes. The song would be covered several times, including by Paul Revere & the Raiders, Albert King, and Solomon Burke
February 26, 1965 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release their The Last Time single in the UK ~ Recorded at RCA Studios, Hollywood, California. Produced by Andrew Loog Oldham with some assistence by Phil Spector. Although credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, officially making it the first original song to be released as an A-side, the song's chorus is identical to This May Be The Last Time. Richards would later comment on the origins of the song: “We came up with The Last Time, which was basically re-adapting a traditional gospel song that had been sung by the Staple Singers, but luckily the song itself goes back into the mists of time”February 26, 1963 ~ Bassist, guitarist, cellist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Josephine Wiggs, full name Miranda Cordelia Susan Josephine Wiggs, born in Letchworth, UK ~ Best known as member of alternative rock bands the Breeders and Perfect Disaster. Also active with several side-projects including Honey Tongue, the Josephine Wiggs Experience and Dusty Trails
February 26, 1963 ~ Ignacio Cano André, commonly known as guitarist, arranger, songwriter Nacho Cano, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Member of Mecano, one of the all time best selling Spanish bands with over 25 million records sold. The band is known for songs such as La Fuerza Del Destino, Hijo De La Luna, Cruz De Navajes, Une Femme Avec Une Femme and El 7 De Septiembre
February 26, 1958 ~ Pop, soul singer, producer Humphrey Campbell born in Moengo, Suriname ~ Represented the Netherlands at the 1992 Eurovision Songfestival with the song Wijs Me De Weg, reaching 9th place. One of the backup singers was Ruth Jacott who would represent the Netherlands the next year, with Campbell as backup singer. Subsequently the two would form a longtime romantic relationship. Campbell has also served as producer, notably working with Jacott, Timeless, and Fluitsma & Van Tijn, and formed the close harmony sibling outfit CC Campbell with his brothers Charles Campbell and Carlo Campbell ~ Campbell passed away in 2024February 26, 1958 ~ Richard Alan Hammer, commonly known as jazz pianist Tardo Hammer, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Warne Marsh, Charlie Rouse, Junior Cook, Bill Hardman, Johnny Griffin, Lionel Hampton, Lou Donaldson, Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, the Bopera House, John Marshall, Vernel Fournier, George Coleman, Gary Bartz, C-Sharpe, Al Cohn, Harold Ashby, Annie Ross, David Allyn, Teri Thornton, Abbey Lincoln, Earl Coleman, and Marilyn Moore
February 26, 1953 ~ Michael Bolotin, commonly known as singer Michael Bolton, born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Originally a hard rock, heavy metal singer, both as a solo artist and as frontman of Blackjack. Would rise to stardom in the 1980s with a string of soft rock, pop rock ballads. Has sold over 75 million records. Known for songs such as That's What Love Is All About, Soul Provider and perhaps his best known How Am I Supposed To Live Without You, the latter topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989 and reaching top 10 across the globe including the UK and the NetherlandsFebruary 26, 1952 ~ Jazz, classical, rock bassist John Giblin born in Bell's Hill, UK ~ In-demand session bassist active from the mid 1970s forward. Has appeared on albums by Gonzalez, Metro, Peter Gabriel, Gary Boyle (Electric Glide), Steve Harley, Duncan Browne (The Wild Places), Colin Blunstone, Brand X, the Simple Minds, Kate Bush (Never For Ever), Jon Anderson, Phil Collins (Face Value), Chris De Burgh, Judie Tzuke, Eros Ramazzotti, Tanita Tikaram, and Joshua Kadison ~ Giblin passed away in 2023
February 26, 1950 ~ Songwriter Billy Steinberg, full name William Endfield Steinberg, born in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Rose to fame in the 1980s as songwriting partner of Tom Kelly. The pair has penned or co-penned hits such as Like A Virgin for Madonna, True Colors for Cyndi Lauper, Eternal Flame for the Bangles, and So Emotional for Whitney Houston, all of which reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Steinberg include Pat Benatar, France Joli, Roy Orbison (I Drove All Night), REO Speedwagon, Chaka Khan, Exposé, Divinyls (I Touch Myself), Bette Midler, the Pretenders (I'll Stand By You), the Corrs, Ace Of Base, Melanie C, and Demi Lovato ~ Steinberg passed away in 2026
February 26, 1950 ~ Jonathan Leonard Friga, commonly known as pop rock, hard rock, progressive rock, smooth jazz singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Jonathan Cain born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as keyboardist of Journey, joining the band in 1980 as replacement for Gregg Rolie. Cain stayed with the band through the late 1980s and rejoined in the mid 1990s. Present on some of the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Don't Stop Believin', Open Arms, Only The Young and Be Good To Yourself. Wrote the band's ballad Faithfully, a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit off their 1982 Frontiers album. Previously a member of the Babys, present on the albums Union Jacks and On The Edge. Wrote the Jimmy Barnes-signature song Working Class Man, released in 1985. Has also recorded as a solo artist, moving into Christian music by the mid-2010sFebruary 26, 1950 ~ Kenneth Keshavian Masiak, commonly known as jazz, R&B clarinetist, saxophonist, poet Kenny Millions, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Worked with Charles Moffett, Ray Anderson, David Murray, Garrett List, Rhys Chatham, Laurie Anderson, John Cage, Hannibal Lokumbe, Abbey Rader, Paul Bley, Jack DeJohnette, Sunny Murray, Rashied Ali, Curtis Fuller, Otomo Yoshihide, Misha Mengelberg, Han Bennink, Peter Brötzmann, Derek Bailey, Dr John, Bobby Keys, Larry Coryell, Chet Baker, and Kool Keith
February 26, 1949 ~ Soprano singer Emma Kirkby, full name Carolyn emma Kirkby, born in Camberley, UK ~ Did not originally pursue a career in music. Member of the student choir the Schola Cantorim Of Oxford while in college. After teaching for a number of years Kirkby married conductor Andrew Parrott, who had also conducted her student choir, and became a professional singer with his the Taverner Choir founded in the early 1970s. Kirkby would go on to become a renowned soloist and work with prominent early music performers such as Anthony Rooley, the Consort Of Musicke, the Gothic Voices, and Christopher Hogwood. In total Kirkby appeared on over 100 recordings, including madrigals of the Italian and English Renaissance, and cantates and oratorios of the Baroque eraFebruary 26, 1948 ~ Jazz bassist Mike Richmond born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Over a dozen albums as a leader. In-demand sideman, active since the early 1970s backing musicians such as Chico Hamilton, Arnie Lawrence, Stan Getz, Jack DeJohnette, Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Lee Konitz, Hubert Laws, Franco Ambrosetti, Art Farmer, and George Gruntz. Richmond is also particularly noted for leading the Mingus Dynasty from 1980 through 1985, following the death of Charles Mingus
February 26, 1947 ~ Jazz accordionist, composer Guy Klucevsek born in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the few accordionists in jazz. Leader and sideman. Has worked with the Accordion Tribe, Dave Douglas, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Laurie Anderson, Anthony Coleman, Lukas Foss, Robin Holcomb, Jerome Kitzke, Natalie Merchant (Motherland), Bobby Previte, Tom Waits, and Pauline Oliveros ~ Klucevsek passed away in 2025
February 26, 1947 ~ Blues harpist, singer, songwriter Paul Oscher born in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Muddy Waters, backing Waters during the late 1960s and early 1970 including on the acclaimed 1971 Live At Mr Kelly's album. Other notable associations include Louisiana Red, Big Bill Morganfield, Hubert Sumlin, Mos Def, and Keb' Mo ~ Oscher passed away in 2021
February 26, 1946 ~ Laiko, entekhno singer Manolis Mitsias born in Doumpia, Greece ~ Premier singer in entekhno and laiko, actively recording since the late 1960s. Has worked with most well known Greek composers including Mikis Theodorakis, Vassilis Tsitsanis, Thanos Mikroutsikos, and Yannis Markopoulos. Well known songs include Afta Ta Heria, Ah Maria, O Trellos, and Fonazoun Oi Geitonoi