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.
January 10, 1955 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Jimmy Vivino in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Closely associated with TV host Conan O'Brien, serving as music director for several of O'Brien's late night shows starting in the early 1990s. Member of the Beatles tribute band Fab Faux. Served as arranger for the likes of Phoebe Snow, Laura Nyro, Donald Fagen. Guested on recordings by Shuggie Otis, Big Bill Morganfield, Louisiana Red, and Al KooperJanuary 10, 1955 ~ Singer Luci Martin born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Member of Chic, known for pivotal disco, funk hits such as Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah), Le Freak, I Want Your Love and Good Times, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100
January 10, 1955 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal guitarist Michael Schenker born in Sarstedt, West Germany ~ Early member of the Scorpions, which also included his brother guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Member of UFO, present on the acclaimed Strangers In The Night album. Founding member and eponym of the Michael Schenker Group, known best for their eponymous The Michael Schenker Group debut album released in 1980
January 10, 1954 ~ DJ, producer, remixer François Kevorkian born in Aveyron, France ~ Generally considered one of the forefathers of house music, having played sets at New York clubs such as Paradise Garage and Studio 54 as well as Newark's famed Club Zanzibar. Would go on to produce and remix artists such as the Smiths, Adam Ant, Kraftwerk, the Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, Diana Ross, Gloria Estefan, and U2
January 10, 1953 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, post-bop guitarist Mike Stern born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Member of Blood Sweat & Tears from 1975 through 1977, present on the albums More Than Ever and Brand New Day. Briefly a member of Steps Ahead. Well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, acclaimed for the albums Upside Downside, Time In Place and Standards (And Other Songs). In-demand sideman, has worked with Miles Davis, Lew Soloff, Bob Berg, Jim Hall, the Brecker Brothers, Pat Martino, and Cindy Blackman
January 10, 1953 ~ Patricia Mae Andrzejewski, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Pat Benatar, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Debuted in 1979 with the In The Heat Of The Night album. It would reach the American top 20 and be awarded quadruple Platinum status. Known for songs such Heartbreaker, We Live For Love, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Invincible and perhaps her best known Love Is A Battlefield, the latter reaching top 10 positions across the globe including the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Canada and AmericaJanuary 10, 1952 ~ Contemporary Christian singer Jeoffrey Benward born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA ~ Active since the 1970s. Best known for forming the CCM duo Aaron & Jeoffrey with his son Aaron Benward, with whom he recorded three albums starting with the eponymous Aaron & Jeoffrey released in 1994. They are best known for songs such as I Go To The Rock and He Is
January 10, 1952 ~ Salomao Borges Filho, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lô Borges, born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil ~ Co-founder of Clube da Esquina collective and along with Milton Nascimento primary songwriter for the 1972 eponymous Clube Da Esquina landmark album. As a solo artist has recorded about a dozen albums, starting in the early 1970s
January 10, 1952 ~ Free jazz bassist, double bassist, bandleader William Parker born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Regarded as the pre-eminent bassist in modern free jazz. Closely associated with Cecil Taylor, Peter Brötzmann, and David S Ware. Member of Other Dimensions In Music. Led the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra. Recorded prolifically as a leader starting in the late 1970s, particularly setting his mark on the 1990s. Noted especially for albums such as In Order To Survive, Painter's Spring, and Raining On The Moon
January 10, 1951 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Alejandro Escovedo born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Brother of Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, both percussionists. Active since the late 1970s. Draws from punk rock, roots rock, alternative country. Member of punk rock band the Nuns, departing the band prior to making any recordings. Subsequently worked with Judy Nylon, Rank & File and formed the True Believers. Best known as a solo artist, releasing his acclaimed Gravity debut album and its follow-up Thirteen Years in the early 1990s. Collaborated with Ryan Adams for the Whiskeytown album Strangers Almanac released in 1997, present on the tracks Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight, Dancing With The Women At The Bar and Not Home Anymore
January 10, 1948 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Donald Fagen, full name Donald Jay Fagen, born in Passaic, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founder, lead singer, keyboardist and along with Walter Becker the only constant member of Steely Dan, known for songs such as Do It Again, Reelin' In The Years, Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Peg, Deacon Blues and Hey Nineteen. As a solo artist best known for his 1981 critically acclaimed album The NightflyJanuary 10, 1948 ~ R&B, soul, disco singer Fayette Pinkney, full name Fayette Regina Pinkney, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as original member of the Three Degrees, present on recordings such as When Will I See You Again and Take Good Care Of Yourself. Released a sole solo album, One Degree, in 1979 ~ Pinkney passed away in 2009
January 10, 1946 ~ Drummer Aynsley Dunbar born in Liverpool, UK ~ Reportedly once auditioned for the Jimi Hendrix Experience but lost Jimi Hendrix's coin flip to Mitch Mitchell. Has worked with a host of artists starting in the 1960s including John Mayall and Jeff Beck. Founded the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, for whom he co-wrote Warning which was notably covered by Black Sabbath for their debut album. Drummed for Frank Zappa, including on the pivotal 200 Motels album. Has also worked with Shuggie Otis, Lou Reed (Berlin), Flo & Eddie, David Bowie (Pin Ups, Diamond Dogs), Herbie Mann, Nils Lofgren, Journey, Paul Kantner, Whitesnake, Ronnie Montrose, Pat Travers, Michael Schenker, and UFO
January 10, 1946 ~ Harry Gumm, commonly known as composer, songwriter, vaudeville performer Harry von Tilzer passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of songwriter Albert von Tilzer. Music publisher, partner of Shapiro-Bernstein Publishing Company. One of the most successful Tin Pan Alley songwriters of his time. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Cubanola Gilde, Old King Tut, Ragtime Goblin Man, They Always Pick On Me, I Want A Girl Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad, On The Old Fall River, and perhaps his biggest hit Bird In A Gilded Cage ~ Gumm was born in 1872
January 10, 1945 ~ Singer, songwriter Rod Stewart, full name Roderick David Stewart, born in London, UK ~ Quintessential British rock star. Estimates of his record sales exceed 100 million. Started in the 1960s playing in bands such as the Dimensions, the Jeff Beck Group, the Faces. Released his solo debut album, An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down, in 1969. Broke through with his third album, 1971's Every Picture Tells A Story, spawning the international charttopper Reason To Believe. Other well known songs include You Wear It Well, Sailing, The First Cut Is The Deepest, Hot Legs, Da Ya Think I'm Sexy, Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me), Baby Jane, Infatuation and Some Guys Have All The Luck
January 10, 1943 ~ Folk, rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jim Croce, full name James Joseph Croce, born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Released two unsuccessful albums before breaking through with You Don't Mess Around With Jim in 1972, which spawned the hit singles Time In A Bottle, That's Not The Way It Feels and the title track You Don't Mess Around With Jim. His follow-up album, 1973's Life And Times, would give him the hit Bad Bad Leroy Brown. Croce's career was cut short when he died at age 30 in a plane crash while on tour, the day before I Got A Name, lead single and title track of his fifth and final album, was set to be released ~ Croce passed away in 1973January 10, 1941 ~ Violist, conductor, composer Frank Bridge passed away in Eastbourne, UK ~ Bridge wrote chamber music and orchestral pieces. Violinist for the Grimson Quartet. Played viola with the English String Quartet. Privately tutored Benjamin Britten, who would later pay homage with the composition Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge based on Bridge's Three Idylls For String Quartet ~ Bridge was born in 1879
January 10, 1939 ~ Philip Wallach Blondheim III, commonly known as singer, songwriter Scott McKenzie, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Member of Journeymen. Best known as a solo artist, especially remembered for his 1967 hit San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) written and co-produced by the Mamas & the Papas singer John Phillips. McKenzie was backed by Phillips on guitar, Joe Osborn on bass, Hal Blaine on drums ~ McKenzie passed away in 2012
January 10, 1935 ~ Rockabilly, R&B, country singer, songwriter Ronnie Hawkins born in Huntsville, Arkansas, USA ~ Cousin of rockabilly singer Dale Hawkins. Found succes in Canada, considered pivotal to the development of Canadian rock, rock & roll. Over 20 albums since the late 1950s. Early hits included Forty Days, Mary Lou, Bo Diddley and Bluebirds Over The Mountain, all of which reached the Canadian top 10. Hawkins' backing unit the Hawks included all of the future members of the Band, acclaimed for their 1968 Music From The Big Pink and subsequent albums. Other one-time members would go on to found acts such as Crowbar, Bearfoot, Skylark and the Full Tilt Boogie Band, the latter known for their association with Janis Joplin. Both singer Pat Travers and guitarist Roy Buchanan have also served in Hawkins' backing band ~ Hawkins passed away in 2022January 10, 1930 ~ Jazz, blues, rock bassist Lyle Ritz, full name Lyle Joseph Ritz, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ In-demand session musician from the 1960s through the 1980s. Present on songs such as You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' by the Righteous Brothers, A Taste Of Honey by Herb Alpert, and Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys. Can also be heard on albums by Sonny & Cher, Harper's Bizarre, Van Dyke Parks (Song Cycle), Mason Williams, Townes Van Zandt, Randy Newman (12 Songs), Emitt Rhodes, Loudon Wainwright III, Dan Hicks, and Randy Edelman ~ Ritz passed away in 2017
January 10, 1927 ~ Tenor, alto saxophonist Allen Eager born in New York, New York, USA ~ Started at 15 briefly playing with Woody Herman. Went on to play with artists such as Bobby Sherwood, Sonny Dunham, Shorty Sherock, Hal McIntyre, Tommy Dorsey, and Johnny Bothwell. His recording debut as a leader was for Savoy Records in 1946, backed by pianist Edwin Finckel, bassist Bob Carter and drummer Max Roach. Other notable associations include Coleman Hawkins, Fats Navarro, Charlie Parker, Red Rodney, Stan Getz, Tadd Dameron, Gerry Mulligan, Terry Gibbs, and Buddy Rich ~ Eager passed away in 2003
January 10, 1927 ~ Gisele Marie Louise Marguerite LaFlèche, commonly known as actress, singer Gisele MacKenzie, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Singer for radio and TV, notably replacing the Andrews Sisters on the CBS Radio radio show Club Fifteen, and on the TV show Your Hit Parade. As a recording artist best known for her 1955 hit Hard To Get. Has also worked as an actress both in the musical field and as a character actress for TV ~ LaFlèche passed away in 2003January 10, 1926 ~ William DeBerardinis, commonly known as big band, bebop trombonist Willie Dennis, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Married to singer Morgana King from 1961 until his death. Noted for his ability to overcome the limitations of his instrument through advanced lip and slide techniques. Acclaimed big band musician and bebop soloist. As a leader recorded the forgotten and underrated Four Trombones album in 1953, released in 1957, and co-featuring JJ Johnson, Kai Winding and Bennie Green. Best known for backing Charles Mingus, notably on the pivotal late 1950s albums Mingus Ah Uhm and Blues & Roots. DeBerardinis passed away in a traffic accident aged 39 ~ DeBerardinis passed away in 1965
January 10, 1924 ~ Drummer Max Roach, full name Maxwell Lemuel Roach, born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, USA ~ Pioneering bop, bebop percussionist active since the 1940s. Closely associated with Clifford Brown. Over 50 albums to his name as a leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for the albums Jazz At Massey Hall, Max Roach Plus Four, and Deeds Not Words. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk (The Genius Of Modern Music Vol.1), Dizzy Gillespie (In Paris), Al Cohn, Dinah Washington (Dinah Jams), Charles Mingus (Mingus At The Bohemia), the Modern Jazz Quartet, Sonny Rollins (Saxophone Colossus), Miles Davis (Birth Of The Cool), Booker Little, Dexter Gordon (Dexter Rides Again), Thad Jones (The Fabulous Thad Jones), George Russell, Stanley Turrentine, Eric Dolphy, JJ Johnson, Ray Charles, and Ronnie Cuber ~ Roach passed away in 2007
January 10, 1917 ~ Gerald Wexler, commonly known as producer, label executive Jerry Wexler, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Partner at Atlantic Records. Hugely influential producer during the 1950s and 1960s. Coined the term “rhythm & blues”. Incremental in the careers of Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, the Drifters, and Ruth Brown ~ Wexler passed away in 2008