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 12, 1990 ~ Pop singer Taylor Dayne releases Love Will Lead You Back, lifted off her Can't Fight Fate album ~ The song tells of feelings of love that still linger, even though the relationship is over, while at the same time implying the confidence they will eventually come back. Although Taylor Dayne would continue to record into the 2020s, she is best known for her first two albums, Tell It To My Heart and Can't Fight Fate, of which every single reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100. The biggest hit of the bunch, at least in America, was Love Will Lead You Back, her sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. The song's songwriter Diane Warren, who had previously written No.1 hits for Starship, Chicago, Bad English, and Milli Vanilli, considered Love Will Lead You Back one of her favorites: “I like the idea of someone being strong enough to let somebody go, knowing in their heart they're going to come back. It takes a lot of strength, and I'm always attracted to songs with strong characters”
January 12, 1989 ~ Pop outfit Roxette release The Look, lifted off their Look Sharp album ~ Written by band member Per Gessle as an excercise after having acquired a new Ensoniq synthesizer, The Look would be a massive international hit, topping the charts in over two dozen countries including America where it bumped Eternal Flame by the Bangles off the Billboard Hot 100 top spot. Gessle would later recall to Billboard: “I wanted to write a ZZ Top-type of song. It turned out to be something totally different in the end, which is always the case. I never really thought it would be a big song. I had it around for a couple of months before I played it for (bandmate) Marie Fredriksson and Clarence Öfwerman, our producer. They both said, ‘this is the best thing you've done in ages’.”January 12, 1983 ~ Indie pop, indie rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Alden Penner born in Loretteville, Canada ~ Formed the duo the Unicorns with Nicholas Thorburn, later expanded to a trio with the addition of drummer Jamie Thompson. Co-founded Clues with Brendan Reed, formerly of Arcade Fire. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing several EPs since the early-2010s with the full-length Exegesis debut album released in 2014
January 12, 1981 ~ New wave, pop rock outfit Blondie release Rapture, lifted off their Autoamerican album ~ Singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein had befriended New York-based hip hop artists including Fab Five Freddy, who had taken them to a rap event in the Bronx one night in 1978. Harry and Stein were impressed by the skill and excitement as MCs rhymed their lyrics over the beats with people lined up to take the mic to freestyle raps. After attending several more rap events, Harry and Stein decided to incorporate rap into a song of their own, which became Rapture, the title a pun on the word “rap”. Issued as the second and final single off their Autoamerican album, it reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100 for one week. Their friend who had introduced them to rap was referenced in the line “Fab Five Freddy told me everybody's fly”January 12, 1980 ~ Amerie Mi Marie Rogers, commonly known as singer, actress, model, songwriter Amerie, born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, USA ~ Helped develop the BET music show The Center. Debuted as a recording artist with the album All I Have in 2002. As a singer best known for 1 Thing, a Billboard top 10 hit in 2005, taken of her sophomore album Touch
January 12, 1980 ~ Xavier Lamar Dotson, commonly known as trap, hip-hop keyboardist, producer, DJ Zaytoven, born in Frankfurt, West Germany ~ In-house producer for Gucci Mane's 1017 Brick Squad record label. Perhaps best known for co-producing Usher's Raymond v Raymond album released in 2011 which included the modest hit Papers. Dotson has also worked with Future, Young Dolph, Migos, Lil' Yachty, BoB, Waka Flocka Flame, and urban gospel singer Deitrick Haddon
January 12, 1975 ~ Keyboardist Joel Cummins, full name Joel Nathan Cummins, born in La Grange, Illinois, USA ~ Founding member of progressive rock outfit Umphreys McGee. Has previously released solo albums, notably 1995's Suspended In Time. Has also collaborated with artists such as Huey Lewis, Joshua Redman, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Buddy Guy, Robby Krieger, Damian Marley, Warpaint, A$AP Ferg, Koko Taylor, Sinéad O'Connor, Béla Fleck, Victor Wooten, Warren Haynes, Bob Weir, Les Claypool, John Oates, Big Light, and Adrian Belew
January 12, 1974 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, The Joker by the Steve Miller Band hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as the lead single off Miller's mixed studio and live album of the same name, The Joker would be a hit twice. First in 1973, when it reached top of the charts in the singer's native America, as well as top 20 in Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands. In 1990, the song would enjoy a second run on the charts across Europe, including reaching the top spot in the UK, after it was used in a Levi's ad. Eddie Curtis and Ahmet Ertegun received co-writing credit for Miller's song, as he had borrowed some of the lyrics from the mid 1950s hit Lovey Dovey by the Clovers: “you're the cutest thing that I ever did see, I really love your peaches, wanna shake your tree, lovey dovey, lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time”
January 12, 1973 ~ Smooth jazz, R&B, funk keyboardist, trombonist Brian Culbertson born in Decatur, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by artists as diverse as Sting, the Yellowjackets, George Duke, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Chicago and Earth Wind & Fire. Debuted in 1994 with the album Long Night Out. It failed to chart but later albums would reach the higher echelons of the Billboard jazz charts, such as 2001's Nice & Slow, 2005's It's On Tonight, 2012's Dreams and 2016's Funk!. Has collaborated with artists such as Norman Brown, Kenny Lattimore, Kirk Whalum, Larry Graham, Take 6, Ray Parker Jr, and Eric Darius
January 12, 1970 ~ Corey Woods, commonly known as rapper Raekwon, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Cited as pioneer of mafioso rap. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Incarcerated Scarfaces and Glaciers Of Ice. Has worked with Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Dr Dre, Scram Jones, J Dilla, Slick Rick, Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel, Black Thought, Nas, Rick Ross, Maino, Freddie Gibbs, Lyfe Jennings, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Melanie Fiona, OutKast, Davina, and Troy Ave
January 12, 1970 ~ Singer, songwriter Zack de la Rocha, full name Zacharias Manuel de la Rocha, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Rose to fame as lead singer for Rage Against The Machine, known best for their 1992 debut single Killing In The Name Of. De la Rocha's militant political activism and passionate vocal delivery would make him one of the best known and most recognizable names in 1990s alternative rock, his political beliefs, opposing corporate America, the military-industrial complex and government oppression, firmly reflected in his songwriting
January 12, 1969 ~ Trumpeter, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Eric Matthews born in Compton, California, USA ~ Classically trained. Formed the duo Cardinal with singer Richard Davies. Although not a commercial success the duo were seen by some as one of the pivotal indie rock acts of the 1990s, acclaimed for their 1994 eponymous Cardinal debut album. Matthews also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his It's Heavy In Here debut in 1995, formed Belt Buckle with Sebadoh's Lou Barlow and Bob Fay, and guested on recordings by Tahiti 80, the Dandy Warhols, Ivy, Man Of The Year, Elliott Smith, Paula Kelley, and PugwashJanuary 12, 1968 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Keith Anderson born in Miami, Oklahoma, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote a number of 2000s country hits including Beer Run (B Double E Double R U-N) recorded by Garth Brooks & George Jones, and Lost In This Moment recorded by Big & Rich. Released a full-length solo debut album, Three Chord Country And American Rock & Roll, in 2005. Known best for songs such as Pickin' Wildflowers and I Still Miss You
January 12, 1966 ~ Guitarist, film composer Heiko Maile born in Sydney, Australia ~ Co-founding member of German synth-pop outfit Camouflage, best known for Love Is A Shield of their 1989 Methods Of Silence sophomore album. Maile is also a prolific film composer, credits including the 2008 socio-political drama film The Wave and the 2010 vampire film We Are The Night
January 12, 1966 ~ Jazz trumpeter Ingrid Jensen born in North Vancouver, Canada ~ Influenced by Woody Shaw, Art Farmer, and Kenny Wheeler. Known for her sophisticated post-bop style, Jensen has recorded over half a dozen albums and is particularly noted for her 1994 Vernal Fields debut album. Jensen is married to drummer Jon Wikan and is the sister of saxophonist Christine Jensen, both of whom regular collaborators. Jensen has also guested on albums by Herwig Gradischnig, Virginia Mayhew (Nini Green), George Colligan, Roseanna Vitro, Ethel Ennis (If Women Ruled The World), Dena DeRose, Martin Wind, Magali Souriau (Birdland Sessions), Peter Herbert, Jim Knapp, George Schuller ('Round About Now), Geoffrey Keezer, Judi Silvano, Chuck Owen (Here We Are), Maria Schneider, Darcy James Argue, Ellen Rowe, Denise Donatelli (When Lights Are Low), Terri Lyne Carrington, Phil Dwyer, Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Reid, Dianne Reeves (Beautiful Life), Helen Sung, Sarah McKenzie, Tobias Meinhart, Jason Miles (Black Magic), Artemis, Joel Harrison, and Ethan IversonJanuary 12, 1966 ~ R&B outfit the Isley Brothers release their This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) single ~ The group's only hit during their brief tenure at Motown, written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland Jr, and Sylvia Moy, originally intended for the Supremes who later also recorded the song. Paired with There's No Love Left on the flip side, the single would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100, top 10 Billboard R&B, and top 10 in the UK two years later. Singer Rod Stewart would record the song in 1975, which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100, and re-record the song in 1989 as a duet with Ronald Isley, who sang lead on the original
January 12, 1966 ~ Robert Bartleh Cummings, commonly known as heavy metal singer Rob Zombie, born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA ~ Founder and frontman of White Zombie, known for songs such as Thunder Kiss '65, Black Sunshine and More Human Than Human. Also known as a solo artist, starting with the 1998 album Hellbilly Deluxe, and as a film director in the horror genre
January 12, 1965 ~ Dance, house, dance-pop, pop producer, remixer, DJ Mark Moore born in London, UK ~ Perhaps best known for founding pioneering dance act S'Express with Pascal Gabriel, their Theme From S'Express debut single said to have started the UK house scene. Also known for his work with William Orbit, the duo working together on remixes such as Batdance, Electric Chair and The Future for Prince and Something's Jumpin' In Your Shirt for Malcolm McLaren
January 12, 1963 ~ Songwriter, producer Guy Chambers, full name Guy Anthony Chambers, born in Hammersmith, UK ~ Best known for his association with Robbie Williams, co-writing several of the latter's best known including Rock DJ, Millenium, Let Me Entertain You, Angels, and No Regrets. Also worked artists such as Caro Emerald, Rufus Wainwright, Katy B, Marlon Roudette, Miles Kane, Mark Ronson, John Newman, Kylie Minogue, Example, the Wanted, James Blunt, Melanie C, Katie Melua, Schmidt, Tina Turner, Zak Abel, Beverkey Wright, Christophe Willem, Aqualung, Cathy Dennis, Julian Perretta, Taio Cruz, Tokio Hotel, Armin Van Buuren, Charlene Soraia, the Noisettes, Maverick Sabre, Sophie Hunter, David Archuleta, Eros Ramazzotti, Darren Hayes, Erin Boheme, World Party (1990's Goodbye Jumbo), Bbmak, Texas, Speedway, Andrea Bocelli, Hilary Duff, Tom Jones (1999's Reload), Jamie Cullum, Axelle Red, Rachel Stevens, Jewel, and the WaterboysJanuary 12, 1963 ~ José Fernando Gomes dos Reis, commonly known as rock bassist, singer Nando Reis, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Member of Titas from 1981 through 2002, the band regarded as one of the most popular and influential in Brazilian rock. Lead singer, guitarist, founder of Os Infernais. Also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 12 De Janeiro released in 1995. Served as producer for the likes of Jorge Ben, Vange Leonel, and Cassia Eller
January 12, 1963 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, Go Away Little Girl by Steve Lawrence hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, originally intended for Bobby Vee who had previously scored a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit with the Goffin-King co-write Take Good Care Of My Baby. However, at the insistence of Aldon's Don Kirshner it would be given to Steve Lawrence instead. It would become the singer's biggest solo hit and his sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. At the time of its release, the song sparked some controversy, particularly through a column in the New York Times where the columnist derided the song as “sick” believing it was about under age girls, an assumption adamantly denied by the song's authors. In the early 1970s, Donny Osmond of the Osmonds would revive the song, which also reached the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100
January 12, 1962 ~ Tracy Darrell Adkins, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, actor Trace Adkins, born in Sarepta, Louisiana, USA ~ Released his full-length debut album, Dreamin' Out Loud, in 1996 and has been recording steadily since. Known for songs such as (This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing, I Left Something Turned On At Home, The Rest Of Mine, I'm Tryin', Then They Do, Hot Mama, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, Ladies Love Country Boys, You're Gonna Miss This, all of which reached the top 10 of Billboard's country charts
January 12, 1961 ~ Free jazz saxophonist Ivo Perelman born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Learned to play guitar, cello, clarinet, trombone and piano, focuses on tenor sax since his late teens. Debuted as a leader in 1989 with Ivo, backed by Peter Erskine, John Patitucci, Airto Moreira, Eliane Elias and Flora Purim. Has recorded extensively since, often delivering numerous albums within a year working with artists such as Dominic Duval, Borah Bergman, Rashied Ali, Jay Rosen, Marilyn Crispell, Matthew Shipp, Paul Bley, Don Pullen, Fred Hopkins, Andrew Cyrille, Joanne Brackeen, Mark Helias, Billy Hart, Mino Cinélu, Naná Vasconcelos, Reggie Workman, William Parker, Louis Sclavis, John Wolf Brennan, Elton Dean, and Joe MorrisJanuary 12, 1960 ~ Tango pianist, orchestra leader, composer Carlos di Sarli passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ First gained attention serving under the direction of bandleader Anselmo Aleta, Would go on to work with Juan Pedro Castillo, Alejandro Scarpino, José Pécora, Osvaldo Fresedo, Santiago Devin, Ernesto Fama, Ignacio Murillo, and others. As a composer best known for Viejo Milonguero and Meditacion ~ Di Sarli was born in 1903
January 12, 1959 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist Blixa Bargeld born in Berlin, Germany ~ Lead singer, frontman of noise rock, experimental rock outfit Einstürzende Neubauten. Closely associated with Nick Cave, backing Cave on tour and record including on key albums such as Murder Ballads and No More Shall We Part from 1983 until his departure from the Bad Seeds in 2003. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist