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 15, 1983 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, Down Under by Men At Work hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Often misinterpreted as merely a patriotic song, Down Under actually celebrates Australia's rich history. As the band's lead singer Colin Hay, who co-wrote the song with guitarist Ron Strykert, would later explain: “White people haven't been in Australia all that long, and it's truly an awesome place, but one of the most interesting and exciting things about the country is what was there before. The true heritage of a country often gets lost in the name of progress and development.” Issued as the band's second single off their Business As Usual debut album, the song would become a major hit, including topping the Billboard Hot 100 just as its predecessor Who Can It Be Now had done. Men At Work had previously issued Down Under as the B-side to Keypunch Operator, an independently released single of which only 300 copies were made
January 15, 1981 ~ Armando Christian Perez, commonly known as MC, rapper, singer, songwriter Pitbull, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Emerged in the early 2000's recording reggaeton and Latin hip-hop. Released his full-length MIAMI debut album, produced by Lil' Jon, in 2004 and has recorded to commercial succes since. Best known for his 2009 breakthrough single I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) which would reach top 10 across the globe including in the Netherlands, the UK and America. Has collaborated with T-Pain, Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer, Shakira, Christina Aguilera (Feel This Moment), Danny Mercer, Ke$ha (Timber), Jennifer Lopez (On The Floor), J Balvin, Ty Dolla $ign, Enrique Iglesias (I Like It), Usher, and Havana BrownJanuary 15, 1980 ~ Tenor singer David Whitfield passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Popular 1950s singer. The first to score a transatlantic charttopper, reaching No.1 in both America and his native England in 1954 with Cara Mia backed by conductor Mantovani and his orchestra. Other well known recordings by Whitfield include Bridge Of Sighs, Answer Me, My September Love, I'll Find You, and William Tell ~ Whitfield was born in 1925
January 15, 1979 ~ Singer, songwriter, model Karen Elson, full name Karen Jill Elson, born in Oldham, UK ~ Best known as a supermodel, discovered at age 16. As a singer known for founding and fronting cabaret troupe and cover band the Citizens Band. Released a solo debut album, The Ghost Who Walks, in 2010. Married to the White Stripes guitarist Jack White from 2005 to 2013, with whom she has two children
January 15, 1979 ~ D'Juan Montrel Hart, commonly known as rapper Young Dro, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Debuted in 2001 with the I Got That Dro album. Would first gain attention with his 2006 major label debut Best Thang Smokin' which included the Billboard top 10 hit Shoulder Lean featuring TI. Has also worked with PSC, Yung LA, Yung Joc, Kia Shine, Mike Epps, DJ Khaled, Keyshia Cole, Iggy Azalea, E-40, and Gorilla Zoe
January 15, 1977 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing by Leo Sayer hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Leo Sayer co-wrote the song with Vini Poncia, who also co-wrote Ringo Starr's Devil Woman. For Sayer, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing would be his first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, also earning the singer a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. Ray Parker Jr, also present on the recording, has claimed he should have gotten songwriting credit yet does not blame Sayer as the decision to leave his name off was made higher up: “Every time I hear the song on the radio, the first thing that comes to mind is, ‘I don't have a Grammy for that and my name isn't on it, and nobody recognizes me for writing that song’”
January 15, 1975 ~ Patrick Denard Douthit, commonly known as hip-hop producer 9th Wonder, born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA ~ Worked with Little Brother, Mary J Blige, Destiny's Child, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Mac Miller, David Banner, Lecrae, Jill Scott, Big Boi, Rapsody, 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle, and Anderson PaakJanuary 15, 1975 ~ Tom Jenkinson, commonly known as uitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer Squarepusher, born in Chelmsford, UK ~ Draws from drum and bass, IDM, jazz, electroacoustic music and other idioms. Active since the mid 1990s. Best known for a number of mid to late 2000s albums, notably 2004's Ultravisitor which reached the top 10 of the American dance album charts
January 15, 1972 ~ Steve McCutcheon, commonly known as producer, songwriter Steve Mac, born in Surrey, UK ~ In-demand songwriter, producer with over two dozen UK No.1 hits to his name. First gained attention in the early 1990s writing and producing Nomad's I Wanna Give You Devotion, a hit across Europe. Would go on to write and produce for artists including Westlife (Queen Of My Heart), JLS, James Blunt (When I Find Love Again), Shakira, Jess Glynne, Demi Lovato, Ed Sheeran (The Shape Of You), Clean Bandit, Rita Ora (Your Song), Pink, 5 Seconds Of Summer (Want You Back), Little Mix, Marshmello (Here With Me), Kelly Clarkson, and the Chainsmokers
January 15, 1970 ~ Folk, alternative country singer, songwriter, actor Will Oldham, full name Joseph Will Oldham, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Draws from Americana, folk, roots, country, punk, and indie rock. Best known as frontman and constant member of Palace, recording four albums during under variations of the Palace moniker. Recorded well over a dozen albums as a solo artist since, mostly going by the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy, especially acclaimed for the 1997 Joya album. Had his songs covered by Tender Mercy, Calexico, Iron & Wine, Alexis Taylor, Johnny Cash (I See A Darkness), and BMX Bandits
January 15, 1966 ~ Lisa Veléz, commonly known as R&B, pop, freestyle singer Lisa Lisa, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Discovered while still in her teens by New York-based songwriter, producer team Full Force, who got her signed to Columbia Records on the stipulation that the label not team her up with other producers. Full Force's breakthrough hit was UTFO's Roxanne Roxanne. As it worked in a song title, they figured it might also work in a moniker and they gave Velez the moniker Lisa Lisa. Velez recorded a number of albums fronting Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam starting in the mid-1980s. They are best known for their Spanish Fly sophomore album issued in 1987, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Head To Toe and Lost In Emotion. After the group's popularity waned by the early 1990s, Velez has recorded as a solo artist albeit it to lesser success. Full Force enjoyed success from the 1980s onwards writing and producing for acts such as Samantha Fox, James Brown, the Force MD's, Wild Orchid, the Backstreet Boys (All I Have To Give), NSYNC, Lil' Kim, Rihanna, and Black Eyed Peas (Don't Phunk With My Heart), yet during the 1980s Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam were the team's biggest act
January 15, 1965 ~ Alternative metal, progressive metal, progressive rock guitarist Adam Jones, full name Adam Thomas Jones, born in Park Ridge, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founding and constant member of Tool, an American quartet active since the 1990s. The band has garnered a devoted following with their unique brand of rock, drawing from underground metal, art rock, and progressive rock. Well known songs include Sober, Stinkfist, Aenema, The Pot, and Pneuma. The band is especially acclaimed for their Aenima sophomore album released in 1996. Jones has also collaborated with Electric Sheep, Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, and Puscifer
January 15, 1965 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records Maggie's Farm at Columbia Recording Studio, New York, New York ~ Penned by Bob Dylan. Produced by Tom Wilson. Included on the Bringing It All Back Home album. Released as a single, b/w On The Road Again, the following June. Widely covered and referenced by numerous artists, the phrase or reference to “Maggie's farm” even adopted by many opponents of British PM Margaret Thatcher such as in the Mark Knopfler-song Wye Aye Man (“nae more work on Maggie's farm”) and the Placebo-song Slave To The Wage (“sick and tired of Maggie's farm”)
January 15, 1964 ~ Weldon Leo Teagarden, commonly known as jazz, swing, dixieland trombonist, singer Jack Teagarden, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Preeminent trombonist of the pre bebop era. Best known as a sideman in ensembles led by Paul Whiteman and Louis Armstrong. Has also worked with Peck Kelley, Benny Goodman, Bix Beiderbecke, Red Nichols, Jimmy McPartland, Mezz Mezzrow, Glenn Miller, Eddie Condon, Red Allen, and Ben Pollack. Notably present on the Red Allen Kid Ory & Jack Teagarden At Newport album, released on Verve in 1957 ~ Teagarden was born in 1905January 15, 1964 ~ Norosbaldo Morales, commonly known as pianist, bandleader Noro Morales, passed away in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Led the Brothers Morales Orchestra, which also included his siblings Humberto Morales and Esy Morales, known for their 1939 hit Serenata Ritmica. Worked with Rafael Muñoz, Alberto Socarrás, Augusto Cohen, Tito Rodriguez, José Luis Moneró, Chano Pozo, Willie Rosario, and Tito Puente ~ Morales was born in 1911
January 15, 1964 ~ Wes Madiko, mononymously known as pop singer Wes, born in Cameroon ~ Best known for In Youpendi of The Lion King II soundtrack and Alane, the latter reaching top 10 across Europe in 1997 including No.1 spots in France and the Netherlands. Has also worked with French world fusion outfit Deep Forest ~ Madiko passed away in 2021January 15, 1962 ~ Machida Yasushi, commonly known as punk rock singer, poet, author, actor Ko Machida, born in Osaka, Japan ~ First gained attention founding and fronting Inu, known for their 1981 album Meshi Kuuna. Would go on to released several albums with various backing units, enjoying a cult following and critical acclaim. Also known as a poet and author starting with Kuge, a collection of poems, released in 1992
January 15, 1959 ~ Bassist, singer Pete Trewavas born in Middlesbrough, UK ~ Influenced by Paul McCartney. Best known as member of Marillion joining the band in 1982, replacing Diz Minnitt, known for a string of impressive 1980s albums including Fugazi, Misplaced Childhood and Clutching At Straws. Member of progressive rock group Transatlantic. Co-founded Kino, which also includes John Mitchell, John Beck, and Chris Maitland. Formed the duo Edison's Children with Eric Blackwood
January 15, 1958 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Hard Headed Woman at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Claude Demetrius. Recorded for inclusion in the 1958 Elvis Presley film King Creole. Released the next June as a single featuring Don't Ask Me Why on the B-sideJanuary 15, 1957 ~ Nigel Trubridge, commonly known as clarinetist, saxophonist Horace Trubridge or Horatio Hornblower, born in Shoreham-by-Sea, UK ~ Member of Rocky Sharpe & the Razors. Co-founding member of 1970s doo-wop revival outfit the Darts, for whom he wrote a vast amount of their material including the hit Get It
January 15, 1954 ~ Rock, pop bassist Nels Busch born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ~ Co-founded 1970s group Elevator. Co-founded Frank Boeijen Groep, known for songs such as Linda, Doe Iets, Zwart Wit and Kronenburg Park. Following the band's disbandement in the early 1990s Busch has worked with Kali Tichi, Aesun, Taste Of Ruby. Busch is also an accomplished painter
January 15, 1954 ~ Rock bassist Roger McLachlan born in Riverton, New Zealand ~ Early member of the Little River Band, present on the band's eponymous Little River Band debut album and its After Hours follow-up. During McLachlan's tenure with the band, Curriosity (Killed The Cat), Emma, and Everyday Of My Life would all reach top 30 in the band's native Australia. In later years, McLachlan would occasionally briefly rejoin a reformed line-up of the band. McLachlan has also worked with country-rock outfit Stars in the 1970s, with jazz-rock group Pyramid in the 1980s, and was an in-demand session bassist for several artists, perhaps most notably appearing on the international John Farnham hit You're The Voice which reached No.1 in Australia and did well across Europe. McLachlan has recorded one album as a solo artist, Roger This Roger That released in 2012 ~ McLachlan passed away in 2025January 15, 1953 ~ Club DJ, artist manager, label executive Rob Gretton born in Wyhenshawe, UK ~ Leading figure in late 1970s Manchester punk scene. Manager of Joy Division and New Order. Label co-owner of Factory Records for which Gretton signed artists such as Section 25, X O Dus, Crispy Ambulance, the Stockholm Monsters, Minny Pops, the Names, Quando Quango, Wake, 52nd Street, and the Happy Mondays ~ Gretton passed away in 1999
January 15, 1952 ~ Cellist Melvyn Gale born in London, UK ~ Worked with the London Palladium Orchestra, the London Youth Symphony Orchestra, as well as with several West End shows. To pop audiences best known for his association with the Electric Light Orchestra, replacing Mike Edwards in 1975 and remaining with the band through 1979, present on some of the band's best-selling albums including A New World Record and Out Of The Blue
January 15, 1952 ~ Eduardo Beilinson, commonly known as rock guitarist Skay Beilinson, born in La Plata, Argentina ~ Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Keith Richards, Buddy Guy, Vanilla Fudge. Considered one of the premier Argentinian guitarists. Co-founding member of Los Redondos, a band credited with shaping Argentinian rock. Has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with acts such as La Cofradia De La Flor Solar, Edelmiro Molinari, Pedro Conde, and El Soldado