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 18, 1988 ~ Singer Billy Ocean releases Get Outta My Dreams (Get Into My Car), lead single off his Tear Down These Walls album ~ Up to this point producer Robert John Mutt Lange had enjoyed considerable success, producing and regularly co-writing international hits for the likes of AC/DC, Foreigner, the Cars, the Boomtown Rats, and Michael Bolton, but had yet to score a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit as a co-writer. Get Outta My Dreams (Get Into My Car), co-written with Billy Ocean, would be his first. Just months after Ocean's charttopper though, he scored another co-write No.1 hit when Def Leppard's Love Bites would top the American charts. For the Trinidadian-born British singer Ocean, Get Outta My Dreams (Get Into My Car) would be his third and final American No.1, preceded by Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run) and There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry). Ocean would take some well-deserved time off in the 1990s, but never retired, returning from time to time with a new album. Lange would continue to score hits as a producer with a wide array of artists, perhaps most notably Shania Twain to whom he was married from 1993 through 2010January 18, 1988 ~ James Christian Charters, commonly known as DJ, rapper Ironik, born in London, UK ~ Drawing from hip hop, grime, R&B and UK garage. Released his No Point In Wasting Tears debut album in 2008, spawning the UK top 10 hits Stay With Me and Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer) featuring Chipmunk and Elton John. Has continued to record but failed to repeat the success of his debut album
January 18, 1986 ~ Actress, singer, dancer Becca Tobin born in Marietta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for starring in the musical comedy-drama series Glee from 2012 through 2015, portraying the role of Kitty Wilde. Has also acted in non-musical roles in TV series and films, as well as stage productions of musicals such as West Side Story, Oklahoma and Rock Of AgesJanuary 18, 1984 ~ Country singer Kristy Lee Cook born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Debuted in 2005 with the album Devoted. First gained serious exposure in 2008 as finalist of the 7th season of American Idol talent show. Her first post- Idol album, 2008's Why Wait, spawned the modest country hit 15 Minutes Of Shame
January 18, 1984 ~ Bouzouki player, songwriter Vassilis Tsitsanis passed away in London, UK ~ One of the leading Greek composers, widely regarded as one of the founders of Rebetiko and Laiko. Recorded prolifically starting in the late 1930s. Had his compositions recorded by Sotiria Bellou, Marika Ninou, Ioanna Georgekopoulou, and Prodromos Tsaousakis ~ Tstitsanis was born in 1915
January 18, 1983 ~ Indie folk singer, guitarist Brianna Lea Pruett born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ As a teenager, Pruett busked on street corners and performed in clubs, cafes, and art galleries, usually accompanying herself on guitar, occassionally backed by a full band. Has recorded about half a dozen albums, and is especially acclaimed for 2013's Gypsy Bells, the singer's final studio album. Pruett has at times drawn critical comparison to the likes of Gillian Welch and Emmylou Harris, while the singer herself also lists artists as diverse as Tom Waits, Doc Watson, Woody Guthrie, Pavement, and Charles Mingus as influences. Besides singing and songwriting, Pruett has worked as a painter from the age of 16, wrote poetry, and was a filmmaker known for her short movies, several of which were collected on the DVD Roses For Maya Deren. Pruett has been praised for her versatility in many disciplines, to which she has replied: “I've been able to do all my things that I love pretty easily, I got behind myself and pushed.” Pruett has struggled with bouts of depression throughout her life, and died of suicide at age 32 ~ Pruett passed away in 2015
January 18, 1983 ~ Dance-punk, dance-pop, new rave, indie pop singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Katie White, full name Katie Rebecca White, born in Lowton, UK ~ Formed the pop punk trio TKO with Joanne Leeson and Emma Lally while still in her mid-teens, enjoying moderate success opening for Steps and Atomic Kitten. Subsequently formed Dear Eskimo with DJ Simon Templeman. Best known as half of the indie pop duo the Ting Tings, formed in 2007 with Jules De Martino, scoring the UK top 10 hits That's Not My Name and Shut Up And Let Me Go both taken of their We Started Nothing debut albumJanuary 18, 1982 ~ Indie folk, avant-garde, baroque pop singer, harpist, pianist, songwriter Joanna Newsom, full name Joanna Caroline Newsom, born in Grass Valley, California, USA ~ Classically trained harpist. Member of indie band the Pleased. Released her full-length solo debut album, The Milk-eyed Mender, in 2004 to critical acclaim and has recorded to an expanding fanbase since
January 18, 1981 ~ Jazz tubist Martin Taxt born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Revered sideman active since the 2000s, has worked with Lena Nymark, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Nils Ostendorf, Tore Augestad, Tetuzi Akiyama, Microtub, and Kurt Liedwart
January 18, 1980 ~ Double bassist Dominic Lash born in Cambridge, UK ~ Worked with the Oxford Improvisers, Angharad Davies, Bruno Guastalla, Alexander Hawkins, Tim Hill, Steve Noble, Samantha Rebello, Pat Thomas, Philipp Wachsmann, Alex Ward, John Butcher, Evan Parker, Tony Conrad, Joe Morris, Tony Buck, Taylor Ho Bynum, the London Improvisers Orchestra, and Tony Bevan
January 18, 1980 ~ Estelle Fanta Sway, mononymously known as R&B, pop singer Estelle, born in London, UK ~ Best known for American Boy featuring Kanye West of her 2008 sophomore Shine album. Has also collaborated with John Legend, Robin Thicke, David Guetta (One Love), Rick Ross, Chris Brown, will.i.am, and with De La SoulJanuary 18, 1980 ~ Jawhar Glass, commonly known as indie hip-hop, alternative hip-hop rapper Illogic, born in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Released his full-length Unforeseen Shadows debut album in 2002. Closely associated with Blueprint, who produced several of his albums. Has also worked with Aesop Rock, Vast Aire, Eyedea, the Slug, Doseone, and Blockhead
January 18, 1976 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Damien Leith, full name Damien Leo Leith, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ First gained attention in 2006 winning Network Ten's talent show Australian Idol and has since released a number of albums, seven of which reaching Platinum status. Best known for songs such as Night Of My Life and 22 Steps
January 18, 1975 ~ Country, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Johnny Hiland born in Woodland, Maine, USA ~ Session guitarist for artists such as Hank Williams III, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Lynn Anderson, Janie Fricke, Randy Travis, Toby Keith, and Ricky Skaggs. Debuted as a solo artist with his eponymous Johnny Hiland album in 2004 and has recorded steadily sinceJanuary 18, 1975 ~ Singer Maria Del Mar Rodriguez Carnero, also known as La Mari, born in Malaga, Spain ~ Lead singer of Chambao, formed in 2001 with Eduardo Casañ and Daniel Casañ. Guested on Ricky Martin's Tu Recuerdo of his 2006 MTV Unplugged album. Has also collaborated with Enrique Morente, Macaco, Jarabe De Palo, Cesária Évora, Miguel Rios, Rosario Flores, Lila Downs, and Helena Paparizou
January 18, 1974 ~ Pop-rock, house singer, songwriter Christian Burns, full name Christian Anthony Burns, born in Wigan, UK ~ One third of Bbmak, alongside Mark Barry and Stephen McNally, known for a string of hits from the late 1990s through the band's disbandement in 2003. Best known for 1999's Back Here which reached the top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic. Burns has since worked with Tiësto (In The Dark, Power Of You), Benny Benassi (Love And Motion), Jes Brieden (As We Collide), co-wrote and is featured on several of BT's songs of the 2010 album These Hopeful Machines, Richard Durand (Night And Day), and Armin Van Buuren (This Light Between Us). Burns released his debut solo album, Simple Modern Answers, in 2013. Co-founded the Blind Love in 2016 with Radford Mead and Ash Soan. Their song Without You premiered on the TV show The Vampire Diaries the same year
January 18, 1973 ~ Producer Bill Hamel born in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Founding member of trance band Fatum. Best known as a producer who worked with artists such as Brandy and Kanye West (Talk About Our Love), Paul Oakenfold (Hold Your Hand), Justin Timberlake (Cry Me A River), Nelly Furtado (Do It), Mandy Moore (Extraordinary), Rihanna (Unfaithful), Madonna (Hung Up), Fluke (Nobody), Carmen Electra (I Like It Loud), Seal (The Weight Of My Mistakes), Jason Derülo (In My Head, Whatcha Say), Tegan & Sara (Alligator), Michael Bublé (You Got What It Takes), U2 (Magnifique), and Marilyn Manson (Heart Shaped Glasses) ~ Hamel passed away in 2018
January 18, 1973 ~ Crispian John David Boulting, commonly known as indie rock, alternative rock, Britpop singer, guitarist, songwriter Crispian Mills, born in Hammersmith, UK ~ Rose to fame as frontman of rock band Kula Shaker. The band is known for 1990s songs such as Tattva, Hey Dude, the Joe South-penned Hush previously a hit for Billy Joe Royal and notably Deep Purple, and The Sound Of Drums, all of which reached the UK top 10. The band initially folded in 1999, having released only the albums K and Peasants Pigs & Astronauts, but has reconvened in later years
January 18, 1973 ~ Guitarist Luther Dickinson, full name Luther Andrews Dickenson, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of producer Jim Dickinson. Lead guitarist, singer of southern rock, blues-rock outfit the North Mississippi Allstars, which he co-founded with his brother drummer, keyboardist, singer Cody Dickenson. Luther also guested on recordings by Calvin Russell, Jimbo Mathus, Jon Spencer (Acme), Othar Turner, John Hermann, Lucero, Bob Frank, Jim Lauderdale, the Replacements (Pleased To Meet You), Shawn Lane, Willy DeVille, John Eddie, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Patty Griffin (American Kid), Seasick Steve, Samantha Fish, and Southern Avenue
January 18, 1971 ~ Experimental singer, pianist, bassist Azita Youssefi born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Formed the Scissor Girls in 1991 with guitarist Sue Anne Zollinger and drummer Heather Melowic. Played keyboards for Miss High Heels. Member of Bride Of No No. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Music For Scattered Brains released in 1995January 18, 1971 ~ Singer, multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Davis born in Bakersfield, California, USA ~ Lead singer, frontman of nu metal band Korn. Son of Ricky Duane Davis, keyboardist for Buck Owens and Frank Zappa. Released two solo live albums under the moniker Jonathan Davis & the SFA. Also DJ's and records under the EDM alter ego Jdevil
January 18, 1970 ~ David Marvin Blake, commonly known as MC, DJ, rapper, producer DJ Quik, born in Compton, California, USA ~ Best known for recordings such as Tonite, Born And Raised In Compton and Jus Lyke Compton. Worked with the Penthouse Players Clique, Suge Knight, MC Eiht, Tupac Shakur, Tony Toni Toné, Shaquille O'Neal, Suga Free, Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, AMG, Luniz, Deborah Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Whitney Houston, Erick Sermon, Xzibit, Kurupt, Big Syke, Janet Jackson, Talib Kweli, Will Smith, Shade Sheist, the Fixxers, Teddy Riley, Ice Cube, Bun B, Bizzy Bone, and Dwele
January 18, 1969 ~ Guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Jim O'Rourke born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Formed Brise-Glace with Darin Gray and Dylan Posa, known for their solo album When In Vanitas released in 1994. Member of Safety, Gastr del Sol and perhaps most notably Sonic Youth from 1999 through 2005. Has recorded as a solo artist and served as producer for the likes of Stereolab, Superchunk, Wilco (A Ghost Is Born), John Fahey, the Red Krayola, Beth Orton, and Joanna Newsom
January 18, 1969 ~ Gospel singer, pianist, songwriter Roberta Martin, full name Roberta Evelyn Martin, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founded the Martin Frye Quartet with the help of Reverend Thomas A Dorsey. The group would be renamed to the Roberta Martin Singers by the mid 1930s and set the standard for future gospel choirs and become known for hits such as Only A Look, Try Jesus He Satisfies and Grace. Martin would be influential on artists such as Albertina Walker, James Cleveland and Alex Bradford, the latter two starting their careers in Martin's group ~ Martin was born in 1907January 18, 1968 ~ Bruce Alexander Michael Brewster, commonly known as reggae, dancehall singer, songwriter Rayvon, born in Barbados ~ Known best for a number of collaborations with Shaggy starting in the early 1990s, notably the singles Big Up, In The Summertime and Angel, the latter a 2001 No.1 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Released his Hear My Cry solo debut album in 1997