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 19, 1987 ~ Pop rock, synth-rock outfit Starship release Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, lifted off their No Protection album ~ The power ballad duet featuring Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas would be Starship's second Billboard Hot 100 charttopper, preceded by We Built This City about a year and a half earlier. The song would also be used as the theme to the romantic-comedy film Mannequin and received nominations for an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Grammy Award. Albert Hammond, who had co-written the song with Diane Warren, has said the idea for the song originally came from his impending marriage to his girlfriend of seven years after his divorce from his previous wife was finalized: “It's almost like they've stopped me from marrying this woman for seven years, and they haven't succeeded. They're not gonna stop me doing it”
January 19, 1985 ~ In its 6th week on the charts, Make No Mistake (He's Mine) by Barbra Streisand and Kim Carnes peaks at No.51 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Its appearance on the charts made Kim Carnes the first to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 charts as a solo artist, as part of a duet, and as part of a trio at the same time, respectively with her solo single Invitation To Dance, the Barbra Streisand duet, and with Kenny Rogers and James Ingram on What About Me. Although the Streisand and Carnes duet received positive reviews it failed to reach top 40. Two years later Kenny Rogers and Ronnie Milsap would record a gender-swap remake of the song, Make No Mistake (She's Mine), which reached No.1 Billboard Country chartsJanuary 19, 1984 ~ Darryl Kevin Richardson, commonly known as rapper, producer Lil' Scrappy, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Discovered by Lil' Jon. Released a full-length debut album, Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live, in 2006. Known for songs such as No Problem and Money In The Bank (Remix) featuring Young Buck. Has collaborated with Trillville, Crime Mob, DMX, Young Jeezy, Youngbloodz, E-40, and Ice Cube
January 19, 1983 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Hikaru Utada born in New York, New York, USA ~ Daughter of producer Teruzane Utada and singer Keiko Fuji. Also recorded under the moniker Cubic U. Debuted in 1998 with the album Precious, which flopped. Became an instant star the next year with her sophomore album First Love, spawning R&B, dance-pop hits such as Automatic, Time Will Tell and Movin' On Without You. The album would sell 2 million copies in the first week and top the Japanese Oricon charts. Subsequent hits would include Addicted To You, Can You Keep A Secret, Traveling, Hikari, and Sakura Drops
January 19, 1980 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, Rock With You by Michael Jackson hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Rod Temperton. First offered to Karen Carpenter as she was working on her solo debut album at the time, yet she turned it down. Michael Jackson's single would be warmly received by critics with Rolling Stone calling the song “unobtrusive” with Jackson gently gliding over the lyrics. It would be the second single off of Off The Wall to reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100, its lead single Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough previously having reached the top spot, and Jackson's third solo Billboard Hot 100 charttopper overall. Teaming up with producer Quincy Jones would prove fruitful as two more singles off the same album, Off The Wall and She's Out Of My Life, also reached top 10. Jones would also co-produce Jackson's next two albums, Thriller and Bad, both of which also did very well
January 19, 1979 ~ Richard Kylea Cowie Jr, commonly known as grime MC, rapper, DJ, producer, songwriter Wiley, born in London, UK ~ Dubbed “the Godfather of Grime” for his seminal role in the creation of grime music. First gained attention in the early 2000s, scoring the UK hit Champagne Dance with UK garage outfit Pay As U Go. Has recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Treddin' On Thin Ice in 2004. Well-known for songs such as Wearing My Rolex, Never Be Your Woman featuring Emeli Sandé, Heatwave featuring Ms D, and Lights On featuring Angel & Tinchy Stryder
January 19, 1978 ~ William Edward Grishaw, commonly known as country, rockabilly songwriter, guitarist Zeb Turner, passed away ~ Backed Red Foley and Hank Williams. Co-wrote There's No Room In My Heart For The Blues, recorded by Williams, Clyde Moody, Ernest Tubb, as well as by British group The The. Co-wrote It's A Sin, a 1947 hit for Eddy Arnold. Co-wrote Texas In My Soul, recorded by Tex Williams, Hank Penny, and by Willie Nelson ~ Grishaw was born in 1915January 19, 1977 ~ Makishi Satoko, commonly known as J-pop, pop rock, alternative rock singer, songwriter Cocco, born in Naha, Japan ~ Initially aimed to become a ballerina. About a dozen albums to her name, starting with Bougainvillea released in 1997. Well known for songs such as Kumoji No Hate, Onsoko Punch, Hi No Teri Nagara Ame No Furu, and Cocco San No Saidokoro, all of which reached top 10 in her native Japan
January 19, 1977 ~ Yvonne Wigniolle, commonly known as singer, actress Yvonne Printemps passed away in Neuilly, France ~ Operette, stage, screen singer and actress renowned internationally in the early 20th century, known for her warm singing and personal charm. Performed on stages in Paris, London's West End and New York's Broadway ~ Wigniolle was born in 1894
January 19, 1977 ~ Joseph Wayne McVey IV, commonly known as rapper, producer, songwriter Z-Ro, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Local legend on the Houston rap scene. Member of Screwed Up Click. Has recorded about two dozen albums as a solo artist since the late 1990s. Especially acclaimed for his 2005 Let The Truth Be Told album. Has collaborated with Guerilla Maab, Trae the Truth, and Lil' Flip
January 19, 1975 ~ Singer Brian Gillis, also known as Brian Brizz Gillis, born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Early member of LFO (Lyte Funky Ones), remaining with the band through 1999. Present on the minor 1995 hit If I Can't Have You, a cover of the 1977 Yvonne Elliman disco hit. Frustrated however with the lack of progress the band had made, Gillis left the band in 1999 prior to recording the band's eponymous LFO (Lyte Funky Ones) debut album. The album would spawn the band's two biggest hits, Summer Girls and Girl On TV both reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Following his departure from the band Gillis found employment as a radio promoter ~ Gillis passed away in 2023
January 19, 1975 ~ Pop rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, bassist, producer Noah Georgeson, full name Noah Andrew Georgeson, born in Nevada City, California, USA ~ First gained attention as member of the Pleased. Debuted as a solo artist in 2006 with the album Find Shelter. Has also worked with Devendra Banhart, the Strokes, Little Joy, Bert Jansch, Mason Jennings, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Adam Green, Os Mutantes, Adán Jodorowsky, Harper Simon, Flo Morrissey, Cate Le Bon, Rodrigo Amarante, Andy Shauf, and Natalia Lafourcade
January 19, 1974 ~ In its 14th week on the charts, Show And Tell by Al Wilson hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Jerry Fuller, who had previously penned hits such as Travelin' Man for Ricky Nelson and Young Girl for Gary Puckett. Show And Tell would first by recorded by Johnny Mathis in 1973, yet the single bombed, only barely making it to the top 40 Billboard Adult Contemporary. The following year, however, Fuller brought in Al Wilson, and with a stronger bass line and more powerful vocals this time it would be a hit. Wilson's rendition sold two million copies and spend one week atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Wilson continued to record through the end of the decade, charting some half a dozen singles inside the Billboard R&B top 40, yet would be unable to repeat the success of his million-seller
January 19, 1974 ~ Label executive, producer Kareem Burke born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Best known for co-founding Roc-a-fella Records with Damon Dash and Jay-Z in 1996. The label would initially be founded for the sole purpose of releasing the latter's albums and remain active through the early-2010s
January 19, 1973 ~ Pop rock outfit the Moody Blues release I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock & Roll Band), lifted off their Seventh Sojourn album ~ After returning home from a tour, the band's bassist John Lodge found a group of fans camped in his garden, awaiting his return like he was some kind of guru. Lodge wrote I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock & Roll Band) as a response, the lyrics seemingly suggesting people looked to music for answers. Naturally, he didn't have any as he was “just a singer in a rock and roll band”. The single, their last issued before the band went on a five-year hiatus to allow its members to pursue solo projects, reached top 40 in their native UK, peaking at No.36, yet would do better abroad. It reached No.12 on the American Billboard Hot 100, and made No.4 in the Netherlands, where the song remains a radio staple to this day
January 19, 1969 ~ Jazz guitarist, bassoonist, bassist, double bassist Alcide Pavageau, full name Alcide Louis Pavageau, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Originally a guitarist, Pavageau would become a fixture on the New Orleans scene after switching to bass. Especially known for his association with George Lewis throughout the 1950s and 1960s, his percussive bass lines providing a key element to the band's sound. Pavageau has also worked with Buddy Petit, Baby Dodds, Bunk Johnson, Jim Robinson, Louis Cottrell Jr (Bourbon Street Parade), Sweet Emma Barrett, Kid Howard (Kid Howard At The San Jacinto Hall), Percy Humphrey, and extensively with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Pavageau recorded one album as a leader, Slow Drag's Bunch released in 1965 ~ Pavageau was born in 1888January 19, 1969 ~ Pop, rock, rock & roll, rockabilly, R&B guitarist, singer, songwriter Buzz Campbell born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Dropped out of college in 1991 to pursue a career in music after seeing the Stray Cats perform in San Diego. Influenced by Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Cliff Gallup, Scotty Moore, James Burton, Brian Setzer. Has worked with Sha Na Na, Buzz Campbell, Hot Rod Lincoln, and Lee Rocker
January 19, 1968 ~ Jazz pianist, keyboardist Jørn Øien born in Narvik, Norway ~ Worked with Thorgeir Stubø, Kjersti Stubø, Ernst-Wiggo Sandbakk, John Pål Inderberg, Tore Brunborg, Knut Værnes, Kjell Karlsen, Terje Gewelt, Roger Johansen, Paal Nilssen-Love, Per Zanussi, and Torstein Lofthus
January 19, 1968 ~ Eric Froberg, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk, indie rock guitarist, singer Rick Froberg, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known as lead singer, guitarist for early 1990s outfit Drive Like Jehu, a band especially acclaimed for the albums Drive Like Jehu and Yank Crime. Froberg has also worked with Pitchfork, the Hot Snakes, and Obits. As a visual artist and illustrator, Froberg has created album art and merchandise for all of his bands as well as for Rocket From The Crypt, Beehive & the Barracudas, and Mr Tube & the Flying Objects ~ Froberg passed away in 2023
January 19, 1968 ~ Rock, hard rock, heavy metal singer, songwriter Whitfield Crane, full name William Whitfield Crane IV, born in Palo Alto, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer for Ugly Kid Joe. The band is best known for their 1991 As Ugly As They Wanna Be debut EP, the first EP to reach Platinum status, and for their full-length America's Least Wanted debut album released the following year. The latter would spawn the Harry Chapin-cover Cats In The Cradle, which would reach top 10 in several countries including on the American Billboard Hot 100. Crane has also toured with Life Of Agony, formed Medication, and guested on recordings by Mark McGrath, Motörhead, and Glenn TiptonJanuary 19, 1967 ~ Bassist Dennis Crouch born ~ Co-founded western swing outfit the Time Jumpers, remaining with the band from 1996 through 2012. Has also appeared on recordings by Candi Staton, John Mellencamp (Life Death Love & Freedom), John Fogerty, Gregg Allman, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Ashley Monroe, Diana Krall, Ilse de Lange, and Rodney Crowell
January 19, 1965 ~ Post-bop pianist Antonio Farao born in Rome, Italy ~ Best known as a leader. Debuted in the late 1990s. Has worked with sidemen such as Ira Coleman, Jeff Tain-Watts, Daniel Humair, Jack DeJohnette, Drew Gress, Chris Potter, Bob Berg, Martin Gjakonovski, Miroslav Vitous, Joe Lovano, Lenny White, and Marcus Miller. Specifically notably are sidemen from outside jazz, such as blue-eyed soul singer Daryl Hall on Domi, and rappers Snoop Dogg and Krayzie Bone on Ekletik. As a sideman Faraó has graced albums of artists such as Franco Ambrosetti, André Ceccarelli, Nicolas Folmer, Giovanni Tommaso, and Jens Winther
January 19, 1963 ~ Singer Caron Wheeler, full name Caron Melina Wheeler, born in London, UK ~ Rose to fame as lead singer of Soul II Soul from 1988 through 1990, rejoining in later years. Present on the band's best known including Keep On Movin' and the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Back To Life (However Do You Want Me). Has previously worked with Brown Sugar and Afrodiziak. Released her solo debut album UK Blak in 1990 which spawned the hits Livin' In The Light, Don't Quit and the title track UK Blak
January 19, 1961 ~ Stephen Wayne Finchum, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal drummer Ace Finchum, born in Ipswich, UK ~ Drummer, co-founding member of Tigertailz, appearing on the albums Young & Crazy, Bezerk, and Banzai. Critically compared to Mötley Crüe, the LA Guns, and Poison, the band is one of the few UK glam metal acts to reach international success, especially through the singles Love Bomb Baby and Heaven both lifted off their sophomore album. Finchum departed the band in 1991, and has rejoined on occassion in later years ~ Finchum passed away in 2025January 19, 1960 ~ Jazz trumpeter Joe Magnarelli born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Worked with Lionel Hampton, Jack McDuff, the New York Hard Bop Quintet, John Swana, Jerry Weldon, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Laverne Butler, Harry Connick Jr, Maria Schneider, Gary Smulyan, Grant Stewart, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Walt Weiskopf, and Ben Wolfe
January 19, 1960 ~ Guitarist Nicky Skopelitis born in New York, New York, USA ~ Has recorded a handful of solo albums, starting with Next To Nothing released in 1989. Closely associated with Bill Laswell. Member of the Golden Palominos. Has guested on recordings by Material, Herbie Hancock, Afrika Bambaataa, Manu Dibango, Ginger Baker, Swans, Curlew, Peter Brötzmann, Dub Syndicate, Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Sharrock, and James Blood Ulmer