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 30, 1963 ~ Punk rock bassist Joe Escalante, full name Joseph Patrick Escalante, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Sole constant member of punk rockers the Vandals, initially starting on drums and later moving to bass. The band is best known for their humorous approach and song subjects rather than the typical social and political topics addressed by most punk bands of the time. Also a member of the Smiths-tribute band Sweet And Tender Hooligans, radio host, TV director and executive
January 30, 1961 ~ Singer Cliff Richard records When The Girl In Your Arms (Is The Girl In Your Heart) at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Sid Tepper and Roy C Bennett. Produced by Norrie Paramor. Released the following October, b/w Got A Funny Feeling, it would reach top 10 in several countries including No.1 spots in the Netherlands and Norway. Cliff Richard's hit would be notably covered by singer Connie Francis later the same year, gender-reversed to When The Boy In Your Arms (Is The Boy In Your Heart)
January 30, 1961 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, Will You Love Me Tomorrow by the Shirelles hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ With the singer wondering if her man will still love her the day after an implied sexual encounter, some considered the song too naughty for its day. However, despite resistance from radio stations, Will You Love Me Tomorrow became a huge hit and sold over a million copies. Penned by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, it would be the first major hit for the husband-wife songwriting team. Will You Love Me Tomorrow would also be the first Billboard Hot 100 charttopper for a black all-female group. Prior to the song being recorded by the Shirelles, singer Tony Orlando had hoped to be given the song, but Aldon Music executive Don Kirshner explained it was a girl's lyrics, and that no teenage boy would ever say those words. Orlando did record an answer song, Not Just Tomorrow But Always issued under the moniker Bertell Dache
January 30, 1959 ~ Dixieland, jazz saxophonist Boyce Brown passed away in Hillsdale, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Wingy Manone, Bob Casey, Danny Alvin. Perhaps best known for his 1935 session with Paul Mares released in 1955 on the Chicago Style Jazz album. After a stint in a monastary, Brown recorded his sole album as a leader, 1956's Brother Matthew, notably featuring guitarist Eddie Condon ~ Brown was born in 1910
January 30, 1959 ~ Singer Jody Watley, full name Jody Vanessa Watley, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, Roberta Flack, Grace Jones, Nancy Wilson. Rose to fame as member of Shalamar, remaining with the group from 1977 through 1983, present on songs such as The Second Time Around, For The Lover In You and A Night To Remember. Released her eponymous Jody Watley solo debut album in 1987, spawning the hit Looking For A New Love. Other well known songs include Some Kind Of Lover, Real Love, and Everything. Has also worked with Musical Youth, Gary Langan, Anne Dudley, JJ Jeczalik, George Michael, and Eric B & Rakim
January 30, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Mark Eitzel, full name John Mark Eitzel, born in Walnut Creek, California, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of American Music Club. Active since the 1980s, having worked with the Cowboys, the Naked Skinnies, the Toiling Midgets, and the Undertow Orchestra. As a solo artist known for his 1997 West album on which all songs were co-written by REM guitarist Peter Buck, and for its 1998 follow-up Caught In A Trap And I Can't Back Out Cause I Love You Too Much Baby which featured Sonic Youth-drummer Steve Shelley and Yo La Tengo-bassist James McNew
January 30, 1956 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Blue Suede Shoes at RCA/Victor Studios, New York, New York, USA ~ One of the first songs RCA-Victor wanted him to record Elvis Presley recorded this Carl Perkins-penned tune with Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass and DJ Fontana on drums. Being a good friend of Perkins, who had just released his single, Presley asked the label to hold back the release. The single, featuring Tutti Frutti on the B-side, would be released the next September. Nevertheless, the Presley version became the bigger hit and a signature song for the singer. It would be re-recorded in stereo for the 1960 Elvis-film GI Blues
January 30, 1951 ~ Rock, progressive rock, space rock, gothic rock, post-punk, punk rock drummer Andy Anderson born in West Ham, UK ~ Best known for his associations with Steve Hillage and the Cure, present on the latter's The Top and Concert albums as well as on the singles The Love Cats and Caterpillar. Briefly played with Hawkwind. Has also worked with the Techno Twins, Mother Gong, the Gun Club, Edwyn Collins, Peter Gabriel, Iggy Pop, Mike Oldfield, Pink Flamingos, and Midge Ure ~ Anderson passed away in 2019
January 30, 1951 ~ Drummer, singer Phil Collins, full name Philip David Charles Collins, born in Chiswick, UK ~ Influenced by Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich and by the Action-drummer Roger Powell. Rose to fame in the 1970s as drummer and lead singer of Genesis. Debuted as a solo artist in the early 1980s, critically acclaimed for first two solo albums, Face Value and Hello I Must Be Going, and reaching superstar fame with 1985's No Jacket Required. Known for hits such as In The Air Tonight, You Can't Hurry Love, Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now), Easy Lover with Philip Bailey, One More Night, A Groovy Kind Of Love and Another Day In Paradise. Has collaborated with Marilyn Martin, David Crosby, and Lil' Kim
January 30, 1949 ~ Funk, R&B, soul, pop trumpeter, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer, songwriter William King, full name William Atwell King, born in Tuskegee, Alabama, USA ~ Founding and constant member of the Commodores, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting with Machine Gun in 1974. King co-wrote several of the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top hits Brick House and Lady You Bring Me Up, the latter co-written with Harold Hudson and his then-wife Shirley Hanna-King. The band scored close to a dozen top 10 hits including Sweet Love, Easy, Sail On, Still, and Nightshift. Besides playing several instruments, King also serves as the band's choreographer
January 30, 1947 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Steve Marriott, full name Stephen Peter Marriott, born in Plashet, UK ~ Became a popular mod style icon in Britain. Member of the Small Faces from 1965 through 1968, and again from 1975 through 1978. Member of Humble Pie from 1969 through 1975, and again from 1979 through 1983. In his later life Marriott would grow disillusioned with the music industry and turn away from mahor record labels, returning to relative obscurity playing in pubs and clubs around London and Essex ~ Marriott passed away in 1991January 30, 1946 ~ Rock, garage rock bassist, rhythm guitarist Lies Adji Rachman born ~ Member of Indonesian all-female outfit Dara Puspita, which also included her elder sister Titiek Adji Rachman on lead guitar. The band endured pressure from the Sukarno regime, which saw rock music as an unwanted Western influence. Following the regime's collapse the band would release four albums, starting with Jang Pertama in 1965. Despite remaining popular the band would disband in 1972, in part caused by the strains of relentless touring ~ Rachman passed away in 2023
January 30, 1944 ~ Drummer Roger Humphries born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Began playing drums at 4. Went professional at 14. Led ensemble at Carnegie Hall at 16. Played with Stanley Turrentine, Horace Silver, including on the quintessential LP Song For My Father, and with Ray Charles. Released some albums under his own name. Sideman, session musician for the likes Lee Morgan, Grant Green, Billy Taylor, Bill Doggett, Benny Green, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Barry Harris, Clark Terry, JJ Johnson, Billy Preston, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Jack McDuff, Gene Harris, George Harris, George Benson, Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, Johnny Griffin, Herbie Mann, Randy Brecker, Joe Williams, Milt Jackson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Hubert Laws, Dwayne Dolphin, the Isley Brothers, and Illinois Jacquet
January 30, 1942 ~ Singer Martyn Jerel Buchwald, commonly known as Marty Balin, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Co-founding member, co-lead singer of the Jefferson Airplane. Notable co-writing credits include Comin' Back To Me, Today and Volunteers. Co-wrote and guested on Airplane spinoff group Jefferson Starship's power ballad Caroline. Has also worked with the Town Criers, Bodaccious DF, the KBC Band. As a solo artist scored a 1981 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Hearts ~ Balin passed away in 2018
January 30, 1941 ~ Edlin Terry, commonly known as jazz alto, tenor saxophonist Buddy Terry, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Recorded for about a decade in the 1960s through the 1970s. A handful of albums under his own name for Prestige Records and Mainstream Records as a leader. As sideman for Art Blakey, Billy Hawks, Richard Groove Holmes, Harold Mabern, Joe Morello, Alphonse Mouzon, and for Freddie Roach. Terry was also a member of Swingadelic from 2000 to 2010
January 30, 1940 ~ Electronic composer, flutist David C Johnson born in Batavia, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with Karlheinz Stockhausen, starting as assistant producer for the 1967 Hymnen. In following years Johnson would also be involved in premieres of several of Stockhausen's or Stockhausen-directed works. Has collaborated with Holger Czukay, Irmin Schmidt, Michael Karoli and Jaki Liebezeit in what was to become Can, but departed the group in 1969 disappointed at their growing influences. Member of cooperative the Oeldorf Group ~ Johnson passed away in 2021
January 30, 1940 ~ Louis Yaguda, commonly known as keyboardist, producer Sandy Yaguda or Sandy Deanne, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-founded Jay & the Americans, remaining with the band until their initial disbandement in 1973. The band is known best for 1960s Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as She Cried, Come A Little Bit Closer and Cara Mia
January 30, 1939 ~ Folk, pop, Latin jazz singer, percussionist, songwriter Norma Tanega, full name Norma Cecilia Tanega, born in Vallejo, California, USA ~ Best known for Walkin' My Cat Named Dog, an international hit in 1966 nearing the top 20 in America and Britain and reaching top 10 in Canada. Wrote or co-wrote a number of songs recorded by Dusty Springfield including No Stranger Am I, The Colour Of Your Eyes, Earthbound Gypsy and Midnight Sounds. Has collaborated with Hybridvigor, the Latin Lizards, John Zeretzke, Brian Ransom, Baboonz, and Steve Rushingwind Ruiz ~ Tanega passed away in 2019January 30, 1936 ~ Andres Holten, commonly known as singer, songwriter Dries Holten, born in Cimahi, Dutch East Indies ~ Half of Sandra & Andres, the other half being Sandra Reemer. The duo would reach 4th place at the 1972 Eurovision Songfestival, representing the Netherlands, with their performance of Als Het Om De Liefde Gaat. Holten would later team up with Rosy Pereira forming the duo Rosy & Andres ~ Holten passed away in 2020
January 30, 1936 ~ Pianist, composer Horst Jankowski born in Berlin, Germany ~ Classically trained pianist best known for his easy listening music, starting with the 1965 global hit Walk In The Black Forest followed by a string of successful albums throughout the 1970s consisting mostly of easy listening covers of pop and rock hits ~ Jankowski passed away in 1998
January 30, 1935 ~ Edward Brian Hayes, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, flutist, vibraphonist Tubby Hayes, born in St Pancras, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ronnie Scott, Jimmy Deuchar, the Jazz Couriers, Kenny Baker, Bert Ambrose, Kurt Edelhagen, Paul Gonsalves, Dave Brubeck, Johnny Dankworth, James Moody, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Jack Costanzo, Victor Feldman, Dizzy Reece, and Stan Tracey ~ Hayes passed away in 1973
January 30, 1930 ~ Charles Montgomery, commonly known as jazz vibraphonist, pianist Buddy Montgomery, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Baby brother of guitarist Wes Montgomery and bassist Monk Montgomery. Member of the Mastersounds with Monk and of the Montgomery Brothers with both of his brothers. Also worked with Big Joe Turner, Slide Hampton, Alonzo Johnson, Miles Davis, George Shearing, Roy Harte, Milt Holland, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Rouse, Bobby Hutcherson, David Fathead Newman, and Clifford Jordan ~ Montgomery passed away in 2009
January 30, 1928 ~ Classical timpanist Elayne Jones, full name Elayne Viola Jones, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Broke racial barriers in classical music. Closely associated with the New York City Opera, playing with the orchestra for about a decade starting in the late 1940s. Has also worked with the New York Metropolitan, the American Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and notably as principal cellist with the San Francisco Symphony under the direction of Leopold Stokowski starting in 1972, the latter making her the first African-American to achieve such a position with a major orchestra ~ Jones passed away in 2022
January 30, 1921 ~ Jazz pianist Bernie Leighton born in West Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Active since the late 1930s. Leader and sideman. Worked with Bud Freeman, Leo Reisman, Raymond Scott, Benny Goodman, Dave Tough, Billie Holiday, Neal Hefti, Artie Shaw, John Serry Sr, James Moody, Bob Wilber, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Mark Murphy, Charlie Parker, Jack Teagarden, and Cal Tjader ~ Leighton passed away in 1994January 30, 1911 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Joe Darion born in New York, New York, USA ~ Musical theater lyricist best known for the 1965 musical Man Of La Mancha. Co-wrote Changing Partners, a 1954 No.3 Billboard hit for Patti Page, with Larry Coleman. Versions by Bing Crosby, Kay Starr and Dinah Shore would also reach the top 20. A notable cover can also be found on pop singer Elvis Costello's 2009 Secret Profane & Sugarcane, serving as the album's closing track ~ Darion passed away in 2001
January 30, 1911 ~ Trumpeter Roy Eldridge, full name David Roy Eldridge, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Noted for his sophisticated use of harmony and his virtuosic solos. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the swing era. Has worked with Gene Krupa, Benny Carter, Teddy Wilson, Ike Quebec, Cecil Payne, Wilbur de Paris, Helen Ward, Zoot Sims, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Jo Jones, Big Joe Turner, Harry Sweets Edison, Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, Illinois Jacquet, Buddy Tate, Lester Young, and Ben Webster ~ Eldridge passed away in 1989Page 1 ~ Page 2