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 7, 1959 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter David Lee Murphy born in Herrin, Illinois, USA ~ Debuted in 1994 with the Out With A Bang album and has recorded steadily since. Known for songs such as The Party Crowd, Out With A Bang, Everytime I Get Around You, The Road You Leave Behind, Loco, Just Once, We Can't All Be Angels, Dust On The Bottle and Everything's Gonna Be AlrightJanuary 7, 1959 ~ Guitarist, songwriter, painter Jon Larsen born in Bærum, Norway ~ Founded the Hot Club de Norvege with guitarist Per Frydenlund and bassist Svein Aarbostad. Also worked with Lillebjørn Nilsen, Chet Baker, Philip Catherine, Stéphane Grappelli, Warne Marsh, Biréli Lagrène, Babik Reinhardt, Jimmy Rosenberg, Arthur Barrow, Jimmy Carl Black, Bruce Fowler, Bunk Gardner, Tommy Mars, and Don Preston
January 7, 1959 ~ Bassist Kathy Valentine born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Best known as member of all-female rock band the Go-Go's from 1980 through 1985, scoring hits such as Our Lips Are Sealed, We Got The Beat, Vacation, Head Over Heels. Has also worked with Girlschool, the Textones, the World's Cutest Killers, the BlueBonnets, and the Delphines
January 7, 1959 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Everybody Loves To Cha-cha-cha at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Originated from a 1958 Christmas party at Lou Rawls' stepfather's house. When the partygoers started dancing the cha cha, sombody yelled out “everybody, cha cha cha” and Sam Cooke grabbed a sheet of paper to write down lyrics while everyone else danced. The single would be released in January 1959, paired with Little Things You Do on the B-side. It would reach top 10 Billboard R&B. Girl group the Blossoms, including Darlene Love, provided backing vocalsJanuary 7, 1957 ~ Singer, songwriter John Kilzer, full name John Turner Kilzer, born in Jackson, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for the late 1980s album Memory In The Making which peaked at No.110 on the Billboard Hot 200. Its follow-up, 1991's Busman's Holiday, would fail to chart ~ Kilzer passed away in 2019
January 7, 1956 ~ Jazz drummer Steve Williams, full name Stephen Edward Williams, born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Worked with Gary Thomas, Clifford Jordan, Ran Blake, Carmen McRae, Toots Thielemans, Jeffery Smith, the Vienna Art Orchestra, John Hicks, Eugene Maslov, the Legacy Band, Jamie Broumas, and extensively with Shirley Horn
January 7, 1954 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Cliff Eberhardt born in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Part of the second wave of folk and acoustic music revival in the late 1970s, playing the Lower Manhattan coffeehouses alongside artists such as John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky and David Massengill. Reemerged in the late 1990s and has been recording steadily since. Noted for the 2011 collaborative album All Woods And Doors with James Lee Stanley, consisting entirely of acoustic folk renditions of songs by the Doors
January 7, 1953 ~ Reggae keyboardist, organist Earl Lindo, full name Earl Wilberforce Lindo, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Best known for his association with Bob Marley, appearing on albums such as Burnin', Survival, Uprising. Has also worked with Coxsone Dodd, Big Youth, Culture, I-Roy, the Impact All-Stars, and Burning Spear. As a solo artist enjoyed some local succes with the 1970s singles No Soul Today, and Who Done It ~ Lindo passed away in 2017
January 7, 1952 ~ Arranger, songwriter, producer Craig Leon born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Worked with numerous artists including the Ramones, Suicide, the Fall, Suicide, Talking Heads, Blondie, Richard Hell, James Galway, Natasha Marsh, Julia Thornton, Isobel Cooper, Chilliwack, the Zeros, the Sir Douglas Quintet, Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, Dwight Twiley, the Roches, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the Beat Farmers, the Bangles, Doctor & the Medics, the Pogues, the Men They Couldn't Hang, the Go-Betweens, Shawn Phillips, Mark Owen, the Cowboy Junkies, Cobalt 60, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Jesus Jones, Shonen Knife, and Steve Hogarth
January 7, 1952 ~ Maria Cristina Lancelotti, commonly known as singer, actress Valeria Lynch, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ First gained serious attention in an Argentine production of the musical Hair. Member of underground rock band Expression. Released her eponymous Valeria Lynch solo debut album in 1977. Best known for 1980s hits such as Mentira, Esto Llamado Amor and Amiga MiaJanuary 7, 1950 ~ Alberto Aguilera Valadez, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor Juan Gabriel, born in Paracuaro, Mexico ~ Known for his flamboyant style. Widely condisered one of the most prolific Mexican composer and singers. Sold over 60 million records. Best known for songs such as Amor Eterno, Querida, Haste Que Te Conoci, No Tengo Dinero, Abrazame Muy Fuerte, De Mi Enamorate, and Lo Pasado Pasado ~ Aguilera passed away in 2016
January 7, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Marshall Chapman born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA ~ Had her songs recorded by Conway Twitty, Joe Cocker (Just To Keep From Drawing), Jimmy Buffett, Connie Cato (Somewhere South Of Cato), Emmylou Harris, Wynonna Judd, Jessi Colter, John Hiatt (Old Habits Are Hard), Olivia Newton-John, Irma Thomas, Ronnie Milsap, Mary Kay James (I Think I'll Say Goodbye), and Sawyer Brown
January 7, 1948 ~ Blues rock, rock singer, guitarist Kaz Lux, full name Kazimierz Lux, born in Oosterhout, the Netherlands ~ Co-founding member of Brainbox remaining with the band through 1971 and present on the band's 1969 eponymous Brainbox debut album featuring some of their best known such as Down Man, Dark Rose, Summertime and notably Reason To Believe. Lux would leave the band in 1971 to pursue a solo career but rejoin in later years. Acclaimed for his 1976 collaboration with Jan Akkerman on Eli. Has also worked with Jan Hollestelle, Mike Vernon, Herman Deinum, Willem Ennes, Tom Barlage, Jasper van 't Hof, and Flavium
January 7, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Kenny Loggins, Kenneth Clark Loggins, born in Everett, Washington, USA ~ First gained attention in the late 1960s, writing a number of songs recorded by the Electric Prunes and subsequently the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Would rise to fame as half of Loggins & Messina, the other half being Jim Messina, known for songs such as Danny's Song, The House At Pooh Corner and the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Your Mama Don't Dance. Released his Celebrate Me Home solo debut album in 1977. Duetted with Stevie Nicks on Whenever I Call You Friend. Duetted with Steve Perry on Don't Fight It. Co-wrote What A Fool Believes with Michael McDonald, a hit for the Doobie Brothers. Wrote and recorded several hits for soundtracks, including I'm Alright for Caddyshack, Footloose for Footloose, and the Academy Award-nominated For The First Time for One Fine Day
January 7, 1947 ~ Peter Joe Clayton, commonly known as blues singer, songwriter Dr Clayton, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for songs such as the often covered Cheating And Lying Blues, Pearl Harbor Blues and Moonshine Woman Blues. The latter would be covered by BB King under the name The Woman I Love. Worked with Robert Lockwood Junior, Blind John Davis, Lester Melrose, and Sunnyland Slim. Both Big Bill Broonzy and Tampa Red attended Clayton's funeral ~ Clayton was born in 1898January 7, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jerry Corbitt, full name Jerry Byron Corbitt, born in Tifton, Georgia, USA ~ Best known as founding member, guitarist, songwriter of the Youngbloods. wrote or co-wrote songs such as A Dreamer's Dream, Don't Play Games, Don't Let The Rain Bring You Down. Also produced Don McLean's debut album Tapestry, co-wrote Charlie Daniels' Life Goes On, co-wrote Cypress Hill's Insane In The Brain ~ Corbitt passed away in 2014
January 7, 1943 ~ Leona Belle Helton, commonly known as country singer Leona Williams born in Vienna, Missouri, USA ~ Backing singer for Loretta Lynn. Married to Merle Haggard from 1978 through 1983, with whom she also worked, notably on the duet The Bull And The Beaver. Wrote the Haggard hits Someday When Things Are Good and You Take Me For Granted. As a solo singer known for songs such as Once More, The Country Girl With Hot Pants On, Your Shoeshine Girl, The Baby Song, and Always I'm Almost Ready and Always Late (With Your Kisses)
January 7, 1942 ~ Singer Danny Williams born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa ~ Dubbed “Britain's Johnny Mathis” for his smooth vocal delivery. Known for songs such as his 1961 Moon River rendition and for White On White, the latter a Billboard top 10 hit in 1964 ~ Williams passed away in 2005
January 7, 1940 ~ David Joseph Hindson, commonly known as singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Dave Cousins, born in Hounslow, UK ~ Best known for fronting Strawbs, scoring the UK hits Part Of The Union and Lay Down in 1973 ~ Hindson passed away in 2025January 7, 1938 ~ Keyboardist Paul Revere, full name Paul Revere Dick, born in Harvard, Nebraska, USA ~ Best known as leader and organist for Paul Revere & the Raiders, known for a string of hits from the early 1960s through the early 1970s including Like Long Hair, Just Like Me, Good Thing, Him Or Me (What's It Gonna Be), Kicks, Let Me, Hungry, and Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian) ~ Revere passed away in 2014
January 7, 1936 ~ Guitarist, producer, songwriter Richard Podolor, full name Richard Allen Podolor, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Has worked prolifically as a session musician since the 1950s with artists such as Bonnie Guitar (Dark Moon), and was a member of 1950s band the Pets which also included drummer Earl Palmer, saxophonist Plas Johnson and guitarist René Hall. Best known though for his association with Three Dog Night, producing Mama Told Me (Not To Come) and Joy To The World and most of their subsequent albums. Produced two albums for Steppenwolf, engineering all their early hits including Born To Be Wild. Has also produced albums for Iron Butterfly, the Dillards, Chris Hillman, Black Oak Arkansas, and Alice Cooper ~ Podolor passed away in 2022
January 7, 1935 ~ Dixieland, swing clarinetist, saxophonist Kenny Davern, full name John Kenneth Davern, born in Huntington, New York, USA ~ Decided to pursue a career in music after hearing Pee Wee Russell. Well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for his collaborations with Bob Wilber under the common moniker Soprano Summit. A jazz purist praised for the clarity and pureness of his tone, Davern would establish himself as an in-demand sideman working with the likes of Jack Teagarden (Jazz Great), Phil Napoleon, Pee Wee Erwin, Wild Bill Davison (After Hours), Eddie Condon (Jazz At The New School), Dick Wellstood, Dick Hyman (Some Rags Some Stomps And A Little Blues), Red Norvo, Art Hodes, the Lawson-Haggart Band, George Masso, and Cynthia Sayer ~ Davern passed away in 2006
January 7, 1933 ~ Archibald Alexander Alleyne, commonly known as jazz drummer Archie Alleyne, born in Toronto, Canada ~ House drummer at the Town Tavern jazz club in Toronto, Canada. Has accompanied jazz greats such as Billie Holiday, Lester Young, Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, and Ben Webster. Following a serious traffic accident, Alleyne mostly retired from music by the late 1960s, to return to music in the 1980s working with fellow Canadians such as Oliver Jones and Cy McLean. In his later years, Alleyne was known for mentoring young talent in his hard-bop unit Kollage. Longtime collaborator Brian Browne praised Alleyne for his time keeping, once commenting: “Archie's got a special snap to his time. He's got a unique, interesting, personal time feel.” ~ Alleyne passed away in 2015
January 7, 1933 ~ Double bassist, electric bassist Don Payne, full name Donald Ray Payne, born in Wellington, Texas, USA ~ Played trumpet before switching to bass in high school. An in-demand touring and session player since the mid 1950s, initially in jazz, later also taking up the bass guitar on pop and rock recordings. Notably present on albums by Art Pepper, Ornette Coleman (Something Else), Paul Horn, Mundell Lowe, Herbie Mann, Oscar Brown Jr (Finding A New Friend), Jackie & Roy, Richie Havens, Don Sebesky, Labelle, Melanie (Gather Me), Ellen McIlwaine (We The People), Janis Ian, Roy Buchanan (Second Album), Leonard Cohen (New Skin For The Old Ceremony), Loudon Wainwright III, Tim Moore, John Tropea (Tropea), Candido, and Tom Chapin (Family Tree). From time to time, Payne has also led his own ensembles, working with a rotating cast of sidemen including Mike Abene, Joe Beck, and Gene Bertoncini ~ Payne passed away in 2017
January 7, 1930 ~ Singer Jack Greene, full name Jack Henry Greene, born in Maryville, Tennessee, USA ~ Fronted the Peach Tree Boys. Founded the Tennessee Mountain Boys. Duetted with Jeannie Seely. Member of Ernest Tubb's backing unit the Texas Troubadours. As a solo artist known for a string of country hits starting in the mid 1960s including There Goes My Everything, All The Time, You Are My Treasure, Until My Dreams Come True, and The Statue Of A Fool ~ Greene passed away in 2013