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 9, 1975 ~ Classical, pop, big band, progressive rock percussionist Mattias Olsson born in Hong Kong ~ Worked with Anglagård, White Willow, Pär Lindh, Pineforest Crunch. Has produced recordings by Deadwood Forest, Devi, Clockwork, AK-Momo, Nanook Of The North, and Vijaya
January 9, 1975 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Stefan Örn born in Alvaborgs Ian, Sweden ~ Member of Apollo Drive. Best known as a songwriter, noted for his contributions to songs by Eurovision acts including Ell & Nikki's Running Scared, co-written with Sandra Bjurman and Ian James Farquharson, which won the 2011 Eurovision Songfestival for Azerbeijan
January 9, 1971 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, A Good Year For The Roses by George Jones peaks at No.2 Billboard Country ~ Written by Jerry Chesnut, whose songs had previously been recorded by Del Reeves, Jerry Lee Lewis (Another Place Another Time), Faron Young, and Bob Luman. The idea for A Good Year For The Roses originated from a comment a friend had made when Chesnut's roses at his Tennessee home were killed by an unseasonably wet spring, the friend remarking it was -not- a good year for the roses. This got Chesnut thinking what he could have done to save the roses, or what if it had been the other way around with everything else failing but the roses in bloom. The end result would be A Good Year For The Roses telling of a man in sorrow from a broken marriage, delivered in an an intensely moving vocal by George Jones, but at least the roses bloomed. The song became a hit and signature song for Jones, who would record several more of Chesnut's compositions over the next few years including After You and Love Coming Down. To European audiences, A Good Year For The Roses would become better known as recorded by Elvis Costello in 1981, which reached top 10 in both Ireland and Costello's native UK
January 9, 1971 ~ Daniel Dumile, commonly known as rapper MF Doom, born in London, UK ~ Major figure of underground and alternative hip-hop in the 2000s, known for his intricate wordplay and since the late 1990s his supervillain stage character. Doom never performed in public without his signature metal mask somewhat modeled after Marvel Comics character Dr Doom, and has on occasion angered fans by sending a masked substitute. Member of KMD, which also included his brother DJ Subroc. The group would disband after the latter's death in 1993, Doom himself retreating from music altogether for a number of years before reemerging as a solo artist. Has collaborated with artists such as Madlib, MF Grimm, Danger Mouse, Jneiro Jarel, Bishop Nehru, Czarface, and Thom Yorke ~ Dumile passed away in 2020
January 9, 1971 ~ Mia Young, commonly known as rapper Mia X, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ First female MC to be signed by No Limit Records. Dubbed “the Mother of Southern Gangsta Rap”. Appears on several seminal albums including Master P's Ice Cream Man and Ghetto D and Silkk The Shocker's Charge It 2 Da Game. As a solo artist best known for her 1998 recording What'cha Wanna Do featuring Charlie Wilson of her Mama Drama albumJanuary 9, 1968 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Giorgos Theofanous born in Larnaca, Cyprus ~ Married to singer Evridiki from 1993 to 2000, with whom he has one son. Has written over 500 songs, mostly in the 1990s and 200s, including for Nana Mouskouri and George Dalaras. Internationally best known for penning a number of Cyprus Eurovision Songfestival entries, notably boy band ONE's Gimme which reached 6th place in the 2002 edition
January 9, 1967 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Dave Matthews born in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Lead singer, guitarist of the Dave Matthews Band, coming out of nowhere with their 1994 debut Under The Table And Dreaming and its 1996 follow-up Crash. Every single one of the band's studio albums since has topped the Billboard Hot 200
January 9, 1967 ~ Pop rock, alternative rock, ska punk singer, keyboardist, songwriter Steve Harwell, full name Steve Scott Harwell, born in Santa Clara, California, USA ~ Lead singer of Smash Mouth, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band is best known for the hit single All Star of their 1999 Astro Lounge album. Other charting songs include Then The Morning Comes and I'm A Believer. Until his retirement from music in 2021 Harwell and bassist Paul De Lisle were the only two constant members since the band's formation in 1994 ~ Harwell passed away in 2023January 9, 1965 ~ Bluegrass guitarist Wyatt Rice born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Best known as member of the Tony Rice Unit, led by his brother Tony Rice. Has also worked with Santa Cruz, Ronnie Bowman, Richard Bennett, Dan Menzone, Rob Ickes, Fred Carpenter, Bill Emerson, David Grier, Rickie Simpkins, Melonie Cannon, Jimmy Gaudreau, Donna Hughes, the Steep Canyon Rangers, Junior Sisk, and Mike Bentley
January 9, 1963 ~ Pop rock singer, songwriter Andreas Tsoukalas born in Athens, Greece ~ Known for the albums Stous Kairous Tous Ponirous and its follow-up Mia Kainouria Mera. The latter would contain one of his best known, Antio, a translation of Brian Hyland's 1960s hit Sealed With A Kiss ~ Tsoukalas passed away in 2023
January 9, 1963 ~ Alternative rock guitarist, singer Eric Erlandson, full name Eric Theodore Erlandson, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as lead guitarist, co-founding member of Hole. Engages in various side projects including Rodney & the Tube Tops and RRIICCEE. Has also worked with Melissa Auf Der Maur, and White Flag
January 9, 1961 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, Wonderland By Night by Bert Kaempfert hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Originating as Wunderland Bei Nacht, translated to English as Wonderland By Night, the song would be the first major international hit for the German bandleader Bert Kaempfert. Over the years, the song would be recorded by dozens of artists, with both Anita Bryant and Louis Prima releasing their covers only shortly after Kaempfert's original. Kaempfert would go on to become a popular bandleader in easy listening and jazz, recording both orchestral covers of traditional pop songs and oft-covered originals such as A Swingin' Safari, Moon Over Naples, and Beddy Bye. The latter was originally an instrumental, yet is best known with English lyrics as Strangers In The Night, a signature song for Frank SinatraJanuary 9, 1960 ~ Avant-garde, improvisation, jazz, post-punk saxophonist, flutist, conductor, composer Bruno Romani born in Udine, Italy ~ Though firmly rooted in jazz, Romani is perhaps best known as founding member of Detonazione. The band is one of the most influential Italian post-punk bands of the 1980s, especially acclaimed for the albums Riflessi Congseguenti and Ultimi Pezzi. Romani has recorded over half a dozen contemporary jazz albums as a leader or co-leader, was involved with ensembles such as the Transition Jazz Group, Evolution Reloaded, and the Electro Acoustic Ensemble, and collaborated with a host of pop acts, perhaps most notably a series of albums with eclectic singer Alice in the 1990s ~ Romani passed away in 2025
January 9, 1957 ~ Clarence Lofton, commonly known as boogie-woogie pianist, singer Cripple Clarence Lofton, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Born with a limp, from which he derived his stage name, but pursued a career as tap dancer nevertheless. Known for his energetic stage presence. Drew comparisons to Pinetop Smith, Cow Cow Davenport and Jimmy Yancey. As a singer and pianist, Lofton is especially known for songs such as Strut That Thing, Monkey Man Blues, I Don't Know and Pitchin' Boogie, recording well into the 1940s before retiring from music. Aside from his solo recordings, Lofton has also worked with Big Bill Broonzy, and Red Nelson ~ Lofton was born ca.1896January 9, 1957 ~ Hard rock, glam metal, glam rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Phil Lewis born in London, UK ~ Member of the LA Guns joining the band in 1987 in time for their 1988 eponymous LA Guns debut album. Also worked with Girl, the New Torpedos, the London Cowboys, Tormé, Filthy Lucre, and the Liberators
January 9, 1956 ~ Robert B Rivkin, commonly known as R&B, funk, pop drummer, producer Bobby Z, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as original drummer for Prince, present on albums such as 1999, Purple Rain, and Around The World In A Day. Also served as producer for Wendy & Lisa, and co-wrote the duo's best known Waterfall of their eponymous 1987 Wendy & Lisa debut album
January 9, 1956 ~ Rock, jazz guitarist Jesse Gress born ~ Editor for Guitar Player magazine. Authored about half a dozen books. As a musician has recorded and toured extensively with Todd Rundgren. Has also worked with bassist Tony Levin, notably on the 2001 Pieces Of The Sun album, as well as with Levin's brother keyboardist Pete Levin, Jerry Marotta, and Utopia. Served as music director for the 2008 Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band tribute album It Was 40 Years Ago Today, a collaborative all-star effort which featured Rundgren, Lou Gramm, Christopher Cross, and Denny Laine ~ Gress passed away in 2023January 9, 1956 ~ Jazz guitarist Rory Stuart born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Jerry Granelli, Joe Keel, the Parameters, Steve Potts, Jack McDuff, Geri Allen, Joe Bonner, Cecil Bridgewater, Ronnie Burrage, Jeanie Bryson, Michael Cochrane, Steve Coleman, Larry Coryell, Bill Doggett, Charles Earland, George Garzone, Vinny Golia, Sheila Jordan, Graham Haynes, Sheila Jordan, Ernie Krivda, Errol Parker, Charlie Rouse, Bill Saxton, Dr Lonnie Smith, Cassandra Wilson, and Reggie Workman
January 9, 1952 ~ Virginia Louise Williams, commonly known as swing, jazz singer Midge Williams, passed away in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known for fronting the Jazz Jesters with whom she made several well-received 1930s recordings. Worked with Al Jolson, Rudy Vallée, Raymond Scott, Frankie Newton, Buster Bailey, Charlie Shavers, Lil' Armstrong, Bunny Berigan, Harry James, John Kirby, Glenn Miller, Fats Waller, Ben Webster, and Teddy Wilson ~ Williams was born in 1915
January 9, 1951 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Andy Qunta, full name Anderson Amos Temba Qunta, born in Warrington, UK ~ Keyboardist and songwriter of Icehouse, known for 1980s hits such as Hey Little Girl, Crazy and Electric Blue. Also worked with the Factory, Hazel O'Connor, and with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel appearring on the single I Can't Even Touch You. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band (Tribal Statistics) and John Farnham (You're The Voice)
January 9, 1951 ~ Brenda Gail Webb, commonly known as country, country pop, soft rock singer Crystal Gayle born in Paintsville, Kentucky, USA ~ Sister of Loretta Lynn. One of the most commercially successful crossover singers of the 1970s and 1980s. Best known for Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, reaching the higher echelons of the charts worldwide, including top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Other well known songs include Wrong Road Again, Somebody Loves You, I'll Get Over You, You Never Miss A Good THing (Till He Says Goodbye), I'll Do It All Over Again, Ready For The Times To Get Better, Half The Way, It's Like We Never Said Goodbye, If You Ever Change Your Mind, Till I Gain Control Again, The Sound Of Goodbye, Cry and Straight To The HeartJanuary 9, 1950 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor David Johansen, also known as Buster Poindexter, born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Singer of the New York Dolls, known for their two pivotal proto-punk albums 1973's eponymous The New York Dolls and 1974's Too Much Too Soon. Johansen wrote the bulk of the band's material with bandmate, guitarist Johnny Thunders. Also scored an international hit in the 1980s with Hot Hot Hot, using the moniker Buster Poindexter ~ Johansen passed away in 2025
January 9, 1950 ~ Country singer Hank Williams records Beyond The Sunset ~ Previously recorded by Elton Britt. Written by Blanche Kerr Brock, Virgil P Brock, Rosey Rowsell. Produced by Fred Rose. Hank Williams released later the song as a single, paired with The Funeral on the flip side. It would also be included on the posthumous 1953 Hank Williams As Luke The Drifter album
January 9, 1948 ~ Singer Cassie Gaines, full name Cassie LaRue Gaines, born in Miami, Oklahoma, USA ~ Backing singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1975 until her death in a plane crash in 1977. Present on the albums Gimme Back My Bullets, One More From The Road and Street Survivors ~ Gaines passed away in 1977
January 9, 1948 ~ Guitarist, banjoist, mandolinist Tim Hart born in Lincoln, UK ~ Co-founding member of Steeleye Span. Along with singer Maddy Prior Hart formed the backbone of the band, recording close to a dozen albums with them, before departing in 1982. Present on most of the band's best known, including the acclaimed albums Parcel Of Rogues, Commoner's Crown, and Rocket Cottage. Though the band only charted a few singles, notably 1972's Gaudete and 1975's All Around My Hat both reaching the UK top 20, they are considered extremely influential in bringing traditional-influenced folk-rock to mainstream audiences ~ Hart passed away in 2009