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.
November 15, 1971 ~ Brandt Jones, commonly known as rapper B-Legit, born in Vallejo, California, USA ~ Debuted as a solo artist with the 1993 album Tryin' To Get A Buck. Member of the Click, alongside his cousin E-40. Also collaborated with Celly Cel, Master P, Too $hort, Tupac Shakur (appearing on Shakur's Ain't Hard 2 Find), Scarface, Snoop Dogg, C-Murder, Bushwick Bill, Jadakiss, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Styles P, the Federation, Mystikal, UGK, Mack 10, Daryl Hall, Keak da Sneak, Ricardo Thomas, Young Buck, Luniz, Paul Wall, and Mac Dre
November 15, 1970 ~ Percussionist, composer Susie Ibarra born in Anaheim, California, USA ~ Contemporary composer in the idioms of jazz, classical and world music. Incorporates a wide array of styles and influences, including opera. musical poetry and electronic music. Has worked with Pauline Oliveros, John Zorn, Trisha Brown, Tania León, Roberto Juan Rodríguez, the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra, Makoto Fujimura, Juan Sanchez, Jude Tallichet, Laiwan Chung, Derek Bailey, Billy Bang, Jeanne Lee, Wadada Leo Smith, Mark Dresser, Arto Lindsay, Thurston Moore, Yo La Tengo, Mephista, Eugene Chadbourne, Dennis González, Matthew Shipp, and William ParkerNovember 15, 1968 ~ Contemporary classical, postmodern, experimental, electronic composer, film composer, producer Marcus Schmickler, also known under the moniker Pluramon, born in Cologne, West Germany ~ Member of the collective Kontakta. Released his Onea Gako solo debut album in 1993. Especially acclaimed for the 2000 Bart album, a collaborative effort with Thomas Lehn and considered one of the most impressive synth-improv albums of all time
November 15, 1968 ~ Russell Tyrone Jones, commonly known as hip hop, hardcore hip hop rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, which rose to fame with their 1993 Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) debut album. Jones, known for his outrageously profane free-associative rhymes, would record four albums with the band until his death of an accidental overdose at age 35. Jones has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1995's Return To The 36 Chambers which spawned the modest hits Brooklyn Zoo and Shimmy Shimmy Ya ~ Jones passed away in 2004November 15, 1967 ~ Indie rock drummer, guitarist, singer Andrew Scott, full name Andrew Walter Gibson Scott, born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Best known as drummer, occasional singer for Sloan, for whom he also write 500 Up, People Of The Sky and I've Gotta Try. Has previously worked with No Damn Fears and Oreo Reversed
November 15, 1967 ~ Earl Tywone Stevens, commonly known as rapper E-40, born in Vallejo, California, USA ~ Founding member of rap group the Click. As a solo artist first gained serious attention with his 1995 In A Major Way album. Has collaborated with Too $hort, B-Legit, Suga T, Nate Dogg, Kokane, Fabolous, Keak da Sneak, T-Pain, Lil' Jon, Akon, Shawty Lo, iamsu, Chris Brown, BoB, Snoop Dogg, Baby Bash, Xzibit, G-Eazy, Big Sean, and Flo Rida
November 15, 1967 ~ Reynaldo Jose Gregorio Lugo Palma, commonly known as afrobeat, afrofunk, boogaloo, electronic singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Ray Lugo born in Caracas, Venezuela ~ Sings in both Spanish and English. Known for his eclectic range. Fronted the Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra and the Boogaloo Destroyers. Also recorded as a solo artist, starting with his We Walk Around Like This debut album in 2012, and collaborated with numerous artists notably percussionist Roberto Roena, Fünf Sterne Deluxe, King Chango, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Bosq
November 15, 1966 ~ Charles Pertum, commonly known as country blues singer, songwriter Charlie Specks McFadden, passed away in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Best known for his 1930 song Groceries On The Shelf (Piggly Wiggly). Has worked with Roosevelt Sykes and Lonnie Johnson ~ Pertum was born in 1895
November 15, 1963 ~ Alternative country, pop, rock guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, drummer Jay Bennett, full name Jay Walter Bennett, born in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as member of Wilco from 1994 to 2001. Also a member of 1990s outfit Titanic Love Affair, guested on albums by Sheryl Crow, Allison Moorer, Sherry Rich and Billy Joe Shaver, produced recordings by Michelle Anthony, West Of Rome and Blues Traveler, and released several solo albums starting with 2002's The Palace At 4AM (Part I) ~ Bennett passed away in 2009November 15, 1961 ~ Comedian, keyboardist, arranger Diederik van Vleuten, full name Diederik Jan Hielke van Vleuten, born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Best known as a comedian. As a musician worked with Acda & De Munnik, playing keyboards and co-arranging the duo's first two albums namely eponymous Acda & de Munnik and Zwerf On
November 15, 1960 ~ Pop singer, actress Bea van der Maat, full name Béatrice Marguerite van der Maat, born in Ghent, Belgium ~ Fronted Won Ton Ton, known for their 1988 I Lie And I Cheat hit single. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing her Thin-Skinned debut album in 1988, guested with the LSP Band and the Belpop Bastards, ventured into acting, and hosted several TV shows ~ Van der Maat passed away in 2023
November 15, 1960 ~ Karen Valencia Clark, commonly known as gospel singer, songwriter Karen Clark Sheard, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Cited as influence by Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, SWV, Jovan Lacroix, Blu Cantrell, Lil' Mo, Missy Elliott, Kelly Price, Kanye West, and Fantasia. Member of gospel sibling outfit the Clark Sisters. Mother of singer, actress Kierra Sheard. Releaseed her acclainmed solo debut, Finally Karen, in 1997
November 15, 1960 ~ R&B singer Keith Washington born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for the Grammy Award-winning single Kissing You, a Billboard R&B charttopper in 1991. Other well known songs include Are You Still In Love With Me, Make Time For Love, Bring It On and the Kylie Minogue-duet If You Were With Me Now
November 15, 1958 ~ Rock, power pop, mod revival guitarist, songwriter David Cairns, full name David Anthony Cairns, born in Walthamstow, UK ~ Member of New Hearts. Member of Secret Affair, co-founded with bandmate Ian Page. Carines wrote some of the band's biggest hits including Time For Action, My World and Sound Of Confusion. Cairns subsequently worked with the Flag, and Walk On Fire
November 15, 1957 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion guitarist, bandleader Kevin Eubanks, full name Kevin Tyronne Eubanks born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Brother of trombonist Robin Eubanks and trumpeter Duane Eubanks. Worked with Art Blakey's the Jazz Messengers, Roy Haynes, Slide Hampton, Sam Rivers, Stanley Jordan, Steve Arrington, Urszula Dudziak, Kirk Lightsey, Billy Hart, Oliver Lake, Meredith D'Ambrosio, Mike Gibbs, Greg Osby, Steve Coleman, Harold Mabern, Jean-Luc Ponty, Dianne Reeves, Terri Lyne Carrington, Carmen Lundy, and Orrin EvansNovember 15, 1956 ~ Singer Maj Britt Andersen born in Ostre Toten, Norway ~ Sister of singer, actress Inger Lise Rypdal. Married to bassist, producer Geir Holmsen. Member of soul group Chipahua. Critically acclaimed for her 1987 Folk Er Rare solo album
November 15, 1955 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist, singer Joe Leeway, full name Joseph Martin Leeway, born in Islington, UK ~ Key member of Thompson Twins, alongside Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie, known for songs such as In The Name Of Love, Love On Your Side, We Are Detective, Hold Me Now, and Doctor Doctor
November 15, 1955 ~ Jazz bassist Neil Swainson born in Victoria, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Sonny Stitt, Paul Horn, Tommy Flanagan, Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert, Slide Hampton, James Moody, Jay McShann, Moe Koffman, Lee Konitz, Joe Farrell, George Coleman, Woody Shaw, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Diana Krall, Robert Farnon, Mel Tormé, and Walter Norris
November 15, 1954 ~ Power pop, jangle pop guitarist, singer, producer Mitch Easter, full name Mitchell Blake Easter, born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA ~ Fronted 1980s outfit Let's Active. Co-produced the early REM albums Murmur and Reckoning with Don Dixon. Has also served as producer for acts such as Richard Barone, the X-Teens, Game Theory, the Connells, the Washington Squares, Lave Love, Loud Family, Velvet Crush, Pavement, Mary Prankster, and Birds Of Avalon
November 15, 1954 ~ Contemporary Christian guitarist Randy Thomas born in Denison, Texas, USA ~ Member of the Sweet Comfort Band. Co-founding member of Allies. Staff writer for Universal Music. Co-wrote Butterfly Kisses with Bob Carlisle, recorded by the latter for his Butterfly Kisses (Shades Of Grace) album released in 1997. Others who have recorded his songs include the Raybon Brothers, Dolly Parton, Highway 101, Collin Raye, and Lila McCann
November 15, 1954 ~ Anthony Terrence Thompson, commonly known as drummer Tony Thompson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Cited by Dave Grohl as an inspiration. Drummed with Labelle and briefly with soul, disco outfit Ecstasy Passion & Pain before rising to fame as member of Chic, a band known for quintessential disco hits such as Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah), Le Freak, and Good Times. Member of supergroup Power Station, noted for their 1985 eponymous The Power Station album. Thompson can also be heard on albums by Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, David Bowie (Let's Dance), Madonna (Like A Virgin), Mick Jagger, and Rod Stewart ~ Thompson passed away in 2003November 15, 1953 ~ R&B, funk, soul singer Alexander O'Neal born in Natchez, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for a number of 1980s and 1990s recordings including If You Were Here Tonight, Fake, Criticize, The Lovers, What Can I Say To Make You Love Me, The Christmas Song, All True Man, Love Makes No Sense, In The Middle. Has duetted with Cherrelle on A Saturday Love and Never Knew Love Like This
November 15, 1952 ~ Singer Antonella Ruggiero born in Genova, Italy ~ Co-founded Matia Bazar, which also included Piero Cassano, Aldo Stellita, Giancarlo Golzi and Carlo Marrale, known for songs such as Ma Perché, Solo Tu, Stasera Che Sera, Mister Mandarino, and perhaps their best known Tio Sento
November 15, 1952 ~ Ambient, avant-garde, electronic turntablist, bassist, composer Philip Jeck born ~ Has been experimenting with electronics and turntablism since the 1980s, early on in his career focusing mostly on his work with dance and theatre companies including notably collaborating with Laurie Booth. As a recording artist known for a number of 1990s, 2000s albums including Surf, Stoke and especially acclaimed for his 2008 Sand album. Over the years Jeck has worked with the likes of Jah Wobble, Jaki Liebezeit, David Sylvian, Gavin Bryars, and Faith Coloccia ~ Jeck passed away in 2022
November 15, 1951 ~ Guitarist, bassist Frank Infante born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of Blondie, joining the band in 1977 replacing Gary Valentine. First appeared on the band's Plastic Letters. Departed the band in 1982 shortly before the band's initial disbandement. Co-wrote Victor and I Know But I Don't Know. Has also worked with Joan Jett, Stiv Bators, Sylvain Sylvain, Iggy Pop, Divinyls, and the New York Dolls