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 22, 1982 ~ Rock, glam metal, hard rock singer Sammy Hagar releases Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy, lead single off his Three Lock Box album ~ Although up to this point in his career Sammy Hagar had already made a name for himself, recording two acclaimed albums fronting Montrose, and had recorded half a dozen albums as a solo artist, he had yet to score a major hit. The self-penned Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy would become Hagar's only solo Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit, peaking at No.13 in its twelfth week on the charts. Keith Olsen, sole producer on the Three Lock Box parent album, had previously worked on albums for acts such as the James Gang, Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner (Double Vision), the Babys, Pat Benatar, and Rick Springfield (Working Class Dog). As a solo artist, Hagar would reach top 40 only a few more times, Two Sides Of Love and I Can't Drive 55 in 1984, and Give To Live in 1987, yet he would become well known as lead singer for Van Halen, with whom he recorded four albums starting with 5150, all of which would top the Billboard Hot 200 album charts
November 22, 1982 ~ DJ, producer, remixer Steve Angello born in Athens, Greece ~ First gained serious attention in 2007 co-writing and co-producing David Guetta's When The Light, a dance hit across Europe with top 20 positions in France and the Netherlands. Scored a hit the following year with a dance remake of Show Me Love collaborating with Laidback Luke and featuring original singer Robin S who re-recorded the vocal parts. Later the same year teamed up with Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso to form the house supergroup Swedish House Mafia. The trio would score a number of international dance hits throughout the 2010s, 2012's Don't You Worry Child a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit while One (Your Name), Miami 2 Ibiza and Antidote would do well across Europe
November 22, 1981 ~ Pop singer, keyboardist Ben Adams, full name Benjamin Edward Stephen Adams, born ~ Internationally perhaps best for forming the duo Subwoolfer with Gaute Ormåsen, the pair representing Norway at the 2022 Eurovision Songfestival where they reached 6th place with Give That Wolf A Banana. Previously Adams had been a member of British boy band A1, known for the early 2000s UK hits Take On Me and Same Old Brand New You. Adams released his solo debut album All Wrapped Up in 2019November 22, 1980 ~ Earl Anthony Robinson, commonly known as reggae DJ General Echo, passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ One of the first reggae DJ's to introduce risqué lyrics. Best known for songs such as Drunken Master and Arleen. Shot to death by police in Kingston. The incident has never been satisfactory explained ~ Robinson was born in 1955
November 22, 1980 ~ Mary Jane West, commonly known as actress, singer, playwright, screenwriter Mae West, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Active as a vaudeville and stage entertainer before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film industry. Would go on to become one of the most popular, as well as one of the most controversial, sex symbols of her day. Following her career as a movie actress would return to performing on stage, write plays, and record a number of rock & roll albums ~ West was born in 1893November 22, 1980 ~ Frank Boder, commonly known as drummer Uffe Baadh, passed away in Brisbane, California, USA ~ Emigrated to the USA in 1947 to play with big bandleaders such as Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, and Claude Thornhill. Has also played with Alice Babs, Thore Ehrling, Rolf Ericson, George Vernon, Carl Henrik Norin, Stan Hasselgard, Red Callender, Benny Goodman, and Elvis Presley ~ Baadh was born in 1923
November 22, 1978 ~ Karen Lee Orzolek, commonly known as alternative rock, art rock, indie rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Karen O born in Busan, South Korea ~ Lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, known for songs such Maps, Gold Lion, Zero, Heads Will Roll, and Sacrilege. Released a solo debut album, Crush Songs, in 2014. Has also worked with the Flaming Lips, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Spike Jonze, and Danger MouseNovember 22, 1977 ~ Ore Magnus Lawson, commonly known as rapper Lil' O, born in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Original member of DJ Screw-led Screwed Up Click, a Houston-based collective pivotal to the development of Southern rap. Has also recorded as a solo artist, best known for his 2001 Da Fat Rat Wit Da Cheeze album
November 22, 1976 ~ Guitarist Alex Grossi born in South Windsor, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known as guitarist of Quiet Riot and Hookers & Blow. Also worked with Angry Salad, Star 64, Bang Tango, Beautiful Creatures, Hotel Diablo, Ignite, Adler's Appetite, Dizzy Reed, and Liberty & Justice
November 22, 1976 ~ Gothic rock, heavy metal singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Ville Valo born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Influenced by Kiss, Type-O Negative, Faith No More, Black Sabbath. Best known as co-founding member, lead singer of HIM from its inception in 1991 until its disbandement in 2017. Has also worked with the Agents, the 69 Eyes, Apocalyptica, and MGTNovember 22, 1971 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal guitarist, singer Rowan Robertson, full name Rowan Wingate Robertson, born in Cambridge, UK ~ Shot to fame in the late 1980s, recruited to replace Craig Goldy in Dio at a mere 17 years of age and present on the 1990 Lock Up The Wolves album. Would go on to work with VAST, DC4, Heaven, AM Radio, Violet's Demise, the Sin City Sinners, and Bang Tango
November 22, 1971 ~ Edward Elzear Confrey, commonly known as pianist, songwriter Zez Confrey, passed away in Lakewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for penning Kitten On The Keys, first recorded by Lindsay McPhail in 1921. The song reportedly was inspired by a kitten walking on his grandmother's piano, and has been recorded by over 50 artists including Confrey, Frankie Carle, Dick Hyman, and Claude Bolling. Other well known songs written by Confrey include My Pet (Confrey, Russ Morgan, Arthur Kleiner), You Tell 'Em Ivories (Confrey, VI Palmer, Harold Willoughby), Stumbling (Nathan Glantz, Paul Whiteman, Bob Crosby), and Dizzy Fingers (Confrey, Benny Goodman, Henri René) ~ Confrey was born in 1895November 22, 1969 ~ Pop, folk pop singer, songwriter Patricia Kelly, full name Maria Patricia Kelly, born in Garmonal, Spain ~ Member of internationally successful family outfit the Kelly Family. Has recorded as a solo artist during the band's hiatus, notably her It Is Essential album released in 2010
November 22, 1968 ~ Tyruss Gerald Himes, commonly known as rapper Big Syke, born in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Best known for his association with hip-hop groups Thug Life and Outlawz. Also known under the moniker Mussolini. Present on Tupac Shakur's Picture Me Rollin', All Eyez On Me and Check Out Time of Shakur's 1996 All Eyez On Me album. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of DJ Ripley, C-Bo, Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Knight Owl, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and Young Noble ~ Himes passed away in 2016November 22, 1968 ~ Singer, songwriter Heather Eatman born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Gifted storyteller. Signed by John Prine. Released her Mascara Falls debut album on Prine's Oh Boy Records label in 1995 and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Has opened for the likes of Billy Bragg, John Hiatt, the Crash Test Dummies, and Rosanne Cash. Parallel to her music career has also worked steadily in journalism
November 22, 1967 ~ Hard rock, symphonic metal bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Dennis Ward born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Best known as bassist, co-founding member of Pink Cream 69 and of Unisonic. Has also worked with DC Cooper, Missa Mercuria, Place Vendome, Khymera, Sunstorm, Bob Catley, Panorama, Gus G, Adagio, Angra, Tribuzy, the Bassinvaders, Beverly Killz, Edu Falaschi, the Dezperadoz, and Magnum
November 22, 1966 ~ Pop rock bassist, guitarist Charlie Colin born in Newport Beach, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Train, with whom he recorded three albums prior to being fired from the band for substance abuse. Present on the albums Train, Drops Of Jupiter, and My Private Nation. During his tenure with the band, they scored their first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me) peaking at No.5, the song also winning a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. Upon hearing of his death, Train issued a statement describing Colin as the sweetest guy, fondly remembered for his technical prowess and contributions to the band, saying Colin's unique bass playing helped the band get noticed in San Francisco, California, and beyond, adding: “You're a legend, Charlie. Go charm the pants off those angels” ~ Colin passed away in 2024November 22, 1966 ~ DJ, producer Satoshi Tomiie born in Tokyo, Japan ~ At the forefront of house music. Known for his 1989 single Tears, a collaboration with Frankie Knuckles, considered a one of house music's most important early recordings. Has worked with Ryuichi Sakamoto. Has remixed for pop and rock's biggest names including U2, Mariah Carey, Photek, the Simple Minds and David Bowie
November 22, 1965 ~ Heavy metal, progressive rock singer Ronny Munroe born in Tacoma, Washington, USA ~ Fronted the Metal Church from 2003 until the band folded in 2009, rejoining a reformed Church in 2012. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with Lillian Axe, the Presto Ballet (Invisible Places), and with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
November 22, 1965 ~ Senen Reyes, commonly known as rapper Sen Dog, born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba ~ Co-founding member of rap group Cypress Hill, best known for the 1993 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Insane In The Brain. Lead singer of metal outfit Powerflo. Brother of rapper Mellow Man Ace, with whom he also worked under the moniker the Reyes Brothers. Also worked with SX-10, Delinquent Habits, Everlast, and the Kottonmouth Kings
November 22, 1964 ~ Roberto Andrés Pandolfo, commonly known as rock, pop rock, tango singer, guitarist Palo Pandolfo, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Fronted 1980s post-punk band Don Cornelio y La Zona. Fronted Los Visitantes in the 1990s. Subsequently active as a solo artist, releasing his A Traves De Los Sueños debut album in 2001 ~ Pandolfo passed away in 2021
November 22, 1963 ~ Latin jazz percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo, also known as Manenguito, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA ~ Worked with the Batacumbele Band, Changuito, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, Bola Abimbola, Sikiru Adepoju, Art Blakey, Muruga Booker, Jack Bruce, Don Byron, Candido Camero, D'Angelo, Paulinho Da Costa, Steve Gadd, Sammy Hagar, Kip Hanrahan, Zakir Hussain, Cassius Khan, Airto Moreira, Charlie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Paul Simon, Carlos Valdés, Flora Purim, and Gloria Estefan
November 22, 1962 ~ Guitarist Jim Matheos born in Westfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as guitarist, primary songwriter, sole constant member of progressive metal outfit Fates Warning, recording over a dozen albums with the band starting in the mid-1980s. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with First Impressions in 1993, and collaborated with OSI, Gordian Knot, John Arch, Memories Of Machines, Tuesday The Sky
November 22, 1961 ~ Classical pianist, composer Stephen Hough, full name Stephen Andrew Hill Gough, born in Heswall, UK ~ Renowned pianist with over 60 albums to his name, perhaps most notably a 2004 set of Sergei Rachmaninoff's four Piano Concertos. As a composer known for works such as Second Piano Sonata, Cello Sonata and Missa Mirablis, the latter recorded in 2015 by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton
November 22, 1959 ~ Samuel M Levine, commonly known as singer, lyricist Sam M Lewis, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as a songwriter, lyricist. Co-wrote Rock-a-bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody, first recorded by the Jockers Brothers in 1918 and covered by about an estimated hundred artists including Sam Butera, Johnny Maddox, Russ Conway, and Aretha Franklin. Co-wrote Dinah, first recorded by the Revelers in 1925 and covered by over three hundred artists including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Bill Haley. Other songs co-written by Lewis have been recorded by Marion Harris, Zez Confrey, Blossom Seeley, Sam Lanin (Five Foot Two Eyes Of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Girl)), Paul Whiteman, Guy Lombardo, Paul Robeson, Billie Holiday (That's Life I Guess), and Sam Donahue ~ Levine was born in 1885