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 4, 1968 ~ Grime, neo-soul ringer Cleo, full name Cleopatra Humphrey, born in London, UK ~ Also known under the moniker Mz Bratt. As a solo artist known for Who Do You Think You Are, I Like You, and Selecta. Has worked with Selah, Fugative, and Tinchy Stryder
November 4, 1968 ~ Glam metal, hard rock guitarist Stacey Blades, full name Stacey David Blades, born in Calgary, Canada ~ Perhaps best known for his association with the LA Guns through 2012, appearing on the albums Rips The Covers Off, Takes From The Strip, Covered In Guns, Hollywood Forever. Has also worked with Fraidy Katt, the Roxx Gang, Supercool, and the Electric Radio Kings. Released his Symphonic Slam solo debut album in 2009
November 4, 1965 ~ Hard rock, power metal, rock, funk singer, guitarist, trumpeter, songwriter Jeff Scott Soto born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Sam Cooke, Steve Perry, Freddie Mercury. Best known as lead vocalist on Yngwie Malmsteen's first two albums. Briefly a member of Journey. Member of SOTO, Sons Of Apollo, WET, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and most notably Talisman
November 4, 1963 ~ Latin pop, flamenco singer, actress Rosario Flores, full name Rosario del Carmen González Flores, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Daughter of flamenco guitarist El Pescaílla and singer Lola Flores. Sister of singers Lolita Flores and Antonio Flores. Best known for her 2002 album Muchas Flores and its 2004 follow-up De Mil Colores, both of which were awarded a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Album
November 4, 1961 ~ Pop, rock drummer René van Collem born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Best known as Doe Maar drummer appearing on the album Doris Day En Andere Stukken. Also worked with Spargo, Powerplay, Sjako, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Herman Brood, Total Touch, Tiësto, and Candy Dulfer
November 4, 1959 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, percussionist Dejan Cukic born in Belgrade, Serbia ~ Best known as frontman, lead singer of late 1970s, early 1980s new wave outfit Bulevar. Subsequently worked with Bajagi I Instruktori and as a solo artist, releasing his Spori Ritam debut album in 1987
November 4, 1957 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist Najee, full name Jerome Najee Rasheed, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Yusef Lateef, Joe Henderson, Grover Washington Jr, Ronnie Laws, Hubert Laws, and James Galway. Toured backing artists such as Ben E King, Chaka Khan, and Freddie Jackson. Debuted as a solo artist in 1986 with the album Najee's Theme. Has been recording steadily since working with producers such as Barry Eastmond, Arif Mardin, George Duke, Marcus Miller, Wayne Brathwaite. Has recorded or performed with artists including Prince, Patti LaBelle, Phyllis Hyman, Vesta Williams, Jeffrey Osborne, Stanley Clarke, Larry Carlton, Billy Cobham, Charles Earland, Paul Jackson Jr, Phil Perry, Meli'sa Morgan, Brian Bromberg, Frank McComb, James Lloyd, Chuck Jackson, Herbie Hancock, Sheila E, Patrice Rushen, and Quincy JonesNovember 4, 1956 ~ Guitarist James Honeyman-Scott born in Hereford, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Pretenders. Present on the band's first two albums, 1979's The Pretenders and 1981's The Pretenders II which include some of the band's best known including Brass In Pocket, Message Of Love and I Go To Sleep ~ Honeyman-Scott passed away in 1982
November 4, 1954 ~ Guitarist, lyricist, songwriter Chris Difford, full name Christopher Henry Difford, born in Greenwich, UK ~ Founding member of Squeeze, known for songs such as Cool For Cats, Up The Junction, Labelled With Love and Hourglass, all of which reached the British top 20November 4, 1954 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Horace Alexander Young born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Active since the early 1980s. Has guested on recordings by Bubbha Thomas, Freddy Fender, BB King, Madd Hatta, Mark Ledford, Texas Johnny Brown, Youssou n'Dour, and his wife Regina Belle, married to the latter from 1985 to 1990. As a solo artist known for his Acoustic Contemporary Jazz album, released in 2008
November 4, 1953 ~ Rock, pop rock, country rock singer, guitarist Van Stephenson, full name Van Wesley Stephenson, born in Hamilton, Ohio, USA ~ As a solo artist known for a number of 1980s recordings, notably You've Got A Good Love Coming, What The Big Girls Do and perhaps his best known Modern Day Delilah. Co-wrote songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Juice Newton, Restless Heart (The Bluest Eyes In Texas), Laura Branigan. Co-founded country rock band Blackhawk in 1992, known for songs such Every Once In A While, I'm Not Strong Enough To Say No and There You Have It. Stephensen left the band in 2000 for health reasons ~ Stephenson passed away in 2001November 4, 1952 ~ Keyboardist Jeff Lorber born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Herbie Hancock, the Weather Report, Chick Corea. Perhaps best known for fronting the Jeff Lorber Fusion, especially acclaimed for their 1981 Galaxian album. Over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with It's A Fact released in 1982. Member of Jazz-Funk-Soul. In-demand collaborator, working with the likes of Dave Koz, Eric Benét, Herb Alpert, Carol Duboc, and Laura Branigan
November 4, 1952 ~ Singer Perry Como records Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes ~ Written by country singer, songwriter Slim Willet who released his own version the previous October. Produced by Eli Oberstein Perry Como's pop cover would become the best known version, topping charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Other early versions were recorded by Red Foley, Ray Price, Skeets McDonald. Over time it would also be recorded by artists as diverse as Gisele MacKenzie, Lavern Baker, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and kd Lang
November 4, 1951 ~ Christine Carol Newby, commonly known as performance artist, guitarist, cornetist, singer Cosey Fanni Tutti, born in Hull, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member of Throbbing Gristle. After the band disbanded in 1981 Newby would form the duo Chris & Cosey with Chris Carter, the duo at times also performing and recording under the names Carter Tutti and Carter Tutti VoidNovember 4, 1950 ~ Dennis Anthony Leopold Simpson, commonly known as singer, actor Denis Simpson, born in St Ann's Bay, Jamaica ~ Original bass singer of the Nylons from 1978 through 1979, leaving the band before they became commercially successful. Best known as a an actor and TV personality, notably as the host of The Polka Dot Door TV show ~ Simpson passed away in 2010
November 4, 1949 ~ Progressive rock, hard rock, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Vittorio de Scalzi born in Genoa, Italy ~ Key figure in Italian progressive rock. Member of the Trolls and co-founder of its successor the New Trolls. The latter would breakthrough after opening for the Rolling Stones on the Italian leg of their 1967 tour. They would release their debut single Sensazione later the same year, a full-length debut album Senza Orario Senza Bandiera issued the next year. Acclaimed for their 1971 Concerto Grosso Per I New Trolls album, merging early symphonic rock with classical arrangements, and considered a landmark in Italian progressive rock. The band would continue to record and release records into the 2000s ~ De Scalzi passed away in 2022
November 4, 1948 ~ Howard Feiten, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Buzz Feiten, born ~ Replaced Elvin Bishop in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, appearing on the band's Keep On Moving album. Played lead guitar for the Rascals on the albums Peaceful World and Island Of Real, for whom he also wrote Jungle Walk. Co-founded the Larsen-Feiten Band with Neil Larsen. In-demand session musician, present on albums by Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin (Spirit In The Dark), Don McLean, Syreeta Wright, Gregg Allman, Labelle, David Sanborn, Stevie Wonder (Songs In The Key Of Life), Randy Newman, Rickie Lee Jones, Jennifer Warnes, Randy Crawford, Bette Midler (No Frills), Curtis Stigers, and Jeff Lorber
November 4, 1948 ~ Pinoy folk, pinoy rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Heber Bartolome, full name Heber Gonzalez Bartolome, born in Philippines, Philippines ~ Besides guitar also plays the jaw harp kubing and bandurria, a stringed instrument similar to the mandolin. Known for merging rock and blues with elements of Philippine folk and religious melodies. Best known for songs such as Pasahero, Almusal, Inutil Na Gising, Karaniwang Tao and probably his best known Tayo'y Mga Pinoy and Nena with his band Banyuhay ~ Bartolome passed away in 2021November 4, 1946 ~ Bluegrass banjoist Alan Munde born in Norman, Oklahoma, USA ~ Worked with the Stone Mountain Boys, Jimmy Martin, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Country Gazette, and Sam Bush
November 4, 1946 ~ William C Hancock Jr, commonly known as singer, guitarist, bassist Billy Hancock, born in Alexandria, Virginia, USA ~ Collaborated with Danny Gatton and Dave Elliott in Danny & the Fat Boys. Member of art rock group Fallen Angels. Backed musicians such as Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, Roy Buchanan, Charlie Feathers, the Clovers, Amos Milburn, Dottie West, and Jean Shepard ~ Hancock passed away in 2018
November 4, 1946 ~ Drummer David Garibaldi born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Best known as member of funk outfit Tower Of Power, active with the band from 1968 through 1980 with an ocassional hiatus here and there. Rejoined the band in 1998. Has co-written songs such as After Hours, Down To The Nightclub, East Bay, Oakland Stroke, Vuela Por Noche, You Wanna Be A Hero, and the band's best known What Is Hip. Garibaldi has also collaborated with the likes of Gino Vanelli, Wishful Thinking, Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, Boz Scaggs, the Yellowjackets, Jermaine Jackson, and Deniece WilliamsNovember 4, 1946 ~ Tomas Pacheco, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Tom Pacheco, born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA ~ Son of jazz guitarist Tony Pacheco. Briefly a member of psychedelic folk-rock outfit the Ragamuffins. Member of Euphoria. Virtually unknown in America yet enjoyed popularity in Europe. Well over 20 albums to his name, especially known for Woodstock Winter released in 1997
November 4, 1942 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Ray Columbus, full name Raymond John Patrick Columbus, born in Christchurch, New Zealand ~ Fronted Ray Columbus & the Invaders, best known for their 1964 Australian charttoppper She's A Mod, the first song by a New Zealand act to top the charts in another country. The single Where Have You Been released the following year would reach top 30. Following the band's disbandement in 1966, Columbus has recorded as a solo artist, notably known for songs such as Happy In A Sad Kind Of Way, Travelling Singing Man, and People Are People ~ Columbus passed away in 2016
November 4, 1940 ~ Singer, songwriter Delbert McClinton born in Lubbock, Texas, USA ~ Energetic blues-rocker. Known for songs such as Givin' It Up For Your Love, Every Time I Roll The Dice, Sending Me Angels, and the Tanya Tucker-duet Tell Me About It
November 4, 1938 ~ R&B, psychedelic soul, pop singer Harry Elston born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Member of the Hi-Fi's. The group also included Marilyn McCoo and Lamonte McLemore, who would later rise to fame as co-founding members of the 5th Dimension. Elston went on to co-found Friends Of Distinction, best known for their 1970 hit song Grazing In The Grass, a cover of the Hugh Masekela instrumental with lyrics added by Elston. Other well known songs include Love Or Let Me Be Lonely, I Need You, and Going In Circles. The latter, a 1969 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit for the band, would be notably covered by Isaac Hayes, the Gap Band, and Luther Vandross
November 4, 1938 ~ Blues, R&B singer Lillian Offitt, full name Lillian Etta Offitt, born in Gallatin, Tennessee, USA ~ Visited Nashboro Records aiming to make a gospel record. The label's owner, Ernie Young, persuaded her to record secular music instead, which led to her 1957 Miss You So debut single issued on Young's Excello subsidiary label. It would reach top 10 Billboard R&B. Offitt continued to record for the next few years, albeit it to lesser success. Her 1959 Will My Man Be Home Tonight, featuring Earl Hooker on guitar, became a regional hit but failed to chart nationally. Follow-up records again failed, and Offitt retired from music by the early 1960s to raise a family ~ Offitt passed away in 2020