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.
October 5, 1980 ~ Heavy metal singer, keyboardist, guitarist Joakim Brodén, also known as Jocke Brodén, born in Falun, Sweden ~ Co-founding member, lead singer for Swedish heavy metal outfit Sabaton, which he co-founded with bassist Pär Sundström in 1999. The band has recorded over a dozen albums and established themselves as a major force in power metal. They are best known for their 2010 Coat Of Arms album
October 5, 1979 ~ Singer Joe Jackson releases his I'm The Man sophomore album ~ Issued within a year of his breakthrough Look Sharp debut album, I'm The Man barely missed the top 10 in native UK, peaking at No.12 on the album charts, and reached a respectable No.22 on the American Billboard Hot 200 chart. Joe Jackson himself considered the album the best of his first three, as he would later state on his website: “This is really Part Two of Look Sharp, it was released less than a year later. I don't know how I even had the time to write and record a slightly more mature record, but I think it is, and the best of the first three.”. The singer had pushed for the frenzied and energetic title track to be the lead single, and expressed amazement it would be It's Different For Girls, the label's choice for the second single, that became the big hit. Guitarist John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls would later name I'm The Man one of the ten albums that changed his life: “It's just a brilliant record”October 5, 1978 ~ Guitarist, singer James Valentine, full name James Burgon Valentine, born in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of Square. Longtime member, lead guitarist of Maroon 5 known for hits such as This Love, Makes Me Wonder, Moves Like Jagger featuring Christina Aguilera, One More Night, Animals, Sugar, Don't Wanna Know featuring Kendrick Lamar, Girls Like You featuring Cardi B and Memories, all of which reached Billboard top 5
October 5, 1978 ~ Ricardo Bombine Pimentel, commonly known as alternative rock, experimentel rock, trip hop guitarist, bassist, mandolinist, percussionist, keyboardist, singer MC Lord Magrão, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Influenced by Nirvana, Sonic Youth, the Butthole Surfers, Tom Zé, Hermeto Pascoal, Kurt Cobain. Member of UK indie rock band Guillemots through 2013, for whom he wrote or co-wrote Get Over It, Kriss Kross and The Basket. Frequent collaborator of Xan Rojas, among others on the projects Prendedor and LUNGS. Also noted as a film composer
October 5, 1977 ~ Jacob Charles Garber, commonly known as violinist, bandleader Jan Garber, passed away in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as a bandleader whose sidemen included Chelsea Quealey, Al Powers, Bill Hearn, Bill Kleeb, Charlie Ford, Don Korinek, Don Shoup, Doug Roe, Ernie Mathias, Frank Bettencourt, Frank Mcauley, Freddie Large, Harold Peppie, Harry Goldfield, Jack Barrow, Jack Motch, Jerry Large, Joe Rhodes, Lew Palmer, Memo Bernabel, Norman Donahue, Paul Weirick, Rudy Rudisill, Russ Brown, Ted Bowman, Tony Briglia, Vince D Bari, and Walter Moore. Garber's band accompanied vocalists such as Liz Tilton, Allen Copeland, Bob Allen, Bob Grabeau, Deanna St Clair, Debby Clair, Dorothy Cordray, Fritz Heilbron, Janis Garber, Judy Randall, Larry Dean, Lee Bennett, Marv Nielsen, Roy Cordell, Thelma Grace, Tim Reardon, Tommy Traynor, and Virginia Hamilton ~ Garber passed away in 1894
October 5, 1977 ~ Vincenzo Luvineri, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Vinnie Paz, born in Agrigento, Italy ~ Best known as half of underground rap duo Jedi Mind Tricks and as frontman and founder of the Army Of The Pharaohs. Also worked with the Heavy Metal Kings. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Season Of The Assassin in 2010October 5, 1975 ~ Indie rock, punk rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist Hutch Harris born in New York, New York, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist and along with Kathy Foster constant member of the Thermals, known best for their 2006 The Body The Blood The Machine album. Following the band's disbandement in 2018 Harris released his Only Water solo debut album
October 5, 1974 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, I Honestly Love You by Olivia Newton-John hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Jeff Barry and Australian singer Peter Allen, the former already an established songwriter known for numerous hits including perhaps most notably Be My Baby by the Ronettes. Somehow, a demo of I Honestly Love You made its way to Olivia Newton-John, who immediately was enamored. Allen, however, wanted to keep the song for himself. Barry convinced him letting Olivia Newton-John record it would be a good idea, as she was sure to have a hit with it. And she did. The success of I Honestly Love You, a No.1 hit for Newton-John in several countries including Australia, Canada, and America, would be a major career booster for Allen. Allen would continue to write songs for others, including Helen Reddy, Carole Bayer Sager, the Pointer Sisters, Carly Simon, and Patti LaBelle, and as a solo singer, keyboardist would score a No.1 hit in his native Australia with I Go To Rio in 1976
October 5, 1971 ~ Benjamin F Thigpen, commonly know as jazz drummer Ben Thigpen, passed away ~ Father of drummer Ed Thigpen. Ben played with Bobby Boswell, Doc Cheatham, Charlie Elgar, J Frank Terry, and extensively with Andy Kirk. Thigpen stayed with Kirk from 1930 to 1947, alongside noted pianist, composer Mary Lou Williams, also a member of Kirk's ensemble. After 1947 Thigpen led his own quintet. He also recorded with Singleton Palmer in the 1960s ~ Thigpen was born in 1908October 5, 1970 ~ Avantgarde metal bassist Audie Pitre, full name Audie Thomas Pitre, born ~ Co-founded Acid Bath in 1991. The band is known for a bass-heavy sound merging influenes from hardcore punk, death metal, gothic rock and blues. Following Pitre's death at age 26 in a traffic collision, also killing both his parents, the band disbanded in 1997 ~ Pitre passed away in 1997
October 5, 1970 ~ Michael Crooms, commonly known as hip-hop, crunk producer Mr Collipark, born in Collage Park, Georgia, USA ~ Occasionally credited under the moniker DJ Smurf. Founded Collipark Music label in 1999. Pivotal to the careers of acts such as Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy, Taurus, Hurricane Chris, VIC and Vistoso Bosses
October 5, 1970 ~ Trevant Hardson, commonly known as hip-hop, R&B rapper, producer Slimkid3, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founding member of Pharcyde, critically acclaimed for their 1992 Bizare Ride II The Pharcyde debut album. Hardson would depart the band shortly after recording the band's 2000 Plain Rap album and released his Liberation solo debut album in 2002 featuring guest appearances from MC Lyte, Saul Williams, N'dea Davenport, and Kim Hill. Hardson has also guested on recordings by Korn, Mya, and NASA
October 5, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Tord Gustavsen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Harald Johnsen, Jarle Vespestad, Tore Brunborg, Mats Eilertsen, Kristin Asbjornsen, Silje Nergaard, Carl Petter Opsahl, Rune Arnesen, Kåre Nymark, Simin Tander, and Anna Maria Jopek
October 5, 1966 ~ Deeon Boyd, commonly known as house, ghetto house DJ DJ Deeon, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by John Rocca, Afrika Bambaataa, and Kraftwerk, first becoming interested on electronic music after listening to the latter's 1981 Computer World album. Regarded as one of the pioneers of ghetto house. Best known for his 1996 recording Freak Like Me. Other well known songs include Funk City, Bomb 96, Wicked, House-O-Matic, and The Freaks. Boyd was name mentioned in the Daft Punk track Teachers of the duo's 1997 Homework album ~ Boyd passed away in 2023October 5, 1966 ~ Jazz pianist Helio Alves born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Closely associated with Claudio Roditi. Also worked with Paul Peress, Circlechant, Santi Debriano, Rosa Passos, Airto Moreira, Maucha Adnet, Yo-Yo Ma, Joe Henderson, Paquito d'Rivera, Nilson Matta, John Pizzarelli, Gabriela Anders, Louis Hayes, and Jessica Molaskey
October 5, 1963 ~ Rolf Agrim Tekro, commonly known as guitarist Ronni Le Tekrø, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Influenced by Steve Hillage, Brian May, Jimmy Page, Brian Robertson, Jimi Hendrix, and by Ted Nugent. Best known as member of TNT. Also worked with Terje Rypdal, Mads Eriksen, Embee Normann, Vagabond, Jørn Lande, and 1349
October 5, 1961 ~ Hard bop, avant-garde trumpeter Booker Little passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Revered and influential trumpeter with an impressive resume despite a career cut short by an untimely death at 23. Leader and sideman. Influenced by Sonny Rollins and Clifford Brown, both of which he also worked with. Also worked with John Coltrane (Africa/Brass), Max Roach, Eric Dolphy (Far Cry), Johnny Griffin, Julian Priester, Don Friedman, Ron Carter, Art Davis, Teddy Charles, Slide Hampton, Bill Henderson, and Frank Strozier ~ Little was born in 1938
October 5, 1959 ~ Blues, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Kelly Joe Phelps born in Sumner, Washington, USA ~ Draws from Delta blues, jazz, folk, gospel, Americana. Influenced by Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Mississippi Fred McDowell. Acclaimed for his slide guitar technique. Debuted with the critically acclaimed Lead Me On album in 1995. Has collaborated with Paul Curreri, Jay Farrar (Sebastopol), Rory Block, Linda Tillery, Tim O'Brien, Greg Brown, Tony Furtado, Louise Taylor, and Townes Van Zandt (The Highway Kind) ~ Phelps passed away in 2022October 5, 1959 ~ Alternative country singer, songwriter Kurt Wagner born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Frontman and sole constant member of Lambchop, often inaptly described as alternative country yet drawing from a wide array of genres including post-rock, R&B and lounge. Hailed by critics as one of the most interesting 1990s bands, best known for the albums How I Quit Smoking and What Another Man Spills released respectively in 1996 and 1998
October 5, 1957 ~ Saxophonist Lee Thompson, full name Lee Jay Thompson, born in London, UK ~ Co-founded ska revival, new wave outfit Madness in 1979 with Mike Barson and Chris Foreman, remaining with the band until its disbandement in 1986. Wrote the band's debut single The Prince. Also wrote or-co-wrote Embarrassment, House Of Fun and Uncle Sam
October 5, 1953 ~ Bluegrass guitarist Jack Lawrence born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Influenced by Clarence White and Django Reinhardt. Best known for his association with Doc Watson, playing with Watson since the early 1980s. Also worked with the New Deal String Band, Frank Greathouse, the Bluegrass Alliance, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Tony Williamson, the Del McCoury Band, Curtis Burch, Dale Myer, Wayne Benson, Don Lawson, the Toneblazers, the Roustabouts, Mike Auldridge, Candlewyck, Jimmy Gaudreau, and Bryan Sutton
October 5, 1952 ~ Blues rock, hard rock, pop rock guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, singer David Lebón, full name David Oscar Lebón, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Considered one of Argentina's premier guitarists. Throughout the 1970s worked with acts such as Pappo's Blues, Pescado Rabioso, Color Humano and perhaps most notably Serú Girán. Has focused on a solo career since the early 1980s, with well over a dozen albums to his name. Has collaborated with the likes of Charly García, Luis Alberto Spinetta, Celeste Carballo and Pedro Aznar
October 5, 1952 ~ Hans Hugo Harold Faltermeyer, commonly known as songwriter, producer, singer Harold Faltermeyer born in Munich, Germany ~ Best known for scoring a hit with Axel F from the 1984 feature film Beverly Hills Cop. Also worked on the soundtracks of Top Gun and the Chevy Chase films Fletch and Fletch Lives. As a session musician, arranger and producer Faltermeyer worked with numerous pop artists including Donna Summer, Amanda Lear, Patti LaBelle, Barbra Streisand, Glenn Frey, Blondie, Laura Branigan, La Toya Jackson, Billy Idol, Jennifer Rush, Cheap Trick, Bob Seger, Bonnie Tyler, John Parr, and the Pet Shop Boys
October 5, 1951 ~ Singer, songwriter Bob Geldof, full name Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Best known as frontman of the Boomtown Rats, emerging in the late 1970s and scoring UK hits with songs such as Rat Trap and I Don't Like Mondays. As a solo artist best known the hits This Is The World Calling which he co-wrote with Eurythmics' Dave Stewart and The Great Song Of Indifference. Widely known for his activism, especially on anti-poverty, social justice and climate issues. Thriving force behind Band Aid which he co-founded with Midge Ure. Co-wrote Do They Know It's Christmas, one of the all-time best-selling singles. Organised charity concerts such as 1985's Live Aid and 2005's Live 8. Listed as one of the 100 Greatest Britons, a public poll conducted by the BBC in 2002, despite not being BritishOctober 5, 1951 ~ Flutist, music director, songwriter José Luis Cortés born in Santa Clara, Cuba ~ Birthed and named timba, the most important popular dance and music genre to come out of Cuba since the 1980s merging son with salsa, Afro-Cuban folk, as well as American funk and R&B. Best known for founding NG La Banda in the late 1980s. Has also played with jazz fusion supergroup Irakere and with songo band Los Van Van ~ Cortés passed away in 2022