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.
September 22, 1971 ~ Progressive rock, progressive metal, Christian rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Ted Leonard born in Arcadia, California, USA ~ Influenced by Paul Rodgers, Jellyfish, Yes, Tears For Fears and Steve Perry. Best known as lead singer of neo-progressive rock outfit Enchant. Has also worked with Spock's Beard, Thought Chamber, Xen, Affector, Andrew Gorczyca, Transatlantic, Neal Morse, and with the Pattern-Seeking Animals
September 22, 1970 ~ Garage rock, indie rock, punk rock, post-punk singer, guitarist, bassist Dave Hernandez, full name Yanul David Hernandez Campos LaBastida Barreras, born in Guadalajara, Mexico ~ Best known as a member of indie rock outfit the Shins, notably present on the acclaimed albums Oh Inverted World and Chutes Too Narrow. Has also worked with the Intelligence, and Scared Of ChakaSeptember 22, 1969 ~ Bassist, singer Matt Sharp, full name Matthew Kelly Sharp, born in Arlington, Virginia, USA ~ Co-founding member of alternative rock band Weezer, present on the albums Weezer (Blue Album) and Pinkerton. Founder, frontman, sole constant member of the Rentals, releasing the albums The Return Of The Rentals and Seven More Minutes before disbanding by the end of the 1990s
September 22, 1967 ~ Pop punk singer, guitarist, songwriter Parry Gripp born in Santa Barbara, California, USA ~ Frontman of pop punk outfit Nerf Herder, who describe their music as geek rock and best known for the 1997 single Van Halen and for composing the theme song to the TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer. As a solo artist Gripp is known for fake jingles, notably his 2005 For Those About To Shop We Salute You, novelty songs and children's music
September 22, 1966 ~ R&B singer, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter, producer Keith Martin, full name Keith Eric Martin, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Influenced by the Jackson 5, Prince, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Stevie Wonder as well as jazz and funk. Close longtime friend of Johnny Gill, Stacy Lattisaw and Kenny Lattimore. Member of local group Masquerade which also included D'Extra Wiley of future II D Extreme fame. Backed MC Hammer on the Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em and Too Legit To Quit world tours. As a solo artist first gained attention with Never Find Someone Like You, featured in the Bad Boys soundtrack. Would release his full-length It's Long Overdue debut album the following year, in 1995, and has recorded to mixed succes since ~ Martin passed away in 2022September 22, 1966 ~ R&B, acid jazz, hip hop, dance singer, drummer N'dea Davenport born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for the Brand New Heavies. Released a sole eponymous album, N'Dea Davenport, in 1998. In-demand session vocalist, worked with Mark Ronson, Louie Vega, Roger Sanchez, Guru's Jazzmatazz, Madonna, Natalie Merchant, Mos Def, Sly & Robbie, J Dilla, Malcolm McLaren, Bootsy Collins, Daniel Lanois, Dallas Austin, and the Gun Gun Boys
September 22, 1965 ~ R&B group the Miracles release My Girl Has Gone, lifted off their Going To A Go-Go album ~ Issued as the follow-up to the million-seller The Tracks Of My Tears, the plaintive My Girl Has Gone would peak at No.3 Billboard R&B, making it their third of four consecutive top 10 hits on said chart off their Going To A Go-Go album. The song, written by group members Smokey Robinson, Ronald White, Warren Pete Moore and Marvin Tarplin, tells of a lover who has gone, but no need to worry as surely there will come another as voiced in the lyrics: “My girl has gone, and said goodbye. Don't you cry, hold your head up high. Don't give up, give love one more try. 'Cause there's a right girl for every guy”September 22, 1965 ~ Guitarist Tim Jeffs, full name Timothy James Jeffs, born in Rockville, Maryland, USA ~ Early member of White Zombie, notably present on songs such as Slaughter The Grey, Follow Wild, Rain Insane, Paradise Fireball, and Red River Flow. Jeffs is also an illustrator, known for ink drawings of animals and several volumes of colouring books, calenders, notecards, and a puzzle. His work consists mainly of endangered species and he has joined several conservation groups to promote animal protection and awareness
September 22, 1964 ~ Rock keyboardist Brian Kehew born ~ Formed the Moog Cookbook with keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr, known for the mid 1990s albums The Moog Cookbook and Ye Olde Space Bande recreating well known songs using vintage keyboard synthesizers. Co-authored Recording The Beatles (The Studio Equipment And Techniques To Create Their Classic Albums), a well-received documentation of the personnel, equipment, and processes involved in the Beatles studio work. In-demand producer, engineer, mixer. Co-produced Fiona Apple's 2005 Extraordinary Machine album. Has also worked with artists such as Eels, Eleni Mandell, Aimee Mann, Matthew Sweet, Prick, Beck, and Jon Brion
September 22, 1964 ~ Avant-garde jazz, free jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Ken Vandermark born in Warwick, Rhode Island, USA ~ Inventive and adventurous reedist, fixture on the Chicago scene since the 1990s. As a leader especially acclaimed for 1999's Burn The Incline and 2001's Acoustic Machine, both recorded with Vandermark 5. As a member or sideman present on albums by Syl Johnson, the NRG Ensemble, the Flying Luttenbachers (Constructive Destruction), the Denison-Kimball Trio, DKV Trio, Caffeine, Pinetop Seven (Rigging The Toplights), Peter Brötzmann, Superchunk, Simon Joyner (The Lousy Dance), Misha Mengelberg, Witches & Devils, the Sinister Luck Ensemble, Paal Nilssen-Love, Mats Gustafsson, Bridge 61, Fireroom, Barry Guy, and Ivo PerelmanSeptember 22, 1962 ~ Cellist, conductor Maureen May born in Sanborn, Iowa, USA ~ Co-founder and artistic director of the Metropolitan Area Youth Orchestra. Also worked with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bach Festival Orchestra, as well as with pop, rock stars such as Jimmy Page, Harry Connick Jr, Donny Osmond, and Smokey Robinson. Married to conductor Jonathan May, with whom she has four children
September 22, 1961 ~ Keyboardist, flutist Kofi Burbridge born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Brother of bassist Oteil Burbridge, who cited Kofi as his biggest influence. Best known as member of Derek Trucks Band and of the Tedeschi-Trucks Band. Has also worked with Trey Anastasio's Surrender To The Air, Naked Jazz, Frogwings, and with the Aquarium Rescue Unit ~ Burbridge passed away in 2019
September 22, 1958 ~ Opera, classical, crossover pop singer, songwriter, producer Andrea Bocelli born in Lajatico, Italy ~ Best known for his crossover classical albums and collaborations with classical, pop, R&B artists including Céline Dion (The Prayer), Christina Aguilera (Somos Novios (It's Impossible)), Marco Borsato (Because We Live), Gianna Nannina (Ama Credi E Vai), Laura Pausini (Dare To Live (Vivere)), Mary J Blige (What Child Is This), Ariana Grande (E Piu Ti Penso), Ed Sheeran (Perfect Symphony), Dua Lipa (If Only), and Ellie Goulding (Return To Love)
September 22, 1958 ~ Joan Marie Larkin, commonly known as rock, hard rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Joan Jett born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Mezzo-soprano rock singer. Feminist icon. Sometimes referred to as “the Queen of Rock & Roll” and “the Godmother of Punk”. Founded all-female rock outfit the Runaways, known for the 1976 hit single Cherry Bomb. Best known for fronting Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, scoring hits such as Bad Reputation, Crimson And Clover, Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah), Light Of Day, I Hate Myself For Loving You, Dirty Deeds and her best known I Love Rock 'n Roll, the latter a Billboard No.1 hit in 1982
September 22, 1957 ~ Post-punk, alternative rock, gothic rock singer, pianist, songwriter Nick Cave, full name Nicholas Edward Cave, born in Wangaretta, Australia ~ Critically acclaimed with a devout cult following. Helped inspire gothic rock. First gained attention in the late 1970s fronting the Birthday Party, by the mid-1980s using the Bad Seeds as his regular backing band. Cave's music is characterised by its dark undertone, often touching on topics such as death, religion, love and violence. Known for songs such as The Mercy Seat, From Her To Eternity, the Kylie Minogue-duet Where The Wild Roses Grow and As I Sat Sadly By Her Side. Cave has also ventured into acting and is an acclaimed authorSeptember 22, 1957 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Rune Kristoffersen born ~ Co-founding member of new wave, pop outfit Fra Lippo Lippi, known for 1980s hits such as Shouldn't Have To Be Like That, Everytime I See You and Light And Shade. The band's 1987 studio album, Light And Shade released in 1987, was produced by Walter Becker
September 22, 1956 ~ Jazz, avant-garde, classical clarinetist David Krakauer born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Joined the Klezmatics in 1988. Has also worked with Klezmer Madness, rapper Socalled, Fred Wesley, Ofer Ben-Amots, the Emerson String Quartet, Kathleen Tagg, the Kronos Quartet, Ancestral Groove, Anthony Coleman, Dobrek Bistro, and White Willow
September 22, 1956 ~ Pop, country, Christian singer Debby Boone, full name Deborah Anne Boone, born in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for her 1977 hit You Light Up My Life. Also known for country hits such as Are You On The Road To Loving Me Again and a number of Christian albums, including the 1980 Grammy Award-winning With My Song. Daughter of singer-actor Pat Boone and has recorded with her siblings as the Boones, scoring modest hits with the Supremes-cover When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes and the ABBA-cover Hasta MañanaSeptember 22, 1953 ~ Glam rock, hard rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist Gary Holton, full name Gary Frederick Holton, born in London, UK ~ Sang with the Sadler's Wells Opera in his early teens. Featured in a touring production of the musical Hair in his late teens. Best known as frontman of glam rock outfit Heavy Metal Kids, with whom he recorded three albums including the highly acclaimed eponymous Heavy Metal Kids debut album. The band bridged the gap between the gap between glam rock and punk, which made them a critics darling, yet they would never become a household name. Subsequently, Holton has worked with Casino Steel in the early 1980s, and ventured into acting. Holton would die of an overdose at age 33 ~ Holton passed away in 1985
September 22, 1953 ~ Singer Shirley Jones born ~ One third of sibling outfit the Jones Girls, alongside Brenda Jones and Valorie Jones. Served as backup singers for Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin, Linda Clifford, and Tower Of Power. On their own they would score a number of modest hits on Billboard's R&B charts from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s including You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else, Dance Turned Into Romance and I Just Love The Man. As a solo artist Shirley would score an R&B hit wih Do You Get Enough Love, written by Bunny Sigler and produced by Kenny Gamble, taken of her Always In The Mood debut album
September 22, 1951 ~ Blues, R&B, jazz guitarist, singer, songwriter Bobby Radcliff born in Washington DC, USA ~ Influenced by Paul Butterfield, James Burton, Don Rich, Steve Cropper, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, the Rolling Stones. Member of the Yarbs. Member of the Northside Blues Band. House musician at Lone Star Café. Debuted as a solo artist with the 1984 Early In The Morning album and has recorded to critical acclaim since
September 22, 1951 ~ Singer David Coverdale born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, UK ~ Acclaimed for his blues-infused voice. Lead singer of Deep Purple from 1973 through 1976, first appearing on the 1974 Burn album. Lead singer of Whitesnake from 1978 through 1990, present on the band's best known including Here I Go Again and Is This Love. Collaborated with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page on the 1993 Coverdale & Page album, which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic as well as a RIAA platinum status
September 22, 1950 ~ Kirill Babitzin, commonly known as rock, hard rock, pop singer Kirka, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ One of the most popular Finnish rock, pop singers with a career spanning four decades starting in the late 1960s. Has worked with the Creatures, Danny & the Islanders (Hetki Iyo), the Blues Section, Mosaic, and Sarcofagus. His 1988 Surun Pyyhit Silmistani solo album would become one of the best-selling albums in Finnish pop, rock history. Outside Scandinavia perhaps best known for representing Finland at the 1984 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 9th place with the song Henaillaan ~ Babitzin was born in 2007
September 22, 1947 ~ Vanusa Santos Flores, mononymously known as pop rock singer Vanusa, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Exponent of the jovem guardia movement, a genre of Brazilian music emerging in the 1960s heavily influenced by both American rock & roll and British invasion. Well over a dozen albums to her name starting with her 1968 eponymous Vanusa debut album ~ Flores passed away in 2020
September 22, 1946 ~ Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, commonly known as juju, pop singer, songwriter King Sunny Adé, born in Oshogbo, Nigeria ~ One of the first African pop musicians to gain international accclaim, starting in the early 1980s. Introduced the use of western instruments such as guitar, steel guitar, clarinet and vibraphone to juju music. Paved the way for other world musicians such as Youssou n'Dour and Salif Kreita. Collaborated with Western musicians such as Stevie Wonder. Well known for the albums Juju Music, Synchro System and Odu