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.
April 1, 2026 ~ Tzruya Lahav, commonly known as violinist, singer, actress Suki Lahav, passed away in Jerusalem, Israel ~ Best known for briefly playing with Bruce Springsteen in the mid 1970s. Lahav's husband Louis Lahav was a sound engineer working with Springsteen, and when the New Jersey singer was looking for a violinist Lahav was hired. Only a few of Lahav's cuts made it onto vinyl, yet with her frail appearance a sharp but cherished contrast to Springsteen and the rest of the band her on-stage presence was a focal point during concerts, especially during slower songs. On record, Lahav sang on the tracks Incident On 57th Street and 4th Of July Asbury Park (Sandy), overdubbing herself to form a one-woman choir on the latter when a booked children's choir failed to show up for the session. Lahav's violin playing is prominently featured in the opening of Jungleland, one of Springsteen's most cherished songs. Lahav played with Springsteen until resettling to Israel in 1975. Little is heard from Lahav through the late 1980s, as she chose to focus on raising her children, yet she reemerged in the 1990s as a successful lyricist, and later playwright and author. Lahav co-wrote Shara Barkhovot, the Israel entry for the 1990 Eurovision Songfestival performed by Rita. She also notably translated Leonard Cohen's Famous Blue Raincoat to Hebrew for Sharon Lipshitz, retitled to Meil Hageshem Ha-kahol Vemefursam. Others who have recorded songs co-written or translated by Lahav include Yehudit Ravitz, Mei Banai, and Yehuda Poliker ~ Lahav was born in 1951
April 1, 2025 ~ Jazz, soul-jazz guitarist George Freeman, full name George Thomas Freeman, passed away ~ Brother of saxophonist Von Freeman and drummer Eldridge Freeman. Influenced by T-Bone Walker and Charlie Christian. Mainstay on the Chicago jazz scene, starting in the 1940s backing artists such as Joe Morris, Tom Archia, Lester Young, and Charlie Parker. Closely associated with Richard Groove Holmes during the 1950s and 1960s, including on the acclaimed Groove album released in 1961, and with Gene Ammons during the early 1970s, including on the Black Cat album. As a leader especially known for a series of 1970s funky soul-jazz albums, perhaps most notably the live album Friday The 13th At The Cook County Jail featuring an all-star cast including organist Jimmy McGriff, Marion Booker Jr, and Cedar Walton. Following a period of relative inproductivity, Freeman resurged in the early 2000s and continued to perform and record until his death. Freeman passed away shortly before a scheduled performance in honor of his upcoming 98th birthday at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge in his native Chicago ~ Freeman was born in 1927
April 1, 2025 ~ Pop, country pop singer, songwriter Johnny Tillotson passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Known for a string of 1960s Billboard top 10 hits including Poetry In Motion, Without You, Talk Back Trembling Lips and perhaps his best known the self-penned It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin', the latter notably covered by Elvis Presley on his acclaimed 1969 From Elvis In Memphis album. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin' has also been recorded by over 50 others including Dean Martin, Eddy Arnold, Albert West, Conway Twitty, and Billy Joe Royal ~ Tillotson was born in 1938
April 1, 2025 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, fiddler, songwriter Michael Hurley passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Dubbed “the Godfather of freak folk”, Hurley emerged from the 1960s Greenwich Village scene, has earned critical acclaim and would prove influential on a wide array of younger artists including Lucinda Williams, Bonnie Prince Billy, and Yo La Tengo. Hurley is especially known for the mid to late 1970s albums Have Moicy, which featured Peter Stampfel and the Holy Modal Rounders spin-off the Unholy Modal Rounders, Long Journey, and Snockgrass. Starting in the early 1960s, Hurley has recorded well over two dozen albums yet he never fully pursued a full-time musical career, working a variety of day jobs while recording and performing on the side, as he told the Guardian in 2021: “I didn't enjoy the process of applying for gigs, that determination to penetrate things, all this trouble you had to go through. I preferred playing parties. Little gatherings.” ~ Hurley was born in 1941
April 1, 2025 ~ Rock & roll singer Wayne Handy, full name Wayne Jackson Handy, passed away in Devon, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Little Richard and Chuck Berry. Although Handy recorded only a handful of singles during the late 1950s prior to becoming disillusioned with the music business and pursuing a career in mortgage banking, Handy's songs are cherished by rock & roll aficionados to this day as some of the era's finest. A performance on a local Durham, North Carolina, TV show would lead to a record deal with the small Renown Records label, where he issued the self-penned Say Yeah as his debut single in 1957. The song would later be covered by Johnny Devlin, Sammy Salvo, and Johnny Rebb. Handy is also known for songs such as Betcha Didn't Know, Seminole Rock 'n Roll, Don't Be Unfair, and Problem Child ~ Handy was born in 1935
April 1, 2024 ~ Guitarist Michael Ward passed away ~ Co-founded School Of Fish with Josh Clayton-Felt, known for their minor hit 3 Strange Days. Perhaps best known for his work with the Wallflowers, appearing on the band's 1996 Bringing Down The Horse sophomore album, which included the Grammy Award-winning One Headlight, and its follow-up album Breach. Ward has also appeared on albums by John Hiatt (Perfectly Good Guitar), Ben Harper, Shawn Mullins, Avril Lavigne (Don't Tell Me), Shelby Lynne (Suit Yourself), Tracy Bonham, and Sara Bareilles ~ Ward was born in 1967
April 1, 2024 ~ Pop singer Sue Chaloner passed away ~ First gained attention in an early 1970s touring production of the musical Hair, which also visited the Netherlands after which the British-born Chaloner decided to stay in Amsterdam. Formed the pop duo Spooky & Sue with Iwan Groeneveld, scoring several 1970s hits in the Netherlands including the top 10 hits Swinging On A Star, You Talk Too Much, and I've Got The Need. As a solo artist, Chaloner is perhaps best known for the minor hit Don't Try To Change Me, the theme song to the Dutch film Mama Is Boos. Chaloner was married to keyboardist Hans Jansen of Spin ~ Chaloner was born in [artist-sue-chaloner]
April 1, 2023 ~ Singer, actor Dario Campeotto passed away in Frederiksberg, Denmark ~ Actively performing since his early teens. Internationally best known for representing his native Denmark at the 1961 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 5th place with Angelique. Following its success Campeotto would continue to record, as well as play in theatrical plays, operettas, revues, and films ~ Campeotto was born in 1939
April 1, 2022 ~ Fitzroy Simpson, commonly known as reggae, roots reggae singer Bunny Simpson, passed away ~ Formed reggae harmony group the Mighty Diamonds with Judge Ferguson and Tabby Shaw, best known for their 1976 The Right Time debut album. Originally recorded Pass The Kouchie in 1981, notably covered by pop-reggae outfit Musical Youth as Pass The Dutchie ~ Simpson was born in 1951
April 1, 2022 ~ William Dale Fries Jr, commonly known as singer CW McCall, passed away in Ouray, Colorado, USA ~ Best known for Convoy, a surprise hit in 1975. Fries was working as an art director in advertising and came up with the character of trucker CW McCall for a campaign for the Iowa-based Old Home Bread bakery. The advertising campaign was a huge success with viewers and earned Fries the advertising industry's prestigious Clio Award. Subsequently, Fries decided to build further upon the fictional character and decided to cut a record, Convoy co-written with Chip Davis, under the McCall moniker. The single would be a surprise hit, sold two million copies, topped both the Billboard Country and Billboard Hot 100 charts, and later inspired a film of the same name starring Kris Kristofferson. A full album, Wolf Creek Pass, would be released in 1975. Fries would re-record Convoy for the 1978 Sam Peckinpah-film, with lyrics adjusted to match the film's plot. He also released several more albums in the same vein as the single that kicked it all off. Following the financial success of Convoy, Fries was able to retire to Ouray, Colorado, where he and his family used to vacation. He would later serve three terms of two years each as mayor of the Colorado mountain town ~ Fries was born in 1928April 1, 2021 ~ Singer, model, songwriter Patrick Juvet passed away in Barcelona, Spain ~ Best known for I Love America, a 1978 Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo-produced top 20 hit throughout Europe. Also known for representing Switzerland in the 1973 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 12th place with Je Bais Me Marler Marie ~ Juvet was born in 1950
April 1, 2021 ~ R&B, pop singer, songwriter, actor Quindon Tarver, full name Quindon Dan Tarver, passed away in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Best known for When Doves Cry and Everybody's Free, both covers respectively of Prince and Rozalla and both used on the soundtrack of the 1996 William Shakespeare's Rome & Juliet soundtrack. Released a sole album, Quindon, the same year ~ Tarver was born in 1982
April 1, 2020 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Adam Schlesinger, full name Adam Lyons Schlesinger, passed away in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Fountains Of Wayne, Ivy, and Tinted Windows. Key songwriter and producer for synth-pop duo Fever High. In-demand songwriter for film and TV, nominated for an Academy Award for writing the title track of the 1997 film That Thing You Do. Served as producer for acts such as Dashboard Confessional, Tahiti 80, Verve Pipe, Robert Plant, They Might Be Giants, and Fastball ~ Schlesinger was born in 1967
April 1, 2020 ~ John Paul Pizzarelli, commonly known as jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, passed away in Saddle River, New Jersey, USA ~ Carried the torch for traditional jazz and swing well into the 21st century. Influenced by Django Reinhardt, Freddie Green, and George van Eps. Father of guitarist John Pizzarelli and double bassist Martin Pizzarelli, both of whom he has regularly collaborated with. Recorded well over two dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially noted for April Kisses released in 1999. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Pizzarelli has appeared on albums by Tony Mottola, the Drifters, Gene Ammons, Etta Jones (Hollar), Vi Redd (Lady Soul), Solomon Burke, Walter Wanderley, Yank Lawson, Toots Thielemans, Stan Getz (The Song Is You), Roberta Flack (First Take), Lena Horne, Charles Mingus (Let My Children Hear Music), Joe Venuti, Soprano Summit, Carly Simon (Hotcakes), Gerry Mulligan, Michael Franks, Stéphane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen, Susannah McCorkle, Peter Appleyard, and Carmen McRae ~ Pizzarelli was born in 1926
April 1, 2020 ~ Pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr, full name Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Patriarch of the Marsalis family, father of Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Delfeayao Marsalis and Jason Marsalis. Has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, and has regularly collaborated with family members. Other notable associations include Nat Adderley, Snooks Eaglin, Steve Masakowski, Art Tatum, Kermit Ruffins, Courtney Pine, Harold Battiste, David Benoit, and Irma Thomas. Marsalis is also well known as an educator, quoted as once saying: “we don't teach jazz, we teach students” ~ Marsalis was born in 1934April 1, 2019 ~ Claude Vasori, commonly known as orchestra leader, composer, arranger Caravelli passed away in Cannet, France ~ Actively recording since the late 1950s. Has worked with Maurice Chevalier and Charles Trenet. Known for composing several soundtracks, notably El Satan Conduit Le Bal. Also co-wrote Laisse Moi Le Temps, translated to English by Paul Anka and recorded by Frank Sinatra as Let Me Try Again ~ Vasori was born in 1930
April 1, 2018 ~ Jazz singer, pianist, songwriter Audrey Morris passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Specialized in ballads. Influenced by Billie Holiday, Lee Wiley, Mildred Bailey, Peggy Lee. Singing professionally since the early 1950s. Recorded two albums in the 1950s, 1955's Bistro Ballads Sung By Audrey Morris with backing from Johnny Pate and 1956's The Voice Of Audrey Morris ~ Morris was born in 1928
April 1, 2017 ~ Lee Baker Jr, commonly known as guitarist, singer Lonnie Brooks, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Inspired to pursue a career in music after hearing the sounds of Clarence Gatemouth Brown, T-Bone Walker, and BB King. Critically described as “the embodiment of a good-time bluesman” by the New York Times, while Rolling Stone once stated “his music is witty, soulful and ferociosuly energetic, brimming with novel harmonic turnaround, committed vocals and simply astonishing guitar work”. Backed Clifton Chenier early on in his career. Enjoyed regional popularity in the South in the 1950s, before relocating to Chicago where he became a fixture known for his charisma, showmanship and distinctive hybrid of Louisiana and Chicago blues. Brooks would gain wider attention after being picked up by the Alligator Records label in the 1970s, and is especially acclaimed for his Bayou Lightning album released in 1979. His sons Ronnie Baker Brooks and Wayne Baker Brooks are both also professional blues singers ~ Brooks was born in 1933
April 1, 2015 ~ Guitarist Dave Ball passed away in Burton-upon-Trent, UK ~ Briefly a member of Procol Harum, joining the band in 1971 as replacement for Robin Trower and leaving in 1972 halfway through the sessions for the band's The Grand Hotel album. Present on the 1972 Procol Harum Live (In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra) live album. Has also worked with Cozy Powell in the shortlived rock group Bedlam. Backed Long John Baldry on Baldry's Good To Be Alive album ~ Ball was born in 1950April 1, 2009 ~ Country, country rock, rock & roll singer, guitarist Duane Jarvis passed away in Marina Del Rey, California, USA ~ Influenced by the Who, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones. Co-wrote Lucinda Williams' Still I Long For Your Kiss of Williams' acclaimed Car Wheels On A Gravel Road album. Actively recording as a solo artist since the 1990s. Has worked with Peter Case, Rosie Flores, John Prine, Amy Rigby, and Dwight Yoakam ~ Jarvis was born in 1957
April 1, 2006 ~ Motonari Takano, commonly known as anisong singer, drummer Ai Takano, passed away in Tokyo, Japan ~ Nicknamed Motchin. Best known as a solo artist, notably performing the theme songs for Galactic Whirlwind Sasuraiger, Pettonton and Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion. Drummer for Cama Beats, known best for the Zombies cover Suki Sa Suki Sa Suki Sa originally titled I Love You. Also drummed with the Golden Cups ~ Takano was born in 1951
April 1, 2005 ~ Heavy metal, doom metal drummer Barry Stern passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Drummer, singer with Zoetrope from 1976 through 1988, present on the albums Amnesty and A Life Of Crime. Member of Trouble from 1989 through 1993, appearing on the albums Trouble and Frustration. Has also worked with D-Connect, Cathedral, Septic Tank, and Debris Inc ~ Stern was born in 1960
April 1, 2005 ~ Songwriter Jack Keller, full name James Walter Keller, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Revered songwriter, often in collaboration with Howard Greenfield, Gerry Goffin, Noel Sherman and other staff writers at Aldon Music, responsible for 1950s and 1960s hits such as Everybody's Somebody's Fool, Breaking In A Brand New Heart and My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own for Connie Francis, Venus In Blue Jeans for Jimmy Clanton, Run To Him for Bobby Vee, and Your Used To Be for Brenda Lee. Other artists who recorded his songs include Neil Sedaka, Nat King Cole, Patti Page, the Everly Brothers, Bobby Goldsboro, the Monkees, and Perry Como ~ Keller was born in 1936
April 1, 2004 ~ Musicologist, conductor, radio producer Denis Stevens, full name Denis William Stevens, passed away in London, UK ~ Co-founded the Ambrosian Singers with John McCarthy, a choral group known best for their association with the BBC. The group would also serve as a training ground for artists such as Heather Harper, Dorothy Dorow, Margaret Price, Robert Tear, and John Shirley-Quirk ~ Stevens was born in 1922
April 1, 2004 ~ Guitarist, producer Paul Atkinson, full name Paul Ashley Warren Atkinson, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of pop rock band the Zombies, known for the late 1960s hits She's Not There, Tell Her No and Time Of The Season. Following the band's disbandement, Atkinson would go to become an A&R executive and producer working with artists such as Elton John, ABBA, Bruce Hornsby, Mr Mister, and Judas Priest ~ Atkinson was born in 1946