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 11, 2025 ~ Maxwell Livingston Smith, commonly known as roots reggae, reggae singer Max Romeo, passed away in St Andrew Parish, Jamaica ~ Member of the Emotions, which also included Kenneth Knight and Lloyd Shakespeare. Member of the Hippy Boys. As a solo artist known best for Let The Power Fall, Chase The Devil, and his best known Wet Dream, the latter credited with launching a new style of reggae with its overtly sexual lyrics. Starred in the 1978 musical Reggae, which he co-wrote with Hair producer Michael Butler. Sang backup vocals on the Rolling Stones's Dance of the 1980 Emotional Rescue album. Had his 1981 Holding Out My Love For You album produced by Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Also worked with the Upsetters, Jah Shaka, and Mafia & Fluxy ~ Smith was born in 1944April 11, 2025 ~ Michael Hubert Bourne, commonly known as singer, actor Mike Berry, passed away in Kingston-upon-Thames, UK ~ Although he recorded consistently throughout the 1970s, putting out over half a dozen albums, Berry is best known as an actor, notably portraying the role of Mr Spooner in the sitcom Are You Being Served. As a singer best known for two UK top 10 hits nearly 20 years apart, 1963's Don't You Think It's Time and 1980's The Sunshine Of Your Smile ~ Bourne was born on 1942
April 11, 2022 ~ Bassist Charnett Moffett passed away in Stanford, California, USA ~ Worked with Far East, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Art Blakey, Ornette Coleman, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Dizzy Gillespie, Ellis Marsalis, Sonny Sharrock, Stanley Jordan, Wallace Roney, Arturo Sandoval, Courtney Pine, David Sanborn, David Sánchez, Dianne Reeves, Frank Lowe, Harry Connick Jr, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Kenny Garrett, Kenny Kirkland, Kevin Eubanks, Lew Soloff, the Manhattan Jazz Quintet, Melody Gardot, Mulgrew Miller, Stanley Jordan, Tony Williams, Rachel Z, Cindy Blackman, Geri Allen, Cyrus Chestnut, Erin McPherson, Yungchen Lhamo, Scott Tixier, Mark Whitfield, Jana Herzen, and Kenny Drew Jr ~ Moffett was born in 1967
April 11, 2021 ~ Rock keyboardist, film composer Zoran Simjanovic passed away in Belgrade, Serbia ~ Briefly a member of Siluete from 1961 through 1962. Subsequently rose to fame as member of pioneering rock band Elipse from 1962 through 1968. After the band disbanded Simjanovic would go on to become an in-demand songwriter and from the mid 1970s onwards one of the nation's most revered film composers with over 60 soundtracks to his credit including The Flagrance Of Wild Flowers, Balkan Express, and Maleyevic's Cross ~ Simjanovic was born in 1946April 11, 2017 ~ John Warren Geils Jr, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter J Geils, passed away in Groton, Massachusetts, USA ~ Lead guitarist of the J Geils Band. Released a number of albums since the mid 1990s under the moniker Jay Geils, collaborating with former bandmate Magic Dick, with Duke Robillard and Gerry Beaudoin as New Guitar Summit, and as a solo artist ~ Geils was born in 1946
April 11, 2017 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Toby Smith passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as keyboardist and co-songwriter for Jamiroquai from 1992 through 2002. Also produced and managed pop rock band the Hoosiers. Produced Absent Elk's 2009 Elk Caught In The Headlights album. Co-produced Matt Cardle's 2013 Porcelain album ~ Smith was born in 1970
April 11, 2016 ~ Michael Emile Telford Miller, commonly known as rock & roll, pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Emile Ford, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known for his 1959 UK No.1 hit What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For with his backing unit the Checkmates ~ Miller was born in 1937
April 11, 2014 ~ James Ridout Winchester Jr, commonly nown as singer, songwriter Jesse Winchester passed away in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Yankee Lady, Isn't That So, Sassy and Say What. As a songwriter, Winchester had his songs recorded by Patti Page, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Joan Baez, Jerry Garcia, Anne Murray, Reba McEntire, the Everly Brothers, Lyle Lovett, and Emmylou Harris ~ Winchester was born in 1944April 11, 2013 ~ Donald Blackman, commonly known as jazz, funk, R&B, soul pianist, singer, songwriter Don Blackman, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ As a solo artist known for his eponymous Don Blackman debut album released in 1982. Best known as an in-demand session musician, present on albums by Lenny White, Bernard Wright, Roy Ayers, Kurtis Blow, Najee, the World Saxophone Quartet, Sting (Brand New Day), and Wayman Tisdale ~ Blackman was born in 1953
April 11, 2013 ~ Fiddler Sue Draheim passed away in Berea, Kentucky, USA ~ Worked with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, the Bay Area Women's Philharmonic, Frank Zappa, Gael Alcock, Jim Bamford, Mac Benford, Will Spires, Sam Chatmon, the California Sheiks, John Renbourn, Keshav Sathe, Jacqui McShee, Wizz Jones, Marc Ellington, John Martyn, Albion Country Band, Steve Ashley, John Cohen, David Grisman, Jody Stecher, Craicmore, Stuat Rojstaczer, the Golden Bough, Gwydion Pendderwen, Richard Thompson, and Kathy Kallick ~ Draheim was born in 1959
April 11, 2012 ~ Alto saxophonist, clarinetist Hal McKusick passed away in Sag Harbor, New York, USA ~ During the big band era served in ensembles led by Les Brown, Woody Herman, Boyd Raeburn, and Alvino Rey. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a leader, noted especially for Cross-Section (Saxes) released in 1959 featuring a cast which included Art Farmer, Paul Chambers and Connie Kay. As a sideman McKusick has appeared on albums by Milt Hinton (Basses Loaded), Manny Albam, Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington (The Swingin' Miss D), Charles Mingus, Nat Pierce, Urbie Green, and Jackie Paris ~ McKusick was born in 1924
April 11, 2011 ~ Violinist, composer Billy Bang passed away in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Co-founded String Trio Of New York, teaming up with guitarist James Emery and double bassist John Lindberg. Also worked with Sun Ra, William Hooker, John Lindberg, William Parker, the World Saxophone Quartet, and Ahmed Abdullah ~ Bang was born in 1947
April 11, 2011 ~ Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Lacy Gibson passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Sunnyland Slim, Muddy Waters, Lefty Bates, Matt Guitar Murphy, Wayne Bennett. As a solo artist best known for the songs My Love Is Real and Switchy Titchy. As a session and touring musician has backed Willie Mabon, Billy The Kid Emerson, Buddy Guy, Son Seals (Live & Burning), Billy Boy Arnold, Big Time Sarah ~ Gibson was born in 1936
April 11, 2006 ~ Singer June Pointer, full name June Antoinetta Pointer, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founding member of sibling outfit the Pointer Sisters, known for songs such as Yes We Can Can, Fire, Happiness, He's So Shy, Slow Hand and I'm So Excited. Released a solo album, Baby Sister, in 1983 spawning the modest hit Ready For Some Action ~ Pointer was born in 1953April 11, 2005 ~ Pop, country double bassist Floyd Chance, full name Floyd Taylor Chance, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Session musician. Worked with Hank Williams (Your Cheatin' Heart), the Louvin Brothers, Jimmy Martin, the Everly Brothers (Bye Bye Love), Marvin Rainwater, Faron Young (Hello Walls), Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty (It's Only Make Believe), and Willie Nelson ~ Chance was born in 1925
April 11, 2005 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter, publisher Jerry Byrd, full name Gerald Lester Byrd, passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Taught steel guitar lessons to Jimmie Vaughan and Jerry Garcia. One of the first in the music business to sign Dolly Parton. Sought-after collaborator, session musician. Worked with Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Red Foley, Jack McDuff, and Don Patterson. Has been releasing solo records since the early 1950s. Member of the Country All-Stars ~ Byrd was born in 1920
April 11, 2002 ~ David Kenneth Brooks Jr, commonly known as jazz tenor saxophonist Bubba Brooks, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of Tina Brooks. Bubba worked with Pepper McAllister, James Moody, Sonny Payne, George Barkley, Sonny Thompson, Jimmy McCracklin, Phil Upchurch, Charles Williams, Don Pullen, Jimmy McGriff, Bill Doggett, Wynonie Harris, and Bobby Forrester ~ Brooks was born in 1922April 11, 1996 ~ Pop, alternative R&B singer, songwriter Summer Walker, full name Summer Marjani Walker, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Gained attention in the late-2010s with a remix of her single Girls Need Love featuring Drake. Would release her full-length Over It debut album in 2019, earning universal critical acclaim. The album reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart as would her sophomore Still Over It album in 2021
April 11, 1994 ~ Duncan de Moor, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Duncan Laurence, born in Spijkenisse, the Netherlands ~ Best known for winning the 2019 Eurovision Songfestival representing the Netherlands with the self-penned ArcadeApril 11, 1994 ~ Samuel Evans, commonly known as drummer, arranger Sticks Evans, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Milt Buckner, the Griffin Brothers, Teddy Wilson, Milt Hinton, Leonard Gaskin, Curtis Jones, Sunnyland Slim, Sonny Terry, Big John Greer, Lavern Baker, King Curtis, Bill Evans, Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman, Ray Bryant, Aretha Franklin, Mickey Baker, Al Casey, Roosevelt Sykes, Lightnin' Hopkins, Charles Mingus, Sam Cooke, and Bud Johnson ~ Evans was born in 1923
April 11, 1987 ~ Joscelyn Eve Stoker, commonly known as singer, songwriter Joscelyn Eve Stoker, commonly known as Joss Stone, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Rose to fame with her 2003 The Soul Sessions, cementing her status the next year with the sophomore Mind Body & Soul album the next year. Known for songs such as Super Duper Love, You Had Me, Right To Be Wrong and Don't Cha Wanna Ride. Member of supergroup Superheavy alongside Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, AR Rahman and Damian MarleyApril 11, 1987 ~ Valerie Anne Poxleitner, commonly known as electropop singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Lights, born in Timmins, Canada ~ Active since the late 2000s, releasing her full-length The Listening debut album in 2009. Best known for songs such as Drive My Soul, Saviour, Up We Go, and Love Me featuring Felix Cartal
April 11, 1986 ~ Black gospel, urban contemporary gospel singer, songwriter Amber Bullock, full name Amber Brianna Lawrence-Bullock, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ First gained attention winning the 4th season of the BET talent show Sunday Best aired in 2011. Subsequently released her Thank You debut EP later the same year, followed by her full-length So In Love debut album the following year
April 11, 1984 ~ Durval de Lima Junior, commonly known as singer, drummer, guitarist, songwriter Junior Lima born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ First gained attention as half of Sandy & Junior, the other half being his sister Sandy. The duo would lead the wave of late 1990s teen pop artist, noted for albums such as 1999's As Quatro Estações and 2000's Quatro Estações (O Show) ranking among Brazil's all-time best-selling albums
April 11, 1981 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, Kiss On My List by Hall & Oates hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Daryl Hall, who co-wrote the song with Janna Allen, has called Kiss On My List an anti-love song, with the song title being tongue-in-cheek sarcasm in that the kiss is not that important, as the kiss is merely one of several things on a list. The song was originally intended for Allen, sister of Hall's girlfriend Sara Allen, who was hoping to start a solo career. However, after the management of Hall & Oates had heard the demo they insisted they keep the song for themselves. Van Halen's Eddie Van Halen used the synthesizers part of Kiss On My List for Jump