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 17, 1992 ~ Arthur Reismond Herfurt, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Skeets Herfurt passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since the mid 1930s. Has worked with Smith Ballew, the Dorsey Brothers, Ray Noble, Alvino Rey, Benny Goodman, Earle Spencer, Billy May, Louis Armstrong, Georgie Auld, Jack Teagarden, Stan Kenton, Glen Gray, Ray Anthony, Joe Fingers Carr, Ray Conniff, the Four Freshmen, and Pete Rugolo ~ Herfurt was born in 1911
April 17, 1991 ~ Songwriter, lyricist, screenwriter Jack Yellen, full name Jack Selig Yellen, passed away in Springville, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Happy Days Are Here Again, first recorded by Charles King in 1929 and covered by numerous artists including Leo Reisman, Ben Selvin, Bert Ambrose, Adriano Celentano. The song would be used for Franklin Roosevelt's 1932 presidential campaign. Other well known songs co-written by Yellen include Ain't She Sweet (Lou Gold, Pearl Bailey, Gene Vincent, Frank Sinatra), Happy Feet (Paul Whiteman, Leo Reisman, Jack Hylton), Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp Of Savannah) (Ukulele Ike, Ray McKinley, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles), and My Yiddishe Momme (Willie Howard, Patti Page, Connie Francis) ~ Yellen was born in 1892April 17, 1989 ~ Singer, songwriter Avi Kaplan, full name Avriel Benjamin Kaplan, born in Visalia, California, USA ~ Best known as member of a cappela group Pentatonix, remaining with the group through 2017. Has since released a number of singles and EPs as a solo artist
April 17, 1988 ~ Christian hip-hop singer, producer Andy Mineo born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Member of rap group Fat Camp, known for their 2006 The Food album. After rededicating his life to Christ would focus on Christian hip-hop, perhaps most notably as a member of hip-hop collective 116 Clique
April 17, 1988 ~ Big band arranger, songwriter George Williams, full name George Dale Williams also known as George The Fox Williams, passed away ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Whamboogie and It Must Be Jelly Cause Jam Don't Shake Like That for Glenn Miller, Hamp's Boogie for Lionel Hampton, Gene's Boogie for Gene Krupa, and Lackawanna Local, The Fox and Bunny Hop for Ray Anthony ~ Williams was born in 1917
April 17, 1987 ~ Reggae, ska, rocksteady drummer, percussionist Carlton Barrett passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Popularized the one drop rhythm drumming style. Brother of bassist, guitarist Aston Barrett, bandmate in Lee Scratch Perry's houseband the Upsetters as well as in Bob Marley's backing unit the Wailers. Barrett remained with Marley from the late 1960s until Marley's death in 1981, co-writing songs such as Talkin' Blues and Them Belly Full. Also worked with the Impact All-Stars ~ Barrett was born in 1950
April 17, 1986 ~ Jazz bassist Teddy Kotick passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Sidemen to many of the leading names in jazz during the 1940s and 1950s. Present on albums by Charlie Parker, Jimmy Raney, Jon Eardley (From Hollywood To New York), Stan Getz (West Coast Jazz), Al Cohn, Herbie Nichols, George Russell (The Jazz Workshop), and Martial Solal ~ Kotick was born in 1928
April 17, 1983 ~ Bassist, producer Felix Pappalardi passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Bassist of Mountain, known for their 1970 hit Mississippi Queen. Closely associated with Cream, producing and arranging the band's sophomore Disraeli Gears album. As a producer also worked with Bo Grumpus, Kensington Market, Leslie West, Jack Bruce, Mylon LeFevre, the Flock, Gasolin, and Jesse Colin Young. Pappalardi was shot and killed by his wife, who was charged with second-degree murder and found guilty of the lesser charge criminally negligent homicide ~ Pappalardi was born in 1939
April 17, 1980 ~ Pop rock, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter David Otero, full name David Otero Martin, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Member of El Canto De Loco. The band recorded half a dozen studio albums, starting with the eponymous El Canto Del Loco released in 2000 and is best known for their 2005 Zapatillas which included the charity single Despiértame. The proceeds of the single and a portion of the album's revenues would go to victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Following the band's disbandement in 2010 Otero has recorded as a solo artist, initially going by the moniker El Pescao and dropping the alias in 2017
April 17, 1979 ~ Giuseppa Gaetana Ferreri, commonly known as singer, songwriter Giusy Ferreri, born in Palermo, Italy ~ First gained attention in 2008, coming in second in the Italian edition of the talent show The X-Factor. Released her Non Ti Scordar Di Me debut album later the same year and has recorded consistently since. Well known songs include Non Ti Scordar Di Me, Novembre, Ma Il Cielo E Sempre Piu Blu, and Il Mare Immenso. Has collaborated with a wide array of Italian singers including Ornella Vanoni, Claudio Baglioni, Tiziano Ferro, J-Ax, and Giuliano SangiorgiApril 17, 1979 ~ Pop, art rock, indie rock, jazz, free jazz singer, songwriter Hanne Hukkelberg born in Kongsberg, Norway ~ Actively singing from a young age. Member of influential doom metal band Funeral while still in high school, featured on the band's In Fields Of Pestilent Grief sophomore album. Following her studies at the the Norwegian Academy Of Music released her Little Things debut album in 2004 and has recorded to critical acclaim since
April 17, 1979 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist, composer Sam Sadigursky born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Brad Mehldau, Milt Hinton, Charlie Byrd, Bob Florence, the Spirals, the Mingus Orchestra, Gabriel Kahane, Fred Hersch, Tom Jones, Darcy James Argue, Linda Oh, Anat Fort, Joe Phillips, Red Baraat, Nico Muhly, Judd Greenstein, Jamie Baum, Eiji Kitamura, Bill Berry, Jake Hanna, Edmar Castaneda, Luia Pulido, Toto la Momposina, Sofia Rei, Emilio Teubal, Sebastian Cruz, Becca Stevens, Wendy Gilles, Christine Correa, Michel Leonhart, Gary Wang, Sunny Jain, Richie Barshay, Jacob Sacks, Andrea Tierra, Gene Segal, Jeremy Flower, Alejandro Florez, Marvin Diz, and Jean Chaumont
April 17, 1976 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Gord Bamford born in Traralgon, Australia ~ One of the most decorated country singers to emerge from Canada's music scene in the 2000s. Over half a dozen albums to his name, starting with God's Green Earth released in 2001. Well known songs include Blame It On That Red Dress, Little Guy, Leaning On A Lonesome Song, When Your Lips Are So Close, Don't Let Her Be Gone, Livin' On Summertime, and Dive BarApril 17, 1976 ~ Lyricist, songwriter John DeVries passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of pianist Joe Bushkin. The pair is perhaps best known for writing Oh Look At Me Now. The song would first be recorded by Tommy Dorsey in 1941 with the vocal refrain performed by Frank Sinatra, Connie Haines, and the Pied Pipers. About a decade and a half later, Sinatra reprised the song for his A Swingin' Affair album, this time arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle. Over the years, the song has been recorded by well over 50 artists, including Bing Crosby, Sam Cooke, Bobby Darin, Jo Stafford, Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mathilde Santing. Joe Bushkin and John DeVries also wrote Hot Time In The Town Of Berlin, which became a hit for Bing Crosby in 1944, during World War II, due to its patriotic lyrics, swinging rhythm, and its orchestral arrangement. Shortly after it became a hit for Crosby, the song would be used in the film short Road To Victory where it was sung by Frank Sinatra ~ DeVries was born in 1915
April 17, 1974 ~ Minnie Guyer, commonly known as singer, dancer, actress Blossom Seeley, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Known as “the Queen of Syncopation” helped bring jazz and ragtime into the mainstream. Best known for a number of 1920s recordings including Way Down Yonder In New Orleans, Rose Room, Lazy, Yes Sir That's My Baby, and her best known Toddling The Todalo ~ Guyer was born in 1886
April 17, 1974 ~ Singer, fashion designer, TV personality Victoria Beckham, full name Victoria Caroline Beckham, born in Goff's Oak, UK ~ Member of the Spice Girls, dubbed Posh Spice, and remaining with the band throughout its entire existence. Present on hits such as Wannabe, Say You'll Be There and 2 Become 1. Released a sole solo album, the eponymous Victoria Beckham, in 2001 and has gone on to become a fashion designer and TV personality. Married to soccer player David Beckham since 1999April 17, 1971 ~ Singer, songwriter Carmen Lombardo passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Brother of Guy Lombardo, his bandmate in the Royal Canadians. Sang lead on the Canadians' hit Charmaine. In-demand songwriter. Songs written or co-written by Lombardo include Ridin' Around In The Rain recorded by Gene Austin, Return To Me recorded by Dean Martin, Powder Your Face With Sunshine for Evelyn Knight, and Coquette recorded by his brother Guy ~ Lombardo was born in 1903
April 17, 1971 ~ Joy To The World by Three Dog Night hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100, where it would remain for six consecutive weeks ~ Replacing Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) by the Temptations, the band's second single off their Naturally album reaches the top of the American charts. It would be the band's second Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, after their Randy Newman-cover Mama Told Me (Not To Come) the previous year. When Hoyt Axton, the sole songwriter, first performed Joy To The World for his bandmates, two of the three main singers, Danny Hutton and Cory Wells, rejected the song. The third, however, Chuck Negron felt the band needed a “silly song” to help bring them back together as a working unit. Joy To The World would hold the top position for six consecutive weeks, after which it was knocked off the top spot by Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones
April 17, 1970 ~ Reginald Noble, commonly known as rapper Redman born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Closely associated with Method Man. Known for songs such as Put It Down, Funkorama, and Whateve Man. Also worked with Def Squad, Christina Aguilera, K Solo, Erick Sermon, Busta Rhymes, Toni Braxton, EPMD, Jodeci, Shaquille O'Neal, Lords Of The Underground, DJ Honda, the Notorious BIG, Kris Kross, Tupac Shakur, KRS One, A Tribe Called Quest, Montell Jordan, the Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Chico DeBarge, Cee Lo Green, the Wu-Tang Clan, Lil' Kim, De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Naughty By Nature, Joe Budden, Dr Dre, Raekwon, Sheek Louch, Tony Touch, Bun B, and E-40
April 17, 1967 ~ Indie rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Liz Phair born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Rose to fame with her 1993 Exile In Guyville debut album, dubbed by some critics as the female version of the Rolling Stones 1971 Exile On Main St. Has recorded to critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase since
April 17, 1967 ~ Drummer Matt Chamberlain born in San Pedro, California, USA ~ Toured with Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians and appeared on the band's 1990 Ghost Of A Dog sophomore album. Served as touring drummer for Pearl Jam for about three weeks in 1991, replacing original drummer Dave Krusen. Co-founded jazz fusion outfit Critters Buggin with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums starting with 1994's Guest. Closely associated with Tori Amos, appearing on over half a dozen of the singer's albums including the acclaimed From The Choirgirl Hotel released in 1998. Has also appeared on albums by the Wallflowers, Chris Isaak, Fiona Apple (Tidal), Chris Isaak, Macy Gray, the Wallflowers (Bringing Down The Horse), Stevie Nicks, Shelby Lynne, David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, Brandi Carlile, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen (Wrecking Ball), Of Montreal, Randy Newman, Peter Gabriel, and Rufus Wainwright
April 17, 1967 ~ Henry James Allen Jr, commonly known as trumpeter Red Allen, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of bandleader Henry Allen. Active since the mid 1920s. Has worked with Sidney Desvigne, the Excelsior Brass Band, Sam Morgan, John Casimir, King Oliver, Fate Marable, Fats Pichon, Luis Russell, Don Redman, Fletcher Henderson, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Coleman Hawkins, Benny Goodman, Kid Ory, and the Kentucky Jazz Band ~ Allen was born in 1908
April 17, 1967 ~ Reggae, ska, dub bassist, producer, engineer Victor Rice born in Syosett, New York, USA ~ Bassist with about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, acclaimed for his 1999 Victor Rice At Version City, and several notable session credits including with Scofflaws, Glenn Branca, Sloan Wainwright, Everlast (Eat At Whitey's), and the Toasters. Relocating to São Paulo in the early 2000s, Rice would become best known as leading dub and reggae technician, engineering, mixing and producing artists such as Mephiskapheles, the New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, the Bluebeats, One Groovy Coconut, the SKAndalous All-Stars, Corey Harris, and Elza Soares
April 17, 1962 ~ R&B singer Barbara Lynn releases You'll Lose A Good Thing, lifted off the album of the same name ~ Issued as the Barbara Lynn's debut single, the self-penned You'll Lose A Good Thing would become her biggest hit. It reached No.8 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and would top the Billboard R&B charts. The success of her debut single, produced by Huey P Meaux, would elevate the singer to national fame, and soon Lynn would be sharing the stage with some of the most popular acts of the era including Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye. Lynn would score several modest hits through the end of the decade, notably You're Gonna Need Me and Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Goin'), the latter of which would later be covered by the Rolling Stones, yet Lynn would be unable to repeat the success of her smash hit debut single. You'll Lose A Good Thing would be covered by several artists. A then-relatively unknown Aretha Franklin recorded the song for her 1964 Runnin' Out Of Fools album, Franklin's first album to reach top 10 Billboard R&B, and Freddy Fender issued the song as the lead single off his 1976 Rock'n'Country album, with the single becoming his fourth and final Billboard Country No.1 hit