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 21, 1907 ~ Country singer, banjoist Wade Mainer, full name Wade Echard Mainer, born in Bumcobe, North Carolina, USA ~ Bridged the gap between old-time mountain music and bluegrass. Influenced artists such as Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, and Doc Watson. Worked with the Sons Of Mountaineers, Zeke Morris, and the Smiling Rangers ~ Mainer passed away in 2011
April 21, 1893 ~ Clarinetist Lorenzo Tio Jr born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of Lorenzo Tio Sr and nephew of Louis Papa Tio, both clarinetists with whom he worked as the Three Tios. Has also worked with Manuel Perez, AJ Piron, Jelly Roll Morton, Clarence Williams ~ Tio passed away in 1933
April 21, 1891 ~ Pianist, singer, songwriter Will Donaldson, full name William John Donaldson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Married to pianist, organist, songwriter Muriel Pollock. As a songwriter perhaps best known for Oh Sister Ain't That Hot, recorded originally by Gene Rodemich in 1923 and later covered by the Original Memphis Five, Jimmie Noone, Eddie Condon, and Fats Waller ~ Donaldson passed away in 1954
April 21, 1889 ~ Violinist, conductor, composer Efrem Zimbalist born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia ~ Internationally acclaimed by his early 20s. Came out of retirement in 1949 to premier Gian Carlo Menotti's Violin Concerto, dedicated to him. Also known as a composer, notably for the pieces American Rhapsody, Sarasateana for viola and piano and the 1956 opera Landara ~ Zimbalist passed away in 1985