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 29, 2026 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter David Allan Coe passed away ~ Transitioned from blues to country, becoming a major force in 1970s outlaw country. Known for his rebellious attitude and wild image, hindering mainstream success. Well known songs include You Never Even Called Me By My Name, Longhaired Redneck, The Ride, Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile, She Used To Love Me A Lot. Wrote Would You Lay With Me In A Field Of Stone and Take This Job And Shove It, hits for respectively Tanya Tucker and Johnny Paycheck. Also noted as a member of Rebel Meets Rebel, which also included Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul and Rex Brown, critically acclaimed for their pioneering eponymous Rebel Meets Rebel country metal album released two years after Darrell's death ~ Coe was born in 1939
April 29, 2023 ~ Jazz trombonist, keyboardist, arranger Don Sebesky passed away in Maplewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as in-house arranger since the early 1960s for a number of jazz labels including Verve, A&M Records, and CTI Records. Closely associated with producer Creed Taylor. Notable credits include arranging and conducting for Wes Montgomery (Bumpin'), Willie Bobo, Buddy Rich, Dionne Warwick (Promises Promises), Astrud Gilberto, Kenny Burrell, and George Benson (Shape Of Things To Come). As a leader best known for his 1973 Giant Box album. Over the course of his career Sebesky has composed several film scores, and arranged and conducted for hundreds of artists from jazz to pop, including Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Michael Bublé, Seal, and Prince ~ Sebesky was born in 1937April 29, 2022 ~ Jazz drummer Allen Blairman passed away in Heidelberg, Germany ~ To rock audiences perhaps best known as a member of 1970s jazz-rock group Embryo. Has also worked with Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, Archie Shepp, Mal Waldron, Albert Ayler, and Karl Berger ~ Blairman was born in 1940
April 29, 2022 ~ Singer, songwriter Tarsame Singh Saini, also known as Johnny Zee and Taz, passed away in London, UK ~ British-born of Indian descent, Saini is considered a pioneer of cross-cultural Asian fusion music. Has released a number of solo albums, starting with Hit The Deck in 1989, prior to forming and fronting Stereo Nation. The band is best known for their 2000 Slave II Fusion album, Saini's most successful album, containing well known tracks such as Pyar Ho Gaya, Nachenge Saari Raat, Gallan Gorian, and Let's Go Dancing (Ooh La La La), the latter a cover of the Kool & the Gang classic ~ Saini was born in 1967
April 29, 2021 ~ Actor, singer Johnny Crawford, full name John Ernest Crawford, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor, rising to prominence playing in the western TV series Rifleman which earned him an Emmy Award at age 13. Had a brief recording career during the early 1960s, scoring hits with songs such as Cindy's Birthday, Your Nose Is Gonna Grow, and Rumors ~ Crawford was born in 1946April 29, 2021 ~ Bassist, producer Tony Markellis passed away ~ Best known for his association with Trey Anastasio. Has also worked with Paul Butterfield, Johnny Shines, David Bromberg, Paul Siebel, Rosalie Sorrels, Ellen McIlwaine, Mary McCaslin, Jo Henley, and with jazz fusion group Kilimanjaro ~ Markellis was born in 1952
April 29, 2014 ~ Abraham Osser, commonly known as orchestra leader, arranger, songwriter Glenn Osser, passed away in Harrison, New York, USA ~ Arranged for Bob Crosby, Vincent Lopez, Al Donahue, Charlie Barnet, Bunny Berigan, Ben Bernie. Backed singers such as Doris Day, Jerry Vale, Johnny Mathis, Jill Corey. Long-time musical director and conductor for the Miss America Pageant ~ Osser was born in 1914
April 29, 2009 ~ Vernon Gosdin, commonly known as country, gospel, bluegrass, folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Vern Gosdin, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by the Louvin Brothers and the Blue Sky Boys. Co-founding member of the Hillmen. Formed the sibling duo the Gosdin Brothers with Rex Gosdin, noted for the acclaimed collaborative 1967 album Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers with Gene Clark. Best known as a solo artist, about a dozen albums to his name starting in the late 1970s. Well known songs include Hangin' On which featured Emmylou Harris on harmony vocals, Till The End, If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right), I Can Tell By The Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight), Set 'Em Up Joe, Chiseled In Stone, Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time, and I'm Still Crazy. Gosdin's Is It Raining At Your House has been covered by Brad Paisley, That Just About Does It by Willie Nelson ~ Gosdin was born in 1934April 29, 2008 ~ Drummer Micky Waller passed away in London, UK ~ In-demand drummer active since the early 1960s. Has worked with the Flee-rekkers, Cyril Davies, Marty Wilde, Georgie Fame, Brian Auger, Trinity, Steampacket, John Mayall's quintessential British R&B band the Bluesbreakers, Jeff Beck (including on the Truth album), Rod Stewart, Long John Baldry, Terry Smith, Dick Heckstall-Smith, and Sam Gopal. Waller also backed rock & roller Little Richard on two separate UK tours ~ Waller was born in 1941
April 29, 1999 ~ Jazz, R&B pianist, singer, songwriter Roosevelt Wardell passed away in Smyrna, Delaware, USA ~ Best known for the 1952 recordings So Glad I'm Free and Deep Moanin' Blues, both recorded with Ed Wiley. Worked with Johnny O'Neal, Earl Hooker, Cannonball Adderley, Sam Jones, Louis Hayes, and Earl Anderza ~ Wardell was born ca.1933April 29, 1998 ~ Harris Copperman, commonly known as dance band, big band saxophonist, clarinetist Harry Lewis, passed away in Haywards Heath, UK ~ Active since the late 1930s, working with artists such as George Elrick, Jack Harris, and notably Bert Ambrose's orchestra featuring singer Vera Lynn. Would marry Lynn in 1941 and serve as her accompaniest and manager after the war. Lewis is perhaps best remembered for writing This Perfect Day, recorded by Lynn in 1949 ~ Copperman was born in 1915
April 29, 1997 ~ Blues, blues-rock, rock & roll, R&B bassist, guitarist, singer Keith Ferguson passed away ~ Best known as member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds from 1976 through 1985, present on the band's first four albums. Subsequently a member of the Tailgators. Has also worked with Sunnyland Special, Black Kangaroo, the Nightcrawlers alongside Stevie Ray Vaughan, with Rocky Hill, Carlos Santana (Havana Moon), the LeRoi Brothers, Mike Morgan, and Jim Suhler ~ Ferguson was born in 1946
April 29, 1992 ~ In a private ceremony at the Santa Monica courthouse, actor Emilio Estevez and singer Paula Abdul get married ~ Paula Abdul and Emilio Estevez, then known for leading roles in films such The Outsiders, The Breakfast Club, and St Elmo's Fire, get married in what at the time was considered an A-list union. The couple had met on the set of Saturday Night Live the previous year. Coincidentally, Abdul had released the single Will You Marry Me, written by Peter Lord, just the month before getting married. The marriage would last only two years, with Abdul later stating the reason for their divorce would be that she wanted children while Estevez, who already had two sons from a previous marriage, did notApril 29, 1990 ~ Blues guitarist Sammy Lawhorn, full name Samuel David Lawhorn, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with Muddy Waters, including on pivotal albums such as Folk Singer and Live At Mr Kelly's. Has also worked with artists such as Otis Spann, Willie Cobbs, Eddie Boyd, Roy Brown, Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Jimmy Witherspoon, T-Bone Walker, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Elmore James ~ Lawhorn was born in 1935
April 29, 1989 ~ Louisa Rose Allen, commonly known as singer, songwriter, model Foxes, born in Southampton, UK ~ First gained attention providing the vocals on Zedd's 2012 single Clarity. Debuted as a solo singer in 2014 with the album Glorious. Known for songs such as Youth, Let Go For Tonight, Body Talk and Amazing
April 29, 1989 ~ Jesse David Leroi Grey, commonly known as reggae singer, songwriter Jesse Royal, born in St James Parish, Jamaica ~ Active since the early-2010s. Mentored by Philip Fatis Burrell who produced some of Royal's early singles. Toured extensively for a number of years leading up to his acclaimed Lily Of Da Valley debut album released in 2017. Has collaborated with the likes of Jo Mersa Marley, Vybz Kartel, Kumar, and Stonebwoy
April 29, 1989 ~ Rock, heartland rock, roots rock singer, guitarist Tom Petty releases his Full Moon Fever album ~ Teaming up with right hand man guitarist, bassist Mike Campbell, drummer Phil Jones, and notably the Electric Light Orchestra's Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty's first album without the Heartbreakers showed a glossier sound in contrast to his earlier straightforward rock sound. Highlights of the album include I Won't Back Down and Free Fallin', the latter of which reached No.7 Billboard Hot 100. Guests on the album include two of the Heartbreakers, namely Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein, as well as George Harrison and Roy Orbison. In the late 1980s, Petty would also record two critically acclaimed album with the Traveling Wilburys, a supergroup consisting of Harrison, Lynne, Petty, Bob Dylan, and Orbison
April 29, 1988 ~ Michael Ray Roach, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Michael Ray, born in Eustis, Florida, USA ~ Independently released his eponymous Michael Ray debut album in 2010. Would first gain serious attention in 2012, winning the talent contest The Next (Fame Is At Your Doorstep) leading to a record deal. Would go on to reach the Billboard Country top 10 with singles such as Kiss You In The Morning, Think A Little Less, One That Got Away, and Whiskey And RainApril 29, 1986 ~ Jeff Abel, commonly known as producer, DJ Excision, born in Kelowna, Canada ~ Dubstep, drum and bass, trap, breakbeat producer and DJ known for his dark sounds, heavy on the bass and drawing from hip-hop and metal. Active since the mid 2000s. Released his full-length X-Rated debut album in 2011
April 29, 1984 ~ Jacob Luke Anderson, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Prof, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Enjoying local popularity since the mid 2000s, regarded as one of the most popular rappers in the Twin Cities area. Released his Project Gampo debut album in 2007 and has recorded consistently since
April 29, 1982 ~ James Henry Jones, commonly known as jazz pianist Jimmy Jones, passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Leader, sideman, arranger. Cited by Dave Brubeck as a major influence. Closely associated with Sarah Vaughan, backing Vaughan from 1947 through 1952 and again from 1954 through 1957. Also worked with Stuff Smith, Don Byas, Dizzy Gillespie, JC Heard, Buck Clayton, Etta Jones, Clifford Brown, Anita O'Day, Dakota Staton, Pat Suzuki, Morgana King, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Hodges, Bud Johnson, Nat Gonella, Harry Sweets Edison, Big Joe Turner, Coleman Hawkins, Frank Wess, Milt Jackson, Sidney Bechet, Sonny Rollins, and Sonny Stitt. Present on the 1957 The Jones Boys album by the Jones Boys, a one-off group put together by Leonard Feather with all members named “Jones” though none were related ~ Jones was born in 1918April 29, 1981 ~ William Alonzo Anderson, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Cat Anderson, passed away in Norwalk, California, USA ~ Best known for his extensive tenure in Duke Ellington's orchestra. Also played with Hartley Toots, Claude Hopkins, Doc Wheeler, Lucky Millinder, Erskine Hawkins, Sabby Lewis, Lionel Hampton, Gene Ammons, Louie Bellson, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hodges, Quincy Jones, Rosemary Clooney, Earl Hines, Bill Berry, and with Claude Bolling ~ Anderson was born in 1916
April 29, 1981 ~ Singer, songwriter Tahita Bulmer, full name Tahita Rotardier Bulmer, born in London, UK ~ Co-founding member of the New Young Pony Club, best known for their acclaimed 2007 Fantastic Playroom debut album. After keyboardist Lou Hayter and drummer Sarah Jones departed the band would return to its electropop roots and be renamed to NYPC to reflect the change
April 29, 1980 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, drummer, bassist, songwriter Kian Egan, full name Kian John Francis Egan, born in Sligo, Ireland ~ Member of Irish boy band Westlife, alongside Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan and Brian McFadden, known for songs such as Swear It Again, Flying Without Wings, Fool Again, What Makes A Man, Queen Of My Heart, Hey Whatever, You Raise Me Up and Amazing, all of which reached top 10 in both the band's native Ireland and the UK. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Home in 2014April 29, 1979 ~ Singer, songwriter Jo O'Meara, full name Joanne Valda O'Meara, born in Romford, UK ~ Best known as member of S Club 7 from 1999 until its disbandement in 2003, present on hits such as Reach, Don't Stop Movin', Have You Ever, Love Ain't Gonna Wait For You and perhaps their best known Never Had A Dream Come True