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, 1950 ~ Bassist Wayne Secrest born in Alton, Illinois, USA ~ Member of country, outlaw country, country rock outfit Confederate Railroad from its inception in 1987 until retiring from the band in 2017 for health reasons. They are best known for songs such as Jesus And Mama, The Queen Of Memphis and Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind ~ Secrest passed away in 2018
April 29, 1949 ~ Latin rock organist Bobby Espinosa born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Key figure of the Los Angeles Latin rock scene from the late 1960s through the 2000s, known for his percussive apporach to the Hammond organ. Founding member of El Chicano, drawing from rock, funk, soul, blues, jazz, salsa and best known for early 1970s singles such as Viva Tirado Part I, Brown Eyed Girl and Tell Her She's Lovely ~ Espinosa passed away in 2010April 29, 1948 ~ Composer, songwriter Clarence Gaskill passed away in New Brighton, New York, USA ~ Popular in the early 20th century. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Prisoner Of Love (Russ Columbo), Doo Wacka Doo (Paul Whiteman), I Don't Mind Being Alone (Lou Gold), and perhaps his best known I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me. The latter would be first recorded by Dolores Valesco in 1927 and covered by close to 200 artists including Louis Armstrong, Nat Gonella, Earl Hines, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett, Faron Young, Dinah Washington, and Frank Sinatra ~ Gaskill was born in 1892
April 29, 1947 ~ Folk, pop, rock drummer Joel Larson born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Merry-Go-Round, which also included Emitt Rhodes. The band is known for their sole eponymous The Merry-Go-Round debut album released in 1967. Though the album stalled in the low end of the Billboard Hot 200 charts, the band is considered pivotal to the era, noted for their performance at the 1967 Fantasy Fair And Magic Mountain Music Festival, and had several of their songs covered by others including Linda Ronstadt (She's A Very Lovely Woman), and the Bangles (Live). Larson has also worked with the Bedouins and with the Grass Roots. Later on in his career Larson would work as a dance night promoter and work behind the scenes in the movie and TV entertainment industry
April 29, 1947 ~ Thomas Gregory Jackson, commonly known as singer Tommy James born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Fronted 1960s rock band Tommy James & the Shondells, known for the Billboard top 10 hits Hanky Panky, I Think We're Alone Now, Mirage, Mony Mony, Crimson And Clover and Crystal Blue Persuasion
April 29, 1945 ~ Bassist Hugh Hopper, full name Hugh Colin Hopper, born in Canterbury, UK ~ Key figure in the UK's Canterbury scene, especially influential through his membership of Soft Machine and previously Wilde Flowers. Brother of guitarist, saxophonist Brian Hopper, a regular collaborator and bandmate. Well over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with 1984 released in 1973. Has worked with Daevid Allen, Syd Barrett (The Madcap Laughs), Stomu Yamashta, Isotope, Gilgamesh, Carla Bley, Equipe Out, In Cahoots, Caveman Hughscore, and Robert Wyatt ~ Hopper passed away in 2009
April 29, 1945 ~ Thomasina Winifred Montgomery, commonly known as singer Tammi Terrell, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Sherrys. Spend two years backing James Brown as a member of the James Brown Revue. However, she is best remembered for a number of duets with Marvin Gaye, including Ain't No Mountain High Enough and You're All I Need To Get By. Terrell collapsed on stage in Gaye's arms to be later diagnosed with a brain tumor, of which she passed away at age 24 cutting her fledging career short ~ Terrell passed away in 1970April 29, 1943 ~ Country, gospel singer Duane Allen, full name Duane David Allen, born in Taylortown, Texas, USA ~ Received formal training in operatic singing before joining country, gospel vocal group the Oak Ridge Boys in 1966. Lead singer on the majority of the band's best known including Elvira, Bobbie Sue and American Made. Married to Norah Lee Allen, backup singer on the Grand Ole Opry
April 29, 1941 ~ Frankie Lee Jones, commonly known as soul blues, electric blues singer, songwriter Frankie Lee, born in Mart, Texas, USA ~ Recorded half a dozen albums. notably 1984's The Ladies And The Babies setting the stage for a resurgence of artists straddling the area between soul and blues. Drew comparisons to Otis Redding. Has backed Albert Collins from the mid to late 1960s ~ Jones passed away in 2015
April 29, 1941 ~ Bandleader Jimmy Dorsey & his Orchestra record Blue Champagne ~ Written by Grady Watts, Jimmy Eaton, Frank L Ryerson. Vocals by Bob Eberly. Released the following June, b/w All Alone And Lonely, it would become Jimmy Dorsey's fifth No.1 single that year. The song would also be recorded by Xavier Cugat, Freddy Martin, and Anita O'Day
April 29, 1941 ~ Dinahir Tostes Caymmi, commonly known as singer Nana Caymmi, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Daughter of Dorival Caymmi and sister of Dori Caymmi and Danilo Caymmi, all singers. Briefly married to Gilberto Gil during the late 1960s. Enjoyed some moderate succes at the time but neither much at home in the Tropicália nor the protest song movement. Caymmi has recorded well over two dozen albums over the course of her career, starting with Caymmi Visita Tom in 1964, which featured Antônio Carlos Jobim. Although she recorded prolifically for several decades, earning critical acclaim for albums such as 1979's Nana Caymmi (Sem Fim) and 1989's So Louco, it would not be until the 1990s until she became a household name with albums such as Bolero, Voz E Suor, and Resposta Ao Tempo. Caymmi is especially remembered for songs such as O Que é Que A Baiana Tem, Maracangalha, and Saudade De Itapoã, all of which are considered classics of Brazilian music ~ Caymmi passed away in 2025April 29, 1940 ~ Saxophonist, flutist George Adams, full name George Rufus Adams, born in Covington, Georgia, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity during the 1970s and 1980s. Recorded about two dozen albums as leader or co-leader, often teaming up with Don Pullen. Especially acclaimed for Live At The Village Vanguard Vol.2 and Breakthrough, both co-led with Pullen. Adams is also present on albums by the Fatback Band, Charles Mingus (Changes One), Gil Evans (There Comes A Time), David Sanborn, McCoy Tyner (Horizon), Johnny Copeland, Craig Harris, Phalanx, Craig Harris, and Kip Hanrahan ~ Adams passed away in 1992
April 29, 1938 ~ Bassist Klaus Voormann, full name Klaus Otto Wilhelm Voormann, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Bassist for Manfred Mann from 1966 through 1969. In-demand session musician for the like of Lou Reed (Transformer), Carly Simon (No Secrets), James Taylor, Harry Nilsson, John Lennon (Imagine), George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Badfinger, Donovan, Peter Frampton, Randy Newman, and Loudon Wainwright III. Also known as a graphic designer, responsible for album covers for a number of artists including the Beatles (Revolver), the Bee Gees, and TurbonegroApril 29, 1937 ~ Singer, guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, songwriter Hasil Adkins born in Boone County, West Virginia, USA ~ Encompasses rock & roll, country, blues, rockabilly. Foreshadowed psychobilly with songs such as She Said, later covered by the Cramps, and Let Me Come In, covered by Flat Duo Jets ~ Adkins passed away in 2005
April 29, 1937 ~ Walter Williams, commonly known as Chicago blues guitarist, singer Lefty Dizz, born in Osceola, Arkansas, USA ~ Earned his nickname by playing a right-handed Stratocaster left-handed. Noted for his energetic flamboyant stage presence. Best known for fronting Shock Treatment and for his associations with Junior Wells, JB Lenoir and Hound Dog Taylor. Has also worked with Lacy Gibson, Earl Hooker, Junior Cannady, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Big Moose Walker, and Louisiana Red. Also appears on Muddy Waters' 1981 live album Live At The Checkerboard Lounge which also featured the Rolling Stones-members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ron Wood ~ Williams passed away in 1993
April 29, 1937 ~ Willy Cecile Johannes van de Velde, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist Wannes van de Velde, born in Antwerp, Belgium ~ Considered one of the leading Flemish kleinkunst artists, along Willem Vermandere and Zjef Vanuytsel. Known for singing in local dialect. Well known songs of his include Ik Wil Deze Nacht In De Straten Verdwalen, Mijn Mansaarde and De Brug Van Willebroek ~ Van de Velde passed away in 2008
April 29, 1936 ~ Caroline Vincinetti LoTempio, commonly known as singer April Stevens, born in Niagara Falls, New York, USA ~ Known for the early 1950s hits I'm In Love Again and Gimme Me A Little Kiss (Will Ya Huh), as well as for her 1959 recording Teach Me Tiger which was banned from radio for its sexual innuendo. Perhaps best known for her collaborations with her brother Nino Tempo, including the 1963 recording Deep Purple which reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts ~ LoTempio passed away in 2023
April 29, 1936 ~ Conductor, music director Zubin Mehta born in Bombay, India ~ Worked with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Honorary member of the Vienna State Opera, the Bavarian State Opera and the Teatro San CarloApril 29, 1935 ~ Edward Smackels Jr, commonly known as lyricist, songwriter Ed Rose passed away in Evanston, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for writing the lyrics of Oh Johnny Oh Johnny, music composed by Abe Olman, recorded by the Premier Quartet, the Andrews Sisters, Bonnie Baker, Peggy Lee, and Ella Fitzgerald ~ Smackels was born in 1875
April 29, 1935 ~ Blues singer, pianist, songwriter Leroy Carr passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Known for his laid-back style. Early influence on T-Bone Walker, Amos Milburn, Jimmy Witherspoon, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles. Enjoyed a good run of well-charting songs, starting with his 1928 debut single How Long How Long Blues, until his death at age 30. Other well known songs include Blues Before Sunrise, Midnight Hour Blues and Hurry Down Sunshine. Had his songs covered by Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Moon Mullican, Champion Jack Dupree, Long John Baldry, Memphis Slim, and Eric Clapton ~ Carr was born in 1905
April 29, 1934 ~ Otis Rush Jr, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer Otis Rush, born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, USA ~ Important 1950s blues guitarist, merging Chicago blues with R&B-influences. Influential on Michael Bloomfield, Peter Green and Eric Clapton. Known for songs such as I Can't Quit You Baby, Double Trouble and All Your Love (I Miss Loving) ~ Rush passed away in 2018
April 29, 1933 ~ R&B, rock & roll, blues tenor saxophonist, singer Raymond Hill, full name Raymond Earl Hill, born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ Closely associated with Ike Turner, as a member of Turner's R&B unit the Kings Of Rhythm present on the classic Rocket '88. In-demand session musician, appearing on recordings by Howlin' Wolf, Little Junior Parker (Mystery Train), Jessie Hill, and Clayton Love ~ Hill passed away in 1996
April 29, 1933 ~ Singer, poet, songwriter, actor Rod McKuen, full name Rodney Marvin McKuen, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ One of the best-selling poets of the late 1960s. Wrote or co-wrote over 1,500 songs, recorded by a wide array of artists including Robert Goulet, Barbra Streisand, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, the Kingston Trio, Nana Mouskouri, Dusty Springfield, Al Hirt, and Frank Sinatra. Renowned film composer, including earning Academy Award-nominations for The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie and A Boy Named Charlie Brown. Known for songs such as Love's Been Good To Me, The World I Used To Know, I've Been To Town, Kaleidoscope, Merci Beaucoup, Doesn't Anybody Know My Name and Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes ~ McKuen passed away in 2015
April 29, 1933 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Willie Nelson, full name Willie Hugh Nelson, born in Abbott, Texas, USA ~ Iconic figure in country. Spearheaded the Outlaw country movement in the 1970s. Critically acclaimed for concept albums such as Shotgun Willie and Red Headed Stranger. Renowned songwriter with several country classics to his name including Billy Walker's Funny How Time Slips Away, Faron Young's Hello Walls, Roy Orbison's Pretty Paper and Patsy Cline's Crazy. Member of country supergroup the Highwaymen alongside Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and frequent collaborator Waylon Jennings
April 29, 1932 ~ Jazz bassist Andy Simpkins born in Richmond, Indiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Member of the Three Sounds from 1956 through 1968. Also worked with George Shearing, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Anita O'Day, Gerald Wiggins, Monty Alexander, Buddy DeFranco, Don Menza, Stéphane Grappelli, and Pat Boone ~ Simpkins passed away in 1999