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 3, 2024 ~ Albert Heath, commonly known as hard bop drummer Albert Tootie Heath, passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist Jimmy Heath and double bassist Percy Heath with whom he formed the Heath Brothers. First recorded with John Coltrane in 1957, featuring in Coltrane's first session as a leader (Coltrane). As a leader, Heath is best known for the early 1970s albums Kawaida and Kwanza. As sideman, Heath has appeared on albums by Red Garland (Groovy), Billy Taylor, Nina Simone, Cannonball Adderley, Art Farmer (Art), Sonny Red, JJ Johnson, Wes Montgomery (The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery), Gene Ammons, Walter Benton, Blue Mitchell (A Sure Thing), Charlie Mariano, McCoy Tyner, Charles McPherson (Be-Bop Revisited), Ben Webster, Tete Montoliu, and Herbie Hancock ~ Heath was born in 1935
April 3, 2022 ~ Arthur Eversole, commonly known as hip-hop, crunk rapper, songwriter Archie Eversole, passed away in DeKalb County, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his 2002 single We Ready taken of his lone solo album Ride Wit Me Dirty South Style. Though only a minor hit the single would be adopted as an anthem by the Kansas City Royals. In 2022, Eversole was found suffering from gunshot wounds at a gas station, later dying from his injuries. His brother, Alexander Kraus, was arrested and charged with his murder ~ Eversole was born in 1984
April 3, 2021 ~ Bolero, bossa nova singer, pianist, politician Agnaldo Timóteo, full name Agnaldo Timóteo Pereira, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Over 40 albums to his name starting in the mid 1960s. Known for songs such as Ave Maria, Mamãe, Os Verdes Campos De Minha Terra and Meu Grito. Politically active from the early 1980s through the 2010s, serving in various functions including Federal Deputy and City Councillor ~ Timóteo was born in 1936April 3, 2019 ~ Pianist, composer Einar Iversen passed away ~ Worked with Rowland Greenberg, Dizzy Gillespie, Anthony Ortega, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Dexter Gordon, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Griffin, Svend Asmussen, Stuff Smith, Putte Wickman, Monica Zetterlund, Povel Ramel, Bjarne Nerem, Egil Johansen, Totti Bergh, Nora Brockstedt, Ditlef Eckhoff, Tor Hauge, and Jon Christensen ~ Iversen was born in 1930
April 3, 2019 ~ Lyricist Maurice Pon, full name Maurice Marie Jean Pon, passed away in Ile de France, France ~ Co-wrote Le Loup La Biche Et Le Chevalier and Le Travail C'Est La Santé, both recorded by Henri Salvador. Other artists who recorded songs co-written by Pon include André Bourvil, Fernandel, Jean Soblon, and André Claveau ~ Pon was born in 1921
April 3, 2017 ~ Singer Brenda Jones passed away in Wilmington, Delaware, USA ~ One third of sibling outfit the Jones Girls, alongside Shirley Jones and Valorie Jones. Served as backup singers for Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin, Linda Clifford, and Tower Of Power. On their own they would score a number of modest hits on Billboard's R&B charts from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s including You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else, Dance Turned Into Romance and I Just Love The Man ~ Jones was born in 1954
April 3, 2016 ~ William Randall Henderson, commonly known as jazz singer, actor Bill Henderson, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Ramsey Lewis, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, Jimmy Smith, Count Basie, Yusef Lateef, Eddie Harris, Booker Little, Wynton Kelly, Eddie Higgins, Tommy Flanagan, Joe Diorio, Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen, Joyce Collins, Jerry Coleman, Pete Christlieb, Joey Baron, Shirley Horn, Nancy Wilson, Charlie Haden, Mike Melvoin, Chico Hamilton, Dave Mackay, and Tom Azarello ~ Henderson was born in 1926
April 3, 2015 ~ Drummer Bob Burns, full name Robert Lewis Burns Jr, passed away in Cartersville, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Present on the band's first two albums, Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd and it's follow-up Second Helping. Well known songs from this era include Simple Man, Free Bird, and Sweet Home Alabama. Between his departure in 1974, after reportedly suffering a mental breakdown on the band's UK tour, and his one-off reunion performance at the band's 1996 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Burns disappeared from public view ~ Burns was born in 1950April 3, 2015 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Matt Irving passed away ~ Bassist for Manfred Mann's Earth Band from 1981 to 1986. Key member of Los Pacaminos. Also worked with Lords Of The New Church, Squeeze, Chris Rea, Paul Young, Roger Waters, and shared lead vocals with John Waite on the Babys song Time On My Hands ~ Irving was born in 1950
April 3, 2014 ~ Guitarist Arthur Smith passed away in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for his 1948 instrumental guitar hit The Guitar Boogie. Also known for Banjo Boogie, Boomerang, and Dueling Banjos. As a songwriter had his work recorded by Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, the Statesmen Quartet, the Cathedrals, Al Hirt, Barbara Mandrell, Willie Nelson, the Gatlin Brothers, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Boots Randolph, George Beverly Shea, the Stamps, the Statler Brothers, and Ricky Van Shelton ~ Smith was born in 1921
April 3, 2009 ~ Big band saxophonist Charlie Kennedy, full name Charles Sumner Kennedy, passed away in Ventura, California, USA ~ Worked with Louis Prima, Gene Krupa, Terry Gibbs, Charlie Ventura, Flip Phillips, Chico O'Farrill, Bill Holman, Terry Gibbs, June Christy, Med Flory, Dizzy Gillespie, Neal Hefti, Chubby Jackson, Shelly Manne, Anita O'Day, Art Pepper, and Zoot Sims ~ Kennedy was born in 1927April 3, 2002 ~ Big band bandleader, arranger, composer Larry Wagner passed away in Roslyn Heights, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra including writing or co-writing hits such as Whistler's Mother-in-law, No Name Jive and Turn Back The Hands Of Time ~ Wagner was born in 1907
April 3, 2001 ~ Guitarist, singer Big Daddy Kinsey passed away in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Best known as patriarch of two family outfits, namely Big Daddy Kinsey & his Fabulous Sons from the 1950s through the early 1970s and Big Daddy Kinsey & the Kinsey Report started in the mid-1980s ~ Kinsey was born in 1927April 3, 2001 ~ Jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker born in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA ~ Blind since birth. Child prodigy. Influenced by Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Barry Harris, Erroll Garner, Thelonious Monk. Released his debut album, Outta The Box, in 2017 backed by renowned musicians including Christian McBride, Dave Stryker, Will Calhoun and Sammy Figueroa
April 3, 1999 ~ Bebop pianist Herman Foster passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Eric Dixon, Dick Carter, Herbie Jones, Lou Donaldson, King Curtis, Bill English, Seldon Powell, Al Casey, Gloria Lynne, Earl May, Frankie Dunlop, Grassella Oliphant, Herman Wright, Bruno Carr, Jeff Fuller, Victor Jones, Joan Shaw, Jean DuShon, and Johnny Hartman ~ Foster was born in 1928
April 3, 1998 ~ Alvin Owen Tyler, commonly known as R&B, neo-bop saxophonist, composer, arranger Alvin Tyler, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Also known as Alvin Red Tyler for his light tanned skin. Key figure helpful in the development of the New Orleans R&B sound. Made his recording debut in 1949 backing Fats Domino on The Fat Man. As a leader noted for his 1960 Rockin' & Rollin' album released on Ace. In-demand sideman, backing some of the finest R&B and rock & roll artists including Amos Milburn, Little Richard (Here's Little Richard), Jimmy Clanton, Big Joe Turner, Lee Dorsey (Ya-Ya), Barbara George, Red Holloway, Professor Longhair, Huey Piano Smith, and Dr John. Tyler also co-wrote Java, first recorded by Allen Toussaint, later notably covered by numerous artists including King Curtis, Lawrence Welk, Tommy Tedesco, and Willie Mitchell ~ Tyler was born in 1925
April 3, 1998 ~ Loreto Domenic Fraieli, commonly known as songwriter Jimmie Crane, passed away ~ Best remembered for co-penning Hurt with Adolph Jacobs, an early 1960s smash hit and signature song for Timi Yuro. The song has been covered by over a 100 artists including Marty Robbins, Dinah Washington, Bobby Vinton, Billie Jo Spears, and Elvis Presley. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Crane include Denise Lor, Al Martino, Connee Boswell (If I Give My Heart To You), Connie Francis, and Joni James ~ Fraieli was born in 1910April 3, 1991 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Hayley Kiyoko born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founding member of girl group the Stunners, best known for opening for Justin Bieber on the My World Tour before disbanding in 2011. Released a number of solo singles and EPs before releasing a full-length solo album, Expectations in 2018. Also continues to work as an actress for TV and film
April 3, 1990 ~ Ken Samaras, commonly known as rapper, producer, actor Nekfeu, born in La Trinité, France ~ Member of L'Entourage, 1995 and of the S-Crew before setting out on a solo career, debuting in 2015 with the Feu album. Best known for songs such as On Verra and Tricheur featuring Damso, both of which reached the top 20 in France
April 3, 1990 ~ Singer, pianist Sarah Vaughan passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Quintessential jazz singer. Started with Earl Hines after winning a contest at Apollo Theater Amateur Night. Has recorded with Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Georgie Auld, before going solo by the mid 1940s. Vaughan's singing has often been compared to that of opera singers, the New York Times characterizing Vaughan in her obituary as a “singer who brought an operatic splendor to her performances of popular standards and jazz” ~ Vaughan was born in 1924
April 3, 1985 ~ Singer Leona Lewis, full name Leona Louise Lewis born in Islington, UK ~ First gained serious attention by winning the third season of talent show The X-Factor in 2006. Her winning entry, the Kelly Clarkson-cover A Moment Like This, would subsequently reach the top of the UK charts. Lewis released her full-length Spirit debut album the following year and has recorded since. Well known songs include Bleeding Love, Better In Time, Collide with Avicii, and One More SleepApril 3, 1985 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Meg Frampton born in Utah, USA ~ Best known for co-founding Meg & Dia with her sister Dia Frampton, initially a duo and later expanded to a five-piece band. The band independently released their 2005 Our Home Is Gone debut album and has recorded consistently since building a devoted cult following
April 3, 1984 ~ Jazz pianist, lecturer, critic John Mehegan passed away in New Canaan, Connecticut, USA ~ Head of jazz department at the Metropolitan Music School in the 1940s and 1950s. Jazz critic. Wrote numerous books on jazz. Recorded half a dozen albums with Charles Mingus, Kenny Clarke, Eddie Costa, and Vinnie Burke ~ Mehegan was born in 1916
April 3, 1983 ~ Pop, doo-wop singer Danny Rapp, full name Daniel Earl Rapp, passed away in Quartzsite, Arizona, USA ~ Lead singer for Danny & the Juniors, known best for their 1958 hit At The Hop. The song was based on their earlier song Do The Bop, and would become a worldwide hit after Dick Clark's suggestion to rewrite and retitle it. The group would have two follow-up hits with Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay and Twistin' USA before hitting a dry spell. In the 1970s the group capitalized on the nostalgia movement, touring and rerecording some of their biggest hits. By the late 1970s the group broke up in two separate groups, both using the Danny & the Juniors moniker. Rapp would pass away at age 41 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound ~ Rapp was born in 1941
April 3, 1981 ~ Ska trumpeter Aaron Bertram born in Orange County, California, USA ~ Member of third wave ska, ska punk band the Suburban Legends from its inception in 1998 through 2005, present on the band's first two albums Original Edition and Rump Shaker. Following his departure from the band Bertram has written children's music, working with Kids Imagine Nation with his wife Rachel Charest and trumpeter, singer Vincent Walker
April 3, 1981 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Ryan Cook born in Yarmouth, Canada ~ Debuted in 2008 with the album Hot Times, earning him a Music Nova Scotia Award for Best Country/Bluegrass Recording. Two subsequent albums, 2011's Peaks And Valleys and 2013's Wrestling With Demons would win the same award. Has opened for artists such as Sammy Kershaw, Travis Tritt, Dwight Yoakam and Rosanne Cash