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.
August 10, 2024 ~ Singer, bassist, guitarist, pianist, composer Dean Roberts passed away ~ Formed the short-lived mid 1990s free noise trio Thela with Dion Workman and Rosy Parlane, with whom he recorded the albums Untitled and its follow-up Argentina. Following the group's disbandement, Roberts has embarked on a solo career releasing some dozen albums since, the first few going by the monniker White Winged Moth before recording under his given name. Experimenting with electroacoustics, minimalism, and progressive rock, Roberts is especially acclaimed for his 2003 Be Mine Tonight album. Roberts was also a member of experimental trio Autistic Daughters, and has collaborated with the likes of Matt Valentine, Eugene Chadbourne, and Thurston Moore ~ Roberts was born in 1975
August 10, 2022 ~ Ronald Earsall DeVaughn, commonly known as jazz. avant-garde jazz, classical cellist Abdul Wadud, passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Focused solely on the cello since age 9, Wadud would grow to become regarded as one of the finest cellists of his generation, equally at home in jazz and classical settings. Formed the Black Unity Trio with saxophonist Yusuf Mumin and drummer Hasan Shahid, known for their 1971 Al-Fatihah album at the time considered among the most focused and spiritual free jazz. Closely associated with Julius Hemphill, with whom he regularly collaborated throughout his career including on the highly acclaimed Oakland Duets collaborative album released in 1993. To classical audiences, Wadud is perhaps best known for his association with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in the 1970s. Over the course of his career, Wadud has guested on albums by Frank Lowe (Fresh), Charles Bobo Shaw, Arthur Blythe (Metamorphosis), Oliver Lake, James Newton, Michael Franks, Anthony Davis (Variations In Dreamtime), the Black Swan Quartet, David Murray, and Marty Ehrlich (Emergency Peace). Wadud's son is the R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn ~ DeVaughn was born in 1947
August 10, 2022 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Karina Vismara, full name Karina Denise Vismara, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Released two albums during her lifetime, Casa Del Viento in 2015 and Selva in 2019. Well-known songs include Montaña, Selva, Persona, and No Se Deja Conquistrar. Vismara passed away at age 32 of kidney failure, aggravated by cancer ~ Vismara was born in 1990August 10, 2021 ~ Choral conductor, composer Stephen Wilkinson, full name Stephen Austin Wilkinson, passed away ~ Conducted the Hertford Choir. Staff musician with the BBC for over 25 years starting in 1953, best known for his work with the BBC Northern Singers. Has also guested with the RTE Singers, and het Nederlands Kamerkoor. Wilkinson's daughter is mezzo-soprano singer Clare Wilkinson ~ Wilkinson was born in 1919
August 10, 2020 ~ Pop singer, guitarist Waldemar Bastos, full name Waldemar dos Santos Alonse de Almeida Bastos, passed away in Lisbon, Portugal ~ Drew from Afropop, fado and Brazilian influences. Emigrated to Portugal in the early 1980s to escape the civil war in his native Angola. Especially known for his 1982 Estamos Juntos album ~ Bastos was born in 1954
August 10, 2013 ~ Edith Gormezano, commonly known as singer Eydie Gormé, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Sang with Tommy Tucker, Tex Beneke, and with Steve Lawrence, staff writer at The Tonight Show. Lawrence and Gormezano were married in 1957 and would perform and record to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. As a solo singer Gormé is known for songs such as Too Close For Comfort, Love Me Forever, Blame It On The Bossa Nova, and We Can Make It Together ~ Gormezano was born in 1928
August 10, 2013 ~ Guitarist, bassist Jody Payne, full name James L Payne, passed away in Stapleton, Alabama, USA ~ Husband of singer Sammi Smith, with whom he fathered singer, actor Waylon Payne. Best known for his association with Willie Nelson, backing Nelson on tour and record from 1973 through 2008. Also worked with Charlie Monroe, Merle Haggard, Hank Snow, Leon Russell, Tanya Tucker, and Ray Price ~ Payne was born in 1936
August 10, 2013 ~ Singer Katy Perry releases Roar, lead single off her Prism album ~ Yet again teaming up with producers Max Martin and Dr Luke, who had also worked on her previous Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits California Gurls, Teenage Dream, Last Friday Night (TGIF), and ET, Katy Perry scored another smash hit with Roar, lifted off her fourth studio album. The single would reach the top spot in over a dozen countries including Australia, Canada, the UK, and America, and earned the singer two Grammy Award nominations. At the time of its release, there was some controversy over alleged plagiarism due to the song's resemblance to Brave by Sara Bareilles. However, Bareilles has stated Perry was a friend of hers and how she regretted the negative spin on two artists that are choosing to share positive messages, at some point declaring: “If I'm not mad I don't know why anybody else is upset”
August 10, 2011 ~ Singer Billy Grammer passed away in Benton, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his 1959 hit Gotta Travel On, written by David Lazar, Larry Ehrlich, Paul Clayton, and Tom Six. Recorded the first version of Bobby Bare's Detroit City, entitled I Wanna Go Home in 1963 ~ Grammer was born in 1925
August 10, 2008 ~ Singer, songwriter Isaac Hayes, full name Isaac Lee Hayes Jr, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Southern soul icon, session musician, songwriter, producer at famed Stax/Volt label oft in collaboration with David Porter, writing songs for Sam & Dave, and Carla Thomas. Influenced by Percy Mayfield, Big Joe Turner, James Brown, Jerry Butler, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, Marvin Gaye, the Chamber Brothers and Sly & the Family Stone. Worked with Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Donald Byrd, Linda Clifford, Albert King, William Bell, Dionne Warwick, Rufus Thomas, and Eddie Floyd. As a solo artist best known for pivotal late 1960s, early 1970s albums such as Hot Buttered Soul, Black Moses and the score of blaxploitation film Shaft. Received an Oscar for Best Original Song for the track Theme From Shaft. Would later embrace disco on albums such as Chocolate Chip and Disco Connection. Would resurge in the 1990s lending his voice to South Park's Chef ~ Hayes was born in 1942
August 10, 2006 ~ Singer Barbara George passed away in Chauvin, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for the R&B crossover classic I Know (You Don't Love Me No More) of her sole mostly self-penned 1961 album of the same name. The single would make top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B charts in 1961. The song would later be covered by Fats Domino, Cher, and Bonnie Raitt. Two subsequent singles, You Talk About Love and Send For Me (If You Need Some Lovin') would also chart but fail to reach the same level of succes ~ George was born in 1942August 10, 2002 ~ Blues rock, jam band guitarist Michael Houser passed away in Athens, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist of Widespread Panic, remaining with the band until his death in 2002. The band is best known for a number of 1990s albums, notably Everyday, Ain't Life Grand and Til The Medicine Takes. Houser has also worked with Bloodkin, Brute, and John Hermann ~ Houser was born in 1962
August 10, 1998 ~ Neo soul, hip hop singer Lauryn Hill releases Doo Wop (That Thing), lead single off her The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill solo debut album ~ Hill's solo debut single was released to universal acclaim, widely praised by critics at the time of its original release and retrospectively earning additional acknowledgment. Furthermore, the single was a major worldwide commercial success reaching top 10 in numerous countries including Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and the UK. In the singer's native America, it debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, making it both the first hip-hop single and the first debut single to achieve this feat, and earned Lauryn Hill two Grammy Awards. Doo Wop (That Thing) was the first single written and produced solely by a female singer to reach the top spot since Debbie Gibson's Lost In Your Eyes nearly a decade earlier. Hill would later comment to Playboy: “For some reason, women aren't taken seriously as thinkers and creators and arrangers and producers. The industry thinks there always has to be some man somewhere puppeteering the whole situation. It doesn't make you feel good as an artist when you are having conversations about your music and people don't take it seriously”August 10, 1993 ~ Pop, jazz singer Eva Olmerová passed away in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Widely regarded as one of the premier Czech singers, despite her career hindered by the authorities. Critically compared to Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Janis Joplin. Known for her associations with the Semafor Theatre, Karel Mares, and Emil Viklický ~ Olmerová was born in 1934
August 10, 1991 ~ Henry Franklin Smith, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Buster Smith, passed away in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Instrumental 1930s saxophonist. Mentor to Charlie Parker. Recorded just one album as a leader, 1959's The Legendary Buster Smith. Worked with Hot Lips Page, the Oklahoma City Blue Devils, Lester Young, Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing, Emir Coleman, Pete Johnson, Eddie Durham, Don Redman, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, and Ella Fitzgerald ~ Smith was born in 1904
August 10, 1987 ~ Synth-pop duo the Pet Shop Boys release What Have I Done To Deserve This notably featuring Dusty Springfield, lifted of the duo's Actually sophomore album ~ The single reached top 10 in over a dozen countries, including the Netherlands, America, and the UK. It also resurged an interest in Dusty Springfield, who last scored a UK top 40 hit in 1970. Initially, the label did not want the Pet Shop Boys to work with Springfield, instead suggesting Tina Turner or Barbra Streisand. At first, Springfield herself also was not interested, but she changed her mind after hearing the duo's West End Girls. Neil Tennant would later recall of the vocal session with Springfield: “Her voice was the same as ever. When she sang her solo part ‘Since you went away…’ everyone in the control room smiled. She sounded just like she used to. Breathy, warm, thrilling. Like Dusty Springfield”
August 10, 1983 ~ Folk, folk rock, indie rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, pianist, bassist, percussionist, violinist, drummer Bill Ryder-Jones, full name William Edward Ryder-Jones, born in Warrington, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Coral, present on the band's first five albums. The band has scored the UK top 10 hits Don't Think You're The First, Pass It On, and In The Morning. Following his departure in 2008 the band would continue as a five-piece unit. Ryder-Jones would record as a solo artist, write film scores, and serve as producer for artists such as Wytches, Saint Saviour, the Hooton Tennis Club, Milburn, Our Girl, Yard Act, and Michael Head. Ryder-Jones also guested on Arctic Monkeys' AM album released in 2013August 10, 1979 ~ Guitarist, drummer, singer Cary Ann Hearst born in Johns Island, South Carolina, USA ~ Influenced by Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn. First gained attention when her song Hells Bells was included in the HBO vampire drama True Blood. Records both as a solo artist and with Shovels & Rope, a duo with her husband Michael Trent
August 10, 1979 ~ Indie rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, saxophonist, keyboardist, songwriter Matt Mays born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Member of country rock outfit the Guthries from 2000 through 2002. Debuted as a solo artist with the eponymous 2002 Matt Mays album. Worked with Matt Mays & El Torpedo, which also included Jay Smith, Andy Patil, Tim Baker and Adam Baldwin, known for Cocaine Cowgirl
August 10, 1979 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Ove Alexander Billington born in Frederikstad, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Fronts his own the Billington Trio. Closely associated with acts such as the Independent Jazz Orchestra, Speak Low, the Mads Berven Quartet, Kjellerbandet. Has also worked with Stjern, Håvard Fossum, Gine Gaustad Anderssen, Majken Christiansen, Ole Jørn Myklebust, Yasuhito Mori, Petter Wettre, Bodil Niska, Nora Brockstedt, and Funky Butt
August 10, 1976 ~ Generoso Graziano, commonly known as violinist, bandleader, composer, arranger Jerry Gray, passed away in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Popular big band, swing era arranger. Closely associated with Artie Shaw and especially Glenn Miller. Arranged many of Miller's 1930s and 1940s recordings including Elmer's Tune, Moonlight Cocktail and Chattanooga Choo Choo, wrote or co-wrote songs such as Sun Valley Jump, The Man In The Moon, Pennsylvania 6-5000 and I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem ~ Graziano was born in 1915
August 10, 1974 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, Call On Me by Chicago peaks at No.6 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The first song written by the band's trumpeter Lee Loughnane, with some minor tweaks by lead singer Peter Cetera, the song is most noted for its distinctive use of conga drums. Loughnane would later explain the message of the song: “I was at the end of a marriage, and I wanted to remain friends with her. I put that in the lyric: you can call on me even though we're not going to be together anymore, but it seems like the right thing to do. Since then I've changed my mind, of course”August 10, 1972 ~ Blues rock, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Devon Allman born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Son of the Allman Brothers Band's singer Gregg Allman. Worked with Honeytribe, the Vargas Blues Band, Ron Holloway, and with the Royal Souhern Brotherhood
August 10, 1972 ~ Dilana Jansen van Vuuren, mononymously known as hard rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter, actress Dilana, born in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Released her Wonderfool debut album in 2000. Best known as contestant on the reality TV show Rock Star Supernova. Briefly sang with the LA Guns in 2011
August 10, 1968 ~ Hard rock, glam metal singer, songwriter Matt Kramer born ~ Best known as Saigon Kick lead singer on the band's first two albums, 1991's Saigon Kick and 1992's The Lizard, the latter spawning the Billboard top 10 hit Love Is On The Way, a power ballad. Kramer also sang with Coma and Soul Star
August 10, 1968 ~ Singer Michael Bivins born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of R&B unit New Edition, with whom he scored the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Cool It Now, If It Isn't Love, Hit Me Off, and I'm Still In Love With You. Following the band's initial disbandement formed Bell Biv DeVoe with Edition bandmates Ricky Bell and Ronnie DeVoe. The trio would reach Billboard Hot 100 top 10 with the singles Poison and Do Me, both taken of their 1990 Poison debut album