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, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, flutist Ian Anderson born in Dunfermline, UK ~ Frontman, co-founding and constant member of progressive rock outfit Jethro Tull, with whom he recorded about two dozen albums since the late 1960s. The band, highly influential and considered one of the few that defined the genre, is especially acclaimed for their early 1970s albums Aqualung and its follow-up Thick As Brick. Australian singer Nick Cave, has named his Jethro in honour of the bandAugust 10, 1945 ~ Singer, guitarist Larry Larden born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of sunshine pop band Every Mothers Son, which also included his brother Dennis Larden, known for their 1967 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Come On Down To My Boat
August 10, 1943 ~ Drummer Bjorn Krokfoss born in Oslo, Norway ~ Worked with Magnolia, the Canal Street Jazzband, Rowland Greenberg, Asmund Bjørken, Oddmund Finnseth, Laila Dalseth, and Svein æren
August 10, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimmy Griffin, full name James Arthu Griffin, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Best known as a founding member of Bread, known for hits such as Baby I'm A-Want You, For All We Know, Make It With You, If, Everything I Own. Previously a songwriter who wrote for Ed Ames, Gary Lewis, Bobby Vee, Brian Hyland, the Standells, Lesley Gore, Sandy Nelson, and Cher. Has also collaborated with Terry Sylvester, Black Tie, Randy Meisner, Billy Swan, T-Bone Burnett, the Remingtons, Toast, and Todd Cerney ~ Griffin passed away in 2005
August 10, 1943 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer Michael Mantler born in Vienna, Austria ~ Founded the Jazz Composers Guild teaming up with Roswell Rudd, Archie Shepp and Cecil Taylor. Co-founded the Jazz Realities quintet and the Jazz Composers Orchestra, both with his wife Carla Bley, with whom he fathered Karen Mantler, also a pianist. Over the course of his career Mantler has worked with a wide array of artists including Don Cherry, Pharoah Sanders, Larry Coryell, Gato Barbieri, the London Symphony Orchestra, Jack Bruce, Marianne Faithfull, Robert Wyatt, Jack DeJohnette, Terje Rypdal, Chris Spedding, Per Jorgensen, Gary Burton, Nick Mason, and Charlie Haden
August 10, 1943 ~ Veronica Yvette Bennett, commonly known as singer Ronnie Spector, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Fronted the pivotal 1960s girl group the Ronettes, which served as a template for future girl groups. The band also included Ronnie's sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley and is known for quintessential 1960s songs such as Be My Baby, Walking In The Rain, Born To Be Together, Baby I Love You, and The Best Part Of Breaking Up. Ronnie Spector also notably sang lead on the 1962 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit He's A Rebel, officially issued as a single by the Crystals but actually recorded by producer Phil Spector with the Blossoms of which she was a member. Bennett was married to producer Phil Spector from 1968 through 1974 ~ Bennett passed away in 2022August 10, 1940 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Anzor Erkomaishvili born in Batumi, Russia ~ Best known for researching and preserving Georgian folk music. Long-time music director of the Rustavi Ensemble, starting in 1968 ~ Erkomaishvili passed away in 2021
August 10, 1940 ~ Singer Bobby Hatfield born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, USA ~ Half of vocal duo the Righteous Brothers, the other half being Bill Medley. The brothers are best known for songs such as You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', Unchained Melody (actually a Hatfield solo performance), and Rock & Roll Heaven. As a solo artist Hatfield released a handful of mostly late 1960s singles including Hot Tamales, the self-penned Hang-Ups, Stay With Me, and Only You (And You Alone), of which only the latter charted peaking at No.95 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Hatfield passed away in 2003
August 10, 1940 ~ John Leslie Humphreys, commonly known as singer Les Humphries, born in Croydon, UK ~ Founded and led the Les Humphries Singers, with whom he enjoyed popularity across Europe in the 1970s merging popular music with gospel covers. Well-known songs include We Are Going Down Jordan, Mexico, Mama Loo, and Kansas City. The band would disband shortly after their 1976 Eurovision Songfestival performance, reaching 15th place with Sing Sang Song representing Germany ~ Humphries passed away in 2007August 10, 1940 ~ Saxophonist Michael Antunes, also known as Michael Tunes Antunes, born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band, a bar band which initially gained a regional following in the Northeast prior to reaching mainstream in the 1980s with their soundtrack albums for Eddie & the Cruisers and its sequel Eddie & the Cruisers II (Eddie Lives). The former would spawn On The Dark Side, which reached No.7 Billboard Hot 100. Antunes would be the only band member to also appear in the films, portraying the role of the saxophonist in the fictional band Eddie & the Cruisers. Antunes has also worked with Boston-based blues rock band Ernie & the Automatics, which also included former members of Boston and RTZ. Upon hearing of his bandmate's passing, Ernie & the Automatics guitarist Barry Goudreau described Antunes as “the greatest soloist I ever played with, a kind, sweet person” ~ Antunes passed away in 2025
August 10, 1936 ~ Charles H Israels, commonly known as composer, arranger, bassist Chuck Israels, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Bill Evans. Israels grew up in a musical environment, his stepfather being the singer Mordecai Bauman counting artists such as Paul Robeson and Pete Seeger as close friends. Israels worked with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, JJ Johnson, John Coltrane, Judy Collins, Bud Powell, Cecil Taylor, Kenny Dorham, Louis Hayes, Eric Dolphy, Hampton Hawes, and Patti Austin
August 10, 1934 ~ Country, pop producer, songwriter Jerry Crutchfield born in Paducah, Kentucky, USA ~ In-demand country, country-pop producer and songwriter. Has produced albums by the likes of Lee Greenwood, Chris LeDoux, Anne Murray, Dottie West, Tammy Wynette, Glen Campbell, Buck Owens, Larry Gatlin, Pearl River, Mylon LeFevre, Dave Loggins. Songs written or co-written by Crutchfield have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee (My Whole World Is Falling Down), Eddy Arnold, Faron Young, Charley Pride, Lefty Frizzell, and Barbara Fairchild ~ Crutchfield passed away in 2022August 10, 1932 ~ Composer Alexander Goehr born in Berlin, Germany ~ Son of composer, conductor Walter Goehr. Central figure in the Manchester School of post-war British composers. Regarded by some as leader of the avant-garde. Composed chamber music, vocal and orchestral works, and opera. Well-known works include Piano Trio, the opera Arden Must Die, Triptych, Metamorphosis/Dance, and String Quartet No.3
August 10, 1932 ~ Gertrude A Pitts, commonly known as soul jazz keyboardist, organist Trudy Pitts, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Primarily known for playing the Hammond B-3 organ. Played with Ben Webster, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Pat Martino, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk ~ Pitts passed away in 2010
August 10, 1931 ~ Bouzouki player, songwriter Antonios Katinaris born in Chania, Greece ~ Best known for his 1960s breakout song What Can You Do With Only One Heart, co-written with Eftichia Papagianopoulou. Married to singer Maria Rippi. The couple's daughter Maria Katinari is also a singer ~ Katinaris passed away in 1999
August 10, 1928 ~ Edwin John Fisher, commonly known as singer, actor Eddie Fisher, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ One of the most popular artists in the early 1950s. Married to Debbie Reynolds (children Carrie Fisher, Todd Fisher). Later married to Connie Stevens (children Joely Fisher, Tricia Leigh Fisher). Fisher was known for songs such as Thinking Of You, Any Time, Tell Me Why, Wish You Were Here, I'm Walking Behind You, I Need You Now, and The Heart ~ Fisher passed away in 2010
August 10, 1928 ~ Singer, actor Jimmy Dean, full name Jimmy Ray Dean, born in Plainview, Texas, USA ~ Best remembered for his 1961 crossover hit Big Bad John, for numerous TV appearances including his own The Jimmy Dean Show, and the role of billionaire Willar Whyte in the 1971 Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever. Also known for songs such as The First Thing Every Morning And The Last Thing Every Night, Stand Beside Me, Sweet Misery, Thing Called Love, the Dottie West duet Slowly, and The One You Say Good Morning To ~ Dean passed away in 2010August 10, 1928 ~ Pianist, singer, composer, actor Per Asplin born in Tønsberg, Norway ~ Starred in a number of films. Created the annual Christmas show Putti Plutti Pott And Santa's Beard. Participated in the prestigious Melodi Grand Prix a number of times. Best remembered as member of vocal group the Monn Keys ~ Asplin passed away in 1996
August 10, 1927 ~ Guitarist Jimmy Martin, full name James Henry Martin, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Dubbed “the King of Bluegrass”. Known for songs such as The Hit Parade Of Love, Sophronie, Stepping Stones, Widow Maker, and Bear Track. Martin has also worked with Bill Monroe, the Osborne Brothers, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band ~ Martin passed away in 2005August 10, 1923 ~ Marilyn Louis, commonly known as actress, singer Rhonda Fleming, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the Queen of Technicolor” best known as an actress, appearing in over 40 films starting in the 1940s. Has also starred in a number of musical comedies, notably playing the female lead in 1949's A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court opposite Bing Crosby ~ Louis passed away in 2020
August 10, 1922 ~ Al Albertini, commonly known as singer, composer Al Alberts born in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Co-founded the Four Aces with navy buddy Dave Mahoney. The group scored two Oscars for best song, Three Coins In The Fountain in 1954 and Love Is A Many Splendored Thing in 1955. Later Albertini would host a TV show in Philadelphia, Showcase. In its 32 years running the show helped launch the careers of Sister Sledge, the Kinleys, and Teddy Pendergrass ~ Albertini passed away in 2009
August 10, 1921 ~ Classical soprano singer Agnes Giebel born in Heerlen, the Netherlands ~ Predominantly sang sacred works such as cantatas, oratorios, and masses. Considered one of the premier interpreters of her generation of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, yet was equally proficient in the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Gustav Mahler, and George Frideric Handel. Giebel has recorded with numerous renowned orchestras and choirs including the New Philharmonia Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Orchestra, the Thomanerchor Leipzig, and the Montiverdi-Chor, under the direction of conductors such as Otto Klemperer, Eugen Jochum, Kurt Thomas, Hans Stadlmair, Kurt Redel, Rafael Kubelik, and Günther Ramin ~ Giebel passed away in 2017
August 10, 1917 ~ James Charles Heard, commonly known as swing, bop, blues drummer JC Heard, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Became a protégé of drummer Jo Jones through who Heard would meet and sit in with Count Basie, as well as land his first professional job playing in Teddy Wilson's band. Heard would continue on to work with a wide array of musicians including Benny Carter, Louis Jordan, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Ray Brown, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan, Erroll Garner, Oscar Pettiford, and Cab Calloway. Heard was known for his innovative technique and the hard swing he would bring to both large and small bands ~ Heard passed away in 1988August 10, 1906 ~ Robert de Keersmaeker, commonly known as jazz pianist, trumpeter, bandleader Robert de Kers, born in Antwerp, Belgium ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong. Has worked with Fud Candrix, David Bee, Josephine Baker, Jack Kruger, Gus Clark, Eddie Tower, and Toots Thielemans ~ De Keersmaeker passed away in 1987
August 10, 1904 ~ Gerald Walcan Bright, mononymously known as dance band bandleader Geraldo, born in London, UK ~ One of the most popular dance bandleaders of the 1930s and 1940s employing sidemen such as Johnny Dankworth, Benny Green, Bill Le Sage, Ronnie Scott, and Stan Tracey ~ Bright passed away in 1974