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, 1897 ~ John Joseph Haley Jr, commonly known as vaudevillian actor, singer, dancer, radio host Jack Haley, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Probably best remembered for portraying the roles of the Tin Man and his farmhand counterpart Hickory in the 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical film Wizard Of Oz starring Judy Garland. Previously Haley had worked in vaudeville as a song-and-dance comedian, released a number of records in the 1920s and early 1930s, and was seen in supporting roles alongside Shirley Temple, Frank Sinatra, and notbaly in the Irving Berlin-penned musical film Alexander's Ragtime Band. Haley would continue to work in film and Broadway stage productions throughout the 1940s, with occasional appearances thereafter ~ Haley passed away in 1979
August 10, 1872 ~ Jazz banjoist, bassist William Manuel Johnson born in Talladega, Alabama, USA ~ Brother of pianist, clarinetist, drummer Dink Johnson. Considered the father of the “slap” style of double bass playing. Mentored Milt Hinton. Played with the Eagle Band and the Excelsior Brass Band before founding the Original Creole Orchestra, the first jazz band to leave New Orleans, Louisiana, and tour widely in the 1910s ~ Johnson passed away in 1972