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 11, 2025 ~ Sheila Jeanette Dawson, commonly known as jazz singer, songwriter Sheila Jordan, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Known for her scat singing accompanied by a sole upright bass. Debuted in 1962 with the album Portrait Of Sheila. Has worked with Herbie Nichols, George Russell, Steve Kuhn, Don Heckman, Lee Konitz, Roswell Rudd, Arild Andersen, George Gruntz, Cameron Brown, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Frank Holder, Jane Bunnett, and Bob Moses ~ Dawson was born in 1928
August 11, 2024 ~ Eoin French, commonly known as indie electronic musician Talos, passed away in Cork, Ireland ~ Member of Hush War Cry in his early twenties. French debuted as a solo artist in 2013, going by the stage name Talos for the mythical Talos, a giant automaton of bronze that protected Crete. French has released three full-length albums, starting with Wild Alee in 2017 which was hailed as “a spectacularly assured debut deserving of a wide audience” by the Irish Times upon its release. French has studied architecture and continued to lecture at the University College Cork, his alma mater, parallel to his musical career. Upon hearing of his passing, singer Emma Langford stated “Ireland sadly lost a very talented Irish artist, (…) he made beautiful ethereal music and when he played the castle in Limerick it rang out over the river like siren song” ~ French was born in 1987
August 11, 2023 ~ Violinist, conductor Florence Malgoire passed away in Avignon, France ~ Considered a specialist of the ancient violin. In-demand solo violinist, known for her associations with baroque ensembles such as La Chapelle Royale, Les Talens Lyriques, and Les Arts Florissants. Founded Les Dominos, an ensemble specializing in 17th and 18th century music. Co-founded chamber music ensemble Les Nièces De Rameau. Has conducted works by Jean-Philippe Rameau, Jean-Féry Rebel, George Frideric Handel, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ~ Malgoire was born in 1960
August 11, 2023 ~ Punk, rock, alternative rock singer, songwriter Ron Peno, full name Ronald Stephen Valentino Peno, passed away in South Yarra, Australia ~ Member of a number of short-lived punk groups through the early 1980s including the Hellcats, the 31st, and the Screaming Tribesmen. Best known as lead singer, constant member of Died Pretty, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Free Dirt released in 1986. The band is perhaps best known for the single Harness Up which reached top 40 in their native Australia in 1993 ~ Peno was born in 1955
August 11, 2023 ~ Lyricist, librettist Tom Jones, full name Thomas Collins Jones, passed away in Sharon, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known for co-writing The Fantasticks with regular collaborator composer Harvey Schmidt, a musical that ran off-Broadway for about four decades starting in the early 1960s. Well-known songs from the musical include Try To Remember, Soon It's Gonna Rain, Much More, and I Can See It. Other musicals written by the duo include 110 In The Shade, I Do I Do, and Philemon. Jones also authored the book Making Musicals (An Informal Introduction To The World Of Music Theatre), published in 1998 ~ Jones was born in 1928
August 11, 2022 ~ Guitarist, bassist Bill Pitman, full name William Keith Pitman, passed away in La Quinta, California, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Christian and Eddie Lang. Got his first big break backing Peggy Lee in the early 1950s. Would work mostly in jazz throughout most of the decade, backing artists such as Mel Tormé, Buddy Rich, Red Callender. Ventured into pop and rock & roll by the mid- to late 1950s, aligning himself with a loose group of first-call session musicians dubbed the Wrecking Crew. Present on some of the era's most influential songs by acts such as Frank Sinatra (Strangers In The Night), Barbra Streisand, the Beach Boys (Good Vibrations), Jan & Dean, Elvis Presley, the Ronettes (Be My Baby), the Mamas & the Papas, the Byrds, Bobby Darin, the Ventures, and Nancy Sinatra ~ Pitman was born in 1920
August 11, 2022 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Darius Campbell-Danesh passed away in Rochester, Minnesota, USA ~ First gained attention as a contestant on the talent contest Popstars in 2001, reaching the finals and then turning down the record deal. His Colourblind debut single would reach No.1 in the UK. Has released two full-length albums consisting mostly of self-penned material, Dive In in 2002 and Live Twice in 2004. Ventured into musicals, performing in the productions of Chicago and Guys And Dolls, and later into opera, starting with winning the talent contest Popstar To Operastar in 2010 ~ Campbell-Danesh was born in 1980August 11, 2021 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Caroline Peyton passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for a number of 1970s albums, notably Mock Up and Intuition. Would go on to appear in theatrical productions, including on Broadway, and work as a voice actress in Disney animated films. Released a self-penned album, Homeseeker's Paradise, in 2014 ~ Peyton was born in 1951
August 11, 2021 ~ Keyboardist, organist, singer Mike Finnigan, full name Michael Kelly Finnigan, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Played with Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Etta James, Sam Moore, Crosby Stills & Nash, Buddy Guy, the Manhattan Transfer, Taj Mahal, Michael McDonald, Maria Muldaur, Peter Frampton, Cher, Ringo Starr, Leonard Cohen, Tower Of Power, Rod Stewart, David Coverdale, Tracy Chapman, the Lonely Boys, Bonnie Raitt, and Saving Escape ~ Finnigan was born in 1945
August 11, 2021 ~ Texas blues, electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Roy Gaines, full name Roy James Gaines, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Brother of blues saxophonist Grady Gaines. Released a handful of overlooked solo recordings in the mid 1950s but would spend most of his career backing others. Has worked with Bobby Blue Bland (It's My Life), Junior Parker, Big Mama Thornton, Roy Milton, Chuck Willis, T-Bone Walker, Ray Charles, the Everly Brothers, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight. From the early 1980s on would record as a solo artist from time to time, perhaps most notably his 1982 Gainelining album containing the track A Hell Of A Night ~ Gaines was born in 1937
August 11, 2020 ~ Bénédicte Grimault, commonly known as actress, singer, songwriter Belle du Berry, passed away in Le-Kremlin-Bicêtre, France ~ Lead singer of Paris Combo, known for blending chanson, pop, jazz, swing, world music. The band broke through with their sophomore Living Room album released in 2000 and have toured in France, Australia and America ~ Grimault was born in 1966
August 11, 2020 ~ Singer, guitarist Trini López, full name Trinidad López III, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Discovered by Frank Sinatra, who would become a life-long friend. Best known for songs such as The Lemon Tree, I'm Comin' Home Cindy, Sally Was A Good Old Girl and perhaps his best known If I Had A Hammer, the latter topping the charts in some 35 countries in 1963 ~ López was born in 1937August 11, 2019 ~ Jazz cornetist Jim Cullum, full name Jim Cullum Jr, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Son of clarinetist Jim Cullum Sr. Took over leadership of his father's band, the Happy Feet Jazz Band, eventually renaming the band to the Jim Cullum Jazz Band. At times the band would also include artists such as pianist John Sheridan and reed players Evan Christopher, Brian Ogilvie and Allan Vaché ~ Cullum was born in 1941
August 11, 2016 ~ Singer, guitarist Glenn Yarbrough, full name Glenn Robertson Yarbrough, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ First gained attention as lead singer of the Limeliters from 1959 through 1963, known for songs such as There's A Meetin' Here Tonight, A Dollar Down, Have Some Madeira M'Dear, and The Lonesome Traveler. As a solo artist best known for his 1965 single Baby The Rain Must Fall. Yarbrough would later rejoin a reformed Limeliters incarnation and play the oldies circuit ~ Yarbrough was born in 1930
August 11, 2012 ~ Earle Lavon Freeman Sr, commonly known as jazz, hard bop saxophonist Von Freeman, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Considered a founder of the “Chicago school of jazz tenorists” alongside Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan. Recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, yet never became a household name mainly due to the fact that Von preferred to stay close to home instead of tour the country. Brother of guitarist George Freeman and drummer Eldridge Freeman, the three regularly backing visiting musicians such as Charlie Parker, Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie. Father of saxophonist Chico Freeman ~ Freeman was born in 1923August 11, 2008 ~ Steel guitarist Don Helms, full name Donald Hugh Helms, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as a member of country icon Hank Williams' backing unit the Drifting Cowboys. Appeared on over 100 Williams recordings. Sessioned on numerous other country classics including Patsy Cline's Walkin' After Midnight, Stonewall Jackson's Waterloo, the Louvin Brothers' Cash On The Barrelhead, Lefty Frizzell's The Long Black Veil and Loretta Lynn's Blue Kentucky Girl. Worked with Johnny Cash early on in Cash's career, and collaborated with Hank Williams Jr, the Wilburn Brothers, Teresa Street, Joey Allcorn, and Vince Gill ~ Helms was born in 1927
August 11, 2007 ~ Irving Herbert Pomeroy III, commonly known as teacher, bandleader, trumpeter Herb Pomeroy passed away in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Toured with Lionel Hampton and Stan Kenton. Recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for Life Is A Many Splendered Gig released in 1958. Sideman on recordings by Charlie Mariano, Serge Chaloff, Irene Kral (The Band And I), John Lewis (The Wonderful World Of Jazz), Anita O'Day (All The Sad Young Men), Donna Byrne, and Greg Abate. Music director for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, a role he held for over two decades. Taught at the Berklee School Of Music and the Lennox School Of Music. His students included Toshiko Akiyoshi, Gary Burton, Gary McFarland, and Miroslav Vitous ~ Pomeroy was born in 1930August 11, 2007 ~ Jean de Dieu Makies, commonly known as soukous, rumba singer Madilu System, passed away in Kinshasa, Congo ~ Active since the late 1960s, playing in a number of bands with Papa Noel and Sam Mangwana prior to rising to international fame as a member of TPOK Jazz. Joined the latter in 1980 and was notably present on songs such as Mamou (Tu Vois) and the band's biggest hit Mario. Following the band's disbandement Makiese has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Sans Commentaire released in 1993 ~ Makiese was born in 1952
August 11, 2006 ~ Michael Delaney Dowd Jr, commonly known as big band era singer, actor, TV personality Mike Douglas, passed away in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA ~ Best known for his The Mike Douglas Show talk show, which aired for two decades starting in the early 1960s. Previously Douglas has worked as a nightclub singer, was a staff singer for Chicago-based WMAQ-TV, and served in the big band of Kay Kyser notably present on the mid 1940s hits Ole Buttermilk Sky and The Old Lamp-Lighter ~ Dowd was born in 1920August 11, 1999 ~ R&B singer, bandleader Tommy Ridgley, full name Thomas Herman Ridgley, passed away in Metalrie, Louisiana, USA ~ Fronted the Untouchables. Debuted in 1949 with the single Shrewsbury Blues. Also known for songs such as Double Eyed Whammy, I've Heard That Story Before and Tra La La, the latter later covered by Pat Boone ~ Ridgley was born in 1925
August 11, 1996 ~ Drummer Mel Taylor passed away in Tarzana, California, USA ~ Backed Bobby Pickett and Herb Alpert prior to joining the Ventures in 1962, initially as a temporary fill-in for an injured Howie Johnson. Taylor harder-edged rock style so impressed the rest of the band they asked him to become a permanent member. Taylor remained with the group until his death over three decades later. The band is known for songs such as Walk Don't Run, Slaughter On Tenth Avenue, Secret Agent Man, and Hawaii Five-O. Taylor's baby brother is Canned Heat-bassist Larry Taylor ~ Taylor was born in 1933
August 11, 1995 ~ Thomas Wisse, commonly known as punk rock, post punk, rock singer, keyboardist, percussionist Damon Edge, passed away in Redondo Beach, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of post-punk outfit Chrome, which earned a cult following in the UK and Germany with their amalgation of punk, psychedelia, and early industrial music. The band is best known for the albums Alien Soundtracks and Half Machine Lip Moves released respectively in 1977 and 1979. Following Edge's death at age 45 guitarist Helios Creed has revived the band. Damon has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Alliance released in 1985 ~ Wisse was born in 1949August 11, 1995 ~ Singer, bandleader Phil Harris passed away in Rancho Mirage, California, USA ~ As a singer scored the 1950 novelty hit The Thing. Best known as a bandleader for radio sitcoms, notably with The Jack Benny Program and his own The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show which he co-hosted with his wife actress and singer Alice Faye ~ Harris was born in 1904
August 11, 1994 ~ Indie pop singer, guitarist, pianist Alejandro Aranda born in Pomona, California, USA ~ Reached 2nd place in the 17th season of American Idol in 2019, losing to singer Laine Hardy. Following his success on the show, Aranda released his Exit Form debut album to moderate success. Aranda would continue to record into the 2020s to limited success
August 11, 1991 ~ Bassist, guitarist, songwriter Alan Spenner, full name Alan Henry Spenner, passed away in London, UK ~ Worked with Wynder K Frog, Spooky Tooth, ABC, David Coverdale, David Soul, Joe Cocker (including backing Cocker at the 1969 the Woodstock Music and Art Fair concert), Kenny Loggins, Lynda Carter, Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent, Mick Taylor, China Crisis, Murray Head, Kokomo, and Roxy Music ~ Spenner was born in 1948