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, 1943 ~ Bassist Jim Kale born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Best known as original bassist of the Guess Who, remaining with the band from its inception in 1962 through 1972. Present on the band's best known songs including American Woman which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. After the band's disbandement in 1975. Kale performed with several line-ups using the unclaimed band name. Kale was also a member of Scrubbaloe Caine, known for their sole album, Round One, released in 1973
August 11, 1943 ~ Producer, songwriter Kenny Gamble born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed the famed Gamble & Huff producer, songwriter duo with Leon Huff, credited with shaping the Philly soul in the 1970s. Have worked with artists such as the Intruders, Jerry Butler, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (If You Don't Know Me By Now), Joe Simon, the O'Jays (Back Stabbers), the People's Choice, Billy Paul (Am I Black Enough For You), Lou Rawls, MFSB (TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)), the Jacksons, and Teddy Pendergrass
August 11, 1940 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer Peter King, full name Peter John King, born in Kingston-upon-Thames, UK ~ Worked with Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Tubby Hayes, Harry South, Stan Tracey, the Brussels Big Band, Ray Charles, Philly Joe Jones, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Red Rodney, Hampton Hawes, Nat Adderley, Al Haig, John Burch, Bill Watrous, Dick Morrisey, Tony Kinsey, Bill Le Sage, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Williams, Jon Hendricks, Anita O'Day, Everything But The Girl, Ben Watt, Tete Montoliu, and Jimmy Witherspoon ~ King passed away in 2020
August 11, 1940 ~ Hoboist, conductor Werner Herbers born in Bilthoven, the Netherlands ~ Married to violinist Vera Beths. Principal hoboist for the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Co-artistic director for the Nederlands Blazer Ensemble from 1962 through 1988. Founded the Ebony Band, known for bringing forgotten or overlooked composers from the Interbellum to the public's attention and especially composers persecuted or killed by the Nazis ~ Herbers passed away in 2023
August 11, 1937 ~ Sheldon Talmy, commonly known as producer Shel Talmy, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Got his start in music in the early 1960s, working with acts such as Marketts, the Castells, René Hall, and Robert Bumps Blackwell. Rose to fame in the mid 1960s, becoming a pivotal independent producer in Britain when a five-week vacation turned into an extended stay. Notable recordings from the mid- to late 1960s include the landmark My Generation album by the Who, about half a dozen albums by the Kinks, including You Really Got Me, Kinda Kinks, and Kinkdom, the Pentangle debut album The Pentangle, and singles such as Friday On My Mind by the Easybeats, Just Like A Woman by Manfred Mann, and (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice by Amen Corner. From the 1970s onward, Talmy would be less prolific, yet continued to produce acts such as Ralph McTell, the Band Of Joy, the Small Faces, and the Damned. Upon his death, a prepared statement by Talmy was released which among other things read: “I've had a good run, and I am delighted it lasted as long as it did” ~ Talmy passed away in 2024August 11, 1936 ~ Rockabilly singer, guitarist Clyde Stacy, full name Haskell XClyde Stacy, born in Eufala, Oklahoma, USA ~ Credited as a founder of the “Tulsa sound” and known for a handful of 1950s singles, notably So Young released in 1957. Stacy has opened for artists such as Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline, eventually mostly retiring from music by the mid 1970s ~ Stacy passed away in 2013
August 11, 1934 ~ John Anthony Pompeo, commonly known as jazz drummer, vibraphonist Johnny Rae, born in Saugus, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Herb Pomeroy, George Shearing, Johnny Smith, Ralph Sharon, Cozy Cole, Herbie Mann, Cal Tjader, Stan Getz, Gábor Szabó, Charlie Byrd, Earl Hines, Art van Damme, Barney Kessel, Mark Levine, Poncho Sanchez, Ernestine Anderson, Charles Kynard, Buddy Collette, Anita O'Day, and Mary Stallings ~ Pompeo passed away in 1993
August 11, 1933 ~ Label executive Walter Yetnikoff born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Executive with CBS Records for nearly two decades starting in 1971, rising to president and CEO by the mid 1970s. Signed artists such as James Taylor and Paul McCartney. Helped advance the careers of Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Earth Wind & Fire, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, and Gloria Estefan ~ Yetnikoff passed away in 2021August 11, 1930 ~ Composer Heinz Werner Zimmermann born in Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Germany ~ Focused on composing contemporary sacred music. Director of the Spandauer Kirchemusikschule from 1963 through 1976, subsequently composition teacher at the Frankfurt University Of Music And Performing Arts through 1996. Best known for his Missa Profana, premiered in 1980. Other works include The Bible Of Spirituals, Te Deum, and Symphonia Sacra ~ Zimmermann passed away in 2022
August 11, 1928 ~ Producer, orchestrator, arranger Tony Camillo, full name Anthony J Camillo, born in Somerville, New Jersey, USA ~ Prolific soul, pop, disco producer, arranger. Co-produced Gladys Knight's Midnight Train To Georgia. Also worked with artists such as Dionne Warwick, Eric Carmen, the Stylistics, the Dazz Band, Millie Jackson, Chambers Brothers, Peaches & Herb, Sha Na Na, Grand Funk Railroad, the 5th Dimension, Martha Reeves, the Supremes, Parliament, Tommy James, and Bazuka. Also scored a number of movies, ranging from horror (Welcome To Arrow Beach) to action movies ~ Camillo passed away in 2018August 11, 1926 ~ Ed Tigner Jr, commonly known as traditional pop, blues pianist, keyboardist, vibraphonist, singer Eddie Tigner, born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Worked with the Ink Spots. Backed Elmore James. Would be an in-demand solo performer for most of his life, yet would not release any albums until well into his seventies. Released his Route 66 debut album in 2003, its follow-up Slippin' In released in 2009 ~ Tigner passed away in 2019
August 11, 1925 ~ Jazz, blues, R&B drummer Philip Paul born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Backed artists such as Arthur Prysock, Sonny Stitt, Bud Powell and Dizzy Gillespie early on in his career playing at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Scouted by Tiny Bradshaw in the early 1950s. Would go on to become the studio drummer for King Records by 1952, appearing on over 350 recordings including by artists such as Hank Ballard (The Twist), Milt Buckner, Little Willie John (Fever), Grandpa Jones, Wynonie Harris (Good Rockin' Tonight), Cowboy Copas, Bonnie Lou, and just about every Freddie King record including Hide-away and Tore Down. Notable collaborations outside the King Records-label include John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Otis Big Smokey Smothers, Nat Adderley, Herbie Mann and Roy Meriwether ~ Paul passed away in 2022August 11, 1921 ~ Jazz drummer Eldridge Freeman born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sideman. Brother of guitarist George Freeman and saxophonist Von Freeman. Worked with Hampton Hawes in the mid 1950s, alongside Red Mitchell and Jim Hall. Also worked with both his brothers, various line-ups under the guidance of Herb Geller, with Charlie Parker shortly before Parker's death, and with Kenny Mann ~ Freeman passed away in [artist-eldridge-freeman]
August 11, 1920 ~ Michael Delaney Dowd Jr, commonly known as big band era singer, actor, TV personality Mike Douglas, born in Chicago, Illinois, 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 passed away in 2006August 11, 1919 ~ June Marvel Cowen, commonly known as actress, big band singer June Hutton, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sister of singer Ina Ray Hutton. Married to arranger Axel Stordahl. Joined the Pied Pipers in 1944 replacing Jo Stafford, remaining with the band for six years including on the hit single Dream. Has also worked with the Winston Trio, the Quintones, the Sande Williams Band, the Stardusters, and Gordon Macrae ~ Cowen passed away in 1973
August 11, 1917 ~ Pianist Hélène Boschi born in Lausanne, Switzerland ~ Had a dual career as both a teacher and performer, recording artist for most of her career. Closely associated with the French national TV station RTF, serving as soloist with the network's orchestra from 1955 through 1965. Had several works written especially for her including Luigi Dallapiccola's Quaderno Musicale De Annalibera, Fernando Lopes-Graça's 3rd Sonata, Claude Ballif's 4th Sonata, and Karel Husa's Piano Concertino ~ Boschi passed away in 1990
August 11, 1916 ~ Ben Levy, commonly known as actor, singer Benny Lee, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as an actor. As a singer known for songs such as Enjoy Yourself It's Later Than You Think, the Guy Mitchell-cover Pretty Little Black-eyed Susan and the Hank Williams-cover Your Cheatin' Heart. Has worked with Johnny Claes, Sid Phillips, and Joy Nichols ~ Levy passed away in 1995August 11, 1908 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist Russell Procope born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Duke Ellington, remaining with the Duke Ellington Orchestra from 1946 through to Ellington's death in 1974. Has also worked with Jelly Roll Morton, Benny Carter, Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson, Tiny Bradshaw, Teddy Hill, King Oliver, Willie Bryant, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hodges, and Billy Strayhorn ~ Procope passed away in 1981
August 11, 1904 ~ Pianist Jess Stacy, full name Jesse Alexandria Stacy, born in Bird's Point, Missouri, USA ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines. Best known for his association with Benny Goodman during the late 1930s, including performing at Goodman's famed 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. Also worked with Nelson Riddle, Bix Beiderbecke, Eddie Condon, Bud Freeman, George Gershwin, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, and Horace Heidt ~ Stacy passed away in 1995
August 11, 1894 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Wilhelm Grosz, also known as Hugh Williams, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Artistic manager of Ultraphone Gramophone company in the mid 1920s. Conductor of the Kammerspiele Theater in Vienna. Forced to flee to England by the mid 1930s because of the Nazi takeover. Has composed operas, ballets, chamber music and orchestral music. Best known for co-penning a number of standards, notably Red Sails In The Sunset (Lew Stone, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole), Harbour Lights (Roy Fox, Rudy Vallée, Guy Lombardo, Dinah Washington), and Tomorrow Night (Henry Russell, Horace Heidt, Jimmy Dorsey, Patti Page) ~ Grosz passed away in 1939August 11, 1890 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Charles Edward Kerr born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. Has worked with sidemen such as Tommy Dorsey, Stan Keller, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. Kerr retired form music by the late 1940s to open his own furniture store in Miami ~ Kerr passed away in 1976