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 12, 1972 ~ Teren Delvon Jones, commonly known as alternative hip-hop rapper, singer, producer, songwriter Del The Funky Homosapien, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Began his career in music writing for Da Lench Mob, closely associated with his cousin rapper Ice Cube. The latter would help him secure a record deal of his own, leading to the 1991 Wish My Brother George Was Here album. Jones is best known as a member of Gorillaz. Has also worked with Deltron 3030, Tame One, Souls of Mischief, NASA, Parallel Thought, Marcus D, the Hieroglyphics, and Dinosaur Jr
August 12, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records If Not For You ~ Penned by Bob Dylan for his first wife, Sara. Produced by Bob Johnston. Included on the 1979 New Morning album. Notably covered by George Harrison on his All Things Must Pass album the same year and by Olivia Newton-John the following year issued as her debut single and title track of If Not For You
August 12, 1969 ~ Jean-Guy Kastner, commonly known as hardcore punk, alternative rock guitarist, singer, songwriter John Kastner, born in Beaconsfield, Canada ~ Lead singer for hardcore punk outfit the Asexuals from 1983 through 1987, present on the albums Be What You Want and Contemporary World. Following his departure from the band founded the Doughboys, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums through the mid-s1990s. Founded alternative rock band All Systems Go with Frank Daly and Mark Arnold, recording through the mid 2000s. Kastner also released a solo album, 2006's Have You Seen Lucky, wrote music for film and TV, and has collaborated with the Mega City Four, Mark Lanegan, Men Without Hats, and Bran Van 3000
August 12, 1967 ~ William C Bailey, commonly known as jazz, swing clarinetist Buster Bailey, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Classically trained. Considered a master of the clarinet. Played professionally since age 15, starting with WC Handy's orchestra. Would go on to work with Erskine Tate, King Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, Clarence Williams, Noble Sissle, Edgar Hayes, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Midge Williams, Wilbur de Paris, Red Allen, and Louis Armstrong. As a leader, Bailey is known for his 1958 All About Memphis album ~ Bailey was born in 1902August 12, 1961 ~ Dansband, schlager, pop rock singer, songwriter Lars Diedricson born ~ Member of Snowstorm. Member of Don Patrol. Internationally perhaps best known for co-writing Take Me To Your Heaven with lyricists Gert Lengstrand and Marcos Ubeda, which performed by Charlotte Perrelli would win the 1999 Eurovision Songfestival for Sweden ~ Diedricson passed away in 2017
August 12, 1961 ~ Lawrence Hayward, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lawrence, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Sole constant member, lead singer of Felt, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums including the highly acclaimed The Strange Idols Pattern And Other Short Stories. The band would enjoy a cult following and has been cited as an influence by Belle & Sebastian, the Charlatans, and the Manic Street Preachers. Following the band's disbandement Hayward has fronted Denim, with whom he recorded two albums, and Go-Kart Mozart, the latter renamed to Mozart Estate in 2023
August 12, 1961 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Roy Hay, full name Roy Ernest Hay, born in Southend, UK ~ Lead guitarist for Culture Club. The band, fronted by conspiciously androgynous singer Boy George, enjoyed success especially in their native UK where they scored over half a dozen top 10 hits including the No.1's Do You Really Want To Hurt Me and Karma Chameleon. Following the band's disbandement in the late 1980s, Hay relocated to Los Angeles where he eventually found employ as a composer for film and TV, including for the TV crime drama series Cracker and the scifi drama series The Dead Zone based on the books of Stephen King. When Hay reunited with Culture Club in the late 1990s for a tour and album, he described the years apart as somewhat of a healing process. Despite heavy promotion though, the resulting album Don't Mind If I Do failed to reach the same level of success as their earlier albumsAugust 12, 1961 ~ Composer, singer Tom Scott passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Billed as “the American Troubadour” and accompanying himself on guitar would enjoy popularity from the early 1940s on as a folk singer. Best remembered though for writing classical music, most of them drawing from American folk. Well-known pieces include Ballad Of The Harp Weaver, Colloquoy For Strings, Johnny Appleseed, and Symphony No.1. His From The Sacred Harp would be premiered by the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Leopold Stokowski. Scott had also composed art songs, the 1956 opera The Fisherman, and several film and TV scores ~ Scott was born in 1912
August 12, 1960 ~ Rock, R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Toshiki Kadomatsu born in Tokyo, Japan ~ While still in college debuted in 1981 with the single Yokohama Twilight Time followed by the full-length Sea Breeze album. Has recorded consistently since to commercial success and critical acclaim, with well over two dozen albums to his name. Kadomatsu has alse served as producer for other acts, notably producing albums such as Anri's Timely and Miho Nakayama's Catch The Nite which included the hit You're My Only StarAugust 12, 1959 ~ Composer Terry Oldfield born in Palmers Green, UK ~ Brother of composer Mike Oldfield and singer Sally Oldfield. Served as roadie for the Byrds. Best known as a composer for film and TV, composing the music for over 50 productions including the BBC show Great Railway Journeys Of The World. Earned Emmy Award nominations for his scores to Land Of The Tiger and Twilight Of The Dreamtime
August 12, 1958 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger, producer Charles Blenzig born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Worked with Michael Brecker, Marcus Miller, Bill Evans, Hiram Bullock, Lew Soloff, Kenwood Dennard, Eddie Gomez, Dave Weckl, Joe Locke, Harvey Mason, Joe Beck, Jovanotti, Michael Franks, Jay Azzolina, Ricky Sebastian, Michael Treni, Vinnie Cutro, Takeshi Itoh, Norman Headman, Mike Fahn, and Jack Lee
August 12, 1955 ~ Blues harpist, singer Sonny Boy Williamson II records Don't Start Me Talkin' in Chicago, Illinois ~ Written by Sonny Boy Williamson II. Produced by Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Willie Dixon. Williamson's first single for Checker Records, b/w All My Love In Vain, released the following month it would reach top 10 Billboard R&B. Williamson was backed by Otis Spann on piano, Muddy Waters and Jimmy Rogers on guitars, Dixon on bass, Fred Below drumsAugust 12, 1952 ~ Bandleader Johnny Otis invites songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller to his home to meet singer Big Mama Thornton, aiming to have the duo write a song specifically for her ~ Thornton had been signed to Don Robey's Peacock Records, and after two failed singles, Robey enlisted Johnny Otis to reverse her fortunes. The bandleader invited the 19-year-old songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller to meet the singer, aiming to have the duo write a song specifically suited to Big Mama Thornton. Stoller would later comment: “She was a wonderful blues singer, with a great moaning style. But it was as much her appearance as her blues style that influenced the writing of ‘ Hound Dog’ and the idea that we wanted her to growl it.”
August 12, 1952 ~ R&B, boogie-woogie pianist Little Willie Littlefield records Kansas City in Los Angeles, California ~ Specifically written for Little Willie Littlefield by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, both still in their teens. Neither had actually ever been to Kansas City but they were inspired by Big Joe Turner's records. Producer Ralph Bass would change the title to KC Loving, which he reportedly considered sounded hipper, yet the song would become better known as Kansas City. Littlefield would have only regional succes with the single, failing to chart nationally. Yet the song would become a classic, covered by numerous artists including Little Richard, Wilbert Harrison, the Beatles, and James Brown
August 12, 1952 ~ R&B, funk, disco singer Nidra Beard, full name Nidra Elizabeth Beard, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Co-lead singer for disco outfit Dynasty active throughout the late 1980s, known for songs such as I Don't Want To Be A Freak (But I Can't Help It), I've Just Begun To Love You, Do Me Right, and Groove Control. Beard wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's songs, as well as for others including the Whispers, Shalamar (A Night To Remember), 7th Wonder, and 911 ~ Beard passed away in 2023August 12, 1950 ~ Thomas August Darnell Browder, commonly known as singer, bandleader, songwriter August Darnell born in Montreal, Canada ~ Founded Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, known for their 1976 Cherchez La Femme disco hit featuring singer Cory Daye. Subsequently formed Kid Creole & the Coconuts with Coati Mundi and Adriana Kaegi, merging disco with Latin American influences as evidenced in early 1980s club hits such as I'm A Wonderful Thing, Stool Pigeon, Annie I'm Not Your Daddy and Endicott
August 12, 1950 ~ Dorothy Peoples, commonly known as gospel singer Dottie Peoples, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Dubbed “the Songbird of the South” with a vocal range of soprano to alto. Mostly known as a gospel singer but did dabble in jazz, singing with Richard Groove Holmes for a number of years in the 1970s. Perhaps best known for her 1987 Surely God Is Able album. Has collaborated with Dorothy Norwood, Shirley Caesar, and Kirk Franklin
August 12, 1950 ~ Folk rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Mark Germino born in North Carolina, USA ~ Initially a poet, yet as publishers kept telling him his poets read like songs Germino deciced it would be easier to become a singer than to recite poetry. After relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, in the mid 1970s Germino became a popular nightclub performer while still holding down a day job as a truck driver. Signed as a songwriter, his songs would be recorded by the likes of Paul Craft (Lean On Jesus (Before He Leans On You)), Loretta Lynn, Kathy Mattea, and Johnny Cash (God Ain't No Stained Glass Window). As a recording artist, Germino has recorded half a dozen albums since the mid-1980s, though despite critical acclaim and peer admiration he never achieved much commercial success. Germino is best known for songs such as Caught In The Act Of Being Ourselves and Rex Bob Lowenstein. Artists who have recorded his songs include Bobby Bare, Claire Lynch, Vern Gosdin, the Seldom Scene, Confederate Railroad (Bill's Laundromat Bar & Grill), Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, and Emmylou Harris (Broken Man's Lament) ~ Germino passed away in 2024
August 12, 1949 ~ Alexandra Sandøy, commonly known as pop, rock, funk, disco singer Alex Naumik, born in Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR ~ Known for her versatile singing voice, spanning four octaves. Exiled to Siberia with her family during the Stalinist era. Collaborated with Agnieszka Osiecka and Adam Slawinski while living in Poland. Resumed her music career in the 1970s, by now living in Norway. Eponym and frontwoman of Alex, acclaimed for their 1976 eponymous Alex debut album, regarded as the first Norwegian funk-rock album. Has also worked with David Foster, Andráe Crouch, the Police's Andy Summers, Glen Matlock ~ Sandøy passed away in 2013
August 12, 1949 ~ Guitarist, singer Mark Knopfler, full name Mark Freuder Knopfler, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Frontman and along with bassist John Illsley the only other constant member of the Dire Straits, with whom he recorded half a dozen albums. The band is regarded as one of the premier 1980s British bands, drew from country, folk, blues rock, pop, and jazz, and is best known for their 1985 Brothers In Arms album. The singles Sultans Of Swing, Money For Nothing, and Walk Of Life, would all reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Following the band's initial disbandement in 1988 Knopfler has recorded prolifically as a solo artist, composed several soundtracks including The Princess Bride, and worked with the Notting Hillbillies, Chet Atkins, and Emmylou Harris
August 12, 1947 ~ Bassist, guitarist Ian Rilen, full name Ian William Rilen, born in Bendigo, Australia ~ Best known as member of Rose Tattoo. Rilen wrote their best known song Bad Boy For Love but left the band prior to its release. The single was produced by Vanda & Young, known for their close association with AC/DC. Rilen also played with Band Of Light, the Blue Aliens, Blackfeather, Sardine V, Hell To Pay, X, Skindiver, and with the Illustrated Men ~ Rilen passed away in 2006August 12, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet Joaquín Carbonell, full name Joaquín Carbonell Marti, born in Alloza, Spain ~ Active since the 1970s with over a dozen albums to his name. Important figure in the new Aragonese song movement, along with mentor José Antonio Labordeta. Known for songs such as Amor Tu Donde Estas, Cancion Para Un Invierno, Cancion Para Dimitris and Mientes ~ Carbonell passed away in 2020
August 12, 1945 ~ Rock, art rock, glam rock, chamber pop, power pop keyboardist, songwriter Ron Mael, full name Ronald David Mael, born in Culver City, California, USA ~ Keyboardist, main songwriter of Sparks, which he co-founded with his brother singer Russell Mael. The band is known for 1970s hits such as This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us, Amateur Hour, Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth, Something For The Girl With Everything and Beat The ClockAugust 12, 1944 ~ Percussionist Larry Troutman born in Hamilton, Ohio, USA ~ Member of Zapp, fronted by his younger brother singer Roger Troutman, known for 1980s funk, R&B hits such as More Bounce To The Ounce, Dance Floor, I Can Make You Dance and Computer Love. Troutman shot and killed his brother Roger in an apparent murder-suicide. The band would disband after the death of the two brothers ~ Troutman passed away in 1999
August 12, 1943 ~ Guitarist, banjoist, singer Geoff Muldaur born in Pelham, New York, USA ~ Founding member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band. Also worked with Paul Butterfield's backing unit Better Days from 1972 through 1976, as well as with Bobby Charles, Jerry Garcia, Eric von Schmidt, Bonnie Raitt, John Cale, Stephen Bruton, Cindy Cashdollar, Suzy Thompson, Johnny Nicholas, and Bruce Hughes
August 12, 1943 ~ Lesley Cox, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lesley Duncan, born in Stockton-on-Tees, UK ~ Considered one of Britain's first female singer-songwriters. Active since the early 1960s. Known for songs such as Everything Changes, Sing Children Sng, and Love Song. Sang backup for Dusty Springfield and Pink Floyd. Sang lead on the Alan Parsons Project's If I Could Change Your Mind ~ Cox passed away in 2010