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 14, 1980 ~ Pop, electronic, R&B songwriter, producer Anders Nilsson born in Gällö, Sweden ~ Member of R&B trio LDOD, member of R&B duo Småstaden. Has written or co-written songs for Blänk, Seln Thomasson, Yves V, Jelle van Dael, Sofi Blonde, Mecki Mark Men, Robin Bengtsson, and Annika Herlitz. Has also composed for film and TV, perhaps most notably for the Netflix series Greenhouse Academy
August 14, 1978 ~ Giuseppe Venuti, commonly known as jazz violinist Joe Venuti, passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Active since the late 1920s, often in partnership with childhood friend virtuoso guitarist Eddie Lang. Venuti is considered “the Godfather of jazz violin”, pioneering the use of the violin in jazz. Venuti was also influential on early western swing players, including notably Cecil Brower. As a duo Venuti and Lang are especially known for songs such as Stringing The Blues, Goin' Places, and Jig Saw Puzzle Blues. Venuti has also worked with Benny Goodman, Adrian Rollini, the Dorsey Brothers, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, and the Boswell Sisters. With the unexpected death of Lang in 1933, Venuti's career began to wane, only to resurge in the mid 1960s, collaborating with the likes of Zoot Sims, Earl Hines, Marian McPartland, Dave McKenna, and Bucky Pizzarelli ~ Venuti was born in 1903August 14, 1977 ~ Heavy metal singer Pål Mathiesen born in Haslum, Norway ~ Member of Vanaheim during the 1990s. Best known as lead singer of black metal outfit Susperia, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums through the 2000s including the acclaimed Attitude before departing the band after a heart attack. Following his departure from the band, Mathiesen has recorded with Chrome Division
August 14, 1974 ~ Ana Lynch, commonly known as glam rock, alternative pop singer, keyboardist, percussionist Ana Matronic, born in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Co-lead singer of the Scissor Sisters, known best for their disco-infused rendition of Comfortably Numb, a cover of the 1979 Pink Floyd song. Other well known songs include Filthy/Gorgeous, I Don't Feel Like Dancin', Fire With Fire, and Only The Horses
August 14, 1974 ~ Post-rock drummer Martin Bulloch born in Belshill, UK ~ Co-founding member of Mogwai. The band is best known for 2017's Every Country's Sun and 2021's As The Love Continues, both of which reached top 10 on the UK albums charts. Has on occasion drummed with Arab Strap and Gruff Rhys
August 14, 1971 ~ Jazz saxophonist Walter Blanding born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his association with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Jazz Center Orchestra. Member of the Tough Young Tenors. Released his acclaimed sole The Olive Tree album in 2000. Also present on recordings by Marcus Printup, Eric Reed, Vincent Gardner, Whitney Marchelle, Ron Westray, Odean Pope, Renée Fleming, Carlinhos Brown, Natalie Merchant, and Paul SimonAugust 14, 1970 ~ Jazz, gypsy jazz, classical, country violinist Ian Cooper born in Australia ~ Composed and performed The Symphony for the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics held in Sydney, Australia. Mentored by renowned jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli. In-demand sideman and collaborator, Cooper has worked with Marcia Hines, Max Sharam, the Backsliders, Annie Crummer, Silverchair, the Earthmen, John Morrison, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, the Hoodoo Gurus, Nathan Leigh Jones, Emma Pask, and Cats In Space
August 14, 1966 ~ Keith Grayson, commonly known as hip-hop DJ, rapper DJ Kay Slay, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Dubbed “Hip-hop's One-man Ministry of Insults” by the New York Times. Debuted in 2003 with the album Streetsweeper Vol.1 and has recorded consistently since. Collaborated with Nas, Foxxy Brown, Fat Joe, Joe Budden, Joe, Three 6 Mafia, Papoose, Busta Rhymes, Layzie Bone, Twista, Fabolous, T-Pain, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie ~ Grayson passed away in 2022August 14, 1966 ~ Alternative rock singer, playwright Robin Goldwasser born ~ Co-wrote the 2004 musical People Are Wrong with Julia Greenberg, in which she also stars as does her husband They Might Be Giants singer John Flansburgh. Has also sung on several of her husband's band's recordings, notably on the tracks The Poisonousness, Electric Car and Doctor Evil. The latter track was used in the soundtrack of the comedy film Austin Powers (The Spy Who Shagged Me)
August 14, 1965 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, indie pop guitarist, pedal steel guitarist Mark Collins, full name Mark Vincent Collins, born in Manchester, UK ~ Member of indie pop unit the Walltones, with whom he recorded the album Deepest released in 1989. When the band folded, Collins joined the Charlatans as replacement for Jon Day who departed after the first album. Collins has recorded about a dozen albums with the band, over half of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK. Well known songs include Just When You're Thinking Things Over, One To Another, North Country Boy, and How HighAugust 14, 1964 ~ Bassist, guitarist Jean-Paul Roy born in Civray, France ~ Member of rock band Noir Désir. Initially serving as the band's guitar technician Roy became a full-time member when bassist Frédéric Vidalenc left the band in 1996. Has also worked with Alain Bashung and with Romain Humeau
August 14, 1964 ~ Singer, songwriter Johnny Burnette, full name John Joseph Burnette, passed away in Clear Lake, California, USA ~ Father of 1980s rockabilly singer Rocky Burnette. Formed and fronted the Johnny Burnette Trio, which also included his brothers Dorsey Burnette and Paul Burlison, known for a number of pivotal rock & roll releases including 1956's Train Kept A-Rollin'. Pursued a solo career in the early 1960 reaching the top 20 with a number of smooth pop songs and ballads, perhaps most notably Dreamin', You're Sixteen and Little Boy Sad, before an early death in a boating accident ~ Burnette was born in 1934
August 14, 1962 ~ Jazz trombonist Harry White, full name Harry Alexander White, passed away ~ Played drums as a teenager before switching to trombone by the late-1910s. As a songwriter known for co-penning Oh Sister Ain't That Hot, first recorded by Gene Rodemich and covered by the Original Memphis Five, Jimmie Noone, and Fats Waller, and Evenin', first recorded by Cab Calloway and covered by T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Rushing, and Jimmy Witherspoon. Led the family outfit the White Brothers Orchestra, with whom he enjoyed popularity in the late 1920s. Member of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, and notably of Calloway's ensemble, serving as trombonist, arranger, and composer. White has also worked with Duke Ellington, Elmer Snowden, Claude Hopkins, Luis Russell, Manzie Johnson, Hot Lips Page, Edgar Hayes, and Bud Freeman ~ White was born in 1898August 14, 1962 ~ Singer Roy Orbison records Working For The Man and Leah ~ Both self-penned. Roy Orbison first release after breaking the writing partnership with Joe Melson. The two songs would be released, paired on a double A-side single, the next month
August 14, 1961 ~ Alan MacDonald, commonly known as drummer Alsy Macdonald, born in Perth, Australia' ~ Co-founding member of 1980s outfit the Triffids, known best for their 1984 Born Sandy Devotional album. MacDonald also briefly played with the Blackeyed Susans in the late 1980s. MacDonald is married to Triffids-bandmate keyboardist Jill Birt
August 14, 1960 ~ Jazz double bassist, bass guitarist, composer Lloyd Swanton, full name Lloyd Stuart Swanton, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Best known as member of the Dynamic Hepnotics and as co-founder of jazz trio Necks, teaming up with Chris Abrahams and Tony Buck. Has also worked with the Catholics, the Benders, Clarion Fracture Zone, the Sydney Synphony, Vince Jones, the Alpha Centauri Ensemble, the Mighty Reapers, Seymour Group, Tim Finn, Stephen Cummings, Bernie McGann, the Last Straw, and Wendy MatthewsAugust 14, 1959 ~ Jazz organist, accordionist, singer Tony Monaco, full name Anthony Monaco, born in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for his Burnin' Grooves debut album released in 2001. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Steve Yeager, Linda Dachtyl, Pete Mills, Nancy Wright, and Pat Martino
August 14, 1958 ~ Lee Conley Bradley, commonly known as country blues, urban blues, folk blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Big Bill Broonzy, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Active since the 1920s. Rediscovered in the late 1950s folk music revival. Inluenced Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, Ray Davies, John Renbourn, Rory Gallagher, Steve Howe, Eric Clapton, Tom Jones, Ronnie Wood. Best known for songs such as Guitar Shuffle, CC Rider, The Midnight Special, Matchbox Blues, Rockin' Chair Blues, I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town and Hey Hey ~ Bradley was born ca.1903
August 14, 1958 ~ Rock, hard rock, punk rock guitarist Big John Duncan born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as member and main songwriter of the Exploited from 1979 through 1984, best known for their 1981 Dead Cities single. Briefly served as guitar technician for Nirvana during the early 1990s. Has also worked with the Human Zoo, the Blood Uncles, Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, the Kamikaze Freak Show, the Gin Goblins, Twisted Sister, the Foo Fighters, and MinistryAugust 14, 1956 ~ Saxophonist Jerry Underwood born in Bristol, UK ~ Closely associated with John Martyn, backing the folk, folk rock guitarist on albums such as Could't Love You More and And. Perhaps best known as a member of Pentangle from 1995, first appearing on the Passe Avant album, until his death at age 45 of a brain tumor. Underwood has also guested on albums by Andy Sheppard, Carla Bley, Gail Thompson, and Tim Richards ~ Underwood passed away in 2002
August 14, 1956 ~ Punk rock bassist Lennart Eriksson, full name Lennart Olof Birger Eriksson, born ~ Sometimes referred to as “the Swedish Sid Vicious” and known for his anarchist and anti-monarchist views. Founded Ebba Grön with Joakim Thåström and Gunnar Ljungstedt, one of the most successful Swedish punk bands known for songs such as Pervers Politiker and Beväpna Er
August 14, 1953 ~ Conductor, orchestrator, film composer James Horner, full name James Roy Horner, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for scoring the soundtracks for Titanic, the all-time best-selling orchestral soundtrack, and for Avatar. Other notable credits include Star Trek II (The Wrath Of Khan), Star Trek III (The Search For Spock), The Name Of The Rose, Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Braveheart, and Deep Impact ~ Horner passed away in 2015
August 14, 1952 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Alejandro Alonso born in Querétaro, Mexico ~ Influenced by BB King, Eric Clapton, and Santana, Alonso played lead guitar in several bands during his teens, playing the nightclub circuit before committing his life to Christ in the early 1970s. For much of the 1970s, Alonso dedicated his time as an evangelistic tool performing at colleges, universities, and prisons. In 1980 Alonso relocated to California, releasing his Cantico De Libertad debut album two years later. Alonso has recorded over half a dozen albums since, establishing himself as one of the most influential Mexican contemporary Christian singers. Well known songs include De Regreso A Casa, Salmo 115, Cicatrices De Amor, Tu Santidad Me Envuelve, and Hijo De Amor ~ Alonso passed away in 2022
August 14, 1952 ~ Folk singer, songwriter John McCutcheon born in Wausau, Wisconsin, USA ~ Regarded a gifted storyteller and master of the hammered dulcimer. Also plays guitar, banjo, autoharp, fiddle. Known best for songs such as Christmas In The Trenches. Also known for a string of acclaimed children's albums in the 1990s. Over time, McCutcheon has moved from traditional folk to more heartland rock-influenced songs. McCutcheon has also collaborated with Trapezoid, the Washington Bach Consort, Si Kahn, and Tom Chapin
August 14, 1952 ~ Giuseppe Chierchia, commonly known as pop, Italo disco singer Pino D'Angiò, born in Pompei, Italy ~ Best known for his 1981 single Ma Quale Idea, a hit across continental Europe selling over 2 million copies and reaching the top 10 in Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and the No.1 spot in Spain. It has been suggested Chierchia took the bassline off McFadden & Whitehead's Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, however, he has adamantly maintained he wrote the song independently with bassist Stefano Cerri. Chierchia would continue to record well into the 2000s, well known songs include Un Concerto Da Strapazzo, Fammi Un Panino, and Genoveffa. In 1990, Chierchia teamed up with Bruno Sanchioni under the moniker Age Of Love, known for their hit of the same name, considered one of the first international trance hits. In 2024, a few months before his death, Chierchia guested on punk pop outfit Bnkr44's Ma Che Idea, a remake of his signature song Ma Quale Idea ~ Chierchia passed away in 2024