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 16, 1986 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Ashton Shepherd, full name Ashton Delilah Shepherd, born in Coffeeville, Alabama, USA ~ Known for Takin' Of This Pain and Sounds So Good of her 2008 Sounds So Good debut album and Look It Up of her 2011 Where Country Grows sophomore album
August 16, 1982 ~ New wave, pop rock outfit the Simple Minds release Glittering Prize, lifted off their New Gold Dream album ~ Initially the band didn't particularly like the song, yet peaking at No.16 it became their second UK top 20 hit, preceded by their previous single Promised You A Miracle lifted off the same album. Decades later lead singer Jim Kerr would recall in an interview with the Sunday Herald how he once showed up late for a rehearsal: “I came in as the band were playing Glittering Prize, obviously without me. And I just heard the track in a way I'd never heard it before and it sounded fantastic. And it struck me that it was a much better pop song than I ever knew it was. And I was really, really delighted”
August 16, 1980 ~ Chris Moore, commonly known as hip-hop, alternative hip-hop rapper, producer Atari Blitzkrieg, born in Maryland, USA ~ In-demand collaborator. As a solo artist released his full-length Kick Punch Fight Rhyme debut album in 2009
August 16, 1977 ~ Singer Elvis Presley, full name Elvis Aaron Presley, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the most important cultural icons of the 20th century. Discovered by Sam Phillips. Drew from pop, country, R&B, gospel. Known for songs such as Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel, Love Me Tender, Too Much, All Shook Up, (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear, Jailhouse Rock, Don't, Hard Headed Woman, A Big Hunk O' Love, Stuck On You, It's Now Or Never, and Suspicious Minds ~ Presley was born in 1935
August 16, 1972 ~ Rock guitarist Erin Smith born in Washington DC, USA ~ Formed all-female trio Bratmobile with singer Allison Wolfe and drummer Molly Neuman, spearheading the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s. Looking back on their beginnings, Smith has commented to the Museum of Pop Culture: “Not only did I see women could play music, but I could see that just you could do it yourself.” The band is known for the albums Pottymouth, Ladies Women & Girls, and Girls Get Busy. During the band's hiatus Smith and Wolfe formed Cold Cold Hearts, known for their sole eponymous Cold Cold Hearts album released in 1997
August 16, 1969 ~ Singer, pianist, organist, songwriter, author David Zollo born in Iowa City, Iowa, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 2002 The Big Night album. In-demand sideman present on albums by Bo Ramsey, Dick Prall, Todd Snider (Viva Satellite), Dave Moore, Accident Clearinghouse, Brother Tucker, Patrick Brickel, the Pines, and Greg Brown
August 16, 1969 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, Working Man's Blues by Merle Haggard hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ A prime example of both the Bakersfield sound, foregoing the slick arrangements and production such as in Countrypolitan, and Merle Haggard's early career, Working Man's Blues caters to a core group of Haggard's audience, the working man, taking pride in an honest day of hard labor and sacrifice, and seeking relief in off-working hours relaxing with a beer. The song was generally regarded as one of the three highlights of the parent album, A Portrait Of Merle Haggard, alongside Silver Wings and Hungry Eyes, and remains one the key songs in Haggard's extensive catalogue
August 16, 1968 ~ Guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, programmer, producer, engineer, singer Dave Trumfio born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Formed the 1990s new wave outfit the Pulsars with his brother drummer Harry Trumfio. Has also played with Ashtray Boy, the Mekons, Sally Timms. As a producer and engineer has worked with Evil Beaver, Wilco, Alternative TV, the Young Marble Giants, the Pretty Things, OK Go, Patrick Park, the Aluminum Group, the Baldwin Brothers, Franklin Bruno, Built To Spill, the Jesus & Mary Chain, the Rentals, and Papa Vs Pretty
August 16, 1967 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor Donovan Leitch Jr born in London, UK ~ Son of 1960s singer Donovan. Member of hard rock band Camp Freddy. Member of neo-glam pop band Nancy Boy. The latter also included Jason Nesmith, son of the Monkees singer Michael Nesmith
August 16, 1965 ~ Schlager, pop singer, songwriter Jari Sillanpää, full name Jari Veikko Sillanpää, born in Ludvika, Sweden ~ Released his eponymous Jari Sillanpää in 1996. Internationally best known for representing Finland in the 2004 Eurovision Songfestival with Takes 2 To Tango, which reached 14th place
August 16, 1965 ~ Trumpeter Miles Davis releases his ESP album ~ The first release in a series of albums recorded with a line-up known as Miles Davis' second great quintet, the trumpeter backed by saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams. The album was named for its opening track, written by Shorter, a tune inspired by the fact that “since Shorter's arrival, the five members of the quintet seemed to communicate by mental telepathy.” The album would be the last bearing a photo of Davis's then-wife Frances Taylor-Davis on the cover, as the couple separated later that year due to Davis's ever more erratic behavior
August 16, 1961 ~ Conductor Kai Bumann born in West Berlin, West Germany ~ Became chief conductor of the Opera Krakowska in 1997. Guest conductor with the Deutsche Oper Berlin the following year. Perhaps best known as musical director of the Warsaw Chamber Opera from 2003 through 2013 and chief conductor of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic from 2008 through 2012. Has also worked with the Lodz Philharmonic and served as professor of conducting at the Musikakademie Danzig ~ Bumann passed away in 2022
August 16, 1960 ~ Singer Brenda Lee records Emotions at Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Mel Tillis and Ramsey Kearney. Produced by Owen Bradley. Released the following December, paired with I'm Learning About Love on the flip side, the single would become a top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hit for Brenda Lee, peaking at No.7
August 16, 1959 ~ Jazz leader saxophonist Ellery Eskelin born in Wichita, Kansas, USA ~ Over two dozens albums to his name as a leader. Closely associated with Andrea Parkins and Jim Black. In-demand sideman, has worked with Joey Baron, Mark Helias, Gerry Hemingway, Marc Ribot, David Liebman, Han Bennink, Sylvie Courvoisier, Bobby Previte, Daniel Humair, Open Loose, and Bobby Previte
August 16, 1958 ~ Madonna Louise Ciccone, mononymously known as pop singer, actress Madonna, born in Bay City, Michigan, USA ~ Pop icon of the video age, dubbed “the Queen of Pop” and one of the all-time best-selling artists. Has recorded well over a dozen albums, rising to world fame with a string of 1980s albums including the acclaimed Like A Virgin, True Blue, and Like A Prayer. Starred in over a dozen feature films, notably Desperately Seeking Susan, the bio-documentary Madonna (Truth Or Dare) chronicling her own behind the scenes life, and Evita. Has scored about three dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits over the course of her career, including the No.1 hits Like A Virgin, Papa Don't Preach, Who's That Girl, Vogue, Justify My Love, and Music
August 16, 1957 ~ Siblings the Everly Brothers record Wake Up Little Susie ~ Written by husband and wife team Boudleaux Bryant and Felice Bryant. Released the following September as a single, b/w I Wonder If I Care As Much, and included on the eponymous The Everly Brothers. Despite being banned by some radio stations for its at the time deemed inappropriate lyrics, telling of a boy and girl falling asleep at the movies and waking up way past her curfew, the song would go on to top the pop charts and become not only of the band's best known but also one of the era-defining songs
August 16, 1954 ~ Pop, rock, folk singer, guitarist, pianist Deborah Holland born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Rose to fame in the mid-1980s as lead singer of Animal Logic, which also included the Police's Stewart Copeland. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1994's Freudian Slip, and formed the folk trio the Refugees with Cindy Bullens and Wendy Waldman
August 16, 1953 ~ R&B, funk singer James JT Taylor born in Morristown, New Jersey, USA ~ Lead singer of Kool & the Gang from 1979 through 1988, rejoining in 1995. Present on some of the band's best known including Ladies Night, Too Hot, Celebration, Get Down On It, Joanna, Fresh and Cherish
August 16, 1953 ~ Miroslav Aleksic, commonly known as rock bassist, singer Misa Aleksic, born in Belgrade, FPR Yugoslavia ~ Influenced by Grand Funk Railroad, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin. Co-founded Riblja Corba in 1978 with Bora Dordevic, considered one of the most important and influential Yugoslavian rock acts ~ Aleksic passed away in 2020
August 16, 1951 ~ Blues, folk-blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Eric Bibb, full name Eric Charles Bibb, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Folk and world music-influenced blues guitarist recording since the early 1970s. Best known for a number of 1990s, 2000s acclaimed albums featuring high-profile collaborators including Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal, Odetta, Guy Davis, and Charlie Musselwhite
August 16, 1950 ~ Jazz drummer Alvin Queen born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Has been playing professionally since age 16. Has worked with Ruth Brown, Don Pullen, Wild Bill Davis, Benny Green, Tiny Grimes, Billy Cobham, Horace Silver, George Benson, Charles Tolliver, Michael Brecker, Kenny Drew, Oscar Peterson, Bennie Wallace, Dusko Gojkovic, Johnny Griffin, George Coleman, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Horace Parlan, and John Hicks
August 16, 1949 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Bill Spooner, also known as William Sputnik Spooner, born in Phoenix, Arkansas, USA ~ Co-founded the Tubes, best known for their 1983 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit She's A Beauty of their Outside Inside album. The song was co-written by Toto's Steve Lukather
August 16, 1948 ~ Singer Barry Hay, full name Barry Andrew Hay, born in Faisabad, India ~ Frontman of the Golden Earring, active from 1961 through 2021. The band is regarded as one of the most successful Dutch bands especially acclaimed for their energetic live shows. Well known songs include Dong-dong-diki-digi-dong, Another 45 Miles, She Flies On Strange Wings, Bombay, Long Blond Animal, Twilight Zone, The Devil Made Me Do It, Candy's Going Bad, When The Lady Smiles, Going To The Run. Internationally best known for Radar Love, which reached Billboard Hot 100 top 20 in 1974
August 16, 1948 ~ Bassist Joey Spampinato born in New York, New York, USA ~ Married to singer, trumpeter Kami Lyle. Previously married to country singer Skeeter Davis. Best known as co-founding member, co-lead singer, songwriter for NRBQ, a band known for their energetic brand of rock & roll drawing from country, jazz, pop and rockabilly and especially acclaimed for the albums At Yankee Stadium, Kick Me Hard, and Tiddlywinks. In-demand guest, appearing on albums such as Keith Richards' Talk Is Cheap, Eric Clapton's 24 Nights, Bonnie Raitt's Fundamental
August 16, 1948 ~ Victor Hayden, commonly known as clarinetist, painter, producer the Mascara Snake, born ~ Cousin of Captain Beefheart. Appeared on Beefheart's 1968 LP Trout Mask Replica. Co-founded Alchemy Records. Served as A&R director for Pig Records. Also produced for Ever Rat Records and Subcore Records ~ Hayden passed away in 2018