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, 1945 ~ Chanson, pop, disco singer Annie Chancel, born in Créteil, France ~ Scored numerous hits in her native France during the 1960s and 1970s, including L'Ecole Est Fnie, Vous Les Copains (a French cover of Manfred Mann's Do Wah Diddy Diddy), and Petite Fille De Francais Moyens. Internationally best known as the Sheila in Sheila & B Devotion. The 1977 single Love Me Baby became a club and chart hit across Europe. The 1979 single Spacer, a collaboration with Chic 's Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, would make it across the Atlantic
August 16, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Kevin Ayers born in Herne Bay, UK ~ Important and influential figure in British progressive rock, psychedelic rock as a solo artist, in-demand collaborator and as founding and key member of Soft Machine. Worked with Brian Eno, Syd Barrett, Bridget St John, John Cale, Elton John, Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield, Ollie Halsall, Lol Coxhill, and Zoot Money ~ Ayers passed away in 2013
August 16, 1944 ~ Producer, songwriter Russ Titelman born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Got his start in music in the 1960s as rhythm guitarist in the house band for Shindig TV show. Sessioned for the likes of the Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Jackie DeShannon. As a producer closely associated with Randy Newman, producing or co-producing several Newman albums including Sail Away, Little Criminals and Trouble In Paradise. Other notable production credits include albums by Little Feat, Graham Central Station, Ry Cooder (Paradise & Lunch), James Taylor, Rickie Lee Jones, Gordon Lightfoot, Gary Wright, Chaka Khan (I Feel For You), George Benson, Patti Austin, Steve Winwood, Paul Simon (Graceland), Jude Cole, Phoebe Snow, the B52's (Good Stuff), Womack & Womack, Eric Clapton (From The Cradle), the Wondermints, the Bee Gees, and Milton Nascimento
August 16, 1942 ~ Barbara Ann Smith, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter Barbara George born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for the R&B crossover classic I Know (You Don't Love Me No More) of her sole mostly self-penned 1961 album of the same name. The single would make top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B charts in 1961. The song would later be covered by Fats Domino, Cher, and Bonnie Raitt. Two subsequent singles, You Talk About Love and Send For Me (If You Need Some Lovin') would also chart but fail to reach the same level of succes ~ George passed away in 2006
August 16, 1942 ~ Robert Lester, commonly known as singer Robert Squirrel Lester, born in McComb, Mississippi, USA ~ Longtime member of the Chi-lites, best known for their 1972 Oh Girl Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit single. Other well known songs include (For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People, Have You Seen Her, Stoned Out Of My Mind, and Homely Girl ~ Lester passed away in 2010
August 16, 1940 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Alix Dobkin, full name Alix Cecil Dobkin, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Emerged from the Greenwich Village coffeehouse scene. Actively recording since the early 1970s. Best known for her Lavender Jane Loves Women, released in 1973 ~ Dobkin passed away in 2021
August 16, 1939 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Billy Joe Shaver born in Corsicana, Texas, USA ~ Revered working man's intellectual and storyteller. Had his songs recorded by Waylon Jennings (Honky Tonk Heroes), Elvis Presley, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare (Ride Me Down Easy), Tom T Hall, JD Crowe (To Be Loved By A Woman), and Jerry Lee Lewis (Bottom Dollar). Known for songs such as I Been To Georgia On A Fast Train, Live Forever, You Asked Me To, I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be A Diamond Someday), You Just Can't Beat Jesus Christ and Old Five And Dimers Like Me. Over the course of his career, Shaver has collaborated with numerous artists including Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Chuck Leavell, Dickey Betts, Charlie Daniels, Flaco Jiménez, and Al Kooper ~ Shaver passed away in 2020
August 16, 1939 ~ Banjoist, steel guitarist, guitarist, dobroist, mandolinist Eric Weissberg born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for his banjo solo in Dueling Banjos working with Steve Mandell, used as the theme for the 1972 film Deliverance. Co-founded bluegrass outfit the Greenbriar Boys, known for guesting on a number of Joan Baez albums starting with Joan Baez Vol.2 released in 1962 ~ Weissberg passed away in 2020
August 16, 1939 ~ Gordon Henry Fleet, also known as drummer Snowy Fleet, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Early member of the Nomads, a band that would later become the Mojo's. After relocating to Australia, Fleet would rise to fame as a member of the Easybeats. Fleet initially served as the band's manager, as he was five years older than his bandmates, yet he later took on the role of drummer with his birth year pushed 5 years back to make him seem younger. Fleet departed the band in 1967 as he was unhappy to spend so much time on the road away from his wife and young children. During his tenure with the group, they scored about half a dozen top 10 hits in their native Australia, including the No.1 hits Sorry and Friday On My Mind. Fleet was given the nickname “Snowy” for his dark hair, as it was custom in Australia to base a nickname on the opposite of someone's features ~ Fleet passed away in 2025
August 16, 1938 ~ Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Robert Johnson, full name Robert Leroy Johnson, passed away in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Dying of undisclosed causes at age 27, Johnson only recorded 11 songs during his lifetime, yet he is considered perhaps the most important and influential pre-war blues guitarist. Johnson is especially noted for his distinctive guitar technique, called a boogie shuffle or boogie bass pattern and described as fifth-sixth oscillation above the root chord. The technique has sometimes been attributed to Johnny Temple, who was the first to record a song using it, yet Temple has stated he had learned it from Johnson: “He was the first one I ever heard use it.” The boogie shuffle rapidly became the predominant pattern used by blues guitarists, Johnson's style and songs further popularized by the likes of Elmore James, specifically in songs such as James' 1951 adaptation Dust My Broom (I Believe My Time Ain't Long) based on Johnson's 1937 recording I Believe I'll Dust My Broom, and by Jimmy Reed, whose trademark Reed shuffle was an updated and electrified version of Johnson's technique. Many of Johnson's songs, including Cross Road Blues, Walkin' Blues, Hell Hound On My Trail, and Love In Vain Blues, have become blues standards, covered by numerous blues and later rock artists. Artists who have cited Johnson as an influence include John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal, Alexis Korner, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards ~ Johnson was born in 1911
August 16, 1937 ~ Composer David Behrman born in Salzburg, Austria ~ Considered a pioneer in electronic, computer music. Co-founded the collective the Sonic Arts Union in 1966 with Robert Ashley, Alvin Lucier and Gordon Mumma. Especially acclaimed for his 1976 On The Other Ocean solo debut album, considered a landmark album in the genre
August 16, 1936 ~ Singer, songwriter Billy Roberts, full name William Moses Roberts Jr, born in Greenville, South Carolina, USA ~ Remembered for penning Hey Joe Where You Gonna Go, first recorded by the Leaves in 1965 but best known as recorded by Jimi Hendrix, retitled Hey Joe. The song has been covered by well over a hundred artists ~ Roberts passed away in 2017
August 16, 1935 ~ Anna Jean Harris, commonly known as jazz, R&B singer, actress Jean DuShon, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Dinah Washington. Best known for the first version of For Once In My Life in 1966, later recorded by Connie Haines, Barbara McNair, and perhaps most notably by Stevie Wonder. Worked with Cootie Williams, Phil Spector, Lou Donaldson, Ramsey Lewis (including on More (Theme From Mondo Cane)), Herman Foster, Oliver Nelson, Ray Charles, and Count Basie ~ Harris passed away in 2019August 16, 1935 ~ Country singer Patsy Montana, accompanied by the Prairie Ramblers, records I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart at ARC Studios, New York, New York ~ Penned by Patsy Montana, based on Stuart Hamblen's Texas Plains. Produced by Art Satherley. Released as a single later the same year, b/w Ridin' Old Paint, it would become the first single by a female artist to sell over a million copies
August 16, 1934 ~ Revoyda Frierson, commonly known as traditional pop, R&B singer, actress Ketty Lester born in Hope, Kansas, USA ~ As a singer best known for Love Letters, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1962. Also known as an actress, notably as Hester-Sue Terhune in the TV series The Little House On The Prairie
August 16, 1930 ~ Guillermina Jimenez Chabolia, commonly known as singer, actress Flor Silvestre, born in Salamanca, Mexico ~ Sister of singers La Prieta Linda and Mary Jiménez. Dubbed “La Sentimental” for her melodious voice. As an actress appeared in over 70 films. As a singer best known for songs such as Imposible Olvidarte, Que Dios Te Perdone, Viejo Nopal, Guadalajara, Cielo Rojo, Carino Santo, Toda Una Vida, and Celosa ~ Chabolia passed away in 2020
August 16, 1930 ~ Gilliam Barmon Grayson, commonly known as old-time fiddler, singer GB Grayson, passed away in Johnson County, Tennessee, USA ~ Influential early country musician known for a handful of important recordings in the mid to late 1920s, often in partnership with Henry Whitter. Best remembered for recordings such as Going Down The Lee Highway, Rose Connally, Ommie Wise and Train 45. In later years songs written, co-written, adapted or first recorded by Grayson would be covered by the Kingston Trio (Tom Dooley), the Rolling Stones (Handsome Molly), and Ralph Stanley (Little Maggie) ~ Grayson was born in 1887
August 16, 1929 ~ Jazz pianist Bill Evans, full name William John Evans, born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Classically trained, influenced by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, Evans was noted most for his technical ability and sense of harmony. As a leader, Evans is especially acclaimed for the early 1960s albums Portrait In Jazz, Explorations, and Sunday At The Village Vanguard. A revered sideman, Evans has also appeared on landmark albums by Charles Mingus, Jimmy Knepper, Chet Baker, Miles Davis (Kind Of Blue), Art Farmer, Tony Scott, Bob Brookmeyer, Cannonball Adderley, Oliver Nelson (The Blues And The Abstract Truth), Benny Golson, and Freddie Hubbard ~ Evans passed away in 1980
August 16, 1928 ~ Jazz pianist Carl Perkins born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Curtis Counce, Tiny Bradshaw, Big Jay McNeely, Miles Davis, Oscar Moore, Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Frank Morgan, Pepper Adams, Chet Baker, Victor Feldman, Dexter Gordon, Illinois Jacquet, and Leroy Vinnegar ~ Perkins passed away in 1958
August 16, 1925 ~ Blues singer Edna Hicks passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best remembered for her recordings of Hard Luck Blues, Poor Me Blues, Down Hearted Blues, and Gulf Coast Blues. Half-sister of singer Lizzie Miles ~ Hicks was born in 1891
August 16, 1923 ~ Electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Eddie Kirkland born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Influenced by Blind Blake. Worked with John Lee Hooker, Syd Nathan, Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, David Honeyboy Edwards, Foghat, Gregg Hoover, James Thacker, and Darren Thiboutot ~ Kirkland passed away in 2011
August 16, 1922 ~ Pianist, organist, bandleader, arranger Ernie Freeman, full name Ernest Aaron Freeman, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Active since the 1940s, initially in jazz and later branching out into R&B and pop. Session musician on numerous 1950s R&B and rock & roll records, including on the Platters's The Great Pretender. Member of the Ernie Fields Orchestra, which became the house band for Rendezvous Records in 1958. Musical director of Reprise Records. Arranged virtually every recording for Snuff Garrett at Liberty Records. Conducted string arrangements for Simon & Garfunkel's acclaimed Bridge Over Troubled Waters album. Over the course of his career has worked, in one capacity or another, with Woody Herman, Dinah Washington, Earl Bostic, Plas Johnson, Earl Palmer, Duane Eddy, Bobby Byrd, Frank Sinatra, Connie Francis, Petula Clark, Julie London, Bobby Vee, Johnny Burnette, Gene McDaniels, Timi Yuro, Johnny Otis, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Charlie Barnet ~ Freeman passed away in 1981August 16, 1921 ~ Twin brothers Gido Kokars and Imants Kokars born in Gulbene, Latvia ~ Twin brothers, both would go on to become celebrated conductors ~ Imants passed away in [artist-imants-kokars], Gido in [artist-gido-kokars]
August 16, 1915 ~ Albert George Hibbler, commonly known as singer Al Hibbler born in Tyro, Mississippi, USA ~ Started professionally with Dub Jenkins. Also sang with Jay McShann before moving on to the Duke Ellington Orchestra with whom he would stay for eight years. Considered among the best of Duke Ellington's male vocalists, he would be featured on songs such as Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, I Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues and on I'm Just A Lucky So And So. Hibbler left Duke in 1951 due to a dispute over wages. He would continue to sing in bands, including with Johnny Hodges and with Count Basie, before reaching solo success in the mid 1950s with songs such as Unchained Melody, He, 11th Hour Medley, and Never Turn Back. By the end of the decade Hibbler became active in the civil rights movement and the notoriety of his activism discouraged major labels. Frank Sinatra nevertheless supported Hibbler and signed him to his label but Hibbler would only sporadically record afterwards ~ Hibbler passed away in 2001
August 16, 1915 ~ Jazz trombonist, saxophonist Murray McEachern born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known for his associations with Benny Goodman including on the pivotal 1937 recording of Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing) and with the Casa Loma Orchestra. Also worked with Lucio Agostini, Percy Faith, Jack Hylton, and Phil Moore ~ McEachern passed away in 1982