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 17, 2024 ~ Surf rock, punk, cowpunk singer, rhythm guitarist Bert Susanka passed away ~ Longtime frontman, lead singer, rhythm guitarist of the Ziggens, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums since the early 1990s. Though not as well known as their contemporaries Sublime, the band is considered one of the most original outfits to hail from Long Beach, California, where they enjoyed a significant following. The band draws from cowpunk, surf, rockabilly, punk, ska, and country, a mixture dubbed “cowpunksurfabilly” by the band. They are perhaps best known for Big Salty Tears, notably covered by Sublime on their 1998 Sublime Acoustic (Bradley Nowell & Friends) album. Susanka has also worked as a solo artist, and formed the side project Jelly Of The Month Club, performing children's music, with Sublime-drummer Bud Gaugh. Susanka passed away at age 62 after a battle with ALS ~ Susanka was born in 1962
August 17, 2023 ~ Eli Tatarsky, commonly known as R&B guitarist, songwriter, arranger, producer Bobby Eli, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead guitarist, co-founding member of seminal Philadelphia studio band MFSB. In-demand songwriter, producer, wrote or co-wrote hits such as Main Ingredient's Just Don't Want To Be Lonely, Major Harris' Love Won't Let Me Wait, and Fat Larry's Band's Zoom. Others who have recorded his songs include Wilson Pickett, Blue Magic, Engelbert Humperdinck, Atlantic Starr, and the Dells. As a studio guitarist Tatarsky has appeared on recordings by Billy Paul, the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Marlena Shaw, the Stylistics, the Delfonics, Barbara Mason, the People's Choice, the Salsoul Orchestra, the Trammps, the Whispers, Ronnie Dyson, First Choice, Grace Jones, Gloria Gaynor, and McFadden & Whitehead ~ Tatarsky was born in 1946
August 17, 2023 ~ Indie rock, punk rock drummer, keyboardist, singer Gary Young passed away in Stockton, California, USA ~ Original drummer of Pavement, present on the band's 1992's Slanted And Enchanted debut album and its follow-up Watery Domestic EP later the same year before being fired from the band in 1993. Young subsequently released a number of solo albums, starting with 1994's Hospital under the group moniker Gary Young's Hospital ~ Young was born in 1953
August 17, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist Walter Aipolani, also known as Bruddah Waltah, passed away in Hawaii, USA ~ Influenced by Bob Marley, Elton John, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Beatles. Dubbed “the Father of Hawaiian Reggae” credited with popularizing Hawaiian-style reggae in the 1980s and 1990s. Well-known songs include Sweet Lady Of Waiahole and Keep Hawaiian Lands. The latter is inspired by Marley's Waiting In Vain and became a patriotic anthem for Hawaiian natives. Aipolani's best known album, 1991's Hawaiian Reggae, is considered a landmark in the Hawaiian reggae craze, a style sometimes referred to as Jawaiian ~ Aipolani was born ca.1955
August 17, 2021 ~ Gary Hirsh, commonly known as rock drummer Gary Chicken Hirsh, passed away in Ashland, Oregon, USA ~ Got his nickname “Chicken” as a young child for not daring to go on a slide. Best known as member of Country Joe & the Fish from 1966, replacing John Francis Gunning, through 1969. Present on the band's best known including the highly acclaimed albums Electric Music For The Mind And Body and Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die. Though primarily a percussionist, Hirsh sang lead vocals on the tracks Susan and Away Bounce My Bubbles, both written solely by Hirsh. Following his tenure with the band Hirsh has worked with Blackburn & Snow, the Cleanliness & Godliness Skiffle Band, and Touchstone. Later on in his career, Hirsh has worked as a painter, and jazz drummer. Hirsh's drumsticks are on display at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio ~ Hirsh was born in 1940August 17, 2018 ~ Folk, folk-rock, rock singer, songwriter, poet Claudio Lolli passed away in Bologna, Italy ~ Active since the early 1970s, mostly focusing on political and social issues. Known for songs such as Aspettando Godot, Michel, Quando La Morte Avrà and Quanto Amore. Also known as poet and novelist, publishing his first novel, Antipatici Antipode, in 1997 ~ Lolli was born in 1950
August 17, 2018 ~ Soul, R&B, disco singer, songwriter Danny Pearson passed away in Stonewall, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for his sole album Barry White Presents Mr Danny Pearson released in 1978. It would be produced by Barry White and spawn the Billboard R&B top 20 hit What's Your Sign Girl ~ Pearson was born in 1953August 17, 2004 ~ Gérard Marcel Tisserand, commonly known as baritone singer Gérard Souzay, passed away in Antibes, France ~ Active since the mid 1940s. Recitalist, opera singer, considered one of the finest mélodie singers. Frequent collaborator of pianist Dalton Baldwin. Sang in over a dozen languages. Noted for his interpretations of Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann. Had works written especially for him and his sister, soprano Geneviève Touraine, by Jacques Leguerney ~ Tisserand was born in 1918
August 17, 2001 ~ Joseph Edward Filippelli, commonly known as jazz, swing, jump blues saxophonist, clarinetist Flip Phillips, passed away in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA ~ Best known for his work with Norman Granz's Jazz At The Philharmonic concerts from the mid-1940 to the late 1950s. As a leader recorded extensively in the 1940s and 1950s, working with sidemen such as Buddy Morrow, Tommy Turk, Kai Winding, Sonny Criss, Ray Brown, and Shelly Manne. Backed singer Billie Holiday on her Billie Holiday Sings album released in 1952 ~ Phillips was born in 1915August 17, 2000 ~ Gazzy Garcia, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Lil' Pump, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention with the 2017 single Gucci Gang of his debut Lil' Pump album. Also known for I Love It, Esskeetit, Drug Addicts, Butterfly Door, Racks On Racks, Be Like Me and Welcome To The Party
August 17, 1995 ~ Stanley Friedland, commonly known as conductor, arranger, songwriter Stan Free, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Classically trained. Led pop outfit Hot Butter, best known for their 1972 instrumental rendition of Popcorn. The single would be an international hit, selling over two million copies. Free also worked as arranger and conductor, notably for jazz singer Chris Connor, and served as studio musician for the likes of the Four Seasons, the Monkees, and the Association ~ Friedland was born in 1922
August 17, 1995 ~ William Strethen Davis, commonly known as jazz pianist, organist, guitarist, arranger Wild Bill Davis, passed away in Moorestown, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for pioneering the electronic organ prior to Jimmy Smith's emergence and as a member of Louis Jordan's backing unit the Tympany Five. Also worked with Milt Larkin, Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, Tom Archia, Buster Bennett, Claude McLin, Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Ray Brown, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Floyd Smith, and Sonny Stitt ~ Davis was born in 1918
August 17, 1993 ~ Power pop, pop singer, drummer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Phil Seymour passed away in Tarzana, California, USA ~ Revered by power pop aficionados, especially for his solo work. Formed the duo Oister with Dwight Twilley, known for their 1975 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit I'm On Fire. Member of the Textones. Sang backup on Tom Petty's American Girl and Breakdown ~ Seymour was born in 1952
August 17, 1990 ~ Singer, actress Pearl Bailey, full name Pearl Mae Bailey, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Vaudeville performer made her Broadway debut in St Louis Woman in 1946. Won a Tony Award for the title role in the original all-Black production of Hello Dolly ~ Bailey was born in 1918August 17, 1988 ~ Gary Maurice Lucas Jr, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Joyner Lucas, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ First gained attention with his 2015 single Ross Capicchioni in 2015. Also known for a number of popular remixes, notably Lil' Pump's Gucci Gang, 21 Savage's Bank Account, Kendrick Lamar's DNA. Released his full-length solo debut album, ADHD, in 2020
August 17, 1988 ~ Singer Natalie Sandtorv born in Ålesund, Norway ~ Married to drummer Ole Mofjell. Best known for fronting Morning Has Occurred. Also worked with Polygon Junx, John Hegre, Thore Warland, Marte Eberson, Kjetil Moster, Karl Seglem, and Steve Beresford
August 17, 1986 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Sam Mehran, also known as Sam Meringue, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Co-founded punk band the Test Icicles, drawing from post-hardcore, dance-punk and indie rock. As a solo artist ventured into more lo-fi oriented music, influenced by Ariel Pink and R Stevie Moore, recording under several monikers. Critically acclaimed for a series of recordings under the moniker Outer Limit Recordings ~ Mehran passed away in 2018
August 17, 1984 ~ Hamie Nickerson, commonly known as country blues, blues harpist, guitarist Hammie Nixon, passed away in Jackson, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his association with Sleepy John Estes. Pioneered the use of the mouth harmonica as a rhythm instrument rather than as a novelty. Has worked with Little Buddy Doyle, Charlie Pickett, and Son Bonds ~ Nickerson was born in 1908
August 17, 1980 ~ Carl Anthony Falk-Gramer, commonly known as pop, dance-pop, Europop producer, songwriter Carl Falk, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Has worked with Demi Lovato, One Direction, 5 Seconds Of Summer, Nicki Minaj, Ellie Goulding, Madonna, Avicii, Ariana Grande, Charlie Puth, Jason Derülo, Westlife, and Iggy Azalea
August 17, 1980 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Harold Adamson, full name Harold Campbell Adamson, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Popular songwriter of the 1930s and 1940s. Co-wrote songs such as Too Young To Go Steady (Nat King Cole, Patti Page, Connie Stevens), You're A Sweetheart (Tommy Dorsey, Alice Faye, Carroll Gibbons), Don't Believe Everything You Dream (the Ink Spots), Here Comes Heaven Again (Perry Como, Georgie Auld, the Platters), Little Things That Mean So Much (Teddy Wilson, Carmen McRae), A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening (Frank Sinatra, June Christy, Eddy Arnold), You're A Sweetheart (Hoagy Carmichael, Woody Herman, Harry James) ~ Adamson was born in 1906
August 17, 1980 ~ Lene Marlin Pederson, commonly known as singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Lene Marlin, born in Tromsø, Norway ~ Released her Playing My Game debut album in 1999. Her Unforgivable Sinner debut single would be the all-time fastest-selling single in Norway. Other songs, such as Where I'm Headed used in the film Mauvaises Frequentations, and Sitting Down Here would both do well internationally. Marlin would continue to record throughout the 2010s, all of her albums reaching top 5 in her native NorwayAugust 17, 1979 ~ Rock, alternative country, folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Justin Jones, full name Justin Phillip Jones, born ~ Described as electrified country and roots-rock. Recorded his 2004 Blue Dreams debut album in one single day, just himself and his guitar. Perhaps best known for his Fading Light released in 2012
August 17, 1978 ~ Soprano singer, actress Vibeke Stene born in Sokndal, Norway ~ Member of Tristania from 1997 through 2007, considered one of the premiere goth metal bands. Stene has recorded about half a dozen albums with the band, including Illumination which is generally considered the band's masterpiece. Stene has guested on recordings by Green Carnation, Samael, and Plutho, and returned from semi-retirement in 2020 with doom metal outfit Veil Of Secrets
August 17, 1973 ~ Violinist Daniel Hope born in Durban, South Africa ~ Best known as member of the Beaux Arts Trio from 2002 through its disbandement in 2008. Also recorded as a solo artist. Music director of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and subsequently of the New Century Chamber Orchestra
August 17, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Peter Martin born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Christian McBride, Victor Goines, Johnny Griffin, Reuben Rogers, Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Joshua Redman, Dianne Reeves, Rodney Whitaker, Terence Blanchard, Betty Carter, Roy Hargrove, Ellis Marsalis Jr, David Sanborn, and Stanley Turrentine