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 20, 2025 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock, progressive rock guitarist, banjoist, singer Brent Hinds, full name William Brent Hinds, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known as member of metal outfit Mastodon, sharing guitar duties with Bill Kelliher and vocal duties with Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor. Lead guitarist, singer for surfabilly outfit Fiend Without A Face. Hinds has also worked with the Blood Vessels, West End Motel, Four Hour Fogger, the Last Of The Blue Eyed Devils, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, and the Legend Of The Seagullmen ~ Hinds was born in 1974August 20, 2023 ~ Pop, pop rock, disco singer, conductor, arranger, songwriter, composer Luc Smets, full name Luc Jan Frans Smets, passed away in Bornem, Belgium ~ Member of 1960s pop group Pebbles, for whom he co-wrote their biggest hit Seven Horses In The Sky. Co-founded Shampoo. Member of disco unit the Dream Express, with whom he reached 7th place at the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival representing Belgium with the song A Million In 1 2 3. Smets has also composed for film and TV ~ Smets was born in 1947
August 20, 2022 ~ Helen Greco, commonly known as traditional pop singer, actress Helen Grayco, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for her appearances on the The Spike Jones Show in the 1950s and 1960s alongside her husband bandleader Spike Jones. Prior to teaming up with Jones Grayco sang with Bing Crosby, Chuck Cabot, Red Nichols. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing the album After Midnight in 1957 and The Lady In Red the following year. Grayco was married to Jones from 1949 until his death in 1965, the couple have three children ~ Greco was born in 1924
August 20, 2021 ~ Lawrence Ira Kahn, commonly known as salsa keyboardist, bandleader, producer, composer Larry Harlow passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Son of opera singer Rose Sherman and bandleader Buddy Kahn. Larry Harlow led Orchestra Harlow, the second orchestra to be signed to Fania. Harlow has recorded numerous albums with his own ensembles and produced over a 100 albums for various artist, mostly. Founded the Fania All-Stars, regarded as the seminal and most-important salsa group to date ~ Harlow was born in 1939
August 20, 2021 ~ Conductor, music director Michael Morgan, full name Michael DeVard Morgan, passed away ~ Started playing the piano at age 8. Was conducting two orchestras by age 12, one at his church and one in high school. Best known for his association with the Oakland East Bay Symphony, signing on as music director in 1991 and remaining until his death. Morgan has also guest conducted orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Opera, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Washington National Opera ~ Morgan was born in 1957
August 20, 2021 ~ Jazz double bassist, engineer, producer Peter Ind passed away ~ Played violin and piano through his teens, including professionally, before switching to bass. Ind had been active since the late 1940s, briefly serving in the house band on the luxury liner the Queen Mary, before relocating to New York altogether where he would work with Lee Konitz, Buddy Rich, Booker Ervin, Mal Waldron, Slim Gaillard, and notably mentor Lennie Tristano. By the mid 1950s, Ind had branched out into production and engineering, recording sessions by Zoot Sims, Gerry Mulligan, and Booker Little, founded his own recording studio, and pioneered overdubbing of jazz music, both for his own endeavours as well as freelancing for several labels. As a leader, co-leader, or solo performer, Ind has recorded over half a dozen albums, including notably Looking Out released in 1961. Ind returned to the UK by the mid 1960s, where he woulkd continue to perform, run several jazz clubs, and author two books, including Jazz Visiosn (Lennie Tristano And His Legacy), a memoir of his association with Tristano and the 1950s New York jazz scene ~ Ind was born in 1928
August 20, 2021 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter, novelist, author Tom T Hall passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ As a songwriter best known for penning Harper Valley PTA, originally recorded by Margie Singleton but a smash crossover hit for Jeannie C Riley who took it to the top of both Billboard Country and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1968. Hall is praised as one of country's most literate songwriters, lovingly dubbed “the Storyteller” and has actually written a number of novels and short stories. As a singer has some 3 dozen albums to his name starting in the late 1960s. Especially known for songs such as The Ballad Of Forty Dollars, A Week In A County Jail, The Year Clayton Delaney Died, (Old Dogs Children &) Watermelon Wine, Ravishing Ruby and Faster Horses (The Cowboy And The Poet) ~ Hall was born in 1936August 20, 2018 ~ Guitarist Eddie Willis passed away in Gore Springs, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced by Chet Atkins, Wes Montgomery, and by Albert King. Member of Motown house band the Funk Brothers. Appeared on hundreds of recordings including Please Mr Postman (the Marvelettes), The Way You Do The Things You Do (the Temptations), You Keep Me Hangin' On (the Supremes), and I Was Made To Love Her (Stevie Wonder) ~ Willis was born in 1936
August 20, 2013 ~ Margaret Marian Tuner, commonly known as jazz pianist, composer Marian McPartland, passed away in Port Washington, New York, USA ~ Met her husband cornetist Jimmy McPartland when both served in the USO, playing for the Allied troops during World War II. After the war Marian played with Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Terry Gibbs, Joe Morello, Vinnie Burke, and Bill Crow ~ Turner was born in 1918
August 20, 2009 ~ Keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, harmonica player Larry Knechtel, full name Lawrence William Knechtel, passed away in Yakima, Washington, USA ~ Recorded a handful of albums as a solo artist, starting with The In Harmonica in 1965 under the monniker Larry Nelson. Member of Bread. In-demand session musician, present on albums by the likes of Johnny Rivers, the Everly Brothers, the Byrds, the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), the Doors, Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel (The Sounds Of Silence), the Mamas & the Papas, Thelma Houston, Harry Nilsson, Barbra Streisand, Solomon Burke, Emitt Rhodes, Chet Baker, Jackie DeShannon, Billy Joel (Streetlife Serenade), Albert Hammond, Jerry Garcia, Dan Hill, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Costello (Mighty Like A Rose) ~ Knechtel was born in 1940August 20, 2002 ~ Joseph Christopher Columbus Morris, commmonly known as jazz drummer Chris Columbus, passed away in New Jersey, USA ~ Active since the 1930s. Worked with Louis Jordan, Wild Bill Davis, Duke Ellington, Floyd Smith, Al Grey, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Buddy Tate, Milt Buckner, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Johnny Hammond Smith. His son was Count Basie's drummer Sonny Payne ~ Morris was born in 1902
August 20, 1999 ~ Country singer, guitarist Bob Gallion passed away in Williamstown, West Virginia, USA ~ Active since the 1940s, sessioning for the likes of Stoney Cooper & Wilma Lee Cooper. As a solo artist, Gallion has recorded from the 1950s through the early 1970s, racking up about half a dozen Billboard Country top 30 hits including his best known Wall To Wall Love which reached top 10. Well-known songs include You Take The Table And I'll Take The Chairs, Loving You (Was Worth This Broken Heart), One Way Street, Sweethearts Again, and Ain't Got Time For Nothin' ~ Gallion was born in 1924
August 20, 1999 ~ Bassist Bobby Sheehan, full name Robert Vaughan Sheehan, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of jam band Blues Traveler. The band is best known for their breakout album Four released in 1994, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Run Around. Sheehan would remain with the band until his death by accidental overdose in 1999 ~ Sheehan was born in 1968
August 20, 1995 ~ Jazz saxophonist John Gilmore passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his association with Sun Ra, recording almost exclusively with the latter from the 1950s through the 1990s. As a co-leader best known for the 1957 album Blowing In Chicago, a session co-led with Clifford Jordan and with backing from Horace Silver, Curly Russell and Art Blakey. Gilmore also worked with Paul Bley, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Elmo Hope, Andrew Hill, Pete La Rosa, Phil Upchurch, and Dizzy Reece ~ Gilmore was born in 1931
August 20, 1992 ~ Singer, actress Demi Lovato, full name Demetria Devonne Lovato, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Started as an actress in several Disney productions, notably 2008's Camp Rock and its 2010 sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. Got her first taste of Billboard success duetting with Joe Jonas on This Is Me, taken from Camp Rock soundtrack. The single would reach the American top 10. Released her pop rock debut album Don't Forget the same year and has been recording to commercial success since. Known for songs such as Here We Go Again, Skyscraper, Heart Attack, Cool For The Summer and Sorry (Not Sorry)August 20, 1988 ~ Western swing guitarist, steel guitarist Leon McAuliffe, full name William Leon McAuliffe, passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known as a member of Bob Wills' pivotal the Texas Playboys backing unit during the 1930s. Co-wrote San Antonio Rose. Also wrote Steel Guitar Rag, a hit for Robert Lee Dunn. Also worked with the Light Crust Doughboys and the Cimarron Boys ~ McAuliffe was born in 1917
August 20, 1986 ~ Pop group Bucks Fizz release Love The One You're With, originally written and first recorded by Stephen Stills ~ A cover of the Stephen Stills classic, the British pop group released their popped-up rendition as a follow-up to their comeback UK top 10 hit New Beginning (Mamba Seyra). Disappointingly though, Love The One You're With would spend just three weeks on the British charts and failed to reach top 40. Member Mike Nolan blamed the song's failure on the decision to showcase the other male member, Bobby G, as the lead singer. New Beginning (Mamba Seyra) had equally featured all members and became a hit, while earlier singles with Bobby G on lead had all flopped. Although the band had enjoyed considerable popularity earlier on in their native UK, racking up close to a dozen top 20 hits including three No.1's, they would be unable to repeat their earlier success and faded out by the end of the decade
August 20, 1986 ~ Trumpeter, cornetist Thad Jones, full name Thaddeus Joseph Jones, passed away in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Big band-era trumpeter well known as a key soloist with Count Basie, with whom he played for nearly a decade starting in 1954, and Charles Mingus. Co-led the the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra from the mid 1960s onward, which started out as an all-star group and over time included many younger emerging talents in its ever-revolving line-up. As a leader, Jones has recorded extensively since the mid 1950s, especially earning acclaim for the albums The Magnificent Thad Jones, The Fabulous Thad Jones, and Consummation, and has appeared on albums by Osie Johnson, Charlie Parker, Manny Albam, Sarah Vaughan (No Count Sarah), Jimmy Smith, Paul Quinichette, Curtis Fuller (Imagination), Ray Charles (Genius+Soul=Jazz), McCoy Tyner, Ben Webster, Pepper Adams, Joe Williams (Jump For Joy), Shirley Scott (For Members Only), Gil Evans, Sonny Rollins, Oliver Nelson (More Blues And The Abstract Truth), Thelonious Monk, Helen Merrill, Herbie Hancock (Speak Like A Child), Hermeto Pascoal, Grover Washington Jr, Houston Person, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt (Goin' Down Slow), and Kenny Drew. Jones has also collaborated with his equally renowned brothers pianist Hank Jones and drummer Elvin Jones, including in the sibling outfit the Jones Boys ~ Jones was born in 1923
August 20, 1983 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, It's A Mistake by Men At Work peaks at No.6 Billboard Hot 100 ~ At the time, tensions between the West and the Soviet Union were running high and many feared an escalation or possibly even a nuclear war. The Australian pop rock outfit dealt with this issue in the anti-war song It's A Mistake, lead singer and the song's sole songwriter Colin Hay taking on the persona of a mid-level officer wishing to learn from his superiors if they are going to war or not. It's A Mistake, lifted off their sophomore Cargo album, would be the band's fourth and final Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, preceded by Who Can It Be Now, Down Under, and Overkill. Following Cargo the band would release one more album before disbanding, though in later years they have reconvened from time to time
August 20, 1982 ~ R&B family outfit DeBarge release I Like It, lifted off their All This Love sophomore album ~ The family outfit had put out a disappointing debut album, and were determined to score a hit. They changed their name from the DeBarges to simply DeBarge and came up with I Like It, written by Randy DeBarge, Etterlene DeBarge, and El DeBarge, the latter also producing the song with Iris Gordy. Randy DeBarge and El DeBarge shared lead vocals, with the latter pressured by Iris Gordy to sing in a higher register than he was used to. Gordy would later recall El DeBarge first objected she was trying to make him sound like his brother Bobby DeBarge, to which she replied: “You better thank your lucky stars if you sound even close to Bobby.” I Like It would be the band's first major hit, peaking at No.2 Billboard R&B and a respectable No.31 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. The band would score half a dozen Billboard R&B top 10 hits through the mid-1980s, of which Rhythm Of The Night and Who's Holding Donna Now both also reached top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
August 20, 1981 ~ Leland James Gillette, commonly known as producer, label executive, A&R director Lee Gillette, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Headed the country division for Capitol Records starting in 1942, signing and producing acts such as Tex Ritter, Jack Guthrie, Jimmy Wakely, Merle Travis, Tex Williams, Tennessee Ernie Ford. Moved to the label's pop division in 1950, where he would produce Georgia Gibbs, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Stan Kenton, Vic Damone. Especially closely associated with Nat King Cole, producing all of Cole's recordings from 1950 onwards. Following Cole's death in 1965 Gillette suffered from depression and retired shortly afterwards, only occasionally producing thereafter ~ Gillette was born in 1912
August 20, 1980 ~ Folk, pop singer, songwriter Jenn Grant born in Charlottetown, Canada ~ Influenced by Kate Bush. Performed for a time in her early teens but stopped due to severe stage fright. Would start performing again in her early 20s, initially with the Heavy Blinkers. Would debut as a solo artist with the independently released EP Jenn Grant & Goodbye Twentieth Century in 2005. Released her full-length debut album, Orchestra For The Moon, in 2007 which featured the Blinkers, Ron Sexsmith, Matt Mays, and Jill Barber. Has performed and recorded steadily since, working with artists such as Buck 65, Doug Paisley, Justin Rutledge, Tanya Davis, and with producer Daniel Ledwell. She married Ledwell in 2011. Her song Dreamer is the theme song of CBC's TV series HeartlandAugust 20, 1979 ~ Jazz-pop singer, songwriter Jamie Cullum born in Rochford, UK ~ Released his debut album, Heard It All Before, in 1999 on a budget of only £480 with 500 copies made. Has recorded steadily since to critical acclaim and commercial succes. Cullum has covered songs originally by the White Stripes, Kanye West, Massive Attack, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, the Pussycat Dolls, Radiohead, Gnarls Barkley, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Joy Division, and Lady Gaga
August 20, 1977 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Aaron Watson, full name James Aaron Watson, born in Amarillo, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by George Jones and Merle Haggard. Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with Singer Songwriter released in 1999. Gained wider attention with his 2002 Shut Up And Dance and its 2004 follow-up The Honky Tonk Kid, the latter produced by Asleep At The Wheel frontman Ray Benson and featuring backing vocals by musical hero and influence Willie Nelson. Well-known songs include Hearts Breaking Across Texas, Rollercoaster Ride, That Look, and Outta StyleAugust 20, 1977 ~ James Lloyd, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Lil' Cease, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Key member of Junior MAFIA, notably present on Player's Anthem of the group's 1995 Conspiracy debut album. As a solo artist known for his 1999 Wonderful World Of Cease A Leo album. Has worked with Lil' Kim, Mase, SWV, Kelly Price, the Notorious BIG, Mobb Deep, and Fabolous