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, 1974 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock drummer, percussionist Andy Strachan, full name Andrew Douglas Strachan, born in Adelaide, Australia ~ Best known as a member of the Living End, initially joining the band as a temporary fill-in for Travis Demsey and becoming an official full member by 2002. Present on albums such as Modern Artillery, State Of Emergency, White Noise, and The Ending Is Just The Beginning. Has also worked with Poxsii Barccs, Alcotomic, Pollyanna, and guested on albums by Jimmy Barnes, and Ash Grunwald
August 20, 1974 ~ Kenneth Doniell Moore, commonly known as rapper Big Moe, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of DJ Screw's Screwed Up Click, considered one of the pivotal Southern rap acts. Released his City Of Syrup solo debut album in 2000. Best known for his 2003 single Just A Dog taken of the Moe Life album ~ Moore passed away in 2007
August 20, 1973 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release Angie, lead single off their Goat's Head Soup album ~ Despite its sad undertone, arguably one of the band's most endearing, timeless, and tender ballads. Noted specifically for its restrained piano play, courtesy of regular collaborator Nicky Hopkins, and Mick Jagger's faintly audible vocals, an effect sometimes called “ghost” vocals. In a 1993 interview, Keith Richards said the title was inspired by his baby daughter, Dandelion Angela. Yet in his 2010 memoir Life, Richards said he had chosen the name at random, before they named their daughter or even before they knew that the baby would be a girl, and that the song was not about any particular person. Jagger's contributions to the lyrics may have referred to his breakup with Marianne Faithfull. The single would reach No.1 in over half a dozen countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, and the NetherlandsAugust 20, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer Fred Durst, full name William Frederick Hurst, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Best known as frontman of rap-rock outfit Limp Bizkit. Has ventured into films as both an actor and a film director. Collaborated with Korn, Soulfly, Methods Of Mayhem, Run-DMC, Rock, and Corey Feldman
August 20, 1968 ~ Guitarist, composer Frode Barth born in Lorenskog, Norway ~ Worked with Oscar Peterson, Reggie Workman, Arthur Maia, Robertinho Silva, Toninho Horta, Kjell Karlsen, Trygve Seim, Terje Venaas, Harald Johnsen, Celio de Cravalho, Alf Kjellman, Pal Thowsen, Arild Andersen, Jon Eberson, Per Oddvar Johansen, Steve Bloom, and Jane Vespestad
August 20, 1966 ~ Daarrell Lance Abbot, commonly known as groove metal, southern metal, thrash metal, heavy metal guitarist, singer Dimebag Darrell, born in Ennis, Texas, USA ~ Son of country producer Jerry Abbott, brother of drummer Vinnie Paul. Influenced by Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, ZZ Top, and especially Kiss and Van Halen. Best known as guitarist, and alongside his brother co-founder of quintessential metal bands Pantera and Damageplan. Noted for his guitar solos on the former's Walk, Cemetery Gates and Floods. Abbott never received any formal guitar training. Shot and killed by a deranged fan at age 38 during a nightclub performance in Columbus, Ohio. Abbott was buried in a Kiss casket donated by Gene Simmons with a 1979 Bumblebee guitar donated by Eddie Van Halen ~ Abbott passed away in 2004August 20, 1965 ~ Jeff Carmichael, commonly known as rapper Jay Supreme, born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as co-frontman of Eurodance group Culture Beat, scoring international hits with singles such as Mr Vain, World In Your Hands and Crying In The Rain. Subsequently collaborated with Rappers Against Racism and released a sole solo single in 2000, Your Love Encore featuring Cheryl Lynn
August 20, 1965 ~ Lawrence Parker, commonly known as MC, rapper KRS One, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Formed Boogie Down Productions with Scott La Rock. As a solo artist known for songs such as Sound Of Da Police, Love's Gonna Getch (Material Love), My Philosophy, Step Into A World (Raptures Delight) and The MCAugust 20, 1963 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records That's Where It's At at RCA Studios, Los Angeles, California ~ Written by Sam Cooke and JW Alexander. Produced by Al Schmitt. Released as a single, paired with Cousin Of Mine on the B-side, September 1964 the single would barely make a chart presence, stalling in the 90s on the Billboard Hot 100, yet over time the song awarded critical acclaim. It has been covered by the likes of Van Morrison, Ray Charles, and notably Bobby Womack. The latter had also backed Cooke on the original recording, other musicians being John Anderson, Harper Cosby, Streamline Ewing, June Gardner, Jewell Grant, Darel Terwilliger and René Hall
August 20, 1961 ~ Jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling, full name Lloyd Byron Stripling, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Lead trumpeter and soloist with Count Basie's orchestra. Has also worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Buck Clayton, Gerry Mulligan, JJ Johnson, Jim Hall, Sonny Rollins, Paquito d'Rivera, Freddy Cole, Jack McDuff, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the GRP All-Star Big Band, the New York Pops, and the Boston Pops Orchestra
August 20, 1959 ~ Jazz bassist, composer Gaute Storaas born in Bergen, Norway ~ Brother of pianist Vigleik Storaas. As a composer best known for his work for TV and film, notably scoring the soundtrack of the Elias & The Treasure Of The Sea animated feature film. Has arranged for rock and jazz artist including Dimmu Borgir, Turbonegro, Sissel Kyrkjebø, M2M, and Espen Lind
August 20, 1958 ~ José Fernández Torres, commonly known as flamenco, jazz guitarist Tomatito, born in Fondón, Spain ~ First gained attention backing flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla. Released his Rosas Del Amor debut album in 1987 and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Has collaborated with Paco de Lucia, Michel Camilo, and Josep Pons
August 20, 1957 ~ Drummer, guitarist Gary Mudbone Cooper born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Closely associated with George Clinton, present on a string of 1970s Parliament and Funkadelic albums including Mothership Connection, Hardcore Jollies, and Motor Booty Affair. Has also worked with several Clinton alumni appearing on Fred Wesley's A Blow For Me A Toot For You album, Eddie Hazel's Game Dames And Guitar Thangs, and Bootsy Collins' Bootsy (Player Of The Year). Cooper also formed the short-lived mid-1980s duo Sly Fox with Michael Camacho, known for their Let's Go All The Way single which would reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic
August 20, 1952 ~ Singer Doug Fieger born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as rhytm guitarist and lead vocalist of the Knack, best known for their 1979 hit My Sharona co-written by Fieger. Fieger was also a member of Sky, has played with Triumvirat, produced Mystery Pop 's Rubber City Rebels debut LP, guested on Was (Not Was)'s 1983 LP Born To Laugh, provided lead vocals on Bruce Kullick's Dirty Girl, and recorded two solo albums namely 1999's First Things First and 2010's Hankerings, the latter a Hank Williams tribute released shortly after Fieger's death ~ Fieger passed away in 2010August 20, 1951 ~ Drummer Mark Kennedy born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Worked with Spectrum, Doug Parkinson, Leo de Castro, King Harvest, Ayers Rock, Marcia Hines, Men At Work, Renée Geyer, Jimmy Barnes, and others ~ Kennedy passed away in 2026
August 20, 1948 ~ Organist, songwriter Lanier Greig born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Member of Neal Ford & the Fanatics, known for a handful of mid- to late 1960s singles and a sole eponymous album, regarded by aficionados as early key recordings in the pyschedelic rock era. Well known songs include I Can''t Go On, Good Men and Woman ~ Greig passed away in 2013
August 20, 1948 ~ Singer Neal Ford born ~ Fronted Neal Ford & the Fanatics, known for a handful of mid- to late 1960s singles and a sole eponymous album, regarded by aficionados as early key recordings in the pyschedelic rock era. Well known songs include I Can''t Go On, Good Men and Woman ~ Ford passed away in 2021
August 20, 1947 ~ Singer, songwriter David Lasley, full name David Eldon Lasley, born in Branch, Michigan, USA ~ Member of the Pousette-Dart Band. Member of Rosie. As a solo artist scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit with If I Had My Wish Tonight in 1982. Songs written or co-written by Lasley have been recorded by Rita Coolidge, Patti LaBelle (Come What May), Kiki Dee, Valerie Carter, Maxine Nightingale (Lead Me On), Boz Scaggs, Peter Allen, Norman Connors, the Pointer Sisters (Got To Find Love), Sarah Dash, Amy Keys, and Bonnie Raitt (I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again) ~ Lasley passed away in 2021
August 20, 1947 ~ Trombonist, brass player, songwriter James Pankow born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Founding member of Chicago. Wrote or co-wrote several Chicago songs including Make Me Smile, Colour My World, Just You 'n Me, Old Days and Feelin' Stronger Every Day. Sang lead on You Are On My Mind from 1976's Chicago X and on Till The End Of Time from 1977's Chicago XI. Scored most of the band's brass arrangements. Guested on Three Dog Night's 1969 top 20 hit Celebrate, on several tracks of the Bee Gees 1979 Spirits Having Flown album and on several Toto albums, notably the 1982 Grammy Award-winning Toto IVAugust 20, 1944 ~ Jazz drummer Terry Clarke, full name Terence Michael Clarke, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Worked with Chris Gage, Dave Robbins, John Handy, the 5th Dimension, Rob McConnell, the Boss Brass, Ed Bickert, Ruby Braff, Jim Galloway, Sonny Greenwich, Jay McShann, Emily Remler, Frank Rosolino, Jim Hall, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Eddie Daniels, Oliver Jones, Roger Kellaway, Helen Merrill, Ken Peplowski, Joe Roccisano, Free Trade, Ed Bickert, Oliver Jones, Oscar Peterson, and Buddy Tate
August 20, 1943 ~ Oliver Haydn Whigham III, commonly known as jazz trombonist Jiggs Whigham, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Stan Kenton, the Berlin Jazz Orchestra, Carl Fontana, Peter Herbolzheimer, Paul Kuhn, Bud Shank, the Globe Unity Orchestra, Art Farmer, Bert Kaempfert, Joe Pass, Allen Farnham, Frank Rosolino, Johnny Richards, Kurt Edelhagen, and Harry Allen
August 20, 1942 ~ Singer, songwriter Isaac Hayes, full name Isaac Lee Hayes Jr, born in Covington, Tennessee, USA ~ Southern soul icon, session musician, songwriter, producer at famed Stax/Volt label oft in collaboration with David Porter, writing songs for Sam & Dave, and Carla Thomas. Influenced by Percy Mayfield, Big Joe Turner, James Brown, Jerry Butler, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, Marvin Gaye, the Chamber Brothers and Sly & the Family Stone. Worked with Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Donald Byrd, Linda Clifford, Albert King, William Bell, Dionne Warwick, Rufus Thomas, and Eddie Floyd. As a solo artist best known for pivotal late 1960s, early 1970s albums such as Hot Buttered Soul, Black Moses and the score of blaxploitation film Shaft. Received an Oscar for Best Original Song for the track Theme From Shaft. Would later embrace disco on albums such as Chocolate Chip and Disco Connection. Would resurge in the 1990s lending his voice to South Park's Chef ~ Hayes passed away in 2008
August 20, 1941 ~ Free jazz, avant-garde drummer Milford Graves born in New York, New York, USA ~ Widely considered a pioneer of free jazz, counted among the flashiest of drummers and considered pivotal to jazz drumming in the 1960s, noted for including Asian and African rhythms into his playing. As a leader especially acclaimed for his Stories album, released in 2000. Regularly collaborated with Paul Bley, Albert Ayler, and the New York Art Quartet. An in-demand sideman active until his death at age 79, Graves has also appeared on albums by Giuseppi Logan (The Giuseppe Logan Quartet), Montego Joe, Miriam Makeba (Makeba Sings), Sonny Sharrock, Andrew Cyrille, Kenny Clarke, Anthony Braxton (Beyond Quantum), and Wadada Leo Smith ~ Graves passed away in 2021August 20, 1939 ~ Jazz trumpeter Enrico Rava born in Trieste, Italy ~ Started on trombone, changed to trumpet after hearing Miles Davis. Has worked with John Abercrombie, Andrea Centazzo, Gil Evans, Richard Galliano, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Michel Petrucciani, Cecil Taylor, Miroslav Vitous, Carla Bley, Lee Konitz, Jeannie Lee, Paul Motian, Roswell Rudd, Stefano Bollani, Gato Barbieri, Aldo Romano, and Eberhard Weber
August 20, 1937 ~ Jazz trumpeter Johnny Dunn passed away in Paris, France ~ Critically compared to King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. One of the first to use a plunger, a style copied by Tricky Sam Nanton, the effect later became known as the wah-wah effect. Best known for his work in the 1920s with Perry Bradford, Mamie Smith, Jelly Roll Morton, James P Johnson, Fats Waller, Noble Sissle, Elmer Chambers, Charlie Dixon, Herb Flemming, Sam Wooding, Garvin Bushell, and Edith Wilson. Retired from music by the late 1920s. His style out of fashion and largely forgotten Dunn would pass away of tuberculosis at age 40 ~ Dunn was born in 1897