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 23, 2024 ~ Experimental folk, avant-garde singer Catherine Ribeiro passed away in Martigues, France ~ Critically acclaimed, boundary-breaking Ribeiro remained a cult figure throughout her career influential on fellow musicians. Well known for teaming up with composer Patrice Moullet in the folk, psychedelic outfit Alpes, the pair recording some half a dozen albums throughout the early 1980s with a revolving line-up. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1974 Paix album. Ribeiro also enjoyed a parallel career as a solo singer, starting with her Le Blues De Piaf solo debut album issued in 1977. Ribeiro counted musicians such as Julian Cope and Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon among her fans, the latter once stating in an interview: “Ribeiro's voice is so amazing and the music sounds so, I hate to use the word organic, but I just kind of relate it to the music. She is definitely an influence on me” ~ Ribeiro was born in 1941
August 23, 2024 ~ Jazz guitarist Russell Malone passed away in Tokyo, Japan ~ Began playing at age four on a toy guitar his mother bought him. Influenced by BB King, the Dixie Hummingbirds, and George Benson. Spent the late 1980s and 1990s backing artists such as Jimmy Smith, Harry Connick Jr, and Diana Krall, including on the latter's acclaimed and Grammy Award-winning When I Look In Your Eyes album. As a leader or co-leader, Malone has recorded some dozen albums since the early 1990s, specifically noted for the 2003 collaborative album Jazz At The Bistro with pianist Benny Green, as well as 2004's Playground, and 2017's Time For The Dancers. As a sideman and collaborator, Malone has appeared on albums by Branford Marsalis, Don Braden, Johnny O'Neal (On The Montreal Scene), Stephen Scott (The Beautiful Thing), Gary Bartz, Dave Grusin, Mose Allison (Gimcracks And Gewgaws), Marian McPartland, Ray Brown, Janis Siegel, the Chieftains, Houston Person, Wynton Marsalis, Regina Carter (Motor City Moments), Gary Burton, Will Downing, Natalie Cole, Kenny Rankin, David Sanborn, Jon Faddis (Teranga), Gladys Knight, Alvin Batiste, Jeff Lorber (He Had A Hat), the CTI All-Stars, Jimmy Cobb, Joss Stone (Colour Me Feel), Sonny Rollins, Christian McBride, Macy Gray (Stripped), Jimmy Heath (Love Letter), Eric Bibb, and Rickie Lee Jones ~ Malone was born in 1963
August 23, 2023 ~ Pop rock songwriter, producer Bob Feldman, full name Robert C Feldman, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Formed a songwriter, producer team with Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer. The trio were responsible for 1960s hits such as Let's Stomp for Bobby Comstock, Betty Jean for Freddy Cannon, and My Boyfriend's Back for the Angels. The trio's Sorrow would be used as a B-side for the McCoys in 1965, but is better known as recorded by David Bowie who released it as the sole single of his 1973 Pin Ups album. Goldstein, Gottehrer and Feldman would also record several of their songs themselves under the moniker the Strangeloves, most notably I Want Candy, later covered by Brian Poole, the Surfaris, and Bow Wow Wow ~ Feldman was born in 1940
August 23, 2022 ~ Producer, label executive Creed Taylor, full name Creed Bane Taylor V, passed away in Nuremberg, Germany ~ In-house producer and executive at various labels including Bethlehem, ABC-Paramount, Verve, and A&M Records. Signed John Coltrane to Impulse. Helpful in bringing bossa nova to the USA in the 1960s, signing artists such as Antônio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, Airto Moreira. Founded CTI Records, one of the most successful jazz labels of the 1970s. Has worked with artists such as Oscar Pettiford, Ruby Braff, Charles Mingus, Herbie Mann, Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Cal Tjader, Freddie Hubbard, Chet Baker, Milt Jackson, Nina Simone, Eumir Deodato, Herbie Hancock, Chroma, and Fuse One ~ Taylor was born in 1929August 23, 2021 ~ Glam rock, gothic rock, post-punk, trance, psychedelic trance singer, DJ Olli Wisdom, full name Oliver John Wisdom, passed away in London, UK ~ Fronted UK punk band the Unwanted. Member of early 1980s glam, gothic rock outfit the Specimen. Would go on to become a pioneer of psychedelic trance, using the moniker Space Tribe from the mid 1990s on, influenced by electro-driven psychedelic sounds he first encountered on his travels to Asia ~ Wisdom was born in 1958
August 23, 2020 ~ Jazz drummer Charlie Persip passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Founded the Jazz Statesmen with Roland Alexander, Freddie Hubbard, and Ron Carter in 1960. Also leads Supersound. Worked with Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Sweets Edison, Harry James, Lee Morgan, Dinah Washington, Melba Liston, Kenny Dorham, Zoot Sims, Red Garland, Gil Evans, Don Ellis, Eric Dolphy, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gene Ammons, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Louis Jordan, Ernestine Anderson, Art Farmer, Randy Weston, Erroll Garner, Buddy Emmons, Slide Hampton, Pony Poindexter, Benny Golson, and Sonny Stitt ~ Persip was born in 1929August 23, 2020 ~ Laiko singer Giannist Poulopoulos, sometimes referred to as John Poulopoulos, passed away in Haidari, Greece ~ One of the best-selling Greek artists, enjouying popularity from the 1960s onwards. Well-known songs include Mi Mu Thymponis, the Helen Kladi-duets Very Late and I Love You, and In Piraeus ~ Poulopoulos was born in 1941
August 23, 2020 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer Peter King, full name Peter John King, passed away in London, UK ~ Worked with Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Tubby Hayes, Harry South, Stan Tracey, the Brussels Big Band, Ray Charles, Philly Joe Jones, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Red Rodney, Hampton Hawes, Nat Adderley, Al Haig, John Burch, Bill Watrous, Dick Morrisey, Tony Kinsey, Bill Le Sage, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Williams, Jon Hendricks, Anita O'Day, Everything But The Girl, Ben Watt, Tete Montoliu, and Jimmy Witherspoon ~ King was born in 1940August 23, 2012 ~ Avant-garde jazz saxophonist, flutist Byard Lancaster passed away in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Co-founded the Sounds Of Liberation with Khan Jamal. Has also worked with artists such as McCoy Tyner, Archie Shepp, Elvin Jones, Sun Ra, Memphis Slim, Johnny Copeland, Arcana, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Odean Pope, and Larry Young ~ Lancaster was born in 1942
August 23, 2010 ~ Songwriter, arranger, lyricist George David Weiss passed away in Oldwick, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for writing or co-writing songs such as Lullabye Of Birdland (Morris Levy), Mr Wonderful (Olga James), Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley), That Sunday That Summer (Nat King Cole), Stay With me (Lorraine Ellison), and What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong) ~ Weiss was born in 1921
August 23, 2010 ~ Nathan Bernstein, commonly known as impresario, bandleader Tito Burns, passed away in London, UK ~ As a musician worked with Lou Preager, Carl Barriteau, Denis Rose, Ronnie Scott, Johnny Dankworth, and Tony Crombie. Burns would switch to management by the mid 1950s, serving as manager and impresario for artists such as Cliff Richard, and the Searchers. Burns also served as tour manager for Bob Dylan. He is, however, perhaps most noted for discovering Dusty Springfield, who would go on to become one of the finest British pop soul singers to emerge from the 1960s ~ Bernstein was born in 1921
August 23, 2010 ~ Country outfit the Zac Brown Band release As She's Walking Away featuring Alan Jackson, lifted off their You Get What You Give album ~ The single reached No.1 Billboard Country and earned Jackson and the band a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration. Wyatt Durrette, who co-wrote the song with Zac Brown, told the Boot how after doing a show, they went to a bar in Orlando where there was this girl: “All night, she stared at me and I was looking at her. She was a beautiful girl, but she had her boyfriend with her, so I obviously wasn't going to say or do anything. We kind of spoke all night from across the room, but didn't say anything to each other. When I left, I really couldn't say anything. It was just one of those circumstances where you see a pretty girl in a bar and you don't have the guts to walk over and say hello to her. You find yourself missing that chance and find yourself kicking yourself when you leave. That's what sparked the song: I'm falling in love as she's walking away”
August 23, 2008 ~ Jazz trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, full name James Milton Cleveland, passed away in Lynwood, California, USA ~ One of the finest trombonists to emerge from the 1950s. As a leader best known for his 1959 Rhythm Crazy album. As a sideman appeared on albums by Clifford Brown, Lionel Hampton, Quincy Jones, Art Farmer, Manny Albam (Jazz Workshop), Betty Carter, Cannonball Adderley, Oscar Pettiford, Art Blakey, Dinah Washington, Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis (Miles Ahead), Benny Golson, Milt Jackson (Plenty Plenty Soul), Melba Liston, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich (Richcraft), Ray Charles (Genius+Soul=Jazz), Randy Weston, Blue Mitchell, Jimmy Smith, Shirley Scott (For Members Only), Wes Montgomery, the Drifters, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Barbara Lewis, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Quincy Jones (Walking In Space), and James Brown ~ Cleveland was born in 1926
August 23, 2006 ~ Jazz, jazz rock, jazz fusion trumpeter, bandleader Maynard Ferguson, full name Walter Maynard Ferguson, passed away in Ventura, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Boyd Raeburn, Jimmy Dorsey, Charlie Barnet, Doc Severinsen, Ray Wetzel, Pérez Prado, Dusko Gojkovic, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Harry Belafonte, Buddy Bregman, Russ Garcia, Stan Kenton, Shorty Rogers, Pete Rugolo, Georgie Auld, Louie Bellson, Wayne Bergeron, Clifford Brown, the Fania All-Stars, Red Grammer, Vido Musso, Tito Puente, and Dinah Washington ~ Ferguson was born in 1928
August 23, 2001 ~ Jazz, contradance, danzón bandleader, pianist Frank Emilio Flynn, full name Francisco Emilio Flynn Rodriguez, passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Considered a pioneer of Afro-Cuban jazz, active since the 1940s in a number of forms of Cuban music including danzas, danzones, filin, and descarga. Founder and director of a number of seminal ensembles including Loquibamba, Los Modernistas, and the Quinteto Instrumental de Musica Moderna, the latter later evolving into Los Amigos ~ Flynn was born in 1921August 23, 1997 ~ Miles Parks McCollum, commonly known as producer, rapper Lil' Yachty, born in Mableton, Georgia, USA ~ Known for songs such a One Night, Minnesota, Peek-a-boo featuring Migos, Oprah's Bank Account with DaBaby. Has also worked with DRAM, Carnage, Leaf, Charli XCX, T-Pain, Macklemore, Calvin Harris, and Steve Aoki
August 23, 1996 ~ Composer, pianist, conductor Jurriaan Andriessen, full name Jurriaan Hendrik Andriessen, passed away in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Son of composer Hendrik Andriessen, brother of composer Louis Andriessen. Composed chamber music, orchestral music, opera and ballet. Perhaps best known for his 1994 composition Il Discorso Della Corona, played yearly for chamber of parliament by the Residentie Orkest prior to the Troonrede ~ Andriessen was born in 1925
August 23, 1991 ~ New jack swing singer Karyn White releases Romantic, lead single off her Ritual Of Love sophomore album ~ Produced by hitmaker team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who had written the song with Karyn White. In recent years, Jam and Lewis had scored several major hits, notably producing Janet Jackson's Control and Rhythm Nation 1814 albums, and Romantic would be no exception as it became White's highest charting single and sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1, knocking Mariah Carey's Emotions off the top spot. White would marry Lewis the next year, the couple would have one daughter and an adopted son and divorced in 1999August 23, 1989 ~ Lianne Charlotte Barnes, commonly known as indie folk, soul singer, guitarist, songwriter Lianne La Havas born in London, UK ~ Known for songs such as Lost & Found, Is Your Love Big Enough and What You Don't Do. Has worked with Gareth Malone, Tourist, Prince, Alt-J, Aqualung, Rudimental, Rober Glasper, Mr Jukes, and Jacob Collier
August 23, 1989 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Ric Ocasek, frontman of the Cars, and supermodel Paulina Porizkova get married ~ The two had met in 1984 during the filming of the music video for the Cars song Drive, the band's biggest hit, which featured the then 19-year old Czech born supermodel. After divorcing his second wife in 1988, Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova marry on Saint Barthélemy Island, French Guadeloupe, in 1989. The couple separated in 2017, and have two sons
August 23, 1988 ~ Margaret Osborn, commonly known as electronic, electropunk singer, songwriter Alice Glass, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known as co-founding member, frontwoman of Crystal Castles, with whom she recorded the acclaimed albums Crystal Castles, Crystal Castles II, and Crystal Castles III before departing the band in 2014. Has since recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Dreamcrusher, Pabllo Vitar, and Pussy Riot
August 23, 1986 ~ Eddy Brace Rashid MacDonald, commonly known as pop, R&B, hip-hop singer Brace, born in Soerabaja, Indonesia ~ As a solo artist best known for his 2005 single Vraag Jezelf Eens Af. Guested on Moppie recorded by Lange Frans & Baas B. Guested on Ik Ben Je Zat recorded by Ali B. Has also worked with the D-MenAugust 23, 1984 ~ Joseph Talbot, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk, post-hardcore, indie rock singer, songwriter Joe Talbot, born in Newport, UK ~ Cites the Strokes, Thom Yorke, Joy Division and the Fall as major influences. Co-founding member, frontman of IDLES, best known for their 2020 Ultra Mono album which topped the UK charts. Has collaborated with Anna Calvi, Jehnny Beth, and Turbowolf
August 23, 1980 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, JoJo by Boz Scaggs peaks at No.17 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Possibly the first hit song about a pimp, named Jojo, as clearly evidenced in lyrics such as “his baby stays high, got to keep her sweet, and he keeps her just right, keeps her on the street”. On the recording of JoJo, Boz Scaggs is backed by first-call session musicians, including keyboardist David Paich, bassist David Hungate, and drummer Jeff Porcaro, three musicians who would rise to fame in the 1980s as the nucleus of Toto. JoJo is one of Scaggs' best known, lifted off his Middle Man. The album had spawned one more top 20 hit, Breakdown Dead Ahead which did just slightly better reaching No.15. His other hit album had been Silk Degrees released in 1976, which spawned the hits Lowdown and Lido Shuffle, which respectively peaked at No.3 and No.11 Billboard Hot 100
August 23, 1979 ~ Bilal Sayeed Oliver, mononymously known as R&B, hip-hop, neo soul, funk, jazz singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Bilal born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Discovered by Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors. Known for his wide vocal range. Drew comparisons to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Sly & the Family Stone, Prince, Curtis Mayfield. In-demand collaborator, worked with Kendrick Lamar, Common, Erykah Badu, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Guru, J Dilla, Rober Glasper, the Roots, Jermaine Dupri, Dr Dre, Talib Kweli, Jaguar Wright, Tweet, and Lupe Fiasco