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 26, 1946 ~ Singer, songwriter Valerie Simpson born in New York, New York, USA ~ Formed the husband-wife producer, songwriter and occasionaly recording duo Ashford & Simpson with Nickolas Ashford. Well known songs written by the couple include California Soul recorded by the 5th Dimension, Cry Like A Baby recorded by Aretha Franklin, Let's Go Get Stoned recorded by Ray Charles, and all but one of the late 1960s Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell duets including Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing. Produced three albums for Diana Ross, including her 1970 eponymous Diana Ross solo debut album. Others who have recorded songs written by the husband-wife duo include Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Miracles, Syreeta Wright, Martha Reeves, Teddy Pendergrass, the Brothers Johnson, Stephanie Mills, and Chaka Khan. As a recording duo the couple are best known for Solid, a Billboard R&B charttopper and Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit in 1984August 26, 1944 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Alan Parker born in Matlock, UK ~ In-demand session musician, often uncredited. Said to have played on recordings such as Donovan's Hurdy Gurdy Man, the Walker Brothers' No Regrets, and David Bowie's 1984. Other notable credits includ Blue Mink, the English Congregation, CCS, and Serge Gainsbourg. Later on in his career Parker has focused on working for film and TV soundtracks
August 26, 1943 ~ Dorival Tostes Caymmi, commonly known as jazz, bossa nova, pop rock singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter, arranger Dori Caymmi, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Son of composer Dorival Caymmi and singer Stella Maris. Member of Grupo Dos Sete. Well over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist. Composed for TV and film, notably co-wrote the score for the 1971 film Cronica Da Casa Assassinada with Antônio Carlos Jobim. Has produced albums by Eumir Deodato, Edu Lobo, Nara Leão. Has arranged for Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil
August 26, 1942 ~ Pop rock bassist Keith Allison born in Coleman, Texas, USA ~ Member of Paul Revere & the Raiders from 1968, replacing Charlie Coe, through 1975. As a solo artist known for his 1967 Keith Allison In Action album. Over the course of his career Allison has also worked with artists such Ringo Starr, the Monkees, the Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Sonny & Cher. Appears on the Jerry Lee Lewis album Last Man Standing released in 2006 ~ Allison passed away in 2021
August 26, 1942 ~ Samuel Mendola, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor Vic Dana born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Filled in for Gary Troxel as lead singer for the Fleetwoods for live performances only during Troxel's stint in the US Navy. As a solo artist best known for his 1965 hit Red Roses For A Blue Lady, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit. Other well known songs include Shangri-La, I Love You Drops, and If I Never Knew Your NameAugust 26, 1941 ~ Christopher Crummey, commonly known as drummer, singer Chris Curtis, born in Oldham, UK ~ Member of Merseybeat outfit the Searchers from 1960, replacing Norman McGarry, through 1966. Wrote or co-wrote most of the band's original material and constantly on the lookout for obscure songs. Present on recordings such as Needles And Pins, Sugar And Spice, Don't Throw Your Love Away and Ain't That Just Like Me ~ Curtis passed away in 2005
August 26, 1940 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, singer, songwriter Nik Turner, full name Nicholas Robert Turner, born in Oxford, UK ~ Owning a van, Turner originally offered his services as a roadie to the newly formed Hawkwind. However, when the band learned he played the saxophone they offered him a position in the band. Present on most of the band's best known including the acclaimed albums Space Ritual and Hall Of The Mountain Grill. Turner has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Robert Calvert, Mother Gong, Psychic TV, and Helios Creed ~ Turner passed away in 2022
August 26, 1939 ~ Singer Fred Milano born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Longtime member of doo-wop outfit Dion & the Belmonts, known for songs such as A Teenager In Love, Where Or When, and Tell Me Why. Upon hearing of his death, lead singer Dion commented: “He and the Belmonts, they were the best. Freddie was almost like a genius with vocal harmony. I was humbled to sing with them.” ~ Milano passed away in 2012August 26, 1930 ~ Vocal trio the Rhythm Boys record Three Little Words ~ Written by Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar. The version recorded by the Rhythm Boys, consisting of Barry Harris, Al Rinker and Bing Crosby, would enjoy great success and be used in the 1930 film Check And Double Check. Orchestral accompaniement by Duke Ellington orchestra. The song would later be recorded by numerous others, notably Al Martino who adopted the song as a concert favorite, by John Coltrane and Milt Jackson on their 1959 Bags & Trane collaborative album, and by Nat King Cole on his 1965 L-O-V-E album
August 26, 1928 ~ Jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, composer Peter Appleyard born in Cleethorpe, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Toured with Benny Goodman in the 1970s. Has also worked with Duke Ellington, Skitch Henderson, Peanuts Hucko, Sherrie Maricle, Bucky Pizzarelli, Lenny Solomon, Slam Stewart, and Mel Tormé ~ Appleyard passed away in 2013
August 26, 1924 ~ Chiarina Francesca Bartocci, commonly known as jazz singer Frances Wayne, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for Happiness Is Just A Thing Called Joe. Married to Neal Hefti, with whom she also worked. Also worked with Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, Jerome Richardson, Richie Kamuca, John LaPorta, Billy Bauer, and Al Cohn ~ Bartocci passed away in 1978
August 26, 1920 ~ Film, TV composer, conductor, pianist, music director Emil Cadkin, full name Emil Milton Cadkin, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of William Loose and Harry Bluestone. Best known for his work as composer for film, TV series and cartoons from the 1940s through the 1960s, notably Gumby and Hanna-Barbera's Augie Doggie ~ Cadkin passed away in 2020
August 26, 1912 ~ Thérèse Maria Léonie Gendebien, commonly known as singer Léo Marjane, born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France ~ Noted for her warm contralto voice and clarity enjoyed popularity during the 1930s and 1940s with songs such as Begin The Beguine and Night And Day. Following the liberation of France, popular opinion abruptly turned against her for her performances on radio stations run by the Nazis. Marjane maintained she was just naive and continued to record but to little success ~ Gendebien passed away in 2016
August 26, 1907 ~ Jazz, big band, pop bandleader Lester Lanin, full name Nathaniel Lester Lanin, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the late 1920s, most popular during the 1950s, albums such as 1957's Dance To The Music Of Lester Lanin and Lester Lanin & his Orchestra, as well as Have Band Will Travel and Lester Lanin Goes To College the following year all reaching the Billboard top 10. Played at the wedding of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley in 1985. Led the orchestra at the prestigious annual the International Debutante Ball until his death ~ Lanin passed away in 2004
August 26, 1901 ~ Singer Jimmy Rushing, full name James Andrew Rushing, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Blues shouter dubbed “Mr Five by Five” for his physique. Best known for his association with Count Basie, singing with Basie's orchestra from 1935 through 1948. Has also worked with Walter Page, Bennie Moten, Jelly Roll Morton, Billy King, Duke Ellington, and Humphrey Lyttelton ~ Rushing passed away in 1972