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 27, 1949 ~ Country singer, guitarist, fiddler Jeff Cook, full name Jeffrey Alan Cook, born in Fort Payne, Alabama, USA ~ Co-founded Wildcountry in 1972 with his cousins Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry. The band would become better known after changing its name to Alabama in 1977 and regularly top the country charts, mostly in the 1980s, with songs such as Love In The First Degree, Mountain Music, and Dixieland Delight ~ Cook passed away in 2022
August 27, 1946 ~ Singer Frankie Laine records That's My Desire ~ Written by Helmy Kresa and Carroll Loveday. Paired with By The River Sainte Marie on the flip side it would be Frankie Laine's first hit, eventhough the version by Sammy Kaye would chart higher. Over time it has become one of Laine's best known records. Also recorded by Eddie Cochran, Louis Armstrong, Hadda Brooks, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, and James Brown
August 27, 1946 ~ Jazz guitarist Roland Prince born in St John, West Indies ~ As a leader best known for Color Vision released in 1976, featuring an all-star cast which included Frank Foster, Kenny Barron, and Bob Cranshaw. Closely associated with Elvin Jones, appearing on about half a dozen of the drummer's 1970s albums including the acclaimed Summit Meeting. Prince has also appeared on albums by Johnny Hartman, Buddy Terry (Awareness), Roy Haynes (Senyah), Compost, Larry Willis, James Moody, Don Pullen (Tomorrow's Promises), Clark Terry, Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, David Murray, Frank Wess, and Bob Montgomery (On The Brink) ~ Prince passed away in 2016
August 27, 1944 ~ John Voorhis Bogert III, commonly known as bassist, singer Tim Bogert, born in Richfield, New Jersey, USA ~ One of hard rock's most distinguished and respected bassists. As Willie Kizart, Link Wray, and Dave Davies have been said to pioneer guitar distortion, so is Bogert credited as a pioneer of bass guitar distortion. Closely associated with drummer Carmine Appice, including in celebrated late 1960s, early 1970s outfits Vanilla Fudge, known for their Billboard Hot 100 You Keep Me Hanging On top 10 hit, Cactus, and Beck Bogert & Appice. Has released a handful of solo albums, such as Progressions and Master's Brew in the early 1980s, perhaps somewhat overlooked and underpromoted due to lack of time and effort while working on other projects around the same time. Bogert appears on recordings by Marcus, Jan Akkerman (Tabernakel), Michael Quatro, Boxer, Rod Stewart, Rick Derringer, Buzzy Linhart, Jeff Beck (Beckology), Jon Bare, and Graham Bonnet. While already in his 70s, Bogert reluctantly retired from touring in 2010, following a motorcycle accident, yet he continued to record, churning out a few more decent solo albums until his death about a decade later ~ Bogert passed away in 2021
August 27, 1942 ~ Singer, keyboardist Daryl Dragon, full name Daryl Frank Dragon, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of conductor, composer Carmen Dragon. Formed Captain & Tennille with his wife Toni Tennille, a duo fondly remembered for some of the most endearing love songs from the 1970s including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Love Will Keep Us Together, Muskrat Love, and Do That To Me One More Time. By 1976 the couple would be so popular that they were invited to play the White House, performing for Queen Elizabeth II and President Gerald Ford during the country's bicentennial celebration, and were given their own TV show, The Captain & Tennille Show aired on ABC. Despite decent ratings the show was cancelled after one season, possibly because the couple tried to get out of their contract to focus on their music. Dragon had previously backed artists such as Charles Wright, the Carpenters, and the Beach Boys. The latter's lead singer, Mike Love, had given Dragon the nickname Captain Keyboard ~ Dragon passed away in 2019August 27, 1937 ~ Alice McLeod, commonly known as harpist Alice Coltrane, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Married to saxophonist John Coltrane, with whom she also worked. Debuted in 1967 with the album Monastic Trio. Worked with Terry Gibbs, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, McCoy Tyner, Joe Henderson, and Charlie Haden ~ Coltrane passed away in 2007
August 27, 1937 ~ James Dee Crowe, commonly known as bluegrass, progressive bluegrass banjoist, guitarist, singer JD Crowe, born in Lexington, Kentucky, USA ~ Got his start in music while still in his teens playing with Raymond Curly Parker and notably with Jimmy Martin from 1956 through 1960. Formed the Kentucky Mountain Boys in 1961, enjoying regional succes in the Lexington area. The band would be renamed to JD Crowe & the New South by the early 1970s and become one of the most popular, influential and longest-running bluegrass, progressive bluegrass acts drawing from both rock and country. Served as mentor to numerous sidemen, many later becoming stars in their own right including Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, and Keith Whitley ~ Crowe passed away in 2021August 27, 1937 ~ Singer, actor Tommy Sands, full name Thomas Adrian Sands, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Became an “overnight sensation” and teen idol after appearing on Kraft Television Theater in early 1957 performing Teen-age Crush. The single would reach the Billboard top 10. Would go on to perform in a number of TV shows and films. Married to Nancy Sinatra from 1960 to 1965
August 27, 1934 ~ Jazz samba, bossa nova singer Silvia Telles, full name Silvia D'Atri Telles, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Popular 1950s, 1960s singer. Preceded the advent of bossa nova. Especially known as an interpreter of Antônio Carlos Jobim's songs. Mother of singer Claudia Telles. Worked with Barney Kessel, Lucio Alves, Roberto Menescal, Edu Lobo, Trio Tamba, and the Quinteto Villa-Lobos. Passed away age 32 in a car accident ~ Telles passed away in 1966
August 27, 1932 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer, teacher François Glorieux born in Kortrijk, Belgium ~ Influenced by Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, jazz, blues, and Latin rhythms. Has composed over 300 works, mostly orchestral pieces yet also chamber music, works for solo instruments, and scores for film and TV. As a conductor led nearly 6,000 recitals and concerts the world over, working with renowned orchestra such as the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, the Locke Brass Consort, the BBC Radio Orchestra, the Kyiv Chamber Orchestra, and most extensively with the Ballet of the 20th Century ~ Glorieux passed away in 2023August 27, 1928 ~ Contralto singer Gerda Schriever born in Leipzig, Germany ~ Best known as a member of the Thomanerchor for over two decades starting in the mid 1950s. Also noted as a member of the Leipziger Bachsolisten from 1968 through 1972 and for her association with the Dresdner Kreuzchor. Married to pianist Hans-Joachim Drechsel, with whom she had three children ~ Schriever passed away in 2014
August 27, 1927 ~ Publisher, label executive Morris Levy born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Founder of Roulette Records and the the Birdland Jazz Club jazz club. Described as “one of the record industry's most controversial and flamboyant players” and “a notorious crook who swindled artists out of their own royalties”. At the peak of his career, Levy owned more than 90 companies, including a record-pressing plant, a distribution company, the Strawberries chain of record stores, and numerous record labels. Convicted of extortion in 1990, Levy passed away two months before he was scheduled to report to prison ~ Levy passed away in 1990
August 27, 1926 ~ Chicago blues drummer Odie Payne born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for backing Chuck Berry on classic rock & roll recordings such as Nadine, You Never Can Tell, and on No Particular Place To Go. Payne is closely associated with Tampa Red, and with Elmore James, appearing on over two dozen of the latter's 1950s singles. Payne was held in the highest regards by fellow drummers, admired for his use of the cowbell, lightning-fast bass drum pedal, and drum rolls, serving as a role model for many of his contemporaries. An in-demand sideman, Payne has also worked with Sleepy John Estes, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, and Albert King ~ Payne passed away in 1989
August 27, 1925 ~ Jazz, R&B drummer Bill English born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Sonny Thompson, Amos Milburn, Julien Dash, Bennie Green, Erskine Hawkins, Earl Hines, the Prestige Blues Swingers, Gene Ammons, Quincy Jones, Joe Newman, Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell, Eddie Jefferson, and Eric Dixon ~ English passed away in 2007August 27, 1925 ~ Guitarist, singer Carter Stanley, full name Carter Glen Stanley, full name Carter Glen Stanley, born in Big Spraddle Creek, Virginia, USA ~ Formed the Carter Brothers in the mid 1940s with his brother banjoist, singer Ralph Stanley. The duo would become one of the most respected and influential pioneering acts in what later would become known as bluegrass. Many of the duo's mostly self-penned songs would become classics, covered by numerous artists including the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, Keith Whitley, the Osborne Brothers, the Dillards, Ricky Skaggs, Doc Watson, Patty Loveless, and the Seldom Scene ~ Stanley passed away in 1966
August 27, 1925 ~ Anthony John Kronenberg, commonly known as jazz drummer, pianist, bandleader, composer Tony Crombie, born in Bishopsgate, UK ~ Formed rock & roll outfit the Rockets, modeled after Bill Haley's the Comets. Also ushered in British be-bop. Worked with diverse array of artists including Duke Ellington, Conway Twitty, Freddy Cannon, Johnny Preston, Wee Willie Harris, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Joe Pass, Mark Murphy, and Eddie Lockjaw Davis ~ Kronenberg passed away in 1999
August 27, 1916 ~ Actress, singer Martha Raye born in Butte, Montana, USA ~ Band vocalist for Paul Ash and Boris Morros. Sang with Al Jolson. Comedy, film, TV and Broadway actress and singer who worked with many of the leading comics of her day including Abbott & Costello, WC Fields, and Charlie Chaplin. Joined the USO in 1942, awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in the form of an Oscar in 1969, awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom in 1993 by President Bill Clinton for her service to her country ~ Raye passed away in 1994
August 27, 1909 ~ Tenor saxophonist Lester Young, full name Lester Willis Young, born in Woodville, Mississippi, USA ~ Leader and sideman known for his free-floating style. Influenced Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Gerry Mulligan, Paul Quinichette, and Sonny Stitt. Lovingly dubbed “Pres”, short for President, a nickname given to him by Billie Holiday. In return Young gave Holiday the nickname “Lady Day”. Worked with Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Andy Kirk, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Buddy Rich, and Charlie Parker. Posthumously honored by Charles Mingus in the track Goodbye Pork Pie Hat), and by Wayne Shorter in Lester Left Town ~ Young passed away in 1959
August 27, 1887 ~ Julia Ellen Sackett, commonly known as Broadway actress, singer Julia Sanderson, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Daughter of Broadway-actor Albert H Sackett, Sanderson got her start on the stage at an early age. Well known for roles in shows such as Brewster's Millions, Wang, The Tourists, and The Dairymaids. Teamed up with her third husband singer Frank Crumit, performing on the radio show Blackstone Plantation through the mid 1930s and on the popular quiz show The Battle Of The Sexes from 1930 until Crumit's death in 1943, after which Sanderson retired from showbiz. The Springfield theater the Julia Sanderson Theater was named after her ~ Sackett passed away in 1975