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 28, 2025 ~ Walfredo de los Reyes III, most commonly known as Latin jazz, descarga percussionist, timbalero Walfredo de los Reyes Sr, passed away in Concord, California, USA ~ Son of trumpeter Walfredo de Los Reyes II. To distinguish the two during their mutually active career through the early 1960s, Walfredo II was called Senior and Walfredo III Junior. With the senior's retirement, and the onset of his own son's career, Walfredo III took the moniker Walfredo de los Reyes Sr. De los Reyes was known best for creating a bigger beat by adding hand percussion instruments to his drum kit. De los Reyes would later explain his signature style of playing both at the same time originally was born out of necessity as he didn't have enough money to hire both a singer and a conga player for his band: “I had to decide between a conga and a singer. I got the singer, because you always need a singer. Then I started putting congas on the left side of my drum set.” As a leader De los Reyes is perhaps best known for his 1960 Cuban Jazz album. De los Reyes has performed with a host of international artists including Tito Puente, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Rita Moreno, Ben Vereen, and Dionne Warwick. Two of his sons have followed in their father's footsteps. Walfredo Reyes Jr is best known as longtime drummer of Chicago, while his younger brother Daniel de los Reyes has drummed with Earth Wind & Fire, and the Zac Brown Band ~ De los Reyes was born in 1933August 28, 2023 ~ Ray Davon Jacobs, commonly known as R&B, electronic singer, songwriter August 08, passed away ~ Co-wrote I'm The One, a Billboard R&B and Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit in 2017 for DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne. As a recording artist Jacobs has released three albums, starting with Father in 2018, and is perhaps best known for his Bruises single released in 2023 ~ Jacobs was born in 1992
August 28, 2023 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Len Chandler, full name Len Hunt Chandler Jr, passed away in San Pedro, California, USA ~ Part of the 1960s protest movement. As a recording artist known for the albums To Be A Man and The Lovin' People, both released in 1967. Best known for penning Beans In My Ears, later covered by both the Serendipity Singers and Pete Seeger ~ Chandler was born in 1935August 28, 2021 ~ Operatic soprano Teresa Zylis-Gara passed away in Lödz, Poland ~ Enjoyed a major international career spanning four decades debuting in 1956 at the Opera Krakowski. Acclaimed for her 1965 performance at the Glyndebourne Festival in Der Rosenkavalier opposite Montserrat Caballé. Has worked with the Oper Dortmund, the Deutsche Oper Am Rhein, and perhaps most notably with the Metropolitan Opera from 1970 through 1984 ~ Zylis-Gara was born in 1930
August 28, 2020 ~ Actor, singer Shiro Kishibe passed away in Chibo, Japan ~ Best known as an actor, noted for his role of Sandy in the TV drama series Monkey. Prior to venturing into acting Kishibe sang and played guitar in the 1960s band the Tigers, which also included his brother bassist Ittoku Kishibe ~ Kishibe was born in 1949
August 28, 2017 ~ Singer Melissa Bell, full name Melissa Cecelia Ewen Bell, passed away ~ Best known as member of Soul II Soul, notably on Wish. Fronted her own band Soul Explosion. Sang backup for Liza Minnelli, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder. Also worked with Bobby E & the Midi City Crew, the Bingoboys, Potential Bad Boy, and with Dazz. Bell's daughter Alexandra Burke would also become a professional singer ~ Bell was born in 1964
August 28, 2016 ~ Alberto Aguilera Valadez, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor Juan Gabriel, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Known for his flamboyant style. Widely condisered one of the most prolific Mexican composer and singers. Sold over 60 million records. Best known for songs such as Amor Eterno, Querida, Haste Que Te Conoci, No Tengo Dinero, Abrazame Muy Fuerte, De Mi Enamorate, and Lo Pasado Pasado ~ Aguilera was born in 1950
August 28, 2014 ~ Jazz drummer Alan Turnbull, full name Alan Lawrence Turnbull, passed away ~ In-demand sideman and session drummer. Closely associated with double bassist Ed Gaston, the duo setting the bar for future rhythm sections. Has worked with Don Burrows, Milt Jackson, Joe Henderson, Gary Burton, Sonny Stitt, Barney Kessel, Richie Cole, Cleo Laine, Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway, Billy Field, Neil Sedaka, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Pops Orchestra, Rolf Stube, Graeme Norris, the Jazz Co/op, and Paul McNamara ~ Turnbull was born in 1943August 28, 2009 ~ Alex Michael Goldstein, commonly known as DJ, turntablist, remixer DJ AM, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Club DJ in Los Angeles. Member of Crazy Town from 1999 through 2001. Skyrocketed to fame by the mid 2000s, playing weekly sets in Las Vegas. Formed the duo TRV$DJAM with Travis Barker. Has remixed tracks recorded by Three 6 Mafia, Ashlee Simpson, Weezer, and Guru Josh ~ Goldstein was born in 1973
August 28, 2006 ~ Folk singer, banjoist, songwriter Iain Mackintosh passed away in Glasgow, UK ~ Inspired to take up the banjo after attending a Pete Seeger concert. Known for his self-deprecating wit Mackintosh was regarded as a vital exponent of the Scottish folk revival. Over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting in the early 1970s. Perhaps best known for penning Pawn Song, recorded with his first band the Islanders. Also a member of the Skerries, and the Other Half. Regularly backed artists such as Hamish Imlach, Gaberlunzie, and Watt Nicoll ~ Mackintosh was born in 1932
August 28, 2006 ~ Phillip Pyle, commonly known as drummer Pip Pyle, passed away in Paris, France ~ Closely associated with the 1960s, 1970s Canterbury scene, best known for his work in bands such as Gong, Hatfield & the North and National Health. Has also worked with Chicken Shack, Steve Hillage, Robert Wyatt, Daevid Allen, Bridget St John, Soft Heap, Bash, Delivery, Pip Pyle's Equip' Out, and Brainville ~ Pyle was born in 1950August 28, 2006 ~ Jazz guitarist Shungo Sawada passed away ~ Founded the Double Beats. Founded the record label Elec in 1972. Has played with artists such as Shotaro Moriyasu, Norio Maeda, Akitoshi Igarashi, Motohiko Hino, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Thad Jones, Helen Merrill, Oscar Peterson, and Sonny Stitt ~ Sawada was born in 1930
August 28, 1994 ~ Producer, DJ Felix Jaehn born in Hamburg, Germany ~ Became a household name with his 2014 remix of OMI's Cheerleader, the remix version would top charts around the globe. As a solo artist best known for his 2015 Chaka Khan-cover Ain't Nobody Loves Me Better featuring Jasmine Thompson, a top 10 hit througout Europe. Has also collaborated with Lost Frequencies, Steve Aoki, and Herbert Grönemeyer
August 28, 1993 ~ Songwriter Bernie Baum passed away ~ Best known for co-writing severak songs for Elvis Presley, usually with Bill Giant and Florence Kaye. Well known songs include Roustabout, Paradise Hawaiian Style, Edge Of Reality and notably (You're The) Devil In Disguise. Others who recorded his songs include Mickey Denton, the Everly Brothers (That's Old Fashioned (That's The Way Love Should Be)), and Gene Chandler ~ Baum was born in 1929
August 28, 1991 ~ Brian Maurice Holden, commonly known as rock & roll singer Vince Taylor, passed away in Lutry, Switzerland ~ Cited by David Bowie as inspiraton for the Ziggy Stardust character. Best known for Brand New Cadillac, a landmark single in British rock & roll later notably covered by the Clash on their London Calling album. Subject of the songs Just Like Vince Taylor by the Golden Earring and Vince Taylor by Adam Ant ~ Holden was born in 1939
August 28, 1990 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases Black Cat, lifted off her Rhythm Nation 1814 album ~ Apart from the rock-tinged Come Give Your Love to Me off her unsuccesful eponymous debut album, Black Cat differed from her usual R&B and dance-pop routine as it heavily drew from idioms such as rock, dance-rock and hard rock. For Janet Jackson it was a natural transition, as she grew up listening to acts such as Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, and Mötley Crüe. The song was co-produced by Jellybean Johnson, previously the drummer for the Time. For Johnson it would be his first major hit, as Black Cat would top the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and earn a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Performance. Around the time of its release, Jackson would tell Jet Magazine she was very proud of the song as “it was the first song I've ever written on my own”August 28, 1989 ~ Singer, rapper, guitarist, DJ, engineer, producer Ash Riser, full name Ash Winston Riser, born in Redondo Beach, California, USA ~ Founded rock band Pistol P!stol. After the band disbanded in 2009 would focus on music production, fusing electronic music and hip-hop. Has collaborated with Jupiter Rising, Ab-Soul, IDK and extensively with Kendrick Lamar ~ Riser passed away in 2021
August 28, 1989 ~ Singer Cassadee Pope, full name Cassadee Blake Pope, born in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA ~ Lead singer of rock outfit Hey Monday. Debuted as a solo artist with the eponymous Cassadee Pope EP in 2012. Winner of The Voice later the same year. Released her full-length debut album, Frame By Frame, in 2013August 28, 1989 ~ Jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Classically trained. Influenced by Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Betty Carter. Debuted in 2010 with the Cécile & the Jean Francois Bonnel Paris Quintet album released to critical acclaim. Has collaborated with Jacky Terrasson, Fred Nardin, and with Wynton Marsalis, the latter once commenting “you get a singer like this once in a generation or two.”
August 28, 1989 ~ Hard rock, glam metal outfit Mötley Crüe release Dr Feelgood, lifted off the album of the same name ~ Nikki Sixx, who co-wrote the song with Mick Mars, didn't make up the title. Max Jacobsen, a controversial doctor to the stars, became the subject of a 1972 exposé by the New York Times, revealing how he gave amphetamine injections to many celebrities. After the story came out, the media dubbed him “Dr Feelgood”. The Mötley Crüe tune explores the intersection of the Sunset Strip, Los Angeles, scene and drugs, its title referring to a drug dealer. With a funkier groove and more sophisticated lyrical approach than their earlier songs, Dr Feelgood marked a shift in style for the band. Issued as the album's lead single, it would become their first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, reaching No.6. Decades after its release, lead singer Vince Neil would recall to Rolling Stone: “I knew it was a classic from the time I heard that very first bomp bomp bomp bomp, that intro just kind of grabs you. This song has been popular for 20 years. It was funny because I was watching VH1 and they had the Greatest Hard Rock Songs and Dr Feelgood was 15 or something. I was like, ‘Wow, of all time.’ Then you have Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith and AC/DC and Dr Feelgood. I was like, ‘Wow, that's cool.’ It's our signature song in some ways”August 28, 1984 ~ Rapper, producer Denmark Vessey, full name Denmark Martin Vessey, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Formed the hip-hop duo Crown Nation with Quelle Chris. Member of west coast collective Dirty Science. Released his full-length Life In My Direction solo debut album in 2013
August 28, 1984 ~ Jazz trombonist René Weiss passed away in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Worked with the Illarez Orchestra, Jean Yatov, Dajos Béla, Ben Berlin, Rio de Gregori, Lud Gluskin, Teddy Sinclair, Marek Weber, Fred Adison, Guy Paquinet, Ray Ventura, and Teddy Stauffer ~ Weiss was born ca.1900
August 28, 1983 ~ Singer, actor Alfonso Herrera, full name Alfonso Herrera Rodriguez, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Actor for TV and film. To pop audiences best known as a member of RBD, spawned from the telenovela Rebelde. The group, active from the mid 2000s through the end of the decade, would become hugely popular and sell over 15 million albums. Well known songs include Solo Quedate En Silencio, Nuestro Amor, Este Corazon and Inalcanzable
August 28, 1983 ~ Saxophonist Robin Verheyen born in Turnhout, Belgium ~ Worked with Saxkartel, Orvalectiq, Åki Rissanen, Pascal Niggenkemper, Dan Loomis, Charnett Moffett, Septych, Jesse Stacken, Michael Bates, Narcissus, Roy Hargrove, Dré Pallemaerts, Marc Copland, Gary Peacock, Joey Baron, Branford Marsalis, Toots Thielemans, Tom Rainey, Eric Revis, Joey Calderazzo, Ravi Coltrane, and Will Calhoun
August 28, 1982 ~ Singer LeAnn Rimes, full name Margaret LeAnn Rimes, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Broke through in the mid 1990s as a young teen with the Patsy Cline-cover Blue, initially a local hit and quickly picked up nationally. Scored a number of hits, including How Do I Live and You Light Up My Life, through the end of the decade, mostly covers of country classics, eventually crossing over into pop culminating in 2000's Can't Fight The Moonlight from the Coyote Ugly soundtrack.