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 29, 2022 ~ Country singer, songwriter Luke Bell found deceased in Tucson, Arizona, USA ~ Critically compared to Buck Owens and Roger Miller. Draws from honky-tonk and classic country. Acclaimed for his third and final studio album, the eponymous Luke Bell released in 2016. Known best for the singles Where Ya Been and the John Lennon-cover Jealous Guy. Bell disappeared in August 2022, his body discovered nine days later ~ Bell was born in 1990August 29, 2021 ~ Psychedelic rock, acid rock, hard rock drummer, guitarist Ron Bushy passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Early member of Iron Butterfly, replacing original drummer Bruce Morse in 1966. Noted for his drum solo on the band's iconic song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Bushy is the only band member to appear on all of the band's six studio albums ~ Bushy was born in 1945
August 29, 2018 ~ Producer, orchestrator, arranger Tony Camillo, full name Anthony J Camillo, passed away ~ Prolific soul, pop, disco producer, arranger. Co-produced Gladys Knight's Midnight Train To Georgia. Also worked with artists such as Dionne Warwick, Eric Carmen, the Stylistics, the Dazz Band, Millie Jackson, Chambers Brothers, Peaches & Herb, Sha Na Na, Grand Funk Railroad, the 5th Dimension, Martha Reeves, the Supremes, Parliament, Tommy James, and Bazuka. Also scored a number of movies, ranging from horror (Welcome To Arrow Beach) to action movies ~ Camillo was born in 1928
August 29, 2014 ~ Robert William Woodman, commonly known as pop rock, rock & roll drummer Bobbie Clarke, passed away in Coventry, UK ~ Important figure in early British rock & roll active since the late 1950s. Has drummed with Eric Delaney, Vince Eager, Marty Wilde, Johnny Hallyday, and briefly Deep Purple, serving as the latter's first drummer. Perhaps best known for several stints with Vince Taylor. Clarke's autobiography, Bobbie Clarke Playboy & Showman, would be published posthumously in 2017 ~ Woodman was born in 1940August 29, 2011 ~ Vocal pop singer Fred Farran passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the Arbors, which also included his twin brother Ed Farran, known for a number of 1960s recordings including Symphony For Susan, Just Let It Happen, Graduation Day and perhaps their best known The Letter, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit in 1969 and originally a charttopper for the Box Tops three years earlier. The vocal pop quartet is also noted for their follow-up album, Featuring I Can't Quit Her The Letter featuring vocal pop interpretations of songs originally by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Doors, Blood Sweat & Tears, and Simon & Garfunkel ~ Farran was born in 1937
August 29, 2009 ~ Mary Jean Loutsenhizer, commonly known as jazz singer Chris Connor, passed away in Toms River, New Jersey, USA ~ Sang with bands led by Claude Thornhill, Jerry Wald, and Stan Kenton in the early 1950s. Signed with Bethlehem in 1953 and released dual LPs, Sings Lullabies Of Birdland and Sings Lullabies For Lovers, making her the label's best-selling solo artist. Moved to Atlantic Records in 1955, becoming the label's first white female jazz singers, producing a string of well-polished albums through the early 1960s working with some of the days best musicians. Connor spent the remainder of the 1960s and 1970s recording for various labels. ~ Connor was born in 1927August 29, 2006 ~ Morris Eugene Simmons, commonly known as rock & roll, rockabilly, country singer, songwriter Jumpin' Gene Simmons, passed away in Tupelo, Mississippi, USA ~ Earned his nickname “Jumpin' Gene” for his energetic stage act. Best remembered for Haunted House, his sole hit peaking at No.11 Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. The song would later be covered by a wide array of artists including the Compton Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ace Cannon, Hasil Adkins, Sam the Sham, John Fogerty, and John Anderson. Other songs written or co-written and first recorded by Simmons include Drinkin' Wine, Indian Outlaw, which became a breakout hit for Tim McGraw in 1994, and Peroxide Blonde In A Hopped Up Model Ford, notably covered by Brian Setzer in 2005. Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, whose real name is Chaim Witz, chose his stage name in honor of the rockabilly singer ~ Simmons was born in 1933
August 29, 2005 ~ Pop, bubblegum pop drummer, bassist, singer Barry Cowsill, full name Barry Steven Cowsill, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Cowsills, best known for The Rain The Park & Other Things, Indian Lake and a live version of Hair, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100 in the late 1960s. The band disbanded in 1972, but has on occasion reunited ~ Cowsill was born 1954
August 29, 2001 ~ Rock & roll, pop, glam rock singer Graeme Strachan also known as Shirley Graeme, full name Graeme Ronald Strachan, passed away in Mount Archer, Australia ~ Briefly a member of Frame in the early 1970s. Strachan would, however, rise to fame as lead singer of Skyhooks from 1974 through 1978, rejoining on occasion in later years. Strachan has recorded a solo artist, noted for the mid 1970s Australian top 20 hits Every Little Bit Hurts and The Tracks Of My Tears originally recorded by respectively Brenda Holloway and the Miracles, as well as with supergroup the Party Boys, and worked as a host for several TV shows. Strachan passed away at age 49 in a self-piloted helicopter crash ~ Strachan was born in 1952
August 29, 1998 ~ Singer Charlie Feathers, full name Charles Arthur Feathers, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for a number of pioneering 1950 rockabilly, rock & roll recordings including Peeping Eyes, Defrost Your Heart, Tongue-tied Jill, and Bottle To The Baby. At the time underappreciated, and most certainly underpromoted, but in retrospect Feather's energetic, theatrical vocal style which included intentional hiccups, screeching and screaming, would prove to be influential on numerous later musicians, perhaps most notably the Cramps singer Lux Interior. As a songwriter, Feathers is perhaps best known for co-penning I Forgot To Remember To Forget, first recorded by then-labelmate Elvis Presley and over the years covered by dozens of artists. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Feathers include Tommy Tucker, Cub Koda, the Stray Cats (One Hand Loose), and Nick Lowe. Though disputed, Feathers has claimed to have arranged That's All Right and Blue Moon Of Kentucky for Presley ~ Feathers was born in 1932
August 29, 1993 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Liam Payne, full name Liam James Payne, born in Wolverhampton, UK ~ Member of boy band One Direction. The Irish-English boy band was conceived and assembled through the talent show The X-Factor in 2010 to become one of the all-time best-selling boy bands, releasing five albums until their definite hiatus in 2016, all albums reaching top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic. Well-known songs include What Makes You Beautiful, Live While We're Young, Best Song Ever, and Story Of My Life. Payne would debut as a solo artist with the 2017 single Strip That Down featuring Quavo, which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Payne has since collaborated with Zedd, Rita Ora, J Balvin, French Montana, and Jonas Blue, and released his full-length solo album LP1 in 2019. At the time of his death, Payne was working on his sophomore album ~ Payne passed away in 2024
August 29, 1992 ~ Maria Luiza de Arruda Botelho Pereira de Magalhães, commonly known as singer, guitarist, banjoist, dobroist, songwriter Mallu Magalhães, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Rose to fame in her mid-teens, with several of her songs posted to her MySpace page attracting serious attention including Tchubaruba, J1, and Vanguart. Following critical acclaim, Magalhães would release her full-length eponymous Mallu Magalhães debut album in 2008. The album earned her several MTV Brazil nominations including for Best New Act. Magalhães has continued to record to commercial and critical success since, and formed Banda Do Mar in the mid-2010s with her husband guitarist Marcelo Camelo and drummer Fred FerreiraAugust 29, 1986 ~ Singer Lea Michele born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Former Broadway child actress, appearing in stage productions of Les Miserables and Fiddler On The Roof. Best known as a member of Glee cast from 2009 to 2015. Released her solo debut album, Louder, in 2014
August 29, 1985 ~ Trombonist Achilles Liarmakopoulos born in Athens, Greece ~ Briefly played with the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra prior to joining the Canadian Brass, with whom he has recorded and toured all over the world since 2011. As a solo artist best known for his 2011 Astor Piazzollo (Tango Distinto) album, the first full album to feature Astor Piazzolla's work on solo trombone. Formed Cuatrombon in 2018, which also features Jorge Glem, Manuel Rangle, and Bam Bam Rodriguez, known for their 2020 Volar album
August 29, 1982 ~ André Levins, commonly known as rapper A+, born in Hempstead, New York, USA ~ Released his debut album, The Latch-Key Child, at age 13. The album featured contributions from Mobb Deep and Q-Tip and would spawn the modest hit single All I See. Released a sophomore album three years later, Hempstead High, with guest appearances from DeBarge, Lost Boyz and Canibus. Its hit single, Enjoy Yourself, would reach the top 10 in the UKAugust 29, 1982 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Dor Daniel born in Hod Hasharon, Israel ~ Rose to fame with Ahava Ktana, a song he had written at a young age and left in a drawer. Its success led to a songwriting deal with Helicon Records. Artists who have recorded Daniel's songs include Idan Yaniv, Hila Zaitun, and Maya Bouskilla
August 29, 1981 ~ Indie rock bassist, producer Chris Taylor born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Best known as indie rock outfit Grizzly Bear bassist. Also produced albums for artists including the Dirty Projectors, the Department Of Eagles, Twin Shadow, Kishi Bashi, and the Morning Benders
August 29, 1979 ~ Electronic producer, DJ, composer Chris Clark, full name Christopher Stephen Clark, born in St Albans, UK ~ Over a dozen albums to his name, starting with Clarence Park released in 2001. Also known as a remixer having taken on songs by Friendly Fires, Amon Tobin, PVT, Maxímo Park, Massive Attack and Depeche Mode
August 29, 1976 ~ Blues, electric blues harpist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Jimmy Reed, full name Mathis James Reed, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ Considered one of the most influential blues musicians due to his easily accessible style. Covered by Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Etta James, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Elvin Bishop, Barbara Lewis, and Bryan Ferry. Best known for songs such as Honest I Do, Shame Shame Shame, Baby What Do You Want Me To Do, Big Boss Man and Bright Lights Big City ~ Reed was born in 1925
August 29, 1973 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Vincent Cavanagh born in Liverpool, UK ~ Best known as co-founder and sole constant member of Anathema. Co-wrote a considerable amount of the band's material including Restless Oblivion, Re-connect, Leave No Trace, Balance and Thin Air
August 29, 1972 ~ Elisabeth Bunnenberg, commonly known as chanson singer Lale Andersen, passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Best known for her 1939 recording of Lili Marleen, a huge hit with German soldiers through the end of the war and eventually selling over a million copies. Nazi officials prohibited Andersen to perform altogether for some nine months because of the song and her association with Jewish friends. In desperation Andersen reportedly attempted suicide but failed. Forced to sing in several Nazi propaganda films before semi-retiring. After the war she returned scoring hits with Die Blaue Nacht Am Hafen and Ein Schiff Wird Kommen and represented Germany at the 1961 Eurovision Songfestival with Einmal Sehen Wir Uns Wieder reaching thirteenth place ~ Buttenberg was born in 1905August 29, 1972 ~ Composer, conductor René Leibowitz passed away in Paris, France ~ Known as an avid promoter of the Second Viennese School style after World War II. Renowned conductor acclaimed for his performances of works by composers as diverse as Ludwig van Beethoven, Jacques Offenbach, Maurice Ravel, George Gershwin, Giacomo Puccini, and Arthur Sullivan ~ Leibowitz was born in 1913
August 29, 1971 ~ Ingo Martens, commonly known as breakbeat, house, UK garage DJ, producer Azzido Da Bass, born in Germany ~ Important figure in the 1990s German techno scene. As a recording artist and producer best known for his association with Stevo Wilcken, scoring late 1990s, 2000s hits such as Dooms Night and Speed (Can You Feel It)
August 29, 1969 ~ Progressive metal keyboardist Michael Pinnella born in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, USA ~ From a young age Pinnella is influenced by classical composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, and Johann Sebastian Bach, later expanding into hard rock, progressive metal, and neo-classical acts such as Emerson Lake & Powell, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and Yngwie Malmsteen. Best known as a constant member of Symphony X, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums since its inception, his keyboards an essential element of the band's symphonic sound. The band is best known for the albums The Divine Wings Of Tragedy and Iconoclast, released respectively in 1997 and 2011. Outside of the band, Pinnella has recorded as a solo artist, starting with Enter By The Twelfth Gate released in 2004, and guested on albums by Whiplash, Russell Allen, God Forbid, Mike Orlando, and NektarAugust 29, 1968 ~ Pop singer Bobby Vinton records I Love How You Love Me ~ Written by Barry Mann and Larry Kolber, it would be a modest hit for the Paris Sisters in 1961. Bobby Vinton's rendition, urged by producer Billy Sherrill to do a string of covers, would make it to the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, revitalizing Vinton's career. Later notable covers would be recorded by Bryan Ferry, Eddy Arnold, the Babys, Billy Fury, and Neutral Milk Hotel