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, 1967 ~ Psychedelic rock, rock, anti-folk, experimental singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, cellist, percussionist Anton Newcombe, full name Anton Alfred Newcombe, born in Newport Beach, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding and key member of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, writing or co-writing the majority of the band's material
August 29, 1967 ~ Singer Glen Campbell records By The Time I Get To Phoenix at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Jimmy Webb. Called “the greatest torch song ever written” by Frank Sinatra. Recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965. Glen Campbell would release his Al De Lory-produced version as lead single of the album of the same name in October 1967, paired with You've Still Got A Place In My Heart on the flip side. Later covered by numerous artists including Solomon Burke, Charlie Rich and Isaac Hayes, the latter including an 18 minute version of the tune on his 1969 Hot Buttered Soul albumAugust 29, 1967 ~ Alternative rock bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Rich Priske born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Worked with Art Bergmann, DSK, ShoCore, Chrome Dog, Bif Naked, the Real McKenzies, Florida Man, Matthew Good, Brooke Nolan, the Town Pants, and Sex With Nixon
August 29, 1966 ~ Singer Shawn Camp born in Perryville, Kansas, USA ~ As a recording artist known as a member of the Earls Of Leicester and of Silver Scooter. Backed musicians such as the Osborne Brothers, Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood. As a solo artist known for a handful of modest country hits, most notably Fallin' Never Felt So Good and Confessin' My Love. Achieved his biggest succes as a songwriter wrting or co-writing hits for artists such as Garth Brooks (Two Piña Coladas), Brooks & Dunn (How Long Gone), Josh Turner (Would You Go With Me), George Strait (River Of Love), and for Billy Currington (Love Done Gone)
August 29, 1963 ~ Singer, songwriter Elizabeth Fraser, full name Elizabeth Davidson Fraser, born in Grangemouth, UK ~ Member of the Cocteau Twins. Also worked with This Mortal Coil, Massive Attack (notably on the hit Teardrop), Craig Armstrong, Peter Gabriel, Sam Lee (The Moon Shines Bright), Damon Reece, Ian McCulloch, and The Wolfgang Press
August 29, 1960 ~ Earl Thomas Bridgeman, commonly known as blues singer, songwriter Earl Thomas, born in Pikeville, Tennessee, USA ~ Debuted in 1991 with the acclaimed album Blue Not Blues. Had his songs covered by Tom Jones, Etta James (I Sing The Blues), Solomon Burke, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins
August 29, 1959 ~ Sadenia Reader, commonly known as singer, songwriter Eddi Reader, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Member of Fairground Attraction. Sang backup for punk band Gang Of Four. Worked with with Eurythmics, the Waterboys, Billy Mackenzie, John Foxx, Alison Moyet, Vladimir Cosma, and Mark E Nevin
August 29, 1958 ~ Singer Michael Jackson, full name Michael Joseph Jackson, born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Considered one of the most important cultural icons of the twentieth century. Dubbed “the King of Pop”. Child star as a member of sibling oufit the Jackson 5, known for songs such as I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save and I'll Be There. Debuted as a solo artist with 1972's Got To Be There, quicly followed by Ben, its title track Ben becoming a massive global hit. Shot to mega stardom in the late 1970s with the Off The Wall containing songs such as Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough and Rock With You. Dominated the 1980s with a string of subsequent hit albums which to this day still rank among all-time best-selling albums, notably Thriller and Bad, spawning numerous hit singles and it's accompanying music videos transforming the medium music video to an art form. Well known songs from this period include Billie Jean, Wanna Be Startin' Something, PYT (Pretty Young Thing), Thriller, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Dirty Diana and Smooth Criminal. Jackson would continue to hit the charts well into the 1990s scoring hits with Black Or White, Remember The Time, You Are Not Alone, You Rock My World, but starting in the late 1980s his career would be overshadowed by an array of controversies over his changing appearance, extravagant behavior earning him the nickname “Wacko Jacko” such as having a personal theme park and zoo built or allegedly sleeping in a bubble, never-proven allegations of child abuse and legal and financial battles ~ Jackson passed away in 2009August 29, 1958 ~ Percussionist, songwriter Peter Ulrich born in Perivale, UK ~ Best known as member of Dead Can Dance, starting on the band's eponymous Dead Can Dance debut album. Also worked with This Mortal Coil, and The Wolfgang Press. Released his solo debut album, Pathways And Dawns, in 1999
August 29, 1956 ~ Keyboardist Dan Truman born in St George, Utah, USA ~ Core member of country, gospel outfit Diamond Rio, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. The band enjoyed popularity especially during the 1990s and early 2000s, and has racked up well over a dozen Billboard Country top 10 hits including the No.1 hits Meet In The Middle, How Your Love Makes Me Feel, One More Day, Beautiful Mess, and I Believe
August 29, 1956 ~ Jazz guitarist Doug Raney born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of guitarist Jimmy Raney, with whom he made his first recordings. Would go on to become an acclaimed guitarist in his own right, praised for his crisp chording and fluid voicings. Over a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially noted for Stolen Moments and Guitar Guitar Guitar. Recorded several albums with Chet Baker through the mid-1980s, most notably The Touch Of Your Lips released in 1979. Raney also guested on albums by Bernt Rosengren, John McNeil, Jesper Thilo, Horace Parlan (Hi-Fly), Ola Kvernberg, Joaquín Chacón, and Jesper Lundgaard. Raney lived in Denmark for a large portion of his career, where he died of heart failure at age 59 ~ Raney passed away in 2016
August 29, 1956 ~ Kevin Michael Allin, commonly known as punk rock, shock rock, outlaw country singer, drummer, guitarist, bassist GG Allin, born in Lancaster, New Hampshire, USA ~ Controversial punk icon labeled both “the toughest rock star in the world” and “the most spectacular degenerate in rock and roll history”, recorded prolifically yet was known more for his stage antics than his music. Allin's live performances often included acts of self-mutilation, defecating on stage, and assaulting audience members, for which he was arrested several times. Other than his 1988 Freaks Faggots Drunks & Junkies album, which received critical acclaim, most of his music received negative reviews, though Allin did enjoy a cult following. Allin had promised for years to commit suicide on stage, but died age 36 of a heroin overdose instead ~ Allin passed away in 1993August 29, 1956 ~ Alternative rock guitarist Jeff Walls, full name Jeffrey Kermit Walls, born in Marietta, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member of 1980s alternative rock outfit Guadalcanal Diary, best known for their 1987 2x4 album which was hailed by some critics as one of the best albums of the 1980s ~ Walls passed away in 2019
August 29, 1955 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Diamanda Galás born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Avant-garde confrontational performer with well over a dozen albums to her name since the early 1980s. Cites artists as diverse as Maria Callas, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, and Jimi Hendrix as influences. Especially acclaimed for the 1986 album The Divine Punishment and the 1991 album Plague Mass (1984 End Of The Pandemic). Well-known for addressing a range of political and social issuesAugust 29, 1951 ~ Guitarist Geoff Whitehorn, full name Geoffrey Charles Whitehorn, born in London, UK ~ Joined If in 1971, appearing on their last two albums. Member of Crawler from 1976 to 1979. Member of the Shortlist from 1979 to 1988. Joined Procol Harum in 1991. Has also worked with artists such as Bad Company, Jethro Tull, Kevin Ayers, Elkie Brooks, the Who, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and Paul McCartney
August 29, 1950 ~ Jannaro Uvena, commonly known as drummer Jan Uvena, born in Huntington, USA ~ Best known as a member of heavy metal outfit Alcatrazz for a good portion of the 1980s, including on the acclaimed No Parole From Rock 'n Roll album released in 1983. Uvena has also worked with artists such as Alice Cooper, the Paley Brothers, Bonnie Pointer, Pipedream, Signal, and the Jonas Hansson Band
August 29, 1948 ~ Rock, prog rock, space rock violinist, keyboardist Simon House born in Nottingham, UK ~ Best known as member of space rock band Hawkwind during their most acclaimed period, notably present on the albums Hall Of The Mountain Grill and Warrior On The Edge Of Time, the latter containing Spiral Galaxy 28948 penned by House. House remained with the band from 1974 through 1978, departing the space rock outfit to join David Bowie's band including for the album Lodger, and has rejoined Hawkwind twice briefly. Prior to joining Hawkwind, House was a member of the Third Ear Band, known best for contributing the soundtrack to Roman Polanski's Macbeth, and of High Tide. House has also appeared on albums by Denny Gerrard, Michel Moorcock, Robert Calvert (Lucky Leif And The Longships), Japan (Tin Drum), Thomas Dolby (The Golden Age Of Wireless), Mike Oldfield, Magic Muscle, David Sylvian (Everything And Nothing), and Judy Dyble. House has also recorded several solo albums, starting with Yassasim released in 1995. Classically trained, House is known for his effortless technique and boundary-pushing explorations, and regarded by critics and peers as one of the great unsung heroes of the progressive 1970s ~ House passed away in 2025
August 29, 1945 ~ Keyboardist, organist, bassist Chris Copping born in Southend, UK ~ Member of Procol Harum from 1969 through 1977, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Home. Previously Copping had played with the Paramounts in the early 1960s, worked for the government, and received a chemistry degree. Following his departure from the band, shortly before the band disbanded altogether, Copping relocated to Australia where he continued to play and compose including for a number of short filmsAugust 29, 1945 ~ Jazz drummer Trevor Richards, full name Trevor Hamilton Edward Richards, born in Bexhill-on-Sea, UK ~ Worked with Zutty Singleton, the Olympia Brass Band, Louis Nelson, Alton Purnell, Freddie Kohlmann, Albert Nicholas, Benny Waters, Art Hodes, Ralph Sutton, Jacques Gauthe, and Clive Wilson
August 29, 1943 ~ Richard Bernard Halligan, commonly known as pianist, trombonist, flutist, producer, arranger Dick Halligan, born in Troy, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Blood Sweat & Tears. Wrote Redemption and Lisa Listen To Me. Trombonist on the band's 1968 Child Is Father To The Man debut album, switched to piano and flute after Al Kooper left. Remained with the band through 1971, leaving after the BS&T 4 album. Worked as a film composer and performer since ~ Halligan passed away in 2022
August 29, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, composer Edu Lobo born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Achieved fame in 1960s as part of the bossa nova movement. Known for compositions such as Upa Neguinho, Pra Dizer Adeus, and Chora Bandido A Historia De Lily Braun Beatriz. Lobo's songs have been performed or recorded by artists such as Toots Thielemans, Marcos Valle, Elis Regina, Silvia Telles, Sérgio Mendes, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Monica Salmaso, Sarah Vaughan, Earth Wind & Fire, and Caterina Valente
August 29, 1942 ~ Guitarist, bassist Sterling Morrison, full name Holmes Sterling Morrison Jr, born in East Meadow, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Velvet Underground, present on the band's first four albums starting with the acclaimed Velvet Underground & Nico debut album released in 1967. Unlike his bandmates Lou Reed, John Cale, Moe Tucker, and Nico, Morrison has never recorded as a solo artist ~ Morrison passed away in 1995
August 29, 1940 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist Bennie Maupin born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ About half a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, notably with the quartet Almanac which also included Cecil McBee, Mike Nock and Eddie Marshall. Perhaps best known for appearing on the seminal Miles Davis Bitches Brew jazz fusion album released in 1970, and for his longtime association with Herbie Hancock, including on the albums Mwandishi and Head Hunters. Other notable collaborations include Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner (Tender Moments), Horace Silver (Serenade To A Soul Sister), Lee Morgan, Jack DeJohnette, Andrew Hill, Eddie Henderson (Realization), Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, and the Essence Of FunkAugust 29, 1936 ~ Pianist Clara Sverner born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Over two dozen albums to her name. Frequent collaborator of Paulo Moura. Credited for popularizing the works of composer Glauco Velasquez. Also hailed as an interpreter of Almeida Prado, Gilberto Mendes, and Ronaldo Miranda
August 29, 1935 ~ Singer, percussionist, songrwriter, producer Bob Markley, full name Robert H Markley, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Founded psychedelic rock band the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band. The band is best known for their 1968 album Volume 3 (A Child's Guide To Good And Evil), considered a landmark album in psychedelic rock ~ Markley passed away in 2003