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 8, 1949 ~ R&B, soul singer Airrion Love born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Monarchs. Co-founding member of the Stylistics, known for a string of 1970 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits including You Are Everything, Betcha By Golly Wow, Break Up To Make Up and You Make Me Feel Brand New. The latter featured Love as co-lead singer
August 8, 1949 ~ Actor, singer Keith Carradine born in San Mateo, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor. As a singer known for two 1970s albums, namely I'm Easy and Lost & Found. The self-penned title track of the former, I'm Easy, was used in the Robert Altman-film Nashville and earned Carradine an Academy Award for Best Original Song
August 8, 1947 ~ Accordionist John Kirkpatrick born in Chiswick, UK ~ A masterful instrumentalist, proficient on accordion, melodeon, and concertina, Kirkpatrick has established himself as one of the top-notch players in British folk-rock, merging his love for traditionalist folk with modern sensibilities. Recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist since the early 1970s, noted especially for Plain Capers (Morris Dance Tunes From The Cotswolds), and half a dozen with his then-wife oboist Sue Harris including the highly acclaimed Going Spare released in 1978. Closely associated with the Albion Band, Steeleye Span, including on the acclaimed Storm Force Ten, and Brass Monkey. Kirkpatrick has also appeared on albums by Fairport Convention, Ashley Hutchings, Richard Thompson, Shirley Collins, Peter Bellamy, Julie Covington, Ralph McTell, Martin Carthy, Sally Oldfield, and Pere Ubu. One of the four sons of Kirkpatrick and Harris, folk singer Benji Kirkpatrick, has followed in his parents' footsteps, recording as a solo artist since the late 1990sAugust 8, 1946 ~ Country, folk singer, songwriter Merle Travis records Sixteen Tons at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, California ~ Self-penned, Merle Travis taking inspiration from his family, Travis' brother John had written the line “You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt,” while his father would regularly say he couldn't afford to die as he “owed his soul to the company store.” Released in 1947 as a single, paired with Dark As A Dungeon on the flip side, it would become a signature song for Travis. Over the years the song would be covered by numerous artists, including notably Tennessee Ernie Ford and Frankie Laine both in the mid 1950s
August 8, 1945 ~ Singer, songwriter Guy Bonnet born in Avignon, France ~ Internationally best known for several Eurovision Songfestival entries. Co-wrote La Source for Isabelle Aubret, the French entry for the 1968 edition, which reached 3rd place. As a singer, Bonnet also represented his native France twice, reaching 4th place in 1970 with Marie-Blanche, and participating again in 1983, reaching 8th place with Vivre. Songs written or-co-written by Bonnet have also been recorded by Mireille Mathieu, Sylvia Vartan, Franck Fernandel, and Massilia Sound System ~ Bonnet passed away in 2024
August 8, 1944 ~ Folk, folk rock, country, soft rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Michael Johnson, full name Michael Jay Johnson, born in Alamosa, Colorado, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name starting with 1973's There Is A Breeze. Best known for his 1978 hit Bluer Than Blue, which would reach top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Would continue to record and regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts, including the top 10 hits Give Me Wings, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder, Crying Shame, Whisper Your Name, That's That ~ Johnson passed away in 2017August 8, 1942 ~ Rock, pop rock, hard rock bassist, singer John Gustafson, full name John Frederick Gustafson, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Renowned bassist worked with the Big Three, the Merseybeats, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Quatermass, Roxy Music (Love Is The Drug), Juan Martin, Steve Hackett, and Gordon Giltrap ~ Gustafson passed away in 2014
August 8, 1941 ~ Juan Peña Fernández, commonly known as flamenco guitarist, singer El Lebrijano, born in Lebrija, Spain ~ Acclaimed flamenco-fusion musician active since the early 1950s, initially as an accompaniest and later turning to singing. Closely associated with Paco de Lucia. As a solo artist known for pivotal flamenco albums such as Casablanca, Open Doors and Encuentros ~ Fernández passed away in 2016
August 8, 1940 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Johnny Dodds passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ According to legend, Dodds' instrumental skill began at a young age with a toy flute which originally had been for his purchased for his younger brother Baby Dodds, who would become one of the first important jazz drummers. Dodds studied clarinet with Lorenzo Tio Jr and Charlie McCurdy. Closely associated with trumpeter Natty Dominique, with whom he maintained a lifelong friendship and musical relationship. Has performed and recorded as a leader, notably leading the houseband at the influential jazz club Kelly's Stables, Chicago, for most of the 1920s, and served in bands led by Frankie Duson, Kid Ory, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Jelly Roll Morton. Considered the premier clarinetist of his generation, praised for his blues-laden style, Dodds has been immensely influential on later clarinetists, in particular Benny Goodman who has been known to say “nobody ever surpassed Dodds in achieving a finer tone with the clarinet.” Ailed by poor health and economic hardships during the Great Depression, Dodds rarely recorded during the 1930s and passed away of a stroke at age 48. Dodds was posthumously inducted in the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1987 ~ Dodds was born in 1892
August 8, 1939 ~ Singer Philip Balsley born in Augusta Country, Virginia, USA ~ Member of the Statler Brothers, one of the longest-running country acts active from the 1960s through the 1990s. Well known songs include Flowers On The Wall, Bed Of Rose's, Do You Remember These, Class Of '57, I'll Go To My Grave Loving You, Do You Know You Are My Sunshine, You'll Be Back Every Night In My Dreams, My Only Love and Too Much On My Heart
August 8, 1938 ~ Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingolia, commonly known as actress, singer Connie Stevens born in New York, New York, USA ~ Debuted as an actress in 1957 in the film Young And Dangerous. Released her Concetta debut album the following year. Guested on Edd Byrnes' 1959 hit Kookie Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb). Scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Sixteen Reasons in 1960
August 8, 1937 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author Bruno Lauzi born in Asmara, Italian Eastern Africa ~ Renowned singer with over two dozen albums to his name starting in the 1960s. Well known songs include Ritornerai, Amore Caro Amore Bello, Onda Su Onda and Genova Per Noi. Had his songs recorded by the likes of Sergio Endrigo, Ivana Spagna, Mia Martini, Georges Moustaki, and Ornella Vanoni. Briefly pursued a political career in the 1980s, but without much success. Also known as an author with over half a dozen publications to his name, both poetry and prose ~ Lauzi passed away in 2006
August 8, 1937 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet, actor Cornelis Vreeswijk born in IJmuiden, the Netherlands ~ Emigrated to Sweden at age 12. Regarded as one of Sweden's most influential troubadours. Played Pontius Pilate in the Swedish version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Influenced by Josh White, Georges Brassens, Leadbelly. Known for songs such as Angbatsblus (Steam Boat Blues), Jubelvia For Fiffiga Nanette (Joyful Song For Clever Nanette), Polaren Par My Buddy Par, and Blues For Fatumeh. Renowned interpreter of the songs of Michael Bellman, Evert Taube, and of Lars Forssell. In the Netherlands best known for a handful of Dutch songs, especially 1972's Veronica, picked up by pirate radio station Veronica, and 1966's De Nozem & De Non (The Greaser & The Nun. The latter initially made little impact, yet has since become a classic ~ Vreeswijk passed away in 1987August 8, 1936 ~ Pop singer, songwriter, actor Erol Büyükburç born in Adana, Turkey ~ Well known for the early 1960s self-penned Little Lucy, considered a milestone in Turkish pop music. Until then most pop songs would be covers of popular Western songs. Büyükburç would continue to record well into the 1970s, but is perhaps better known as an actor appearing in some two dozen films ~ Büyükburç passed away in 2015
August 8, 1934 ~ Piedmont blues singer, guitarist Buddy Moss records Hey Lawdy Mama ~ Originally titled Oh Lordy Mama. Released later the same year paired with Misery Man Blues on the flip side, song would become a signature song for Buddy Moss as well as a jazz and blues standard covered by numerous artists including Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Noble Sissle, Freddie King (retitled See See Mama), Junior Wells & Buddy Guy, and Cream
August 8, 1933 ~ Joseph Arrington Jr, commonly known as singer Joe Tex, born in Rogers, Texas, USA ~ Popular Southern soul singer, drew from funk, country, gospel and R&B. Best known for songs such as Hold What You've Got, Skinny Legs And All, I Gotcha and Ain't Gonna Bump No More With No Big Fat Woman ~ Tex passed away in 1982
August 8, 1932 ~ Dorothy Jeanne Thompson, commonly known as harpist Dorothy Ashby, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Hailed as one of the most accomplished jazz harpists, establising the harp as a valid improvisational instrument. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially noted for the late 1950s albums The Jazz Harpist and Hip Harp. An in-demand sidewoman in jazz and R&B, Ashby has guested on albums by Bill Withers, Bobbi Humphrey, Minnie Riperton (Adventures In Paradise), Sonny Criss, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder (Songs In The Key Of Life), Stanley Turrentine, the Gap Band, the Manhattan Transfer, Freddie Hubbard, Billy Preston, Bobby Womack (The Poet), and Hubert Laws ~ Thompson passed away in 1986
August 8, 1932 ~ Lonnie Melvin Tillis, commonly known country singer, guitarist Mel Tillis, born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Active since the 1950s, most successfuly during the 1970s. Member of Old Dogs. Employed sidemen such as Buddy Cannon, Paul Franklin and Hoot Hester in his backing band the Statesiders. Father of singer Pam Tillis. As a singer known for songs such as I Ain't Never, Good Woman Blues, Coca Cola Cowboy, Life Turned Her That Way, Heaven Everyday and The Arms Of A Fool. As a songwriter, Tillis had his songs recorded by a wide array of country artists including Webb Pierce (I'm Tired). Ray Price, Brenda Lee, Bobby Bare (Detroit City), Tom Jones, Wanda Jackson, Stonewall Jackson, Charley Pride (Snakes Crawl At Night), Kenny Rogers (Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town), the Hacienda Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, Gram Parsons, Barbara Mandrell, Jamey Johnson, Waylon Jennings (Mental Revenge), Ricky Skaggs, and Randy Travis ~ Tillis passed away in 2017August 8, 1928 ~ Jazz, swing clarinetist, saxophonist, flutist Don Burrows, full name Donald Vernon Burrows, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Closely associated with James Morrison. Also worked with George Golla, Ed Gaston, Alan Turnbull, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Tony Bennett, Stéphane Grappelli, Cleo Laine, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Kevin Hunt ~ Burrows passed away in 2020
August 8, 1928 ~ Singer, songwriter Simon Diaz, full name Simon Narciso Diaz Marquez, born in Babracoas, Venezuela ~ Penned Caballo Viejo, which was recorded by the Gipsy Kings as Bamboleo. Other artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Díaz include Plácido Domingo, Ray Conniff, Julio Iglesias, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ivan Lins, Cheo Feliciano, Juan Gabriel, Maria Dolores Pradera, Tania Libertad, Ry Cooder, and Devendra Banhart ~ Díz passed away in 2014
August 8, 1927 ~ Basil Philip Kirchinsky, commonly known as drummer, composer Basil Kirchin, born in Blackpool, UK ~ Son of bandleader Ivor Kirchin. Drummed in his father's big band starting at age 13. A number of early 1950s recordings by the Kirchin Band would be produced by George Martin who would later go on to work extensively with the Beatles. Kirchin would go on to score films and experiment with electronic music through use of tape manipulation with sounds of birds, insects and other animals. Has worked with Harry Roy, Teddy Foster, Jack Nathan, Ted Heath, Keith Herd, Big Jim Sullivan, Tubby Hayes. His electronic music influenced later stars such as Brian Eno and David Byrne ~ Kirchin passed away in2005
August 8, 1926 ~ Urban Clifford Green, commonly known as trombonist Urbie Green, born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Appears on over 250 recordings. Two dozen albums to his own name. Influenced by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Perry Como, and Louis Armstrong. Highly respected by fellow trombonists. Worked with Gene Krupa, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Jack Jenney, Walter Wanderley, Herbie Mann, Manny Albam, Steve Allen, Count Basie, Ray Bryant, Trigger Alpert, Kenny Burrell, Buck Clayton, Ray Conniff, Paul Desmond, Gil Evans, Art Farmer, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Johnny Griffin, Billie Holiday (Lady In Satin), Milt Jackson, JJ Johnson, Quincy Jones, Blue Mitchell, Wes Montgomery, Sonny Stitt, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Wilder, Dinah Washington, and Joe Newman ~ Green passed away in 2018
August 8, 1921 ~ Country, honky-tonk singer, guitarist, songwriter Webb Pierce, full name Michael Webb Pierce, born in West Monroe, Louisiana, USA ~ Pivotal to development of honky tonk. Known for recordings such as In The Jailhouse Now, Love Love Love, There Stands The Glass, Wondering, and Teenage Boogie. The latter would be covered by T.Rex under the name I Love To Boogie, with songwriting credits not to Pierce but to Marc Bolan. Worked with artists such as Floyd Cramer, Faron Young, Tillman Franks, Doyle Wilburn, and Kitty Wells ~ Pierce passed away in 1991
August 8, 1920 ~ Jump blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon born in Gurdon, Kansas, USA ~ Active since the mid 1940s. In-demand singer worked with a host of artists including Teddy Weatherford, Jay McShann (notably on the 1949 recording of Ain't Nobody's Business), Jimmy Rowles, Earl Hines, Vernon Alley, Mel Lewis, Teddy Edwards, Gerald Wiggins, John Clayton, Paul Humphrey, Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell, Harry Sweets Edison, Jimmy Smith, Long John Baldry, Junior Mance, Jimmy Woode, Kenny Clarke, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Mullen, Count Basie, Van Morrison, the Dutch Swing College Band, Gene GIlbeaux, Robben Ford, Russell Ferrante, and Joe Sample ~ Witherspoon passed away in 1997
August 8, 1913 ~ Arranger, orchestrator, conductor, songwriter Axel Stordahl born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ In-demand arranger, credited with helping bring pop into the modern age. As a songwriter, Stordahl is remembered for co-writing I Should Care, first recorded by Tommy Dorsey, and Day By Day, first recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1945. Both songs have gone on the become often-covered standards. Stordahl is one of the first to tailor his accompaniments to the vocal qualities of a specific singer, and is best known for working extensively with Sinatra for most of the 1940s. Other associations include Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Eddie Fisher, Dinah Shore, Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin. Stordahl was married to singer June Hutton of the Pied Pipers from 1951 until his death twelve years later ~ Stordahl passed away in 1963