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.
December 1, 1987 ~ James Gabriel Keogh, commonly known as indie pop, indie folk singer, guitarist, pianist, ukulele player, songwriter Vance Joy, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Released his Dream Your Life Away debut album in 2014, it would reach top 20 in both the UK and America as well as top the charts in his native Australia. Known for songs such as Riptide, Georgia, Lay It On Me, We're Going Home and Missing Piece. Prior to his music career a promising soccer player, defender for the Coburg Tigers in 2008 and 2009, eventually settling for a career in music as Keogh felt he “wasn't every really in the mix” for the AFL (major league), and he was “just doing something in the meantime before writing my first songs”December 1, 1986 ~ Bandleader, pianist Horace Heidt passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Popular bandleader during the 1930s and 1940s touring the vaudeville circuit and a regular appearance on radio and TV. Known for hits such as Gone With The Wind, Sweet Someone, The Man With The Mandolin, I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire and Deep In The Heart Of Texas ~ Heidt was born in 1901
December 1, 1983 ~ Kingslee James McLean Daley, commonly known as rapper Akala, born in Crawsley, UK ~ Released his It's Not A Rumour debut album in 2006, which includes his best known songs The Edge featuring Niara, Roll Wid Us, and Shakespeare. Founded the Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company in 2009, a music theater production company aimed at exploring parallels between the works of William Shakespeare and modern-day hip-hop artists
December 1, 1981 ~ Jazz trumpeter Taft Jordan passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Started with the Washboard Rhythm Kings. Well-known for his stint with Chick Webb, serving in Webb's orchestra for about a decade starting in the early 1930s. As a leader best known for his 1961 album Taft Jordan Plays Duke Ellington. Also present on albums by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Big Joe Turner, Miles Davis (Sketches Of Spain), and Louis Armstrong ~ Jordan was born in 1915
December 1, 1980 ~ Experimental rock, art rock, progressive rock, avant-garde singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, violinist Daniel O'Sullivan born in Manchester, UK ~ Known for his eclectic range of styles including neo-classical, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, free improvisation, jazz, minimalist, synth-pop, metal and folk. Best known for his associations with acts such as Guapo, Æthenor, Ulver, and with Sun O))). Recorded a number of albums as a solo artist, starting with VELD released in 2017. Has also worked with Mothlite, Miracle, Grumbling Fur, Serena Korda, Big Pink, Alexander Tucker, and Chrome Hoof
December 1, 1979 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, Broken Hearted Me by Anne Murray hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Written by Randy Goodrum, who had previously also written You Needed Me, by far Anne Murray's biggest hit and sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. Broken Hearted Me, possibly one of her saddest songs telling of a woman who's been hurt so deep by a former lover she thinks she'll never recover, also did well on the charts. On the Billboard Country charts it would be her third consecutive No.1, following I Just Fall In Love Again and Shadows In The Moonlight, while it reached top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.12
December 1, 1978 ~ Pop rock outfit the Doobie Brothers release Minute By Minute, the band's eighth studio album ~ The band's eighth studio album would become their biggest, their only one to top the Billboard Hot 200 chart, and earned the band four Grammy Awards. Three of those went to What A Fool Believes, the album's lead single and their sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. Kenny Loggins, who co-wrote What A Fool Believes with the Doobies' Michael McDonald, also recorded his own version of the song as an album track for his Nightwatch sophomore albumDecember 1, 1977 ~ Producer, songwriter, singer Akive Schaffer born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Along with Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone member of comedy troupe the Lonely Island, best known for their association with the TV show Saturday Night Live
December 1, 1977 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Alec Ounsworth born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as frontman of off-center indie pop band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Only Run released in 2014. Ounsworth married Emily Jean Stock in 2007, the inspiration behind the song Emily Jean Stock off the band's 2007 Some Loud Thunder sophomore album. Ounsworth released his Mo Beauty solo debut album in 2009, and has worked with the likes of the Walkmen, Walter Martin, and Claptone
December 1, 1977 ~ Alternative metal, nu metal, alternative rock guitarist Brad Delson, full name Bradford Phillip Delson, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist for Xero. The band would change its name to Hybrid Theory, and later still to Linkin Park. Delson has been a constant member, recording about half a dozen albums with the band since the early 2000s. They enjoyed popularity especially through the end of the 2000s, singles such as In The End, What I've Done, and New Divide all reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Delson has stated he “doesn't like to show off”, attempting to play his guitar so that it seamlessly fits in with the band's overall sound. Nevertheless, prompted by his bandmates he at some point did begin to play more guitar solos, most notably on the band's The Hunting Party albumDecember 1, 1976 ~ Rock, hard rock, alternative metal singer Agnete Kjølsrud, full name Agnete Maria Forfang Kjølsrud, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Lead singer of Animal Alpha from 2002 to 2009. Best known as frontwoman of Djerv, joining the band in 2009. Guested on Dimmu Borgir's Abrahadabra album and on Solefald's Norrøn Iivskruft album
December 1, 1976 ~ Bill Grundy, host of the regional programme Today on Thames Television, London, gains national attention interviewing the Sex Pistols, an incident which seriously harmed his career ~ Rock band Queen was scheduled to make an appearance but as frontman Freddie Mercury urgently needed dental treatment, the show finds a last-minute substitute in the Sex Pistols. After being goaded by Grundy, the band swears and trades insults with Grundy on live television. The incident seriously harmed Grundy's career, and elevated the band to notoriety. Grundy would be temporarily suspended, the show cancelled altogether a few months later, and Grundy did not return to prime time TV, confined to lesser slots. In his defence, Grundy said he had set out “to prove that these louts were a foul-mouthed set of yobs, and that is what I did prove.”
December 1, 1975 ~ Country singer Barbara Mandrell releases Standing Room Only, lead single off her This Is Barbara Mandrell album ~ Although Barbara Mandrell did enjoy chart success during the early 1970s working with producer Billy Sherrill over at Columbia Records, regularly reaching top 20 on the Billboard Country charts including two top 10 hits, it was her move to ABC/Dot that truly brought her to a wider audience, moving away from soul-infused country to a slicker countrypolitan sound. Her first single for the new label, Standing Room Only, would reach No.5 Billboard Country, making it her highest-charting up till then. Through the end of the decade, Mandrell would score five more Billboard Country top 10 hits including the charttoppers Sleeping Single In A Double Bed and (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right
December 1, 1974 ~ Randolph Isaiah Owens, commonly known as progressive rock, experimental rock, neo-psychedelia, hip-hop keyboardist Isaiah Ikey Owens, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding and longtime member of influential progressive rock band the Mars Volta, known for their energetic live shows and concept albums, as well as its predecessor At The Drive-in. Also closely associated with other acts from the Long Beach music scene, released the Looking For Lauryn Hill In Hollywood solo debut album in 2010, and was an in-demand collaborator and producer. Notable credits include the Free Moral Agents, Look Daggers, De-Facto, Long Beach Dub All-Stars, Reel Big Fish, Sublime, Saul Williams, the Visionaries, and Run The Jewels ~ Owens passed away in 2014December 1, 1969 ~ Samuel Gene Maghett, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Magic Sam, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for Feelin' Good (We're Gonna Boogie), a hit in 1957. Has worked with Charlie Musselwhite and Sam Lay. On the verge of breakthrough when he died unexpectedly of a heart attack at age 32 ~ Maghett was born in 1937
December 1, 1966 ~ Guitarist, singer Carter Stanley, full name Carter Glen Stanley, passed away in Bristol, Tennessee, 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 was born in 1925
December 1, 1965 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Eric McFadden born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of punk rock, metal outfit the Angry Babies. First gained serious attention as lead singer, guitarist for Liar, known for their critically acclaimed 1995 Devil Dog Road debut album and its 1998 Gone Too Far follow-up. Fronted EMT from 2002 through 2010. Served as touring guitarist, mandolinist for George Clinton and touring guitarist for Eric Burdon's group the Animals. Forms supergroup TEN with Thomas Pridgen and John Norwood Fisher. Has collaborated with Les Claypool, Joe Strummer, Reverend Horton Heat, Keb' Mo, Fishbone, Widespread Panic, Jackson Browne, Nels Cline, and Wally Ingram. As a solo artist best known for his 2010 Pull A Rabbit Out Of His Hat (Tribute Vol.2) album, paying tribute to his favorite artists
December 1, 1959 ~ Jazz, blues pianist Avery Parrish, full name James Avery Parrish, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Erskine Hawkins, Penned the jazz standard After Hours, first recorded with Hawkins and covered by numerous artists including Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Hazel Scott, Phineas Newborn Jr, Hank Crawford, Buck Clayton, Roy Buchanan, and Muddy Waters ~ Parrish was born in 1917
December 1, 1959 ~ Stephen Ian Batt, commonly known as new wave, art pop, art rock, electropop, pop rock percussionist, keyboardist Steve Jansen, born in Beckenham, UK ~ Co-founding member of Japan, which also included his brother David Sylvian, known best for a number of 1980s UK hits most notably Quiet Life, Ghosts and I Second That Emotion. The same line-up would reunite in 1991, using the moniker Rain Tree Crow and release the eponymous Rain Tree Crow album. Has also recorded with Richard Barbieri, Mick Karn, the Dolphin Brothers, Nine Horses, Yukihiro Takahashi, and Exit North. Jansen has also recorded several solo albums, starting with Slope released in 2007
December 1, 1958 ~ Reggae singer, actress June Lodge, full name June Carol Lodge, born in London, UK ~ Draws mostly from reggae, pop, and R&B. Best known for her 1982 reggae cover Someone Loves You Honey, originally a hit for country singer Charley Pride. Other well known songs include Telephone Love, More Than I Can Say, Make It Up and Love Me Baby. Has worked with producers such as Joe Gibbs, Willie Lindo, Gussie Clarke, Errol O'Meally, and the Mad Professor
December 1, 1958 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, To Know Is To Love Him by the Teddy Bears hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The only charting single that featured future-producer, songwriter, label executive Phil Spector as a band member, and the single that would launch the then-17-year-old Spector's career. Spector had been inspired by a line on his father's tombstone: “to have known him was to have loved him.” Spector changed the tense and made it into a No.1 hit. He would soon go on to become a highly respected producer and label owner, at age 21 the youngest label owner in history, and is regarded by some as one of the most influential figures in pop history
December 1, 1957 ~ Pop, jazz, R&B singer Vesta Williams, full name Mary Vesta Williams, born in Coshocton, Ohio, USA ~ Known for her four-octave vocal range, Williams released about half a dozen albums starting with Vesta in 1986. Although none of her singles would reach the top half of the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, Williams would regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard R&B charts through the early 1990s, with Once Bitten Twice Shy, Sweet Sweet Love, Congratulations, and Special all reaching top 10. Both prior and parallel to her career as a solo artist, Williams has appeared as a backing singer on albums by LTD, the Commodores, Gordon Lightfoot, Anita Baker (Rapture), Jermaine Jackson, Sting (Nothing Like The Sun), Stephanie Mills, Julio Iglesias, Gladys Knight, Patti Austin, and George Duke. Williams has also ventured into acting, co-hosted a morning show on the Dallas-Fort Worth area KRNB radio station, and became known as an advocate for the prevention of childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes ~ Williams passed away in 2011
December 1, 1956 ~ Pop, dream pop singer, songwriter, actress Julee Cruise born in Creston, Iowa, USA ~ Known for Falling and Rockin' Back Inside My Heart, the former the theme song of the Twin Peaks TV series. Guested on Hybrid's 1989 Wide Angle debut album, including on the acclaimed track If I Survive. Touring member of the B52's for most of the 1990s, at times filling in for Cindy Wilson. Has released four full-length solo albums, starting with Floating Into The Night released in 1989 ~ Cruise passed away in 2022
December 1, 1956 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Kim Richey born in Zanesville, Ohio, USA ~ Known for songs such as Just My Luck, Those Words We Said, and From Where I Stand. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood (Believe Me Baby (I Lied)), Radney Foster (Nobody Wins), Brooks & Dunn (Every River), George Ducas (In No Time At All), Patty Loveless (That's Exactly What I Mean), Mindy McCready (You'll Never Know), Jim Lauderdale (It's Just Like You), Terri Clark (I'm Alright). Sang backup for Bill Lloyd, Reba McEntire, Rodney Crowell, Keith Stegall, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tammy Rogers, Ryan Adams, Will Kimbrough, Darden Smith, Honeyroot, Gretchen Peters, Jason Isbell, and Dean Owens
December 1, 1951 ~ John Francis Anthony Pastorius III, commonly known as jazz fusion bassist Jaco Pastorius, born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as member of the Weather Report from 1976 to 1981, including on the albums Black Market and Heavy Weather. As a solo artist acclaimed for the albums Jaco Pastorius, Invitation and Curtain Call. Also present on albums by Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell (Hejira), Al di Meola, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Herbie Hancock (Mr Hands), and Biréli Lagrène ~ Pastorius passed away in 1987