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, 1950 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Armen Donelian born in New York, New York, USA ~ Classically trained. About a dozen albums as a leader, specifically noted for A Reverie released in 1984. Guested on albums by Roy Ayers, Billy Harper, Mongo Santamaria, Rory Stuart (Nightwork), Night Ark, Bobby Paunetto (Commit To Memory), Janet Grice, and Remo Capra
December 1, 1950 ~ Rock & roll, progressive rock, rock guitarist, singer Ross Hannaford, full name Ross Andrew Hannaford, born in Newcastle, Australia ~ Closely associated with singer Ross Wilson, including in the bands Pink Finks and Daddy Cool. The latter would become one of Australia's biggest bands with the release of their 1971 Daddy Who (Daddy Cool) album and are specifically noted for the single Eagle Rock. Has also worked with Mighty Kong, Hey Gringo, the Party Machine, the Black Sorrows, Paul Madigan, Ian Moss, Steve Hoy, Mark Gillespie, and the Ram Band. Hanna, as he was affectionately known, also fronted the Ross Hannaford Trio, acclaimed for a number of albums starting with the eponymous The Ross Hannaford Trio album released in 1996 ~ Hannaford passed away in 2016
December 1, 1950 ~ Rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock guitarist Sérgio Dias, full name Sérgio Dias Baptista, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Co-founding and sole constant member of rock band Os Mutantes, emerging form the late 1960s Tropicália movement. Though never achieving much fame outside their native Brazil, they are considered one of the most talented of the psychedelic era for their use of distortion, feedback and numerous studio tricks. Especially acclaimed for albums such as 1968's Os Mutantes, 1970's A Divina Comedia Ou Ando Meio Desligado and 1972's E Seus Cometas No Pais Do Baurets
December 1, 1947 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Alain Bashung born in Paris, France ~ Widely revered and influential in French rock for reviving the French chanson from the early 1980s onwards. Known for songs such as Gaby Oh Gaby, Vertige De l'Amour, Josephine, Ma Petite Entreprise, and La Nuit Je Mens. Has collaborated with a host of French and international artists including Sonny Landreth, Ally McErlaine, Link Wray, Marc Ribot, Brigitte Fontaine, Jean Fauque, Rodolphe Burger, Les Valentins, Jean-Marc Lederman, Adrian Utley, Noir Désir, Vanessa Paradis, Françoise Hardy, Arno, Daniel Darc, Gaetan Roussel, and Arman Melies ~ Bashung passed away in 2009
December 1, 1946 ~ John Rockford Hill, commonly known as guitarist, bassist Rocky Hill born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Older brother of ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, with whom he worked in the acid rock band American Blues. Rocky subsequently played with John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Freddie King and Jimmy Reed. His 1982 solo debut Texas Shuffle featured guests Johnny Winter and Dr John. Has also worked with Townes Van Zandt, Don Sanders, and with Joe Miranda ~ Hill passed away in 2009
December 1, 1945 ~ Singer, actress Bette Midler born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Began her career as a stage actress, featuring in Broadway plays such as Fiddler On The Roof and Salvation by the late 1960s. As a singer released her The Divine Miss M debut album in 1972, the album's title sticking as a nickname through the rest of her career. Has recorded about a dozen albums to critical and commercial success since. Well known songs include Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, The Rose, Wind Beneath My Wings, and From A Distance, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100
December 1, 1944 ~ Pop, schlager singer, political activist, actress Arja Saijormaa, full name Arja Enni Helena Saijonmaa, born in Mikkell, Finland ~ Sang Swedish translations of songs by composers such as Mikis Theodorakis and Violeta Parra as well as covers of Zarah Leander songs. Best known for songs such as Jag Vill Tacka Livet, Högt Over Havet and Jagg Vill Leva I Europa. Sang at the funeral of Swedish politician, PM and close personal friend Olof Palme, murdered in 1986December 1, 1942 ~ Guitarist Richard Dangel born ~ Lead guitarist for the Wailers, generally credited as one of the first, if not the first, American garage bands, best known for their debut single Tall Cool One, a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit in 1959. Encouraged by its success the band would record a full-length album, The Fabulous Wailers, released by the end of the year. A second instrumental single, Mau-Mau, would chart moderately. A third, Wailin', failed to chart. However, the band continued to perform regionally in the Pacific Northwest, and according to the band's keyboardist Kent Morrill counted a young and then-unknown Jimi Hendrix among their fans ~ Dangel passed away in 2002
December 1, 1942 ~ Drummer, singer Sam George born ~ Member of R&B, soul trio the Capitols, known best for their 1966 surprise hit Cool Jerk which reached top 10 on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts. Reportedly, the single was initially titled Pimp Jerk, though this was changed as producer Ollie McLaughlin feared a song with the word “pimp” in the title would be banned. Over two decades after hitting the charts, the song would regain exposure as it was used for the soundtrack to the 1992 Home Alone 2 (Lost In New York) comedy film ~ George passed away in 1982
December 1, 1939 ~ Singer Dianne Lennon, full name Dianne Barbara Lennon, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of sibling outfit the Lennon Sisters. The family outfit enjoyed popularity especially from the late 1950s through the late 1960s, best known for their regular appearances on The Lawrence Welk Show, their own variety show Jimmy Durante Presents The Lennon Sisters, and a successful Las Vegas concert residency. Well known songs include Among My Souvenirs, Moon River, Scarlet Ribbons, Tonight You Belong To Me and Sad Movies Make Me Cry
December 1, 1938 ~ Jazz, avant-garde, jazz-funk saxophonist Carlos Garnett born in Red Tank, Panama ~ Self-taught tenor soloist. First gained attention backing Freddie Hubbard on the 1969 album A Soul Experiment for which Garnett wrote the originals No Time To Lose and Hang 'Em Up. Would go on to work with Art Blakey, Pharoah Sanders, Norman Connors, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis (On The Corner), Robin Kenyatta, Denroy Morgan, and Charles Earland. As a solo artist, leader over half a dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for the albums Journey To Enlightenment and Black Love, both released in 1974 ~ Garnett passed away in 2023
December 1, 1938 ~ Drummer, singer, songwriter Sandy Nelson, full name Sander Lloyd Nelson, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ One of the best known and in-demand session rock drummers of the early 1960s. Attended high school with Jan Berry, Dean Torrence and Kim Fowley. Started out in late 1950s, early 1960s sessionning for the Teddy Bears (To Know Is To Love Him), the Hollywood Argyles (Alley Oop), and Kathy Young (A Thousand Stars). As a solo artist Nelson is also known for a string of instrumental hits, starting with 1959's Billboard Hot 100 No.4 Teen Beat and continuing on with songs such as Let There Be Drums, and Drums Are My Beat ~ Nelson passed away in 2022
December 1, 1934 ~ Paul Williams, commonly known as singer Billy Paul, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Scored a 1972 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit with Me & Mrs Jones, to this day one of the most cherished songs of the era. Also well known for his War Of The Gods album, released the following year, blending conventional pop, soul, and funk with electronic and psychedelic elements. Would continue to record well into the 1980s, but was unable to repeat his earlier chart success. Hugely influential on Questlove, who called him “one of the criminally unmentioned proprietors of socially conscious post-revolution 1960s civil rights music.” ~ Paul passed away in 2016
December 1, 1934 ~ Arthur Blake, commonly known as blues, ragtime singer, guitarist Blind Blake, passed away in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Fingerpicking guitarist influential on Reverend Gary Davis, Jorma Kaukonen, Ry Cooder, John Fahey, Ralph McTell, and Leon Redbone. Known for songs such as Early Morning Blues, West Coast Blues, and You Gonna Quit Me Blues, the latter would be notably covered by Bob Dylan ~ Blake was born in 1896
December 1, 1933 ~ Free jazz, avant-garde jazz saxophonist Jimmy Lyons born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker. Best known for his association with Cecil Taylor, being the only other constant member of the Cecil Taylor Unit from the mid 1960s until his death in 1986 including on acclaimed albums such as Conquistador, Live At the Café Montmartre and Akisakila. Lyons has also recorded over half a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, notably Other Afternoons, Wee Sneezawee and Give It Up, and has appeared on albums by Urbie Green, Dave Brubeck, Eddie Gale (Black Rhythm Happening), and Joel Futterman ~ Lyons passed away in 1986
December 1, 1933 ~ R&B, soul, gospel, jazz, blues singer Lou Rawls, full name Louis Allen Rawls, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Has recorded over 50 albums, initially focusing on jazz, starting with Stormy Monday backed by Les McCann in 1962. Scored his first hit in 1966 when he switched to pop soul, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 with Love Is A Hurtin' Thing. Other well known songs include Your Good Thing (Is About To End), You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine and Lady Love. Rawls has sold over 40 million records, has ventured into acting and voice acting, and has hosted the annual Lou Rawls Parade Of Stars Telethon since 1980, later renamed to An Evening Of Stars (A Celebration Of Educational Excellence), raising funds for the United Negro College Fund ~ Rawls passed away in 2006December 1, 1930 ~ Terrence Edward Parsons, commonly known as easy listening, pop singer Matt Monro, born in London, UK ~ Dubbed “the Man with the Golden Voice” with a career spanning three decades. Known best for hits such as Portrait Of My Love, My Kind Of Girl, Softly As I Love You, Walk Away, and the Beatles-cover Yesterday, all of which reached the British top 10 ~ Parsons passed away in 1985
December 1, 1926 ~ Actress, singer, dancer Allyn Ann McLerie born in Grand-Mere, Canada ~ Enjoyed popularity during the Golden Age of musicals, including on Broadway and in numerous films. Would also venture into character acting guesting in TV shows ranging from Bonanza to St Elsewhere ~ McLerie passed away in 2018
December 1, 1921 ~ Jazz pianist John Bunch born in Tipton, Indiana, USA ~ Somewhat overlooked swing, big band pianist. As a leader acclaimed for the albums John's Bunch, The Best Thing For You, and John Bunch Plays Kurt Weill. Music director and pianist for Tony Bennett from the mid 1960s through the early 1970s. Member of New York Swing. Bunch has also appeared on albums by Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich (Richcraft), Rex Stewart, Buck Clayton (Goin' To Kansas City), Joe Morello, Gene Roland (Swingin' Friends), Bucky Pizzarelli, Milt Hinton, Max Kaminsky (When Summer Is Gone), Eddie Barefield (The Indestructible Eddie Barefield), Butch Miles, George Masso (A Swinging Case Of Masso-ism), Ruby Braff, and Ken Peplowski ~ Bunch passed away in 2010December 1, 1919 ~ Contralto jazz singer Lurlan Hunter born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ First gained attention singing with Red Saunders at Club DeLisa in Chicago and subsequently as featured vocalist with George Shearing at famed New York jazz club the Birdland Jazz Club. Would spend most of the 1950s working hotels and night clubs around the country. Released her full-length Blue And Sentimental debut album in 1961 ~ Hunter passed away in 1983
December 1, 1919 ~ Winston Lee Moore, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Slim Willet, born in Dublin, Texas, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes. Willet's original single would reach top of the Billboard Country charts in 1952. Later the same year, Perry Como took the song to No.1 on the pop charts, selling over a million copies. Others who recorded the song included Skeets McDonald, Ray Price, Faron Young, George Jones, Conway Twitty, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Willet is also known for hits such as Tool Pusher From Snyder, Red Rose, and No Love Song To You ~ Moore passed away in 1966
December 1, 1896 ~ Raymond Brost, commonly known as pianist, songwriter Ray Henderson, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of Lew Brown and BG DeSylva. Songs written or co-written include Bye Bye Blackbird (Sam Lanin, Gene Austin, Leo Reisman), I'm Sitting On Top Of The World (Art Gillham, Al Jolson, Roger Wolfe Kahn), The Birth Of The Blues (Irving Abrams, the Revelers, Bing Crosby), Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries (Ethel Merman, Ben Bernie, Rudy Vallée), Animal Crackers In My Soup (Don Bestor, Shirley Temple), and Sonny Boy (Ruth Etting, the Andrews Sisters, Jackie Wilson) ~ Henderson passed away in 1970December 1, 1844 ~ Composer, conductor, orchestrator Alfred Cellier born in South Hackney, UK ~ Directed several Gilbert & Sullivan productions, occasionally writing overtures for them. Has composed several operas and other works, most notably the comic opera Dorothy which would become the longest-running piece of musical theatre in the 19th century ~ Cellier passed away in 1891