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 10, 2024 ~ Clarence C Robertson, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist Herb Robertson, passed away in Whiting, New Jersey, USA ~ Widely acclaimed for his explorations of the avant-garde, yet equally capable of lyricism as of experimentalism, with a remarkable softness in his sound. As a leader, Robertson has recorded well over a dozen albums since the mid-1980s, earning especial acclaim for 1988's Shades Of Bud Powell and 1996's Sound Implosion. Robertson was also an in-demand collaborator and sideman, appearing on albums by Stefan Winter, Mark Helias (The Current Set), Charlie Elgart, Marc Ducret, Bobby Previte, David Sanborn, Klaus König, Andy Laster (Hydra), Lou Grassi, Guus Janssen (Noach (An Opera From Genesis)), Terry Jenoure (Auguries Of Speed), Satoko Fujii, the Fonda-Stevens Group, and Barry Guy. Upon hearing of Robertson's death, regular collaborator Tim Berne commented: “Herb was my mentor and musical sidekick for many years in the 1980s and 1990s. Every night was like a feature film full of astounding moments of beautifully inspired insanity” ~ Robertson was born in 1951
December 10, 2022 ~ Jackie Jean Crouch, commonly known as singer, actress, model Georgia Holt, passed away in Malibu, California, USA ~ Sang with Bob Wills at age 10. Would go on to win several talent and beauty competitions, leading to a number of supporting roles in film and TV. Best known for her two marriages to John Sarkisian, briefly in the 1940s and again briefly in the 1960s. Their daughter is singer Cher. In 2013 Holt released her sole album, Honky Tonk Woman ~ Crouch was born in 1926
December 10, 2022 ~ James Jay Barnes, commonly known as soul, pop, R&B singer JJ Barnes, passed away ~ Member of the Holidays, which also included Steve Mancha and Edwin Starr of later War fame, known best for their 1966 Billboard R&B top 10 hit I'll Love You Forever. The following year Barnes would also score a Billboard R&B top 10 hit as a solo artist with Baby Please Come Back Home. Subsequent singles would fail to repeat the succes. His earlier solo recordings, such as the early 1960s Just One More Time and Please Let Me In, made little impact at the time but would later become Northern soul favorites in the UK ~ Barnes was born in 1943December 10, 2022 ~ Lyric tenor John Aler passed away in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA ~ Particularly known for his interpretations of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Vincenzo Bellini, and George Frideric Handel. Has performed with renowned orchestras including the Santa Fe Opera, the English National Opera, the Vienna Staatsoper, the Teatro Real, the New York City Opera, the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the London Sinfonietta ~ Aler was born in 1949
December 10, 2022 ~ José Angel Amato, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor José Angel Trelles, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ First gained attention in the musical TV show Siete Y Medio and subsequently winning the Canciorena talent contest, the latter landing him a record deal. Has recorded about two dozen albums since and collaborated with the likes of Sandro de América, Estela Raval, Rubén Juárez, Alberto Cortez, and perhaps most notably Astor Piazzolla, touring nationally and abroad with the latter as a member of his backing unit the Octeto Electronico. Has also starred in numerous stage productions, including the Piazzolla-penned operetta Maria De Buenos Aires ~ Amato was bonr in 1944December 10, 2022 ~ Progressive rock singer, songwriter Tracy Hitchings passed away in Gold Coast, Australia ~ Lead singer of rock band Landmarq from 1996 through 2017. Though the band is primarily categorised as a progressive rock, neo-progressive rock band, they also draw from album-oriented rock, melodic rock, hard rock, and jazz. Hitchings had previously worked with Quasar, Strangers On A Train, Ulysses, and Gandalf ~ Hitchings was born in 1969
December 10, 2022 ~ Soukous, rumba, mutuashi singer, dancer Tshala Muana, full name Elisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay, passed away in Kinshasa, Congo ~ Started her career as a dancer in the band Tsheke Tsheke Love before turning to singing. Dubbed “the Queen of Mutuashi” with well over a dozen albums to her name. Known for songs such as Karibu Yangu and Ingratitude. The latter song would lead to her arrest in November 2020, the song interpreted as veiled criticism of the behavior of President Felix Tshisekedi toward his former mentor and predecessor Joseph Kabila ~ Muidikay was born in 1958
December 10, 2021 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Les Emmerson, full name Robert Leslie Emmerson, passed away in Ottawa, Canada ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist of Five Man Electrical Band, known for songs such as Absolutely Right and I'm A Stranger Here, and its predecessor the Staccatos. Wrote Signs, one of the band's best known, later notably covered by Tesla. As a solo artist known for Cry Your Eyes Out, Watching The World Go By, and Control Of Me ~ Emmerson was born in 1944
December 10, 2021 ~ Thomas Mensforth, commonly known as punk, punk rock, oi singer, songwriter Mensi, passed away ~ Fronted pioneering punk group the Angelic Upstarts, which helped define the oi subgenre with recordings such as I'm An Upstart, Teenage Warning, and their best known The Murder Of Liddle Towers ~ Mensforth was born ca.1956December 10, 2021 ~ Singer, guitarist Michael Nesmith, full name Robert Michael Nesmith, passed away in Carmel Valley, California, USA ~ Member of the Monkees, known for songs such as Last Train To Clarksville, I'm A Believer, and Daydream Believer. Member of country-rock outfit the First National Band, known for the 1970 hit Joanne. Also wrote Different Drum, a hit for Linda Ronstadt ~ Nesmith was born in 1942
December 10, 2020 ~ Kenneth Alwyn Wetherell, commonly known as conductor, composer Kenneth Alwyn, passed away in West Chiltington, UK ~ Active since the early 1950s, starting with the Sadler's Wells theater Ballet, moving on to the the Royal Opera House in 1957. Would go on to work with numerous renowned orchestras. Especially known for his long association with the BBC, both as a conductor and as presenter of programs, perhaps most notably Friday Night Is Music Night and The Orchestra ~ Wetherell was born in 1925December 10, 2017 ~ Drummer, singer Ammon Tharp, full name Ammon Chester Tharp, passed away in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA ~ Longtime member of Bill Deal & the Rhondels, who enjoyed their greatest success in the late 1960s merging blue-eyed soul with beach music. They are best known for the 1969 Billboard Hot 100 top 30 hit What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am). Other charting songs included May I, I've Been Hurt, and Nothing Succeeds Like Success. The band disbanded in the mid 1970s but would later reform ~ Tharp was born in 1942
December 10, 2017 ~ Joseph Emmanuel Charlemagne, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Manno Charlemagne, passed away in Miami Beach, Florida, USA ~ Known for his politically themed folk chansons sung in French and Creole. Lived in exile twice, first during the 1980s and again from 1991 through 1994 during the country military junta rule. Charlemagne would serve as mayor of Port-au-Prince from the mid- to late 1990s ~ Charlemagne was born in 1948
December 10, 2013 ~ Jazz, cool jazz, post-bop guitarist, arranger, composer Jim Hall, full name James Stanley Hall, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Christian and Barney Kessel. Classically trained. Worked with Chico Hamilton, Jimmy Giuffre, Ben Webster, Lee Konitz, Sonny Rollins, Art Farmer, Big Joe Turner, Johnny Hartman, June Christy, Big Miller, Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin, Oliver Nelson, Gerry Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, and Joe Lovano ~ Hall was born in 1930
December 10, 2009 ~ Kenneth Diono, commonly known as singer Kenny Dino passed away in Florida, USA ~ Offered but turned down the opportunity to form a duo with then-unknown Paul Simon in the early 1960s. Diono was reportedly also offered Suspicion, a song later popularized by Elvis Presley, but denied the opportunity by his label. Diono is best known for his sole Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Tonight hit, which reached No.24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. Diono also ventured into acting, notably appearing in the 1967 Valley Of The Dolls feature film. Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant would cover Diono's sole hit on his 1990 Manic Nirvana solo album. Though Dino would fail to reach the charts after his sole 1961 hit, he continued to perform until his death. Diono was found unconscious in his car on the side of the road, apparently having suffered a heart attack while driving home from a gig, and died later the same day ~ Diono was born in 1939
December 10, 2003 ~ Jazz fusion, blues saxophonist, flutist, pianist Ron Aspery, full name Ronald Aspery, passed away in Saltdean, UK ~ Driving force behind jazz-rock trio Back Door, especially acclaimed for their 1972 eponymous Back Door and its 1973 follow-up 8th Street Nites. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Alexis Korner, Glenn Hughes, Marvin Hamlisch (The Spy Who Loved Me), Roger Glover, Evelyn Thomas, David Coverdale, Roger Chapman, Roger Daltrey, Deke Leonard (Before Your Very Eyes), Chris Rea, Elvis Costello, and Keith Emerson ~ Aspery was born in 1946
December 10, 1999 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Rick Danko passed away in Marbleon, New York, USA ~ Member of Ronnie Hawkins' backing unit the Hawks. Best known as member of the Band, alongside Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson and Richard Manuel. Cited as an influence by a host aof artists including Elvis Costello, John Doe, Mumford & Sons, Lucinda Williams, Jay Farrar, Neko Case, Robbie Fulks, Cindy Cashdollar, Craig Finn, Chris Thomson, Mike Watt, and Eric Clapton ~ Danko was born in 1943December 10, 1998 ~ Bernard Feinstein, commonly known as swing lyricist Buddy Feyne, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Wrote the lyrics to Glenn Miller's 1940 hit Tuxedo Junction. Others who have recorded songs co-written by Feyne include Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Gene Autry, Frankie Avalon, the Andrews Sisters, George Benson, Nat King Cole, the Manhattan Transfer, Joe Jackson, and Boz Scaggs ~ Feinstein was born in 1912
December 10, 1997 ~ R&B singer Jake Carey passed away ~ Member of the Flamingos, which also included his cousin Zeke Carey. The band is best known for their 1959 single I Only Have Eyes For You b/w Goodnight Sweetheart, a top 20 hit on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. Previously the singles A Kiss From Your Lips and I'll Be Home, both released in 1956, reached top 20 on the Billboard R&B charts ~ Carey was born in 1926
December 10, 1996 ~ Singer Whitney Houston releases I Believe In You And Me, lead single off her The Preacher's Wife album ~ Written by Sandy Linzer and David Wolfert, the song was first recorded by the Four Tops for their One More Mountain album back in 1982. While the original version failed to make much of an impact, reaching No.40 on the Billboard R&B charts, the Whitney Houston version would be critically acclaimed, earned the singer a Grammy Award nomination, and reached No.4 both on the Billboard R&B and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart. the Baltimore Sun described the song as having “a slow, Barbra Streisand-esque build-up, a subtle sense of drama and a big full-voiced payoff in the final chorus”, while Billboard stated “as she did with Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You, Houston redefines the composition with a soaring, glass-shatterng performance”
December 10, 1993 ~ Kim See-heyon, commonly known as K-pop singer, pianist Katie Kim, born in Bucheon, South Korea ~ First gained attention as winner of contest show K-Pop Star in 2015. Released her full-length debut album, Log, in 2019. Known for songs such as Remember featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Echo and Thinkin' About YouDecember 10, 1991 ~ Bass singer Headman Shabalala, full name Headman Msongelwa Shabalala, passed away in South Africa ~ Original member of choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo founded by his brother Joseph Shabalala. Headman was shot and killed at age 46 in an apparent racially motivated killing, his murder is referenced in Adam Again's song Worldwide ~ Shabalala was born in 1945
December 10, 1990 ~ R&B, hip-hop, pop singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, choreographer, model Teyana Taylor, full name Teyana Me Shay Jacqueli Taylor, born in New York, New York, USA ~ As a solo artist released several mixtapes starting in the late 2000s, leading to a full-length VII debut album in 2014. Best known for songs such as Maybe feat Yo Gotti and Pusha T, Morning featuring Kehlani, and Wake Up Love featuring her husband NBA basketball player and singer Iman. Taylor has also sung as featured vocalist on recordings by Trey Songz, Missy Elliott, and Kanye West, and co-written songs recorded by Usher, Chris Brown, OmarionDecember 10, 1987 ~ Violinist Jascha Heifetz passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of Reuven Heifetz, a local violin teacher. Child prodigy. Played Carnegie Hall upon his arrival in America, becoming an instant hit while still in his teens. Acclaimed as “the best violinist since Niccolò Paganini” by some critics. Late in life became a dedicated teacher and champion of socio-political causes ~ Heifetz was born in 1901
December 10, 1987 ~ Leroy Elliott Stewart, commonly known as double bassist Slam Stewart, passed away in Binghampton, New York, USA ~ Played the violin before switching to bass at age 20. Mostly known as a session musician particularly active during the 1940s for artists such as Lester Young, Fats Waller, Coleman Hawkins, Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, Johnny Guarnieri, Red Norvo, Don Byas, Benny Goodman, and Beryl Booker ~ Stewart was born in 1914