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 11, 2023 ~ Sandra Elayne Hurvitz, commonly known as avant-garde jazz, folk-jazz, blues singer, pianist, guitarist, mandolinist Essra Mohawk, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Signed to Reprise Records after being discovered by label executive Mo Ostin, which resulted in the highly acclaimed Primordial Lovers album released in 1970, featuring top-notch backing musicians such as Doug Hastings, Dallas Taylor, and James Zitro. Though never becoming a household name, Mohawk has recorded well through the 2000s to critical acclaim and a devoted following. Best known for songs such as Sufferin' Till Suffrage and Interjections. Songs written or co-written by Hurvitz have been recorded by the likes of Vanilla Fudge, Bobby & the Midnites (Haze), Cyndi Lauper (Change Of Heart), Tina Turner, Lorrie Morgan, Diana Ross, and Rita Coolidge (What's It Gonna Be) ~ Hurvitz was born in 1948
December 11, 2023 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist Jeffrey Foskett passed away ~ Member of 1970s outfit the Pranks. Best known for his association with Brian Wilson, serving as touring and session musician for Wilson solo and the Beach Boys since the 1980s. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the 1996 Thru My Window album regarded by some as “the best Beach Boys album they never recorded”, and has toured or recorded with Jeff Larson, John Blakeley, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra, and Harry Shearer ~ Foskett was born in 1956
December 11, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Richard Kerr, full name Richard Buchanan Kerr, passed away ~ Though a fine singer in his own right, recording some half dozen albums starting in the early 1970s, best known as a songwriter, notably co-writing several of Barry Manilow's most endearing tracks including Mandy, Looks Like We Made It, and Where Are They Now. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Kerr include Millie Jackson (A Fool's Affair), Natalie Cole, Don Partridge, the Glass Bottle (Follow Me), Jennifer Warnes, Roy Orbison, Dionne Warwick (I'll Never Love This Way Again), Helen Reddy, Bonnie Raitt, John Denver (Don't Close Your Eyes Tonight), and Tyrone Davis ~ Kerr was born in 1944
December 11, 2022 ~ Film composer Angelo Badalamenti passed away in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for his work scoring films for David Lynch, including Blue Velvet, The Straight Story, Mulholland Drive, and notably the TV drama series Twin Peaks. The theme of the latter earned Badalamenti a 1990 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Other credits include soundtracks for films such as A Nightmare On Elm Street 3 (Dream Warriors), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Naked In New York, and The Comfort Of Strangers. Badalamenti also composed the opening theme for the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona ~ Badalamenti was born in 1937
December 11, 2020 ~ Singer Taylor Swift releases Willow, lifted off her Evermore album ~ Following a turbulent period, Taylor Swift used the willow, a tree with long thin seemingly frail branches but with firm roots underground, as a metaphor for her own life, the song co-written with the National's Aaron Dessner. Dessner was amazed how quickly Swift wrote the lyrics: “When I sent Taylor the music for Willow, I think she wrote the entire song from start to finish in less than 10 minutes and sent it back to me. It was like an earthquake. Then Taylor said, ‘I guess we are making another album.’ And so they did, Dessner would collaborate with Swift on all but one of the songs on Evermore. Willow would reach top 10 in well over half a dozen countries, including the No.3 spot in the UK, and No.1 on the American Billboard Hot 100
December 11, 2016 ~ Label executive, A&R scout, label founder, producer Bob Krasnow, full name Robert Alan Krasnow, passed away in Wellington, Florida, USA ~ Associated with various labels including King Records, Blue Thumb Records, Loma Records, Elektra Records, Warner Bros Records, Asylum Records. Co-founder of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Discovered and signed Captain Beefheart, produced Beefheart's acclaimed 1967 Safe As Milk debut album. Krasnow was also helpful in advancing the careers of acts such as Ben Sidran, Gerry Rafferty, Hugh Masekela, the Pointer Sisters, Marc Bolan, Clifton Chenier, John Mayall, Chaka Khan, Funkadelic, Teddy Pendergrass, Womack & Womack, Public Image Ltd, and the Cure ~ Krasnow was born in 1934
December 11, 2016 ~ Singer, songwriter Matt Terry wins The X-Factor UK ~ Matt Terry wins the thirteenth edition of British talent show The X-Factor. Runner-ups would be the singer, songwriter Saara Aalto in 2nd place, boy band 5 After Midnight in 3rd. Following his win on the show, Terry's debut single When Christmas Comes Around would reach No.3 on the UK charts. Terry issued his Trouble debut album the following year
December 11, 2011 ~ Girl group Little Mix win The X-Factor UK ~ Little Mix win the 8th edition of British talent show The X-Factor. Runner-ups would be singer Marcus Collins in 2nd place, singer Amelia Lily in 3rd. Their win on the show would catapult the girl group to national fame, and kickstart a string of UK top 10 hits through the 2020s including the No.1 singles Cannonball, Wings, Black Magic, Shout Out To My Ex, and Sweet Melody. The band is regarded as the show's most successful winning act, have garnered critical acclaim and have been ranked by some, especially the British press, as “the biggest girl group in the world”December 11, 2010 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, Raise Your Glass by Pink hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as a new single off her Greatest Hits (So Far) compilation album, Raise Your Glass is Pink's tribute to her fans after two years on the road. Produced by Max Martin and Shellback, who co-wrote the song with Pink, the banger Raise Your Glass would be warmly received by critics and reach top 10 in over a dozen countries including No.1 in the singer's native America. Pink had topped the American charts twice before, Lady Marmalade, a collaborative Labelle-cover with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, and Mya hit No.1 in 2001, and So What reached the top spot in 2008. The latter was also co-written by Max Martin and Shellback
December 11, 2006 ~ Doo-wop singer Walter Ward passed away ~ Lead singer of 1950s doo-wop group the Olympics, known for songs such as Western Movies, I Wanna Dance With The Teacher, Baby Hully Gully which inspired a dance craze, and for Good Lovin' which would later be covered by the Young Rascals ~ Ward was born in 1940
December 11, 2004 ~ Singer Steve Brookstein wins The X-Factor UK ~ Brookstein wins the 1st edition of The X-Factor. Runner-ups would be vocal group G4 in 2nd place, singer Tabby Callaghan in 3rd. Following his win on the show, Brookstein's coronation single Against All Odds would reach the top of the UK charts, surpassing the Phil Collins original by one spot. Brookstein released his Heart And Soul debut album in 2005December 11, 2002 ~ Christopher Gilbert, commonly known as drummer Kip Gilbert, passed away ~ Member of psychedelic pop group the Rainy Daze, fronted by Gilbert's brother singer, guitarist Tim Gilbert, known best for their 1967 modest hit That Acapulco Gold and sole album of the same name. The single would make it to the high 70s on the Billboard Hot 100 but was pulled once it was realized it was a pro-marijuana song ~ Gilbert was born ca.1945
December 11, 2000 ~ Country singer Faith Hill releases Where Are You Christmas, recorded for the soundtrack of the Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas film ~ Written by Mariah Carey, James Horner, and Will Jennings for the film, in which it is sung by singer, actress Taylor Momsen. Carey also wrote and recorded a full-length pop version with additional lyrics, yet due to legal issues with her ex-husband and former manager Tommy Mottola Carey did not release her version. The song would be re-recorded and released by singer Faith Hill, which became a modest hit, peaking at No.26 on the Billboard Country charts, No.65 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
December 11, 1998 ~ Nu metal, funk metal, hardcore punk singer Lynn Strait, full name James Lynn Strait, passed away in Santa Barbara, California, USA ~ Bassist in thrash metal band Lethal Dose. Would rise to notoriety as lead singer of nu metal band Snot, known for their sole album Get Some released in 1997. Strait was killed in a six-car pile-up, the band disbanding after his death. The remaining band members released Strait Up in 2000 as a tribute album to Strait, featuring guests such as System Of A Down's Serj Tarkian, Korn's Jonathan Davis, Soulfly's Max Cavalera, Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, and Slipknot's Corey Taylor ~ Strait was born in 1968December 11, 1996 ~ Actress, singer Hailee Steinfeld born in Tarzana, California, USA ~ Started her acting career at age 10. Received an Academy Award in 2010 for Best Supporting Actress in the drama western film True Grit. As a singer released her debut EP, Haiz, in 2015. Known for songs such as Love Myself and Starving with Grey featuring Zedd. Has also notably guested on recordings by Prince Fox, and Drax Project
December 11, 1992 ~ Tuba player, bandleader Andy Kirk, full name Andrew Dewey Kirk, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as leader of the Clouds Of Joy taking over for Terrence Holder in 1929. The band would also include pianist Mary Lou Williams and is best known for songs such as I Won't Tell A Soul (I Love You) featuring vocalist Pha Terrell, Take It & Git and Hey Lawdy Mama ~ Kirk was born in 1898
December 11, 1984 ~ Professional whistler Fred Lowery passed away in Jacksonville, Texas, USA ~ Blind professional whistler best known for his 1939 version of Indian Love Call, which sold 2 million copies, and the 1954 hit High & Mighty with conductor Leroy Holmes, which peaked at No.9 Billboard. Lowery performed with Horace Heidt and Vincent Lopez in the 1930s and 1940s. Over the course of his career Lowery whistled at Carnegie Hall and at the White House ~ Lowery was born in 1909
December 11, 1982 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist Lazy Bill Lucas passed away in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Worked with Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Willie Mabon, Earl Dranes, Johnny Man Young, Jo Jo Williams, Homesick James, Little Hudson, Snooky Pryor, Little Walter, and Little Willy Foster ~ Lucas was born in 1918
December 11, 1976 ~ William Augusta Trice, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer Willie Trice, passed away in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Released only a handful of recordings, notably Come On In Here Mama and Let Her Go God Bless Her in the late 1930s, yet without commercial success ensuing. Well known locally though, playing his ragtime-influenced country blues in the 1930s and 1940s to some success. Trice would release a full-length album containing standards and originals, Blue And Rag'd, in the mid 1970s ~ Trice was born in 1908December 11, 1975 ~ Jazz singer Lee Wiley passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Popular jazz singer from the 1930s through the 1950s. Worked with Leo Reisman (Got The South In My Soul), Bunny Berigan, Bud Freeman, Max Kaminsky, Victor Young (Just So You'll Remember), Fats Waller, Billy Butterfield, Bobby Hackett, Eddie Condon, Stan Freeman, Cy Walter, Jess Stacy, Paul Whiteman, the Dorsey Brothers, and Johnny Green (Easy Come Easy Go) ~ Wiley was born in 1908
December 11, 1973 ~ Dante Terrell Smith, commonly known as alternative hip-hop, progressive rap singer, rapper, keyboardist, bassist, drummer, songwriter, actor Mos Def, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Got his start in music in the mid 1990s as member of short-lived sibling group Urban Thermo Dynamics, appearing on recordings by the Bush Babees and De La Soul. Subsequently formed the duo Black Star with Talib Kweli, releasing their eponymous Black Star debut album in 1998. Released his Black On Both Sides solo debut album the following year and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Well known songs include Body Rock featuring Q-Tip and Tash, Ms Fat Booty, Jam On It, and Oh No with Pharoahe Monch featuring Nate Dogg. Smith is also known as an actor, appearing in films such as The Italian Job and TV series such as Dexter and House.December 11, 1972 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist, composer JD Allen born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Worked with George Cables, Betty Carter, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Frank Foster, Butch Morris, David Murray, Wallace Roney, Lucian Ban, Cindy Blackman, Gerald Cleaver, Dave Douglas, Orrin Evans, Duane Eubanks, Marcus Gilmore, Russell Gun, Winard Harper, Elisabeth Kontomanou, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jeremy Pelt, Eric Revis, Lisa Hilton, Nigel Kennedy, Jameo Brown, Tarbaby, and Ozan Musluoglo
December 11, 1971 ~ Jazz vibraphonist, composer Mattias Ståhl born in Oskarshamn, Sweden ~ Leader and sideman. Besides vibraphone plays marimbar, glockenspiel, clarinet, harmonica, keyboards and percussion. Known for his 2001 Ståhls Blå debut album. Has worked with Eirik Hegdal, Cecilia Persson, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Lennart Åberg, Bengt Berger, Fredrik Nordström, Lina Nyberg, Alberto Pinton, Per Tjernberg, and Anglès
December 11, 1969 ~ Singer Wanda Jackson records A Woman Lives For Love in Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Glenn Sutton, Norro Wilson and George Richey, the latter also producing. Released the next March, paired with What Have We Done on the B-side, it earned Wanda Jackson a Grammy Award nomination, losing out to Lynn Anderson's Rose Garden though
December 11, 1968 ~ Bluegrass fiddler, guitarist, banjoist, mandolinist Ron Stewart born in Paoli, Indiana, USA ~ Worked with Curly Seckler, the Kentucky Ramblers, the Lynn Morris Band, Time Stands Still, JD Crowe, Dan Tyminski, the Boxcars, the Seldom Scene, Don Rigsby, Rhonda Vincent, Audie Blaylock, Ginny Hawker, Jeannie Kendall, Bradley Walker, Tony Trischka, Lou Reid, and the Spinney Brothers
December 11, 1968 ~ Skate punk, speed metal, stoner rock bassist Shaun Ross born in Venice, California, USA ~ Influenced by a wide array of artists ranging from punk and hard rock to soul, funk and fusion. Notable influences include Rudimentary Peni, Sly & the Family Stone and Deep Purple. Member of crossover thrash band Excel from 1985, replacing Ricky Palamino, until its disbandement a decade later. Present on all of the band's three studio albums starting with the band's 1987 Split Image debut