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 12, 2025 ~ Percussionist, pianist, singer, bandleader, composer Marilyn Mazur passed away ~ Co-founding member of Future Song, which included her husband Klavs Hovman. Has also worked with Six Winds, Alex Riel, John Tchicai, Pierre Dørge, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Palle Mikkelborg, Arild Andersen, Eberhard Weber, Peter Kowald, Jeanne Lee, Jan Garbarek, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, Dhafer Youssef, and Makiko Hirabayashi ~ Mazur was born in 1955
December 12, 2024 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Martial Solal passed away in Versailles, France ~ Alongside Django Reinhardt, Solal is considered one of the most important European jazz musicians. Held in the highest regards by Duke Ellington. Influenced both by contemporary classical composers such as Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky, Alban Berg, and Olivier Messiaen, as well as swing, stride, and jazz pianists including Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum, Erroll Garner, Bud Powell, and Bill Evans. Praised for his intuitive approach to improvisation, Solal has recorded well over 50 albums as a leader, co-leader or solo pianist since the mid 1950s, composed chamber music, and written and performed some 20 soundtracks including notably for Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 directing debut À Bout De Soufflé, known in English as Breathless. Closely associated with Sidney Bechet, with whom he regularly toured. Solal has also collaborated with the likes of Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Lee Konitz, Stéphane Grappelli, Michel Portal, Dave Douglas, and David Liebman. On performing with Solal, the latter once commented: “I will admit that at times I had no idea what he was playing either behind me or during his solos. His almost constant reharmonization is out of this world. (…) Martial also sprinkles a scattering of 20th century classical dissonances around, which might happen at any time. In fact, anything can happen at any moment!” ~ Solal was born in 1927
December 12, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author Ole Paus, full name Ole Christian Paus, passed away in Drammen, Norway ~ Actively recording since the early 1970s. Regarded as Norway's premier troubadour, described as the Norwegian counterpart to Bob Dylan and as “the Voice of the Nation”. Best known for songs such as Innerst I Sjelen and Engler I Sneen. Frequent collaborator of Ketil Bjørnstad. Father of classical composer Marcus Paus, with whom he has also worked ~ Paus was born in 1947
December 12, 2021 ~ Ranchera singer, songwriter, actor Vicente Fernández, full name Vicente Fernández Gómez, passed away in Guadalajara, Mexico ~ Cultural icon with over 30 films to his name, over 50 albums with a total sales of an estimated 50 million copies. Best known for Volver Volver, notably covered by both Nana Moskouri and Ry Cooder. Other well known songs include El Rey, Dos Corazones, Aunque Mal Paguen Ellas, Que Sepan Todos, Yo Quiero, Aca Entre Nos, Miseria, and No Te Vayas. His son, Alejandro Fernández, would also become a popular singer ~ Fernández was born in 1940
December 12, 2020 ~ Robert Nathan Sheff, commonly known as avant-garde pianist, composer Gene Tyranny or Blue Gene Tyranny, passed away in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for Country Boy Country Dog (How To Discover Music In The Sounds Of Your Daily Life album. Closely associated with Robert Ashley, appearing on over half a dozen of Ashley's albums. Toured with Carla Bley and with Iggy Pop. Has also guested on albums by Peter Laurence Gordon (Star Jaws), David van Tieghem, Laurie Anderson, and Philip Krumm (Formations) ~ Sheff was born in 1945December 12, 2019 ~ Giovanni Domenico Scafone Jr, commonly known as rock & roll, rockabilly singer, songwriter Jack Scott, passed away in Warren, Michigan, USA ~ Hailed as perhaps Canada's greatest rock & roll singer. Known for songs such as Leroy, Goodbye Baby, The Way I Walk, What In The World's Come Over You, Burning Bridges and It Only Happened Yesterday ~ Scafone was born in 1936
December 12, 2017 ~ Rock, power pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Pat DiNizio, full name Patrick Michael DiNozio, passed away in Summit, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founded the Smithereens in 1980, known for songs such as Behind The Wall Of Sleep, In A Lonely Place, A Girl Like You, and Too Much Passion. The band has also collaborated with artists such as Belinda Carlisle, Julian Lennon, Lou Reed, and Suzanne Vega ~ DiNizio was born in 1955
December 12, 2017 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Willie Pickens passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Eddie Harris, Buddy DeFranco, Louie Bellson, Elvin Jones, Dan Shapera, Robert Shy, Nicholas Payton, Marian McPartland, George Mraz, Joe Farnsworth, Larry Gray, Milton Suggs, Bunky Green, Francine Griffin, Steve Grossman, Clark Terry, Frank Catalano, Von Freeman, Peter Lerner, and Malachi Thompson ~ Pickens was born in 1931
December 12, 2016 ~ Harvey Charles Goering, commonly known as Chicago blues, electric blues pianist, singer, songwriter Barrelhouse Chuck, passed away in Libertyville, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Pinetop Perkins, the longtime pianist for Muddy Waters. As a solo artist recorded about a dozen albums, especially noted for 2002's Prescription For The Blues. Also particularly known for collaborating with Mud Morganfield and Kim Wilson on the 2012 For Pops (A Tribute To Muddy Waters) album. Other notable associations include Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Hubert Sumlin, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Otis Big Smokey Smothers, Mississippi Heat, SP Leary, Calvin Fuzz Jones, Nick Moss, and Willie Big Eyes Smith ~ Goering was born in 1958December 12, 2016 ~ Singer, songwriter Jim Lowe, full name James Ellsworth Lowe, passed away in East Hampton, New York, USA ~ Best known for his 1956 hit The Green Door and for writing Gambler's Guitar, a million-seller for Rusty Draper. Also a radio host and personality, considered an export on popular music of the 1940s and 1950s ~ Lowe was born in 1923
December 12, 2012 ~ Blues guitarist, harpist, singer, songwriter Eddie Guitar Burns passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Sonny Boy Williamson I and Big Bill Broonzy. Guested on John Lee Hooker's 1966 The Real Folk Blues album. Released his Bottle Up & Go debut album in 1972. Had his Orange Driver covered by the J Geils Band for their 1975 Hotline album ~ Burns was born in 1928
December 12, 2011 ~ Country, country-pop outfit Lady Antebellum release Dancin' Away With My Heart, lifted off their Own The Night album ~ Featuring Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley as co-lead singers, Dancin' Away With My Heart would reach No.2 Billboard Country, making it their eighth consecutive top 10 hit. Scott, who co-wrote the song, would later explain its meaning to the Boot: “This song is about looking back on a really special night that you shared with someone, but I also think there's a timelessness about it. No matter how long it's been or what the other person is doing now, you will always imagine them to be '18 and beautiful and Dancin' Away With My Heart. That mental picture never changes because that night was magical. I love how romantic that is!”
December 12, 2010 ~ Singer, songwriter Matt Cardle wins The X-Factor UK ~ Matt Cardle wins the 7th edition of British talent show The X-Factor. Runner-ups would be singer, songwriter Rebecca Ferguson in 2nd place, pop group One Direction in 3rd. Following his win on the show, Cardle landed a record deal with Syco Music. Cardle's coronation single When We Collide reached the top of the charts in both the UK and Ireland. His full-length Letters debut album released the following year reached No.2 UK. Prior to his success on the show, Cardle had fronted the rock bands Darwyn and Seven Summers
December 12, 2007 ~ Izear Luster Turner Jr, commonly known as pianist, guitarist, singer Ike Turner, passed away in San Marcos, California, USA ~ Perhaps the most vilified musician in pop and rock history, known for substance abuse and his at times abusive relationship with Tina Turner overshadowing his contributions to both early rock & roll and R&B. Fronted the Kings Of Rhythm, known for the 1951 Rocket '88 hit recording which is often cited as one of the first rock & roll records. Talent scout and producer instrumental in the early careers of BB King, Howlin' Wolf, Bobby Blue Bland. Became a global household name with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue co-fronted with his then-wife Tina. The pair would become one of the most popular R&B duos in history, known for their energetic stage presence, scoring a string of hits from the early 1960s through the 1970s including A Fool In Love, It's Gonna Work Out Fine, Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits and perhaps their best known River Deep Mountain High, the latter described by producer Phil Spector as his best work ~ Turner was born in 1931
December 12, 2006 ~ Dixieland, swing clarinetist, saxophonist Kenny Davern, full name John Kenneth Davern, passed away in Sandia Park, New Mexico, USA ~ Decided to pursue a career in music after hearing Pee Wee Russell. Well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for his collaborations with Bob Wilber under the common moniker Soprano Summit. A jazz purist praised for the clarity and pureness of his tone, Davern would establish himself as an in-demand sideman working with the likes of Jack Teagarden (Jazz Great), Phil Napoleon, Pee Wee Erwin, Wild Bill Davison (After Hours), Eddie Condon (Jazz At The New School), Dick Wellstood, Dick Hyman (Some Rags Some Stomps And A Little Blues), Red Norvo, Art Hodes, the Lawson-Haggart Band, George Masso, and Cynthia Sayer ~ Davern was born in 1935
December 12, 2000 ~ Opera, theater director Götz Friedrich passed away in Berlin, Germany ~ Gained international attention with a controversial 1972 production of Richard Wagner's Tännhauser. Defected to the West later the same year. Principal director ar the Hamburg State Opera from 1977 to 1981. Simultaneously director of productions at the Royal Opera House from 1977 to 1981. General director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin from 1981 until his death in 2000. Married to operatic soprano Karan Armstrong since 1979 ~ Friedrich was born in 1930December 12, 1998 ~ Clarinetist, flutist, quena player Gilbert Favre passed away in Russin, Switzerland ~ Traded in his clarinet for the quena, a traditional flute of the Andes, after relocating to South America. Co-founding member of Los Jairas, one of the most popular 1960s Bolivian folk outfits. Closely associated with singer Violeta Parra with whom he was also romantically involved. Parra would later dedicate Run Run Se Fue Pa'l Norte to him. Has also worked with Alfrede Dominguez, and Erneste Cavour ~ Favre was born in 1936
December 12, 1995 ~ Singer Brandy releases Sittin' Up In My Room, recorded for the soundtrack to Waiting To Exhale ~ Written and produced by Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, who would later recall: “That was all part of a number of songs written at the same time. I was at a studio working with Forest Whitaker on a project so I ended up writing Sittin' Up In My Room there. Did the demo at a house I had in Los Angeles. Brandy came over and we put down the idea. It was amazing how quick she did it. I think I listened to some Aaliyah records to start that song idea. Forest ended up using it for a scene in his movie.” The single would reach No.2 Billboard Hot 100, making it Brandy's fourth top 10 hit, preceded by I Wanna Be Down, Baby, and Brokenhearted
December 12, 1992 ~ Douwe Bob Posthuma, commonly known as singer, songwriter Douwe Bob, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ First gained serious attention in 2012 winning the first edition of the talent show De Beste Singer-Songwriter Van Nederland aired on public television. His debut album, Born In A Storm, released the following year would reach top 10 of the Dutch album charts. Best known for songs such as Multicoloured Angels, Hold Me and Slow Down. The latter had served as the Dutch entry for the 2016 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 11th placeDecember 12, 1989 ~ Marcel Gothow, commonly known as glam rock, indie rock, alternative rock drummer Shin, born ~ Member of Cinema Bizarre until its disbandement in 2010. The band has recorded four albums, starting with Final Attraction released in 2007. The album included their best known, the single Lovesongs (They Kill Me) which reached top 10 in the band's native Germany
December 12, 1988 ~ Producer, songwriter Paul Carter born ~ As a recording artist has released a number of recordings under the moniker Benbrick, starting in the mid-2010s. Perhaps best known for his association with Hikaru Utada, writing Sakura Nagashi of her 2016 Fantome album. Carter has also written for Gary Go, Troye Sivan, Mary-Jess Leaverland, and Elva Hsiao
December 12, 1987 ~ Accordionist, singer Clifton Chenier passed away in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA ~ Énergetic and hugely influential cajun, zydeco accordionist, dubbed “the King of Zydeco”. Actively recording since the 1950s, first scoring a national hit in 1955 with the Professor Longhair-cover Ay Tete Fi (Hey Little Girl), Clifton would go on to tour with artists such as Ray Charles, Etta James and Lowell Fulson. He would remain a mainstay, touring extensively for decades. Mainstream popularity would peak in the 1980s, earning a Grammy Award in 1983 for the I'm Here album, the first Grammy for the Alligator Records blues label ~ Chenier was born in 1925
December 12, 1986 ~ Bandleader, cornetist, songwriter Harry Owens, full name Harry Robert Owens, passed away in Eugene, Oregon, USA ~ Best known for leading the Royal Hawaiians. Probably best known for penning Sweet Leilani, first recorded by Ted Fio Rito in 1937 and covered by numerous artists including Bing Crosby for the film Waikiki Wedding. The song would earn Crosby his first gold record and be awarded an Academy Award for Best Song in 1938. Other songs written or co-written by Owens include Linger Awhile (Bailey's Lucky Seven, Fletcher Henderson, Sarah Vaughan), To You Sweetheart Aloha (Dick McIntyre, Louis Armstrong, the Ames Brothers), and Sing Me A Song Of The Islands (Ray Kinney, Alvino Rey, Bert Ambrose) ~ Owens was born in 1902December 12, 1981 ~ Heavy metal guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, violinist Olof Mörck born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Best known as member of Amaranthe and previously of Dragonland. Member of Nightrage from 2006 to 2011. Has also worked with Disarmonia Mundi, My Darling Dismay, Vanisher, Universum, and Lord. Morck is married to flutist, oboist Catalina Popa of symphonic metal band Haggard
December 12, 1981 ~ Rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, clarinetist, saxophonist, percussionist Shawn Fogel, full name Shawn Matthew Fogel, born in New York, USA ~ Influenced by the Beatles and Stevie Wonder. Released his Millions Of Miles Away debut album in 2004, recorded, edited and mixed singlehandedly while in college using the campus facilities. Plays bass guitar with the LeeVees. Member of the Zambonis since 2006