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, 1980 ~ British punk rockers the Clash release their Sandinista 3-LP set ~ The band originally wanted their previous album, 1979's London Calling, to be a 2-LP set, the label only allowing them a single disc. Now they took a significant cut in royalties to have their Sandinista album issued as a reasonably priced 3-LP set containing three dozen songs. Considered one of the most influential punk rock albums, it drew from a wide variety of genres including funk, reggae, jazz, gospel, rockabilly, and rap, and clearly showed the influence of renowned dub producer Lee Scratch Perry. Well known tracks include Hitsville UK featuring Mick Jones's then-girlfriend Ellen Foley, the title a nod to Motown who used the moniker Hitsville USA for its first headquarters, and the danceable The Magnificent Seven centered around a funky bass and strongly inspired by up-and-coming rap acts such as Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash & the Furious FiveDecember 12, 1977 ~ Progressive metal, Christian metal drummer David Husvik born ~ First gained attention drumming in Extol, considered one of the more influential Christian metal bands. Would go on to work with Absurd, the Crest, Twisted Into Form, Ganglion, Aperture, Doctor Midnight & the Mercy Cult, Insection, and Azusa
December 12, 1974 ~ Orchestra leader, pianist, accordionist, songwriter Billy Reid, full name William Gordon Reid passed away ~ Popular from the 1930s through the 1950s. Wrote a number of songs for singer Dorothy Squires, including The Gypsy, A Tree In The Meadow and I'm Walking Behind You, all of which would become US hits for other vocalists ~ Reid was born in 1902December 12, 1974 ~ Hugh Steven James Mingay, commonly known as avant-garde metal, symphonic metal guitarist Hugh Mingay or Skoll, born ~ Member of Arcturus from 1995 to 2000, and again from 2002 until the band's disbandement in 2007. Has also worked with Ulver, Ved Buens Ede, and with Fimbulwinter
December 12, 1973 ~ Alternative rock, alternative metal violinist, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Paz Lenchantin born in Mar del Plata, Argentina ~ Member of the Pixies since 2014. Has played bass or strings for a number of artists including A Perfect Circle, Ashes Divide, Brightblack Morning Light, Entrance, Jenny Lewis, Josephine Foster, Kaura, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Queenadreena, the Queens Of The Stone Age, Silver Jews, the Trust Company, Zwan, and Jarboe
December 12, 1972 ~ Shelton Hank Williams, commonly known as cowpunk, psychobilly, stoner metal singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist Hank Williams III, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of Hank Williams Jr, grandson of iconic country singer Hank Williams. Known for his unique blend of country, rockabilly and punk rock. Key member of metalcore outfit Assjack. Drummer of punk band Arson Anthem. Bassist in Superjoint Ritual led by Pantera singer Phil Anselmo. Also an acclaimed solo artist with a devoted followingDecember 12, 1972 ~ Rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Quan Yeomans born in Sydney, Australia ~ Co-founding member, frontman of Regurgitator, known for songs such as Polyester Girl and Happiness (Rotting My Brain). Also formed Happyland with his then-girlfriend Janet English, known for Don't You Know Who I Am and Hello
December 12, 1970 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, The Tears Of A Clown by the Miracles hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Henry Cosby and Stevie Wonder had laid out the instrumental part of the song, leaving Smokey Robinson to come up with lyrics. As Robinson decided the song sounded like a circus, he came up with the image of clown. Robinson would later explain: “I was trying to think of something that would be significant, that would touch people's hearts, but still be dealing with the circus. So what is that? Pagliacci, of course. The clown who cries. And after he makes everyone else happy with the smile painted on his face, then he goes into his dressing room and cries because he's sad. That was the key.” The single would become the first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 for the Miracles, and the only one during their time with lead singer Smokey Robinson, who left the group in 1972December 12, 1965 ~ Funk, R&B, blues drummer Russell Batiste Jr, full name David Russell Batiste Jr, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Formed the trio Porter Batiste Stoltz with bassist George Porter Jr and guitarist Brian Stoltz. Has also worked with the Funky Meters, Walter Wolfman Washington, Vida Blue, Harry Connick Jr, Champion Jack Dupree, Robbie Robertson, Maceo Parker, Papa Grows Funk, and the Nuclear Rhythms ~ Batiste passed away in 2023
December 12, 1964 ~ R&B, pop singer Aaron Brown, full name Jeff Aaron Brown, born ~ Member of UK R&B, soul group the Pasadenas, best known for their Tribute (Right On) single of their 1988 To Whom It May Concern debut album. The single would be a hit across Europe, reaching top 10 in their native UK and topping the charts in the NetherlandsDecember 12, 1963 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Eric Schenkman born in Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Spin Doctors, best known for Little Miss Can't Be Wrong and the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Two Princes both taken of the band's 1991 Pocket Full Of Kryptonite debut album. Schenkman also formed the duo Cork with Mountain-drummer Corky Laing
December 12, 1961 ~ Country, easy listening, folk singer, songwriter Daniel O'Donnell, full name Daniel Francis Noel O'Donnell, born in Kincasslagh, Ireland ~ Considered a cultural icon in Ireland and the UK. Rose to prominence in the early 1980s. Merges country and Irish folk. As of 2012 the first artist to have a different album in the British charts every year for 25 consecutive years. Sold over 10 million recordsDecember 12, 1960 ~ Reggae, lovers rock singer, bassist, songwriter Peter Hunnigale, also known as Mr Honey Vibes, born in South London, UK ~ Got his start in music playing bass guitar for the Vibes Corner Collective. Debuted as a solo singer in 1983 with the single Slipping Away. A full-length album, In This Time, followed in 1987 and has recorded about a dozen albums since. Well known songs include Got To Know You, Be My Lady, and Ragamuffin Girl
December 12, 1960 ~ Diane Luckey, commonly known as singer Q Lazzarus, born in Neptune Township, New Jersey, USA ~ The singer had been repeatedly turned down by record companies, unable to categorize and market her. A chance encounter with director Jonathan Demme led to him using her songs in several of her films, starting with Candle Goes Away in the 1986 Something Wild action comedy. She is most noted for her 1988 recording of Goodbye Horses, first used by Demme in the crime romantic comedy Married To The Mob and again in his Academy Award-winning psychological horror thriller The Silence Of The Lambs. The song would become a cult hit after inclusion in the latter. Despite the exposure of her music to a wide audience, Luckey never really got her music career off the ground ~ Luckey passed away in 2022December 12, 1960 ~ Jazz trombonist Sebi Tramontana born in Rosolini, Italy ~ Associated with the avant-garde jazz and free improvisation movements. Member of the Italian Instabile Orchestra. Has guested on recordings by Gioconda Cilio, Mario Schiano, Antonio Moncadae, Joëlle Léandre, Jeb Bishop, and Carlos Zingaro
December 12, 1958 ~ Drummer, songwriter Leo Kenter born in Wervershoof, the Netherlands ~ Best known as drummer of de Tröckener Kecks, remaining with the band through 1995. Also co-wrote songs for Jan Rot. Published his De Kameleons novel in 2001, portraying the rise of a Dutch band and said to be at least slightly inspired on the story of the Kecks
December 12, 1957 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Cy Curnin born in Wimbledon, UK ~ Lead singer of new wave outfit the Fixx, known for Billboard top 20 hits such as One Thing Leads To Another, Saved By Zero, Are We Ourselves and Secret Separation. Has been recording steadily as a solo artist since the mid 2000s
December 12, 1957 ~ Sheila Cecilia Escovedo, commonly known as drummer, singer, songwriter Sheila E, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo. Goddaughter of Latin icon Tito Puente. Sometimes referred to as “the Queen of Percussion.” Backed artists such as Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, Diana Ross and notably George Duke in the 1970s. Rose to fame with her The Glamorous Life debut album released in 1984, which included the hit singles The Belle Of St Mark, Sister Faate and her best known A Love Bizarre. Also known for her association with Prince starting around the same time, guesting on the Purple Rain album and notably providing vocals on the non-album track Erotic City used as the flip side to Let's Go Crazy. Continued to work with Prince through the end of decade as well as release solo albums. Has also worked with Azteca, the Blackout All-Stars, and with Ringo Starr & his All-Starr BandDecember 12, 1956 ~ Jazz bassist, songwriter, producer Geir Holmsen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Married to singer Maj Britt Andersen. Worked with Krabol, Lotus, Terje Lie, Paul Weeden, Espen Rud, Dirlef Eckhoff, Chipahua, Jon Eberson, the Jazzponkensemblet, the Oslo Rhythm & Blues Ensemble, Silje Nergaard, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Vindel, Torbjørn Sunder, Kong Lavring, Dollie de Luxe, and Latini
December 12, 1956 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records I'll Come Running Back To You at Cosimo's Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana ~ Penned by Sam Cooke. Produced by Robert Bumps Blackwell. Released as Cooke's sophomore single in 1957. It would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B charts. Cooke recorded Forever, used as the single's B-side, during the same session
December 12, 1955 ~ Charles Edward Davenport, commonly known as blues organist, singer Cow Cow Davenport, passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Closely associated with Dora Carrand Tampa Red. As a solo artist best known for the 1928 recording Cow Cow Blues containing an influential piano riff widely used in blues recordings since, up to and including in the Ahmet Ertegun-penned Mess Around, an early 1950s hit for Ray Charles. Davenport reportedly claimed to have written Arthur Crudup's Mama Don't Allow It and Louis Armstrong's I'll Be Glad When You're Dead (You Rascal You), but have sold the rights ~ Davenport was born in 1894December 12, 1954 ~ Robert Neil Morris, commonly known as drummer, singer, songwriter Colonel Robert Morris, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his gold record Trucker's Last Ride and for his association with rockabilly star Charlie Feathers. Has also worked with Eddie Bond, BB King, Rufus Thomas, Ma Rainey, Big Sam Clarke, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ronnie Milsap, and Charlie Rich ~ Morris passed away in 2013
December 12, 1954 ~ Jazz bassist, double bassist Jeff Johnson born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Over a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for the albums The Art Of Falling, Near Earth and Silent Photographer. In-demand sideman, has worked with the likes of Philly Joe Jones, Charlie Rouse, Barney Kessel, Chet Baker, Lew Tabackin, Joanne Brackeen, George Cables, and Bud Shank
December 12, 1953 ~ Songwriter, producer Byron Hill born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA ~ Songwriter, producer with a career spanning four decades. Artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Hill include Joe Sun (Out Of Your Mind), Johnny Lee (Picking Up Strangers), Ray Charles (The Pages Of My Mind), Ed Bruce (Nights), Larry Stewart (Alright Already), Tracy Byrd (Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous), George Jones (High Tech Redneck), Anne Murray (Over You), Neal McCoy (If I Was A Drinking Man), Sammy Kershaw (Politics Religion & Her), Joe Nichols (Size Matters), George Strait (Fool Hearted Memory), Alabama (Born Country), and Gary Allan (Nothing On But The Radio)
December 12, 1953 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Dan Baird, full name Daniel John Baird, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Cowpunk, alt-country pioneer. Lead singer, rhythm guitarist, co-founding member of the Georgia Satellites, best known for their 1986 Billboard top 10 hit Keep Your Hands To Yourself. Baird released his solo debut album, Love Songs For The Hearing Impaired, in 1992