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 13, 2025 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Abraham Quintanilla, full name Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr, passed away in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Patriarch of the Quintanilla family, producer and thriving force behind the career of his daughter Selena who would become known as “the Queen of Tejano”. Selena, along with siblings AB Quintanilla and Suzette Quintanilla, sang in the family outfit from a young age. The band would perform at the family's restaurant, weddings, and clubs, yet initially was met with discrimination as they sang in English rather than Spanish. According to Abraham Quintanilla Mexican Americans would reject the group because they sang in English, while white audiences rejected them because they were Mexicans. However, label executive José Behar saw the crossover potential of Selena and signed her to Capitol Records in 1989, for whom she recorded both in English and Spanish. Selena would become one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century, acknowledged for catapulting the Tejano genre into the mainstream market. Selena scored about a dozen top 10 hits on the Billboard Latin charts until being shot and killed at age 23. Well known songs include Amor Prohibido, Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, No Me Queda Más, and Fotos Y Recuerdos ~ Quintanilla was born in 1939
December 13, 2025 ~ R&B, soul, funk singer Carl Carlton passed away ~ Although Carlton has scored only a handful of mainstream hits, he is considered a staple of the Northern soul scene with about half a dozen albums to his name from the early 1970s through the mid 1980s. Carlton, known as Little Carl Carlton early on in his career, is perhaps best known for his 1974 Robert Knight cover Everlasting Love, which reached No.6 Billboard Hot 100, and for She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built She's Stacked) which helped revitalize his career in the early 1980s. The latter reached No.2 Billboard R&B, his highest charting on the tally, No.22 Billboard Hot 100, earned the singer a Grammy Award nomination, has since become a staple of R&B radio, and has been sampled by dozens of R&B and hip hop artists including notably by Das EFX in Straight Out Of The Sewer and by Foxy Brown in Big Bad Mamma ~ Carlton was born in 1952December 13, 2022 ~ Ayub Bey, commonly known as hip-hop rapper, MC, producer, songwriter Grand Daddy IU, passed away ~ Closely associated with the Juice Crew. Ghostwriter for Biz Markie and Roxanne Shanté. Has released a number of solo albums, starting with Smooth Assassin in 1990. Has worked with Das EFX, Heltah Skeltah, KRS One, Ice-T, and Tupac Shakur ~ Bey was born in 1968
December 13, 2022 ~ Blues rock guitarist, singer Kim Simmonds passed away in Rhyl, UK ~ Frontman of Savoy Brown, which he co-founded with blues harpist John O'Leary. With heavy promotion and excessive touring the band would find success in America. Best known for their early albums, 1968's Getting To The Point, 1969's Blue Matter and 1970's Looking In considered landmark albums ~ Simmonds was born in 1947
December 13, 2022 ~ Ubaldo Rodriguez Santos, commonly known as salsa singer Lalo Rodríguez, passed away in Carolina, Puerto Rico ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name. Best known for his 1988 hit Ven Devórame Otra Vez. Has previously worked with Eddie Palmieri, including on the Grammy Award-winning The Sun Of Latin Music album. Has also worked with Eddie Santiago, José Alberto El Canario, and Frankie Ruiz ~ Rodríguez was born in 1958
December 13, 2021 ~ Soul, R&B singer Joe Simon passed away ~ Member of gospel outfit the Golden West Singers. Dubbed “the mouth of the South” for his distinctive voice, critically compared to Otis Redding and Jackie Wilson. As a solo artist known for a two decade career, charting with R&B singles such as The Chokin' Kind, The Power Of Love and perhaps his best known Get Down Get Down Get On The Floor. Was backed by Sly Stone and Larry Graham on his first major hit My Adorable One ~ Simon was born in 1943
December 13, 2021 ~ Punk rock guitarist John Nolan passed away ~ Member of Behind The Magnolia. Member of Bored, present on the band's debut album Negative Waves and its follow-up Take It Out On You album. Left the band in 1991 along with Tim Hemensley to form the Powder Monkeys, releasing the albums Smashed On A Knee, Time Wounds All Heels and Lost City Blues before disbanding in the early 2000s ~ Nolan was born in 1966
December 13, 2020 ~ Pauline Anna Strom, commonly known as keyboardist, electronic composer the Trans-Milennia Consort, passed away ~ Released her eponymous The Trans-Millenia Consort debut album in 1982. Strom said she translated visual ideas into sound, mapping an inner world of imagined pasts, possible futures and alternate realities. Retired from music by the late 1980s to focus on building a spiritual healing practice. A collection of shelved tapes would be bundled into the 2017 Trans-Millenia Music album, rekindling interest in her music. Strom was working on new material at the time of her unexpected death, the project posthumously released as Angel Tears In Sunlight in 2021 ~ Strom was born in 1946
December 13, 2019 ~ Trumpeter, cornetist, conductor Bram Gay, full name Bramwell Clifford Gay, passed away in France ~ Joined the Foden's Band at age 13. Would go on to work with the Royal Opera House starting in the early 1970s, serving as its orchestra director from 1974 through 1995 ~ Gay was born in 1930
December 13, 2019 ~ Emilio Joseph Radocchia, commonly known as jazz, classical, rock vibraphonist Emil Richards, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Lionel Hampton. Active since the early 1950s, beginning his career in music working with artists such as Toshiko Akiyoshi, Charles Mingus, Ed Thigpen and appearing on recordings by Perry Como, Ray Charles, Mitchell Ayres. Played bongos on the original version of the Mission Impossible theme composed and performed by Lalo Schifrin. Would continue to work well into the 2010s, notable collaborations including Frank Capp, Paul Horn, Louie Bellson, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, George Shearing, Maria Muldaur, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, Marvin Gaye (Let's Get It On), Herb Alpert, the Bee Gees (Saturday Night Fever), Ry Cooder, Donovan, Blondie (Autoamerican), Tom Waits, Queen Latifah, Gregory Porter, and Josh Groban ~ Radocchia was born in 1932
December 13, 2019 ~ Rock, garage rock, proto-punk singer, guitarist Roy Loney passed away ~ Influential on punk and power-pop. Original lead singer of the Flamin' Groovies, remaining with the band from 1965 through 1971. Present on the band's first three critically acclaimed albums, namely Supersnazz, Flamingo and Teenage Head ~ Loney was born in 1946December 13, 2018 ~ Singer Nancy Wilson passed away in Pioneertown, California, USA ~ Recorded over 70 albums. Best known for her recordings of You Don't Know How Glad I Am and Guess Who I Saw Today. Worked with Hank Jones, the Great Jazz Trio, the Griffith Park Band, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Ramsey Lewis, and Barry Manilow (co-produced Wilson's With My Lover Beside Me album) ~ Wilson was born in 1937
December 13, 2017 ~ Warrel George Baker, commonly known as reavy metal, progressive metal, thrash metal, power metal singer Warrel Dane, passed away in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Classically trained. Infuenced by Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, George Strait and Bruce Dickinson. Best known as lead singer of Sanctuary and Nevermore. Has also worked with Serpent's Knight, Sanctuary, Behemoth, Shaded Enmity. Released his sole Praises To The War Machine solo album in 2008 and was working on a second album at the time of his death ~ Baker was born in 1961
December 13, 2016 ~ Elizabeth Taylor Pecanins, commonly known as singer, songwriter Betsy Pecanins, passed away in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Dubbed “the Queen of Blues” in Mexico. Over a dozen albums to her name, starting with Viendo Tus Ojos released in 1980. Her style would be described as “unique,” by rock violinist Papa John Creach, who added “you must have black blood hidden in your body.” Her music has been used in films such as La Reina De La Noche, Hasta Morir, and Asesino En Serio ~ Pecanins was born ca.1954
December 13, 2016 ~ Country-soul singer Sundance Head wins NBC's The Voice ~ Sundance Head wins the 11th season of NBC's talent show The Voice, runner-up would be country singer Billy Gilman. Nearly a decade earlier, Head was a contestant on the Fox talent contest American Idol, making it to the semi-finals. Following his win on The Voice, Head released several albums, none of which made the Billboard Hot 200 album charts
December 13, 2015 ~ Singer Louisa Johnson wins The X-Factor UK ~ Louisa Johnson wins the 12th edition of British talent show The X-Factor. Runner-ups would be the duo Reggie 'n Bollie in 2nd place, singer Che Chesterman in 3rd. Following her win on the show, Johnson's winner single Forever Young would reach No.9 on the UK charts. A follow-up single So Good peaked at No.13. Subsequently, Johnson has guested on recordings by Olly Murs, 2 Chainz, Jonas Blue, and Toby Gad
December 13, 2009 ~ Singer, songwriter Joe McElderry wins The X-Factor UK ~ Joe McElderry wins the 6th edition of British talent show The X-Factor. Runner-ups would be singer, songwriter Olly Murs in 2nd place, singer Stacey Solomon in 3rd. Following his success on the show, McElderry has released several albums, starting with Wide Awake which reached top 5 both in the UK and Ireland, has appeared in several television shows, starred in a touring production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and has undertaken a tribute tour celebrating the songs of the late George Michael
December 13, 2008 ~ Singer Alexandra Burke wins The X-Factor UK ~ Alexandra Burke wins the 5th edition of British talent show The X-Factor. Runner-ups would be pop, R&B group JLS in 2nd place, singer Eoghan Quigg in 3rd. Following her win on the show, Burke's winner single title Hallelujah became the top-selling single of the year in the UK as well as the Christmas 2008 No.1. Burke released her Overcome debut album the following year, which spawned three more UK No.1 singles
December 13, 2006 ~ John William Henderson, commonly known as blues guitarist, slide guitarist Homesick James, passed away in Springfield, Missouri, USA ~ Claimed to be the older cousin of Elmore James, to have bought James his first guitar, and to have taught him how to play slide guitar. Present on pivotal James recordings including Dust My Broom, The Sky Is Crying, and Roll & Tumble. Also said to have worked with Yank Rachell, Sleepy John Estes, Blind Boy Fuller, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Big Joe Williams. As a solo artist known for songs such as Lonesome Ole Train and Homesick, the latter giving him his nickname ~ Henderson was born in 1910December 13, 2003 ~ Singer, actress Maisy Stella, full name Maisy Jude Marion Stella, born in Oshawa, Canada ~ Rose to fame appearing on the musical drama series Nashville alongside her sister Lennon Stella. During their time on the show the siblings also formed the duo Lennon & Maisy, performing mostly country covers. Released a solo single, Riding Free, in 2017 for the soundtrack of the animated series Spirit Riding Free
December 13, 2003 ~ Jazz trumpeter, cornetist Webster Young passed away in Vancouver, Washington, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Known for his lyrical style. Has worked with John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Hampton Hawes, Jackie McLean, Ike Turner, Lester Young, Bud Powell, Paul Quinichette, Joe Puma, Mal Waldron, Ed Thigpen, Earl May, and Ray Draper ~ Young was born in 1932
December 13, 2002 ~ Folk rock, rock & roll guitarist Zal Yanovsky passed away in Kingston, Canada ~ One of the first rock & roll performers to wear a cowboy hat, a trend followed by Sonny Bono, Johnny Rivers, David Crosby. Teamed with Denny Doherty in the Halifax Three, the duo later joining Cass Elliott in the Mugwumps. Doherty and Elliot would go on to reach fame in the Mamas & the Papas, Yanovsky would reach fame co-founding Lovin' Spoonful with John Sebastian, scoring the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Do You Believe In Magic, You Didn't Have To Be So Nice, Daydream, Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind, Summer In The City, Rain On The Roof, and Nashville Cats ~ Yanovsky was born in 1944
December 13, 2001 ~ Charles Michael Schuldiner, commonly known as heavy metal, hard rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Chuck Schuldiner, passed away in Altamonte Springs, Florida, USA ~ Sometimes referred to as “the Godfather of Death Metal”. Best known as guitarist, lead singer of metal outfit Death from the band's inception in 1983 until his death in 2001 ~ Schuldiner was born in 1967December 13, 1996 ~ Edith Mae Stith, commonly known as jazz, blues, show tunes singer, dancer Mae Barnes, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Introduced the Charleston dance to Broadway in the 1924 Runnin' Wild musical. Would go on to become a successful nightclub singer. Has released a number of albums in the 1950s ~ Stith was born in 1907
December 13, 1993 ~ Country singer Garth Brooks releases Standing Outside The Fire, lifted off his In Pieces album ~ Brooks wrote the song in half an hour with Jenny Yates, the song telling of taking chances, not playing it safe, because without taking chances you never know what you can achieve. Singer Kenny Loggins sued Garth Brooks claiming Standing Outside The Fire showed remarkable similarity to Loggins' Convictions Of The Heart off his 1991 Leap Of Faith album. Brooks reluctantly admitted he had borrowed from Loggins' song, the case would be settled out of court in 1998 in Loggins' favor for an undisclosed amount. Standing Outside The Fire reached No.3 Billboard Country