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, 1989 ~ Singer, songwriter Taylor Swift born in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since her mid-teens, starting in country and country-pop and over time ventured into pop, rock, synth-pop, alternative pop-rock. Would become one of all-time best-selling artists reportedly selling over 200 million records worldwide. Debuted in 2006 with the eponymous Taylor Swift debut album. Known for songs such as Teardrops On My Guitar, Love Story, You Belong With Me, Fearless, Today Was A Fairytale, Mine, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, I Knew You Were Trouble, Red, Shake It Off, Blank Space, Bad Blood featuring Kendrick Lamar, I Don't Wanna Live Forever with Zayn Malik, Me, Cardigan, and Willow
December 13, 1986 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby & the Range hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Perhaps casual listeners may perceive the song as just another cheerful radio hit, despite it having no big chorus or catchy hooks, yet a closer listen will reveal the piano-driven The Way It Is actually has a deeper meaning, making explicit references to the Poverty Act and the Civil Rights Act, both passed in 1964, sending the message one should never accept racial and economic inequalities. Hornsby had been working as a staff songwriter for several years, yet was unable to land a record deal as a recording artist. The Way It Is gave him that record deal, and once issued as a single became a major hit reaching top 10 in over half a dozen countries, including the No.1 spot in Canada, the Netherlands, and America. The conservative radio host Sean Hannity has used an instrumental portion of the song as a theme to his show for many years, but Bruce Hornsby, an outspoken liberal, could not do anything about it as long as royalties were paid. In the 1990s, rapper Tupac Shakur would use The Way It Is as the basis for Changes, a song that offers a look at racism and urban life from a black perspective
December 13, 1984 ~ Jazz bassist, double bassist Bill Pemberton, full name William McLane Pemberton, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Pemberton played violin as a child before switching to bass at age 18, and has worked steadily as a valued accompaniest for over 40 years, rarely soloing himself. First gained attention as member of Frankie Newton's ensemble in the early to mid 1940s, subsequently backing musicians such as Herman Chittison, Mercer Ellington, Eddie Barefield, and Billy Kyle through the end of the decade. In later years worked with George Wein, Little Willie John (Fever), Johnny Mathis, Ivory Joe Hunter, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Earl Hines, Vic Dickenson (Gentleman Of The Trombone), Sammy Price, Panama Francis, Bill Coleman, and Doc Cheatham (The Fabulous) ~ Pemberton was born in 1918
December 13, 1983 ~ Alternative metal, post-grunge, alternative rock bassist, keyboardist, guitarist Matt Deis, full name Matthew Christopher Deis, born in Peterborough, New Hampshire, USA ~ Best known as member of CKY from 2005 through 2010, and again from 2015 through 2019. Has also worked with metalcore outfit All That Remains from 2003 through 2005, notably present on the This Darkened Heart album. Has also worked with GWAR, Slipknot, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage. Served as touring bassist for husband and wife country duo Thompson Square in 2021December 13, 1981 ~ Amy Lynn Hartzler, commonly known as singer, songwriter Amy Lee, born in Riverside, California, USA ~ Lead singer, co-founding member of Evanescence, known for songs such as Bring Me To Life, My Immortal, Call Me When Your Sober. Has also collaborated with Korn, Seether, and David Hodges
December 13, 1981 ~ Sena Verdi, commonly known as singer, producer, songwriter Lyonheart, born in Tehran, Iran ~ Influenced by the Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, the Stone Roses, Radiohead, U2. Also known under the moniker Senadee. Has worked in a variety of roles with hip-hop, R&B, pop and dance artists including Akala, BT, Paul Oakenfold, Chicane, Ben Gold, Matt Hardwick, RALE, Ørjan Nilsen, and Dave Winnel
December 13, 1979 ~ Alternative rock, electronic, pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, songwriter Luke Steele born in Perth, Australia ~ Influenced by a wide array of artists including Cole Porter, the Cure, John Lennon, Brian Wilson, Carole King, and Kool & the Gang. Best known as lead singer and primary songwriter of alternative rock band Sleepy Jackson, best known for God Lead Your Soul of their 2006 Personality (One Was A Spider One Was A Bird) sophomore album. Forms the duo Empire Of The Sun with Pnau's Nick Littlemore. Formed DREAMS with Silverchair's Daniel Johns, releasing their No One Defeats Us debut album in 2018. Co-wrote and co-produced Rather Die Young of Beyoncé's 2011 4 album.December 13, 1979 ~ Opera, popera, classical crossover singer Matthew Stiff born in Grimsby, UK ~ Member of classical boy band G4 through 2007, runner up in the 2004 edition of the talent contest The X-Factor. The band is known for doing classically styled versions of popular pop songs. The single Bohemian Rhapsody taken of their 2005 eponymous G4 debut album would reach the UK top 10
December 13, 1978 ~ Post-rock, avant-garde, dream pop cellist, singer, composer, film composer Rebecca Foon born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Noted as a member of modern chamber ensemble Esmerine and as a solo artist, recording both under her own name and the moniker Saltland earning critical acclaim for her 2013 I Thought It Was Us But It Was All Of Us album featuring backing from Sarah Neufeld, Colin Stetson and Arcade Fire's Richard Reed Parry. Has also worked with Thee Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra, Set Fire To Flames, Fifths Of Seven, HRSTA, and the Mile End Ladies String AuxiliaryDecember 13, 1977 ~ Lucas Boyd, commonly known as rapper, producer Classified, born in Enfield, Canada ~ Released his full-length debut album, Time's Up Kid, in 1995. Best known for the singles Oh Canada and Inner Ninja featuring David Myles. Both reached the Canadian top 20, respectively in 2009 and 2012
December 13, 1977 ~ Power metal, contemporary classical, progressive rock, jazz fusion bassist, composer Lauri Porra born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Married to conductor Dalia Stasevska. To metal audiences best known for his work with bands such as Sinergy, Warmen, Almah, and perhaps most notably Stratovarius. Renowned solo artist with several instrumental albums to his name, starting with the eponymous Lauri Porra album released in 2005. Performs live with both the Lauri Porra Flyover Ensemble for his own work and with Bach Reimagined project, reworking Johann Sebastian Bach's cello suites for electric bass, cello and electronics. Had his orchestral work performed by renowned classical orchestras such as the Finnish Radio Orchestra, the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, the New Bedford Symphony. Also noted as a film composer and in-demand session musician appearing on numerous records from contemporary classical to electronic and from pop to hip-hopDecember 13, 1975 ~ Rock, hard rock, power pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Robert Pehrsson born in Uddevalla, Sweden ~ Active since the late 1980s, initially playing death and thrash metal and over time toning down to hard rock and power pop. Has worked with acts such as Death Breath, Dundertåget, Imperial State Electric, Masticator, and Runemagick. Released his Long Way To The Light solo debut album in 2016, noted for songs such as Haunt My Mind and Can't Change
December 13, 1974 ~ Guitarist Nick McCarthy, full name Nicholas John McCarthy, born in Blackpool, UK ~ Original member of Franz Ferdinand, remaining with the band until 2016 when he was replaced by Dino Bardot. Present on hits such as Take Me Out, Do You Want To, Ulysses, and No You Girls
December 13, 1973 ~ Singer Eddie Kendricks releases Boogie Down, lead single off the album of the same name ~ Singer Eddie Kendricks, the former co-founding member and co-lead singer of the Temptations, notably present on songs such as The Way You Do The Things You Do, Get Ready, and Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), would score his second major hit as a solo artist with the disco-funk Boogie Down, a song about getting down with a girl on the dance floor and in the bedroom. Like its direct predecessor Keep On Truckin', which had topped the Billboard Hot 100, Boogie Down was written by Motown team of Leonard Caston Jr, Anita Poree, and Frank Wilson. The trio kept the former hit in mind and retained some of the same elements. Wilson would later explain: “We knew that they were both club records. They were groove tracks with a gospel, churchy kind of background feel. We did an awful lot in terms of just letting the background ride over the vamp, so most of those songs were half-background grooves and the other half, of course, were leads.” Boogie Down would reach No.2 Billboard Hot 100, held off the top spot by Seasons In The Sun, a worldwide hit for Terry JacksDecember 13, 1972 ~ Death metal, heavy metal singer, bassist Matti Kärki born in Sweden ~ Best known as member of Dismember. pioneer of Swedish death metal and considered one of “the Big Four” alongside Entombed, Grave and Unleashed. Has also worked with Carnage, Therion, Murder Squad, Carbonized, and General Surgery
December 13, 1971 ~ Harry Lawrence Hill, commonly known as bandleader, singer Tiny Hill, passed away in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Billed as “America's Biggest Bandleader” because of his weight of over 365 lb. Enjoyed popularity from the 1930 through the early 1950s, touring extensively. Best known for his signature song Angry, released in 1939, and his 1951 rendition of the Western swing song Hot Rod Race, which reached top 10 on the Billboard Country charts, top 30 on the pop charts. With its hard driving boogie woogie beat, the latter is sometimes referred to as one of the first rock & roll songs. Hill was married three times, his second marriage to country singer Jenny Lou Carson, with whom he also worked. By the the end of the big band era Hill had settled in Colorado, performing regionally with smaller combos ~ Hill was born in 1906December 13, 1967 ~ Bobby Ervin, commonly known as hip-hop DJ, producer DJ Bobcat, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Uncle Jamm's Army. Has worled with Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, Lyor Cohen, Steve Rifkind, Madonna, Guy Oseary, Jermaine Dupri. Has written, produced for LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Mack 10, Tupac Shakur, MC Ren, Sir Mix-a-lot, Nas, King T, Candyman, and Yo-Yo
December 13, 1967 ~ Eric Marion Bishop, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor Jamie Foxx, born in Terrell, Texas, USA ~ Rose to fame portraying Ray Charles in the 2004 biographical movie Ray, earning him numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Actor. As a singer known for a number of high-profile collaborations such as with Twista on Slow Jamz and with Kanye West on Gold Digger, both of which topped the Billboard Hot 100, and a number of commercially successful and critically acclaimed albums starting with 2005's Unpredictable
December 13, 1966 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Jimi Hendrix records Foxy Lady at CBS, London, UK ~ Written by Jimi Hendrix. Produced by Chas Chandler. Included on the band's 1967 Are You Experienced debut album. Also released in America as a single in the fall of 1967, one month before the release of the band's Axis (Bold As Love) sophomore albumDecember 13, 1966 ~ Bassist, guitarist, pianist John Munson born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Member of Trip Shakespeare from 1985 until the band folded around 1992. Would subsequently found Pleasure with bandmate Dan Wilson and Jacob Schlichter, the band soon renamed to Semisonic and best known for the single Closing Time of their 1998 Feeling Strangely Fine sophomore album
December 13, 1966 ~ Lawrence Mullins, commonly known as rock percussionist, keyboardist, producer Toby Dammit, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as drummer for Iggy Pop, backing Iggy from 1990 to 2000 present on the albums American Caesar, Naughty Little Doggie and Avenue B. Has also worked with Swans, Angels Of Light, the Residents, Stephan Eicher, Nick Cave's backing unit the Bad Seeds, and the Panther Burns
December 13, 1965 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal singer Michael Jagosz, full name Michael Theodore Jagosz, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Rob Halford. Original lead singer, co-founding member of the LA Guns, present on the band's 1985 Collector's Edition No.1 debut EP. After the band folded in 1985 Jagosz has worked with Abattoir, Eden, and with Stoneheart ~ Jagosz passed away in 2014
December 13, 1964 ~ Hideto Matsumoto, commonly known as alternative rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Hide, born in Yokosuka, Japan ~ Member of Saver Tiger, known for songs such as Dead Angle and Emergency Express. Rose to fame as member of X joining the band in 1987, a band credited with pioneering visual kei. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Celebration, Joker and Scars. After the band disbanded in 1997 Matsumoto would focus on his solo career and co-found the international supergroup Zilch. By the time of his death by suicide at age 33 Matsumoto was considered an icon, representative of rebellion against a conformist society, and his death marked as the end of an era ~ Matsumoto passed away in 1998
December 13, 1964 ~ Judge Kenneth Peterson, commonly known as guitarist, keyboardist, singer Lucky Peterson, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Comtemporary blues singer, drawing from soul, R&B, gospel, rock & roll and other idioms. Has backed artists such as Etta James, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton. Best known for a number of well-received late 1980s, 1990s albums, notably Lucky Strikes, I'm Ready and Beyond Cool ~ Peterson passed away in 2020
December 13, 1963 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor Stan Jones, full name Stanley Davis Jones, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for penning and first recording Ghost Riders In The Sky, covered by over 50 artists including the Outlaws, Bing Crosby, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Eddy Arnold, Gene Autry, the Sons Of The Pioneers, Elvis Presley and Dick Dale ~ Jones was born in 1914