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, 1962 ~ Electric guitarist, singer, bandleader Caspar Brötzmann born in Wuppertal, West Germany ~ Son of saxophonist Peter Brötzmann. Has worked with Caspar Brötzmann Massaker, Pigface, and Page Hamilton
December 13, 1962 ~ Pianist, singer, songwriter Harry Barris passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ One of the earliest to incorporate “scat singing” in his technique. Worked with Paul Ash, Paul Whiteman, the Rhythm Boys, Gus Arnheim, Bing Crosby, and Joe E Brown ~ Barris was born in 1905
December 13, 1962 ~ Singer John Wiggins born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo John & Audrey Wiggins with her brother John Wiggins. The duo recorded two albums, spawning a string of modest country hits in the mid 1990s including Falling Out Of Love, She's In The Bedroom Crying, Somewhere In Love and their best known Has Anybody Seen My Amy. John would go on to become a songwriter, his songs recorded by George Jones, Joe Nichols (Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off), Randy Houser, and Ron WilliamsDecember 13, 1961 ~ New wave, pop rock singer, songwriter Per Øystein Sørensen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Joined new wave band Fra Lippo Lippi in 1982, first appearing on the band's Small Mercies sophomore album. The band is best known for Shouldn't Have To Be Like That of their 1985 Songs. The band would cease recording in the early 1990s but resurged in 2000, finding rekindled popularity especially in Philippines. Sørensen released his Våge solo debut album in 2009
December 13, 1960 ~ Patricia Daniels, commonly known as house, R&B singer Adeva, born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Known for a string of late 1980s, early 1990s UK hits including Warning, I Thank You and Respect. In her native America best known for the dance hit It Should've Been Me released in 1991December 13, 1960 ~ Guitarist, bassist, singer Trey Gunn born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Best known as member of King Crimson from 1994 through 2003. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with Robert Fripp, Toyah, David Sylvian, Tool, Puscifer, Sean Malone, Gordian Knot, Vernon Reid, John Paul Jones, Matt Chamberlain, Bill Rieflin, Sunday All Over The World, and UKZ
December 13, 1959 ~ Bandleader, pianist Charlie Fess Johnson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Led the Paradise Ten, whose sidemen at one time or another included Jabbo Smith, Leonard Davis, Sidney De Paris, Thomas Morris, Charlie Irvis, Jimmy Harrison, Benny Carter, and Edgar Sampson ~ Johnson was born in 1891
December 13, 1959 ~ Jazz guitarist Staffan William-Olsson born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Member of Real Thing. Influenced by blues and rock such as Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, as well as by jazz-rock artists such as George Benson, the Weather Report and John McLaughlin. Has worked with Bob Berg, Lee Konitz, Palle Mikkelborg, Terje Gewelt, the Bohuslän Big Band, Even Kruse Skatrud, and Adam Nussbaum
December 13, 1958 ~ Dana Strumwasser, commonly known as bassist Dana Strum, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best known as bassist for Slaughter, co-founded with Vinnie Vincent Invasion bandmate Mark Slaughter. Also worked with Rod Falconer, Danny Spanos, and Vince NeilDecember 13, 1958 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Lurrie Bell born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of blues harpist Carey Bell. Lurrie worked with Eddy Clearwater, Big Walter Horton, Eddie Taylor, Koko Taylor, Eddie C Campbell, the Sons of Blues, Billy Branch, and Freddie Dixon
December 13, 1957 ~ Guitarist David Tronzo born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Revered for his electric slide guitar technique. Noted for the Night In Amnesia album released in 1995, a collaborative effort with David Bowie guitarist Reeves Gabrels. Member of Spanish Fly, Slow Poke, the Lounge Lizards, Club D'Elf, V16. Guested on recordings by David Sanborn, Marshall Crenshaw, John Zorn, John Cale, Curtis Stigers, Julian Dawson, Mike Mainieri, Heather Eatman, and Janis SiegelDecember 13, 1957 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, pop saxophonist Eric Marienthal born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Worked with Al Hirt, Chuck Loeb, Gordon Goodwin, Russell Ferrante, Randy Brecker, and extensively with Chick Corea Electric Band
December 13, 1957 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor Morris Day born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Lead singer of the Time, best known for appearing in the Prince film Purple Rain. The band also included future famed R&B producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. As a solo artist Day is best known a number of modestly successful mid to late 1980s singles, notably 1985's The Color Of Success and 1987's Daydreaming
December 13, 1956 ~ Arabic, classical, operatic soprano singer Majida El-Roumi, full name Majida El-Roumi Baradhy, born in Kfarshima, Lebanon ~ Daughter of singer, composer Halim El-Roumi. As a teen snuck out of the house to participate in the talent contest Studio El Fan, aired on Télé Liban. Her succes on the show softened her father, now allowing her to pursue a career in music on the condition she continued higher education. Majida released her debut single, Am Behlamak, in 1975. Her full-length debut album, Wadaa, followed the next year. After completing her studies in Arabic Literature she would focus on her music career, recording mostly to warm reception and gracing stages the world overDecember 13, 1954 ~ Country singer, songwriter John Anderson born in Apopka, Florida, USA ~ Known for songs such as I've Got A Feelin' Somebody's Been Stealin', Wild And Blue, Swingin', Black Sheep, Straight Tequila Night, and Money In The Bank
December 13, 1954 ~ Writer, composer, lyricist Raymond Hubbell, full name John Raymond Hubbell, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing Poor Butterfly with John Golden. The song was inspired by the Giacomo Puccini-opera Madame Butterfly and written for the Broadway show The Big Show, in which it was introduced by Sophie Bernard. Over time it would be recorded by well over 300 artists, including early versions in the mid-1910s by Elizabeth Spencer and Edna Brown, as well as later versions by Paul Whiteman, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Tony Bennett, and Johnny Mathis ~ Hubbell was born in 1879
December 13, 1954 ~ Americana, folk, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Steve Forbert, full name Samuel Stephen Forbert, born in Meridian, Mississippi, USA ~ One of many to once have been called “the new Bob Dylan”, a comparison which Forbert declined stating he was just a cliché back then. Best known for his 1979 Romeo's Tune, a Billboard top 20 hit. As a songwriter Forbert had his songs recorded by the likes of Rosanne Cash, Keith Urban, Marty Stuart, Webb Wilder. Had a cameo appearance in Cyndi Lauper's video for Girls Just Want To Have Fun, playing her boyfriendDecember 13, 1952 ~ Contemporary classical composer Roger Bourland born in Evanston, Illinois, USA ~ Composed over 150 works, including operas, cantates, choral and chamber music as well as for TV and film soundtracks
December 13, 1951 ~ Rock, pop, blues rock, jazz, jazz fusion keyboardist, songwriter Mickie Yoshino born in Yokohama, Japan ~ Member of pioneering blues outfit the Golden Cups while in his teens, remaining with the band from 1967 through 1971. Subsequently formed Flesh & Blood while studying in America. Upon his return to Japan formed the pop group Godiego, considered influential in the 1970s pop scene and best known for the 1978 Monkey Magic. Yoshino has also worked with Terumasa Hino, EnTRANS, Kenji Hino, Masa Kohama, and Kazumi WatanabeDecember 13, 1950 ~ Producer Don Dixon born in Lancaster, South Carolina, USA ~ Considered an important producer in the early 1980s jangle pop genre. Has worked with Chris Stamey, the Smithereens, Fetchin' Bones, Richard Barone, Guadalcanal Diary, Marshall Crenshaw, Dumptruck, Tommy Keene, Marti Jones, the Golden Palominos, Mary Chapin Carpenter, REM, James McMurtry, Kim Carnes, and Hootie & the Blowfish
December 13, 1949 ~ Country singer Randy Owen, full name Randy Yeuell Owen, born in Fort Payne, Alabama, USA ~ Rhythm guitarist, lead singer of Alabama, perhaps the most successful country band in history known for hits such as Love In The First Degree, Mountain Music, Dixieland Delight, She And I, Jukebox In My Mind, and I'm In A Hurry (And Don't Know Why)
December 13, 1949 ~ Thomas Miller, commonly known as punk rock, art punk, post-punk singer, guitarist, songwriter Tom Verlaine, born in Denville, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Stan Getz, Miles Davis, the Velvet Underground, the Rolling Stones. Formed the Neon Boys with Richard Hell and Billy Ficca, quickly disbanding after failing to attract a second guitarist despite auditions from both the Ramones' Dee Dee Ramone and Blondie's Chris Stein. Rose to fame as frontman of Television, their acclaimed 1977 Marquee Moon debut album considered one of the defining albums of the post-punk era. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Tom Verlaine album released in 1979. Notably collaborated with once-girlfriend Patti Smith including on her Horses debut album. Tapped to produce Jeff Buckley's second studio album, a project that never materialized due to Buckley's untimely death. Verlaine was also a member of supergroup the Million Dollar Bashers alongside Lee Ranaldo, Nels Cline, and John Medeski ~ Miller passed away in 2023
December 13, 1948 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Jeff Baxter, full name Jeffrey Allen Baxter, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Co-founding member of Steely Dan, present on the albums Can't Buy A Thrill, Countdown To Ecstasy and Pretzel Logic. Member of the Doobie Brothers from 1974 through 1979 including on the Minute By Minute album which spawned the hit What A Fool Believes. Baxter would continue to work as an in-demand session musician, appearing on records by Willy DeVille, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Dolly Parton, Freddie Hubbard, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, and Donna Summer. As a touring guitarist, Baxter has backed the likes of Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Vera, James Brown, and Maceo Parker
December 13, 1948 ~ Guitarist Ted Nugent, full name Theodore Anthony Nugent, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Lead guitarist, ocassional lead singer of psychedelic rock, hard rock band the Amboy Dukes. Member of supergroup Damn Yankees, which also included Styx singer Tommy Shaw, Night Ranger-bassist Jack Blades and then-future Lynyrd Skynyrd-drummer Michael Carellone. Has recorded extensively as a solo artist, establishing himself as a technically proficient guitarist, and best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 30 single Cat Scratch Fever of his 1977 album of the same name. Over time would become a controversial figure known for his right-leaning politics including as a staunch supporter of the NRA and Donald Trump
December 13, 1946 ~ Rock, jazz fusion guitarist, songwriter, producer Radim Hladik born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Regarded as a pioneer of electric blues-rock in Czechoslovakia, strongly influenced by Jimi Hendrix. Playing professionaly since age 15, staarting with rock group Komety. Would go on to join the Matadors. Co-founded Blue Effect with singer, guitarist Vladimir Misik, a band that moved from beat via R&B to jazz fusion and eventually progressive rock. The band is best known for the Hladik-penned instrumental Cajovna (Tearoom) of the 1975 Modry Efekt & Radim Hladek album ~ Hladik passed away in 2016