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 15, 1983 ~ Jazz trombonist Big Chief Russell Moore passed away in Nyack, New York, USA ~ Moore is perhaps best remembered for his tenure with Louis Armstrong from 1944 until the orchestra broke up in 1947. Studied trumpet, piano, drums, and horn before settling on the trombone. Relocated to Los Angeles in the early 1930s, where he worked with Lionel Hampton and Eddie Barefield. After relocating again to New Orleans, Moore would become a fixture on the Louisiana scene playing with the likes of Oscar Phillip Celestin, Kid Rena, AJ Piron, Paul Barbarin, Ernie Fields, Harlan Leonard, and Noble Sissle. Following his tenure with Armstrong, Moore toured with Sidney Bechet, Ruby Braff, Pee Wee Russell, Eddie Condon, Mezz Mezzrow, Frank Sinatra, and Buck Clayton. Moore continued to work into the early 1980s, including performances at the inaugurations of presidents John F Kennedy, Lyndon B Johnson, and Richard Nixon, and leading his own band in the 1970s. Moore has recorded two albums as a leader, Russell Big Chief Moore's Powwow Jazz Band released in 1973 and its successor Russell Big Chief Moore Vol.2 two years later. Proud of his Native American heritage, Moore often participated in events for the Native American community and is well known for his own composition Chant For Wounded Knee ~ Moore was born in 1912
December 15, 1983 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Brooke Fraser born in Wellington, New Zealand ~ Emerged in the early 2000s with commercially viable folk-pop, especially acclaimed for her 2003 What To Do With Daylight debut album. Best known for her 2010 hit Something In The Water. Fraser is also known as member of Christian music group Hillsong Worship, notably present on the 2017 hit single What A Beautiful Name co-written by FraserDecember 15, 1983 ~ Post-hardcore singer, rapper, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Ronnie Radke, full name Ronald Joseph Radke, born in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ First gained attention as co-founding member of Escape The Fate. A two-year prison sentence starting in 2008 ended his stint with the band. After his release Radke joined Falling In Reverse as lead singer, the band releasing their The Drug In Me Is You debut album in 2011
December 15, 1981 ~ Indie rock singer, songwriter Emma Swift born ~ Originally a radio host from Sydney, Australia, Swift relocated to Nashville in 2013 to pursue a career as a singer, releasing her eponymous Emma Swift debut EP the following year. In a relationship with Robyn Hitchcock, with whom she has also released the collaborative singles Follow Your Money and Love Is A Drag. Opened for Whiskeytown singer Ryan Adams on the Australian leg of his 2016 tour. A full-length Blonde On The Tracks debut album was released in 2020, consisting solely of Bob Dylan-covers with Wilco's Pat Sansone signing on as producer
December 15, 1981 ~ Hard bop, post-bop bassist, celloist Sam Jones passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ As a leader especially acclaimed for his early 1960s albums The Soul Society, The Chant and Down Home. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Chet Baker, Kenny Dorham, Jimmy Smith, Clark Terry (In Orbit), Betty Carter, Cannonball Adderley (Somethin' Else), Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk (5 By Monk By 5), Blue Mitchell, Red Garland, Dizzy Reece, Yusef Lateef, Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard (Open Sesame), King Curtis (Soul Meeting), John Lee Hooker, Wes Montgomery (The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery), Ike Quebec, Grant Green, Big Mama Thornton (Ball 'n Chain), Oscar Peterson, Sonny Stitt, and Gene Ammons ~ Jones was born in 1924December 15, 1978 ~ Edward Andrew Brower, commonly known as rock drummer, singer, actor, model Ned Brower, born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA ~ Drummer with rock band Rooney, known best for their 2007 Calling The World album. Has also worked with Frausdots, Three Days Grace, Relient K, and with Margaret Cho
December 15, 1978 ~ Singer, guitarist Rosanne Cash releases her eponymous Rosanne Cash debut album ~ Issued on the Germany-based Ariola Records, Rosanne Cash would be released only in Europe. The album was the first to feature Rodney Crowell, who would go on to produce several of her albums. The following year, Rosanne Cash released Right Or Wrong for Columbia Records, effectively her American debut, which spawned the Billboard Country top 20 singles No Memories Hangin' Round featuring Bobby Bare, and Couldn't Do Nothin' Right. Cash would be married to Crowell from 1979 until 1992, with whom she has three daughters
December 15, 1977 ~ Sibling outfit the Bee Gees release Stayin' Alive, lifted off the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack ~ Previously, disco had been the domain of the gay community. And then it exploded, suddenly disco was mainstream. The one main thing that made it happen was Saturday Night Fever, and Stayin' Alive was the biggest song from the soundtrack. It made the Bee Gees one of the hottest acts around. However, it also did pigeonhole them, somewhat undeservingly as Robin Gibb told Q Magazine in 1989: “We were not disco. People who emulated us were disco”
December 15, 1976 ~ Jeremy Binns, commonly known as folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jeremy Fisher, born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Fronted the Obvious, known for their 1999 eponymous The Obvious album. Fisher wrote Lemon Meringue Pie and Kiss The Moon, songs later also appearing on solo albums. Released his Back Porch Spirituals solo debut album in 2001 and has recorded consistently since. Guested on Jakalope's Unsaid of their 2006 Born 4 album. Has also collaborated with the likes of Hawksley Workman, Jim Bryson, and Serena Ryder
December 15, 1974 ~ Emil John Schmidt IV, commonly known as metal, rock bassist, guitarist, singer Acey Slade, born in Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as bassist of Dope and as guitarist of Murderdolls. Also worked with the Misfits, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Trashlight Vision, the Vampire Love Dolls, and Billy Liar
December 15, 1974 ~ Alternative country, folk, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Cory Branan born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by John Prine. Released a full-length debut album, The Hell You Say, in 2002. Artists who guested on subsequent albums include Big Star-drummer Jody Stephens, Hold Steady members Craig Finn and Steve Selvidge, Tim Easton, Caitlin Rose, Austin Lucas, Jason Isbell, Deer Tick's Robbie Crowell, and Amanda ShiresDecember 15, 1973 ~ Andrea Nicoletti, commonly known as dub, dubstep, electronica bassist, keyboardist, DJ, producer Ashtech, born ~ Known for his 2007 Walkin' Target debut album. Has collaborated with the likes of Gaudi, Liquor Shop, Mauro Pagani, Luna Rossa, and Alamegretta
December 15, 1972 ~ Songwriter, producer, remixer Jason Nevins born in Los Angeles, USA ~ In-demand producer, remixer. Worked with Run-DMC, Florida Georgia Line, Jermaine Paul, Vicci Martinez, and Duran Duran
December 15, 1969 ~ Christopher Douglas Roney, commonly known as hip-hop rapper Cool C, born ~ As a rapper best known for his 1987 Juice Crew Dis debut single. Would release the albums I Gotta Habit and Life In The Ghetto before forming hardcore hip-hop outfit CEB with Steady B and Ultimate Eaze in the early 1990s. Found guilty and sentenced to death for his role in a botched armed robbery and second-degree murder of police officer Lauretha Vaird. The crime would inspire the G Love & Special Sauce song Slipped Away (The Ballad Of Lauretha Vaird) of the 1997 Yeah It's That Easy albumDecember 15, 1969 ~ Guitarist, bassist, singer Nick Moss born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ As a solo artist has been releasing records since the late 1990s. Also worked with Buddy Scott, Jimmy Dawkins, the Legendary Blues Band, Jimmy Rogers, Gerry Hundt, and Lynwood Slim
December 15, 1962 ~ Heavy metal, progressive metal bassist Jean-Yves Thériault born in Jonquière, Canada ~ Co-founding member of progressive metal band Voivod, remaining with the band through 1991 and rejoining in 2008. Released two solo albums in the 1990s, Poetry And Apocalypse and Our Brief Eternity. Also worked with Coeur Atomique
December 15, 1962 ~ Timothy Hagelganz, commonly known as bass guitarist, singer Tim Gaines, born in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Best known as longtime bassist of Christian metal band Stryper. Also worked with Stormer, King James, Richard Marx, Tourniquet, Bryan Duncan, Dez Dickerson, Liberty & Justice, Michael Sweet, and SinDizzy
December 15, 1961 ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter Joseph Wooten born ~ Started playing in the family outfit the Wooten Brothers at age 11, which also included Victor Wooten, Roy Wooten, Regi Wooten and Rudy Wooten. Has recorded as a solo artist and is a member of the Steve Miller Band since 1993
December 15, 1961 ~ Bassist, singer Nick Beggs born in Buckinghamshire, UK ~ Co-founding member of Kajagoogoo, known for the 1983 UK top 10 hits Too Shy, Ooh To Be Ah and Big Apple. Would go on to work with Kaja, Iona, Gary Numan, Alphaville, Belinda Carlisle, Emma Bunton, Industrial Salt, Steven Wilson, Lifesigns, Fish On Friday, the Mute Gods, and Trifecta
December 15, 1957 ~ Guitarist Tim Reynolds born in Wiesbaden, Germany ~ Lead guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band, joining the band as a fulltime member in 2008 and having guested with the band since the early 1990s. Member of fusion band the Secrets. Frontman of TR 3
December 15, 1957 ~ Pop rock percussionist, singer, songwriter Vinx De'Jon Parrette, occasionally credited mononymously as Vinx, born in Fairfield, California, USA ~ As a solo artist known for his 1991 In My Fatha's House album. Member of drum and bass trio Jungle Funk. Guested on albums by Sting (The Soul Cages), Cassandra Wilson, Stevie Wonder, and Crystal WatersDecember 15, 1956 ~ Folk, folk rock violinist, mandolinist, banjoist, guitarist Chris Leslie, full name Christopher Julian Leslie, born in Banbury, UK ~ Has recorded about half a dozen solo albums, starting with The Gift released in 1994. Worked with Whippersnapper, the Albion Band, Fairport Convention, Steve Ashley, St Agnes Fountain, and Feast Of Fiddles
December 15, 1956 ~ Songwriter, singer Kit Hain born in Cobham, UK ~ Founded Marshall Hain with Julian Marshall, known for their 1978 single Dancing In The City. After the duo split released a number of solo records starting with the 1979 single The Joke's On You. Has also written for others including Roger Daltrey, Kiki Dee, Cher (Fires Of Eden), Barbara Dickson, Heart (Back To Avalon), Fleetwood Mac, Kim Criswell, Til Tuesday (Crash And Burn), Conchita Wurst, Annie Haslam (Further From Fantasy), and Milow
December 15, 1955 ~ Blues harpist, singer, songwriter Mark Hummel born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Influenced by Jimmy Reed, Slim Harpo, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Ella Johnson, Lester Young, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield, and by Charlie Musselwhite. Founded and fronted the Blues Survivors. Member of supergroup the Golden State Lone Star Revue. Also worked with Boogie Jake, Sonny Lane, Cool Papa Sadler, Mississippi John Waters, Sue Foley, Charles Brown, Brownie McGhee, Willie Big Eyes Smith, Bob Stroger, Dave Myers, James E Pugh, Kid Andersen, Ron Thompson, Lowell Fulson, and Eddie Taylor
December 15, 1955 ~ Bassist Paul Simonon, full name Paul Gustave Simonon, born in Brixton, UK ~ Best known as member of the Clash, known for hits such as London Calling, Should I Stay Or Should I Go and Rock The Casbah. Has also worked with supergroup the Good The Bad & The Queen which also included Clash bandmate Mick Jones and Blur frontman Damon Albarn. Has toured with Gorillaz' Escape To Plastic Beach tour