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 16, 2024 ~ Pop singer Anita Bryant, full name Anita Jane Bryant, passed away in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA ~ Former beauty queen and runner-up in the 1958 Miss America pageant, who enjoyed chart success through the mid 1960s, scoring hits with Paper Roses, which reached No.5 Billboard Hot 100, In My Little Corner Of The World, and Wonderland By Night, all of which would sell over a million copies each. Frequently performed with Bob Hope on holiday tours for the USO, and sang at several functions as the White House as well as at both the Democratic Convention and the Republican Convention in 1968. Bryant would continue to record throughout the mid-1980s, switching to gospel music by the late 1960s, but failed to repeat her earlier chart success. Bryant is also well-known as a spokeswoman for the Florida Citrus Commission, appearing in some of the organisation's nationally televised commercials, and as a leader of the conservative Christian Protect Our Children coalition, advocating against gay rights ~ Bryant was born in 1940
December 16, 2024 ~ Gospel singer Rodessa Barrett, also known as Rodessa Barrett Porter, passed away ~ Last surviving member of gospel trio the Barrett Sisters, which also included her sisters DeLois Barrett and Billie Barrett. The sibling outfit have performed and recorded for some seven decades, making them one of the longest-lasting gospel outfits, and record well over a dozen albums. The trio would especially gain attention after being notably featured in the 1982 critically acclaimed documentary Say Amen Somebody, which prompted The New Yorker to comment the siblings “brought the film an emotional pitch, and we in the audience want to go on soaring”. Singer Roberta Martin guested on the trio's 1963 Jesus Loves Me debut album ~ Barrett was born in 1930
December 16, 2023 ~ Bossa nova singer, guitarist, songwriter Carlos Lyra, full name Carlos Eduardo Lyra Barbosa, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Helped define bossa nova. Among the first songwriters to be recorded by João Gilberto. Frequent songwriting collaborator of Ronaldo Bôscoli, Geraldo Vandré, Vinicius de Moraes. Known for songs such as Quanda Chegares, Criticando, Voce E Eu, Lobo Bobo, Aruanda, and Quem Quiser Encontrar O Amor ~ Lyra was born in 1939December 16, 2022 ~ Singer, songwriter Jean-Paul Corbineau passed away in Nantes, France ~ Co-founding member of Tri Yann along with Jean Chocun and Jean-Louis Jossic, a folk rock band known for drawing from traditional folk ballads. Well known songs include La Jument De Michao, Dans Les Prisons De Nantes, and Bro Gosh Ma Zadou ~ Corbineau was born in 1948
December 16, 2021 ~ Leonard Nelson Hubbard, commonly known as hip-hop, funk, R&B bassist Hub, passed away in Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Classically trained. Best known as bassist, upright bassist, member of the Roots from 1992 through 2007, notably present on albums such as Things Fall Apart and The Tipping Point ~ Hubbard was born in 1959
December 16, 2021 ~ Robert George Porter, commonly known as pop, country, rock guitarist, producer Robie Porter, passed away ~ Enjoyed regional succes in the Sydney area during the 1960s, going by the moniker Rob EG, with singles such as Your Cheatin' Heart, Si Senor (I Theenk), Jezabel, 55 Days At Peking, and When You're Not Near. Had his biggest succes as a producer starting in the early 1970s, notably producing Daddy Cool's 1971 debut album Daddy Who (Daddy Cool). Helpful in advancing Rick Springfield's career. Co-wrote Marcia Hines's Shining of her 1976 album of the same name. Has also served as producer for Air Supply, Tommy Emmanuel, and Supernaut ~ Porter was born in 1941December 16, 2021 ~ Terence David Uttley, commonly known as pop rock bassist, singer Terry Uttley, passed away ~ Member of Smokie, present on the band's best known including If You Think You Know How To Love Me, Don't Play Your Rock 'n Roll To Me, I'll Meet You At Midnight, Living Next Door To Alice, and Lay Back In The Arms Of Someone ~ Uttley was born in 1951
December 16, 2020 ~ Film, TV composer, conductor, pianist, music director Emil Cadkin, full name Emil Milton Cadkin, passed away ~ Frequent collaborator of William Loose and Harry Bluestone. Best known for his work as composer for film, TV series and cartoons from the 1940s through the 1960s, notably Gumby and Hanna-Barbera's Augie Doggie ~ Cadkin was born in 1920
December 16, 2018 ~ Singer, songwriter Anca Pop passed away in Svinita, Romania ~ Debuted in 2017 with her eponymous studio album, Anca Pop, which spawned the singles Free Love, Super Cool, Ring Around, and Loco Poco ~ Pop was born in 1984
December 16, 2017 ~ Jazz drummer Grassella Oliphant passed away in Summit, New Jersey, USA ~ Recorded two soul-jazz albums as a leader, The Grass Roots released in 1965 and its acclaimed follow-up The Grass Is Greener three years later with an all-star cast featuring Harold Ousley, John Patton, Grant Green, Clark Terry, and Major Holley. Songs from the latter album would later be regularly sampled by hip hop artists. Oliphant has been active since the early 1950s, first gaining serious attention backing Ahmad Jamal. Oliphant would go on to appear on albums by Tony Scott, Gloria Lynne (I'm Glad There Is You), Herman Foster, Joe Kennedy Jr, and Shirley Scott (Soul Shoutin') ~ Oliphant was born in 1929
December 16, 2017 ~ Dorothy Jacqueline Keely, commonly known as jazz, traditional pop singer Keely Smith, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Best known for her work with Louis Prima, including on hits such as I've Got You Under My Skin, Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen and That Old Black Magic. As a solo artist, she is known for songs such as I Wish You Love and You're Breaking My Heart. Smith was married to Prima from 1953 until 1961, with whom she had two children. While still married to Prima, Keely had an affair with Frank Sinatra. Smith's second marriage was to record producer Jimmy Bowen, with whom she was married from 1965 until 1969 ~ Keely was born in 1928
December 16, 2017 ~ Jazz, avant-garde, experimental rock singer, saxophonist, clarinetist Ralph Carney passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Plays a multitude of instruments, including the obscure and unusual. Perhaps best known as Tom Waits's hornist, present on albums such as Rain Dogs, Bone Machine, and Mule Variations. Founding member of experimental rock outfit Tin Huey, best known for their 1979 Contents Dislodged During Shipment album. Recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Happiness Finally Came To Them released in 1987. In-demand sideman, present on recordings by Randy Vanwarmer, the B52's, Elvis Costello (King Of America), Galaxie 500, Marc Ribot, Oranj Symphonette, and Grant Lee Buffalo ~ Carney was born in 1956
December 16, 2017 ~ Folk, country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Richard Dobson, full name Richard James Joseph Dobson II, passed away in Diessenhofen, Switzerland ~ One of the most literate country songwriters to come out of Texas, akin to Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. Called “the Ernest Hemingway of Country music” by Nanci Griffith who covered his The Ballad Of Robin Wintersmith. About two dozen albums to his name, starting with In Texas Last December released in 1977. Perhaps best known for penning Baby Ride Easy, recorded by Dobson in 1977 and covered by several artists, including as a duet by Del Reeves & Billie Jo Spears, by Carlene Carter & Dave Edmunds, and by Johnny Cash & June Carter ~ Dobson was born in [artist-richard-dobson-usa]December 16, 2015 ~ Thomas Leslie Garrett, commonly known as producer Snuff Garrett, passed away in Tucson, Arizona, USA ~ Became a staff producer at Liberty Records in 1959 eventually rising to head of A&R. Has worked with Johnny Burnette, Bobby Vee, Gene McDaniels, Buddy Knox, Walter Brennan, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Del Shannon, the Monkees, Phil Spector, Leon Russell, Lenny Waronker, Sonny & Cher, Cher, Tommy Tedesco, Sonny Curtis, Vicki Lawrence, Tanya Tucker, and Johnny Mann SIngers ~ Garrett was born in 1938
December 16, 2014 ~ Country singer Craig Wayne Boyd wins NBC's The Voice ~ Craig Wayne Boyd wins the 7th season of NBC's talent show The Voice, runner-up would be singer, songwriter Matt McAndrew. Prior to his success on the show, Boyd had been recording as a solo artist for several years, yet his only charting single would be the coronation single My Baby's Got A Smile On Her Face, which would top the Billboard Country charts
December 16, 2013 ~ Country, western swing, traditional pop singer Ray Price, full name Noble Ray Price passed away in Mt Pleasant, Texas, USA ~ Blessed with a warm, smooth baritone voice and influenced by honky tonk and jazz Price is considered one of the best male singers in country history. Known for songs such as Release Me, Crazy Arms, Heartaches By The Number, Invitation To The Blues, For The Good Times, Night Life and You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me. His backing band, the Cherokee Cowboys formed in 1953, at times included musicians such as Roger Miller, Willie Nelson, Darrell McCall, Van Howard, Johnny Paycheck, Johnny Bush, Buddy Emmons, Pete Wade, Jan Kurtis, Shorty Lavender, and Buddy Spicher ~ Price was born in 1926December 16, 2009 ~ Jazz pianist, vibraphonist Terry Pollard passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Billy Mitchell, Elvin Jones, Johnny Hill, Emmitt Slay, Terry Gibbs, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Yusef Lateef, Dorothy Ashby, and Don Fagerquist ~ Pollard was born in 1931
December 16, 2006 ~ Singer Leona Lewis wins The X-Factor UK ~ Leona Lewis wins the third edition of British talent show The X-Factor. Runner-ups would be actor, singer, dancer Ray Quinn in 2nd place, singer Ben Mills in 3rd. Following her win on the show, Lewis' coronation single A Moment Like This, a cover of the Kelly Clarkson song, would hold the top spot on the UK for four consecutive weeks. Her full-length Spirit released the following year would become one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history
December 16, 2004 ~ Pop, R&B producer, songwriter Freddie Perren, full name Frederick James Perren, passed away in Chasworth, California, USA ~ Member of revered Motown production, songwriting team the Corporation. Moved from Motown soul to disco in the 1970s. Co-wrote and produced songs such as Boogie Fever for the Sylvers, I Will Survive for Gloria Gaynor, and Shake Your Groove Thing for Peaches & Herb. Also worked with artists such as the Jackson 5, the Miracles, Tavares, and New Edition ~ Perren was born in 1943December 16, 2004 ~ Irene Amburgey, commonly known as country, gospel singer, guitarist, songwriter Martha Carson, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ At times referred to as “the Rockin' Queen of Happy Spirituals” enjoying popularity in the 1950s with gospel-country tunes such as Satisfied, Journey To The Sky, and Saints And Chariot. Cited by Elvis Presley as in influence on his gospel singing ~ Amburgey was born in 1921
December 16, 2003 ~ Singer, songwriter Gary Stewart, full name Gary Ronnie Stewart, passed away in Fort Pierce, Florida, USA ~ Dubbed “the King of Honky-tonk” by Time Magazine. Known for a string of 1970s hits including She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles), Drinking Thing, and Your Place Or Mine. Has also written songs recorded by other singers such as for Billy Walker (She Goes Walking Through My Mind, Traces Of A Woman), Cal Smith (You Can't Housebreak A Tomcat), and Nat Stuckey (Sweet Thang And Cisco). Has also briefly played in Charley Pride's backing unit the Pridesmen ~ Stewart was born in 1944
December 16, 2002 ~ Hip hop, hardcore hip hop rapper Ja Rule releases Mesmerize featuring Ashanti, lifted off his The Last Temptation album ~ Produced by Irv Gotti and Chink Santana. Samples the 1974 Stop Look Listen (To Your Heart) by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye. Notably featuring singer Ashanti, the song reached No.2 Billboard Hot 100, making it the fourth consecutive single featuring the pair to reach the American top 10, after artist-ja-rule]'s Always On Time, Fat Joe's What's Luv, and Gotti's Down 4 U
December 16, 2001 ~ Singer, guitarist Stuart Adamson, full name William Stuart Adamson, passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Co-founding member of punk rock, new wave unit the Skids, known best for their 1979 UK top 10 hit Into The Valley co-written by Adamson. Following his departure from the band in 1981 Adamson would form and front Big Country, scoring several top 10 hits through the mid-1980s including Wonderland and Look Away. The band would retain a cult following throughout the late 1990s. In the early 2000s Adamson formed the alternative country duo the Raphaels with Marcus Hummon, known for their sole Supernatural released in 2001. The band only played a handful of sets, with Adamson failing to show up for a concert date. He was found dead in a Hawaii hotel room after hanging himself with an electrical chord ~ Adamson was born in 1958
December 16, 1997 ~ Pop, rock, country singer, guitarist Nicolette Larson passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen. As a solo artist best known for her 1978 hit Lotta Love. In-demand backing vocalist. Worked with Neil Young, Steve Wariner, Guy Clark, Hoyt Axton, Mary Kay Place, Rodney Crowell, Billy Joe Shaver, Jesse Colin Young, Jesse Winchester, Gary Stewart, Emmylou Harris (notably on Hello Stranger from the 1977 album Luxury Liner), Linda Ronstadt, Norton Buffalo, the Doobie Brothers, Christopher Cross, Dirt Band, Tom Johnston, Graham Nash, Albert Hammond, Rita Coolidge, and Van Halen ~ Larson was born in 1952
December 16, 1997 ~ Singer Zara Larsson born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ First gained attention as a contestant on the Swedish talent show Talang in 2008. Released a debut EP, Introducing, in 2013. Its accompanying single Uncover would top the charts throughout Scandinavia. Larsson's full-length debut album, 2017's So Good, would spawn several international hit singles including Lush Life, Symphony and Never Forget You. The latter would reach No.13 on the American Billboard Hot 100