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 17, 1961 ~ Country singer Patsy Cline records She's Got You at Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Hank Cochran. Produced by Owen Bradley. Paired with Strange on the flip side released the next January. The single would top Billboard's Country chart, peak at No.14 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Patsy Cline was backed by Bob Moore acoustic bass, Shot Jackson 6-string electric bass, Floyd Cramer piano, Walter Haynes steel guitar, Randy Hughes acoustic guitar, Grady Martin electric guitar, Bill Pursell organ, vocal group the Jordanaires providing the backing vocals
December 17, 1961 ~ Singer, songwriter Sarah Elizabeth Dalin, full name Sara Elizabeth Dallin, born in Bristol, UK ~ Founding member of Bananarama, known for hits such as Cruel Summer, I Heard A Rumour, Really Saying Something, Robert de Niro's Waiting, Love In The First Degree and perhaps their best known Venus, the latter topping the charts in numerous countries in 1986 including America
December 17, 1959 ~ Guitarist Bob Stinson, full name Robert Neil Stinson, born in Waconia, Minnesota, USA ~ Lead guitarist, co-founding member of the Replacements, conisdered one of the most influential rock acts of the 1980s, with whom he recorded four albums, including the highly acclaimed Tim. Stinson was ousted from the band in 1985, most likely due to a power struggle with the band's singer Paul Westerberg. As Prefix Magazine later documented: “Whether he was thrown out for the way his alleged alcohol problems had destroyed his skills or he left voluntarily due to creative tension is a moot point. What matters is this: Stinson was gone, and with him went much of the band's edge.” Stinson would pass away at age 35, his overall health diminished by frequent drug use. A park bench dedicated to Stinson sits next to a quiet canal near Lake Of The Isles, Minneapolis. It was purchased by his mother Anita in his honor ~ Stinson passed away in 1995
December 17, 1958 ~ Alternative rock, college rock, jangle pop bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Mike Mills, full name Michael Edward Mills, born in Orange, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of REM. Primary songwriter on songs such as Nightswimming, At My Most Beautiful, Wendell Gee, Don't Go Back To Rockville, and What's The Frequency Kenneth. Member of the Baseball Project. Has also worked with acts such as Hindu Love Gods, Warren Zevon, the Cynics, the Indigo Girls, Kevin Kinney, Robbie Robertson, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Backbeat Band
December 17, 1956 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion percussionist Armando Marçal, full name Armando de Souza Marcal and sometimes referred to as Marçalzinho, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Internationally best known for his association with Pat Metheny, appearing on the 1980s albums Still Life (Talking) and Letter From Home and briefly rejoining the Pat Metheny Group in the mid 1990s. Has also worked with Gal Costa, Jorge Ben, Vanessa Da Mata, Chico Buarque, Julio Iglesias, Stephan Remmler, Djavan, Paul Simon, Matt Bianco, Lio, Ivan Lins, Stefano Bollani, João Bosco, and Elis ReginaDecember 17, 1953 ~ Singer Sharon White born in Abilene, Texas, USA ~ Married to singer Ricky Skaggs. Member of the Whites, which also includes her sister Cheryl White and father Buck White, known for 1980s hits such as You Put The Blue In Me, Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling, If It Ain't Love Let's Leave It Alone, and Hometown Gossip
December 17, 1952 ~ Ira Williams, commonly known as jazz drummer Buddy Williams, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Active in the 1970s and 1980s. Not to be confused with Australian country singer Buddy Williams. Ira ‘Buddy’ Williams played with Grover Washington Jr, Cedar Walton, David Sanborn, Kirk Whalum, Joe Sample, Nat Adderley, Andy Bey, Carla Bley, George Freeman, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Grusin, Jaroslav Jakubovic, Lee Ritenour, Sonny Sharrock, Valerie Simpson, Bob Stewart, McCoy Tyner, Hugh Masekela, and notably with Luther Vandross on the double Grammy-winnning 1981 album Never Too Much
December 17, 1952 ~ Donald Eugene Jones, commonly known as pop rock, glam rock bassist Mickie Jones, born ~ Bassist of Angel from 1975 to 1977, present on the albums Angel, Helluva Band and On Earth As It Is In Heaven. The band was discovered by Kiss guitarist Gene Simmons and known for their androgynous image. Slammed by rock critics and ridiculized by Frank Zappa in the song Punky's Whips, the band never achieved mass commercial succes but enjoyed a cult following. Both Jones and bandmate Punky Meadows were asked to join the New York Dolls but declined. Jones also previously played in BUX ~ Jones passed away in 2009
December 17, 1951 ~ Singer Wanda Hutchinson born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Emotions, critically regarded as one of the most influential girl groups. Artists influenced by the band include En Vogue, Anita Baker, Shanice, Regina Belle. Erykah Badu, Sheena Easton, Teena Marie, and Fantasia. They are best known for the mid 1970s albums Flowers and its follow-up Rejoice. Best known for songs such as Flowers, I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love, Best Of My Love, Don't Ask My Neighbours and SmileDecember 17, 1950 ~ Reggae, ska, rocksteady drummer, percussionist Carlton Barrett born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Popularized the one drop rhythm drumming style. Brother of bassist, guitarist Aston Barrett, bandmate in Lee Scratch Perry's houseband the Upsetters as well as in Bob Marley's backing unit the Wailers. Barrett remained with Marley from the late 1960s until Marley's death in 1981, co-writing songs such as Talkin' Blues and Them Belly Full. Also worked with the Impact All-Stars ~ Barrett passed away in 1987
December 17, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Paul Rodgers, full name Paul Bernard Rodgers, born in Middlesbrough, UK ~ Cited as an influence by John Mellencamp and Freddie Mercury. Lead singer of Free, known for the 1970 hit All Right Now which reached top 10 in over a dozen countries including America and the band's native UK. Lead singer of Bad Company, known for hits such as Can't Get Enough, Feel Like Makin' Love, and Rock 'n Roll Fantasy. Recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Cut Loose in 1983, and worked with the Firm, the Law, and with a post-Mercury incarnation of QueenDecember 17, 1948 ~ Avant-garde, free jazz saxophonist, bandleader, composer Allan Praskin, full name Allan Conrad Praskin, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Gunter Hampel, Barbara Dennerlein, Özay Fecht, Fritz Pauer, Branislav Lala Kovacev, Warne Marsh, Hans Koller, Wolfgang Köhler, and Larry Porter
December 17, 1948 ~ Singer Clémence Bringtown born in Le Robert, Martinique ~ Member of pop unit La Compagnie Créole, founded in 1975. The band originally sang in Creole but quickly adopted French as their main language. Known for their feel-good, happy-go-lucky vibe they have recorded about two dozen albums and would enjoy popularity in the Francophone world and beyond especially in the 1980s, reportedly selling over 60 million records over the course of their career. Well-known songs include Vive Le Douanier Rousseau, C'est Bon Pour Le Moral, Le Bal Masqué, Ça Fait Rire Les Oiseaux, and Ma Première Biguine-Partie
December 17, 1948 ~ Progressive rock, folk, acid folk, classical violinist, pianist, songwriter Darryl Way born in Taunton, UK ~ Founding member of Curved Air, co-wrote the band's Back Street Luv. Has also worked with Trace, Gong, Jethro Tull, appearing on the latter's 1978 Heavy Horses album. As a solo artist has released about a dozen albums straddling rock and classical musicDecember 17, 1948 ~ Rock drummer Jim Bonfanti born in Windber, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Choir, known for the 1967 It's Cold Outside single. Subsequently a member of the Raspberries, best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Go All The Way of their 1972 eponymous Raspberries debut album
December 17, 1946 ~ Drummer Martin Smith born in Southampton, UK ~ Best known as a member of Gentle Giant, appearing on the band's eponymous Gentle Giant debut album and its follow-up Acquiring The Taste, before being replaced by Malcolm Mortimore. Has also worked with Simon Dupree & the Big Sound ~ Smith passed away in 1997
December 17, 1944 ~ Classical, jazz guitarist, arranger Carlos Barbosa-Lima, full name Antonio Carlos Barbosa-Lima, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Worked with Sharon Isbin, Laurindo Almeida, Charlie Byrd, Thiago de Mello, Eddie Gomez, and others ~ Barbosa-Lima passed away in 2022
December 17, 1944 ~ Peter Leslie Dines, commonly known as keyboardist Dino Dines, born in Hertfordshire, UK ~ Best known as member of T.Rex frim 1974 until the band's dissolution in 1977 after the death of frontman Marc Bolan, present on hits such as Light Of Love, New York City and I Love To Boogie. Had previously played with Apostolic Intervention, known for Tell Me Have You Ever Seen Me, and with the Keef Hartley Band ~ Dines passed away in 2004
December 17, 1942 ~ Blues harpist, singer Paul Butterfield, full name Paul Vaughn Butterfield, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for being one of the first white musicians to achieve commercial success with hard-edged, raw Chicago blues, notably with the 1960s the Paul Butterfield Blues Band albums The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and its follow-up East-West. Butterfield has also performed or recorded with Muddy Waters, Nick Gravenites, Elvin Bishop, Michael Bloomfield, and John Mayall ~ Butterfield passed away in 1987
December 17, 1941 ~ Fitzroy Marshall, commonly known as ska, rocksteady, reggae singer Larry Marshall, born in St Ann Parish, Jamaica ~ Half of Larry & Alvin, the other half being Alvin Leslie, known for songs such as Nanny Goat. As a solo artist debuted in 1973 with the album Presenting Larry Marshall and known for songs such as A Promise Is A Comfort To A Fool, I've Got Another Girl, and Please Stay. Worked with Philip Yaz, Coxsone Dodd, Prince Buster, Enid Cumberland, Burning Spear, and King Tubby ~ Marshall passed away in 2017
December 17, 1940 ~ Son, jazz pianist, composer Lázaro Valdés, full name Lázaro Valdés Espinosa, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Leading figure in Cuban jazz. Son of percussionist Oscar Valdés. Pianist for Benny Moré's big band the Banda Giganta, taking over leadership of the band after Morés death in 1963 ~ Valdés passed away in 2023
December 17, 1940 ~ Folk singer, banjoist, actor Luke Kelly born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Regarded by some as one of Ireland's greatest folk singers. Co-founded the Dubliners, serving as co-lead singer alongside Ronnie Drew from 1962 through 1983 with a temporary hiatus in 1964. The band is known for their energetic stage presence and scored chart success with singles such as Seven Drunken Nights, Black Velvet Band, Hand Me Down My Bible, Free The People and The Irish Rover, the latter a collaborative single with the Pogues ~ Kelly passed away in 1984
December 17, 1939 ~ Singer Eddie Kendricks born in Union Springs, Alabama, USA ~ Co-founded the Temptations in 1960 and stayed with the band through 1971. Sang lead on songs such as The Way You Do The Things You Do, I'll Be In Trouble, The Girl's Alright With Me, Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) (which he co-wrote), Get Ready, Please Return Your Love To Me, and Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me). Responsible for most of the group's vocal arrangements. Feeling uncomfortable with the move to psychedelic soul Kendricks left the band pursuiing a solo career. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Girl You Need A Change Of Mind, Keep On Truckin', Boogie Down, Son Of Sagittarius, Shoeshine Boy, He's A Friend, and Intimate Friends. The latter would be sampled by Alicia Keys on Unbreakable ~ Kendricks passed away in 1992December 17, 1939 ~ Pianist James Booker, full name James Carroll Booker III, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for songs such as Doin'The Hambone, Thinkin About My Baby, Gonzo. Has worked with Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Lloyd Price, John Boudreaux, Jessie Hill, Alvin Robinson, John Mayall, Ringo Starr, the Doobie Brothers, Labelle, Maria Muldaur, and Dr John ~ Booker passed away in 1983
December 17, 1939 ~ Patrick Cole, commonly known as singer, saxophonist, clarinetist Paddy Cole, born in Castleblayney, Ireland ~ Lovingly dubbed “King of the Swingers”, Cole has enjoyed a career spanning seven decades working with showbands from his mid-teens until his death at age 85. First gained serious attention in the early 1960s as a member of the Capitol Showband, playing dancehalls across Ireland. Member of the Big Eight Showband during the 1970s, with whom he played a resident show in Las Vegas. Fronted his own the Paddy Cole Band, later renamed to the Paddy Cole Superstars. Upon hearing of his passing, Michael D Higgins, president of Ireland, commented: “The loss of Paddy Cole is the loss of one of the founding icons of the great period of the Irish showbands. (…) Cole's music was first class, with jazz of international quality, and (my wife) Sabina and I knew and admired him as a friend” ~ Cole passed away in 2025