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 18, 1897 ~ Bandleader Fletcher Henderson, full name James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, born in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA ~ Pivotal figure in development of swing and big band jazz. Along with Duke Ellington, one of the most prolific African-American arrangers and bandleaders of his day. Has worked with sidemen such as Don Redman, Howard Scott, Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Dixon, Kaiser Marshall, Buster Bailey, Elmer Chambers, Charlie Green, Ralph Escudero, Red Allen, Joe Smith, Rex Stewart, Tommy Ladnier, Doc Cheatham, Chu Berry, Roy Eldridge, Frank Pronto, and Elisha Hanna ~ Henderson passed away in 1952December 18, 1861 ~ Musical composer Lionel Monckton, full name Lionel John Alexander Monckton, born in London, UK ~ Britain's most popular musical composer in the early 20th century. Well-known works include A Country Girl, Our Miss Gibbs, and perhaps his best known the 1909 hit The Arcadians ~ Monckton passed away in 1924