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 19, 2025 ~ Guitarist, singer Mick Abrahams, full name Michael Timothy Abrahams, passed away ~ Original guitarist for Jethro Tull, artistic differences with Ian Anderson prompting his departure shortly after the release of their 1968 This Was debut album. Subsequently founded and fronted Blodwyn Pig, their 1969 Ahead Rings Out debut album widely regarded as an important contribution to the late 1960s boom of UK blues rock. Abrahams has also recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with his eponymous 1971 album ~ Abrahams was born in 1943
December 19, 2022 ~ Rosalie L Edmondson, commonly known as pop, pop rock singer Sandy Edmonds, passed away in Melbourne, Australia ~ At the height of her fame, during the mid 1960s, New Zealand's most recognizable teen idol. Well known songs include Oh No Not My Baby, I Love Onions, and Daylight Saving Time. Offered a spot in the Seekers in 1968, as replacement for Judith Durham, but declined ~ Edmondson was born in 1948
December 19, 2022 ~ Classical clarinetist Stanley Drucker passed away in Vista, California, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with the New York Philharmonic, remaining with the orchestra from 1948 until his retirement in 2009. Active since his mid-teens, Drucker had previously notably played with the Indianopolis Symphony Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Married to clarinetist Naomi Drucker, their son Leon is known as the Stray Cats-bassist Lee Rocker, their daughter Rosanne Drucker is an alternative country singer ~ Drucker was born in 1929
December 19, 2021 ~ Rock, alternative rock drummer Billy Conway passed away ~ Known for his jazz-influenced, stripped-down drumming style. Member of Treat Her Right. Member of Morphine, enjoying a cult following with acclaimed 1990s albums such as Good and Cure For Pain. After the death of frontman Mark Sandman in 1999 the band folded, Conway going on to work with Orchestra Morphine, Twinemen, Jeffrey Foucault, Cold Satellite, Kris Delmhorst, and John Statz. Released a sole solo album, Outside Inside, in 2020 ~ Conway was born in 1956
December 19, 2021 ~ Classical crossover baritone Carlos Marin, full name Carlos Marin Menchero, passed away in Manchester, UK ~ Best known as member of classical crossover quartet Il Divo which also included Urs Bühler, David Miller and Sébastien Izambard. The group was created and promoted by Simon Cowell and would go on to sell over an estimated 30 million records. They have worked with numerous pop artists including Barbra Streisand, Céline Dion, Nicole Scherzinger and perhaps most notably R&B singer Toni Braxton on Time Of Our Lives, which served as the official anthem of the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany ~ Marin was born in 1968
December 19, 2021 ~ Darrell Caldwell, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Drakeo the Ruler, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Discovered by DJ Mustard, who remixed Drakeo's Mr Get Dough which would become his breakthrough hit in 2015. Drakeo would release his official mixtape debut, I Am Mr Moseley, later the same year. Has been in and out of prison for the next few years, recording his critically acclaimed Thank You For Using GTL 2020 album while incarcerated. Drakeo was stabbed while trying to break up a backstage fight at the Once Upon A Time In LA concert, succumbing to his injuries the following day ~ Caldwell was born in 1993December 19, 2021 ~ Roberto Orlando Bracone Macceialli, commonly known as singer Elio Roca, passed away in Resistencia, Argentina ~ Active since the mid 1960s. Best known for songs such as Como Deseo Ser Tu Amor, Te Necesito Tanato Amor, Yo Quiero Dubujarte. Has also ventured into acting ~ Bracone was born in 1943
December 19, 2018 ~ Lyricist, songwriter Norman Gimbel passed away in Montecito, California, USA ~ Co-wrote songs such as Killing Me Softly With His Song first recorded by Lori Lieberman, later popularized by Roberta Flack, Ready To Take A Chance Again for Barry Manilow, Canadian Sunset for Andy Williams, and the Academy Award-winning It Goes Like It Goes recorded by Jennifer Warnes for the soundtrack to the 1979 Norma Rae drama film ~ Gimbel was born in 1927
December 19, 2017 ~ Rock singer Chloe Kohanski wins NBC's The Voice ~ Singer Chloe Kohanski wins the thirteenth season of NBC's talent show The Voice, runner-up would be Addison Agen. Despite her success on the show landing her a record deal, Kohanski failed to follow through. Her 2017 Wish I Didn't Love You debut single would stall at No.69 Billboard Hot 100. The singer has continued to record, but none of her singles or 2021 All The Same All OK debut album would reach the chartsDecember 19, 2017 ~ Country blues, gospel blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Leo Welch passed away in Bruce, Mississippi, USA ~ Performed locally alongside a day job as lumberjack for three decades. Recorded half a dozen albums, starting with Sabougla Voices released in 2014. Especially known and acclaimed for his final album, The Angels In Heaven Done Signed My Name released posthumously in 2019 ~ Welch was born in 1932
December 19, 2015 ~ Henry James, commonly known as singer Peter Broggs, passed away ~ Debuted in 1979 with the Progressive Youth album and has recorded to mixed success since. Best known for his 1990 Reasoning, which featured backing from the Wailers and Roots Radics ~ James was born in 1952
December 19, 2015 ~ Singer, actress Selma Reis passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Best known as an actress known for roles in telenovelas and miniseries. Debuted as a singer with the eponymous Selma Reis album in 1987 and has recorded steadily since ~ Reis was born in 1960
December 19, 2013 ~ Jazz saxophonist Herb Geller, full name Herbert Arnold Geller, passed away in Hamburg, Germany ~ Veteran of the 1950s Los Angeles jazz scene, with over two dozen albums to his name as a leader recording well into the 2000s. Especially acclaimed for 1955's Outpost Incident and 1993's The Herb Geller Quartet. In-demand sideman, present on quintessential albums by Shorty Rogers, Clifford Brown, Dinah Washington (Dinah Jams), Bill Holman, Maynard Ferguson, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Larance Marable (Tenorman), Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Anita O'Day, Quincy Jones (This Is How I Feel About Jazz), Marty Paich, Lena Horne (Stormy Weather), Chet Baker, Ray Brown (Bass Hit), Jeri Southern, Bill Holman, Benny Goodman, Art Pepper (Plus Eleven), and Buddy DeFranco ~ Geller was born in 1928December 19, 2012 ~ Inez McConico, commonly known as gospel singer, songwriter Inez Andrews, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the Caravans, lead vocals on songs such as Mary Don't You Weep, I'm Not Tired Yet, Make It In, He Won't Deny Me, and I'm Willing. As a solo artist best known for her 1972 crossover hit Lord Don't Move The Mountain ~ McConico was born in 1929
December 19, 2010 ~ Gertrude A Pitts, commonly known as soul jazz keyboardist, organist Trudy Pitts, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Primarily known for playing the Hammond B-3 organ. Played with Ben Webster, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Pat Martino, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk ~ Pitts was born in 1932
December 19, 2006 ~ Singer Gwen Stefani releases The Sweet Escape featuring Akon, lifted off the album of the same name ~ Written by Gwen Stefani, Akon, who had finished the beat before collaborating with Stefani, and Giorgio Tuinfort, The Sweet Escape tells of a couple making up after a nasty fight. Peaking at No.2 Billboard Hot 100, the single would be Stefani's second American top 10 hit off the same album, and her fourth top 10 hit overall, after Rich Girl, Hollaback Girl, and Wind It Up. The Sweet Escape would be nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Pop Collaboration
December 19, 2000 ~ Bassist Milt Hinton, full name Milton John Hinton, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Regarded as the dean of jazz bassists. Worked extensively with Cab Calloway for well over a decade as swing transitioned to bop. About two dozen albums to his name as a leader, especially acclaimed for Basses Loaded released in 1955. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Buck Clayton, Buddy DeFranco (Mr Clarinet), Cozy Cole, Helen Merrill (Helen Merrill), Johnny Hartman, Harry Belafonte (Calypso), Little Willie John, Milt Buckner (Rockin' Hammond), Dinah Washington (The Swingin' Miss D), Cootie Williams, Quincy Jones (The Birth Of A Band), Ida Cox, Ike Quebec, Quincy Jones, Gil Evans (The Individualism Of Gil Evans), John Lee Hooker, Bette Midler (Songs For The New Depression), Steve Goodman, the Manhattan Brass Band, and Eddie Kendricks ~ Hinton was born in 1910
December 19, 2000 ~ Roebuck Staples, commonly known as singer, guitarist Pops Staples, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leading figure in 1950's, 1960s gospel. Worked with Charlie Patton, Robert Johnson, Son House, Steve Cropper, and Albert King. Patriarch of the Staple Singers, which also included his son Pervis Staples, and daughters Mavis Staples, Yvonne Staples, and Cleotha Staples ~ Staples was born in 1914December 19, 2000 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Robert Buck, full name Robert Norman Buck, passed away in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Guitarist, co-founding member of 10,000 Maniacs, and as songwriter wrote or co-wrote some of the band's best known songs including What's The Matter Here, Hey Jack Kerouac, You Happy Puppet, and These Are Days ~ Buck was born in 1958
December 19, 1999 ~ Mary Ann Ward, commonly known as Marion Worth, passed away in Madison, Tennessee, USA ~ Popular the Grand Ole Opry performer known for a number of late 1950s, early 1960s songs such as That's My Kind Of Love, I Think I Know, Shake Me I Rattle (Squeeze Me I Cry), and duetting with George Morgan, Slipping Around ~ Ward was born in 1930
December 19, 1998 ~ Pop, folktronica singer, songwriter Frans Jeppsson Wall born in Ystad, Sweden ~ Released his full-length Da Man debut album in 2006, spawning the modest hit Kul Med Jul. Internationally best known for representing his native Sweden at the 2016 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 5th place with If I Were Sorry
December 19, 1997 ~ James Arthur Lane, commonly known as blues harpist, guitarist, singer Jimmy Rogers, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Father of guitarist Jimmy D Lane. Rodgers is best known as member of Muddy Waters backing unit from 1947 through 1954. Has also recorded a number of pivotal solo recordings, notably That's All Right which has since become a blues standard, Chicago Bound, Walking By Myself and Rock This House, before gradually retiring from music by the early 1960s. Resurfaced in the early 1970s, enjoying popularity especially in Europe. Continued to perform and record until his death, passing away shortly after recording the all-star cast Blues Blues Blues album, posthumously released in 1998. The album featured musicians influenced by Rogers, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and Jeff Healey ~ Lane was born in 1924
December 19, 1994 ~ Jazz violinist, producer Noel Pointer passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ In-demand session musician in R&B, jazz, disco. Debuted as a solo artist with the Phantazia, which reached Platinum status. Notable guest appearance include Milira's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) and Dianne Reeves' The Tracks Of My Tears, both covers of classics respectively Marvin Gaye and the Miracles. Has also worked with the Apollo Theater Orchestra, the Love Unlimited Orchestra, and the orchestras of several Broadway shows. Music advisory panelist for the National Endowment For The Arts ~ Pointer was born in 1954December 19, 1993 ~ Earlan Bartley, also known as dancehall singer Alkaline born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Debuted in 2016 with the album New Level Unlocked. Known for songs such as Champion Boy, Block And Delete, After All, 12PM (Living Good), Formula and City, all hit singles in Jamaica
December 19, 1992 ~ Jazz, R&B, hard bop saxophonist Curtis Peagler passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, and Louis Jordan. Perhaps best known for leading the Modern Jazz Disciples, a short-lived hard bop combo known for their extroverted, aggressive and hard-swinging style and remembered for the acclaimed albums Modern Jazz Disciples and Right Down Front, released respectively in 1959 and 1960. The band was noted among others for including two seldomly used instruments in its sound, a normaphone which is a valve trombone shaped like a saxophone and a euphonium. Over the course of his lengthy career, Peagler released several more albums as a leader, notably I'll Be Around released in 1986, and has performed and recorded with Lem Winchester, Teresa Brewer, Big Joe Turner, Jeannie Cheatham, Frank Wess, Mel Tormé, Freddie Redd (Everybody Loves A Winner), Jimmy Smith, Wynonie Harris, and Ella Fitzgerald. Peagler has been described as “an exciting, extrovert saxophonist who lent color to every band he played in, from Ray Charles in the 1960s to Count Basie in the '70s” by noted music critic Leonard Feather ~ Peagler was born in 1929