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, 1949 ~ Jazz fusion, funk drummer Lenny White, full name Leonard White III, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Considered one of the founders of jazz fusion. Best known as a member of Chick Corea's Return To Forever ensemble. As a leader acclaimed for the albums Venusian Summer and The Adventures Of Astral Pirates. Founded jazz-soul group Twennynine. Produced and played on Chaka Khan's 1982 Echoes Of An Era album. Also notably present on albums by Andrew Hill, Miles Davis (Bitches Brew), Freddie Hubbard (Red Clay), Gato Barbieri, Stanley Clarke, Azteca, Don Cherry, Al di Meola (Land Of The Midnight Sun), John Klemmer, Chick Corea, Bob James, Marcus Miller, and the Essence Of FunkDecember 19, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, actor, songwriter Chris Jagger, full name Christopher Jagger, born in Dartford, UK ~ Younger brother of the Rolling Stones-frontman Mick Jagger. First recorded as a solo artist in the 1970s and has recorded from time to time since. Has worked with Rufus Collins, and the Flying Burrito Brothers
December 19, 1947 ~ Singer Janie Fricke born in South Whitley, Indiana, USA ~ Started as a background singer in the mid 1970s for artists such as Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, Lynn Anderson, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Eddie Rabbitt, and Johnny Duncan (including on Stranger). Debuted with the single What're You Doing Tonight in 1977 and released several singles and albums up to the turn of the 1980s. It was producer Billy Sherrill's suggestion to focus on one style. Turning to ballads brought Fricke mainstream success and she would become one of the most popular female country singers of the 1980s with songs such as Down To My Last Broken Heart, I'll Need Someone To Hold Me (When I Cry), Tell Me A Lie, and Your Heart's Not In ItDecember 19, 1947 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Jimmy Bain, full name James Stewart Bain, born in Newtonmore, UK ~ Best known as member of Rainbow, present on the 1976 Rising album, and of Dio since 1982, first appearing on the 1983 Holy Diver album. Has also worked with Mike Montgomery, David Kubinec, Thin Lizzy, Phil Lynott, Kate Bush, Wild Horses, Gary Moore, Greedy Bastards, 3 Legged Dogg, and Last In Line ~ Bain passed away in 2016
December 19, 1945 ~ Guitarist, mandolinist, banjoist John McEuen born in Garden Grove, California, USA ~ Founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, remaining with the band for two decades. Has collaborated with a host of artists including David Bromberg, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Bill Wyman, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, June Carter, Jerry Garcia, Phish, Jerry Jeff Walker, Les Dudek, Alison Krauss, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Russell, Little Richard, Mother Maybelle Carter, Levon Helm, Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers, Steve Vai, Jimmy Buffett, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alan Arkin, the Allman Brothers Band, Waylon Jennings, Crystal Gayle, Doug Kershaw, Michael Martin Murphey, Donovan, David Amram, Arlo Guthrie, Asleep At The Wheel, Aerosmith, Lyle Lovett, and Tom Petty
December 19, 1944 ~ Graham Anthony Barnes, commonly known as guitarist, singer Alvin Lee, born in Nottingham, UK ~ Praised for his signature lightning-fast guitar licks, and best known as original lead singer, guitarist of pivotal British blues rock outfit Ten Years After, with whom he recorded close to a dozen albums through the early 1980s including the highly acclaimed Cricklewood Green released in 1970. Alvin Lee has also recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist, notably teamed up with Christian rock singer Mylon LeFevre for the collaborative 1973 Road To Freedom album, and has guested on albums by Jerry Lee Lewis, Splinter, George Harrison (Dark Horse), Bo Diddley, Roy Harper, the Outfield, and Chris Farlowe ~ Barnes passed away in 2013December 19, 1944 ~ Pop, rock pianist, bassist, producer Stuart Colman, full name Ian Stuart Colman, born in Harrogate, UK ~ First gained attention as member of Pinkerton's Assorted Colours and its successor the Flying Machine, known for their 1969 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Smile A Little Smile For Me. Colman would go on to become an in-demand producer, notably for Shakin' Stevens scoring hits such as This Old House, Green Door, Oh Julie. Produced the 1980s remake Living Doll, a collaborative effort of the Young Ones and Cliff Richard. Has also worked with Paul Kennerley, Claire Hamill, the Revillos, Kim Wilde, Alvin Stardust, Victoria Shaw, and Nanci Griffith ~ Colman passed away in 2018
December 19, 1944 ~ Conductor, harpsichordist William Christie, full name William Lincoln Christie, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Specialized in baroque and classical repertoire, including Henry Purcell, George Frideric Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Founded Les Art Florissants in 1979, known especially for their performances of works written by Marc-Antoine Charpentier. Professor at the Paris Conservatoire from 1982 through 1985
December 19, 1944 ~ Folk rock, rock & roll guitarist Zal Yanovsky born in Toronto, Canada ~ One of the first rock & roll performers to wear a cowboy hat, a trend followed by Sonny Bono, Johnny Rivers, David Crosby. Teamed with Denny Doherty in the Halifax Three, the duo later joining Cass Elliott in the Mugwumps. Doherty and Elliot would go on to reach fame in the Mamas & the Papas, Yanovsky would reach fame co-founding Lovin' Spoonful with John Sebastian, scoring the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Do You Believe In Magic, You Didn't Have To Be So Nice, Daydream, Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind, Summer In The City, Rain On The Roof, and Nashville Cats ~ Yanovsky passed away in 2002December 19, 1943 ~ Vibraphonist, percussionist, keyboardist, bandleader, songwriter Mulatu Astatke born in Jimma, Ethiopia ~ Considered “the Father of Ethiopian Jazz” actively recording since the mid 1960s. Has worked with Frank Holder, Mahmoud Ahmed, Duke Ellington, Hailu Mergia, the Either/Orchestra, the Heliocentrics, and the Black Jesus Experience
December 19, 1941 ~ Drummer, singer, songwriter Maurice White born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as co-founder of Earth Wind & Fire sharing co-lead vocal duties with Philip Bailey. Previously a Chess Records session drummer backing artists such as Etta James, Chuck Berry, Rotary Connection, Junior Wells, Sonny Stitt, Muddy Waters, the Impressions, the Dells, Betty Everett, Willie Dixon, Sugar Pie DeSanto, and Buddy Guy. Also backed Fontella Bass on Rescue Me, Billy Stewart on Summertime and Jackie Wilson on (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher. Member of the Jazzmen. Member of Ramsey Lewis Trio. Produced or c-produced for a number of R&B and pop artists including Deniece Williams (This Is Niecy, Song Bird), the Emotions, Minnie Riperton (Come To My Garden), Ramsey Lewis. Jennifer Holliday, Barbra Streisand (Emotion), the Urban Knights, and Paul Taylor ~ White passed away in 2016December 19, 1940 ~ Post bop, hard bop saxophonist, composer Don Weller, full name Donald Arthur Albert Weller, born in Thornton Heath, UK ~ Worked with Kathy Stobart, Major Surgery, Bryan Spring, Stan Tracey, Harry Beckett, Art Themen, Alan Price, Tina May, Charlie Hearnshaw, Tucky Buzzard, Alex Harvey, Gil Evans, Hannibal Marvin Peterson, Dick Morrisey, Rocket 88, David Bowie, and Bobby Wellins
December 19, 1940 ~ David Edward Glyde, commonly known as saxophonist, flutist Griff West, born in Barnehurst, UK ~ Member of instrumental pop band Sounds Incorporated, active mostly throughout the end of the 1960s. Known for singles such as The Spartans and Spanish Harlem. The band is best known for backing visiting American musicians on UK tours, including Gene Vincent, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brenda Lee, and Sam Cooke. The band had also served as opening act for the Beatles mid 1960s world tour, including the August 1965 Shea Stadium concert in New York
December 19, 1940 ~ Singer, songwriter Phil Ochs, full name Philip David Ochs born in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Influential 1960s, 1970s protest singer known for his wit, political activism and insightful lyrics with eight albums to his name. Influenced by Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Bob Gibson, Faron Young, Merle Haggard. Some of his best known songs include I Ain't Marching Anymore, Changes, Cricifixion, Draft Dodger Rag, Love Me I'm A Liberal, Outside Of A Small Circle Of Friends, The Power And The Glory, There But For The Fortune and War Is Over ~ Ochs passed away in 1976December 19, 1938 ~ Jazz trombonist Pete Strange born in Manor Park, UK ~ Worked with Eric Silk, Teddy Layton, Sonny Morris, Charli Gall, Ken Sims, Bruce Turner, Freddy Randall, Joe Daniels, Ron Russell, the Midnite Follies Orchestra, Alan Elsdon, FIve A Side, Roy Williams, Campbell Burnap, Humphrey Lyttelton, and the Great British Jazz Band ~ Strange passed away in 2004
December 19, 1938 ~ Jazz drummer Roger Blank born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of trumpeter William Blank. Worked with Cootie Williams, Hank Mobley, Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, the Melodic Art-Tet, Charles Brackeen, Ahmed Abdullah, Ronnie Boykins, Bill Barron, Don Cherry, John Coltrane, Denis Charles, Walt Dickerson, Kenny Dorham, Frank Foster, Charles Greenlee, John Hicks, Ken McIntyre, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, and Charles Tolliver
December 19, 1937 ~ Pianist, keyboardist, singer Joseph Byrd, full name Joseph Hunter Byrd Jr, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Fronted the short-lived the United States Of America. Has also worked with Tom Scott, Ted Greene, Phil Ochs, Don Buchla, arranged for Ry Cooder on the acclaimed 1979 Jazz, and has composed for several films and TV shows ~ Byrd passed away in 2025
December 19, 1937 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Milcho Leviev born in Plovidv, Bulgaria ~ First gained serious attention in the 1960s as conductor with Bulgarian National Radio ensembles. As a composer known for works such as Studia, Blues In 9 and Anti-waltz. Has worked with the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra, Don Ellis, Billy Cobham, Lainie Kazan, John Klemmer, Art Pepper, and Roy Haynes ~ Leviev passed away in 2019
December 19, 1935 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Bobby Timmons born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Undervalued pianist and composer. Helped developed the soul jazz style. Well-known for his tenure with Art Blakey, for whom he wrote or co-wrote several classics including Moanin' and Dat Dere. As a sideman, Timmons has also worked with jazz greats such as Pepper Adams, Arnett Cobb, Maynard Ferguson, Art Farmer, Dexter Gordon, Gloria Lynne, Hank Mobley, Anthony Ortega, Dizzy Reece, and Cannonball Adderley, including on the latter's 1959 live LP The Cannonball Adderley Quintet In San Francisco, arguably one of the finest jazz live albums of the era. Timmons also recorded extensively as a leader from late 1950s to late 1960s, backed by musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Cobb, Ron Carter, Albert Tootie Heath, and Butch Warren ~ Timmons passed away in 1974
December 19, 1929 ~ Lemon Henry Jefferson, commonly known as blues, folk, ragtime singer, guitarist, songwriter Blind Lemon Jefferson, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USAa ~ Called “the Father of the Texas Blues” and one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s. Known for songs such as See That My Grave Is Kept Clean, covered by Bob Dylan, BB King, Kelly Joe Phelps, and Phish, and One Kind Favor, covered by Canned Heat, the Grateful Dead, Pat Donohue, and by Peter Paul & Mary ~ Jefferson was born in 1893
December 19, 1929 ~ Trombonist, pianist Bob Brookmeyer, full name Robert Edward Brookmeyer, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Established himself as leading trombonist in cool jazz and a superb arranger, influenced by modern classical music. Regularly collaborated with Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Jimmy Giuffre, and Manny Albam. Recorded well over two dozen albums as leader or co-leader, starting in the mid 1950s. Guested on albums by Chet Baker, Teddi King (Now In Vogue), Oscar Pettiford, Zoot Sims, Teddy Charles, Terry Gibbs, Mel Lewis, Maynard Ferguson (Maynard Fergusn And His Birdland Dream Band), Jimmy Raney, Ray Charles (The Genius of Ray Charles), Harry Lookofsky, Al Cohn, George Russell (Jazz In The Space Age), Anita O'Day, Jack Teagarden, Carol Sloane (Out Of The Blue), Joe Morello, Junior Mance, Freda Payne (After The Lights Go Down Low And Much More), Gary Burton, and Tubby Hayes ~ Brookmeyer passed away in 2011December 19, 1928 ~ Morris Isaac Charlap, commonly known as composer Moose Charlap, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his work on the Broadway 1954 musical Peter Pan. Married to singer Sandy Stewart, jazz pianist Bill Charlap is the couple's son ~ Charlap passed away in 1974
December 19, 1925 ~ Songwriter, film composer Robert B Sherman born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Formed one of the most productive stage and film composer duos in history with his brother Richard M Sherman. Notable credits include films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Happiest Millionaire, Charlotte's Web and The Aristocats. The brothers were awarded two Academy Awards for their work on the 1964 Mary Poppins musical fantasy film, one for the entire soundtrack and one for Best Original Song for Chim Chim Cher-ee sung by Dick Van Dyke & Julie Andrews ~ Sherman passed away in 2012
December 19, 1920 ~ James Cecil Dickens, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jimmy Dickens, born in Bolt, West Virginia, USA ~ Grand Ole Opry member since 1948. Best known for his humorous novelty songs. Formed the Country Boys in 1950, teaming up with Jabbo Smith, Grady Martin, Bob Moore and Thumbs Carllile. Known for songs such as Country Boy, The Violet And The Rose, May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose, and Take An Old Cold Tater And Wait ~ Dickens passed away in 2015
December 19, 1915 ~ Edith Giovanna Gassion, commonly known as singer Edith Piaf, born in Paris, France ~ One of France's internationally best known stars. Specialized in torch songs and chansons about love, loss and sorrow. Known for songs such as La Vie En Rose, Non Je Ne Regrette Rien, Hymne A L'Amour, Milord, La Foule and L'Accordéoniste ~ Piaf passed away in 1963