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 22, 2025 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Chris Rea, full name Christopher Anton Rea, passed away ~ Active since the 1970s. Regularly hits the charts starting in the early 1980s, mostly in the UK and continental Europe. Known in the US for his 1978 single Fool If You Think It's Over, a Billboard top 20 hit, and for the Christmas classic Driving Home For Christmas. Other well known songs include I Can Hear Your Heartbeat, Josephine, On The Beach, Looking For The Summer, and If You Were Me, the latter a duet with Elton John ~ Rea was born in 1951
December 22, 2023 ~ Singer, bassist Laura Lynch passed away in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, bassist for the Dixie Chicks, Present on the band's first three albums, Thank Heavens For Dale Evans, Little Ol' Cowgirl and Shouldn't A Told You That, before departing the band in 1990. Upon hearing of her death in a traffic collission at age 65, the band issued a statement saying: “We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. Her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West.” ~ Lynch was born in 1958
December 22, 2022 ~ Alexander Woods, commonly known as rapper Big Scarr, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Kodak Black and Boosie Badazz. Best known for Solcy Boyz and its follow-up Solcy Boyz 2, both songs featuring Pooh Shiesty and Foogiano with the latter also featuring Tay Keith. Released his Big Grim Reaper debut mixtape in 2021 ~ Woods was born in 2000
December 22, 2022 ~ Producer, songwriter Thom Bell, full name Thomas Randolph Bell, passed away in Bellingham, Washington, USA ~ Important figure in 1970s Philly soul. Closely associated with the Delfonics, co-writing songs such as La La Means I Love You, Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love), and Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time. Closely associated with the Stylistics, co-writing songs such as You Are Everything, People Make The World Go Round, and Stop Look Listen To Your Heart. Others who recorded his songs include Brooks O'Dell, Tommy Hunt, Connie Stevens, the Intruders, the Spinners (I'll Be Around), Ronnie Dyson, MFSB, Johnny Mathis, Elton John, the Love Dimension, the O'Jays, the Temptations, and Phyllis Hyman ~ Bell was born in 1943
December 22, 2022 ~ Walter Washington, commonly known as blues, funk, R&B singer, guitarist Walter Wolfman Washington, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Backed Lee Dorsey while stil in his teens. Formed the All Fools Band in the 1960s. Probably best known for his association with Johnny Adams, backing Adams for about two decades starting in the 1970s. Released his Rainin' In My Life solo debut album in 1981 and has recorded consistently since, about a dozen albums to his name heavily drawing on blues yet incorporating funk and R&B ~ Washington was born in 1943
December 22, 2021 ~ Pop, rock guitarist Robin Le Mesurier, full name Robin Mark Le Mesurier Halliley, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by the Faces, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Jeff Beck. Member of the Reign through its disbandement in 1973. Subsequently worked with novelty band the Wombles. Associated with Rod Stewart since the mid 1970s, officially joining Stewart's backing band in 1980 and present on the albums Tonight I'm Yours, Camouflage, Body Wishes and Every Beat Of My Heart. Musical director for Johnny Hallyday from the mid 1990s well into the 2010s. Co-founded Farm Dogs with Bernie Taupin and Jim Cregan ~ Le Mesurier was born in 1953
December 22, 2020 ~ Leslie Abel Weinstein, commonly known as guitarist, singer Leslie West, passed away in Palm Coast, Florida, Florida, USA ~ Founding member, co-lead singer of Mountain, known for their 1970 hit Mississippi Queen of their eponymous Mountain album. West had previously been a member of the Vagrants, with whom he scored the minor hits I Can't Make A Friend and Respect. In 2009 West would marry his fiancée Jenni Maurer on stage to a crowd of 15,000 after the band's performance at the Woodstock 40th Anniversary Concert in Bethel, New York. West had also performed with Mountain at the original edition of the one-time festival the Woodstock Music and Art Fair back in 1969 ~ Weinstein was born in 1945
December 22, 2018 ~ Country, rockabilly singer, guitarist, fiddler, songwriter Jimmy Work passed away in Dukedom, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for Making Believe, penned and recorded by Work in 1954. The song would become a country classic covered by numerous artists including Lefty Frizzell, Kitty Wells, Eddy Arnold, Wanda Jackson, Faron Young, Dolly Parton, Don Gibson, Ernest Tubb, and Emmylou Harris ~ Work was born in 1924
December 22, 2016 ~ Engineer, producer Bill Price passed away ~ Chief engineer on the Who singer Pete Townshend's solo albums. Mixer, engineer on some of the 1970s pivotal albums including the Sex Pistols' Never Mind The Bollocks (Here's The Sex Pistols). Has also worked with acts such as the Clash, Guns 'n Roses, Sparks, the Jesus & Mary Chain, the Waterboys, and Mott The Hoople ~ Price was born in 1944
December 22, 2014 ~ John Robert Cocker, commonly known as singer Joe Cocker, passed away in Crawford, Colorado, USA ~ Known for songs such as With A Little Help From My Friends, The Letter, You Are So Beautiful, When The Night Comes, You Can Leave Your Hat On, and Unchain My Heart. Critically acclaimed, especially for his debut album, 1970's Mad Dogs & Englishmen. In-demand collaborator, worked with Leon Russell, Delaney & Bonnie, Silverhead, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, the Crusaders, Jennifer Warnes (the 1982 hit duet Up Where We Belong), Jimmy Barnes, BB King, Eros Ramazzotti, Tim Hinkley, Otis Thompson, and Al Jarreau ~ Cocker was born in 1944
December 22, 2012 ~ Marva Ann Manning, commonly known as singer Marva Whitney passed away in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Regarded as one of the rawest and brassiest divas in funk. Turned down offers from Little Richard and Bobby Blue Bland to join James Brown backing unit, the latter eventually nicknaming her “Soul Sister No.1”. As a solo artist known for classic funk releases such as Your Love Was Good To Me, Unwind Yourself, It's My Thing (You Can Tell Me Who To Sock It To) and Things Got To Get Better (Get Together) ~ Manning was born in 1944December 22, 2012 ~ Drummer Mike Scaccia, full name Michael Ralph Scaccia, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Best known as member of several acclaimed metal and alternative rock bands, most notably Ministry, Rigor Mortis and Revolting Cocks. Has also worked with Lard, 1,000 Homo DJs, Skrew, the League Of Blind Women, and with Buck Satan & the 666 Shooters ~ Scaccia was born in 1965
December 22, 2007 ~ Joseph Urick, commonly known as traditional pop singer Joe Ames, passed away in Eltville am Rhein, Germany ~ Member of family outfit the Ames Brothers, known for a number of 1950s hits including Rag Mop, Sentimental Me, Can Anyone Explain (No No No), Undecided, The Man With The Banjo, The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane and Tammy ~ Urick was born in 1921
December 22, 2006 ~ Songwriter Dennis Linde passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Songwriter best known for penning Elvis Presley's 1972 hit Burning Love. Others who have recorded his songs include Roy Drusky (Long Long Texas Road), Roger Miller, Gary Morris, the Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, Don Williams (Walkin' A Broken Heart), Eddy Raven, Mark Chesnutt, Aaron Tippin, Garth Brooks (Callin' Baton Rouge), Delbert McClinton (Love Rustler), Blackhawk, Joe Diffie (John Deere Green), the Judds, BJ Thomas, the Dixie Chicks (Goodbye Earl), the Everly Brothers, Chris LeDoux, Shenandoah, Ricky Van Shelton, Joy Lynn White, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jo-El Sonnier, Sherrié Austin, and Confederate Railroad ~ Linde was born in 1943
December 22, 2002 ~ John Graham Mellor, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk, alternative rock, rock singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist Joe Strummer, passed away in Broomfield, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member, co-lead singer of the Clash, considered part of the punk movement yet drawing from a wide array of genres including reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, and rockabilly. The band is known for songs such as Complete Control, Tommy Gun, London Calling, Train In Vain, Bankrobber, The Magnificent Seven, Know Your Rights, Should I Stay Or Should I Go, and Rock The Casbah. Strummer has also worked with the 101-ers, the Latino Rockabilly War, the Pogues, and the Mescaleros ~ Mellor passed away in 1952December 22, 2001 ~ Television personality, columnist, singer Lance Loud, full name Alanson Russell Loud, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his appearance in the 1973 reality show An American Family documenting his coming out, making Loud an icon in the gay community. Fronted underground outfit the Mumps, which at times also included future Iggy Pop guitarist Rob Duprey and future Patti Smith-drummer Jay Dee Daugherty ~ Loud was born in 1951
December 22, 1998 ~ Jazz, experimental drummer, percussionist David Earle Johnson passed away ~ About half a dozen albums to his name as a leader, starting with Time Is Free in 1978. In-demand sideman present on albums by Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Lenny White, Oregon, Miroslav Vitous, the Players Association, Sea Level, Taj Mahal, Bob Belden, and George Tandy ~ Johnson was born in 1938December 22, 1993 ~ Singer, songwriter Meghan Trainor, full name Meghan Elizabeth Trainor, born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA ~ Has been recording since age 15. Independently released three albums of self-written material starting with 2009's eponymous Meghan Trainor. A major label debut album, Title, followed in 2015 debuting atop the Billboard Hot 200. Known for top 10 hits such as All About That Bass, Lips Are Moving and No
December 22, 1992 ~ Violinist, composer Harry Bluestone passed away in Studio City, California, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of Emil Cadkin. As a bandleader backed artists such as Jo Stafford and Dinah Shore. Freelanced for numerous radioshows throughout the 1930s working with the likes of Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, the Dorsey Brothers. Would go on to become a highly in-demand violinist and conductor, appearing on records by Peggy Lee, Dolly Parton, the Beach Boys, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, and the Beatles, notably on the latter's Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album ~ Bluestone was born in 1907
December 22, 1991 ~ William Godvin Harris, commonly known as jazz drummer, bandleader Beaver Harris, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with Archie Shepp. Founded 360 Degree Music Experience, which at times included some of the premier artists of the day including Buster Williams, Hamiet Bluiett, Don Pullen, and Jimmy Garrison. Has also worked with Marion Brown, Dexter Gordon, the Blue Humans, Albert Ayler, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Jordan, Sheila Jordan, Lee Konitz, Thelonious Monk, Roswell Rudd, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker, Doc Cheatham, Larry Coryell, Gato Barbieri, Charles Greenlee, Vincent Herring, Steve Lacy, and Massimo Urbani ~ Harris was born in 1936
December 22, 1991 ~ Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter DaBaby, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ First gained attention with his major label debut album Baby On Baby in 2019. Known for songs such as Suge, Intro, Bop and his best known Rockstar featuring Roddy Ricch
December 22, 1991 ~ Composer, conductor Ernst Krenek, full name Ernst Heinrick Krenek, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Explored atonality and other modern styles. Perhaps best known for composing the opera Johnny Spielt Auf published in 1927. The work typified the cultural freedam of the golden era of the Weimar Republic. In the 1930s it would draw the ire of the Nazis, classifying it as degenerate music due to its jazz-influences. Krenek would leave Germany in 1933, settling in America a few years later ~ Krenek was born in 1900
December 22, 1990 ~ Jazz drummer, composer Joe Nay passed away near Munich, Germany ~ Studied guitar at the Berlin Conservatory, Berlin, Germany. Best known as a drummer though, active since the early 1960s. Formed the house band at the noted Berlin jazz club the Blue Note, where he accompanied visiting American jazz musicians such as Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Don Byas, Dexter Gordon, and Johnny Griffin. Nay was also closely associated with Michael Naura, the Northern Lights, and Message. Regarded as one of Germany's prime jazz drummers, Nay has also appeared on albums by Jan Huydts, Carmell Jones, Tete Montoliu (Body & Soul), Dusko Gojkovic, Kristian Schultze, Volker Kriegel, Barbara Dennerlein (Bebab), Dick Heckstall-Smith, and Wilton Gaynair (Alpharian). Nay passed away at age 55 following a traffic accident. Nay's son is Sebastian Nay, who is also a professional jazz drummer ~ Nay was born in 1934
December 22, 1990 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, Impulsive by Wilson Phillips peaks at No.4 Billboard Hot 100 ~ One of four singles lifted off the trio's eponymous Wilson Phillips debut album to reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. The slide guitar lick is provided by Joe Walsh, formerly of the Eagles and the James Gang, while Bill Payne, who had previously worked with Little Feat and the Doobie Brothers, can be heard on organ. The parent album was met with mixed reviews, some praising Glen Ballard's slick production and the trio's harmony vocals, while others deemed the songs shallow and lightweight. Nevertheless, the album was a major commercial success, selling over 8 million copies, and helped land the group several Grammy Award nominations. Written by Clif Magness and Steve Kipner, Impulsive is the only track of the album not co-written by a band member
December 22, 1989 ~ Singer Jordin Sparks, full name Jordin Brianna Sparks, born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Rose to fame winning the sixth season of talent contest American Idol in 2007 at age 17, becoming the youngest winner in the series' history. Released her eponymous Jordin Sparks album later the same year and has been recording to mixed succes since. Best known for songs such as This Is My Now, Tattoo, No Air with Chris Brown, One Step At A Time and Battlefield. Has collaborated with 2 Chainz, Guy Sebastian, Alex Gaudino, Jason Derülo, and Salaam Remi