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 24, 1992 ~ Percussionist, conga player, songwriter Bobby Lakind, full name Robert Jay Lakind, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Started as lightning roadie for the Doobie Brothers. Sessioned on albums and stage from 1976 onwards, full band member from 1979 up to the band's break-up in 1982 ~ Lakind was born in 1945December 24, 1991 ~ Pop singer Louis Tomlinson, full name Louis William Tomlinson, born in Doncaster, UK ~ Rose to fame as member of boy band One Direction. Following the band's hiatus released his solo debut single, Just Hold On with Steve Aoki, in 2016. As a solo artist also known for songs such as Back To You featuring Bebe Rexha & Digital Farm Animals, Miss You, and The Two Of Us
December 24, 1990 ~ Swing singer Ronnie Deauville passed away in Vero Beach, Florida, USA ~ Influenced by Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra. Enjoyed a brief career through the mid 1950s, notably with Glen Gray's orchestra, cut short by a car accident and subsequently contracting polio leaving him paralyzed from the neck down ~ Deauville was born in 1925
December 24, 1982 ~ Indie pop, synth-pop, electronic keyboardist, guitarist, singer Martin Doherty, full name Martin Clifford Doherty, born in Clydebank, UK ~ Forms the trio Chvrches with Iain Cook and Lauren Mayberry, perhaps best known for their collaboration with Marshmello on the 2019 UK top 10 hit Here With Me. Doherty previously served as touring member of indie rock bands Twilight Sad and Aerogramme
December 24, 1982 ~ Gregory Skyler Taylo, commonly known as rapper, actor Skyzoo, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Has worked with Jill Scott, Wale, Lloyd Banks, Tyrese, Dr Dre, Raheem DeVaughn, Black Thought, Jadakiss, Talib Kweli, Spike Lee, John Legend, Justus League, 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, Torae, Sean Price, Guilty Simpson, Wale, Maino, the Reks, Young Chris, Best Kept Secret, Just Blaze, Illmind, Needlz, and Black Milk
December 24, 1980 ~ Composer, songwriter Alec Wilder, full name Alexander Lafayette Chew Wilder, passed away in Gainesville, Florida, USA ~ Known for writing or co-writing songs such as Give Me Time (Mildred Bailey), Who Can I Turn To (Gene Krupa), Moon And Sand (Xavier Cugat), I'll Be Around (Cab Calloway), While We're Young (Fred Waring), Trouble Is A Man (Peggy Lee), and The Lady Sings The Blues (Cleo Laine) ~ Wilder was born in 1907
December 24, 1980 ~ Nneka Egbuna, mononymously known as R&B, hip-hop, afrobeat, reggae singer, guitarist, drummer, pianist, songwriter, actress Nneka, born in Warri, Nigeria ~ Influenced by Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Lauryn Hill. Has been critically compared to Erykah Badu, Neneh Cherry, Floetry. First gained attention opening for dancehall reggae singer Sean Paul in 2004. Would release her acclaimed Victim Of Truth debut album the following year. Broke through with her No Longer At Ease sophomore album, which included her biggest hit HeartbreakDecember 24, 1980 ~ Ska punk, punk rock, world music, folk singer, guitarist Tomas Kalnoky, also known as Toh Kay, born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Lead singer, guitarist, sole constant member for ska punk outfit Streetlight Manifesto, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Everything Goes Numb 2003 debut album and its 2006 follow-up KEasbey Nights. Also fronts the musical collective Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution, drawing from ska, punk, classical, and eastern European music in an entirely acoustic setting. Kalnoky has also recorded as a solo artist, going by the moniker Toh Kay, and has worked with Gimp and Catch 22
December 24, 1977 ~ In its 14th week on the charts, How Deep Is Your Love by the Bee Gees hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ A lush ballad written and recorded by the Gibb siblings, used for the soundtrack of the smash hit film Saturday Night Fever. Prior to the release of Michael Jackson's Thriller album in 1982, the soundtrack album was the best-selling album in music history, and still ranks as one of the all-time best-selling soundtrack albums with over 40 million copies sold. When How Deep Is Your Love reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100, it dethroned Debby Boone's You Light Up My Life which had held the top spot for ten consecutive weeks. Initially, singer Yvonne Elliman was tapped to sing How Deep Is Your Love, yet the film's producer Robert Stigwood insisted the Bee Gees would perform the song themselves. Elliman, however, would be given If I Can't Have You penned by the Bee Gees, another Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit from the same soundtrackDecember 24, 1977 ~ Pedri Nolasco Justix Nolasco, commonly known as son, bolero, mambo, descarga, jazz pianist, conductor, bandleader, arranger, composer Peruchín, passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Studied piano and saxophone but had to give up the latter due to his asthma. Considered one of the most important figures in 1950s descarga music and one of the most influential 20th-century Cuban pianists. Alongside Lilí Martínez, Noro Morales and Rubén González defined modern Cuban piano playing. Remained at the forefront of Cuban jazz through the 1960s. Influenced Charlie Palmieri, George Shearing, Papo Lucca, Chucho Valdes. Mentored Bebo Valdes. Father of guitarist Peruchín Jr ~ Justiz was born in 1913
December 24, 1975 ~ Dewayne Battle, commonly known as hip-hop rapper, MC, producer, songwriter Young Zee, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Debuted as a solo artist in 1996 with the Musical Meltdown album. First gained attention as member of Outsidaz, known for the 2000 Night Life album and its 2001 follow-up The Bricks album. Has worked with the Fugees, Rah Digga, Casual, Saurus & Bones, D12, Jedi Mind Tricks, and Mr GreenDecember 24, 1974 ~ Jazz, free jazz drummer Paal Nilssen-Love born in Molde, Norway ~ Closely associated with Frode Gjerstad. Founded ELEMENT. Has collaborated with Ingebrigt Håker Flatan, Havard Wilk, Iain Ballamy, Chris Potter, Mats Gustafsson, Ken Vandermark, Ab Baars, School Days, Thing, the Scorch Trio, the Territory Band, FME, Peter Brötzmann, Lasse Marhaug, Atomic, and Fireroom
December 24, 1974 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Sophie Alour born in Quimper, France ~ Co-founded the Vintage Orchestra, teaming up with Fabien Maria, Thomas Savy, Jerry Edwards, and Yoann Loustalot. Also worked with Manita, Jean Daniel Botta, Christophe dal Sasso, Lionel Belmondo, Aldo Romano, Wynton Marsalis, Hugo Lipp, Emmanuel Bex, Stephane Belmondo, Eletro Big, Benjamin Roy, Frederic Nardin, Alexandre Saada, Laurent Coq, Nicolas Moreux, and Frederic Pasqua
December 24, 1973 ~ Progressive black metal bassist, guitarist, singer Grutle Kjellson, full name Kjetil Tvedte Grutle, born in Valestrand, Norway ~ Best known as bassist, singer and along with guitarist Ivar Bjørnson one of only two remaining original members of the Enslaved. Has also worked with Desekrator, Darkthrone, V 28, Vreid, and Trinacria
December 24, 1972 ~ Jazz trombonist, arranger Eli Robinson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Speed Webb, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Teddy Hill, Willie Bryant, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Roy Eldridge, Lucky Millinder, Count Basie, Buddy Tate, Blanche Calloway, Buster Bailey, Earl Warren, Johnny Otis, and Lester Young ~ Robinson was born in 1908
December 24, 1971 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Mike Chlasciak born in Warsaw, Poland ~ Best known as original and longtime guitarist of Halford, led by Rob Halford. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with Isolation Chamber, John West, Joacim Cans, Painmuseum, Sebastian Bach, Testament, and Primal Fear
December 24, 1971 ~ Enrique Martin Morales, singer, commonly known as Ricky Martin, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. ~ Member of Menudo, leaving the band in 1989 to pursue a solo career. Has sold over 70 milllions albums. Widely regarded as “the King of Latin pop” best known for songs such as Vuelva, Me Ameres, Perdido Sin Te, Living La Vida Loca, and She Bangs. Has collaborated with artists such as Christina Aguilera (Nobody Wants To Be Lonely), Janet Jackson (Ask For More), Pitbull, Joss Stone (The Best Thing About Me Is You), Loleatta Holloway (Relight My Fire), Eros Ramazzotti, Claude Leitte, Daddy Yankee, Maluma, and Draco RosaDecember 24, 1969 ~ Experimental, avant-garde, ska punk, pop saxophonist, keyboardist, singer Clinton McKinnon born in Crescent City, California, USA ~ Best known as saxophonist for Mr Bungle from 1989 until its disbandement in 2000. Has also worked with Secret Chiefs 3, Dieselhed, Lakota. Guested on recordings by Melt Banana, Carl Hancock Rux, Eyvind Kang, and Baarefoot Hockey Goalie
December 24, 1969 ~ Producer, engineer, songwriter Dan Carey, full name Daniel de Mussenden Carey, born in Islington, UK ~ Worked with Sexwitch, Bat For Lashes, Nick Mulvey, Azusena, Little Daylight, Bloc Party, Steve Mason, Yeasayer, TOY, Tame Impala, Alice Gold, Lily Allen, Kylie Minogue, Fatboy Slim, Emiliana Torrini, Franz Ferdinand, Sia, Sophie Hunger, and Fontaines DCDecember 24, 1969 ~ Bassist Kevin Chown born in Escanaba, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Tarja Turunen, Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, Edwin Dare, and Artension. Also worked with Paul Gilbert, Sebastian Bach, Uncle Kracker, Chuck Berry, Ted Nugent, Tony Macalpine, Jeff Kollman, Tiles, Cosmosquad, Der Elefant, Bleeding Harp, Original Moon, and George Bellas
December 24, 1968 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Doyle Bramhall II born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Son of drummer Doyle Bramhall. Co-founding member of blues rock outfit the Arc Angels. Debuted as a solo artist with the eponymous Doyle Bramhall II album in 1996. Has also worked with Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Charlie Sexton, Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, T-Bone Burnett, Elton John, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Gary Clark Jr, Gregg Allman, Dr John, Allen Toussaint, Billy Preston, Erykah Badu, Questlove, Meshell Ndegeocello, Sheryl Crow, Sharon Jones, N'dea Davenport, BB King, Double Trouble, Jennifer Warnes, Lisa Marie Presley, Boyd Tinsley, Marty Grebb, Bettye LaVette, Rodney Crowell, John Legend, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Robbie Robertson
December 24, 1968 ~ Singer Wolter Kroes born in Wormerveer, the Netherlands ~ At age 6 received drum lessons from BZN's Jan Keizer. Got his first break in 1988, winning a local talent contest in a Wormerveer discotheque, singing Al Martino's Spanish Eyes. Released his Ik Mis Je Elke Dag Een Beetje Meer debut single the following year. It would be a few more years though before his big break, reaching the Dutch top 40 with the single Laat Me Los off his 1995 album of the same name. Has recorded consistently since, known best for songs such as Ik Heb De Hele Nacht Liggen Dromen, Niet Normaal, and perhaps his best known Viva HollandiaDecember 24, 1965 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Carla Bozulich born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of alt-country outfit the Geraldine Fibbers, known for their acclaimed 1994 Lost Somewhere Between The Earth And My Home debut album. Also co-founded Evangelista, Ethyl Meatplow, Scarnella. Also known as a writer, publishing articles, short fiction, poetry, criticism for Alternative Press, LA Weekly, and Wire Magazine
December 24, 1964 ~ Kenny Earl Edwards, commonly known as heavy metal drummer, guitarist, singer Kenny Earl, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as member of Manowar from 1991 through 1994 and again, briefly, in 2008 and 2009. Following his initial departure from the band has gone on to work with Holyhell, Forgotten Realm, the Angels Of Babylon, Ango Tasso's Air Force, Tommy Vitaly, Holy Force, Jack Starr, Death Dealer, Stonecast, and ZixDecember 24, 1964 ~ Christophe Miossec, mononymously known as indie rock, acoustic rock singer, songwriter Miossec, born in Brest, France ~ Released his Boire debut album in 1995. Broke through with the 1998 A Prendre and has recorded to commercial succes since