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 26, 1980 ~ John Dickson Kelley, commonly known as jazz pianist, bandleader Peck Kelley, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known for leading the 1920s band Peck's Bad Boys, which at times also included Jack Teagarden, Louis Prima, Terry Shand, Wingy Manone, Leon Roppolo and Pee Wee Russell ~ Kelley was born in 1898
December 26, 1980 ~ Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Willie James Lyons passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by BB King, Freddie King, T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulson. Accompanied artists such as Fenton Robinson, Hubert Sumlin, Eddy Clearwater, Carey Bell, John Littlejohn, Mighty Joe Young, Johnny Big Moose Walker, Lefty Dizz, Luther Allison, Jimmy Dawkins, and Bobby Rush. Regularly performed as a solo artist yet recorded only one album, the 1979 album Chicago Woman, which contained blues standards and the self-penned I've Got Trouble In Mind, Groovin' In Paris and the title track Chicago Woman ~ Lyons was born in 1938
December 26, 1979 ~ Guitarist, singer Chris Daughtry born in McLeansville, North Carolina, USA ~ Influenced by Creed, Live, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, the Stone Temple Pilots, Bon Jovi. First gained serious attention as a contestant on the 5th season of American Idol in 2006, reaching 4th place. Offered the frontman spot for Fuel, at the time lacking a lead singer, but declined. Lead singer, eponym of Daughtry, releasing their eponymous Daughtry debut album in 2006. Has previously worked with Cadence and with Absent ElementDecember 26, 1979 ~ Marco Bruno, commonly known as hip-hop producer Marco Polo, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Released his solo debut Port Authority album in 2007. Has collaborated with or produced artists such as Torae, Ruste Juxx, Masta Ace, Sadat X, Pumpkinhead, Heltah Skeltah, Braille, KRS One, Verbal Kent, Talib Kweli, Vinnie Paz, Snak The Ripper, and Phonte
December 26, 1979 ~ Christine Clements, commonly known as dubstep, ambient, IDM singer, keyboardist, programmer, producer Vaccine, born ~ One of the first women to be signed to a dubstep related label, Hotflush Recordings, a genre dominated by males. Influenced by Nine Inch Nails, Akira Yamaoke, Portishead, Massive Attack, and Tricky. Has been releasing 12" recordings since the mid 2000s, starting with Wishful Thinking b/w Signal To Noise, leading up to her Decryption EP in 2014 ~ Clements passed away in 2023
December 26, 1974 ~ Benjamin Kubelsky, commonly known as vaudeville violinist, actor, comedian Jack Benny, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Started out as a modestly successful vaudeville entertainer and violinist. Best known as an actor, comedian, radio and TV personality, becoming a household name with his weekly radio show The Jack Benny Program which artist from 1932 through 1955 and its TV equivalent of the same name initially intended as a limited series of specials, yet remaining on air from 1950 through 1960 ~ Kubalsky was born in 1894December 26, 1971 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Jared Leto, full name Jared Joseph Leto, born in Bossier City, Louisiana, USA ~ Started as an actor for TV in the mid 1990s. Also known as lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and primary songwriter of Thirty Seconds To Mars, which he co-founded in 1998, scoring hits from the mid 2000s onwards including From Yesterday, Kings And Queens, This Is War, Walk On Water and Dangerous Night
December 26, 1970 ~ Electronic, trip hop, pop drummer Dave Westlake born ~ First gained attention as member of Sneaker Pimps, remaining with the band from 1997 through 2002. Subsequently formed Trash Money with bandmate Joe Wilson. Westlake has also worked with Ultrafox and musical comedy act the Mighty Boosh, and composed for film and TV
December 26, 1970 ~ In its 5th week on the charts, My Sweet Lord by George Harrison hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Paired with Isn't It A Pity issued as a double A-side single in America, and with What Is Life on the B-side in the UK, My Sweet Lord was Harrison's solo debut single. It would be his biggest solo hit, and the first solo Billboard Hot 100 charttopper for any member of the Beatles after their disbandement. The song is noted for its unusual pairing of chants from different religions, interpolating the Hindu mantra “Hare Krishna” with the Christian “Hallelujah”. George Harrison would be sued by Bright Tunes Music for My Sweet Lord's resemblance to the 1963 hit He's So Fine, however, Harrison claimed he had not meant to plagiarize the Chiffons. Eventually, while the court felt that Harrison did not intentionally copy the song, they ruled in favor of the plaintiff ruling that the two songs were “virtually the same”. The whole matter so burdenend Harrison that he became disenfranchised with the music industry and took some time of from recording, at one point telling Rolling Stone: “It's difficult to just start writing again after you've been through that. Even now when I put the radio on, every tune I hear sounds like something else”
December 26, 1970 ~ Indie rock, indie pop singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter James Mercer, full name James Russell Mercer, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Influenced by the Smiths, the Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, the Beatles, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark. Co-founded Flake Music, known for their acclaimed 1999 When You Land Here It's Time To Return album. Co-founding and sole constant member, lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter of the Shins. Collaborated with Danger Mouse under the group moniker Broken Bells, releasing their eponymous Broken Bells debut album in 2010
December 26, 1969 ~ Engineer, producer Caleb Southern, full name Caleb August Southern, born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for his association with Ben Folds Five, serving as producer for the albums Ben Folds Five, Whatever And Ever Amen, and The Unauthorized Biography Of Reinhold Messner. Has also worked, either as engineer or producer, with acts such as Metal Flake Mother, Antiseen, Dillon Fence, Flat Duo Jets, Jennyandkind, the Archers of Loaf (Icky Mette), Geezer Lake, Superchunk, Capsize 7, Zen Frisbee, Tom Freund, and Shark Quest ~ Southern passed away in 2023December 26, 1968 ~ Rock band Led Zeppelin kick off their North American tour at the Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado ~ The band play some 30-odd dates across the USA and Canada through mid-February. Early on in the tour they would play as support act for labelmates Vanilla Fudge and Iron Butterfly. However, as the tour progressed, they were outshining the headline acts. By the time the tour reached San Francisco, the other acts simply didn't show up, making Led Zeppelin the headliners
December 26, 1967 ~ Singer Audrey Wiggins born in Asheville, North Carolina, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo John & Audrey Wiggins with her brother John Wiggins. The duo recorded two albums, spawning a string of modest country hits in the mid 1990s including Falling Out Of Love, She's In The Bedroom Crying, Somewhere In Love and their best known Has Anybody Seen My Amy
December 26, 1966 ~ Alternative rock, alternative country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jay Farrar, full name Jay Stuart Farrar, born in Belleville, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founded Uncle Tupelo. Shortly after recording their 1993 Anodyne album, the band's fourth album, Farrar announced his departure from the band over artistic differences with co-leader Jeff Tweedy. Despite never achieving mainstream succes the band was hugely influential in 1990s alternative country, setting the bar for future artists merging elements of punk, folk, rock, and country. Farrar and Mike Heidorn would go on to form Son Volt, while the other Tupelo members formed Wilco. Farrar also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 2001 Sebastopol album, and guested on recordings by Michelle Shocked (Arkansas Traveler), the Bottle Rockets, and Anders ParkerDecember 26, 1965 ~ Pierre Paquet, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, arranger, composer Peter Packay, passed away in Westende, Belgium ~ Despite an accident leaving him crippled in one arm decided to learn to play the trumpet. As a composer known for songs such as Alabama Mamma, The Blue Duke, Dixie Melody and Lullaby For A Mexican Alligator. Worked with the Varsity Ramblers, the Red Beans, David Bee, Packay's Swing Academy, and Billy Arnold ~ Paquet was born in 1904
December 26, 1963 ~ Drummer Lars Ulrich born in Genlofte, Denmark ~ Co-founding member, drummer for Metallica, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Kill 'Em All released in 1983. The band is considered one of “the Big Four” of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer, and known for songs such as Nothing Else Matters, Enter Sandman, Until It Sleeps, The Memory Remains, and Turn The PageDecember 26, 1960 ~ Composer, conductor, flutist Caroline Charrière born in Fribourg, Switzerland ~ Founded all-female choir Choeur De Jade. Composed chamber music, choral music and orchestral pieces. Best known for the oratorio Le Livre De Job and Awakening, a composition for wind quintet ~ Charrière passed away in 2018
December 26, 1959 ~ Charles Henry Mosley III, commonly known as singer, guitarist Chuck Mosley, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Best known as frontman of Faith No More from 1984 to 1988, appearing on the albums We Care A Lot and Introduce Yourself. Formed Bad Brains. Formed Cement. Released solo albums backed by guests such as Jonathan Davis, John 5, Michael Carellone, Roddy Bottum, Imperial Teen, and Leah Lou. Joined industrial collective Primitive Race in 2017 ~ Mosley passed away in 2017
December 26, 1957 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer Guy Barker, full name Guy Jeffrey Barker, born in Chiswick, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Wally Fawkes, Bob Nadkarni, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Johnny Dankworth, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bobby Watson, Clark Tracey, Ornette Coleman, Carla Bley, Georgie Fame, James Carter, Mike Westbrook, Frank Sinatra, Colin Towns, Natalie Merchant, ABC, The The, Haircut 100, Erasure, Chris Botti, Wham, Kajagoogoo, the Housemartins, Matt Bianco, Alphaville, the Style Council, the Moody Blues, Sting, Bucks Fizz, Mike Oldfield, Cleo Laine, Acoustic Alchemy, XTC, Stan Tracey, Perico Sambeat, Bernardo Sassetti, Geoff Gascoyne, and Gene Calderazzo
December 26, 1957 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist Jean-Marc Vivenza born in Marigot, Martinique ~ Member of pop unit La Compagnie Créole, founded in 1975. The band originally sang in Creole but quickly adopted French as their main language. Known for their feel-good, happy-go-lucky vibe they have recorded about two dozen albums and would enjoy popularity in the Francophone world and beyond especially in the 1980s, reportedly selling over 60 million records over the course of their career. Well-known songs include Vive Le Douanier Rousseau, C'est Bon Pour Le Moral, Le Bal Masqué, Ça Fait Rire Les Oiseaux, and Ma Première Biguine-Partie
December 26, 1956 ~ Michael Jones, commonly known as singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter Kashif, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of BT Express through 1978, including on the hits Express and Do It (Till You're Satisfied). As a solo artist known for songs such as I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On), Stone Love, Help Yourself To My Love, Edgartown Groove, and The Mood. As a producer, songwriter and/or musician worked with Stephanie Mills, George Benson (wrote and produced Inside Love), Evelyn Champagne King (wrote and produced I'm In Love), Johnny Kemp, Melba Moore, Dionne Warwick, Howard Johnson (produced So Fine), Giorge Pettus, Stacy Lattisaw, Meli'sa Morgan, Exposé, the Wootens, Freda Payne, then-newcomer Whitney Houston (produced You Give Good Love), and Al Jarreau ~ Jones passed away in 2016
December 26, 1954 ~ Jazz violinist, producer Noel Pointer born 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 orchestra of several Broadway productions. One of the youngest ever to serve as music advisory panelist for the National Endowment For The Arts ~ Pointer passed away in 1994December 26, 1954 ~ Paloma Romero, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk drummer Palmolive, born in Melilla, Spain ~ Co-founding member of the Slits, remaining with the band through 1978. Subsequently worked with the Raincoats, appearing on their eponymous 1979 The Raincoats debut album. Has also worked with the Flowers Of Romance, fired from the band after rejecting frontman Sid Vicious' avances.
December 26, 1951 ~ Guitarist, songwriter David Briggs born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Lead guitarist of the Little River Band from 1976 through 1981, wrote the hit single Lonesome Loser and co-wrote Happy Anniversary. Would go on to produce recordings for the Australian Crawl, and Russell Morris
December 26, 1951 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, acid jazz guitarist, composer John Scofield born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Over 40 albums to his name as a leader, starting with the eponymous John Scofield Live released in 1977. Draws from bebop, jazz fusion, funk, blues, R&B, rock. In-demand sideman. Notable collaborations include Charles Mingus (Three Or Four Shades Of Blues), Hal Galper (Ivory Forest), Miles Davis (Star People, Decoy, You're Under Arrest). Has also worked with artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Billy Cobham, Chet Baker, Urbie Green, Terumasa Hino, Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Miroslav Vitous, Zbigniew Seifert, Joe Beck, George Adams, Tal Farlow, McCoy Tyner, Jack DeJohnette, Gov't Mule, Roy Haynes, Scolohofo, and Trio Beyond
December 26, 1951 ~ Victor Cohen, commonly known as jazz drummer, bandleader, composer Vic Berton, passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Brought up in a musical family, his father Maurice Cohen a professional violinist while his mother Ida Cohen ran a boarding house for traveling vaudevillians, Berton learned to play several instruments at a young age, including violin, piano, and drums. Reportedly, by age 7 his musical abilities were such that he was hired to play with the pit orchestra at the Alhambra Theatre in Milwaukee, and by age 16 Berton was playing with the symphony orchestras of both Milwaukee and Chicago. Following a stint with John Philip Sousa's navy band during World War I, Berton would spent about a decade playing around Chicago with the likes of Art Kahn, Paul Beise, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Red Nichols, and Paul Whiteman, and lead his own band at the Merry Garden Ballroom, considered one of the hottest dance spots of 1920s Chicago. By the turn of the 1930s, Berton relocated to Los Angeles where he became an in-demand drummer for film orchestras, at one point serving as musical director for Paramount, and notably played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. As a composer, Berton is best remembered for co-writing Sobbing Blues with Art Kassel, a tune first recorded by Albert E Short in 1923 and later covered by dozens of artists including King Oliver, the New Orleans Rhytm Kings, Bunny Berigan, Bunk Johnson, and Muggsy Spanier. Berton's baby brother Ralph Berton, born in 1910, would also become a jazz drummer ~ Cohen was born in 1896