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 28, 1940 ~ Jazz, soul, funk pianist Lonnie Liston Smith born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Cites Charlie Parker and John Coltrane as major influences. Worked with Pharoah Sanders and Miles Davis before venturing out on his own with his backing unit the Cosmic Echoes recording a string of acclaimed albums widely regarded as classics in the fusion, smooth jazz and acid jazz genres. Has also worked with Gato Barbieri, Karl Denson, Marvin Gaye, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Oliver Nelson, Huey Simmons, Bob Thiele, Leon Thomas, and Stanley Turrentine
December 28, 1938 ~ R&B, jazz, funk, pop saxophonist Charles Neville born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as member of sibling outfit the Neville Brothers. Father of jazz, funk singer Charmaine Neville. Has also worked with the Rabbit's Foot Minstrel Show, Larry Williams, the Wild Tchoupitoulas led by his maternal uncle George Landry, Johnnie Taylor, Clarence Carter, and OV Wright ~ Neville passed away in 2018
December 28, 1938 ~ Richard Merrill Sudhalter, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Dick Sudhalter, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Son of saxophonist Al Sudhalter, brother of saxophonist, flutist Carol Sudhalter. As a recording artist especially noted for 1968's Anglo-American Alliance and 1994's After Awhile. Also known as a journalist, music critic and writer, notably co-penning the Bix Beiderbecke biography Bix (Man And Legend) and penning the Hoagy Carmichael biography Stardust Melody ~ Sudhalter passed away in 2008December 28, 1938 ~ Alexander Young, commonly known as rock singer George Alexander, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Brother of the Easybeats guitarist George Young and AC/DC's Malcolm Young and Angus Young. Co-founding member, bassist of Grapefruit, known for the late 1960s albums Around Grapefruit and Deep Water ~ Young passed away in 1997
December 28, 1937 ~ Composer, pianist, conductor Maurice Ravel, full name Joseph Maurice Ravel, passed away in Paris, France ~ Alongside Claude Debussy one of the leading figures of impresionism. Incorporated elements of modernism, baroque, neoclassicism and jazz. Best known for his Boléro, published in 1928 ~ Ravel was born in 1875
December 28, 1936 ~ Obediah Donnell Jessie, commonly known as R&B, rock & roll, jazz singer, songwriter Young Jessie, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for penning and first recording Mary Lou, which he originally recorded in 1955. The song would later be notably covered by Billy Lee Riley, Steve Miller, Bob Seger, and Gene Clark. Founding member of Debonaires, with whom he recorded I Had A Love. The band also included Richard Berry, and would later be renamed the Flairs. Also briefly a member of the Coasters in 1957, providing harmony vocals to Searchin' and their best known Young Blood ~ Jessie passed away in 2020
December 28, 1932 ~ Guitarist Dorsey Burnette born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Father of Fleetwood Mac guitarist Billy Burnette. Member of the Johnny Burnette Trio, alongside his younger brother Johnny Burnette and Paul Burlison, known for a number of classic and influential 1950s rockabilly recordings including Train Kept A-Rollin'. Dorsey would reemerge in the 1970s as a born-again Christian releasing several modestly successful country singles such as In The Spring The Roses Always Turn Red, Molly I Ain't Getting Any Younger and Things I Treasure ~ Burnette passed away in 1979
December 28, 1932 ~ Grace Dell Nichols, commonly known as actress, singer Nichelle Nichols born in Robbins, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for playing the role of Nyoto Uhara in Star Trek: The Original Series and its film sequels. Debuted as a singer with the album Down To Earth, a selection of standards, in 1967. Volunteers in a project with NASA to recruit minority and female personnel for the space agency ~ Nichols passed away in 2022
December 28, 1930 ~ Edmund Leonard Thigpen, commonly known as drummer Ed Thigpen, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of drummer Ben Thigpen who played with Andy Kirk in the 1930s and 1940s. Ed Thigpen followed in his father's footsteps starting at the the Savoy Ballroom employed by Cootie Williams, playing with and backing artists such as Dinah Washington, Gil Melle, Oscar Pettiford, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Paul Quinichette, Ernie Wilkins, Charlie Rouse, Lennie Tristano, Jutta Hipp, Johnny Hodges, Dorothy Ashby, Bud Powell, and Billy Taylor. Later Thigpen played with Oscar Peterson, Teddy Edwards, Howard McGhee, Phineas Newborn Jr, Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald (tour crew from 1967 to 1972}, moved to Copenhagen and worked with Kenny Drew, Ernie Wilkins, Thad Jones, Svend Asmussen, Mads Vinding, Alex Riel, Clark Terry, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Milt Jackson, and Monty Alexander ~ Thigpen passed away in 2010
December 28, 1928 ~ Composer, conductor Kamillo Lendvay born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Influenced by Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, and Leonard Bernstein. Prominent conductor, teacher, composer who had his works performed throughout the world, including in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Served as musical director or conductor for the Szeged Opera, the State Puppet Theatre, the Budapest Operetta Theatre. For some two decades starting in the early 1970s, Lendvay has served as professor at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, one of the oldest music universities in Europe. Near the end of his life, well into his eighties, Lendvay would look back: “I have never compromised in matters of style, regardless of prevailing fashion or the presumed taste of the public, or other considerations. My law is the unity between theme, harmony, and form. In my many decades of composition, I remained faithful to these principles.” ~ Lendvay passed away in 2016
December 28, 1928 ~ Morris Koffman, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, flutist Moe Koffman, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Early on in his career, Koffman backed artists such as Sonny Dunham and Jimmy Dorsey prior to venturing out on his own, becoming a major figure in Canadian jazz with over two dozen albums to his name. Acclaimed for his 1957 album Cool And Hot Sax, and for a number of 1970s albums featuring interpretations of works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi. Koffman's best known track is the self-penned mid 1950s surprise Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit The Swingin' Shepherd Blues, the instrumental prominently demonstrating his skills on the flute, later covered by dozens of artists including Woody Herman, Jan Garber, Floyd Cramer, Paul Revere & the Raiders, King Curtis, Duane Eddy, and Sonny Stitt ~ Koffman passed away in 2001
December 28, 1921 ~ Bandleader, producer Johnny Otis born in Vallejo, California, USA ~ Singer, pianist, vibraphonist, percussionist, bandleader, composer, arranger, talent scout, radio DJ, TV host of The Johnny Otis Show. Lovingly dubbed “the Godfather of R&B”, pivotal in American R&B and rock & roll. As a talent scout discovered numerous artists early in their career including Esther Phillips, Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace, Big Jay McNeely, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Hank Ballard, and the Coasters. Wrote the Royals' 1952 hit Every Beat Of My Heart, later also a hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips. As a bandleader and collaborator known for songs such as Double Crossing Blues and Cupid's Boogie (1950), Call Operator 210 and, reportedly the first recorded mambo, Mambo Boogie (1952), and for his signature song Willie & The Hand Jive (1958). Entered into politics in the early 1960, making a run for a California State Assembly, which he did not win, and serving as deputy chief of staff to Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally. Founded and preached at the New Landmark Community Gospel Church, Santa Rosa, Caligornia. ~ Otis passed away in 2012
December 28, 1915 ~ Tenor saxophonist Al Klink born in Danbury, Connecticut, USA ~ Played with Glenn Miller in the early 1940s, including on In The Mood. Moved on to work with Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. Served under Doc Severinsen as a member of the NBC Tonight Show Band. Resurfaced as a member of the World's Greatest Jazz Band. Played with Glenn Zottola and George Masso. Retired to Florida in the mid-1980s ~ Klink passed away in 1991
December 28, 1914 ~ Roebuck Staples, commonly known as singer, guitarist Pops Staples, born near Winona, Mississippi, 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 passed away in 2000
December 28, 1912 ~ Jazz guitarist Billy Mackel, full name John William Mackel, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Started on banjo before switching to guitar. Best known for his association with Lionel Hampton, playing intermittently with the vibraphonist for about three decades starting in the mid 1940s including on albums such as The Blues Ain't News To Me, Newport Uproar, and Blues In Toulouse. Has also backed artists such as Milt Buckner, Arnett Cobb, and Herbie Fields ~ Mackel passed away in 1986
December 28, 1910 ~ Wilfred Williams, commonly known as singer Billy Williams, born in Waco, Texas, USA ~ Lead singer of the Charioteers from 1930 to 1950, known for hits such as So Long, the Frank Sinatra-collaboration Don't Forget About Tomorrow, Open The Door Richard and A Kiss And A Rose. As a solo artist known for songs such as Why Did I Tell You I Was Going To Shanghai, It's No Sin and his best known the Fats Waller-cover I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter, the latter a 1957 hit selling over a million copies ~ Williams passed away in 1972
December 28, 1903 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Earl Hines, full name Earl Kenneth Hines, born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Pioneer of modern jazz, widely regarded as one of the all-time most influential jazz pianists known for his melodic sense and innovative rhythms. Active since the 1920s, with over an estimated 100 albums to his name. Led ensembles which included artists such as Walter Fuller, Ray Nance, Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, and Muggsy Spanier. As a composer Hines is probably best known for co-writing and first recording Rosetta, covered by over 250 artists. Other well known compositions written or co-written by Hines include Monday Date, Blues In Thirds, Jimmie Noone's Apex Blues, and Louis Armstrong's You Can Depend On Me. Reflecting on his own career, Hines has been quoted as saying: “I'm an explorer if I might use that expression. I'm looking for something all the time. And oft-times I get lost. And people that are around me a lot know that when they see me smiling, they know I'm lost and I'm trying to get back. But it makes it much more interesting because then you do things that surprise yourself” ~ Hines passed away in 1983
December 28, 1899 ~ Abner Silberman, commonly known as songwriter Abner Silver, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote Young And Beautiful, Lover Doll, and What's She Really Like, all recorded by Elvis Presley at the tail end of the 1950s. Active since the late-1910s, Silver has also co-written songs recorded by Al Jolson (I'm Goin' South), Eddie Cantor, Marion Harris, Blossom Seeley (I Found A Roundabout Way To Heaven), Helen Kane, Isham Jones (There Goes My Heart), Kay Kyser (For Sentimental Reasons), Lionel Hampton, Fats Waller (My Window Faces The South), the Mills Brothers, Tony Bennett, Mahalia Jackson, and the Five Keys ~ Silberman passed away in 1966
December 28, 1893 ~ Delta blues, country blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Freddie Spruell, also known as Papa Freddie or Mr Freddie, born in Lake Providence, Louisiana, USA ~ Reportedly the first Delta bluesman to be recordedm known for songs such as Milk Cow Blues, Muddy Water Blues, Way Back Down Home, and perhaps his best known Let's Go Riding ~ Spruell passed away in 1956December 28, 1891 ~ Composer, conductor, orchestrator Alfred Cellier passed away in Bloomsbury, UK ~ Directed several Gilbert & Sullivan productions, occasionally writing overtures for them. Has composed several operas and other works, most notably the comic opera Dorothy which would become the longest-running piece of musical theatre in the 19th century ~ Cellier was born in 1844