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 29, 1952 ~ Bandleader Fletcher Henderson, full name James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Pivotal figure in development of swing and big band jazz. Along with Duke Ellington, one of the most prolific African-American arrangers and bandleaders of his day. Has worked with sidemen such as Don Redman, Howard Scott, Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Dixon, Kaiser Marshall, Buster Bailey, Elmer Chambers, Charlie Green, Ralph Escudero, Red Allen, Joe Smith, Rex Stewart, Tommy Ladnier, Doc Cheatham, Chu Berry, Roy Eldridge, Frank Pronto, and Elisha Hanna ~ Henderson was born in 1897
December 29, 1952 ~ Jazz, modal jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, drummer Joe Lovano, full name Joseph Salvatore Lovano, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Married to singer Judi Silvano. Influenced by John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt. Closely associated with Woody Herman and with Paul Motian. As a leader known for a string of acclaimed 1990s albums, notably Landmarks, Universal Language and Rush Hour. In-demand sideman and collaborator, has worked with Jack McDuff, Dr Lonnie Smith, John Abercrombie, Scolohofo, Sound Prints, the SF Jazz Collective, Joshua Redman, Us Five, Greg Osby, Enrico Rava, John Scofield, and Roseanna Vitro
December 29, 1951 ~ Singer Yvonne Elliman, full name Yvonne Marianne Elliman, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Best known for If I Can't Have You, written by Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb & Robin Gibb, a 1977 Billboard No.1 in the midst of the disco era. Discovered by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber who cast her as Maria Magdalena in the first stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar, a role she portrayed for four years starting in 1971. Also sang backup on Eric Clapton's I Shot The Sheriff as well as on the albums 461 Ocean Boulevard, There's One In Every Crowd, EC Was Here, No Reason To Cry and Slowhand and toured with Clapton as member of Eric Clapton BandDecember 29, 1948 ~ Reggae, ska, dub producer, engineer Errol Thompson born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Nicknamed “ET”. One of the first engineers, over time moving into producing as well, involved in dub music. Has worked with Joe Gibbs, Junior Byles, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Althea & Donna, Prince Far I, Eek-a-mouse, I-Roy, Cornell Campbell, Freddie McGregor, Barrington Levy, Clive Chin, and King Tubby ~ Thompson passed away in 2004
December 29, 1947 ~ Colin Trevor Flooks, commonly known as drummer Cozy Powell, born in Cirencester, UK ~ Named himself after jazz drummer Cozy Cole. One of the most respected session drummers in British rock. As a solo artist, known for his 1973 drum instrumental Dance With The Devil, which reached UK No.3. Powell has appeared on albums by Jeff Beck (Rough And Ready), Murray Head, Donovan, Bedlam, Graham Bonnet, Rainbow, Robert Plant (Pictures At Eleven), Jon Lord, Brian May, Whitesnake (Slide It In), Roger Daltrey, Warlock, Hot Chocolate, Cinderella, Gary Moore, and Black Sabbath ~ Flooks passed away in 1998December 29, 1947 ~ Engineer, producer, singer Terry Manning, full name Terry Don Manning, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known as a producer and engineer, with an impressive resumé from the 1960s onwards. Over the course of his lengthy career, Manning has worked on albums by Isaac Hayes (Hot Buttered Soul), Billy Eckstine, Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin III), Albert King (Blues For Elvis (Albert King Does The King's Things)), Ronnie Milsap, Luther Ingram, the Staple Singers (Be Altitude (Respect Yourself)), Clarence Gatemouth Brown, ZZ Top (Fandango), George Thorogood, Jason & the Scorchers, Molly Hatchet, Alex Chilton, Joe Walsh, Johnny Winter, Rick Vito, Otis Clay, Joe Cocker, and Byther Smith. Manning also recorded two albums as a solo artist. His first, 1970's Home Sweet Home, originated from engineering a session for the Box Tops, working on a psychedelic version of the band's Choo Choo Train. Stax/Volt VP Al Bell was so enamored with the track, he pressured Manning into recording an entire solo album in the same jokingly vein. In 2013, Manning released his second and final solo album, West Texas Skyline (A Tribute To Bobby Fuller), a tribute to singer Bobby Fuller ~ Manning passed away in 2025
December 29, 1946 ~ Singer Marianne Faithfull, full name Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull, born in Hampstead, UK ~ Rose to international fame with her 1964 single As Tears Go By becoming one of the leading ladies of the British invasion. Other well known recordings include Come And Stay With Me, This Little Bird and Dreamin' My Dreams ~ Faithfull passed away in 2025
December 29, 1946 ~ Rock guitarist Slobodan Kovacevic, full name Slobodan Adem Kovacevic, born ~ Regarded as one of the most technically skilled guitarists in Yugoslavic rock. Founded Lutalice in the early 1960s. Best known as core member of Indexi from 1965 until lead singer Davorin Popovic's death in 2001. The group, considered pioneers of rock and psychedelic rock, is known for songs such as Svijet U Kome Zivim, Plima, Sve Ove Godine, and perhaps their best known Bacila Je Sve Niz Rijeku ~ Kovacevic passed away in 2004
December 29, 1945 ~ Russell Edward Davidson, commonly known as rock, hard rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock singer, drummer, percussionist Rusty Day, born in Garden City, Michigan, USA ~ First gained attention as early member of the Amboy Dukes, replacing previous lead singer John Drake. Sang lead on the 1969 Migration album before leaving the band. Member of early 1970s supergroup Cactus. Declined the offer to join AC/DC as replacement for the late Bon Scott. Fatally shot at his home at age 36, the murder officially remaining unsolved to this day ~ Davidson passed away in 1982
December 29, 1944 ~ R&B, soul singer Patti Drew born in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Sang in church with siblings Lorraine Drew and Erma Drew when the sisters were discovered by promoter and songwriter Carlton Black, a friend of the Drew sisters' mother. The siblings are best known for first recording Tell Him, not to be confused with the song of the same title by the Exciters, which would become a modest hit in the Chicago area. Two follow-up singles, It's My Time and I've Known, also did well regionally, before the trio split up by 1965. Patti would continue to record as a solo artist through the end of the decade, scoring several modest hits on the Billboard R&B charts. Drew would be the first to record Workin' On A Groovy Thing, later notably recorded by Barbara Lewis, the 5th Dimension, and Neil Sedaka, who originally wrote the song with Roger Atkins. Other notable singles include a re-recorded solo version of Tell Him, which reached No.22 Billboard R&B, Hard To Handle, and The Love That A Woman Should Give To A Man ~ Drew passed away in 2025
December 29, 1943 ~ Singer Barbara Alston born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Member of the Crystals from 1961 through 1964, present on songs such as There's No Other Like My Baby, Uptown, He's Sure The Boy I Love, Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home), and Then He Kissed Me ~ Alston passed away in 2018
December 29, 1943 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Rick Danko born in Blayney, Canada ~ Member of Ronnie Hawkins' backing unit the Hawks. Best known as member of the Band, alongside Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson and Richard Manuel. Cited as an influence by a host aof artists including Elvis Costello, John Doe, Mumford & Sons, Lucinda Williams, Jay Farrar, Neko Case, Robbie Fulks, Cindy Cashdollar, Craig Finn, Chris Thomson, Mike Watt, and Eric Clapton ~ Danko passed away in 1999December 29, 1942 ~ Christopher Cedzich, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Chris Gantry, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with the Outlaw country movement. Father of actress, songwriter Nicole Taylor Hart. Gantry is best known for a number of late 1960s, early 1970s albums, notably Introspection, and for writing songs such as Glen Campbell's Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife.
December 29, 1941 ~ Robert L Comstock, commonly known as rock & roll, pop singer Bobby Comstock born in Ithaca, New York, USA ~ Popular late 1950s, early 1960s singer both as a solo artist and with his band Bobby Comstock & the Counts. Best known for The Tennessee Waltz and Let's Stomp ~ Comstock passed away in 2020December 29, 1941 ~ Flutist, songwriter Ray Thomas born in Stourport-on-Severn, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Moody Blues. Especially remembered for his flute solo on the band's Nights In White Satin. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs including Legend Of A Mind, Procession, Dreamer, For My Lady, and Never Blame The Rainbows For The Rain ~ Thomas passed away in 2018
December 29, 1939 ~ Country, outlaw country, urban country singer, songwriter, actor Ed Bruce, full name William Edwin Bruce Jr, born in Keiser, Arkansas, USA ~ Notably known for penning and first recording See The Big Man Cry, later covered by Charlie Louvin, as well as Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys, later made famous by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings. As a singer enjoyed his biggest commercial success in the 1980s with Billboard Country top 10 hits such as You're The Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had, Ever Never Lovin' You, After All, You Turn Me On (Like A Radio) and Nights ~ Bruce passed away in 2021December 29, 1939 ~ Church organist, choir director, radio host Leon Cole born ~ Father of jazz singer Holly Cole. Composed orchestral works and documentary film scores. Best known as host of classical music radio show RSVP from 1985 through 1995, aired on Canadian station CBC Stereo ~ Cole passed away in 2019
December 29, 1929 ~ John Wayne Carroll, commonly known as R&B, doo-wop singer, songwriter Gregory Carroll, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Four Buddies, known for the 1951 hit I Will Wait. Member of the Orioles, joining the band in 1953 as replacement for George Nelson and present on their biggest hit Crying In The Chapel. Formed the duo Greg & Peg with singer, guitarist Peggy Jones. Co-wrote Doris Troy's Northern soul classic Just One Look ~ Carroll passed away in 2013
December 29, 1929 ~ Matthew Tyler Murphy, commonly known as guitarist Matt Guitar Murphy, born in Sunflower, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Memphis Slim, Howlin' Wolf, and with the Blues Brothers. Also worked with Little Junior Parker, Ike Turner, Chuck Berry, Etta James, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, and Sonny Boy Williamson II ~ Murphy passed away in 2018
December 29, 1922 ~ Singer Little Joe Cook born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Declined an offer to join the Soul Stirrers after Sam Cooke left. Fronted Little Joe & the Thrillers, known for their 1957 US hit Peanuts. Member of the Sherrys, known for Pop Pop Pop Pie, a modest 1962 hit ~ Cook passed away in 2014
December 29, 1922 ~ Doris Helen Schetrompf, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Rose Lee Maphis, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Formed a musical duo with her husband guitarist Joe Maphis, pioneering the Bakersfield sound in the 1950s. The couple is perhaps best remembered for penning Dim Lights Thick Smoke (And Loud Loud Music), first recorded by Flatt & Scruggs in 1952. Joe & Rose Lee Maphis released the song as a single in 1953. It has since been covered by numerous artists including Conway Twitty, the Flying Burrito Brothers, the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, the Derailers, Ricky Skaggs, and the Beat Farmers ~ Schetrompf passed away in 2021December 29, 1912 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer, bandleader Thore Ehrling born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Played with Frank Vernon in the early 1930s. Played with Håkan von Eichwald. Formed his own ensemble in 1938 which played for 19 years. The band included later prominent solo artists such as Uffe Baadh, Carl Henrik Norin, and singers such as Inger Berggren and Lily Berglund ~ Ehrling passed away in 1994
December 29, 1906 ~ Harold Manfred Kirchstein, commonly known as classical, opera, jazz, traditional pop, pop composer, arranger, conductor, producer Henri René, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for a string of mid 1950s albums, Music For Bachelors, For The Weaker Sex, Compulsion To Swing and Riot In Rhythm, regarded as forerunners of the space-age pop aesthetic ~ René passed away in 1993
December 29, 1905 ~ Lawrence Leo Mosley, commonly known as jazz trombonist Snub Mosley, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA ~ Perhaps best known for inventing the slide saxophone, a horn which had both a saxophone mouthpiece and a slide, an instrument most prominently featured on Mosley's 1940 recording of The Man With The Funny Little Horn. However, Mosley was primarily a trombonist, active since his mid-teens and first gaining serious attention as a soloist with Alphonso Trent from the mid-1920 through the early 1930s. Subsequently Mosley has played with the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, Claude Hopkins, Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Luis Russell, and Stuff Smith ~ Mosley passed away in 1981
December 29, 1900 ~ Dixieland clarinetist Willie Humphrey, full name Willie James Humphrey, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of clarinetist Willie Eli Humphrey, brother of trombonist Earl Humphrey and trumpeter Percy Humphrey. Has worked with Lawrence Duhé, King Oliver, Paul Barbarin, Sweet Emma Barrett, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band ~ Humphrey passed away in 1994