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 30, 1977 ~ Jazz guitarist Thornel Schwartz passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for accompanying organist Jimmy Smith from the mid 1950s through the late 1960s including on quintessential albums such as The Champ and A New Sound A New Star. Other notable credits include Johnny Hammond Smith (That Good Feelin'), Larry Young, Sylvia Syms, Byrdie Green, Jimmy McGriff (The Worm), Grady Tate, Big Joe Turner, and Babs Gonzales ~ Holmes was born in 1927
December 30, 1976 ~ Saxophonist Miguel Zenón born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Edmar Castaneda, Adam Cruz, Guillermo Klein, Brian Lynch, Luis Perdomo, Pat Metheny, the SF Jazz Collective, Charlie Haden, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, David Sánchez, Danilo Pérez, Kurt Elling, Ray Barretto, Miles Okazaki, Dan Tepfer, Bobby Hutcherson, Steve Coleman, Andy Montañez, David Gilmore, and Jason Lindner
December 30, 1974 ~ Folk, psychedelic rock, country, R&B singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Jonathan Wilson, full name Jonathan Spencer Wilson, born in Forest City, North Carolina, USA ~ Co-founded Muscadine with Benji Hughes, known for their 1998 Ballad Of Hope Nicholls debut album. Released his Gentle Spirit solo debut album in 2011, featuring backing musicians such as Barry Goldberg, Gary Louris, Z Berg, Josh Grange, Jonathan Rice, and Gary Mallaber
December 30, 1970 ~ Ignacio Arsenio Travieso Scull, commonly known as bandleader, composer Arsenío Rodriguez, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Contributed to the development of son montuno, the basic template of modern-day salsa. Worked with the Orquesta Casino de la Playa, Septeto Boston, Antonio Arcana, Chano Pozo, Machito, Dizzy Gillespie, and Mario Bauzá ~ Scull was born in 1911
December 30, 1970 ~ Ayalah Deborah Bentovim, commonly known as trip hop, house, progressive house, psychedelic trance producer, DJ, keyboardist Sister Bliss, born in London, UK ~ Closely associated with Rollo Armstrong. Co-founding member of Faithless, known for songs such as Salva Mea, Insomnia, God Is A DJ and We Come 1. Has also worked with Dido, Boy George, Cat Power, and the Temper Trap
December 30, 1967 ~ Songwriter, producer Bert Berns, full name Bertrand Russell Berns, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Twist And Shout (the Top Notes, the Isley Brothers, the Tremeloes, the Who), Piece Of My Heart (Erma Franklin, Janis Joplin, Dusty Springfield), Here Comes The Night (Lulu, Them, David Bowie, Dwight Yoakam), Hang On Sloopy (the Vibrations, the McCoys), and Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (Solomon Burke, the Rolling Stones, the Blues Brothers) ~ Berns was born in 1929December 30, 1965 ~ Ronaldo Antunacci Charles Affif, commonly known as jazz guitarist Ron Affiff, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Dick Berk, Pete Christlieb, Dave Pike, Jack Sheldon, Colin Bailey, Brian O'Rourke, Andy Simpkins, Sherman Ferguson, Essiet Essiet, Jeff Tain-Watts, Michael Carvin, Dave Kikoski, Ralph Lalama, Leon Parker, Joe Ascione, Miri Ben Ari, Alexis Cole, Allan Harris, Steve Hass, Donna Lewis, and John Pisano
December 30, 1963 ~ Contemporary Christian music singer Kim Hill born in Starkville, Mississippi, USA ~ Grammy-nominated CCM singer, not to be confused with Kim Hill of Black Eyed Peas. Sang background for Rich Mullins on the albums Wind Of Heaven and Stuff Of Earth. Hill debuted as a solo artist in 1988 with an eponymous album
December 30, 1962 ~ Le Moise Roosevelt Graves, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer Blind Roosevelt Graves, passed away in Gulfport, Mississippi, USA ~ Brother of Uaroy Graves, with whom he recorded Guitar Boogie, I'll Be Rested, and Crazy About My Baby. The latter, recorded in 1929, has been cited as the first rock & roll recording ~ Graves was born in 1909December 30, 1962 ~ Conductor Paavo Järvi born in Tallinn, Estonia ~ Son of conductor Neeme Järvi, brother of conductor Kristjan Järvi and flutist Maarika Järvi. Closely associated with the Malmo Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Has also worked with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestre De Paris
December 30, 1961 ~ David Leon Miller, commonly known as electric blues, funk bassist, singer, songwriter Biscuit Miller, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Known for songs such as Lay It On Down, Bottle Of Whiskey Bottle Of Wine, One More Mile and Wishbone. Worked with Sonny Rodgers, George Mojo Buford, Lady Blue, Lonnie Brooks, Anthony Gomes, Billy Branch, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Carl Weathersby
December 30, 1959 ~ Rock drummer, guitarist, songwriter Brett Ford, full name Brett Taylor Ford, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Co-founding member of Lubricated Goat, remaining with the band through 1989. Has also worked with the Kryptonics, X, the Punjabbers, and Rattlesnake Shake ~ Ford passed away in 2007
December 30, 1959 ~ Jazz fusion, smooth jazz, pop rock, R&B guitarist Paul Jackson Jr, full name Paul Milton Jackson Jr, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ In-demand session guitarist in jazz, pop and R&B. especially prolific in the 1980s. As a solo artist best known for his 1996 Never Alone (Duets) release featuring a wide array of guests. As a sideman present on albums by the likes of the Jacksons (Destiny), the Crusaders (Street Life), BB King, Donna Summer (Bad Girls), Aretha Franklin, José Feliciano, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, Michael Jackson (Thriller), Patti Austin, Peabo Bryson, Natalie Cole, George Benson, Scritti Politti, Amy Grant, Madonna (True Blue), Glenn Frey, Luis Miguel, Whitney Houston (Whitney Houston), Randy Crawford, Rod Stewart, and JewelDecember 30, 1959 ~ Trace Ullman, commonly known as singer, actress, comedian Tracey Ullman, born in Slough, UK ~ Best known as a comedian, notably with her own TV show The Tracey Ullman Show which ran from 1987 through 1990. As a singer known for a string of early 1980s singles including Breakaway, They Don't Know and Move Over Darling, all of which reached the UK top 10
December 30, 1958 ~ Drummer Lewis Nash born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ In-demand sideman appearing on over an estimated 400 albums. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Rhythm Is My Business released in 1989. Has worked with artists such as Toshiko Akiyoshi, Kenny Barron, the Blue Note 7, Kenny Burrell, Benny Carter, Ron Carter, the Classical Jazz Quartet, Tommy Flanagan, Frank Foster, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Heath, Eddie Henderson, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, David Fathead Newman, Ken Peplowski, Houston Person, Toots Thielemans, McCoy Tyner, Gerald Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Jane Monheit
December 30, 1957 ~ Bernard Seigal, commonly known as guitarist, music critic Buddy Blue born ~ Founding member of roots country, rock & roll outfit the Beat Farmers. Fronted the Buddy Blue Band. Member of the Jacks. Music critic for a number of newspapers including the San Jose Mercury News and the Los Angeles Times ~ Blue passed away in 2006December 30, 1957 ~ Singer, songwriter Nikos Portokaloglou born in Volos, Greece ~ Rose to fame as founding member, frontman of band Fatme, best known for the mid-1980s albums Vgenoume Apo To Tunel and Taxidi. After the band broke up ventured in to a successful career, starting with 1990s Fones, and has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Has collaborated with Greek singers such as Haris Alexiou, Melina Kana, Eleftheria Arvanitaki, as well as composed for films
December 30, 1956 ~ Country singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Suzy Bogguss, full name Susan Kay Bogguss, born in Aledo, Illinois, USA ~ Released her major label debut album, Somewhere Between, in 1989. Known for songs such as Cross My Broken Heart, Outbound Plane, Aces, Letting Go, the John Hiatt-cover Drive South, Just Like The Weather, and Hey Cinderella
December 30, 1952 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Tony Sciuto, full name Antonino Joseph Sciuto Jr, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ As a solo artist recorded a handful of albums, starting with Island Nights released in 1980. Member of the Little River Band from 1990 through 1997. Subsequently served as keyboardist for Player through 2001. Best known as a songwriter, songs co-written by Sciuto recorded by the Bay City Rollers (My Lisa), Marc Hunter, Herman Brood, Don Johnson (The Last Sound That Love Makes), Nick Kamen (Bring Me Your Love), Tina Turner (Stronger Than The Wind), and BJ Thomas
December 30, 1951 ~ R&B, soul keyboardist, songwriter Chris Jasper born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Keyboardist and primary songwriter of the Isley Brothers from 1971 through 1984, first appearing on the 1973 3+3. Alongside Ernie Isley and Marvin Isley member of Isley-Jasper-Isley. As a solo artist well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with 1988's Superbad.
December 30, 1950 ~ Progressive rock keyboardist Dave Stewart born in Waterloo, UK ~ Worked with acts such as Arzachel, the Egg, Khan, Hatfield & the North, National Health, Steve Hillage, Pip Pyle, Bunch Of Fives, and Gong. Stewart has also served as producer for the likes of Peter Blegvad, Jakko Jakszyk, and Bill BrufordDecember 30, 1950 ~ Bassist Greg Macainsh born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Bassist of Skyhooks from 1973 through 1980, present on songs such as Horror Movie, Ego Is Not A Dirty Word and Women In Uniform. Has also notably worked with John Farnham, and Dave Warner
December 30, 1950 ~ Hugo Martin Montgomery, commonly known as wind player, harpist, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Mont Campbell, born in Ismalia, Egypt ~ Active in blues, rock, progressive rock throughout the mid 1970s working with acts such as Arzachel, the Egg, Gilgamesh, Hatfield & the North, National Health. Over time would gravitate towards folk and world music, eventually abandoning rock music altogether. Has written music for theatre, TV, films including Dreamland Express, In The Time Of Angels, Deutsche Post. Released his solo debut, Music From A Round Tower, in 1996
December 30, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Jeff Lynne born in Birmingham, UK ~ Member of the Move, member of Idle Race. Rose to fame as leader, co-founding member of the Electric Light Orchestra, known for songs such as Evil Woman, Livin' Thing, Rockaria, Telephone Line, Turn To Stone, Mr Blue Sky, Sweet Talkin' Woman, Don't Bring Me Down, Xanadu featuring Olivia Newton-John, All Over The World, and Hold On Tight. Lynne was also a member of supergroup the Traveling Wilburys
December 30, 1946 ~ Progressive rock, hard rock, folk rock drummer Clive Bunker, full name Clive William Bunker, born in Luton, UK ~ Influenced by Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, Buddy Rich, and the Hollies-drummer Bobby Elliott. Best known as original member of Jethro Tull, remaining with the band from 1967 through 1971. Would go on to work with artists such as Steve Howe, Generation X, Aviator, Steve Hillage, Uli Jon Roth, Blodwyn Pig, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Solstice, and Beggar's Farm
December 30, 1946 ~ Punk rock, proto-punk art rock singer, guitarist, poet, songwriter Patti Smith born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Called “the Punk poet laureate” known best for her 1975 debut album Horses, backed by the Patti Smith Group, widely considered one of the most important albums in New York's punk rock movement. Also known for her 1978 Billboard top 20 hit Because The Night, penned by Bruce Springsteen