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, 1945 ~ Pop singer, actor Davy Jones, full name David Thomas Jones, born in Manchester, UK ~ Rose to fame as a member of 1960s teen idol group the Monkees and its accompanying TV show of the same name. The band recorded over half a dozen albums through the 1970s, including the acclaimed Headquarters and Pisces Aquarius Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Jones sang lead on many of the band's best known including I Wanna Be Free and the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Daydream Believer. Following the band's disbandement in 1970, Jones has recorded as a solo artist, reunited with the Monkees bandmate Micky Dolenz in Dolenz Jones Byoce & Hart, and has acted for TV and stage productions ~ Jones passed away in 2012
December 30, 1942 ~ Philip Anastasi, commonly known as pop, soul singer, actor Dean Parrish, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Known for a number of moderately successful mid 1960s singles, notably Tell Her, Determination, Bricks Broken Bottles And Sticks and most likely his best known I'm On My Way. The latter single would be rediscovered by English DJ Russ Winstanley who would regularly play it during sets at the Wigan Casino. Its popularity would lead to a UK re-release reaching the top 40 in 1975 and continued intrest among Northern Soul aficionados. Parrish himself would remain unaware of the renewed interest until 2000 ~ Anastasi passed away in 2021December 30, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist Michael Nesmith, full name Robert Michael Nesmith, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Member of the Monkees, known for songs such as Last Train To Clarksville, I'm A Believer, and Daydream Believer. Member of country-rock outfit the First National Band, known for the 1970 hit Joanne. Also wrote Different Drum, a hit for Linda Ronstadt ~ Nesmith passed away in 2021
December 30, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist Robert Quine, full name Robert Wolfe Quinne, born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Draws from a wide range of influences, including jazz, rock and blues. In-demand collaborator, most noted for his associations with the Dim Stars and Richard Hell & the Voidoids. Has also worked with Brian Eno, Lou Reed (The Blue Mask), John Zorn, Ikue Mori, Marc Ribot, Marianne Faithfull, Matthew Sweet, and Tom Waits ~ Quine passed away in 2004
December 30, 1939 ~ Bassist, producer Felix Pappalardi born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Bassist of Mountain, known for their 1970 hit Mississippi Queen. Closely associated with Cream, producing and arranging the band's sophomore Disraeli Gears album. As a producer also worked with Bo Grumpus, Kensington Market, Leslie West, Jack Bruce, Mylon LeFevre, the Flock, Gasolin, and Jesse Colin Young. Pappalardi was shot and killed by his wife, who was charged with second-degree murder and found guilty of the lesser charge criminally negligent homicide ~ Pappalardi passed away in 1983December 30, 1938 ~ Blues shouter Big Joe Turner and pianist Pete Johnson record Roll 'Em Pete in New York, New York ~ Written by Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson. The song would become to be regarded as a precursor to rock & roll. Re-recorded by Turner several times over the course of his career. Covered by numerous artists including Albert Ammons, Lionel Hampton, T-Bone Walker, Chuck Berry, Bill Wyman, and Count Basie
December 30, 1938 ~ Bluegrass, country dobroist, singer Mike Auldridge born in Washington DC, USA ~ Considered one of country's all-time most distinctive and beloved dobro players. Influenced by his uncle steel guitarist Ellsworth T Cozzens and dobroist Josh Graves, the latter actually selling Auldridge his first dobro. Co-founding member of the Seldom Scene. Has also worked with the Country Gentlemen, Chesapeake, John Starling & Carolina Star, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, the Bass Mountain Boys, Doyle Lawson, and Cliff Waldron ~ Auldridge passed away in 2012
December 30, 1937 ~ John Cowan Hartford, commonly known as folk, country, bluegrass singer, fiddler, banjoist, songwriter John Hartford, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording Gentle On My Mind in 1968, earning Hartford two Grammy Awards. It would be notably covered by Glen Campbell the same year, which also received two Grammy Awards. Others who covered the song included Aretha Franklin, Dean Martin, and Patti Page ~ Harford passed away in 2001
December 30, 1937 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Paul Stookey, full name Noel Paul Stookey born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as one third of folk trio Peter Paul & Mary, alongside Peter Yarrow and Mary Travers, known for 1960s hits such as If I Had A Hammer (The Hammer Song), Puff The Magic Dragon, Blowin' In The Wind, I Dig Rock & Roll Music, and Leaving On A Jet Plane. The trio would continue to perform until Mary's death in 2009. As a solo artist, Stookey is known for his 1971 single The Wedding Song (There Is Love), a favorite at weddings to this day
December 30, 1935 ~ Jazz, rock pianist Wolfgang Dauner born in Stuttgart, Germany ~ Draws from jazz, rock, and electronic music, while incorporating elements of opera and theatre. About two dozen albums as a leader or solo artist, especially acclaimed for 1967's Free Action and 1970's Output. Founding member of jazz rock unit Et Cetera. Co-founding and longtime member of the United Jazz+Rock Ensemble. In-demand sideman, notably appearing on albums by Jean-Luc Ponty (Live At Donte's), Robin Kenyatta, Don Sugarcane Harris, Larry Coryell, Albert Mangelsdorff (Three Originals), Volker Kriegel, Gary Windo (His Master's Bones), and Klaus Doldinger ~ Dauner passed away in 2020
December 30, 1934 ~ Charles Weedon Westover, commonly known as rock & roll, country pop singer, songwriter Del Shannon, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for Runaway, a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit taken off his 1961 Runaway With Del Shannon debut album. Westover recorded about a dozen albums through the early 1980s, albeit it to lesser success. The singles Hats Off To Larry, Little Town Flirt and Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow The Sun), all released through the mid 1960s would all reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Westover passed away in 1990December 30, 1933 ~ Miguel Angel Barcasnegras, commonly known as salsa singer Meñique, born in Panama City, Panama ~ Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Meñique released in 1972. Has also appeared on albums by Tito Puente, Kako, Charlie Palmieri (Impulsos), Chamaco Rivera, Jerry Masucci, and Santitos Colon ~ Barcasnegras passed away in 2021
December 30, 1931 ~ Mary Francis Penick, commonly known as singer Skeeter Davis born in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, USA ~ Country-pop crossover singer. Member of the Davis Sisters. One of the first women in country to reach major stardom fame. Influenced Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette. Collaborated with Ralph Emery, Porter Wagoner, Bobby Bare, NRBQ, and Teddy Nelson. Known for songs such as Lost To A Geisha Girl, I Can't Help You (I'm Falling Too), My Last Date With You, Set Him Free, Where I Ought To Be, Fuel To The Flame, The End Of The World, What Does It Take (To Keep A Man Like You Satisfied) and I'm A Lover Not A Fighter ~ Penick passed away in 2004
December 30, 1928 ~ Ellas Otha Bates, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Bo Diddley born in McComb, Mississippi, USA ~ Pivotal figure in development of rock & roll and just about everything after. Defined both the beat, the hearbeat of rock, and the guitar riffs. Influenced by Louis Jordan, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters. Hugely influential himself on Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and especially Stones guitarist Keith Richards, the Animals, and the Clash. Best known for recordings such as I'm A Man, Bo Diddley, Say Man, You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover, and Who Do You Love ~ Diddley passed away in 2008December 30, 1928 ~ Jazz double bassist Gene Mayl born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Worked with Claude Bolling, Don Byas, Claude Luter, the Dixieland Rhythm Kings, Speckled Red, Terry Waldo, George Brunies, Wild Bill Davison, Billy Maxted, Bob Scobey, and Muggsy Spanier ~ Mayl passed away in 2015
December 30, 1927 ~ Country songwriter, producer Bob Ferguson, full name Robert Bruce Ferguson, born in Willow Springs, Missouri, USA ~ Helpful in creating the Nashville sound of the 1950s and 1960s. Perhaps best remembered for writing The Wings Of A Dove, recorded by Ferlin Husky, George Jones, Ricky Skaggs, and Hal Ketchum, and for writing The Carroll County Incident, a 1968 hit for Porter Wagoner. Staff producer at RCA-Victor, producing acts such as Connie Smith, Jerry Reed, Floyd Cramer, Danny Davis, Dolly Parton (Jolene), the Browns, Lester Flatt, Homer & Jethro, and Charley Pride ~ Ferguson passed away in 2001December 30, 1926 ~ Reinaldo Hierrezuelo, commonly known as trova singer, guitarist Rey Caney, born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba ~ Led the the Cuarteto Patria. Replaced Compay Segundo in Los Compadres. Best known for performing and recording with his brother Lorenzo Hierrezuelo for three decades. Has also worked with his sister guaracha singer Caridad Hierrezuelo. Led the Vieja Trova Santiaguera ~ Hierrezuelo passed away in 2016
December 30, 1926 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Stan Tracey, full name Stanley William Tracey, born in South London, UK ~ Influenced by Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. Best known for his 1965 album Under Milk Wood, an acclaimed landmark album in British jazz. House pianist at Ronnie Scott's famed Soho jazz club for most of the 1960s. Collaborated with Michael Horovitz and extensively with Bobby Wellins. Gravitated towards free jazz and avant-garde from the 1970s onwards, working with Mike Osborne, Keith Tippett and John Surman. Also worked with Evan Parker, his son percussionist and bandleader Clark Tracey, Art Themen, Sal Nistico, Charlie Rouse, and Gerard Presencer ~ Tracey passed away in 2013December 30, 1922 ~ Magin Diaz Garcia, commonly known as singer, composer Magin Diaz born in Manates, Colombia ~ Best known for his chalupa version of the Cuban song Rosa Que Linda Eres, which has since become a standard, and his 2017 Grammy Award-winning El Orisha De La Rose album ~ Garcia passed away in 2017
December 30, 1918 ~ James Henry Jones, commonly known as jazz pianist Jimmy Jones, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Leader, sideman, arranger. Cited by Dave Brubeck as a major influence. Closely associated with Sarah Vaughan, backing Vaughan from 1947 through 1952 and again from 1954 through 1957. Also worked with Stuff Smith, Don Byas, Dizzy Gillespie, JC Heard, Buck Clayton, Etta Jones, Clifford Brown, Anita O'Day, Dakota Staton, Pat Suzuki, Morgana King, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Hodges, Bud Johnson, Nat Gonella, Harry Sweets Edison, Big Joe Turner, Coleman Hawkins, Frank Wess, Milt Jackson, Sidney Bechet, Sonny Rollins, and Sonny Stitt. Present on the 1957 The Jones Boys album by the Jones Boys, a one-off group put together by Leonard Feather with all members named “Jones” though none were related ~ Jones passed away in 1982
December 30, 1897 ~ Author, scriptwriter, songwriter Alfredo Bracchi born in Milan, Italy ~ As a songwriter known as a frequent collaborator of Giovanni D'Anzi, working prolifically for radio, film and stage from the 1930s through the 1950s. The pair is responsible for songs such as Lina Termini's Ma L'Amore No, Tony Dallara's Bambina Innamorata and Carlo Buti's Ti Diro. Other artists who recorded their songs include Caterina Valente, Ornella Vanoni, Gigliola Cinquetti, Nicola Arigliano, Luciano Pavarotti, and José Carreras ~ Bracchi passed away in 1976
December 30, 1895 ~ Bandleader, actor, pianist Vincent Lopez born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Bandleader from the big band and swing eras who employed many noted musicians early in their career such as Artie Shaw, Xavier Cugat, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Mike Mosiello, Fred Lowery, Glenn Miller, and singers Betty Hutton and Marion Hutton. Later musicians such as Eddy Duchin and Liberace were influenced by Lopez's flamboyant style of piano playing ~ Lopez passed away in 1975