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 31, 2022 ~ Singer Anita Pointer, full name Anita Marie Pointer, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founding member of sibling outfit the Pointer Sisters, known for songs such as Yes We Can Can, Fairytale, Fire, He's So Shy, Slow Hand and I'm So Excited. Pointer also duetted with Earl Thomas Conley on Too Many Times, a Billboard Country top 10 hit in 1986. Released a solo album, Love For What It Is, the following year which included the Philip Bailey-duet The Pledge and the moderately successful singles Overnight Success and More Than A Memory ~ Pointer was born in 1948December 31, 2022 ~ Rock, indie rock drummer Jeremiah Green, full name Jeremiah Martin Green, passed away in Sequim, Washington, USA ~ Founding member of indie rock outfit Modest Mouse, active with the band since 1993 with a brief hiatus in 2003 and 2004. Has previously worked with Satisfact, Red Stars Theory, Peeved. Later collaborations include Vells and Psychic Emperor ~ Green was born in 1977
December 31, 2022 ~ Classical pianist, musicologist Pietro Spada passed away ~ Pianist and researcher whose work expanded the repertoire of the classical piano. Well known for his research on Muzio Clementi, producing a definitive edition of Clementi's surviving symphonies, and for publishing and first recording many unedited keyboard compositions by Giovanni Paisiello, Gaetano Donizetti, and John Field, with Spada's arrangements later used by soloists and conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Muti, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jean-Pierre Rampal. Through his Boccaccini & Spada Editori publishing company, cofounded with Massino Boccaccini, Spada published numerous previously unpublished compositions of great classical composers. Spada is also well regarded as a music teacher, having held positions at the Florida State University, the Indiana University, the Turin Conservatory, and the Rome Conservatory ~ Spada was born in 1935
December 31, 2019 ~ Victor Edward Jurusz Jr, commonly known as jazz guitarist Vic Juris, passed away in Livingston, New Jersey, USA ~ Active since the mid 1970s. Rooted in hard bop, with a knack for avant-garde and jazz fusion. As a leader or co-leader recorded about two dozen albums, especially noted for Steeplechase released in 1994. Closely associated with Richie Cole, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums, and with Dave Liebman, appearing on well over a dozen of the saxophonist's albums. Other notable associations include Eric Kloss, Barry Miles, Don Patterson (Movin' Up), Brian Torff, Lenore Raphael, Lee Konitz, Biréli Lagrène, Jeanie Bryson, and Stephanie Nakasian ~ Jurusz was born in 1953December 31, 2018 ~ Singer, percussionist, guitarist Ray Sawyer passed away in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA ~ Member of Dr Hook & the Medicine Show, known for songs such as Sylvia's Mother, The Cover Of The Rolling Stone, Only Sixteen, A Little Bit More, Sharing The Night Together, When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman, Better Love Next Time, Sexy Eyes and Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk ~ Sawyer was born in 1937
December 31, 2018 ~ Urban Clifford Green, commonly known as trombonist Urbie Green, passed away in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Appears on over 250 recordings. Two dozen albums to his own name. Influenced by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Perry Como, and Louis Armstrong. Highly respected by fellow trombonists. Worked with Gene Krupa, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Jack Jenney, Walter Wanderley, Herbie Mann, Manny Albam, Steve Allen, Count Basie, Ray Bryant, Trigger Alpert, Kenny Burrell, Buck Clayton, Ray Conniff, Paul Desmond, Gil Evans, Art Farmer, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Johnny Griffin, Billie Holiday (Lady In Satin), Milt Jackson, JJ Johnson, Quincy Jones, Blue Mitchell, Wes Montgomery, Sonny Stitt, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Wilder, Dinah Washington, and Joe Newman ~ Green was born in 1926December 31, 2017 ~ Jacqueline Nash, commonly known as singer, actress Gale Sherwood, passed away in Florida, USA ~ Performed with Nelson Eddy from 1953 until his death in 1967. Starred in a number of musical productions for stage, notably a 1967 production of Show Boat with the Los Angeles Light Civic Opera, and for screen including They Shall Have Music, Let's Make Music and the 1955 TV operetta The Desert Song ~ Nash was born in 1929
December 31, 2017 ~ Music journalist, author Richard Havers, full name Richard John Havers, passed away in Minehead, UK ~ Airline industry manager turned music promoter and author of books and articles on jazz, blues, pop music. Co-authored Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey with Bill Wyman. Co-authored several books on the Rolling Stones, starting with Rolling With The Stones published in 2003. Wrote books about the famed Blue Note and Verve record labels, the the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, and the Beatles. His articles have been published by the Daily Telegraph, The Times and Record Collector ~ Havers was born in 1951December 31, 2014 ~ Music critic Michael Kennedy, full name George Michael Sinclair Kennedy, passed away ~ Chief classical music critic for the Daily Telegraph from 1986 through 2005, and of the Sunday Telegraph from 1989 through 2005. Has written a number of biographies, including on composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, Edward Elgar, John Barbirolli, Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Benjamin Britten ~ Kennedy was born in 1926
December 31, 2002 ~ Bluegrass, country, gospel guitarist, singer Jim McReynolds, full name Jesse Lester McReynolds, passed away ~ Formed the duo Jim & Jesse with his brother Jesse McReynolds, recording and performing from the 1950s until Jim's death in 2002. The brothers were backed by the Virginia Boys, which at times included musicians such as Vassar Clements, Allen Shelton, Carl Jackson, and Randall Franks ~ McReynolds was born in 1927
December 31, 2002 ~ Pop, power pop guitarist, singer, songwriter Kevin MacMichael, full name Kevin Scott MacMichael, passed away in Halifax, Canada ~ Member of Cutting Crew from 1985 through 1993, present on songs such as I've Been In Love Before, One For The Mockingbird, Everything But My Pride and their best known (I Just) Died In Your Arms, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit in 1986. Also worked with Fast Forward, Robert Plant, Tribute, the Rankin Family, and with the Sons Of Maxwell ~ MacMichael was born in 1951December 31, 2000 ~ Folk singer, guitarist Isaac Guillory passed away ~ Member of the Cryan Shames. Studied classical guitar and would incorporate quasi-classical playing into his folk songs. Released his eponymous solo debut album Isaac Guillory in 1974. Has worked with Al Stewart, Donovan, Mick Jagger, Elkie Brooks, Peter Sarstedt, Buggles, Barbara Dickson, and Nick Heyward ~ Guillory was born in 1947
December 31, 1999 ~ Banjoist, fiddler Matokie Slaughter, full name Matokie Worrell Slaughter, passed away in Pulaski, Virginia, USA ~ Enjoyed local popularity from the 1940s forward. Gained a wider audience among old-time aficionados during the 1960s, some of her recordings appearing on compilation albums and performing regularly at folk festivals with the Back Creek Buddies which included her sister Virgie Worrell and revivalist Alice Gerrard. The San Francisco-based graffiti artist Margaret Kilgallen began using Slaughter's name in the 1990s as an hommage ~ Slaughter was born in 1919
December 31, 1997 ~ Pianist Floyd Cramer passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Considered one of the pioneers of the Nashville sound. Frequent collaborator of guitarist Don Gibson and saxophonist Boots Randolph. Renowned for his slip note technique. Has recorded prolifically as a solo artist, his instrumental renditions of classics, including Last Date, On The Rebound, and San Antonio Rose, regularly becoming hits. In-demand session pianist, present on hit singles by Elvis Presley (Heartbreak Hotel), Brenda Lee, Hank Locklin (Please Help Me I'm Falling), Patsy Cline, the Browns, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, and the Everly Brothers ~ Cramer was born in 1933
December 31, 1986 ~ Jazz trumpeter Don Sleet, full name Donald Clayborn Sleet, passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Critically compared to Kenny Dorham and Art Farmer. Played with Terry Gibbs, the San Diego Symphony, Howard Rumsey, and Lenny McBrowne. Sadly, shortly after the release of his sole album as a leader, 1961's All Members, Sleet's struggles with substances would lead to him abandoning music altogether. His sole album, however, would be held in the highest regard by jazz aficionados, described as “outstanding” by Down Beat. Besides Sleet the album featured an all-star line-up with saxophonist Jimmy Heath, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Sleet has only performed occasionally since, and would pass away decades later of lymphoma ~ Sleet was born in 1938
December 31, 1985 ~ Eric Hilliard Nelson, commonly known as rock & roll, pop singer, actor, teen idol Ricky Nelson, passed away in De Kalb, Texas, USA ~ Stole America's hearts as child actor in the radio and TV series The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet. Would go on to score numerous hits, popularizing rock & roll. Best known for songs such as A Teenager's Romance, Be-bop Baby, Stood Up, Poor Little Fool, Lonesome Town, Sweeter Than You, Travelin' Man, Hello Mary Lou, Teen-age Idol, It's Up To You, For You, and Garden Party ~ Nelson was born in 1940December 31, 1984 ~ Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen loses an arm when he crashes his Corvette ~ While driving in the countryside near Sheffield, a car in front of Allen's deliberately slowed for Rick Allen to catch up, only to speed up as he tried to pass. This went on for several miles until, in frustration, Allen accelerated to finally pass, at which point he lost control of the car, hit a dry stone wall and entered a field. Allen's left arm would be severed, entangled in the seat belt. Doctors initially re-attached the arm, but it was later amputated due to an infection. Allen would remain to drum for Def Leppard, using specifically designed electronic drum kits and relying heavily on his feet. The band would go on to their commercially most successful period, with Allen regularly cited as among the UK's all-time best drummers. Allen is referenced in the Bloodhound Gang song Why Is Everybody Always Pickin' On Me in the line “the drummer from Def Leppard's only got one arm”, repeated several times
December 31, 1982 ~ Latin pop, pop pianist, guitarist Jesse Huerta, full name Jesse Eduardo Huerta Uecke, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Forms the sibling duo Jesse & Joy with drummer, guitarist, singer Joy Huerta, known for songs such as Corre, La De La Mala Suerte, Quien Se Queda El Perro, Llorar featuring Mario Domm, Ecos De Amor, No Soy Una De Esas featuring Alejandro Sanz, 3AM featuring Gente De Zona, Te Esperé, Mañana Es Too Late featuring J Balvin, all of which reached the No.1 spot in their native Mexico
December 31, 1981 ~ Songwriter, arranger, producer, label executive Dave Cavanaugh passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Started his career as a saxophonist sessioning for Eddie Miller, Bobby Sherwood, Benny Carter, Woody Herman, Sammy Davis Jr, Ella Mae Morse, and Peggy Lee. Became Capitol Records Director of A&R in the early 1950s signing artists such as Dakota Staton, Donna Hightower, Nancy Wilson, Plas Johnson, and Sandler & Young. Cavanaugh continued to become one of the label's main producers, working with Nat King Cole, Stan Kenton, Kay Starr, Billy May, and Frank Sinatra. Cavanaugh would eventually rise to the position of President of the label in the 1970s and continue to work until his death at age 62 ~ Cavanaugh was born in 1919December 31, 1980 ~ Miles Wheeler, commonly known as soul singer Masspike Miles, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Lead singer of Perfect Gentlemen. Released a full-length solo album, Power, in 2018. Has collaborated with Statik Selektah, Rick Ross, the Triple C's, TI, French Montana, and Erick Sermon
December 31, 1979 ~ Drummer, sound engineer Bob Bryar, full name Robert Cory Bryar, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Bryar originally worked as a sound engineer for artists such as the Used and Thrice, befriending My Chemical Romance while the band was touring. Shortly after the release of their Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge sophomore album, Bryar joined My Chemical Romance as a replacement for Matt Pelissier. Bryar has subsequently appeared on all of the band's releases, including on The Black Parade which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 No.9 hit Welcome To The Black Parade, the band's highest-charting single. The band is considered one of the premier alternative rock acts of the 2000s, known for their goth-tinged style and theatrical vocals while borrowing heavily from emo and pop punk. Following his departure from the band in 2010, Bryar continued as a behind-the-scenes figure in tours for several acts, dedicated a significant portion of his time on charitable causes, and worked as a real estate agent. Since the 2010s, Bryar has on occassion performed as a drummer, most notably in a remembrance event for then-recently deceased Rush drummer Neil Peart, yet in 2021 retired from drumming altogether citing ongoing issues with his wrist as well as his age as main reasons ~ Bryar passed away in 2024December 31, 1979 ~ Singer, drummer, hornist, vibraphonist, keyboardist Isolde Lasoen born in Brugge, Belgium ~ Best known as member of DAAN, joining the band in 2002. Has also worked with Absynthe Minded, Saint Marteau, the Happy, the Whodads, Billie King, Briskey, Guido Belcanto, Willy Lambregt, Flip Kowlier, Raymond van het Groenewoud, Novastar, Jack van Poll, and Lady Linn
December 31, 1978 ~ Country singer, songwriter Craig Wayne Boyd born in Mesquite, Texas, USA ~ Best known for winning season 7 of NBC's talent show The Voice, beating Matt McAndrew. Boyd would subsequently score a country hit with My Baby's Got A Smile On Her Face after which further success eluded him
December 31, 1973 ~ Power metal, grindcore, folk rock drummer Kai Hahto born in Vaasa, Finland ~ Best known as member of Rotten Sound. Has also worked with Cartilage, Max On The Rox, Wintersun, Swallow The Sun, Nightwish, Trees Of Eternity, Auri, Darkwoods My Betrothed, and ArthemesiaDecember 31, 1973 ~ Country singer Tanya Tucker releases Would You Lay With Me In A Field Of Stone, lead single off her album of the same name ~ Reportedly, David Allan Coe had asked Townes Van Zandt if he could use his song If I Needed You and Van Zandt agreed on the condition he would be co-credited as the writer. Instead, Coe used the subject matter and melody to write Would You Lay With me (In A Field Of Stone) without giving credit. Tanya Tucker would record the song and issue it as the lead single off her album of the same name. It became her third consecutive Billboard Country charttopper, following What's Your Mama's Name and Blood Red And Goin' Down. Coe himself released Would You Lay With me (In A Field Of Stone) as the B-side to his 1975 You Never Even Called Me By My Name single