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 5, 1947 ~ James Messina, commonly known as country rock, folk rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, mandolinist, dobroist, songwriter Jim Messina, born in Maywood, California, USA ~ Member of Buffalo Springfield. Co-founding member of pivotal country rock outfit Poco. Formed the successful soft rock duo Loggins & Messina with Kenny Loggins, known for songs such as Danny's Song, The House At Pooh Corner and Your Mama Don't Dance. Following the duo's breakup in 1976 would record as a solo artist, though to lesser commercial succes
December 5, 1946 ~ Andrew Youakim, commonly known as pop, rock singer, songwriter Andy Kim born in Montreal, Canada ~ Member of the Archies, for whom he sang on and co-wrote the 1968 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Sugar Sugar. Co-wrote Oh My My, Do You Feel It Too, and I Love You Better with Jeff Barry for the 1970 Changes album by the Monkees. As a solo artist best known for the 1969 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Baby I Love You, and for the 1974 No.1 hit Rock Me Gently
December 5, 1945 ~ Engineer, producer Geoff Emerick, full name Geoffrey Ernest Emerick, born in Crouch End, UK ~ Well-known for his association with the Beatles, noted for engineering the albums Revolver, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Abbey Road. Has also engineered albums for the likes of the Zombies, Jackie Lomax, Matt Monro, Paul McCartney, Stealers Wheel, Nazareth, Robin Trower, Steeleye Span, Mott The Hoople, UFO, and John Wetton. Served as producer for Mary Hopkin (Post Card), Badfinger, Split Enz, Elvis Costello (Get Happy), and Big Country ~ Emerick passed away in 2018
December 5, 1944 ~ Swing, big band trombonist, bandleader Glenn Miller, full name Alton Glenn Miller, passed away over English Channel ~ One of the best-selling artists of the swing era, known for songs such as In The Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo Choo, A String Of Pearls, At Last, I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo, American Patrol, Tuxedo Junction, Elmer's Tune and Little Brown Jug. While at the time one of the best-earning entertainers, Miller had volunteered for the US Army during World War II. He would be rejected for active duty on account of his eye sight, yet Miller persisted and eventually was allowed to entertain the troops as a musician. His plane would go missing on a December night over the English Channel ~ Miller was born in 1904
December 5, 1944 ~ Rock drummer, singer Lucas Sideras born in Athens, Greece ~ Drummer of Aphrodite's Child, formed with Vangelis and Demis Roussos. The group became well known throughout Europe with singles such as Rain And Tears, I Want To Live and It's Five O'Clock. They have recorded three albums, 1968's End Of The World, 1970's It's Five O'Clock and 1972's 666 (The Apocalypse Of John 13/18), the latter considered a landmark album in progressive rock which went on to sell over 20 million copies. After the band disbanded Sideras has released solo albums, worked as a producer, notably Riccardo Cocciante's Alba album, and founded groups such as Ypsilon, Diesel, LST and Los-TresDecember 5, 1941 ~ Jerome Noel Jumonville, commonly known as jazz, R&B, rock & roll saxophonist Jerry Jumonville, born ~ Rooted in New Orleans R&B of the 1950s. Initially emulated the style of David Fathead Newman until Ray Charles told him to stop trying to copy Newman. Influenced by Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Gene Ammons, Illinois Jacquet and Ben Webster. In-demand session musician, notably present on the Doobie Brothers' 1972 album Toulouse Street and on Rod Stewart's 1976 hit single Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright). As a solo artist known for his 1986 Jump City album ~ Jumonville passed away in 2019
December 5, 1940 ~ Songwriter, producer Frank Wilson born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Wrote, co-wrote, produced, co-produced for numerous artists, especially on the Motown label, including Patrice Holloway (Stevie), Chris Clark, Martha & the Vandellas, Brenda Holloway (You've Made Me So Very Happy), Marvin Gaye, the Supremes (Stoned Love, Nathan Jones), the Isley Brothers (All Because I Love You), the Marvelettes, the Miracles, the Four Tops (Still Water Love), the Temptations, Eddie Kendricks (Keep On Truckin'), the Originals, Lakeside, New Birth, Lenny Williams (Cause I Love You), Renée Geyer, Freda Payne (Love Magnet), Mr Cheeks, and John Legend (Each Day Gets Better) ~ Wilson passed away in 2012
December 5, 1938 ~ John Weldon Cale, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter JJ Cale, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Revered by peers including iconic artists such as Mark Knopfler, Neil Young, and Eric Clapton. As a songwriter Cale had his songs recorded by Clapton (After Midnight, Cocaine), Lynyrd Skynyrd (Call Me The Breeze), Captain Beefheart (I Got The Same Old Blues), Lucinda Williams (Magnolia), Johnny Rivers (Crazy Mama), Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings (Clyde), Pat Travers, Bryan Ferry. Beck, Kansas, Santana (The Sensitive Kind), George Thorogood (Devil In Disguise), Widespread Panic (Traveling Light), Freddie King, Joan Shelley, Francis Cabrel, and Phish ~ Cale passed away in 2013
December 5, 1938 ~ Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Willie James Lyons born in Alabama, USA ~ Influenced by BB King, Freddie King, T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulson. Accompanied artists such as Fenton Robinson, Hubert Sumlin, Eddy Clearwater, Carey Bell, John Littlejohn, Mighty Joe Young, Johnny Big Moose Walker, Lefty Dizz, Luther Allison, Jimmy Dawkins, and Bobby Rush. Regularly performed as a solo artist yet recorded only one album, the 1979 album Chicago Woman, which contained blues standards and the self-penned I've Got Trouble In Mind, Groovin' In Paris and the title track Chicago Woman ~ Lyons passed away in 1980December 5, 1935 ~ Theodor Christian Frolich Bergh, commonly known as saxophonist Totti Bergh, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Worked with the Kjell Karlsen Sextet, Rowland Greenberg, Einar Schanke, Per Borthen, his wife Laila Dalseth, Al Cohn, Per Husby, Plas Johnson, Harry Allen, George Masso, and Terje Venaas ~ Bergh passed away in 2012
December 5, 1934 ~ Double bassist Art Davis, full name Arthur David Davis, born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Classically trained. As opportunities in the classical world were sparse for black musicians, turned to jazz making his recording debut backing drummer Max Roach on the 1958 Deeds Not Words album. Closely associated with saxophonist John Coltrane, present on quintessential 1960s albums such as My Favorite Things, A Love Supreme, and Ascension. Revered for his mastery of the bass, Davis is a sought-after sideman present on albums by Lee Morgan (Expoodibent), Leo Wright (Blues Shout), Coleman Hawkins, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Abbey Lincoln (Straight Ahead), Booker Little, Quincy Jones, Eric Dolphy (Candid Dolphy), Jack Teagarden, Freddie Hubbard, Carol Sloane, Buddy Emmons (Steel Guitar Jazz), Shirley Scott, Solomon Burke (Rock 'n Soul), Buffy Sainte-Marie, Freda Payne, and Dizzy Reece ~ Davis passed away in 2007
December 5, 1934 ~ Pianist, author Joseph Banowetz, full name Joseph Murray Banowetz, born ~ Concert pianist. Some two dozen albums to his name, perhaps best known for his recordings of orchestra and piano series composed by Anton Rubinstein. As a recitalist and concert pianist, he has worked with renowned orchestras such as the St Petersburg Symphony, the Moscow State Symphony, the New Zealand Symphony, and the Beijing Central Philharmonic, Banowetz is also known as an author, noted for The Pianist's Guide To Pedaling, and educator, teaching at the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, until his death at age 87 ~ Banowetz passed away in 2022December 5, 1931 ~ Gospel singer, pianist James Cleveland, full name James Edward Cleveland, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Dubbed “the King of Gospel”, incorporating traditional black gospel, soul, pop, and jazz into gospel. Known for songs such as Lord Help Me To Hold Out, Peace Be Still, I Don't Feel No Ways Tired, God Has Smiled On me and You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me ~ Cleveland passed away in 1991
December 5, 1925 ~ Alvin Owen Tyler, commonly known as R&B, neo-bop saxophonist, composer, arranger Alvin Tyler, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Also known as Alvin Red Tyler for his light tanned skin. Key figure helpful in the development of the New Orleans R&B sound. Made his recording debut in 1949 backing Fats Domino on The Fat Man. As a leader noted for his 1960 Rockin' & Rollin' album released on Ace. In-demand sideman, backing some of the finest R&B and rock & roll artists including Amos Milburn, Little Richard (Here's Little Richard), Jimmy Clanton, Big Joe Turner, Lee Dorsey (Ya-Ya), Barbara George, Red Holloway, Professor Longhair, Huey Piano Smith, and Dr John. Tyler also co-wrote Java, first recorded by Allen Toussaint, later notably covered by numerous artists including King Curtis, Lawrence Welk, Tommy Tedesco, and Willie Mitchell ~ Tyler passed away in 1998
December 5, 1920 ~ Kathryn Elizabeth Wimp, commonly known as jazz singer Kay Davis, born in Evanston, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for her tenure, from 1944 through 1950, with Duke Ellington including on tours of the UK and Europe, and notably the 1948 Carnegie Hall concert where she premiered Lush Life. Wimp retired from music by the early 1950s ~ Wimp passed away in 2012
December 5, 1912 ~ Aleck Ford, commonly known as singer and blues harpist Sonny Boy Williamson II, born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Recorded with Elmore James, including on the original recording of Dust My Broom. As a solo artist known for songs such as Don't Start Me Talkin', Checkin' Up On My Baby, Bring It On Home and Help Me. The latter would become a blues standard ~ Ford passed away in 1965
December 5, 1791 ~ Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ One of the most prolific and influential classical composers. Child prodigy, composing since the age of 5. Composed over 600 works ~ Mozart was born in 1756