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 6, 1968 ~ Songwriter, producer John Ewbank born in Eastleigh, UK ~ Born to a Dutch mother and raised in the Netherlands. One of the most successful songwriters in the Netherlands scoring numerous charttoppers with songs recorded by Ferry Corsten, Trijntje Oosterhuis, VanVelzen, Esmée Denters, Gordon (Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn), Paul de Leeuw, Rob de Nijs, Nikki Kerkhof, Hero, and most notably Marco Borsato, the latter scoring over a dozen Dutch No.1 hits written or co-written by Ewbank including Dromen Zijn Bedrog, De Bestemming, and BinnenDecember 6, 1966 ~ Country singer Merle Haggard releases The Fugitive, lifted off his I'm A Lonesome Fugitive album ~ The Fugitive, later retitled to I'm A Lonesome Fugitive, would be Merle Haggard's first Billboard Country No.1 hit, spending one week atop the charts in 1967. Written by Liz Anderson and Casey Anderson, parents of country singer Lynn Anderson, the song tells of an escaped convict trying to live life on the run from the authorities. The fugitive is resigned to a lonely life as trying to settle down or start a relationship are too risky as anyone may turn him into the authorities at any time. Although Haggard himself never was a fugitive, he still was able to relate to the subject matter as he had served three years in prison in the late 1950s for robbery. His second charttopper, the self-penned Branded Man which reached No.1 later the same year, had a similar subject matter, telling of an ex-convict's fear of not being accepted in society after being paroled. Haggard would go on to score some seventy Billboard Country top 10 hits, three dozen of which reached the top spot
December 6, 1965 ~ Journalist, author, media critic Eric Boehlert born in Utica, New York, USA ~ Staff writer at both Salon and Billboard. To music and media audiences perhaps best known for a series of articles investigating corporate malfeasance in the music business following Pearl Jam's 1994 official complaint with the US Justice Department again Ticketmaster in 1994. In the Trump era, through regular appearances on news networks Boehlert became well known outside music circles as a firm and vocal critic of president Donald J Trump ~ Boehlert passed away in 2022
December 6, 1965 ~ R&B group the Miracles release Going To A Go-Go, lifted off the album of the same name ~ A go-go is a 1960s version of a disco, a club with music, often live performances, and dancing. Go-go clubs, most notably the renowned Whiskey A Go-Go in Hollywood, were also the first to feature dancers in cages suspended from the ceiling, and served as predecessors to exotic dancing with dancers in skimpy outfits. The single by the Temptations was one of the band's lighter, fun-filled songs, celebrating the go-go clubs and culture. It would reach No.2 Billboard R&B and No.11 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Over the years, the song has been covered by several artists, including notably the Rolling Stones who released the track as the lead single of their 1982 Still Life live album. Despite its relative success, the Rolling Stones single reaching top 30 on both sides of the pond, they never recorded this song in the studio
December 6, 1964 ~ Country, pop, art rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Glenn Thompson born in Albury, Australia ~ Member of Custard, for whom he wrote and sang lead on the minor hit Music Is Crap, Thompson appeared on the band's We Have The Technology and Loverama albums. Subsequently worked with the short-lived the Titanics, known for their sole Love Is The Devil album released in 2000. Thompson has also worked with the Go-Betweens, present on the albums Bright Yellow Bright Orange and its follow-up Oceans Apart, fronted Beachfield, and formed the duo Adele & Glenn with Adele Pickvance
December 6, 1964 ~ Singer, bassist Jorge González, full name Jorge Humberto González Rios, born in Santiago, Chile ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, frontman of Los Prisioneros, heavily influenced by the Clash and generally considered one of the most important rock bands in Chilean rock unwittingly becoming the voice of 1980s socio-economic protest against the Pinochet regime and banned for years by the government. Has subsequently recorded as a solo artist. Also formed the electronic project Gonzali Martinez with Dandy Jack known for the sole album, 1997's Gonzalo Martinez y Sus Congas, which established the technocumbia genre
December 6, 1964 ~ Joyce Melissa Morgan, commonly known as singer, songwriter Meli'sa Morgan, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Sang lead in Shades Of Love, known for Body To Body (Keep In Touch). Also a member of BBP and of High Fashion. Sang backup for Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, and Melba Moore. As a solo artist scored with the Prince cover Do Me Baby (1985), Do You Still Love Me (1986), Love Changes with Kashif (1987), and Still In Love With You (1992)
December 6, 1961 ~ Ronald Eugene Broomfield, commonly known as R&B, soul singer, songwriter Eugene Wilde, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for the singles Gotta Get You Home Tonight and Don't Say No Tonight, both of which topped the Billboard R&B charts respectively in 1984 and 1985. Wilde would regularly reach the R&B charts throughout the early 1990s. Duetted with Sheena Easton on the album track What If We Fall In Love of her 1987 No Sound But A Heart album. Also found succes as a songwriter, penning or co-penning songs such as I'll Never Break Your Heart for the Backstreet Boys, Dear Diary for Britney Spears and I Wish for the Spice Girls singer Victoria Beckham's 2001 eponymous Victoria Beckham solo debut albumDecember 6, 1958 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Danny Alvin passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Father of guitarist Teddy Walters. Recorded occasionally as a leader, noted for his 1958 Club Basin Street album. Started in the late-1910s, backing Sophie Tucker at her Reisenwebers's, New York, residency. Relocated to Chicago in the 1920s, where he would go on to back artists such as Sidney Bechet, George Brunies, Wild Bill Davison, Art Hodes, and Mezz Mezzrow ~ Alvin was born in 1902
December 6, 1956 ~ Guitarist, banjoist, mandolinist Peter Buck, full name Peter Lawrence Buck, born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Lead guitarist, co-founding member of REM, known for songs such as The One I Love, Stand, Losing My Religion, Shiny Happy People, Man On The Moon, Everybody Hurts, and What's The Frequency Kenneth. Has also been involved in a number of side projects, including Hindu Love Gods, the Baseball Project, and Tired Pony. Served as producer for the likes of Uncle Tupelo, the Vigilantes Of Love, the Fleshtones, the Feelies, and the JayhawksDecember 6, 1956 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Randy Rhoads born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Classically trained. Influential heavy metal guitarist, helpful in establishing neoclassical metal as a genre. Member of Quiet Riot. Closely associated with Ozzy Osbourne, present on the Blizzard Of Ozz album and especially noted for the riffs on Crazy Train and Mr Crowley ~ Rhoads passed away in 1982
December 6, 1955 ~ Drummer Rick Buckler, full name Paul Richard Buckler, born in Woking, UK ~ Best known as a member of mod revival trio the Jam alongside singer, guitarist, frontman Paul Weller and bassist Bruce Foxton from its formation until its disbandement. The band drew from a wide range of idioms including beat, soul, R&B, psychedelic rock, punk and new wave. The band would score four UK No.1 hits, namely Going Underground, Start, Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender. Following the band's disbandement in 1982 Buckler formed the short-lived Time UK, was a member of Sharp, and produced Bound For Glory for the Highliners and Tell 'Em We're Surfin' for the Family Cat. Buckler retired from music in the 1990s to return to music in the 2000s working with the Gift, From The Jam, and If. Buckler published his autobiography, titled That's Entertainment (My Life In The Jam), in 2015 ~ Buckler passed away in 2025
December 6, 1955 ~ Leticia Hinojosa, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Tish Hinojosa, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Sings in both English and Spanish. As a daughter of immigrants her music is rooted in both Mexican and American music, often telling of the plights and struggles of immigrants, merging folk, Tejano, conjunto and country music. Active since the 1980s with well over a dozen albums to her name. Acclaimed for the frailty and sincerity of her songs, especially notable on the 1991 Aqualla Noche album
December 6, 1954 ~ Pop rock, power pop, jangle pop guitarist, bassist, trumpeter, singer Chris Stamey, full name Christopher Charles Stamey, born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA ~ Briefly played with Alex Chilton and subsequently Sneakers before teaming up with Peter Holsapple to form the dB's. The band is known for their 1981 Stands For Decibels debut album, among critics praised as one of the greatest “lost” power pop albums of the 1980s. Stamey has also collaborated with Kirk Ross, Yo La Tengo, Syd Straw, the Golden Palominos, and Freedy Johnston. Has also served as a producer, notable credits include the albums Faithless Street and Strangers Almanac for Whiskeytown and Under The Influence for Alejandro Escovedo
December 6, 1954 ~ Free jazz trombonist Steve Swell born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Ken McIntyre, Tim Berne's Caos Totale, Joey Baron, Herb Robertson, Jemeel Moondoc, Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Gebhard Ullmann-Steve Swell Quartet, William Parker, Bill Dixon, Butch Morris, John Zorn, the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra, Dave Burrell, Elliott Sharp, Rob Mazurek, Phillip Johnston's Big Trouble, Perry Robinson, Ken Vandermark, Sabir Mateen, Matthew Heyner, Klaus Kugel, Hamid Drake, the Unified Theory Of Sound, the Transcendentalists, and Inner Ear
December 6, 1954 ~ Jazz pianist, organist Wayne Peet born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with John Rapson, Alex Cline, Nels Cline, Vinny Golia, Steuart Liebig, and with Bobby Bradford. Worked extensively for film and TV. Has recorded as a leader since the early 1980s
December 6, 1949 ~ Huddie William Ledbetter, commonly known as guitarist, singer Lead Belly, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most important and influential pre-war blues, folk singers, guitarists known for songs such as Goodnight Irene, The Midnight Special, Cotton Fields and Boll Weevil. Ledbetter's songs have been covered by numerous artists including Moon Mullican, Frank Sinatra, Odetta, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Della Reese, Pete Seeger, the Staple Singers, Nina Simone, the Spencer Davis Group, Ry Cooder, and Taj Mahal. Singer Bob Dylan credits Ledbetter for getting him into folk music ~ Ledbetter was born in 1888December 6, 1948 ~ Songwriter Linda Creed, full name Linda Diane Creed, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Thom Bell, penning some of the finest soul songs of the 1970s. Artists who have recorded their songs include George Benson (The Greatest Love Of All), Johnny Mathis, the Stylistics (You Make Me Feel Brand New), the Spinners (Ghetto Child), Teddy Pendergrass (Hold Me), Phyllis Hyman, Johnny Gill, and Little Anthony & the Imperials ~ Creed passed away in 1986
December 6, 1947 ~ Blues rock guitarist, singer Kim Simmonds born in Newbridge, UK ~ Frontman of Savoy Brown, which he co-founded with blues harpist John O'Leary. With heavy promotion and excessive touring the band would find success in America. Best known for their early albums, 1968's Getting To The Point, 1969's Blue Matter and 1970's Looking In considered landmark albums ~ Simmonds passed away in 2022
December 6, 1947 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, funk bassist, double bassist Miroslav Vitous, full name Miroslav Ladislav Vitous, born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Leader and sideman. Led the Junior Trio early on in his career, the trio included keyboardist Jan Hammer and his brother Alan Vitous. Backed Miles Davis in the late 1960s. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Infinite Search released in 1969, backed by Joe Henderson, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, and Joe Chambers. Co-founding pivotal jazz fusion outfit the Weather Report in 1970, remaining with the band through 1973 replaced by Alphonso Johnson.
December 6, 1946 ~ Pop, rock, jazz guitarist Dean Parks, full name Weldon Dean Parks, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Co-founded jazz fusion outfit Koinonia in 1980. In-demand session musician since the late 1960s. Notably present on Steely Dan's Haitian Divorce of their The Royal Scam album. Also appeared on albums by the likes of Bobby Blue Bland, T-Bone Burnett, Art Garfunkel (Angel Clare), Johnny Rivers, the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder (Innervisions), Tavares, Martha Reeves, Joan Baez (Diamonds And Rust), Neil Sedaka, Randy Crawford, the Crusaders, Kenny Loggins, Bread, Joe Sample (Carmel), Al Jarreau, Gordon Lightfoot, Paul Simon (Hearts And Bones), David Lee Roth, and Natalie ColeDecember 6, 1946 ~ Howard Beverly, commonly known as R&B, soul, funk singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Frankie Beverly, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed the Butlers, known among soul aficionados for the 1967 recording If That's What You Wanted. The group would be rechristened to Raw Soul, open for Marvin Gaye, and eventually be renamed to Maze. The group would score a string of R&B hits from the late 1970s through the early 1990s, with Workin' Together, Feel That You're Feelin', Southern Girl, Running Away, Love Is The Key, Back In Stride, Too Many Games, Can't Get Over You and Silky Soul all reaching top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Beverly passed away in 2024
December 6, 1944 ~ Kenneth George King, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer, label executive, radio and TV personality Jonathan King born in London, UK ~ First gained attention as a singer with the 1965 self-penned Everyone's Gone To The Moon single, which reached top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and top 10 in his native UK. Would go on to become an independent producer and later found the UK Records label. Discovered and named Genesis, producing the band's 1969 From Genesis To Revelation debut album. Has also notably worked with acts such as 10cc and the Bay City Rollers
December 6, 1943 ~ Keith Alan Hopkins, commonly known as rock, psychedelic rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Keith West, born in Dagenham, UK ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1967 single Excerpt From A Teenage Opera, a hit across Europe including top 10 positions in the Netherlands, Ireland and his native UK. Has also worked with acts such as Tomorrow, and Moonrider
December 6, 1943 ~ Pop, beat singer, keyboardist, songwriter Mike Smith, full name Michael George Smith, born in Edmonton, UK ~ Lead singer, keyboardist of the Dave Clark Five, prior to the emergence of the Rolling Stones seen as the main rivals to the Beatles. The band is known for songs such as Glad All Over, Bits And Pieces, Can't You See That She's Mine, and Catch Us If You Can, all of which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic ~ Smith passed away in 2008