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 7, 2022 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly singer, pianist, saxophonist, songwriter Roddy Jackson, full name George Rodrick Jackson, passed away ~ Influenced by Fats Domino and Little Richard. First gained attention with the 1957 Sonny Bono-penned I've Got My Sights On Someone New. Released as a single, b/w Love At First Sight, it would become a regional hit and lead to an appearance on American Bandstand. Despite some promising follow-ups, Hiccups and Any Old Town, Jackson would fail to break through to a larger audience. Perhaps best known for co-writing She Said Yeah with Bono, first recorded by Larry Williams in 1959 and covered by over a dozen artists including the Animals, Cliff Bennett, and the Rolling Stones ~ Jackson was born in 1942
December 7, 2021 ~ Music critic, journalist, author, guitarist Greg Tate passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Dubbed “the Godfather of Hip-hop Journalism.” Best known as contributor on black culture and music for the Village Voice, initially as a freelancer starting in 1981 and as a staff writer from 1987 through 2005. His publications hace also been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Down Beat, JazzTimes, Rolling Stone, VIBE, and other journals. Authored a number of books, starting with Flyboy In The Buttermilk (Essays On Contemporary America) published in 1992. As a musician, guitarist best known for co-founding and leading the improvisational rock collective Burnt Sugar in 1999, merging funk, jazz, rock, reggae, soul, hip-hop, metal and contemporary classical music ~ Tate was born in 1957
December 7, 2021 ~ Steve William Forrest, commonly known as keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, songwriter Steve Bronski, passed away in London, UK ~ Formed 1980s pop, synth-pop trio Bronski Beat with Jimmy Somerville and Larry Steinbachek. All members of the band were openly gay and with their songs often reflecting on gay-related issues they would become an icon of the gay community. Songs such as Smalltown Boy, Why and Hit That Perfect Beat would reach the UK top 10 ~ Forrest was born in 1960
December 7, 2020 ~ Dawn Silver, commonly known as folk singer, actress Dawn Lindberg, passed away in Plettenburg, South Africa ~ Formed the duo Des & Dawn with her husband Des Lindberg, known for protest songs such as The Seagull's Name Was Nelson and This Land Is Your Land. The duo's 1967 Folk On Trek debut album actually was censored by authorities with copies of the record destroyed and the Lindbergs would continue to brush with the authorities throughout their career ~ Silver was born in 1945December 7, 2019 ~ Singer Herbie Cox, full name Herbert Alexander Cox, passed away in Fayetteville, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of the Cleftones, known for doo-wop, vocal R&B classics such as Little Girl Of Mine, Can't We Be Sweethearts, Gee and perhaps their best known Heart And Soul, the latter a Billboard top 20 hit in 1961. The band's songs have frequently been used since in films including Goodfellas, American Graffiti and A Bronx Tale ~ Cox was born in 1936
December 7, 2019 ~ Jerome Noel Jumonville, commonly known as jazz, R&B, rock & roll saxophonist Jerry Jumonville, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ 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 1941
December 7, 2019 ~ Jazz saxophonist Joe McQueen, full name Joe Leandrew McQueen, passed away in Ogden, Utah, USA ~ Toured with various bands throughout the USA. While passing through Ogden, Utah, the leader of the band he was in took off with the money. McQueen and his wife decided to stick around in Ogden and he had been performing locally ever since, including backing visiting musicians such as Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, and Ray Charles ~ McQueen was born in 1919
December 7, 2018 ~ Victor Hayden, commonly known as clarinetist, painter, producer the Mascara Snake, passed away ~ Cousin of Captain Beefheart. Appeared on Beefheart's 1968 LP Trout Mask Replica. Co-founded Alchemy Records. Served as A&R director for Pig Records. Also produced for Ever Rat Records and Subcore Records ~ Hayden was born in 1948
December 7, 2017 ~ James Marcellus Arthur Murray, commonly known as jazz drummer Sunny Murray, passed away in Paris, France ~ Pioneering free jazz drummer. Rose to prominence backing Cecil Taylor on albums such as Air, Nefertiti The Beautiful One Has Come and Live At the Café Montmartre. Also closely associated with Albert Ayler, including on the seminal Spiritual Unity album released in 1964. Over a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for the albums Sunny Murray and Hard Cores. Also present on albums by Dave Burrell, Archie Shepp, Clifford Thornton (Ketchaoua), Jimmy Lyons, and Khan Jamal ~ Murray was born in 1936
December 7, 2016 ~ Progressive rock singer, bassist, guitarist Greg Lake, full name Gregory Stuart Lake, passed away in London, UK ~ Co-founding member of King Crimson, present on the albums In The Court Of The Crimson King and its follow-up In The Wake Of Poseidon. One third of Emerson Lake & Palmer, with whom he recorded Lucky Man which he write at age 12. As a solo artist best known for I Believe In Father Christmas, a UK top 10 hit in 1975 and a Christmas favorite ever since ~ Lake was born in 1947
December 7, 2016 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist Larry Steinbachek passed away ~ Formed 1980s pop, synth-pop trio Bronski Beat with Jimmy Somerville and Steve Bronski. All members of the band were openly gay and with their songs often reflecting on gay-related issues they would become an icon of the gay community. Songs such as Smalltown Boy, Why and Hit That Perfect Beat would reach the UK top 10. Following his departure from the band Steinbachek would work as composer and theatre director ~ Steinbachek was born in 1960December 7, 2008 ~ David C Randolph Jr, commonly known as jazz organist Butch Cornell, passed away in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Classically trained pianist, switched to jazz organ after hearing Jimmy Smith. Appeared on albums by Willis Jackson, Stanley Turrentine (Sugar), Boogaloo Joe Jones, Grover Washington Jr, Patrick Lamb, and Ron Carter ~ Randolph was born in 1941
December 7, 2006 ~ James Columbus McShann, commonly known as pianist, bandleader Jay McShann, passed away in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Veteran pianist active from the mid 1930s onwards with well over 40 albums to his name as leader or co-leader. Known for leading ensembles that included then-unknown future stars such as Charlie Parker, Ben Webster, Gene Ramey, and Jimmy Witherspoon. Faded from public view by the early 1950s, to resurface by the late 1960s. McShann continued to perform and record well into his eighties ~ McShann was born in 1916December 7, 2004 ~ Conductor Frederick Fennell passed away in Siesta Key, Florida, USA ~ Praised by some as the most famous band conductor since John Philip Sousa. Well known for his association with the Eastman Wind Ensemble. Has also worked with renowned ensembles such as the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra ~ Fennell was born in 1914
December 7, 2002 ~ In its 32nd week on the charts, Gimme The Light by Sean Paul peaks at No.7 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Initially released as Give Me The Light in Jamaica, followed by an international release the following year, the song's setting is a night club where the singer asks for a light, meaning a marijuana cigarette. Sean Paul had written the song in just two hours, based on his experiences clubbing in New York the previous week. The single would take a little over half a year climbing the charts, but Gimme The Light eventually reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. It also reached top 20 across Europe, No.5 in the UK, and No.1 in Canada. Paul would later comment on the success of his debut single: “I was having fun in the booth when I wrote it and I realized people could feel that vibe when they heard it, they wanted to have the same party experience. I accepted that if this is me, then this is me. This is what I have to offer to the music game.” Subsequently, Get Busy, Paul's next single off Dutty Rock would reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100December 7, 1993 ~ Jasmine Marie Villegas, commmonly known as pop, R&B singer Jasmine V, born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Signed with Sony Music at age 16. Known for songs such as Serious, All These Boys, Didn't Mean It, Paint A Smile, and That's Me Right There, the latter featuring Kendrick Lamar
December 7, 1992 ~ Gionata Boschetti, commonly known as rapper Sfera Ebbasta, born in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy ~ Rose to fame with XDVR debut album, a collaborative effort with producer, DJ Charlie Charles released in 2015. Has recorded to commercial succes since, his three subsequent albums all reaching the No.1 spot on the Italian album charts
December 7, 1991 ~ Austin Hart, commonly known as hip-hop producer L'Orange, born in North Carolina, USA ~ Released his Old Soul debut album in 2011. Has collaborated with Stik Figa, Jeremiah Jae, Kool Keith, Mr Lif, Namir Blade, and Solemn Brigham
December 7, 1990 ~ Delectus Clark, commonly known as R&B singer Dee Clark, passed away in Smyrna, Georgia, USA ~ Member of the Kool Gents. Ventured out on his own in 1957, scoring a number of hits through the early 1960s. Well known songs include Nobody But You, Hey Little Girl, How About That, Your Friends and I'm Going Back To School. The singles Just Keep It Up and Raindrops would both reach top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 ~ Clark was born in 1938December 7, 1989 ~ Singer, songwriter Lucy Schwartz born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Daughter of composer David Schwartz. Best known as composer, performer of numerous songs for films such as Twilight Saga (Breaking Dawn), Shrek Forever, What Masie Knew and Mother And Child, and TV such as Grey's Anatomy, Army Wives, The Good Wife, Nashville and Parenthood
December 7, 1988 ~ Benjamin Sainte-Clémentine, commonly known as avant-garde, experimental pop, contemporary classical singer, songwriter Benjamin Clémentine, born in London, UK ~ Influenced by artists as diverse as Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, Leonard Cohen, Leo Ferré, Nina Simone, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin. Released his critically acclaimed award winning debut album, At Least For Now, in 2015. Married to singer, songwriter Flo Morrissey
December 7, 1988 ~ Alternative rock, hip-hop singer, guitarist Toru Yamashita born in Osaka, Japan ~ Influenced by the Foo Fighters, the Smashing Pumpkins, Good Charlotte, Nirvana, and Avril Lavigne. Member of hip hop dance group HEADS until its disbandement in 2002. Co-founding member, guitarist for rock unit One Ok Rock, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums since its inception in 2007. Singles such as Answer Is Near, Re: Make/No Scared, Deeper Deeper/Nothing Helps, and Might Long Fall/Decision would all reach top 10 in the band's native Japan
December 7, 1987 ~ Pop singer Aaron Carter, full name Aaron Charles Carter, born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Established himself as a pop and hip-hop star with pre-teen and teenage audiences from the late 1990s through the early 2000s, starting with his eponymous Aaron Carter debut album released at a mere 9 years of age. Well known songs include Crush On You, Crazy Little Party Girl and I Want Candy. Also ventured into acting, including in the Broadway musical Seussical ~ Carter passed away in 2022
December 7, 1986 ~ Jonathan Benjamin Gill, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter, TV personality JB Gill, born in Croydon, UK ~ Member of boy band JLS, runner-up in the 2008 edition of The X-Factor talent contest aired on ITV. The band released their eponymous JLS debut album the following year, which included the UK No.1 hits Beat Again and Everybody In Love. They would continue to reach the higher echelons of the UK charts before disbanding in 2013, reuniting in 2021. Well known songs include The Club Is Alive, Love You More, She Makes Me Wanna featuring Dev. Gill would be the first band member to release solo material, releasing his The Best Night Of My Life solo debut single in 2014
December 7, 1986 ~ Rock, hard rock guitarist Nita Strauss born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Touring guitarist for Alice Cooper since 2014 replacing Orianthi. Previously a member of several rock acts, including the all-female Iron Maiden-tribute band the Iron Maidens, Consume The Fire, Critical Hit and notably Femme Fatale. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing her Controlled Chaos debut album in 2018, and has guested on recordings by Maxxxwell Carlisle, Jamie Christopherson, Tina Guo, Docker's Guild, the Metal Allegiance, and Kane Roberts