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 8, 2025 ~ Raul Franciscoc Martinez-Malo Jr, commonly known as singer, guitarist Raul Malo, passed away ~ Best known as lead singer of the Mavericks, also having co-written many of their best known songs. Also a member of Tex-mex supergroup Los Super Seven as well as an acclaimed solo artist, steadily releasing solo albums since the breakup of the Mavericks ~ Malo was born in 1965
December 8, 2023 ~ R&B, funk, disco singer Nidra Beard, full name Nidra Elizabeth Beard, passed away ~ Co-lead singer for disco outfit Dynasty active throughout the late 1980s, known for songs such as I Don't Want To Be A Freak (But I Can't Help It), I've Just Begun To Love You, Do Me Right, and Groove Control. Beard wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's songs, as well as for others including the Whispers, Shalamar (A Night To Remember), 7th Wonder, and 911 ~ Beard was born in 1952
December 8, 2022 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Yitzhak Klepter passed away in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Earned the nickname “Churchill” after giving a presentation in elementary school about the life of Winston Churchill. Would name his first band, formed at age 15, the Churchills. Best known as member of Kaveret in the mid 1970s. The band is widely considered a breakthrough band in Israeli pop and rock history. Internationally they are known for representing Israel in the 1974 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 7th place with the song Natati La Khayay. Subsequently an English-language version, She Looked Me In The Eye, would be released ~ Klepter was born in 1950
December 8, 2021 ~ Jazz, hard bop pianist Barry Harris, full name Barry Doyle Harris, passed away in North Bergen, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell. Recorded well over a dozen albums since the late 1950s as a solo artist or leader, usually in smaller ensembles such as trios or quartets. Especially accclaimed for At The Jazz Workshop, Barry Harris Plays Tadd Dameron, and The Bird Of Red And Gold. As a sideman, Harris is present on albums by Art Farmer, Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley (Mobley's Message), Benny Golson, Harold Land (West Coast Blues), Cannonball Adderley, Wes Montgomery (The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery), Yusef Lateef, Sonny Red, Sal Nistico, Lee Morgan (The Sidewinder), Charles McPherson, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet (Bottoms Up), Eddie Jefferson, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt (Constellation), and Milt Jackson ~ Harris was born in 1929
December 8, 2021 ~ Gilbert Bridges, commonly known as saxophonist, flutist, singer Gil Bridges, passed away ~ Original and longtime lead singer of Rare Earth, the first successful all-white act to be signed to Motown. The band would enjoy popularity especially at the turn of the 1970s, Get Ready, (I Know) I'm Losing You, and I Just Want To Celebrate all reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Bridges would continue to front the band, which remained a popular live act despite failing to repeat their earlier chart success, until his death at age 80 ~ Bridges was born in 1941December 8, 2021 ~ Singer Ralph Tavares, full name Ralph Edward Vierra Tavares, passed away in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of sibling R&B, disco outfit Tavares. The band is known for a string of 1970s hits including She's Gone, It Only Takes A Minute, Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, Don't Take Away The Music and More Than A Woman, the latter notably featured on 1977 Saturday Night Fever soundtrack ~ Tavares was born in 1941
December 8, 2021 ~ Reggae, dub bassist, singer, producer Robbie Shakespeare, full name Robert Warren Dale Shakespeare, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Regarded as one of the most influential dub, reggae bassists. Closely associated with Sly Dunbar, forming the duo Sly & Robbie. Has worked with artists such as the Revolutionaries, the Aggrovators, U-Roy, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott, Augustus Pablo, Yellowman, Black Uhuru, the GG All-Stars, Grace Jones, and Mick Jagger ~ Shakespeare was born in 1953
December 8, 2020 ~ Avant-garde, minimalist composer, pianist, guitarist, drummer, poet Harold Budd, full name Harold Montgomery Budd, passed away in Arcadia, California, USA ~ Influenced by John Cage and Morton Feldman. Emerged from the 1960s California avant-garde community. Known for works such as The Oak Of The Golden Dream, Madrigals Of The Rose and Pavillion Of Dreams, the latter released as his 1978 debut album produced by Brian Eno. Has also worked with Robin Guthrie, Andy Partridge, John Foxx, and Jah Wobble ~ Budd was born in 1936December 8, 2019 ~ Jarad Anthony Higgins, commonly known a rapper, singer, songwriter Juice WRLD, passed away in Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for songs such as All Girls Are The Same, Lean Wit Me, Wasted, Armed And Dangerous, and Lucid Dreams. Has collaborated with Benny Blanco, BTS, Ellie Goulding, Halsey, Marshmello, the Weeknd, Eminem, and Kodak Black ~ Higgins was born in 1998
December 8, 2015 ~ Mary Joan Kath, commonly known as country, rock & roll, rockabilly singer Bonnie Lou, passed away in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Influenced by Patsy Montana. Along with the likes of Wanda Jackson generally considered as one of the first women in what would later become known as rockabilly, enjoying popularity from the early 1950s onwards. Started performing on WJBC AM radio station at age 16, moving on to the nationally syndicated KMBC radio show the Brush Creek Follies show the following year. At the time the show would be considered one of the biggest music programs in country. Well-known for songs such as the early 1950s Billboard Country top 10 hits Seven Lonely Days and Tennessee Wig-Walk ~ Kath was born in 1924
December 8, 2015 ~ Colarature soprano Mattiwilda Dobbs passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ One of the first African-American singers to enjoy international fame in opera, paving the way for artists such as Leontyne Price, Shirley Verrett, Jessye Norman, and Kathleen Battle. Dobbs was closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera, and has notably performed with the San Francisco Opera, La Scala, the Paris Opera, and the Vienna State Opera. Following the example of other African-American performers, Dobbs refused to perform for segregated audiences although it hurt her career as she declined offers of work in the southern states. Dobbs retired from performing by the mid 1970s, and has since served as a teacher. In 1989, Dobbs was elected to the board of directors of the Metropolitan Opera ~ Dobbs was born in 1925December 8, 2010 ~ Trevor Thoms, commonly known as rock, hard rock, progressive rock guitarist Trev Thoms, passed away in Brighton, UK ~ Perhaps best known as a member of Inner City Unit, notably present on the early 1980s acclaimed albums Passout and The Maximum Effect. Thoms has also played with the Spirit Of John Morgan, Robert Calvert, Hawkwind, and Spirits Burning ~ Thoms was born in 1950
December 8, 2009 ~ Hard rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist Dean Fasano passed away in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA ~ Lead singer of the short-lived early 1980s rock band Message, which also included Richie Sambora and Alec John Such. The band disbanded in 1983 with Sambora and Such recruited by Jon Bon Jovi. Fasano would go on to found and front Prophet ~ Fasano was born in 1955
December 8, 2006 ~ Pop singer Céline Dion records Immensité at Studio Piccolo, Montreal, Canada ~ Written by Nina Bouraoui and Jacques Veneruso. Produced by Veneruso and Patrick Hampartzoumian. Included on Céline Dion's 2007 D'Elles album. Also included as a bonus track on some pressings of the 2008 Taking Chances album
December 8, 2005 ~ Composer Donald Martino, full name Donald James Martino, passed away in Antigua, Antigua & Barbados ~ Composed orchestral works, chamber music, concertos, works for solo instruments, and vocal works. Perhaps best known for Notturno, published in 1974, which would earn him a Pullitzer Prize. Commissioned by pianist Easley Blackwood Jr to write the sonata Pianississimo, explicitly requesting that it would be one of the most difficult pieces ever written. Blackwood would never perform the piece in a live setting ~ Martino was born in 1931
December 8, 2004 ~ Daarrell Lance Abbot, commonly known as groove metal, southern metal, thrash metal, heavy metal guitarist, singer Dimebag Darrell, passed away in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Son of country producer Jerry Abbott, brother of drummer Vinnie Paul. Influenced by Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, ZZ Top, and especially Kiss and Van Halen. Best known as guitarist, and alongside his brother co-founder of quintessential metal bands Pantera and Damageplan. Noted for his guitar solos on the former's Walk, Cemetery Gates and Floods. Abbott never received any formal guitar training. Shot and killed by a deranged fan at age 38 during a nightclub performance in Columbus. Abbott was buried in a Kiss casket donated by Gene Simmons with a 1979 Bumblebee guitar donated by Eddie Van Halen ~ Abbott was born in 1966December 8, 2003 ~ Rubén González Fontanills, commonly known as Afro-Cuban jazz, son, danzo, mambo pianist Rubén González, passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Active since the 1940s. Alongside Lilí Martínez and Peruchín defined modern Cuban piano playing. Has worked with artists such as Paulina Álvarez, Arsenío Rodriguez, the Orquesta Riverside, Enrique Jorrin. Resurged in the 1990s playing with the Afro-Cuban All Stars and gaining international exposure with the Buena Vista Social Club ~ González was born in 1919
December 8, 1994 ~ Pianist, singer, composer, arranger Antônio Carlos Jobim passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Widely regarded as “the Father of Bossa Nova” both as a performer and as a songwriter. Acclaimed for albums such as Black Orpheus with Luiz Bonfá, Wave, and Stone Flower. As a songwriter especially known for Desafinado, first recorded by João Gilberto in 1958 and covered by over 400 artists. Other well known songs written or co-written by Jobim include Outra Vez (Dick Farney, Elis Regina), Eu Não Existo Sem Você (Vanjo Orico, Elizete Cardoso), Por Causa De Voce (Silvia Telles, Marisa), and A Felicidade (Agostinho dos Santos, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald) ~ Jobim was born in 1927
December 8, 1991 ~ William Dorsey Clayton, commonly known as trumpeter Buck Clayton, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong. Valued soloist with Count Basie's orchestra from 1936, replacing Hot Lips Page, until joining the US Army in 1943. Has also backed artists such as Lester Young, Teddy Wilson, and Billie Holiday during the same era. Recorded prolifically and toured extensively, especially in Europe, from the late 1940s onward. Especially acclaimed for his Olympia Concert album, recorded live at Olympia, Paris in April 1961, featuring Emmett Berry, Buddy Tate, Sir Charles Thompson, Earle Warren, Gene Ramey, and Oliver Jackson ~ Clayton was born in 1911December 8, 1989 ~ Alternative metal, Christian metal drummer, singer Jen Ledger, full name Jennifer Carole Ledger, born in Coventry, UK ~ Best known as member of Skillet, joining the band in 2008 taking over for Lori Peters. Has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for the singles Not Dead Yet and Warrior featuring John Cooper both taken of her 2018 Ledger EP
December 8, 1986 ~ Michael Leonard Mann, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer Hollywood Fats, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Given his nickname by Junior Wells. Has worked with James Harman, Jimmy Witherspoon, JB Hutto, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Junior Watson, Kid Ramos, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Canned Heat. Briefly a member of the Blasters, replacing Dave Alvin in 1986. Mann would die later the same year of a drug-induced heart attack ~ Mann was born in 1954
December 8, 1986 ~ Singer, songwriter Kate Voegele, full name Kate Elizabeth Voegele born in Bay Village, Ohio, USA ~ Released two EP's, 2002's The Other Side and 2004's Louder Than Words, before releasing her full-length Don't Look Away in 2007. Known for songs such as Hallelujah, Lift Me Up and Angel
December 8, 1984 ~ Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, commonly known as singer, rapper, actress, model, songwriter Nicki Minaj, born in Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago ~ First gained attention with a number of mixtapes, starting with 2007's Playtime Is Over, before releasing her full-length Pink Friday in 2010. Best known for songs such as Your Love, Moment For Life featuring Drake, Super Bass, Fly featuring Rihanna, Starships, Bang Bang with Jessie J and Ariana Grande, Anaconda, MotorSport with Migos and Cardi B, Trollz featuring 6ix9ine. Has also collaborated with Mariah Carey, Ludacris, Usher, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, David Guetta, Big Sean, DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, French Montana, Carly Rae Jepsen, Wale, Bebe Rexha, and Robin ThickeDecember 8, 1984 ~ Country, country pop, R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Sam Hunt, full name Sam Lowry Hunt born in Cedartown, Georgia, USA ~ In-demand songwriter for the likes of Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Billy Currington, and Reba McEntire, before setting out on a solo recording career starting with the 2014 Montevallo album. Known for songs such as Leave The Night On, Take Your Time, Body Like A Back Road, Kinfolks, and Hard To Forget
December 8, 1982 ~ Martin David Robinson, commonly known as country singer Marty Robbins, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Popular country singer with some 50 albums to his name over a four decade career. Especially acclaimed for his 1959 Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs, considered one of the first if not the first concept album in country. Known for songs such as A White Sport Coat, El Paso, Big Iron, Don't Worry, and Devil Woman. Robbins held strong conservative views, with some of his songs, such as Ain't I Right and My Own Native Land, rejected by Columbia Records as too political. Robbins campaigned for Barry Goldwater in the 1964 USA presidential election ~ Robinson was born in 1925
December 8, 1982 ~ Folk rock, indie rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Serena Ryder born in Toronto, Canada ~ Released a number of promising albums, starting with 1999's Falling Out, before making her major-label debut with If Your Memory Serves You Well in 2006. It contained the singles Good Morning Starshine and the ballad Weak In The Knees, especially the latter warmly received by critics. To mainstream audiences best known for the singles Stompa and What I Wouldn't Do both taken of her 2012 Harmony album and both reaching the top 10 in her native Canada