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 9, 2022 ~ Inventor, composer, educator Herbert Deutsch passed away in Massapequa Park, New York, USA ~ Best known for co-inventing the Moog synthesizer with Robert Moog in 1964. The instrument would be adopted by rock and pop acts including the Doors, the Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles. It would also become a key instrument in 1970s progressive rock, used by acts such as Yes, Tangerine Dream, and Emerson Lake & Palmer. Deutsch was also a dedicated educator, serving as professor of electronic music and composition at Hofstra University for over 50 years from the early 1970s until his death at age 90 ~ Deutsch was born in 1932
December 9, 2021 ~ Singer, songwriter David Lasley, full name David Eldon Lasley, passed away ~ Member of the Pousette-Dart Band. Member of Rosie. As a solo artist scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit with If I Had My Wish Tonight in 1982. Songs written or co-written by Lasley have been recorded by Rita Coolidge, Patti LaBelle (Come What May), Kiki Dee, Valerie Carter, Maxine Nightingale (Lead Me On), Boz Scaggs, Peter Allen, Norman Connors, the Pointer Sisters (Got To Find Love), Sarah Dash, Amy Keys, and Bonnie Raitt (I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again) ~ Lasley was born in 1947
December 9, 2021 ~ Rudolph Dennis, commonly known as reggae singer Garth Dennis, passed away in Ontario, California, USA ~ Co-founded Black Uhuru with Don Carlos and Derrick Duckie Simpson in 1972, leaving the band after the early recordings and rejoining in the early 1990s, first reappearing on the 1991 album Now. Had a successful run throughout the late 1980s with the Wailing Souls starting with 1979's acclaimed Wild Suspense album. Released his solo debut album, Trenchtown 19 3rd Street, in 2015 ~ Dennis was born in 1949December 9, 2020 ~ Rock bassist, songwriter Jason Slater passed away in Maui, Hawaii, USA ~ Briefly a member of Third Eye Blind, leaving the band shortly after recording their demo. Would go on to work with acts such as the Snake River Conspiracy, the Band Of Flakes, Revenge Of The Triads and Brougham. Has also worked as producer for artists such as Interstate '76, Earshot and notably Queensrÿche ~ Slater was born in 1971
December 9, 2020 ~ Progressive metal, jazz, jazz fusion, rock bassist, keyboardist, guitarist Sean Malone passed away in Largo, Florida, USA ~ Best known as member of Cynic. Noted for his chemistry with bandmate drummer Sean Reinert. Released his Cortlandt solo album in 2007, featuring guests such as Trey Gunn, Ron Jarzombek, John Myung. Has also worked with Gordian Knot, Roadrunner United, Spiral Architect, Spastic Ink, Anomaly, James Labrie, Aghora, Cygnus, and Dream Theater ~ Malone was born in 1970
December 9, 2015 ~ Isham Russell Jones II, commonly known as jazz drummer Rusty Jones, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Backed Judy Roberts during the late 1960s. Subsequently a member of George Shearing's trio for most of the 1970s, including on the albums As Requested, The Way We Are, and Continental Experience. Through his association with Shearing, Jones has also regularly worked with Stéphane Grappelli. Other notable credits include albums by Harvey Mandel, Frank Portolese, Ron Surace (The New Cool), Marc Pompe, Scott Hollman, Frank Catalano (Cut It Out), Eddie Picard, and Patrick Noland ~ Jones was born in 1942
December 9, 2014 ~ Winfred Lorenzo Lovett, commonly known as R&B singer Winfred Blue Lovett, passed away in Arizona, USA ~ Co-founding member of R&B, soul outfit the Manhattans best known for their 1976 Kiss And Say Goodbye, Billboard Hot 100 charttopper, written by the group's primary songwriter Lovett and arranged and co-produced with the group by noted Philly soul musician Bobby Martin. Lovett remained with the group from its inception in 1962 through 1990 ~ Lovett was born in 1936
December 9, 2012 ~ Singer James Arthur wins the ninth edition of the talent contest The X-Factor UK, aired on ITV ~ Arthur wins the talent show The X-Factor, leaving fellow finalists Jahméne in second place, and singer Christopher Maloney in third. Following his success on the show, Arthur Impossible debut single, a cover of the Shontelle song, would debut atop the UK charts. The followup single You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You reached No.2. Arthur issued his eponymous James Arthur full-length debut album in 2013 and has recorded to mixed success since. Say You Won't Let Go, lead single off his Back From The Edge sophomore album, would become his second UK No.1 hit and reach No.11 on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart
December 9, 2011 ~ Myra Jardine Render, commonly known as jazz singer Myra Taylor, passed away in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Enjoyed a career spanning seven decades, starting in the late 1930s touring with Clarence Love. Worked at length with Harlan Leonard, present on recordings such as I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire and Dig It, the latter supposedly written by Taylor despite Leonard omitting her name and denying her royalties. Has also worked Baby Dodds, Lonnie Johnson, Roy Eldridge, Lil' Armstrong, Eubie Blake, and the Wild Women Of Kansas ~ Render was born in 1917
December 9, 2010 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist James Moody passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Well over three dozen albums to his name as a leader since the late 1940s, best known for his unexpected 1956 hit Moody's Mood For Love off the album of the same name. As a sideman, Moody has guested on albums by Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie (In Paris), Al Haig, Eddie Lockjaw Davis (Bacalao), Hank Crawford, Eddie Jefferson (Letter From Home), Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Dexter Gordon (The Tower Of Power), Cedar Walton, Charles Mingus (Let My Children Hear Music), Aretha Franklin, Coleman Hawkins, Elvin Jones, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, George Benson (Give Me The Night), and Karin Krog ~ Moody was born in 1925
December 9, 2010 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer Justin Bieber releases Pray, lifted off his My Worlds Acoustic album ~ Justin Bieber has stated he was inspired to write the contemporary Christian song by Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror, attempting to offer hope in times of despair. Set against a world music backdrop, the song primarily features acoustic instruments, but does make minor use of electronics. The accompanying video adresses several social injustices, interspering images of earthquake-torn Haiti, post-hurricane New Orleans, soldiers reuniting with their families, homes being repossessed, and Bieber himself visiting children in hospitals. Like the song itself, the video also includes religious undertones. The single was released in a select few countries only, where it became a modest hitDecember 9, 2006 ~ Drummer Freddie Marsden passed away in Southport, UK ~ Original member of Gerry & the Pacemakers, alongside Les Chadwick, Arthur McMahon and his brother Gerry Marsden, known for a string of 1960s UK hits such as How Do You Do It, I Like It, You'll Never Walk Alone, I'm The One, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying and Ferry Cross The Mersey ~ Marsden was born in 1940
December 9, 2006 ~ Frieda Lipschitz, commonly known as singer Georgia Gibbs, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Versatile pop, pop-jazz singer enjoying her biggest success in the early to mid 1950s with songs such as If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake, While You Danced Danced Danced, Kiss Of Fire and Seven Lonely Days. Worked with Frankie Trumbauer, Tommy Dorsey, Hal Kemp, Artie Shaw, Earle Hagen, Bob Crosby, and Glenn Osser ~ Lipschitz was born in 1918
December 9, 2005 ~ Pianist György Sándor passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as interpreter, as well as close friend, of Béla Bartók. One of only ten people who attended Bartok's funeral. Toured as a concert pianist throughout the 1930s, briefly served in the US Army during World War II, and returned to the stage after the war. Has recorded works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and notably the complete solo piano works of Zoltán Kodály and Sergei Prokofiev, and the complete piano works of Bartók ~ Sándor was born in 1912December 9, 2001 ~ Jazz reedist Pierre Gossez, full name Pierre Fernand Gossez, passed away in Creil, France ~ Worked with Noel Chiboust, Tony Muréna, Jacques Hélian, Michel Legrand, Martial Solal, Claude Bolling, Sonny Grey, Michel Hausser, André Hodeir, Ivan Jullien, Guy Lafitte, the Paris Jazz All-Stars, Maxim Saury, Dany Doriz, Gunther Schuller, Bob Quibel, Solal, and Jean-Michel Jarre, notably playing the saxophone on the latter's 1986 Rendez-Vous album ~ Gossez was born in 1928
December 9, 1995 ~ Ben Levy, commonly known as actor, singer Benny Lee, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as an actor. As a singer known for songs such as Enjoy Yourself It's Later Than You Think, the Guy Mitchell-cover Pretty Little Black-eyed Susan and the Hank Williams-cover Your Cheatin' Heart. Has worked with Johnny Claes, Sid Phillips, and Joy Nichols ~ Levy was born in 1916
December 9, 1995 ~ Vivian Stapleton, commonly known as actress, singer Vivian Blaine, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Started as a singer with dance bands in the late 1940s. Starred in a number of Hollywood films during the 1940s. Returned to the stage in 1950 playing the role of Miss Adelaide in the Frank Loesser-musical Guys And Dolls. She would do some 1, 200 performances on Broadway, over 500 in London's West End, take the show to Vegas and recreate her role in the 1955 film version. Blaine would star in numerous plays, films, and guest in TV series throughout the 1980s ~ Stapleton was born in 1921December 9, 1994 ~ Garnet Damion Smith, commonly known as reggae singer Garnett Silk, passed away in Mandeville, Jamaica ~ Praised for his emotive, powerful and smooth voice. Emerged as a rising star in the early 1990s, only to have his career cut short by an early death trying to save his mother in a house fire. Well known songs include Hello Mama Africa, Lord Watch Over Our Shoulders, and Love Is The Answer ~ Smith was born in 1966
December 9, 1993 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Carter Jefferson passed away in Kraków, Poland ~ Worked with the Temptations, the Supremes, Little Richard, Mongo Santamaria, the Jazz Messengers, Woody Shaw, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Cedar Walton, Jerry González, Malachi Thompson, Walter Davis Jr, Woody Shaw, Barbara Donald, Jack Walrath, and Clifford Jordan ~ Jefferson was born ca.1946
December 9, 1991 ~ Rakim Hasheem Allen, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer PnB Rock born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his mid-2010s singles Fleek and Selfish. Has worked with Young Thug, Kodak Black, Lil Skies, Nicki Minaj, and Young Zona ~ Allen passed away in 2022
December 9, 1987 ~ Anna-Catherine Hartley, commonly known as synth-pop, alternative dance, nu-disco singer, rapper, DJ, keyboardist Uffie, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Draws from synth-pop, acid house, alternative dance, electro, rap, and nu skool. Probably best known for her single Pop The Glock, an international underground hit originally included on a 2006 EP and re-released on single in 2009. A full-length debut album, Sex Dreams And Denim Jeans, would be released in 2010. Hartley has guested on recordings by Feadz, Steve Aoki, Crystal Castles, Mr Oizo, and Charli XCX
December 9, 1985 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader, composer Calvin Jackson, full name John Calvin Jackson, passed away in Encinitas, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Frankie Fairfax, Mildred Bailey, Ray Charles [arranger on the Sweet & Sour album], Buddy Collette, and Fred Katz ~ Jackson was born in 1919December 9, 1981 ~ Earlington Carl Tilghman, commonly known as R&B, doo-wop singer Sonny Til, passed away in Washington DC, USA ~ Lead singer, sole constant member of doo-wop outfit the Orioles, known for songs such as It's Too Soon To Know, Tell Me So, Forgive And Forget, Lonely Christmas, Baby Please Don't Go, and perhaps their biggest hit Crying In The Chapel, the latter topping the Billboard R&B charts in 1953 ~ Tilghman was born in 1928
December 9, 1980 ~ Jazz drummer Anton Eger born in Oslo, Norway ~ As a solo artist known for his 2019 Æ album. Closely associated with Jazzkamikaze and Phronesis, recording about half a dozen albums with each since the mid 2000s. Other collaborations include People Are Machines, Django Bates, and Marius NesetDecember 9, 1979 ~ Country singer, songwriter David Kersh, full name Charles David Kersh, born in Humble, Texas, USA ~ Known for a number of mid 1990s singles including Goodnight Sweetheart, Another You, Day In Day Out and If I Never Stop Loving You
December 9, 1979 ~ Country fiddler Tommy Jackson, full name Thomas Lee Jackson Jr, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand session musician from the 1940s through the 1970s. Reportedly played on more country records than any other musician. Worked with Red Foley, Jerry Byrd, extensively with Hank Williams including on pivotal recordings such as Lovesick Blues, Webb Pierce, Faron Young, Ray Price, George Jones, and Bill Monroe ~ Jackson was born in 1926