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, 1975 ~ Jazz pianist Frank Signorelli passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded the Original Memphis Five, for whom he also co-wrote Sioux City Sue. Would go on to work with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Adrian Rollini, Eddie Lang, Bix Beiderbecke, Matty Malneck, Dick Stabile, Phil Napoleon, and Miff Mole. As a songwriter perhaps best known for co-writing songs such as A Blues Serenade (Johnny Sylvester, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby), Little Buttercup (I'll Never Be The Same) (Joe Venuti, Nat King Cole, Coleman Hawkins), and Park Avenue Fantasy (Paul Whiteman, Morton Gould) ~ Signorelli was born in 1901December 9, 1974 ~ Germaine Williams, commonly known as hardcore hip-hop rapper, MC, actor Canibus, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Known for his ability to freestyle. Over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Can-I-Bus released in 1998. Has worked with HRSMN, the Refugee Camp All-Stars, the Sharpshooterz, Cloak & Dagga, and the Undergods
December 9, 1972 ~ Frank Edwin Wright, commonly known as drummer, singer, songwriter Tré Cool born in Frankfurt, West Germany ~ Cites Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, Charlie Watts, Buddy Rich and John Wright as influences. Best known as drummer of Green Day, joining the band in 1990 taking over for John Kiffmeyer. Has also worked with the Lookouts, Samiam, Dead Mermaids, Bubu & the Brood, Network, and the Foxboro Hot Tubs
December 9, 1971 ~ Southern rockers the Allman Brothers Band record Melissa at Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida ~ Written by Gregg Allman. Produced by Tom Dowd. Released in August 1972 as the second single of the Eat A Peach album. The album version was recorded in tribute to Duane Allman who considered the song among his brother's best. Duane passed away in a motorcycle accident six weeks before the album version would be recorded
December 9, 1969 ~ Singer, songwriter Jakob Dylan, full name Jakob Luke Dylan, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of renowned singer Bob Dylan. Fronts the Wallflowers, known for songs such as 6th Avenue Heartache, One Headlight, Three Marlenas and Reboot The Mission. Also records as a solo artist, starting with 2008's Seeing Things, and has collaborated with Rusty Truck, Joe Henry, the Jayhawks, Willie Nile, Jesse Malin, Jordan Zevon, the Court Yard Hounds, Holly Williams and Crystal Bowersox
December 9, 1968 ~ Classical pianist Alexandre Tharaud born in Paris, France ~ Concert and recording pianist well versed in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, Frédéric Chopin, François Couperin, Maurice Ravel and contemporary classical pianist, composer Thierry Pecou. Refuses to keep a piano at his house preferriing the pleasure of improvisation over the necessity of rigorous work. Before each recording session lays flowers at the tomb of Romantic pianist and composer Emmanuel Chabrier at the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris, FranceDecember 9, 1968 ~ The TV special TCB, featuring the Supremes and the Temptations, airs on NBC ~ Taped before a live studio audience the previous September, the TV special TCB, an acronym for “Taking Care of Business”, was aired, exceeding all expectations. Bringing together two of the era's most favorite groups, the Supremes and the Temptations, the set list includes showtunes, medleys, and several popular Motown hits. Highlights of the show include Paul Williams's rendition of the Stevie Wonder hit For Once In My Life, a cover by both groups of the recent Aretha Franklin hit RESPECT, and Dennis Edwards, then the new lead singer for the Temptations, singing lead on (I Know) I'm Losing You. The show would become the highest-rated variety show of the year. The accompanying soundtrack album, released a week prior to the show's broadcast, reached No.1 Billboard Hot 200
December 9, 1966 ~ Sybil Lynch, mononymously known as R&B, soul, pop, house, new jack swing singer, songwriter Sybil, born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Cousin of En Vogue's Maxine Jones. Regularly scored on the American dance and R&B charts from the mid-1980s through mid 1990s with songs such as Falling In Love, Let Yourself Go, and The Love I Lost featuring West End. Scored her two biggest hits with Dionne Warwick covers, namely Walk On By and Don't Make Me Over. The latter would cross over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, cracking the top 20 in 1989
December 9, 1965 ~ Jose Henrique Campos Pereira, commonly known as punk, punk rock bassist Canisso, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Best known as member of Raimundos from its inception in 1987 through 2002, rejoining in 2007. The punk rock outfit is hugely influenced by American rockers the Ramones and would go on to become one of the most influential rock bands in Brazil, especially popular during the 1990s and acclaimed for their 1996 Lavô Tá Novo album. Has also briefly worked with Rodox during the early 2000s, and founded Rockfellas with Paul di'Anno ~ Campos passed away in 2023
December 9, 1963 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist, songwriter Kat Bjelland, full name Katherine Lynne Bjelland, born in Salem, Oregon, USA ~ Influenced by artists as diverse as Rush, Cheap Trick, the Cocteau Twins, Billie Holiday. Lead singer, guitarist, co-founding member of alternative rock band Babes In Toyland. Noted for her jagged, energetic guitar playing and her unusual vocal style, critically compared to Ozzy Osbourne and Diamanda Galás, which includes everything from whispering to shouting. Has worked with the Pagan Babies, Crunt, and Katastrophy Wife
December 9, 1957 ~ Singer Donny Osmond, full name Donald Clark Osmond, born in Ogden, Utah, USA ~ Rose to fame as youngest sibling in family outfit the Osmonds. Sang co-lead, usually the hook or chorus, on songs such as Double Lovin' and Yo-Yo, sang lead on Sweet And Innocent, I Knew You When and Puppy Love. Donny has also had a successful solo career with Billboard Hot 100 top 1o hits such as Go Away Little Girl, Hey Girl, Puppy Love and Twelfth Of Never. Formed a sibling duo with Marie Osmond, again reaching the American top 10 with I'm Leaving it Up To You and Morning Side Of The Mountain
December 9, 1957 ~ Christian alternative rock singer, guitarist, producer, filmmaker Steve Taylor born in Brawnley, California, USA ~ Member of short-lived group Chagall Guevara. As a solo artist known for taking aim at other Christian artists and his use of satirical lyircs. Well known songs include Sin For A Season, Meltdown At Madame Tussaud's, Svengali, Curses and Shortstop. Founded Squint Entertainment label and fueled the careers of artists such as Sixpence None The Richer, Chevelle and Burlap To Cashmere
December 9, 1956 ~ Singer, songwriter Kari Bremnes born in Svolvær, Norway ~ Actively recording as a solo artist since the late 1980s. Has collaborated with Lars Klevstrand, Ole Paus, Mari Boine, Ketil Bjørnstad, Tom Russell, Eva Dahlgren, and Anisette KoppelDecember 9, 1956 ~ Sylvia Jane Kirby, mononymously known as country, country pop singer Sylvia, born in Kokomo, Indiana, USA ~ Known for a string of 1980s Billboard Country top 10 hits including Tumbleweed, Drifter, Matador, Heart On The Mend, Like Nothing Ever Happened, Snapshot, I Never Quite Got Back From Loving You, Fallin' In Love, Cry Just A Little Bit and her best known Nobody. Despite having all the makings of a crossover artist, the latter would be the only single to reach the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked at No.15
December 9, 1955 ~ Singer, songwriter Anne Haigis born in Rottweil, Germany ~ Released her debut album, For Here Where The Life Is, in 1981. Would continue to record throughout the 1980s, to commercial success, in German before adding English-language songs to her repertoire in the 1990s. Has collaborated with Tony Carey, Eric Burdon, Kevin McCormick, Curtis Stigers, Nils Lofgren, and Melissa Etheridge. The latter would write the songs Dancing In The Fire and Out Of My Mind for Haigis
December 9, 1954 ~ Rock guitarist Jack Sonni born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Fronted the Leisure Class, a Monday night fixture at Kenny's Castaways, New York. Best known as guitarist for the Dire Straits during the mid-1980s. Present on the Brothers In Arms album, noted especially for his guitar synthesizer play on The Man's Too Strong. Sonni also played with the band at the 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium, London. Following the birth of his twin daughters in 1988 Sonni retired from music to pursue a career in marketing ~ Sonni passed away in 2023December 9, 1952 ~ Folk singer Estíbaliz Uranga, full name Estíbaliz Uranga Amezaga, born in Bilbao, Spain ~ Formed the sibling outfit Las Hermanas Urangas in the late 1960s which through a number of additions and namechanges evolved into the folk outfit Mocedades. Would leave the band in 1972 along with bandmate Sergio Blanco to form the duo Sergio & Estíbaliz, internationally best known for representing Spain at the 1975 Eurovision Songfestival where they reached 10th place with Tu Volveras. The duo would marry the same year and continue to have succes in Spain and Latin American throughout the mid 1990s. From 1993 through 2008 they would be involved with El Consorcio, consisting of former Mocedades members
December 9, 1950 ~ Singer, composer Alan Sorrenti born in Naples, Italy ~ Sings in Italian and English. Debuted in 1972 with the album Aria. Internationally best known for representing Italy in the 1980 Eurovision Songfestival with Tu Se L'Unica Donna Per Me, reaching 6th place
December 9, 1950 ~ Singer, songwriter Joan Armatrading, full name Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading, born in Basseterre, Saint Kitts ~ Critically acclaimed for a number of late 1970s, 1980s album, notably 1980's Me Myself I and 1981's Walk Under Ladders. Best known for songs such as Love And Affection, Rosie, and Drop The Pilot
December 9, 1948 ~ Dixieland, swing drummer Dave Tough, full name David Jarvis Tough, passed away in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Tommy Dorsey, Red Norvo, Bunny Berigan, Benny Goodman, Bud Freeman, Jack Teagarden, Eddie Condon, Mezz Mezzrow, Joe Marsala, Charlie Spivak, Claude Thornhill, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Jerry Gray, Muggsy Spanier, and Will Bradley ~ Tough was born in 1907December 9, 1947 ~ Cornelis Tol, commonly known as guitarist Cees Tol, born in Volendam, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of BZN from 1966 through 1988. Co-wrote songs such as Pearlydumm, Just An Illusion and Amore. Formed the duo Tol & Tol with his brother Thomas Tol, known for the 1990 hit Eleni. Has also written for Jan Smit ~ Tol passed away in 2018
December 9, 1946 ~ Bassist Dennis Dunaway born in Cottage Grove, Oregon, USA ~ Best known as original bassist of Alice Cooper's backing band, remaining with the band from 1962 through 1975. Co-wrote songs such as I'm Eighteen and School's Out
December 9, 1943 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger Jimmy Owens born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Lionel Hampton, Charles Mingus, Hank Crawford, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Herbie Mann, Max Roach, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Golson, Curtis Amy, Gary Bartz, Willie Bobo, Jaki Byard, Billy Cobham, Milt Jackson, Yusef Lateef, Hubert Laws, Junior Mance, Les McCann, Oliver Nelson, Archie Shepp, Joe Zawinul, Booker Ervin, and Tom McIntosh
December 9, 1943 ~ Kenneth Rosenberg, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Kenny Vance, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Founding member of Jay & the Americans, remaining with the band from 1960 through 1973, present on hits such as She Cried, Come A Little Bit Closer, Cara Mia and This Magic Moment. Has managed songwriting duo Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Has also worked, in one capacity or another, with Phoebe Snow, Delbert McClinton, the Kingsnakes, Peter Himmelman, Toni Basil, Yusef Lateef, Don McLean, and Tracey Ullman
December 9, 1943 ~ Lars Eric Gustav Holm, commonly known as pop, dansband, schlager singer, songwriter, TV personality Lasse Holm, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Member of a number of 1960s groups including Doug & the Millsmen, the Spacemen, the Moonlighters. Best known as schlager, pop songwriter, songs written or co-written by Holm recorded by Chips, Carola, Arvingarna, Kikki Danielsson, Arja Saijormaa, and Henrik Åberg. Internationally best known for duetting with Monica Törnell on E' De' Det Hår Du Kallar Kålek, reaching 5th place at the 1986 Eurovision Songfestival representing Sweden