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.
February 24, 1938 ~ Boogaloo, salsa, latin jazz percussionist, vibraphonist, bandleader Louie Ramirez born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid-1950's, starting out in Joe Locos band replacing Pete Terrace. Active as a bandleader since the early 1960s, starting with Introducing Louie Ramirez. Also notably collaborated with Charlie Palmieri and Joe Cuba during the late 1960s and with Tito Rodriguez in the early 1970s. Staff producer at the Fania label since 1975 ~ Ramirez passed away in 1993
February 24, 1934 ~ Operatic soprano, director, voice teacher Renata Scotto born in Savona, Italy ~ Regarded as one of the premier opera singers of her generation. Became one of the leading singers in the 1960s of the belcanto revival, a movement ushered in by Maria Callas in the 1950s. Known for roles in Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata at La Scala, and Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly at the Metropolitan Opera. As a voice teacher coached singers such as Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko, and Deborah Voigt. Married to violinist Lorenzo Anselmi, who would become her manager, from 1960 until his death in 2021. The couple would raise a son and a daughter ~ Scotto passed away in 2023February 24, 1931 ~ Singer, actor Dominic Chianese born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known as an actor, notably in the TV series The Sopranos and films such as The Godfather Part II and Dog Day Afternoon. Also released several recordings as a singer consisting of American, Italian and Neapolitan songs, starting with the album Hits in 2000
February 24, 1929 ~ Composer, arranger, pianist, saxophonist Charles Albertine born in Pasaic, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as composer, arranger for the Elgarts, Sammy Kaye, the Three Suns and as composer of Bandstand Boogie, the theme for TV dance show American Bandstand. Other artists who recorded Albertine's songs include Chet Atkins, Bud Powell, Barry Manilow, and Lawrence Welk ~ Albertine passed away in 1986
February 24, 1923 ~ Conductor, orchestrator, arranger, composer Fred Steiner, full name Frederick Steiner, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known as a composer for radio, TV and film. Wrote the themes for the TV series The Rocky And Bullwinkle Show and Perry Mason. Contributed significantly to the original Star Trek series, scoring or conducting the music for 29 of the 79 original episodes. Also contributed to 1979 feature film Star Trek (The Motion Picture) and the 1985 film The Color Purple ~ Steiner passed away in 2011
February 24, 1917 ~ Myra Jardine Render, commonly known as jazz singer Myra Taylor, born in Bonner Springs, Kansas, 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 passed away in 2011February 24, 1910 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger Clyde Hart born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Important figure in the transition from swing to bebop. Worked with Gene Coy, Jap Allen, Blanche Calloway, Lionel Hampton, Chu Berry, John Kirby, Roy Eldridge, Hot Lips Page, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Byas, and Ben Webster ~ Hart passed away in 1945
February 24, 1892 ~ Tango bandleader, bandoneon player, composer Eduardo Arolas born in Argentina ~ First played guitar before mastering the bandoneon, eventually earning the nickname “the Tiger of the Bandoneon.” Regarded as one on the early masters, helping define tango, known best for compositions such as Lagrimas, La Cachila, El Marne and Viborita ~ Arolas passed away in 1924