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.
January 1, 2023 ~ Frederick Eugene Adams, commonly known as drummer Fred White, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his association with Earth Wind & Fire, serving as the band's drummer from 1974 through 1984 including on acclaimed albums such as That's The Way Of The World, Spirit, All 'n All and Powerlight. Well known hits recorded during White's tenure with the infectious band include Sing A Song, Serpentine Fire, Fantasy, September, Boogie Wonderland, After The Love Has Gone, and Let's Groove. White had been drumming since age nine, and prior to joining his siblings Maurice White and Verdine White in Earth Wind & Fire had notably appeared on Donny Hathaway's pivotal 1972 Live album, at the tender age of a mere sixteen, and Little Feat's Feats Don't Fail Me Now album. White was also a member of the Carlton Showband and Pieces of Peace, and guested on albums by Willie Hutch, Caston & Majors, Deniece Williams (This Is Niecy), the Emotions, Deodato, Leon Ndugu Chancler, and Ramsey Lewis. Upon hearing of White's passing, singer Lenny Kravitz stated he felt blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him, furter adding White was “a true king” ~ Adams was born in 1955
January 1, 2023 ~ Lola Chantrelle Mitchell, commonly known as rapper Gangsta Boo, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Second female member of hip-hop collective Three 6 Mafia, remaining with the group through 2002. Recorded three albums as a solo artist, starting with Enquiring Minds released in 1998. Has also worked with the Prophet Posse, the Hypnotize Camp Posse, Gangsta Blac, Lil' Jon, Gucci Mane, Lord Infamous, Frayser Boy, Lil Wyte, and Clipping ~ Mitchell was born in 1979
January 1, 2023 ~ Son, jazz pianist, composer Lázaro Valdés, full name Lázaro Valdés Espinosa, passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Leading figure in Cuban jazz. Son of percussionist Oscar Valdés. Pianist for Benny Moré's big band the Banda Giganta, taking over leadership of the band after Morés death in 1963 ~ Valdés was born in 1940
January 1, 2021 ~ Carlos Manuel de Ascencao do Carmo de Almeida, commonly known as fado singer Carlos do Carmo, passed away in Lisbon, Portugal ~ Internationally acclaimed. Credited with updating the fado genre, incorporating elements of jazz and adding larger orchestras. To pop audiences perhaps best known for representing Portugal at the 1976 Eurovision Songfestival, his Uma Flor De Verde Pinho reaching 12th place ~ Do Carmo was born in 1939
January 1, 2021 ~ Singer, songwriter George Gerdes passed away in Glendale, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Alumicron Fab Tabs, which also included Loudon Wainwright III. As a solo artist known for two 1970s albums, namely Obituary and its follow-up Son Of Obituary, praised by artists such as Joni Mitchell. Ventured into acting by the 1980s ~ Gerdes was born in 1948
January 1, 2021 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Liam Reilly passed away ~ Best known as lead singer of rockers Bagatelle, enjoying popularity in their native Ireland with songs such as Leeson Street Lady, Summer In Dublin and Second Violin, the latter an unexpected hit in Uruguay. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his Savannah Souvenirs debut album in 1989 ~ Reilly was born in 1955
January 1, 2021 ~ Country keyboardist, singer Misty Morgan passed away ~ Formed a husband-wife country duo with her husband Jack Blanchard, actively recording since the late 1960s. The duo is best known for their 1970 Billboard Country No.1 hit Tennessee Bird Walk. Other well known songs include Humphrey The Camel, Somewhere In Virginia In The Rain and Just One More Song ~ Morgan was born in 1945
January 1, 2016 ~ Composer Gilberto Mendes passed away in Santos, Brazil ~ Pioneer of aleatoric and concrete music, using new musical notations and theatrical elements. Composed cantates, motets, orchestral music, chamber music and avant-garde works. Founded the Santos New Music Festival in the mid 1960s ~ Mendes was born in 1922
January 1, 2015 ~ Jazz, pop, rock guitarist Jeff Golub passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, drawing from jazz, R&B, and pop. Especially noted for the 1990s albums Naked City and Out Of The Blue. In-demand sideman from the 1980s onward, appearing on albums by the likes of the Chieftains, Rod Stewart (Tonight I'm Yours), Billy Squier, Peter Wolf (Come As You Are), David Broza, Palace, Tina Turner, Kane Roberts (Saints & Sinners), Willie & Lobo, Cheryl Wheeler, Bryan Savage (Cat Food), Rick Braun (Body And Soul), Ashford & Simpson, John Waite, and Gato Barbieri ~ Golub was born in 1955
January 1, 2013 ~ Clara Ann Fowler, commonly known as pop, country pop singer Patti Page, passed away in Encinitas, California, USA ~ Best-selling female singer of the 1950s. Scored over a dozen million-sellers. Best known for songs such as Confess, With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming, All My Love (Bolero), I Went To Your Wedding, Changing Partners, Allegheny Moon, and perhaps her best known The Tennessee Waltz ~ Fowler was born in 1927
January 1, 2012 ~ Singer Fred Milano passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Longtime member of doo-wop outfit Dion & the Belmonts, known for songs such as A Teenager In Love, Where Or When, and Tell Me Why. Upon hearing of his death, lead singer Dion commented: “He and the Belmonts, they were the best. Freddie was almost like a genius with vocal harmony. I was humbled to sing with them.” ~ Milano was born in 1939
January 1, 2011 ~ Jazz bassist Charles Fambrough, full name Charles Edward Fambrough, passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Member of Art Blakey's backing unit the Jazz Messengers during the early 1980s. Has worked with Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, Joe Ford, Steve Turre, Grover Washington Jr, Lenny White, McCoy Tyner, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk ~ Fambrough was born in 1950
January 1, 2010 ~ Drummer, songwriter Gregory Slay, full name Gregory Scott Slay, passed away in Bodega Bay, California, USA ~ Formed Loppybogymi with bassist James Orr and Tim Ramenofsky in 1988, the trio earning a regional cult following with their merger of jazz-influenced funk and heavy metal. Slay departed the band after the release of their 1993 TUP album. Also well known as co-founding and constant member of alternative rock band Remy Zero. The band first gained attention opening for Radiohead on the American leg of the The Bends tour. Commercially best known for their 1998 Villa Elaine sophomore album and for Save Me of their third and final album Golden Hum. Slay has also worked with Sleepwell, Isidore, and Horsethief Beats. Also noted for recording A Perfect Lie with Remy bandmates Jeffrey Cain and Cedric Lemoyne under the moniker the Engine Room, the track would be used as the theme song for the TV drama Nip/Tuck and earn them an Emmy Award nomination ~ Slay was born in 1969
January 1, 2006 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Bryan Harvey, full name Bryan Taber Harvey, passed away in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Formed House Of Freaks with percussionist Johnny Holt, the duo recording four albums through the early 1990s including the acclaimed Tantilla released in 1989. Harvey has subsequently worked with indie supergroup Gutterball, which also included Steve Wynn. Harvey, his wife, and their two daughters were killed in a home invasion ~ Harvey was born in 1956
January 1, 2005 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, Let Me Love You by Mario hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Taken off the Mario's 2004 Turning Point sophomore album, the R&B ballad would be his sole No.1 hit. Written by Ne-Yo, Kameron Houff, and Scott Storch, the latter also serving as producer. It would also be the first No.1 hit for songwriter Shaffer Smith, commonly known as Ne-Yo, who would later regret giving the song to Mario, wishing he had kept the song for himself. Nevertheless, besides his success as a songwriter and producer, Ne-Yo would go on to score about half a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits himself, including the No.1 So Sick taken off his 2006 In My Own Words debut album
January 1, 2003 ~ Giorgio Gaberscik, commonly known as singer, actor, songwriter Giorgio Gaber, passed away in Camaiore, Italy ~ Began playing guitar at age 15 to prevent paralysis, a recommendation made by a doctor. Pioneered the genre Teatro Canzone. Recorded over two dozen albums. Well-known songs include Benzina E Cerini, Mai Mai Mai (Valentina), E Allora Dai, and Non Arrosire. Internationally perhaps best known for writing and first recording Far Finta Di Essere Sani, covered in English as Tomorrow's Got To Be Sunny by Tony Orlando & Dawn in 1975 ~ Gaberscik was born in 1939
January 1, 2002 ~ Singer Brandy releases What About Us, lifted off her Full Moon album ~ The singer had debuted at age 15 back in 1994, and had scored some half a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits since, including the No.1 hits The Boy Is Mine, a duet with Monica, and her own Have You Ever. However, by the time she started working on her third studio album, Full Moon, she demanded more control over the creative process. What About Us, co-written by Brandy, would be the album's biggest hit and her final Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, peaking at No.7. The song would be mostly warmly received by critics, praising its production. What About Us drew comparisons to Janet Jackson's Control hit, a song cited by Brandy as an influence on the songJanuary 1, 2002 ~ Guitarist, singer Eric Clapton marries Melia McEnery, some three decades his junior, at a surprise wedding in Ripley, UK ~ After dating for four years, the then 56-year-old guitarist Eric Clapton marries Melia McEnery, aged 25, at a surprise wedding. The couple would have three daughters. It would be Clapton's second marriage, having previously been married to Patty Boyd from 1979 through 1989
January 1, 1998 ~ Saxophonist Dave Schildkraut passed away ~ Active since the 1940s. Recorded one album as a leader, Last Date released posthumously in 2000. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Stan Getz (West Coast Jazz), Tony Aless, Tony Bennett (Cloud 7), Tito Puente, Miles Davis (Walkin'), and Eddie Bert (Like Cool) ~ Schildkraut was born in 1925
January 1, 1997 ~ Singer, songwriter Townes Van Zandt, full name John Townes Van Zandt, passed away in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, USA ~ Penned and recorded songs widely considered to be classics such as Pancho & Lefty, For The Sake Of The Song, Tecumsah Valley, and To Live Is To Fly. Influenced a wide array of artists including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, the Counting Crows, Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark, Wade Bowen, Gillian Welch, Pat Green, Colter Wall, Jason Isbell, Calvin Russell, and Natalie Maines ~ Van Zandt was born in 1944
January 1, 1996 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Hamish Imlach passed away in Motherwell, UK ~ Perhaps best known for his late 1960s recording Cod Liver Oil And The Orange Juice. Though his commercial succes was limited Imlach has had a profound influence on fellow Scots such as John Martyn, Billy Connolly, and Christy Moore ~ Imlach was born in 1940
January 1, 1995 ~ Pianist Jess Stacy, full name Jesse Alexandria Stacy, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines. Best known for his association with Benny Goodman during the late 1930s, including performing at Goodman's famed 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. Also worked with Nelson Riddle, Bix Beiderbecke, Eddie Condon, Bud Freeman, George Gershwin, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, and Horace Heidt ~ Stacy was born in 1904
January 1, 1995 ~ Soul blues singer, songwriter Ted Hawkins passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Drifted in and out of obscurity, dividing his time between stints in prison, performing as a street performer in America, and touring Europe where his music was well-received. Repeatedly “discovered” by various producers. Best known for his 1982 album, the Bruce Bromberg-produced Watch Your Step which failed commercially but was hailed by critics ~ Hawkins was born in 1936
January 1, 1994 ~ Jazz trumpeter, cornetist Dewey Jackson passed away in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Fixture on the St Louis jazz scene in the 1920s. An in-demand sideman, Jackson has worked with artists such as Tommy Evans, Charlie Creath, Fate Marable, Singleton Palmer, and Don Ewell. Though regarded as a legend for decades, Jackson only recorded sporadically as a leader, his Live At The Barrel 1952 album released posthumously in 2006 ~ Jackson was born in 1900
January 1, 1991 ~ Samuel Ram, commonly known as producer, manager, songwriter Buck Ram, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Produced all of the Platters recordingsm wrote or co-wrote many of their biggest hits including Only You (And You Alone), The Great Pretender, (You've Got) The Magic Touch, Twilight Time, and Enchanted. Ram also produced, wrote and arranged for artists including the Penguins, the Coasters, the Drifters, Ike & Tina Turner, Ike Cole, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and Ella Fitzgerald ~ Ram was born in 1907