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 9, 1947 ~ Shuzo Kishibe, commonly known as actor, bassist Ittoku Kishibe, born in Kyoto, Japan ~ Bassist for 1960s outfit the Tigers, which also included his baby brother Shiro Kishibe. Best known as an actor, appearing on over an estimated 100 films including the acclaimed 1991 The Sting Of Death film
January 9, 1947 ~ Folk singer, fingerstyle guitarist, fiddler Nic Jones, full name Nicolas Paul Jones, born in London, UK ~ Influenced by Duane Eddy, Chet Atkins, Wes Montgomery. Best known for his associations with Halliard, the Bandoggs, Maddy Prior, June Tabor. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with his Ballads & Songs album released in 1970. Has also worked with Shirley Collins, Barbara Dickson, Richard Thompson, Jon Raven, and Tony Raven
January 9, 1944 ~ Guitarist Jimmy Page, full name James Patrick Page, born in Heston, UK ~ Widely considered one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time. In-demand session musician from the mid 1960s forward. Member of the Yardbirds from 1966 through the band's disbandement in 1968. Subsequently rose to fame as co-founding member of pivotal rock, hard rock outfit Led Zeppelin, active until 1980. Has since worked with acts such as XYZ, the Firm, Honeydrippers, and Coverdale-PageJanuary 9, 1944 ~ Pianist Roy Hellvin born in Oslo, Norway ~ Musical director, arranger for more than 60 musical productions. Leads his own trio. Has also played with artists such as Bernt Anker Steen, Harald Bergersen, Bjarne Nerem, Erik Andresen, Laila Dalseth, Per Nyhaug, Helge Hurum, and Erling Wicklund
January 9, 1943 ~ Guitarist, pianist, arranger, songwriter, producer Jerry Yester, full name Jerome Alan Yester, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Formed the duo the Yester Brothers with his brother Jim Yester, playing folk in the early 1960s. Member of the New Christy Minstrels and the Modern Folk Quartet. Pianist for Lovin' Spoonful replacing Zal Yanovsky from 1967 until the band's disbandement the following year. Married to singer Judy Henske, with whom he formed Rosebud until shortly before their divorce. Best known as a producer, notably on the Tim Buckley albums Goodbye And Hello and Happy Sad. Other production credits include the Turtles, Pat Boone, Aztec Two-Step, and Tom WaitsJanuary 9, 1943 ~ Pop bassist Lennart Hegland born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Co-founding member of the Hep Stars, known for songs such as Farmer John, Cadillac and Bald Headed Woman all of which would top the charts in the band's native Sweden. The band would also be noted for including Benny Anderson of future ABBA fame. By the time the band broke up in the early 1970s Hegland was the sole remaining original member ~ Hegland passed away in 2022
January 9, 1943 ~ Noel Scott Engel, commonly known as singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist Scott Walker born in Hamilton, Ohio, USA ~ Rose to fame as frontman of the Walker Brothers, known for songs such as Make It Easy On Yourself (1965) and The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore (1966). Has been recording solo albums since 1967's Scott, leaning towards baroque pop and avant-garde. Widely revered and admired by peers. Enjoyed a cult following from his debut onwards. Described as “one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in rock history” by the BBC ~ Engel passed away in 2019
January 9, 1941 ~ Barbara Jean Crosby, commonly known as blues, soul blues singer Barbara Carr, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Although at times she enjoyed some regional popularity, intermittently recording a handful of solo singles starting in the mid 1960s and singing with a string of Missouri based groups, Barbara Carr would toil around in relative obscurity for decades prior to receiving wider acknowledgment in the late 1980s and 1990s, her full-length Good Woman Go Bad debut album issued over three decades after her professional start in music. Carr started singing at a young age, starting in the church choir, and continuing on with sibling gospel outfit the Crosby Sisters, as well as through grade and high school. While still in her teens, Carr co-founded the vocal cover band the Comets, and was a member of girl group the Petites, with whom she opened for the Miracles. Her break came when she joined Oliver Sain's ensemble, succeeding Fontella Bass, and through his connections landed a record deal with Chess Records. Carr would intermittently release a handful of singles, notably Good Woman Go Bad, yet as she was poorly promoted left the music industry to raise a family ~ Crosby passed away in 2026
January 9, 1941 ~ Folk, folk rock, country folk singer Joan Baez born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Debuted in 1960 with the eponymous Joan Baez album. Would become a key figure in 1960s folk and counterculture, often touching on issues of social justice. One of the first to cover Bob Dylan's work, helping to popularize his songs. Also known as an interpreter of other artists including the Beatles, Woody Guthrie, the Rolling Stones, Pete Seeger, and Paul Simon. Best known for songs such as Diamonds Ands Rust, There But For The Fortune, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Farewell Angelina, Love Is Just A Four Letter Word, Sweet Sir Galahad and perhaps her best known We Shall OvercomeJanuary 9, 1941 ~ Keyboardist Kenny Wally Kelly, full name Kenneth Bernard Kelly, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Manhattans remaining with the group from 1964 through 1990, best known for their 1976 Kiss And Say Goodbye hit single which reached top 10 across the globe including the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Kelly passed away in 2015
January 9, 1941 ~ Blue-eyed soul, rock & roll, rockabilly, pop singer, songwriter Roy Head, full name Roy Kent Head, born in Three Rivers, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his single Treat Her Right, a 1965 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit recorded with his backing unit the Traits and later notably covered by Otis Redding, Jerry Lee Lewis, Barbara Mandrell (Treat Him Right), Jimmy Page, George Thorogood, and performed by Roy's son Sundance Head as a duet with coach Blake Shelton on The Voice talent contest in 2016 ~ Head passed away in 2020January 9, 1939 ~ Singer, actor Jimmy Boyd, full name Jimmy Devon Boyd, born in Javess, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for his 1952 hit I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. Boyd was 13 at the time. Would go on to work with Mitch Miller, Frankie Laine, Rosemary Clooney, Gayla Peevey, Leon Russell, and Snuff Garrett ~ Boyd passed away in 2009
January 9, 1935 ~ Kenneth Scott, commonly known as blues guitarist Buddy Scott, born in Goodman, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of doo-wop outfit Masqueraders. Formed Scotty & the Rib Tips, known for a handful of late 1960s singles. Released a sole solo album, 1993's Bad Avenue, shortly before his death ~ Scott passed away in 1994
January 9, 1931 ~ Jazz double bassist Carson Smith, full name Carson Raymond Smith, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Brother of bassist Putter Smith. Backed Billie Holiday at her November 1956 Carnegie Hall concert on famed performances of Lady Sings The Blues, Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do, and My Man. Also closely associated with Gerry Mulligan, who later acknowledged that Smith's ideas helped shape the style of Mulligan's 1950s group, his most revered line-up. As an in-demand sideman, Smith can also be heard on albums by Clifford Brown, Stan Getz (West Coast Jazz), Chico Hamilton, Chet Baker (Chet Baker Sings), Russ Freeman, Mavis Rivers (We Remember Mildred Bailey), and Buddy Rich ~ Smith passed away in 1997
January 9, 1928 ~ Pop, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Domenico Modugno born in Polignano-a-Mare, Italy ~ First to record Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) in 1958, which he co-wrote with Franco Migliacci. The song would win the 1958 edition of the Sanremo Music Festival, sell over 20 million copies worldwide, and over the years be covered by over an estimated 350 artists. It stands as one of the all-time best known Italian songs, perhaps topped only by O Sole Mio first recorded in 1901. Other well known Modugno songs include Lazzarella, Piove, Libero, Io, Addio Addio, and Dio Come Ti Amo. Modugno has also worked as an actor, appearing in over three dozen films, and served as Congressman in the Italian parliament ~ Modugno passed away in 1994
January 9, 1927 ~ Southern gospel singer, pianist, songwriter Henry Slaughter, full name Henry Thaxton Slaughter, born in Roxboro, North Carolina, USA ~ Active since the 1940s. Has worked with acts such as the Stamps-Ozark Quartet, the Weatherford Quartet, the Imperials, Bill Gaither, and as a duo with his wife Hazel Myers. Slaughter is also known for penning If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side, notably covered by Elvis Presley on his 1967 How Great Thou Art gospel album ~ Slaughter passed away in 2020
January 9, 1926 ~ John Paul Pizzarelli, commonly known as jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Carried the torch for traditional jazz and swing well into the 21st century. Influenced by Django Reinhardt, Freddie Green, and George van Eps. Father of guitarist John Pizzarelli and double bassist Martin Pizzarelli, both of whom he has regularly collaborated with. Recorded well over two dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially noted for April Kisses released in 1999. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Pizzarelli has appeared on albums by Tony Mottola, the Drifters, Gene Ammons, Etta Jones (Hollar), Vi Redd (Lady Soul), Solomon Burke, Walter Wanderley, Yank Lawson, Toots Thielemans, Stan Getz (The Song Is You), Roberta Flack (First Take), Lena Horne, Charles Mingus (Let My Children Hear Music), Joe Venuti, Soprano Summit, Carly Simon (Hotcakes), Gerry Mulligan, Michael Franks, Stéphane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen, Susannah McCorkle, Peter Appleyard, and Carmen McRae ~ Pizzarelli passed away in 2020January 9, 1926 ~ Jazz trumpeter, singer Roger Guérin born in Saarbrücken, Germany ~ Worked with Aimé Barelli, Django Reinhardt, Don Byas, Hubert Fol, James Moody, Benny Golson, Bernard Peiffer, Fats Sadi, Lucky Thompson, Kenny Clarke, Blossom Dearie, Martial Solal, Michel Legrand, André Hodeir, Double Six, Quincy Jones, and Duke Ellington ~ Guérin passed away in 2010
January 9, 1918 ~ Mary Elizabeth Roché, commonly known as jazz, blues, big band singer Betty Roché, born in Wilmington, Delaware, USA ~ Best known for her association with Duke Ellington, notably on Take The A-Train. Roché has also worked with the Savoy Sultans, Lester Young, Hot Lips Page, Thelonious Monk, Kenny Clarke, Earl Hines, Charles Brown, and Clark Terry ~ Roché passed away in 1999
January 9, 1916 ~ Victor Mizzy, commonly known as songwriter, film, TV composer Vic Mizzy, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for composing the theme songs for the TV series Green Acres and The Addams Family. Other well known songs written or co-written by Mizzy include My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time (Doris Day), Three Little Sisters (the Andrews Sisters), Take It Easy (Dinah Shore), and The Jones Boy (the Mills Brothers) ~ Mizzy passed away in 2009
January 9, 1914 ~ Drummer Kenny Clarke, full name Kenneth Clarke Spearman, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Major innovator of bebop drumming, shifting the time-keeping rhythm from the bass drum to the ride cymbal. Well over two dozen albums as a leader, noted particularly for his 1955 album Bohemia After Dark, and Change Of Scenes released in 1971. Member of the Modern Jazz Quartet through 1955, with whom he also performed at the very first Newport Jazz Festival in 1954. A revered sideman, Clarke is present on albums by Cal Tjader, Sonny Criss, Milt Jackson (Wizard Of The Vibes), André Hodeir, Thelonious Monk (Genius Of Modern Music Vol.1), Zoot Sims, Bud Powell, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, Eddie Bert, Urbie Green (Blues And Other Shades Of Green), Joe Wilder, Charles Mingus, Phineas Newborn Jr (Here Is Phineas), Carmen McRae, Bud Powell, Miles Davis (Birth Of The Cool), Victor Feldman (Suite Sixteen), Gigi Gryce, Oscar Pettiford, Dexter Gordon (Our Man In Paris), Nathan Davis (The Hip-Walk), and Don Patterson ~ Clarke passed away in 1985
January 9, 1911 ~ Bulee Gaillard, commonly known as jazz singer, pianist, guitarist, vibraphonist, saxophonist, songwriter Slim Gaillard born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ First gained attention in the 1930s as half of Slim & Slam, the other half being Slam Stewart, known for songs such as Flat Foot Floogie With A Floy Floy and Cement Mixer Put-ti Put-ti. Would go on to work with artists such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Dodo Marmarosa ~ Gaillard passed away in 1991
January 9, 1910 ~ Swing bandleader, songwriter Dick Jurgens, full name Richard Henry Jurgens, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Kicked out of his high school orchestra for playing pop music. Enjoyed popularity during the 1930s and early 1940s. Known for originals such as If I Knew Then What I Know Now, Careless, A Million Dreams Ago and probably his best known Elmer's Tune, the latter notably covered by the Andrews Sisters, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller. As his style becoming out of fashion in the rock & roll era, Jurgen retired from music altogether by the mid 1950s ~ Jurgens passed away in 1995January 9, 1898 ~ Grace Stansfield, commonly known as singer, actress Gracie Fields, born in Rochdale, UK ~ Star of both cinema and music hall. As a singer best known for Sally, which became a signature song. Other well known songs include Walter Walter and The Biggest Aspidistra In The World ~ Stansfield passed away in 1979
January 9, 1895 ~ Jazz double bassist Ed Garland, full name Edward Bertram Garland, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Started out on drums but best known as a string bassist. Worked with Frankie Duson, the Excelsior Brass Band, Manuel Perez, Lawrence Duhé, King Oliver, Freddie Keppard, the One-Eleven Jazz Band, Mutt Carey, Jimmie Noone, Kid Ory, Bud Scott, Zutty Singleton, and Buster Wilson ~ Garland passed away in 1980