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.
March 12, 2023 ~ Rock, punk rock guitarist Dix Denney passed away ~ Co-founding and along with brother singer John Denney the only other constant member of punk rock outfit the Weirdos. Member of Thelonious Monster, known for their 1992 A Beautiful Mess major label debut album which included the modest hit Body And Soul. The band was named after jazz pianist Thelonious Monk ~ Denney was born in 1957
March 12, 2022 ~ Guitarist Barry Bailey passed away ~ Founding member of Southern rock outfit the Atlanta Rhythm Section, remaining with the band from 1972 until leaving in 2006 to care for his ailing wife. The band is known for songs such as So Into You, I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight, Imaginary Lover, Do It Or Die and Spooky, all of which reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Bailey was born in 1948
March 12, 2022 ~ Peter Mooney, commonly known as folk singer, songwriter Pete St John, passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Best known for penning The Fields Of Athenry, first recorded by Danny Doyle in 1979 and notably covered by Paddy Reilly. Other songs penned by Mooney include Rare Ould Times and The Ferryman, both originally recorded by the Dublin City Ramblers and covered by a number of artists, the former by Flogging Molly and Ciarán Sheehan, the latter by Johnny McEvoy and the Dubliners ~ Mooney was born in 1932March 12, 2022 ~ R&B, soul, pop singer, TV, radio personality Traci Braxton, full name Traci Renee Braxton, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Braxtons, alongside Towanda Braxton, Trina Braxton, Toni Braxton and Tamar Braxton, known for their 1990 single Good Life which although unsuccessful spawned oldest sister Toni's career. As a solo artist best known for the Last Call single of her 2014 Crash & Burn solo debut album ~ Braxton was born in 1971
March 12, 2021 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Dion Payton passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ In-demand touring and session musician. Has worked with the Violinaires, Millie Jackson, Albert King, OV Wright. Played rhythm guitar and co-arranged Lonnie Brooks's Hot Shot album, released in 1983 ~ Payton was born in 1950
March 12, 2020 ~ Jazz, swing clarinetist, saxophonist, flutist Don Burrows, full name Donald Vernon Burrows, passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Closely associated with James Morrison. Also worked with George Golla, Ed Gaston, Alan Turnbull, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Tony Bennett, Stéphane Grappelli, Cleo Laine, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Kevin Hunt ~ Burrows was born in 1928
March 12, 2019 ~ Singer, songwriter John Kilzer, full name John Turner Kilzer, passed away in Naples, Florida, USA ~ Known for the late 1980s album Memory In The Making which peaked at No.110 on the Billboard Hot 200. Its follow-up, 1991's Busman's Holiday, would fail to chart ~ Kilzer was born in 1957
March 12, 2018 ~ Gonzalo Quintana III, commonly known as rock, punk drummer Charlie Quintana, passed away in Cancun, Mexico ~ Best known as co-founding member of Plugz. Drummer for punk rockers Social Distortion from 2000 through 2009. Appears on Mike Ness's 1999 Under The Influences album. Has also worked with the Cruzados, the Havalinas, Izzy Stradlin & the Ju Ju Hounds, Jimmy & the Mustangs, Joan Osborne, Cracker, Bob Dylan, Mark Curry, Agent Orange, and the Circle Jerks ~ Quintana was born in 1962
March 12, 2018 ~ Rapper Craig Mack, full name Craig Jamieson Mack, passed away in Walterboro, South Carolina, USA ~ Known for his 1994 hit Flava In Ya Ear, especially in the remix version which reached Billboard Hot 100 top 10. It would be the first hit for Bad Boy Entertainment, the breakout appearance of the Notorious BIG, and one of the first solo appearances by Busta Rhymes. Mack would be unable to replicate Flava's succes and eventually disappear from public view to resurface in 2012, having joined a church characterized by some as an end of times prophecy cult ~ Mack was born in 1970
March 12, 2018 ~ Noie Floyd Edwards, commonly known as guitarist, bassist Nokie Edwards, passed away in Yuma, Arizona, USA ~ Member of surf band the Ventures from 1960 through 1968 and again from 1972 through 1985. initially as bassist and later, in the classic line-up as guitarist. Has also worked as a solo artist, including releasing the underrated 1971 Nokie, played lead guitar on Lefty Frizzell's final recordings, collaborated with artists such as AdVenture, Art Greenhaw and the Light Crust Doughboys, and had a minor career as an actor including briefly appearing on the Western TV series Deadwood ~ Edwards was born in 1935March 12, 2016 ~ Drummer, singer Tommy Brown passed away ~ Enjoyed his greatest succes in the early 1950s when teaming up with the Griffin Brothers for a number of recordings, in particular Tra La La and Weeping And Crying. The Griffins had previously backed, on tour and on record, artists such as Amos Milburn, Paul Williams, and Margie Day. Brown also worked with Bill Doggett and Big Walter Horton ~ Brown was born in 1931
March 12, 2015 ~ Pop singer, songwriter, actor Erol Büyükburç passed away in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Well known for the early 1960s self-penned Little Lucy, considered a milestone in Turkish pop music. Until then most pop songs would be covers of popular Western songs. Büyükburç would continue to record well into the 1970s, but is perhaps better known as an actor appearing in some two dozen films ~ Büyükburç was born in 1936
March 12, 2011 ~ Jazz drummer Joe Morello, full name Joseph Albert Morello, passed away in Irvington, New Jersey, USA ~ Declined invitations from both Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey, favoring a temporary two-month tour with Dave Brubeck. Two months turned into a decade. Present on most of the Dave Brubeck Quartet's best known including songs such as Take Five and Blue Rondo A La Turk. Morello had previously played with Marian McPartland, Urbie Green (Blues And Other Shades Of Green), Tal Farlow, Sal Salvador, Chuck Wayne, and Helen Merrill. Following his stint with Brubeck became an in-demand bandleader and teacher, his students including Danny Gottlieb, Max Weinberg, Rich Gallison, Gary Feldman, Tony Woo, Jerry Granelli, and Tico Torres ~ Morello was born in 1928
March 12, 2010 ~ Lesley Cox, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lesley Duncan, passed away in Isle of Mull, UK ~ Considered one of Britain's first female singer-songwriters. Active since the early 1960s. Known for songs such as Everything Changes, Sing Children Sng, and Love Song. Sang backup for Dusty Springfield and Pink Floyd. Sang lead on the Alan Parsons Project's If I Could Change Your Mind ~ Cox was born in 1943
March 12, 2002 ~ John David Percy Keen, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Speedy Keen, passed away ~ Best known as member of Thunderclap Newman, for whom he wrote the band's UK No.1 hit Something In The Air of their sole Hollywood Dream album released in 1970. The band was formed by label executive, producer Kit Lambert and Pete Townshend specifically to showcase the talents of Keen, Jimmy McCulloch and Andy Newman. Previously Keen shared a flat with and served as driver for Townshend. Keen had also written Armenia City In The Sky for Townshend's band the Who, the song included on their 1967 The Who Sell Out. Keen would go on to record two albums as a solo artist, Previous Convictions and Y' Know Wot I Mean, and work as a session musician ~ Keen was born in 1945March 12, 1998 ~ Charles Coleridge Richards, commonly known as jazz pianist Red Richards, passed away in Scarsdale, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Tab Smith, Bob Wilber, Sidney Bechet, Mezz Mezzrow, Buck Clayton, Frank Sinatra, Muggsy Spanier, Saints & Sinners, Eddie Condon, Panama Francis, the Savoy Sultans, Buster Bailey, Eddie Durham, Fletcher Henderson, Marian McPartland, Pee Wee Russell, Maxine Sullivan, Dinah Washington, George Wettling, and Jimmy Witherspoon ~ Richards was born in 1912
March 12, 1996 ~ R&B, neo soul singer D'Angelo releases Lady, lifted off his Brown Sugar debut album ~ Raphael Saadiq had originally suggested an early version of the song while still in Tony Toni Toné, but his bandmates dismissed the draft stating “not everything (you) write is a hit”. However, when Saadiq gave Lady to D'Angelo for his debut album, it would become the newcomer's biggest hit, peaking at No.10 Billboard Hot 100. The song also earned the singer a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, losing out to Your Secret Love by Luther Vandross, and was met with universal critical acclaim. Billboard, who at the time named D'Angelo one of the most bold and interesting new artists in R&B, would consider the song a highlight of the album, stating: “As with past singles, the emphasis here is on sharp musicianship and adventurous songwriting. D'Angelo's street Romeo vocal style is put to excellent use with this tune's simple, effective ‘you're my lady’ refrain, as well as the limber bass and guitar interplay”
March 12, 1994 ~ Brandon Smith, commonly known as hip-hop, trap, R&B singer, rapper, songwriter B Smyth, born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA ~ Gained attention posting his cover of popular songs on Youtube, including the Rihanna cover Stay and the Miguel cover Quickie. After landing a record contract with Motown in 2012 released his debut single Leggo featuring 2 Chainz, followed by his The Florida Files debut EP the following year. Smith died from pulmonary fibrosis at age 28 ~ Smith passed away in 2022March 12, 1993 ~ Singer Alex Taylor, full name Alexander Robert Taylor, passed away in Sanford, Florida, USA ~ Brother of more famous singer, songwriter James Taylor. Known best for his 1971 With Friends And Neighbors album with backing from his brother James, Willie Bridges, King Curtis, Ronnie Cuber, and Paul Hornsby. James's song Sweet Baby James is about Alex's son James ~ Taylor was born in 1947
March 12, 1991 ~ Joseph Marley, commonly known as reggae singer Jo Mersa Marley, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Son of reggae singer Stephen Marley. Co-wrote and sang on his father's Revelation Party. Released his Comfortable debut EP in 2014, leading up to a full length album Eternal in 2021 featuring guests such as Busy Signal, Kabaka Pyramid, and Melii. Best known for his 2019 recording Burn It Down. Marley also guested on the 2015 Grammy Award-winning Strictly Roots album by Morgan Heritage ~ Marley passed away in 2022March 12, 1990 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Harry South passed away in Lambeth, UK ~ Worked with Joe Harriott, Dizzy Reece, Tony Crombie, Tubby Hayes, Les Condon, Joe Temperley, Sammy Walker, Lennie Dawes, Ashley Kozak, Dick Morrisey, Phil Seamen, Keith Christie, Ronnie Scott, Ian Carr, Georgie Fame, Humphrey Lyttelton, Buddy Rich, Sarah Vaughan, Jimmy Witherspoon, Annie Ross, Vic Ash, Jimmy Deuchar, Sonny Stitt, and Jimmy Witherspoon ~ South was born in 1929
March 12, 1987 ~ J-pop, dance pop singer, actor Hiroomi Tosaka born in Hamura, Japan ~ Member of the Sandaime J Soul Brothers, known for songs such as Best Friend's Girl, On Your Mark (Hikari No Kesiki), and Love Song. Tosaka enjoys a parallel solo career, releasing his Wasted Love debut single in 2017, and is also known as an actor, notably in the 2014 Hot Road
March 12, 1986 ~ Guitarist, singer Danny Jones, full name Daniel Alan David Jones, born in Bolton, UK ~ Member, co-lead guitarist of McFly, known for songs such as 5 Colours In Her Hair, Obviously, All About You, You've Got A Friend, I'll Be OK, Don't Stop Me Now, Star Girl and Baby's Coming Back, all of which topped the British charts
March 12, 1986 ~ Singer David Walker passed away ~ Original member of traditional gospel group the Mighty Clouds Of Joy, alongside Johnny Martin, Ermant Franklin Jr, Elmo Franklin, Richard Wallace, Leon Polk and Joe Ligon. Also recorded secular music under the moniker Bunker Hill, of which 1962's Hide & Go Seek featuring guitarist Link Wray became a novelty hit. Despite hiding his identity he was found out and asked to leave the Clouds ~ Walker was born in 1941
March 12, 1984 ~ Synth-pop, new wave, alternative rock outfit Depeche Mode release People Are People, lead single off their Some Great Reward album ~ The band's first single to chart on the American Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No.13. The band members see different meanings in the song, Martin Gore stating it is about racism, while Alan Wilder added it could also be about war. Regardless, it was one of the first major hits for the band. As lead singer David Gahan would later tell Entertainment Weekly: “This was the first song of ours that made a dent, really, into popular radio. We were using all these tape loops to create rhythms and the technology was quite advanced, but it wasn't anything like it is today, the things that you can do. We used to go into studios, and the first thing we'd do, we'd ask where the kitchen was, literally for pots and pans and things that we could throw down the stairs, and record the rhythms they would make crashing around, and then make it into loops”