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, 1979 ~ Indie rock, post-punk revival singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Pete Doherty born in Hexham, UK ~ Co-leader of the Libertines, which he co-founded with Carl Barât in 1997. Initially the band would earn critical acclaim and a cult following yet gain notoriety mostly for its internal conflicts and Doherty's heavy drug use. Eventually they did reach some mainstream success by the mid 2000s with singles such as Time For Heroes, Don't Look Back Into The Sun, Can't Stand Me Now, and What Became Of The Likely Lads, the latter two both reaching UK top 10. Subsequently Doherty founded and fronted Babyshambles, known for the UK top 10 hits Killamangiro, Fuck Forever, Albion, and Delivery. Doherty released his Grace/Wastelands solo debut album in 2009March 12, 1978 ~ Alternative rock, progressive rock singer, guitarist Claudio Sanchez, full name Claudio Paul Sanchez III, born in Suffern, New York, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist for Coheed & Cambria, known for a string of acclaimed albums starting with The Second Stage Turbine Blade released in 2002. Has also worked with Shabütle, Fire Deuce, and the Prize Fighter Inferno. Sanchez is also known as a novelist and comic book author
March 12, 1978 ~ Rock, folk rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Dave Hause born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, the Clash, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Social Distortion, the Ramones, Pearl Jam. Best known for fronting the Mermaid, drawing from heartland rock, folk rock, and punk rock. Also noted as a member of several punk and hardcore outfits, including the Loved Ones and the Falcon.
March 12, 1977 ~ In its 14th week on the charts, Night Moves by Bob Seger peaks at No.4 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Inspired after seeing the coming-of-age comedy drama film American Graffiti, Bob Seger figured he too had a story to tell and crafted this partly autobiographical song about two young lovers losing their virginity. Seger knew he had a hit after he recorded it, it would be his first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, and as a record executive told him he would be singing it for the rest of his career. Seger actually took six months to write the song, having trouble with the tempo changes. After hearing Bruce Springsteen's Jungleland he realized he could connect the song with two distinct bridges. The girl in the song would eventually marry somebody else and break Seger's heartMarch 12, 1976 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Hurt at Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee ~ Written by Jimmie Crane and Al Jacobs, originally recorded by Roy Hamilton in 1954. Known best as a signature tune for Timi Yuro, who recorded the song in 1961, and a concert favorite of Elvis Presley. The latter would record the song as a studio version for his 1976 From Elvis Presley Boulevard Memphis Tennessee album. Featured as the B-side to For The Heart released in March 1976
March 12, 1975 ~ Singer, actress Kéllé Bryan born in Plaistow, UK ~ Member of R&B girl group the Eternal, known for mid to late 1990s recordings such as Oh Baby I, Power Of A Woman, Don't You Love Me, I Wanna Be The Only One featuring CeCe Winans, Angel Of Mine, and perhaps their best known Stay, the latter reaching the Billboard top 20 in 1993March 12, 1971 ~ Classical, concert pianist Steven Osborne, full name Steven George McNeil Osborne, born in UK ~ Actively recording since the late 1990s. Especially acclaimed for his interpretations of works by Alexander Mackenzie, Donald Tovey, and Nikolai Kapustin. Regular performer at the BBC Proms. Has worked with orchestras such as the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and conductors such as Alan Gilbert, Ludovic Morlot, Vladimir Jurowski, and Jukka-Pekka Saraste
March 12, 1969 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, Britpop guitarist, singer, songwriter Graham Coxon, full name Graham Leslie Coxon, born in Rinteln, West Germany ~ Founding member of Blur, known for UK top 10 hits such as There's No Other Way, Girls & Boys, Parklife, Country House, The Universal, Charmless Man, Beetlebum, Song 2, Tender and Out Of Time
March 12, 1967 ~ Experimental rock, post-rock, space rock bassist, drummer Beth Liebling, also known as Sadie 7, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founded the critically acclaimed Hovercraft in 1993 with Ryan Shinn, eventually building a cult following. The duo had previously worked together in Space Helmet. Liebling married longtime boyfriend Eddie Vedder in 1994, the couple divorded in 2000
March 12, 1965 ~ Trumpeter, musical director Peter Knight born in Orbost, Australia ~ Artistic director of the Australian Art Orchestra. Founding member of Way Out West, the 5+2 Brass Ensemble, and Clocked Out. Also well known as a solo artist, especially acclaimed fot his 2011 Fish Boast Of Fishing album
March 12, 1963 ~ Rock, alternative rock, punk rock, experimental rock singer, saxophonist, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Kazik Staszewski, full name Kazimierz Piotr Staszewski, born in Warsaw, Poland ~ Frontman, co-founding member of Kult, with whom he has recorded well over a dozen albums since the early 1980s. The band is rooted in punk, yet draws from rock, ska, reggae, and jazz, and are known for provocative lyrics critical of the communist state and the Catholic church. After the fall of Russia, and the end of its reign over Eastern Europe, the band has turned their criticism towards pseudo-democratist leaders, the clergy, and corporations. Staszewski has also enjoyed a parallel solo career, recording about a dozen albums starting in the early 1990s
March 12, 1961 ~ Jazz, classical saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer Daniel Schnyder born in Zurich, Switzerland ~ Learned to play cello before switching to saxophone. Plays both classical chamber music and avant-garde jazz, with well over a dozen albums to his name since the late 1980s. Especially acclaimed for 1989's Decoding The Message and 1997's Tarantula. Notably guested on Franco Ambrosetti's Music For Symphony And Jazz Band album, released in 1991March 12, 1961 ~ Singer, guitarist Kevin Kinney born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist of Drivin' 'n Cryin', co-founded with bassist Tim Nielsen and drummer Paul Lenz. Also worked with Warren Haynes, John Popper, Star, and the Golden Palominos
March 12, 1960 ~ Christopher Joel Lennon, commonly known as percussionist, singer Kipp Lennon, born in Venice, California, USA ~ Founding member, co-lead singer of folk-rock, folk-pop outfit Venice. Also worked with the Pine Mountain Logs, and David Crosby
March 12, 1960 ~ Carey Folk McNeilly Jr, commonly known as alternative rock, post-punk, noise rock drummer, bassist Mac McNeilly, born ~ Known for his powerful, solid, hard-hitting drumming. Drummer for the Jesus Lizard, first appearing on the 1990 Head album, the band having previously used a drum machine. Has also worked with Reelfoot, 86, Mouse, Come, and as bassist with Phantom 309
March 12, 1960 ~ Singer Maki Nomiya born in Onbetsu, Japan ~ Released her solo debut album, No Kokoro, in 1981. Subsequently served as lead vocalist for new wave band Portable Rock for the remainder of the decade. Lead singer of the Pizzicato Five since 1991. When the group disbanded in 2001 resumed her solo career, recording about a dozen albums since
March 12, 1960 ~ Alternative rock guitarist, keyboardist Steve Marker born in Mamaroneck, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Garbage, known for songs such as Stupid Girl, Why Do You Love Me, Blood For Poppies and Empty
March 12, 1958 ~ Singer André Claveau wins the third edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Hilversum, the Netherlands ~ Representing France, André Claveau wins with the song Dors Mon Amour written by Hubert Giraud and Pierre Delanoë. Runner-ups would be Switzerland's Lyss Assia in 2nd place with Giorgio and Italy's Domenico Modugno in 3rd with Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)
March 12, 1957 ~ Singer Marlon Jackson, full name Marlon David Jackson, born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Member of the Jackson 5, renamed in the mid 1970s to the Jacksons after changing labels. Marlon remained with the band through 1985 and appears on most of the band's best known including late 1960s, early 1970s Billboard Hot 100 top hits such as I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, I'll Be There, Mama's Pearl, and Never Can Say Goodbye. Released a sole solo album, Baby Tonight, in 1987 which spawned the Billboard R&B top 10 hit Don't Go
March 12, 1956 ~ World music, soul jazz guitarist, DJ, turntablist, producer Simon Emmerson born in London, UK ~ Founded the Afrobeat, world music group Afro Celt Sound System, known for merging electronic music with traditional Gaelic and West African influences. The band is perhaps best known for their 1999 Volume 2 (Release) sophomore album. A shortened version of the album's Release title track would be used for the supernatural horror film Stigmata released the same year. Emmerson also served as a producer for the likes of Manu Dibango and Baaba Maal, notably producing the latter's acclaimed 1994 Firin' In Fouta album ~ Emmerson passed away in 2023
March 12, 1956 ~ Bassist, songwriter Steve Harris born in Leytonstone, UK ~ Co-founding and sole constant member of Iron Maiden. Regarded as one of metal's greatest bass players, notable for his recognisable bass playing as evidenced on songs such as Run To The Hills and The Trooper. Released his solo debut album, British Lion, in 2012. Father of Lauren Harris, who opened for her father's band on the 2006 and 2008 tours. Father of guitarist George Harris, who did the same with his band the Raven Age in 2016
March 12, 1955 ~ Saxophonist Charlie Parker passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Pivotal be-bop pioneer. Helped change the image of a jazz musician from entertainer to intellectual. Best known for songs such as Yardbird Suite and Ornithology. Influenced by Count Basie, Bennie Moten, Buster Smith. Worked with Jay McShann (who gave Parker his nickname, Yardbird, usually shortened to Bird), Earl Hines, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Christian, Kenny Clarke, William Fleet, Miles Davis, Curley Russell, and Max Roach. As a tribute to Parker, the Rolling Stones drummer and jazz aficionado Charlie Watts wrote the children's book Ode To A High Flying Bird ~ Parker was born in 1920March 12, 1955 ~ Singer, songwriter Thione Seck, full name Thione Ballago Seck, born in Dakar, Senegal ~ Member of the Orchestra Baobab from 1974 through 1979. Founded and fronted Raam Daan, which would become one of the most popular mbalax acts in Senegal rivaled only by Youssou n'Dour. Has also recorded as a solo artist. ~ Seck passed away in 2021
March 12, 1953 ~ Hans Jürgen Fritz, commonly known as keyboardist Jurgen Fritz, born in Cologne, West Germany ~ Original member of progressive rock, krautrock band Triumvirat. Has also played with Eric Burdon, disco group Bad Boys Blue and composed the score to the 1989 sci-fi film Hard To Be A God
March 12, 1952 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Randy Stonehill, full name Randall Evan Stonehill, born in Stockton, California, USA ~ Pioneer of contemporary Christian music. Draws heavily from folk-rock, yet also from idioms such as new wave, pop, pop rock, roots rock and children's music. Debuted in 1971 with the album Born Twice, financed by Pat Boone