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 13, 1981 ~ Jazz pianist, saxophonist, composer Ivo Neame born in UK ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his associations with Phronesis, Marius Neset, the Kairos 4tet. Has also worked with David Binney, Kenny Wheeler, Hermeto Pascoal, Kaz Simmons, Josh Arcoleo, Andre Canniere, Julian Argüelles, and the London's Loop Collective
March 13, 1980 ~ Pianist, composer Alberto Pizzo born in Naples, Italy ~ Debuted in 2012 with the Funambulist album. Has worked with Mino Cinélu, Toquinho, Renzo Arbore, David Knopfler, Luis Bacalov, Stefano Bollani, and Rita Marcotulli
March 13, 1975 ~ Glennon Ricketts Jr, ommonly known as neo soul singer, songwriter Glenn Lewis, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Son of Crack Of Dawn singer Glen Ricks. Cites Stevie Wonder as major influence. Known for songs such as Thing To Do, Bout Your Love, Stick To Your Vision, Don't You Forget It, and It's Not Fair
March 13, 1972 ~ Singer, fiddler, violinist Arve Moen Bergset born in Sandnessjoen, Norway ~ Member of folk group Bukkene Bruse. Also known as classical violinist, having worked with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
March 13, 1972 ~ Lonnie Rashid Lynn, commonly known as rapper, MC Common, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of loose collective Native Tongues. Member of the Soulquarians. Debuted as a solo artist with the 1992 album Can I Borrow A Dollar. Known for songs such as Soul By The Pound, Reminding Me Of Sef featuring Chantay Savage, One-Nine-Nine-Nine featuring Sadat X, Glory featuring John Legend. Has also collaborated with Big Sean, Bilal, Daniel Caesar, De La Soul, Mary J Blige, Erykah Badu (Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip-Hop)), Melanie Durrant, Joss Stone, and Colbie Caillat
March 13, 1972 ~ Willie Knighton Jr, commonly known as rapper, singer Khujo, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Forms the hip-hop group Goodie Mob with Cee Lo Green, Big Gipp and T-Mo, and the duo the Lumberjacks with the latter. Also closely associated with OutKast, appearing on all the band's albums. Has also worked with Dungeon Family, with Willie Isz, and released a number of solo recordings, starting with the album The Man Not The Dawg released in 2002March 13, 1971 ~ R&B, funk singer, songwriter Arlester Dyke Christian passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Fronted Dyke & the Blazers, best known for the 1969 singles We Got More Soul and Let A Woman Be A Woman. At the time of his death, killed in a reportedly drug-related shooting at 27, Christian was preparing for a tour with superstar Barry White ~ Christian was born in 1943
March 13, 1969 ~ Pianist Stephen Scott born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Betty Carter, Kenny Barron, Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Lou Donaldson, Benny Golson, Craig Handy, Roy Hargrove, Joe Henderson, Jon Hendricks, Bobby Hutcherson, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Watson, and Christian McBride
March 13, 1968 ~ Pop, surf outfit the Beach Boys record Friends ~ Written by Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine. Title track of the band's 1968 Friends album. Also issued as a single, b/w Little Bird, in April 1968. The single would stall in the low 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first since 1964's The Man With All The Toys not to reach top 40March 13, 1963 ~ Rodolfo Paez Avalos, commonly known as rock & roll singer, pianist, songwriter Fito Paez, born in Rosario, Argentina ~ Member of El Banquete. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Del '63, released in 1984 with backing from Daniel Wirtz, Fabia Gallardo, Tweety González, and Paul Dourge. Has recorded steadily since to critical acclaim and collaborated with Luis Alberto Spinetta, Charly García, Joaquin Sabina, and Paulinho Moska
March 13, 1963 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, drummer Todd Huth, full name Todd Richard Huth, born in San Leandro, California, USA ~ Best known as early member of Primus remaining with the band through 1989, replaced by Larry Lalonde. Reunited with his former bandmates Les Claypool and Jay Lane in 1994, forming the band Sausage
March 13, 1960 ~ Bassist Adam Clayton, full name Adam Charles Clayton, born in Chinnor, UK ~ Bassist and longtime member of U2, known for songs such as Gloria, Pride (In The Name Of Love), I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Desire, One, Discothèque, The Sweetest Thing, Beautiful Day, and Vertigo
March 13, 1960 ~ Luciano Ligabue, commony known as singer, songwriter, film director, author Ligabue, born in Correggio, Italy ~ First gained attention in 1988 when Pierangelo Bertoli recorded his Sogni Di Rock 'n Roll. As a singer released his full-length eponymous Ligabue debut album in 1990 and has recorded steadily to commercial success and critical acclaim since. Well known songs include Certe Notti, Una Vita Da Mediano, Questa E La Mia Vita, Niente Paura, Un Colpo All'anima and Il Sale Della Terra
March 13, 1960 ~ Guitarist Quique Sinesi born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Has recorded over a dozen albums, especially noted for 2005's Tango Para Charlie and Buenos Aires Report released two years later. Sinesi has collaborated with the likes of Joe Lovano, Dino Saluzzi, Pablo Ziegler, Enrico Rava, and Charlie Mariano
March 13, 1959 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock, rock bassist Greg Norton, full name Gregory James Norton, born in Rock Island, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as bassist of Hüsker Dü. Following the band's disbandement founded the Grey Area. Has also worked with the Gang Font and Porcupine
March 13, 1959 ~ Electric blues guitarist, singer Melvin Taylor born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Pinetop Perkins and the Legendary Blues Band before going solo, starting with 1982's Blues On The Run album. Has recorded steadily since and has opened for artists such as BB King, Buddy Guy and SantanaMarch 13, 1954 ~ Jazz guitarist Simon James born in York, UK ~ Co-founding member of Acoustic Alchemy, remaining with the band through 1985. Would subsequently perform as solo artist and collaborate with Nick Webb, and Maria Ewing. Formed Kymaera in 1998
March 13, 1951 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Geoff Eales born in Aberbargoed, UK ~ Worked with the National Youth Orchestra Of Wales, Major Holley, Jimmy McPartland, Buddy Tate, Earl Warren, Joe Loss, the BBC Big Band, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Andy Williams, Shirley Bassey, José Carreras, Kiri te Kanawa, Jerry Goldsmith, Henry Mancini, Elmer Bernstein, Robert Farnon, Adelaide Hall, and Michael Ball
March 13, 1951 ~ Pop singer, songwriter, actor Izhar Cohen born in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Internationally best known for teaming up with vocal group the Alphabeta to win the 1978 Eurovision Songfestival with A-ba Ni-bi. The song was written by Ehud Manor and Nurit HirshMarch 13, 1951 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Michael Jefry Stevens born in New York, New York ~ Co-led the revered post-bop outfit the Fonda-Stevens Group with bassist Joe Fonda. Has composed over 350 songs and worked with a host of renowned jazz artists including Dave Liebman, Oliver Lake, Dave Douglas, Leo Smith, Matt Wilson, Han Bennink, Mark Feldman, Pheeroan Aklaff, Gerry Hemingway, the Brooklyn Jazz Composers Orchestra, and JEff Raheb
March 13, 1947 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Dave Kelly, full name David William Kelly, born ~ Brother of singer Jo-Ann Kelly, with whom he has also worked. Influenced by Mississippi Fred McDowell. Has collaborated with Tramp and with the Blues Band, and recorded as a solo artistMarch 13, 1945 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist, mandolinist, songwriter Tom Chapin born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of drummer Jim Chapin, brother of singer Harry Chapin. Over two dozen albums to his name starting in the mid 1970s. Perhaps best known for Happy Birthday of his 1989 Moonboat album, its melody taken form Love Unspoken of the Franz Lehár-opera The Merry Widow
March 13, 1942 ~ Producer, A&R agent, label executive Marshall Chess born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess. Worked a variety of jobs at his father label including producer, co-founding Rotary Connection, and eventually heading the label as President
March 13, 1942 ~ John Paul Larkin, commonly known as singer Scatman John, born in El Monte, California, USA ~ Best known for his 1990s hits Ski-ba-bop Ba-dop-bop and Scatman's World mixing scat singing and dance music. Suffered from a severe stutter from childhood forward. Recipient of the American Speech Language Hearing Associatios Annie Glenn Award for outstanding service to the stuttering community. Inducted in the National Stuttering Association Hall Of Fame ~ Larkin passed away in 1999
March 13, 1940 ~ Canzett Maria Staton, commonly known as singer Candi Staton, born in Hanceville, Alabama, USA ~ Known for the 1970 Tammy Wynette-cover Stand By Your Man, the 1976 disco hit Young Hearts Run Free and as featured vocalist on the Source's You Got The Love, the latter a smash hit across Europe in 1986
March 13, 1940 ~ Saxophonist Charles Brackeen born in Oklahoma, USA ~ Studied violin and piano before switching to saxophone. Sideman and leader. Has played with Don Cherry, Leroy Jenkins, Paul Motian, Ahmed Abdullah, Dennis González, and Ronald Shannon Jackson ~ Brackeen passed away in 2021