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 16, 2025 ~ Perry Miller, commonly known as singer Jesse Colin Young, passed away ~ Founding member of the Youngbloods, known for their 1969 top 10 hit Get Together. Would embark on a successful solo career after the band's disbandement in the early 1970s. Especially acclaimed for his 1973 album Song For Juli and 1975's Songbird ~ Young was born in 1941
March 16, 2025 ~ Singer Rob de Nijs passed away in Bennekom, the Netherlands ~ Known for songs such as Ritme Van De Regen, Jan Klaassen De Trompetter, Malle Babbe, en Zondag ~ De Nijs was born in 1942
March 16, 2023 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Tony Coe, full name Anthony George Coe, passed away in Canterbury, UK ~ Versatile, adventurous, flexible. Counted among England's top jazzmen. Over two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for the albums Some Other Spring, Nutty and Les Sources Bleues. Well known for his associations with Humphrey Lyttelton, Johnny Dankworth, Derek Bailey, and the United Jazz+Rock Ensemble. Has also collaborated with Al Grey, Bob Brookmeyer, Franz Koglmann, Nucleus, Clark Terry, Peter Brötzmann, Loudon Wainwright III, Steve Beresford, and Norma Winstone ~ Coe was born in 1934
March 16, 2022 ~ Jazz singer Barbara Morrison passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Jimmy Smith, James Moody, Gerald Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Ron Carter, Etta James, Esther Phillips, David T Walker, Dr John, Kenny Burrell, Terence Blanchard, Joe Sample, Cedar Walton, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, Keb' Mo, Doc Severinsen, and Mark Winkler ~ Morrison was born in 1949
March 16, 2022 ~ Singer, songwriter Bobby Weinstein passed away ~ Member of 1950s vocal group the Legends. Would rise to prominence in the mid- to late 1950s as songwriter, often in collaboration with Teddy Randazzo. Well known hit songs include Pretty Blue Eyes for Steve Lawrence and I'm On The Outside Looking In, Goin' Out Of My Head and Hurt So Bad for doo-wop, R&B outfit Little Anthony & the Imperials. Weinstein also regularly teamed up with Tommy Boyce. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Weinstein would include the Box Tops, Dionne Warwick, Frankie Valli, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt, and Frank Sinatra. Weinstein has also served as executive with the performing rights organization BMI and sat on the board of the National Academy Of Popular Music for over two decades ~ Weinstein was born in 1939March 16, 2020 ~ Reggae engineer, producer, singer Lynford Anderson passed away in Austell, Georgia, USA ~ As a singer best known for his 1968 single Pop A Top. The song would be used by Canada Dry in an advertising campaign in the 1970s. Best known as a gifted engineer, regarded as a genius by some, working extensively with producers such as Lee Scratch Perry and Byron Lee ~ Anderson was born in 1941
March 16, 2019 ~ Singer, songwriter David White, full name David Ernest White, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Member of Danny & the Juniors, known for hits such as Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay and At The Hop. Member of Spokesmen. Member of Crystal Mansion. Closely associated with John Madara, White and Madara writing and producing numerous record since the early 1960s, including The Fly (Chubby Checker), You Don't Own Me (Lesley Gore), 1-2-3 (Len Barry), Birthday Party, 442 Glenwood Avenue and Cold Cold Winter (the Pixies Three), Pop Pop Pop Pie (the Sherrys), and The Boy Next Door (the Secrets) ~ White was born in 1939
March 16, 2019 ~ Richard Anthony Monsour, commonly known as guitarist Dick Dale passed away in Loma Linda, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the King of the Surf Guitar”, known for songs such as Let's Go Tripping, Jungle Fever, Surf Beat, Secret Surfing Spot, Pipeline, and Misirlou ~ Monsour was born in 1937
March 16, 2019 ~ Singer, actress, TV presenter Yulia Nachalova, full name Yulia Viktorivna Nachalova, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ About half a dozen albums to her name since the mid 1990s. Married to singer Dmitry Lanskoy from 2001 to 2004, with whom she collaborated on the Russian hit Lyubov Raketa. Best known for her signature song Geroy Moego Romano ~ Nachalova was born in 1981
March 16, 2018 ~ Jazz, free jazz cellist, double bassist Buell Neidlinger passed away in Langley, Washington, USA ~ Considered a child prodigy on the cello. Studied orchestral music at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, but dropped out after the first year. Especially known for his association with Cecil Taylor, backing the pianist on over half a dozen albums including Jazz Advance, Looking Ahead, and Air. In the classical world, Neidlinger is known for his tenure as principal bassist for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. In-demand session musician for a wide variety of artists, including notably prents on I Left My Heart In San Francisco by Tony Bennett, and Hotel California by the Eagles. Neidlinger has also guested on albums by Steve Lacy (Soprano Sax), Jean-Luc Ponty, Van Dyke Parks (Discover America), Neil Diamond, Peter Rowan, David Grisman (Hot Dawg), Earth Wind & Fire, Lionel Richie, Stewart Copeland (Rumble Fish), Diane Schuur, Leo Kottke (A Shout Toward Noon), Ry Cooder, Anthony Braxton, Rubén Blades, Elvis Costello (Spike), Natalie Cole, Bob Seger, Lindsey Buckingham (Out Of The Cradle), Clint Black, Carmen Lundy, and Bonnie Raitt (Longing In Their Hearts). Neidlinger has also consistently recorded as a leader, and is especially acclaimed for the albums Big Day At Ojai, Locomotive, and Blue Chopsticks ~ Neidlinger was born in 1936
March 16, 2017 ~ Blues harpist, singer James Cotton passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Started in the 1950s backing Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. Formed his first own ensemble, the Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet which also included noted blues pianist Otis Spann, in 1965. Cotton has also worked with blues, rock and pop artists such as BB King, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Taj Mahal, Big Mama Thornton, Joe Louis Walker, Elvin Bishop, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Charlie Musselwhite, Steve Miller, Santana, Johnny Winter, Freddie King, Keith Richards, Joe Bonamassa, Jimmie Vaughan, Delbert McClinton, Keb' Mo, and Pat Hare ~ Cotton was born in 1935March 16, 2017 ~ Operatic soprano Roberta Knie passed away ~ Worked with the Graz Opera, the Opernhaus Zurich, the Opera National De Lyon, the Dallas Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Bavarian State Opera, the Welsh National Opera, the Opera De Montreal, and the Teatro Colón ~ Knie was born in 1938
March 16, 2015 ~ Pianist, bassist Andy Fraser, full name Andrew McIan Fraser, passed away in Temecula, California, USA ~ Member of late 1960s, early 1970s rock outfit Free, considered by some to be hard rock pioneers. Fraser co-wrote several of the band's best known, including My Brother Jake, Stealer, and their biggest hit All Right Now. Fraser has also worked with Toby, the Sharks, Chris Spedding, Kim Turner, and Nick Judd. Songs written or co-written by Fraser have also been recorded by Joe Cocker, Robert Palmer (Every Kinda People), Chaka Khan, Rod Stewart, and Paul Young ~ Fraser was born in 1952
March 16, 2013 ~ R&B singer Bobbie Smith, full name Robert Steel Smith, passed away in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Longtime member of the Spinners, at times known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners. Sang lead or co-lead on several of the band's best known including That's What Girls Are Made For, I'll Always Love You, Could It Be I'm Falling In Love, the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Then Came You with Dionne Warwick, and Games People Play. The band would be inducted in the 2023 class of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, acknowledging them as “one of the most beloved R&B vocal groups in the world, (who) came to define the Philadelphia sound despite their Motor City origins.” ~ Smith was born in 1936
March 16, 2009 ~ Jacob Louis Schwartz, commonly known as songwriter Jack Lawrence, passed away in Redding, Connecticut, USA ~ Wrote All Or Nothing At All, Frank Sinatra's first solo hit. Co-wrote Tenderly, Sarah Vaughan's first hit. Others songs written or co-written by Lawrence include Music From Beyond The Moon (Vic Damone, Tony Martin), If I Didn't Care (the Ink Spots, Bob Crosby, the Platters, Brenda Lee), With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair (Kay Kyser, Georgie Auld, Frances Langford), Yes My Darling Daughter (Dinah Shore, Eydie Gormé, Sandie Shaw), Tenderly (Dick Farney, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole), and Foolin' Myself (Chick Bullock, Teddy Wilson) ~ Schwartz was born in 1912
March 16, 2008 ~ Hard rock, glam metal singer Daniel MacMaster, full name Daniel Stewart MacMaster, passed away in Thunder Bay, Canada ~ Lead singer for hard rock outfit Bonham, present on the band's The Disregard Of Time Keeping debut album and it's follow-up Mad Hatter. The band is best known for being founded by drummer Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin-drummer John Bonham ~ MacMaster was born in 1968March 16, 2005 ~ Ska, rocksteady, reggae singer, songwriter Justin Hinds passed away ~ Most popular artist on Duke Reid's Treasure Isle Records label during the mid 1960s, best known for his 1963 hit Carry Go Bring Home. The song would later be notably covered by British ska band the Selecter on their 1980 Too Much Pressure album ~ Hinds was born in 1942
March 16, 1998 ~ Country singer Garth Brooks releases Two Piña Coladas, lifted off his Sevens album ~ An upbeat drinking song about a man who forgets his heartaches with a couple of piña coladas at the beach, Two Piña Coladas was written by Shawn Camp, Benita Hill and Sandy Mason. Hill later remembered how they were surprised when Garth Brooks decided to record their song: “We wrote that pretty quickly. Made a little demo of it, and Sandy actually pitched it to (producer) Allen Reynolds. Reynolds goes, ‘I think I'm going to play that for Garth.’ When Sandy came back and told me, I was kind of dumbfounded, because I didn't think that that would be anything that Garth would do, but he did.” The song would reach No.1 Billboard Country. Co-writer Shawn Camp appears on the recording, playing an acoustic guitarMarch 16, 1996 ~ Harriet Ostrowsky, commonly known as pop singer Tina Robin, passed away in Broward County, Florida, USA ~ Would serve as session singer for many of Gerry Goffin & Carole King's early 1960s demo recordings. As a recording artist known for her sole charting single, Play It Again written by Goffin, King, and Howard Greenfield, barely reaching the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 ~ Ostrowsky was born in 1937
March 16, 1993 ~ Singers Brian McKnight and Vanessa Williams release Love Is, recorded for use in the popular teen drama series Beverly Hills 90210 ~ John Keller, who co-wrote the song with Tonio K and Michael Caruso, had written the basic melody in just 15 minutes but only had the opening line of the chorus when he took the song to Tonio K: “The only lyric I had initially was the opening line to the chorus, ‘Love breaks your heart.’ I took the song to Tonio K and he felt the chorus opening line was a cliché. Though I agreed, I told him I felt that the line had the right emotion for the music, and asked him to go with it.” Recorded as a duet by Brian McKnight and Vanessa Williams, the song would be met with mixed critical reception. Music & Media characterised the ballad as “on the right side of kitsch” while Music Week called it “an intense, brooding duet” yet added it issued “every cliché in the book and then some.” Love Is would be nominated for a Grammy Award and reached No.3 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, making it Vanessa Williams' third top 10 hit and Brian McKnight's first appearance on the tally
March 16, 1988 ~ Charlie Daniel Richmond, commonly known as jazz, R&B, pop, rock drummer Dannie Richmond, passed away in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with Charles Mingus, backing the pianist on some three dozen albums from the mid 1950s until Mingus' death in 1979 including the quintessential Mingus Ah Uhm and The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady. Also present on albums by the likes of Chet Baker (Chet Baker Sings), Jimmy Knepper, Eric Dolphy (Outward Bound), Booker Ervin (The Book Cooks), Ted Curson, Bert Jansch, Bennie Wallace, Mal Waldron, and Duke Jordan (Tivoli One) ~ Richmond was born in 1931
March 16, 1988 ~ Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, commonly known as alternative R&B, neo soul, hip-hop, pop singer, songwriter Jhené Aiko, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Sang backup for R&B group B2K. A planned 2003 solo debut album would be shelved, with Aiko eventually asking to be released from the label after which she continued her education. Returned to the music scene in the early-2010s with a number of mixtapes, singles and collaborations notably as vocalist on Big Sean's 2013 Beware single. Would release her full-length Souled Out solo debut album in 2014. Has collaborated with Twenty 88, Childish Gambino, Mila J, Omarion, Schoolboy Q, and Ty Dolla $ign
March 16, 1987 ~ Pop rock group U2 release With Or Without You, lead single off their The Joshua Tree album ~ The band were already a success in their native Ireland, and with their previous album, The Unforgettable Fire, they broke through in the UK. It would be The Joshua Tree, however, that made them stars in America. Its lead single, With Or Without You, would be their first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. Its follow-up single I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For would also reach the top of the American charts. The parent album The Joshua Tree reached the top of the American Billboard Hot 200 album charts in April, and held the top position for an impressive nine consecutive weeks, finally dethroned by Whitney Houston's Whitney albumMarch 16, 1984 ~ Drummer, DJ Jamie Westland born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ Founding member, drummer of Di-rect, known for hits such as Inside My Head, She, Als Je Iets Kan Doen, Hungry For Love, Cool Without You and A Good Thing, all of which reached top 10 in the Netherlands
March 16, 1984 ~ George Clinton Fisher Jr, commonly known as bassist, singer, songwriter Shug Fisher, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Actor with numerous appearances in Western films and TV shows including Gunsmoke and The Beverly Hillbillies. Best known for his association with Roy Rogers appearing alongside Rogers as a member of the Sons Of The Pioneers ~ Fisher was born in 1907