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 17, 2025 ~ Andrea Rosenbaum, commonly known as singer AnNa R, passed away in Berlin, Germany ~ Formed the pop duo Rosenstolz with Peter Plate, with whom she recorded a dozen albums through the early 2010s, half of which reached the top spot on the German album charts. The duo enjoyed popularity in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with singles such as Liebe Ist Alles, Ich Bin Ich (Wir Sind Wir), Ich Geh In Flammen Auf, and Gib Mir Sonne all reaching top 10 in Germany. Following the duo's hiatus, Rosenbaum would form the pop group Gleis 8, with whom she recorded the albums Bleibt Das Immer So and Endlich, both of which reached top 10 in Germany. Rosenbaum passed away unexpectedly at age 55. An oficial cause of death was not disclosed, however, it was communicated that a crime or suicide had been ruled out ~ Rosenbaum was born in 1969
March 17, 2025 ~ Progressive rock bassist, flutist, singer Peter Farrelly passed away in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Though he never achieved much fame, Farrelly was praised for his vocal ability and throbbing bass lines. Best known as lead singer of progressive rock outfit Fruup. Through the mid 1970s the progressive rock band, an oddity in their native Northern Ireland, toured relentlessly including as support act for the likes of Genesis, Queen, and King Crimson, and recorded four albums which garnered them some popularity, particularly on the student scene, but despite warm critical reception never made them famous. In later years, Fruup's recordings, especially the band's 1973 Future Legends debut album, have gathered greater recognition than they were gifted on release. Following the band's disbandement, Farrelly founded the Crowd, a new wave rock hybrid inspired by the Doors and the Stranglers, which was praised by critics yet disbanded before releasing a full-length album ~ Farrelly was born in 1949
March 17, 2024 ~ Matthew Urango, commonly known as keyboardist, guitarist, singer Cola Boyy, passed away in Oxnard, California, USA ~ Born with spina bifida, kyphosis, and scolioses, as well as a club foot, Urango had experienced discrimination in the labor market prior to establishing himself as a professional musician. His sound compared by NME as “a disco ball melting or the after-effects of some particularly potent hallucinogenics”, Cola Boyy released his debut EP Black Boogie Neon in 2018, followed by the full-length Prosthetic Boombox debut album in 2021. Urango had played in punk rock bands in high school, and played guitar for indie pop band the Sea Lions, but opted for a more accessible sound to reach a wider audience. Well-known songs include Penny Girl, Buggy Tip, Beige 70, and Kid Born In Space, the latter telling of his experience growing up as a disabled person. Urango is known for his anti-capitalist views, and involved in various left-wing causes including advocating for immigrants and workers ~ Urango was born in 1990
March 17, 2024 ~ Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice, commonly known as glam rock, art rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Steve Harley, passed away in Suffolk, UK ~ Lead singer, frontman of 1970s outfit Cockney Rebel, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including the UK top 10 albums The Psychomodo and The Best Years Of Our Lives. The band is known for songs such as Sebastian, Judy Teen, Mr Soft, and perhaps their best known Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me), the latter a No.1 hit in both Ireland and the band's native UK and a radio staple to this day. Following the band's disbandement, Harley has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist. The singer continued to perform into his seventies, and was forced to cancel his upcoming 2024 tour after being diagnosed with cancer. Upon hearing of his passing, fellow musician Midge Ure, who had produced Harley's 1982 track I Can't Even Touch You, stated Harley was “a true ‘working’ musician, (who) toured until he could tour no more” ~ Nice was born in 1951
March 17, 2023 ~ Rodolfo Olivares, commonly known as cumbia saxophonist Fito Olivares, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Well known for his recordings with backing unit La Pura Sabrosura, which also included his brothers singer Javier Olivares and keyboardist Jaime Olivares. The band was active from the early 1980s and had their breakthrough by the end of the decade. Known for songs such as La Gallina, Juana La Cubana, La Negra Catalina, La Ranita, Cupido Bandido, Juana Maria, and El Colesterol ~ Olivares was born in 1947March 17, 2023 ~ Clarence Eugene Haskins, commonly known as R&B, funk guitarist, drummer, singer Fuzzy Haskins, passed away in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, USA ~ Closely associated with George Clinton, working with the iconic funk frontman from the early doo-wop days with the Parliaments through the 1960s, 1970s ensembles Parliament and Funkadelic. Co-wrote the latter's I Got A Thing You Got A Thing Everybody's Got A Thing, I Wanna Know If It's Good To You, and Good To Your Earhole. Haskins parted ways with Clinton in 1977 over financial and management disputes. Haskins and fellow Clinton alumni Calvin Simon and Grady Thomas caused confusion when they released the 1981 Connections And Disconnections album using the moniker Funkadelic. Haskins also recorded two albums as a solo artist, Whole Nother Thang in 1976 and Radio Active in 1978 ~ Haskins was born in 1941
March 17, 2022 ~ R&B, soul singer Bobby Star passed away ~ Co-founding member of vocal group the Versatiles. At the turn of the 1970s joined Philadelphia group the Intruders, replacing Samuel Brown, known for singles such as When We Get Married, I'm Girl Scouting, and I Bet He Don't Love You (Like I Love You) ~ Starr was born in 1937
March 17, 2021 ~ Classical, film composer Antón García Abril passed away in Madrid, Spain ~ Composed chamber music, orchestral and vocal works. Also a prolific film composer with films such as Texas Adios, Awkward Hands and the Blind Dead series of films to his credit ~ Abril was born in 1933
March 17, 2021 ~ Hard bop pianist, composer Freddie Redd passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Though an in-demand sideman and revered bandleader, Redd is best known for composing the score to the 1960 film The Connection. Redd recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for Piano East Piano West and Shades Of Redd. As a sideman, Redd has appeared on albums by Tiny Grimes, Joe Roland (Joltin' Joe Roland), Gene Ammons, Art Farmer (Evening In Casablanca), Howard McGhee, Rolf Ericson, and John Zorn ~ Redd was born in 1928
March 17, 2019 ~ Zephire André Williams, singer, songwriter, producer, label executive, commonly known as André Williams passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Jail Bait, Greasy Chicken, Bacon Fat, and Cadillac Jack. Co-wrote Stevie Wonder's first song, Thank You For Loving Me. Also co-authored Shake A Tail Feather, which has since has become a R&B all-time classic recorded by many including notable versions by Ike & Tina Turner and by James & Bobby Purify ~ Williams was born in 1936
March 17, 2019 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, punk rock guitarist Bernie Tormé, full name Bernard Joseph Tormey, passed away in London, UK ~ Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore. Best known as member of Gillan, fronted by Deep Purple's Ian Gillan, present on the albums Mr Universe, Glory Road and Future Shock. Has also worked with Atomic Rooster, Desperado, René Berg, GMT, Ozzy Osbourne, Quatermass, and Gary Barden's Silver ~ Tormey was born in 1952
March 17, 2019 ~ Singer, producer, actor Yuya Uchida passed away in Tokyo, Japan ~ Leading figure in Japanase pop. Befriended John Lennon after opening for the Beatles on their 1966 Japanese tour. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix. Recorded with Frank Zappa and with the Ventures ~ Uchida was born in 1939
March 17, 2017 ~ Conductor, arranger, songwriter, producer Joe Sherman, full name Joseph Daniel Sherman, passed away in Riverhead, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Ramblin' Rose with his brother Noel Sherman. The song would be first recorded by Nat King Cole in 1962, and has become a standard covered by over a hundred artists including Bobby Vinton, Ferlin Husky, Paul Anka, Pat Boone, Chuck Berry, and Eddy Arnold. Other songs co-written by Sherman have been recorded by the likes of Dolores Hawkins, Denise Lor, Billy May, George Duning, and Georgia Gibbs ~ Sherman was born in 1926
March 17, 2011 ~ Singer, actor, guitarist Ferlin Husky, full name Ferlin Eugene Husky, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Traditional honky-tonk, weeping country ballads, rockabilly, with some humorous novelty songs thrown in for good measure. Popular from the early 1950s forward. Had a then-unknown Elvis Presley open for him. Known for songs such as I Feel Better All Over (More Than Anywheres Else), I'll Baby Sit With You, Gone, The Wings Of A Dove, The Waltz You Saved For Me, Once, and Just For You ~ Husky was born in 1925
March 17, 2010 ~ Singer Alex Chilton passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ First gained attention fronting the Box Tops while still in his teens, scoring hits with songs such as The Letter, Neon Rainbow, Cry Like A Baby, and Soul Deep. Would go on to front the seminal power pop band Big Star, recording three albums in the 1970s, influential on artists as diverse as Kiss's Paul Stanley, REM, Teenage Fanclub, the Replacements, Primal Scream, Matthew Sweet, and Velvet Crush ~ Chilton was born in 1950
March 17, 2009 ~ Country singer Carrie Underwood releases I Told You So featuring Randy Travis, lifted off her Carnival album ~ Written by and originally recorded by Randy Travis for his 1987 Always & Forever album. The Carrie Underwood and Travis duet version, released as the fifth and final single off Underwood's Carnival Ride, would almost equal the success of the original, peaking at No.2 on the Billboard Country charts, whereas the original version reached the top position. It also earned the pair a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
March 17, 2006 ~ Jazz bassist, banjoist, singer Narvin Kimball passed away in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Kimball emerged as one of the premier musicians from the 1920s New Orleans jazz scene, with an impressive lengthy career. Son of string bassist Henry Kimball. Married to pianist Jeanette Kimball during the 1930s. Has worked with the likes of Fate Marable, Papa Celestin, and Sidney Desvigne, and Alvin Alcorn. Struggled through the Depression era gigging at night while working a regular day job as a postman. From the 1960s onward, Kimball has been closely associated with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, serving as one of its co-founding and longtime members ~ Kimball was born in 1909March 17, 2005 ~ Wayne Pedziwiatr, commonly known as pop, rock, jazz, fusion bassist Wayne Pedzwater, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Briefly a member of Blood Sweat & Tears in the early 1980s. Would go on to session for artists such as Thom Rotella, José José, Tom Chapin (Billy The Squid), Chuck Loeb, Michael Jackson, John Forster (Helium), Jewel, and Vaneese Thomas ~ Pedziwiatr was born in 1956
March 17, 1997 ~ Singer, dancer Jermaine Stewart, full name William Jermaine Stewart, passed away in Homewood, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his 1986 recording We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off, a top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Started out as a dancer on Soul Train show where he befriended Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel. All three of them auditioned for Shalamar as backup singers. Stewart lost out but would join the band as a dancer. Sang backup on Culture Club's Miss Me Blind ~ Stewart was born in 1957March 17, 1995 ~ Albert Luandrew, commonly known as pianist, singer, songwriter Sunnyland Slim, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Helped define Chicago blues. Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting in the mid 1940s. Especially acclaimed for the albums Midnight Jump and Slim's Shout, both released in 1969. Has accompanied blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Lockwood Junior, Little Walter, and rockers such as Canned Heat and Mick Taylor ~ Luandrew was born in 1906
March 17, 1992 ~ Jazz pianist, singer Alf Hulbækmo born in Tolga, Norway ~ Son of folk singer Tone Hulbækmo and flutist Hans Fredrik Jacobsen, brother of drummer, vibraphonist Hans Hulbækmo. Best known for the 2017 collaborative album Jeg Går Og Drømmer with Siril Malmedal Hauge
March 17, 1990 ~ Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, mononymously known as singer, songwriter Hozier born in Bray, Ireland ~ Rose to fame with his 2013 debut EP Take Me To Church, spawning the hit single Take Me To Church which would reach top 10 in his native Ireland, the UK, America and across Europe. Would release his full-length eponymous Hozier debut album the following year and has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial success since
March 17, 1990 ~ Richard Roman Grechko, commonly known as rock, jazz fusion, progressive rock bassist, violinist Ric Grech, passed away in Leicester, UK ~ Bassist, violinist for progressive rock outfit the Family, for whom he also wrote How-Hi-The-Li, Face In The Cloud and Second Generation Woman, also singing lead on the latter. Member of supergroup Blind Faith alongside guitarist Eric Clapton and keyboardist Steve Winwood. Worked with Ginger Baker in Ginger Baker's Air Force. Appeared on Graham Bond's 1970 Holy Magick album. Member of Traffic, present on the live album Welcome To The Canteen and the acclaimed The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys album. Sessioned with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Lane, Vivian Stanshall, and with Muddy Waters on the overlooked all-star The London Sessions album. Member of KGB. Grech retired from music in 1977 ~ Grechko was born in 1945March 17, 1986 ~ Cassie Grzymkowski, commonly known as singer, guitarist Cassie Ramone, born in New Jersey, USA ~ Rose to prominence as guitarist, singer for indie rock band the Vivian Girls, best known for their 2011 Share The Joy album. Also formed the side project the Babies and recorded as a solo artist, starting with The Time Has Come released in 2014
March 17, 1986 ~ Guitarist, bassist, saxophonist, singer, songwriter Miles Kane, full name Miles Peter Kane, born in Merseyside, UK ~ Co-frontman of supergroup the Last Shadow Puppets, which also includes Alex Turner, James Ford, and Zach Dawes. The band is best known for their 2008 The Age Of Understatement debut album. Kane is also well known as a solo artist, releasing a string of acclaimed albums starting with Colour Of The Trap released in 2011. Previously Kane has worked with the Little Flames and the Rascals