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, 1956 ~ Rosemary Patricia Sebert, commonly known as singer, songwriter Pebe Sebert, born in Michigan City, Indiana, USA ~ Mother of singer, songwriter Ke$ha, for whom she has also written several songs including Animal and Your Love Is My Drug. Other artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Pebe include Katy Moffatt, Joe Sun (Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You), Dolly Parton, Kathy Mattea, Crystal Gayle, Miley Cyrus, and Miranda Cosgrove
March 17, 1956 ~ Drummer Will Rigby born ~ Co-founding member of the dB's. The band is known best for their 1981 Stands For Decibels debut album, hailed by critics as one of the greatest lost power pop albums of the 1980s. Previously Rigby had worked with 1970s outfit Sneakers, known for their eponymous 1976 Sneakers album. Rigby released his Sidekick Phenomenon debut album, consisting of Merle Haggard and Hank Williams-covers and originals, in 1981. Has guested on recordings by Kimberley Rew, Chris Stamey, George Cartwright, the Shams, Matthew Sweet, Mojo Nixon, his once-wife Amy Rigby, Cheri Knight (The Northeast Kingdom), Tim Lee, Laura Cantrell, Steve Earle (Transcendental Blues), the Holy Modal Rounders, Amy Allison, and the Cosmopolitans
March 17, 1955 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Paul Overstreet, full name Paul Lester Overstreet, born in Newton, Mississippi, USA ~ As a solo artist known for songs such as Love Helps Those, Seein' My Father In Me, The Richest Man On Earth and Daddy's Come Around, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Country. Collaborated with Thom Schuyler and Fred Knobloch on the 1986 album Schuyler Knobloch & Overstreet spawning the country No.1 hit Baby's Got A New Baby. Best known as a songwriter, his songs recorded by the likes of Eddie Rabbitt, George Jones (Same Ole Me), Randy Travis, Mel Tillis, Michael Martin Murphey, Randy Travis (Forever And Ever Amen), the Seldom Scene, Keith Whitley (When You Say Nothing At All), Ricky Skaggs, Dean Dillon, Janie Fricke, the Judds (Love Can Build A Bridge), Kenny Chesney (She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy), and Blake Shelton
March 17, 1954 ~ Michael Leonard Mann, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer Hollywood Fats, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Given his nickname by Junior Wells. Has worked with James Harman, Jimmy Witherspoon, JB Hutto, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Junior Watson, Kid Ramos, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Canned Heat. Briefly a member of the Blasters, replacing Dave Alvin in 1986. Mann would die later the same year of a drug-induced heart attack ~ Mann passed away in 1986March 17, 1953 ~ Singer Tony Bennett records Rags To Riches at Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York, New York ~ Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Produced by Percy Faith. Released as a single the following August, paired with Here Comes That Heartache Again on the flip side, it would be Tony Bennett's third and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, holding the top position for eight weeks. The Adler and Ross composition is based on the Russian song Volga Melody penned by Yuri Shchetkov
March 17, 1952 ~ Jazz percussionist Manolo Badrena born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Best known for his stint with the Weather Report, present the albums Heavy Weather, Mr Gone and Weather Report. Also appeared on albums by Joni Mitchell, Dennis Wilson (Pacific Ocean Blue), George Duke, Gino Vanelli (Brother To Brother), Terumasa Hino, Chic (Take It Off), Steve Khan, Little Steven (Men Without Women), Spyro Gyra, Talking Heads, Laurie Anderson (Strange Angels), and Paquito d'Rivera
March 17, 1951 ~ Rock, blues rock, hard rock, progressive rock guitarist Scott Gorham, full name William Scott Gorham, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Though not a founding member a key member of Thin Lizzy remaining with the band from 1974 until its disbandement in 1983, and along with Brian Robertson helpful in developing the band's signature twin guitar sound. First appeared on the 1974 album Nightlife. Present on most of the band's best known including songs such as The Boys Are Back In Town, Jailbreak, Don't Believe A Word, Dancing In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me In The Spotlight), Waiting For An Alibi, and Killer On The Loose. Has also co-founded Lizzy spin-off band Black Star Riders and served in various later incarnations of Lizzy into the 2020s. Has also appeared on albums by Pat Travers, Phil Lynott, Supertramp (Brother Where You Bound), Phenomena, Psycho Motel, the Rollins Band, and Ricky Warwick
March 17, 1950 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Michael Been, full name Michael Kenneth Been, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Lead singer of the Call, with whom he recorded a little over half a dozen albums. They are best known for the 1980s singles I Still Believe (Great Design) and Let The Day Begin, both of which received heavy rotation on MTV. Been has also worked with Aorta, Lovecraft, Fine Wine, and the Original Haze, and has toured with alternative rock, garage rock revival outfit the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, which is fronted by his son Robert Levon Been ~ Been passed away in 2010
March 17, 1949 ~ Folk, blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Werner Lämmerhirt born in Berlin, Germany ~ Influenced by the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Donovan, Big Bill Broonzy, and Mississippi John Hurt. Rose to local fame in the late 1960s Berlin folk clubs. Debuted as a recording artist in 1974 with the album Ten Thousand Miles. Collaborated with Tom Paxton, Alex Campbell, Hannes Wader, and Wizz Jones ~ Lämmerhirt passed away in 2016March 17, 1948 ~ Jazz pianist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Jessica Williams, full name Jessica Jennifer Williams, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Influenced by Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Over three dozen albums to her name, starting in the late 1970s. Especially acclaimed for albums such as And Then There's This, Arrival, and In The Pocket. Collaborated with the likes of Richie Cole, Buck Hill, Mickey Fields, Eddie Harris, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, Charlie Haden ~ Williams passed away in 2022
March 17, 1948 ~ Patrick Lloyd, commonly known as guitarist Pat Lloyd, born in London, UK ~ Co-founding and sole constant member of the Equals, which also included Eddy Grant, best known for their 1968 UK charttopper Baby Come Back. The band is noted for being the first major interracial rock group to come out of the UK. Other well known songs include the UK top 10 hit Viva Bobby Joe and Police On My Back, the latter notably covered by the Clash on their pivotal 1980 Sandinista album
March 17, 1946 ~ Funk, rock drummer, singer Harold Brown, full name Harold Ray Brown, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Founded 1970s funk outfit War with Howard Scott, known for songs such as The Cisco Kid, Slipping Into Darkness and Why Can't We Be Friends
March 17, 1946 ~ Guitarist, singer Ian Gomm, full name Ian Robert Gomm, born in Chiswick, UK ~ Best known as rhythm guitarist of Brinsley Schwarz from 1970 through 1974. Co-wrote Cruel To Be Kind, a hit for Nick Lowe. As a solo artist scored a Billboard top 20 hit Hold On of his 1978 Gomm With The Wind album. Also worked with Unit 4, the Stranglers, Alexis Korner, and the Dire Straits
March 17, 1944 ~ Rock, pop, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter John Sebastian, full name John Benson Sebastian, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer for Lovin' Spoonful, known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Do You Believe In Magic, You Didn't Have To Be So Nice, Daydream, Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind, Summer In The City, Rain On The Roof, and Nashville Cats. As a solo artist best known for scoring a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit in 1976 with Welcome Back, the theme song of the TV sitcom Welcome Back Kotter
March 17, 1943 ~ Singer, songwriter Jim Weatherly, full name James Dexter Weatherly, born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, USA ~ Revered singer, songwriter wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by pop, R&B and country artists including Bob Luman, Gladys Knight (Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye), Midnight Train To Georgia), Glen Campbell (A Lady Like You), Kenny Rogers, Asha Puthli, Ray Price (If You Ever Change Your Mind), Neil Diamond, Carl Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Lynn Anderson, Brenda Lee, and Batdorf & Rodney ~ Weatherly passed away in 2021
March 17, 1941 ~ Singer, guitarist Paul Kantner, full name Paul Lorin Kantner, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of the Jefferson Airplane, a pivotal act in San Francisco's late 1960s counterculture peak. The band is best known for Somebody To Love and White Rabbit of their quintessential Surrealistic Pillow sophomore album. Both singles would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Kantner has also been involved with several Airplane side projects and spin-offs including Hot Tuna, the KBC Band, and Jefferson Starship ~ Kantner passed away in 2016March 17, 1938 ~ Singer, songwriter Bruno Glenmark born in Tomelilla, Sweden ~ Active since the 1960s, collaborating with Eleanor Bodel. Formed the family outfit the Glenmarks with his wife Ann-Louise Hanson, niece Karin Glenmark, and nephew Anders Glenmark. The group is known for their 1971 release Gammaldags Musik
March 17, 1938 ~ Zoletta Lynn Taylor, commonly known as singer Zola Taylor, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as the first female member of the Platters, remaining with the group from 1954 to 1962. Present on recordings such as Maggie Doesn't Work Here Anymore, Mean To Me, My Prayer, Twilight Time, He's Mine, Indiff'rent, The Great Pretender and Only You (And You Alone) ~ Taylor passed away in 2007
March 17, 1937 ~ Patrick Henry Wade, commonly known as singer, TV host, actor Adam Wade, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Perhaps best known for his stint as host of the CBS game show Musical Chairs, making him the first African-American to host a game show. As a singer known for early 1960s recordings such as Take Good Care Of Her, As If I Didn't Know and The Writing On The Wall, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Wade passed away in 2022
March 17, 1937 ~ Krautrock, electronic, experimental keyboardist, cellist, violinist, percussionist Conrad Schnitzler born in Düsseldorf, Germany ~ Early member of Tangerine Dream, playing with the band in 1969 and 1970. Co-founding member of Kluster. Member of Eruption. Has also recorded prolifically as a solo artist and was an in-demand collaborator, notably working with Gen Ken Montgomery ~ Schnitzler passed away in 2011
March 17, 1937 ~ Vincent Marcellino, commonly known as singer Vince Martin, born ~ First recorded with the Tarriers. which also included Erik Darling, Alan Arkin, and Bob Carey. Duetted with Fred Neil in the early 1960s, notably on 1964's Tear Down The Walls playing alongside John Sebastian and Felix Pappalardi. Released his solo debut album. If The Jasmine Don't Get You The Bay Breeze Will, in 1969 ~ Marcellino passed away in 2018March 17, 1932 ~ Richard William Curless, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Dick Curless, born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, USA ~ Best known for his single A Tombstone Every Mile, which reached the top 10 of Billboard's country chart in 1965. Other well known songs include Six Times A Day (The Trains Came Down), Big Wheel Cannonball and Hard Hard Traveling Man ~ Curless passed away in 1995
March 17, 1931 ~ Jazz vibraphonist, pianist, saxophonist Karel Velebný born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Considered one of the premier figures in modern Czech jazz during the second half of the 20th century. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Karel Krautgartner, co-founded Studio 5 with contrabassist Ludek Hulan, co-founded SHQ with flutist Jan Konopásek, and worked with artists such as Gustav Brom, Jiri Stivin, Frantisek Uhlir, Rudolf Dasek, and Josef Vejvoda ~ Velebný passed away in 1989
March 17, 1930 ~ Trombonist, bandleader Grover Mitchell, full name Grover Curry Mitchell, born in Watley, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his association with Count Basie, staying with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1962 through 1970. Also worked with Earl Hines, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Gene Ammons, Joey DeFrancesco, Al Grey, Eddie Harris, and Oliver Nelson ~ Mitchell passed away in 2003
March 17, 1930 ~ Jazz, new age flutist, saxophonist, composer Paul Horn born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Especially acclaimed for his 1969 Inside album, considered a landmark album in world music and new age circles. Worked with Chico Hamilton, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaria, Lorez Alexandria, Fred Katz, Shorty Rogers, Pete Rugolo, Lalo Schifrin, George Shearing, and with the Beach Boys on their 1966 Pet Sounds album ~ Horn passed away in 2014