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 18, 2024 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Jimmy Hastings, full name James Brian Gordon Hastings, passed away in Aberdeen, UK ~ Prominent figure in the Canterbury scene, most closely associated with Caravan with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed In The Land Of Grey And Pink and For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night. Hastings has also notably appeared on albums by Soft Machine, Trapeze (You Are The Music (We're Just The Band)), Murray Head, Bryan Ferry, Chris Squire (Fish Out Of Water), Hatfield & the North, and National Health. To younger audiences perhaps best known for guesting on the 2001 Radiohead album Amnesiac along with other members of Humphrey Lyttelton's eight-piece jazz band ~ Hastings was born in 1938
March 18, 2022 ~ Orin Glenn Troutman, commonly known as rockabilly, pop singer Glen Glenn, passed away ~ Formed the duo the Missouri Mountain Boys with guitarist Gary Lambert. Ventured into a solo career by the mid 1950s, releasing his Everybody's Movin debut single in 1958. Drafted soon after its release, Troutman was unable to do any promotion, effectively stalling his career. Resurfaced in the 1970s after Ace Records issued a compilation of his rockabilly recordings ~ Glenn was born in 1934March 18, 2021 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion bassist Paul Jackson passed away in Japan ~ Best known for his association with Herbie Hancock, present on albums such as Head Hunters, Thrust and Flood. Has also appeared on albums by Albert Heath, Azteca (Azteca), Stanley Turrentine, Eddie Henderson, Santana, Stomu Yamashta (Go Too), Charles Earland, Sonny Rollins, and Pete Escovedo ~ Jackson was born in 1947
March 18, 2018 ~ Drummer Joe Lala, full name Joseph Antony Lala, passed away in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Co-founded Blues Image in 1966, with whom he recorded three albums. Although the band received warm critical acclaim, they are primarily known for their one major hit Ride Captain Ride, somewhat unjustly earning the band the status of one-hit wonder. The single reached No.4 Billboard Hot 100 and remains a radio staple on both sides of the pond to this day. Other than as a key member of Blues Image, Lala is perhaps most closely associated with Stephen Stills, with whom he worked on several of Stills' solo albums as well as in the groups Crosby Stills & Nash and Manassas. An in-demand drummer throughout his career, Lala has also appeared on albums by Pacific Gas & Electric, Joe Walsh (The Smoker You Drink (The Player You Get)). Rick Roberts, Michael Stanley, Poco (Crazy Eyes), Chicago (Chicago VI), Rick Derringer, Dan Fogelberg, Gene Clark (No Other), Bill Wyman, Joey Stec (Joey Stec), the Bee Gees, Neil Diamond (Beautiful Noise), Rod Stewart (A Night On The Town), Firefall, Mother's Finest, John Mellencamp (John Cougar), the Allman Brothers Band, Graham Nash, and Don Felder ~ Lala was born in 1947March 18, 2018 ~ Reggae producer Lloyd Daley passed away in Florida, USA ~ Worked with Jackie Mittoo (The Dark Of The Sun), the Scorchers, Little Roy, the Abyssinians, the Ethiopians (Owe Me No Pay Me), Dennis Brown (Things In Life, Don't Do It), the Wailing Souls, Alton Ellis (Lord Deliver Us), John Holt, the Paragons, and U-Roy (Sound Of The Wise, Scandal) ~ Daley was born in 1939
March 18, 2017 ~ Charles Edward Anderson Berry, commonly known as rock & roll, R&B guitarist, singer Chuck Berry, passed away near Wentzville, Missouri, USA ~ Influenced by Muddy Waters and T-Bone Walker. A pioneering rock & roll guitarist, Berry was one of the first to take blues and R&B from its black roots to cross the color gap and appeal to white audiences, and was noted for his rollinking guitar riffs and signature duck walk, a crouching movement across the stage while playing his guitar. Berry would become hugely influential, notably on artists such as the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, and the Beatles, with a series of hits starting with Maybellene in 1955. Other well known songs, many considered pivotal to the development of rock & roll, and subsequently rock, include Roll Over Beethoven, Rock & Roll Music, Nadine, You Never Can Tell, Sweet Little Sixteen, and Johnny B Goode. Berry was among the very first to be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986, the Hall stating: “While no individual can be said to have invented rock and roll, Berry comes the closest of any single figure to being the one who put all the essential pieces together” ~ Berry was born in 1926
March 18, 2016 ~ Reuben David Egan, commonly known as pianist, singer, songwriter David Egan passed away in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA ~ As a songwriter had his songs recorded by the likes of Irma Thomas (Theys Honey Do's), Etta James (Please No More), Johnny Adams (Even Now), Jimmy Witherspoon (Wake Up Call), Solomon Burke (Fading Footsteps), Percy Sledge (First You Cry), and Tab Benoit (Good To You Baby) ~ Egan was born in 1954
March 18, 2011 ~ Terrence Harris, commonly known as bassist Jet Harris, passed away in Winchester, UK ~ Member of the Shadows from 1958 through 1962. The band is best known for backing singer Cliff Richard on his earliest hits, with Harris notably present on Savage as used in the musical comedy film The Young Ones, and for a string of instrumental hits of their own. Following his departure from the band, Harris would score several moderate hits as a solo artist including Besamo Mucho and Theme From The Man With The Golden Arm, team up with Tony Meehan on a handful of UK top 10 hits such as Diamonds and Scarlet O'Hara, and briefly play with Jeff Beck before disappearing from public view ~ Harris was born in 1939
March 18, 2009 ~ Edwin Joseph Bocage, commonly known as pianist, singer Eddie Bo, passed away in Picayne, Mississippi, USA ~ New Orleans R&B veteran schooled in jazz, known for his blues, soul and funk recordings. Has released more records than anyone else in New Orleans, not counting Fats Domino. Member of the Hoodoo Kings. Formed the the Spider Bocage Orchestra, known for backing artists such as Big Joe Turner, Earl King, Guitar Slim, Johnny Adams, Lloyd Price, Ruth Brown, Smiley Lewis, and the Platters. Debuted as a recording artist in 1955 with the single Baby. Bocage's 1956 single I'm Wise was later covered by Little Richard as Slippin' & Slidin'. His 1957 My Dearest Darling would become a national hit Etta James. Also worked as a producer for Irma Thomas, Chris Kenner, Art Neville, Chuck Carbo, Mary Jane Hooper, Robert Parker, and the Explosions. Bocage never broke through nationally, safe for his 1969 single Hook & Sling (Parts 1 & 2) reaching No.73 on the Billboard Hot 100, but was held in the highest regard in Louisiana ~ Bocage was born in 1930March 18, 2009 ~ Kent Henry Plischke, commonly known as guitarist Kent Henry, passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Uncredited on Blues Image's Open sophomore album, noted for his guitar solo on the hit Ride Captain Ride. Worked with Steppenwolf, present on the 1971 For Ladies album and on the band's farewell tour. Has also worked with Genesis, Charity, Screaming Lord Sutch, and John Kay ~ Plischke was born in 1948
March 18, 2004 ~ Jazz trumpeter Wallace Davenport, full name Wallace Foster Davenport, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ One of the few traditional jazz trumpeters of the 1930s to remain relevant for decades, branching out into swing, bop, gospel, and R&B over a career spanning eight decades. Started in the Young Tuxedo Brass Band at age 13, going on to tour and record with Papa Celestin, Roy Brown, Lionel Hampton, Mezz Mezzrow, Count Basie, Ray Charles (The Genius Sings The Blues), Lloyd Price, Phil Upchurch (Feeling Blue), Junior Wells, George Wein, Panama Francis, and Larry Darnell ~ Davenport was born in 1925
March 18, 1991 ~ Singer Lenny Kravitz releases Always On The Run, lead single off his Mama Said sophomore album ~ The single did not chart in the USA, peaked outside the top 40 in the UK, yet would become Kravitz's first top 10 hit in the Netherlands. Guitarist Slash had written the music for the song, originally intending to use it for his band Guns 'n Roses. However, as drummer Steven Adler had difficulty playing the song, he saved the draft for this eventual collaboration with Lenny Kravitz. Later, Kravitz recalled: “Slash had me get a gallon of vodka and a bag of ice and we went into the studio and bang, there it was. The two of us wrote and cut the tune. I played drums, he played guitar. Then I played my guitar, bass and did vocals. I brought the horn players in and it was done. Then he got on a plane the next morning and went to LA. It was a wild day.”
March 18, 1988 ~ David Baird, commonly known as jazz, rock, electronic saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, songwriter Chase Baird, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Michael Brecker. Released his debut album, Crosscurrent, in 2010. Has worked with Antonio Sánchez, Christopher Tordini, Venture, Brad Mehldau, Nir Felder, Dan Chmielinski, Mike Stern, Aaron Parks, Thana Alexa, Gene Perla, Dan Tepfer, Victor Wooten, Keith Carlock, Chaka Khan, Matthew Morrison, Jakob Dylan, Diana DeGarmo, Chloë Agnew, and Morgan James
March 18, 1986 ~ Singer Whitney Houston releases Greatest Love Of All, lifted off her eponymous Whitney Houston debut album ~ Written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed, the song would first be recorded by George Benson for the 1977 Muhammad Ali biopic, The Greatest. Benson's hit would reach a respectable No.24 Billboard Hot 100. However, the definitive version would be Whitney Houston's about a decade later. Arista Records executive Clive Davis initially opposed Houston recording the song, yet pressed by both Houston and Masser reluctantly agreed. Houston's version was first used as the B-side to You Give Good Love but when the flipside garnered significant airplay it was released as a single in its own right. When Houston's single hit No.1 Billboard Hot 100, she became the first female artist to score three No.1 hits from the same album. Greatest Love Of All wasn't the first song originally recorded by George Benson to become a bigger hit for someone else, in 1987 Glenn Medeiros scored an international hit with Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You, which was also co-written by Masser
March 18, 1983 ~ Post-hardcore, emo, indie rock, pop punk, pop rock keyboardist, singer Bradley Bell, full name Clinton Bradley David Bell, born in Davison, Michigan, USA ~ Lead singer of Still No Sign. Keyboardist for pop punk group Cinematic Sunrise, post-hardcore band Chiodos, and experimental rock outfit the Sound Of Animals Fighting
March 18, 1980 ~ Pop singer, actress Chantelle Barry born in Perth, Australia ~ Early member of Australian girl group Bardot, fired before any recordings were released and replaced by Tiffani Wood. Barry is best known as an actress, appearing in small roles in several independent films and TV series such as Water Rats, General Hospital, How I Met Your Mother, and NCIS. Barry has released a number of solo albums to moderate success in her adopted homeland the USA, starting with Simple Things released in 2009
March 18, 1979 ~ Singer, guitarist Adam Levine born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Kara's Flowers. Founding member, lead singer of Maroon 5 known for hits such as This Love, Makes Me Wonder, Moves Like Jagger featuring Christina Aguilera, One More Night, Animals, Sugar, Don't Wanna Know featuring Kendrick Lamar, Girls Like You featuring Cardi B and Memories, all of which reached Billboard top 5
March 18, 1978 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, Night Fever by the Bee Gees hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ When Night Fever hit No.1 the Bee Gees scored their fifth and final Billboard Hot 100 charttopper with a song used for the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. The single would hold the top spot for eight consecutive weeks, the longest run for a No.1 that year, to finally be bumped off the top spot by another song the siblings had writtten for the same soundtrack, namely If I Can't Have You performed by Yvonne Elliman
March 18, 1976 ~ Lucious Brinson Johnson, commonly known as blues, electric blues guitarist, singer Luther Snake Boy Johnson, passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of gospel group the Milwaukee Supreme Angels before gravitating towards blues. Backed Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, Otis Spann and Muddy Waters throughout the 1960s. Half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Come On Home released in 1968, an album fondly remembered by blues aficionados for featuring several backing musicians closely associated with Muddy Waters ~ Johnson was born in 1934
March 18, 1974 ~ Jazz, progressive jazz, pop, rock pianist Brian Haas, full name Brian Roy Haas, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known as co-founding and constant member of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums since the mid 1990s including the acclaimed Welcome Home, Walking With Giants, and Slow Breath Silent MindMarch 18, 1974 ~ Twin brothers Evan Lowenstein and Jaron Lowenstein born in Tucker, Georgia, USA ~ The sibling duo recorded one live album and three studio albums, starting in the mid 1990s, under the moniker Evan & Jaron. They are best known for Crazy For This Girl, a Billboard Hot 100 No.15 hit lifted off their eponymous Evan And Jaron sophomore album. The brothers would be unable to repeat their earlier success, and have pursued interests outside the music industry after being dropped by their label in 2004
March 18, 1974 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Stuart Zender born in Sheffield, UK ~ Member of Jamiroquai from 1993 through 1998, leaving the band during the recording of Synkronized due to conflicts with frontman Jay Kay. Present on hit songs such as Space Cowboy, Light Years, Virtual Insanity and Cosmic Girl
March 18, 1972 ~ Garage rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, drummer Greg Cartwright, also known as Greg Oblivian, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for fronting Reigning Sound, acclaimed for their 2002 Time Bomb High School album. Also well known as founding member of several 1990s garage bands including the Compulsive Gamblers, and the Oblivians. Has also worked with the Parting Gifts, the Detroit Cobras, '68 Comeback, and the Deadly Snakes
March 18, 1972 ~ Hard rock, grunge, post-grunge singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist Travis Bracht, full name Travis John Bracht, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Formed Peace And Silence, with whom he recorded the 1993 Fathom That album. Best known as a member of post-grunge outfit the Second Coming, with whom he recorded the albums LOV Evil, Second Coming, and 13. Bracht has also worked with Soulbender, Post Modern Heroes, and Bruiser Brody. Bracht released his The Last Funeral solo debut album in 2020
March 18, 1971 ~ Swing, big band bandleader, drummer George Olsen, full name George Edward Olsen Sr, passed away in Paramus, New Jersey, USA ~ One of Victor Recording Company most popular bandleaders through the 1930s. Married to singer, actress Ethel Shutta from 1926 to 1939 with whom he has two children. Noted for leading the orchestra for the 1928 Broadway musical Whoopee as well as its 1930 movie version. Orchestra leader for The Jack Benny Program radio show ~ Olsen was born in 1893March 18, 1971 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, punk rock, hip-hop singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Morgan Nicholls, full name Morgan Daniel Nicholls, born in London, UK ~ Member of the Senseless Things from 1989 through 1995. Released his sole solo album, Organized, in 2000. Has also worked with Vent 414, Gorillaz, Muse, and with Circle 60