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 2, 2025 ~ Hubert Lœnhard, commonly known as singer Herbert Léonard, passed away in Fontaineblue, France ~ Broke through in the late 1960s with Quelque Chose Tient Mon Cœur, a French-language version of Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart penned by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway best known as recorded by Gene Pitney. Has since recorded about two dozen albums well into the 2000s, establishing himself as one of France's most endearing crooners ~ Léonard was born in 1945
March 2, 2024 ~ Wesley Curley Clark, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist WC Clark, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Dubbed “the Godfather of Austin Blues” for his influence since the late 1960s. Sang gospel in church choirs, took up guitar by age 14, was playing professionally two years later. Early on in his career, Clark toured with Joe Tex before returning to his native Austin, to find a new crop of young and eager performers. Clark is legendary perhaps most for forming the Triple Threat Revue in the mid 1970s with the then-unknown Lou Ann Barton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Though the trio only briefly played together, they set the standard for Austin blues, with Vaughan crediting Clark as a mentor and immense influence. Clark has shared stages with BB King, James Brown, Albert King, and Freddie King. Outside Texas, he is perhaps best known for half a dozen solo albums released later on in his career, notably 1994's Heart Of Gold, and From Austin With Soul released in 2002 ~ Clark was born in 1939
March 2, 2023 ~ Bassist, producer Steve Mackey, full name Stephen Patrick Mackey, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as bassist for alternative rock outfit Pulp from 1988 through 2002 and again from 2011 through 2013. Present on some of the band's best known including the albums Different Class and This Is Hardcore both of which reached No.1 on the UK album charts. Mackey has also served as producer and remixer for the likes of MIA, Florence + the Machine, the Long Blondes, and Arcade Fire ~ Mackey was born in 1966
March 2, 2023 ~ Saxophonist Wayne Shorter passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins. About two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Member of the Jazz Messengers during the late 1950s, backing renowned drummer Art Blakey. Worked with trumpeter Miles Davis from 1964 through 1970 including on pivotal albums such as Bitches Brew and Filles de Kilimanjaro. Subsequently co-founded jazz fusion unit the Weather Report with Joe Zawinul and Miroslav Vitous. Member of VSOP. Toured and recorded with guitarist Carlos Santana. Has also worked with Don Henley, noted for his sax solo on The End Of Innocence, Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, Norah Jones, Wynton Kelly, Freddie Hubbard, Joni Mitchell, Jaco Pastorius, and McCoy Tyner ~ Shorter was born in 1933March 2, 2022 ~ Indie rock, indie folk banjoist, bassist, keyboardist, guitarist, singer Chuck Criss passed away ~ Member of indie outfit Freelance Whales, acclaimed for the albums Weathervanes and Diluvia. Criss was also a member of Computer Games, which also included his brother Darren Criss, known for songs such as Every Single Night and Lost Boys For Life ~ Chris was born in 1985
March 2, 2021 ~ Pop singer, TV personality Alex Casademunt, full name Alejandro Casademunt Gonzalez, passed away in Barcelona, Spain ~ Brother of singer Papa Joe. First gained attention on the talent show Operación Triunfo aired on Televisión Española in 2001. Following the show would form the group Fórmula Abierte with fellow contestants Geno Machado, Javián and Mireia Montavez. Collaborated with David Bustamante on the 2002 hit Dos Hombres Y Un Desyono. Released his Inquietudes De Ella solo debut album in 2003 ~ Casademunt was born in 1981March 2, 2021 ~ Cellist Anna Shuttleworth passed away ~ Acclaimed soloist and chamber cellist. Co-founding member of the Vivien Hind String Quartet. Affectionately referred to as “the Swellest Cellist” by composer Ralph Vaughan Williams ~ Shuttleworth was born in 1927
March 2, 2021 ~ Neville O'Riley Livingston, commonly known as reggae singer, percussionist Bunny Wailer, passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Founded the Wailers with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, remaining with the band from 1963 through 1974. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Cool Runnings, Crucial and Bald Head Jesus ~ Livingston was born in 1947
March 2, 2021 ~ Skiffle, ragtime, swing, blues, jazz bandleader, trombonist, double bassist Chris Barber, full name Donald Christopher Barber, passed away in Welwyn Garden City, UK ~ Widely regarded as one of the most important British bandleaders. Spearheaded the traditional jazz revival in the 1950s and became a key figure in the development of 1960s British blues, both by arranging the first UK tours for American blues greats such as Big Bill Broonzy, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, and Muddy Waters, and working with then little known future stars such as Alexis Korner and John Mayall early on in their careers. Barber has performed and recorded prolifically since the mid 1950s, and is especially acclaimed for introducing Lonnie Donegan to the British audience, backing the future “King of Skiffle” on the 1954 single Rock Island Line which kickstarted both Donegan's career and the skiffle rage, and for his 1956 recording of Sidney Bechet's Petite Fleur, which sold over a million copies and reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Barber would continue to record and perform well into the 2010s. After having led various ensembles for some seven decades, Barber retired from music in 2019 although the Big Chris Barber Band would continue to perform under his name. Barber was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1991 for his services to music, and received an honorary doctorate from Durham University in 2013 ~ Barber was born in 1930March 2, 2021 ~ Label executive, concert promoter, film producer Michael Gudinski, full name Michael Solomon Gudinski, passed away in Melbourne, Australia ~ Leading figure in the Australian music business. Founded the Mushroom Records label in 1972. Incremental to the careers of the MacKenzie Theory, Skyhooks, the Choirboys, Kylie Minogue, Split Enz, Eskimo Joe, and Evermore ~ Gudinski was born in 1952
March 2, 2009 ~ Country singer Alan Jackson releases Sissy's Song, lifted off his Good Time album ~ Written by Alan Jackson for his housekeeper Leslie Fitzgerald, commonly known as Sissy, who passed away at age 40 in a motorcycle accident. The singer had come to see Fitzgerald as family and had written the song to be performed at her funeral expressing his feelings for her. Initially Jackson didn't intend the song to be recorded, but as Jackson would later explain: “It's just me and the guitar and the harmony parts. After some people heard it at the label, everybody wanted to put it on the album.” Sissy's Song would reach No.9 Billboard Country
March 2, 2009 ~ Country singer Ernest Ashworth, full name Ernest Bert Ashworth, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for a number of 1960s country hits including Each Moment Spent With You, Everybody But Me, I Love To Dance With Annie, The DJ Cried and perhaps his best known Talk Back Trembling Lips, all of which reached top 10 of the Billboard Country charts ~ Ashworth was born in 1928
March 2, 2008 ~ Blues, rock, jazz guitarist, singer Jeff Healey, full name Norman Jeffrey Healey, passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Took up the guitar at age 3. Known for his unique lap-held style of playing. Recorded about a dozen albums, starting in the late 1980s. Especially acclaimed for the albums Adventures In Jazzland and Mess Of Blues. Well known songs include I Think I Love You Too Much, How Long Can A Man Be Strong, and Lost In Your Eyes. The single Angel Eyes off his See The Light debut album would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Healey was born in 1966
March 2, 2005 ~ Pianist, percussionist, bandleader, conductor Martin Denny passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Generally considered “the Father of Exotica”, merging lounge jazz, Hawaiian music, Latin rhythms, bird calls, and then-exotic instruments. Best known for his 1959 surprise hit Quiet Village, which sold over a million copies. Denny recorded well over two dozen albums, and is especially acclaimed for Hypnotique, Afro-Desia, and Quiet Village. Denny is also known for launching the careers of vibist Arthur Lyman and of Julius Wechter, the latter later reaching mainstream success with the Tijuana Brass and the Baja Marimba Band. Denny's song Firecracker is said to have inspired Haruomi Hosono to establish the Yellow Magic Orchestra ~ Denny was born in 1911March 2, 2003 ~ John Henry Kendricks, commonly known as singer Hank Ballard, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Fronted Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, known for songs such as Work With Me Annie, Sexy Ways, Teardrops On Your Letter, Finger Poppin' Time and The Twist. The latter was initially released as a B-side by Ballard, but would later become a smash hit, and signature tune, for Chubby Checker ~ Ballard was born in 1927
March 2, 2000 ~ Jazz, R&B, soul double bassist, bassist Jimmy Lewis passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Not to be confused with namesake singer Jimmy Lewis of the Drifters. Active since the 1950s performing with the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams, Billie Holiday, Ivory Joe Hunter. Moved to bass guitar during his time with King Curtis. Present on albums by Al Casey, Solomon Burke (If You Need Me), Willis Jackson, John Hammond Jr, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Wilson Pickett (In The Midnight Hour), Byrdie Green, Buddy Terry, Richard Groove Holmes, Charles Kynard (Afro-Disiac), Grant Green, Houston Person, Horace Silver, Boogaloo Joe Jones, and Tiny Grimes ~ Lewis was born in 1918
March 2, 1999 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter David Ackles, full name David Thomas Ackles, passed away in Tujunga, California, USA ~ Former child actor with four albums to his name starting with his eponymous David Ackles debut released in 1968. Though never achieving mainstream succes held in the highest regard by musicians such as Elton John, Phil Collins and Elvis Costello, the latter once stating: “It's a mystery to me why his wonderful songs are not better known” ~ Ackles was born in 1937
March 2, 1999 ~ Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien, commonly known as pop, R&B, blue-eyed soul singer Dusty Springfield, passed away in Henley-on-Thames, UK ~ One of the all-time best-selling artists in the UK and the definitive British blue-eyed soul singer, though she would just as easily draw from pop, traditional pop, chansons, jazz, and country. Praised for the clarity and depth of her emotive vocals. Enjoyed popularity especially during the 1960s, her beehive hairdo, heavy make-up, and evening gowns making her an icon of the swinging sixties. Even though the album initially sold poorly, Springfield is especially acclaimed for her 1969 Dusty In Memphis album, recorded with producer Jerry Wexler. Several would cite the album as one of the all-time best albums, some dubbing it the “all-time rock-era torch record”. Over the course of her career, Springfield racked up over a dozen UK top 20 hits, with I Only Want To Be With You, Wishin' & Hopin', You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, and Son Of A Preacher Man all also doing well on the American Billboard Hot 100 charts ~ O'Brien was born in 1939March 2, 1998 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Marzette Watts passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Only enjoyed a brief career as a recording artist, delivering a handful of acclaimed albums from the late 1960s through the early 1970s, usually backed by an all-star cast. Especially noted for the album Marzette Watts & Company, featuring Byard Lancaster, Clifford Thornton, Henry Grimes, and Sonny Sharrock. Also well known as a sound engineer and a gifted painter ~ Watts was born in 1938
March 2, 1997 ~ Rebbeca Marie Gomez, commonly known as singer, actress Becky G, born in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Discovered by producer Dr Luke who caught one of her online videos. Collaborated with will.i.am, Cody Simpson, Cher Lloyd, and Pitbull. Debuted in 2013 with the single Becky From The Block, its title a nod to Jennifer Lopez' 2002 single Jenny From The Block. Gomez is best known for her 2014 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 Shower, which sold two million copies. Subsequent hits included Can't Stop Dancin', Lovin' So Hard and Break A SweatMarch 2, 1997 ~ Drummer Martin Smith passed away ~ Best known as a member of Gentle Giant, appearing on the band's eponymous Gentle Giant debut album and its follow-up Acquiring The Taste, before being replaced by Malcolm Mortimore. Has also worked with Simon Dupree & the Big Sound ~ Smith was born in 1946
March 2, 1994 ~ Walter Maurice Kaufman, commonly known as conductor, composer, songwriter Walter Kent, passed away in Woodland Hills, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for penning The White Cliffs Of Dover with Nat Burton, first recorded by Bunny Berigan in 1941 and popularized by Vera Lynn in Europe where it became one of the best known World War II songs, and for penning I'll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams), first recorded by Bing Crosby and covered by over a 1,000 artists. Other songs written or co-written by Kent have been recorded by Orville Knapp, Eddy Duchin, Jimmy Dorsey (Isle Of Pines), Glenn Miller (When The Roses Bloom Again), Count Basie, and Frankie Laine (I'm Gonna Live Till I Die) ~ Kaufman was born in 1911
March 2, 1991 ~ Lucien Ginsburg, commonly known as singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, actor, director Serge Gainsbourg, passed away in Paris, France ~ Recorded well over a dozen albums from the late 1950s through the 1980s. Though controversial during his lifetime, known for his provocative style, Gainsbourg has become one of the most influential figures in French pop, drawing from jazz, chanson, yé-yé, pop, rock, funk, electronica and other idioms. Gainsbourg is said to have written over 500 songs, recorded by over a 1,000 artists. Internationally, he is perhaps best known for the 1967 hit Je T'Aime (Moi Non Plus) with singer, actress Jane Birkin. Gainsbourg and Birkin were romantically involved from 1968 until 1980, the singer Charlotte Gainsbourg is their daughter ~ Ginsburg was born in 1928
March 2, 1990 ~ James D Harris, commonly known as blues singer Shakey Jake Harris, passed away in Forrest City, Arkansas, USA ~ Best known for his 1958 debut single Call Me If You Need Me b/w Roll Your Moneymaker. The single was produced by Willie Dixon, and featured Syl Johnson and Magic Sam, his nephew. Reportedly, Harris was never paid for the session, but he won $700 shooting craps with label owner Eli Toscano ~ Harris was born in 1921
March 2, 1988 ~ Pop, R&B, soul singer, songwriter James Arthur, full name James Andrew Arthur, born in Middlesbrough, UK ~ First gained attention winning the ninth season of the talent contest The X-Factor in his native UK, beating fellow finalists Jahméne, who placed second, and Christopher Maloney, who reached third place. Following his success on the show, Arthur winner single Impossible, issued as a charity single, would debut atop the UK charts. The follow-up single You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You would reach No.2. Arhur issued his eponymous James Arthur debut album in 2013 and has continued to record to mixed success since, making him one of the most lasting The X-Factor acts. Well known songs include Say You Won't Let Go, his second UK charttopper and a Billboard Hot 100 No.11 hit, as well as Naked, the Anne-Marie duet Rewrite The Stars, and Lasting Lover with Sigala