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 20, 2025 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, banjoist Eddie Adcock passed away in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA ~ While also a formidable guitarist, Adcock is especially acclaimed as a banjoist and as such considered one of most technically proficient and influential on the instrument. Adcock had played with several groups while simultaneously working day jobs and pursuing a career as a boxer, however, it was his stint with the Country Gentlemen that made him a legend in country and bluegrass circles. Adcock remained with the unit for over a decade, starting in the late 1950s, and his unique style played a major role in defining the band's sound. Adcock recorded over half a dozen albums with the band, and appeared on classic tunes such as Bringing Mary Home, This Morning At Nine, Brown Mountain Light, Girl From The North Country, Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor, The Traveler, Matterhorn, and Where I'm Bound. Following his departure from the Country Gentlemen, Adcock would pioneer the new grass sound playing with IInd Generation, collaborate with the likes of David Allan Coe, Peter Rowan, Josh Graves, and Mac Wiseman, and perform and record both as a solo artist, and with his wife singer Martha Adcock, the Adcock couple frequently reffered to as “the biggest little band in bluegrass” ~ Adcock was born in 1938
March 20, 2024 ~ Elsa Mazzetti, commonly known as pop singer Cocky Mazzetti, passed away in Milan, Italy ~ Took her stage name after her poodle named “Cocky”. Member of the Minstrels Of Jazz during the 1950s. As a solo artist, Mazzetti enjoyed popularity through the mid 1960s. Well-known songs include an Italian translation of the Los Machucambos track Pepito, Giovane Giovane, and Nuttata 'E Luna. Later on in her career, Mazzetti gained renewed attention on the oldies circuit including as a member of the group the Oldies and as a recurring guest on several nostalgia-themed music TV shows on RAI ~ Mazzetti was born in 1937March 20, 2023 ~ Actress, singer Anita Thallaug passed away ~ Best known as an actress for stage including musicals, film and TV. Sister of opera singer Edith Thallaug. Performing since the age of 7 and frequently featured in children's TV shows during the 1950s. Represented her native Norway in the 1963 Eurovision Songfestival, finishing thirteenth with the song Solhverv ~ Thallaug was born in 1938
March 20, 2022 ~ Classical, contemporary classical composer Lyell Creswell, full name Lyell Richard Creswell, passed away in Edinburgh, UK ~ Composed for orchestra, chamber ensembles, choir, voice, and solo instruments. Well known pieces include Salm, Dragspil, Shadows Without Sun, and the song cycle The Clock Stops inspired by the Christchurch 2010 and 2011 earthquakes ~ Creswell was born in 1944
March 20, 2021 ~ William Henry Deppenschmidt, commonly known as jazz drummer Buddy Deppenschmidt, passed away in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with territory and local bands, prior to joining Charlie Byrd's trio by the late 1950s, a role he would become best known for. Played with Byrd through 1963, including on the acclaimed Jazz Samba album which started a bossa nova craze fueled by the album's hit single Desafinado. Following his tenure with Byrd, Deppenschmidt has worked with Herb Ellis, John Coates Jr, Bernard Peiffer, Jim Kweskin (Jump For Joy), Mose Allison, Chet Baker, Lionel Hampton, Milt Hinton, Maxine Sullivan, and Joe Venuti, and led his own band Jazz Renaissance with a rotating cast of sidemen ~ Deppenschmidt was born in 1936March 20, 2021 ~ Operatic soprano Taryn Fiebig passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Principal soprano with the Opera Australia since 2005, known for roles in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's La Clemenzia Di Tito, The Marriage Of Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, Henry Purcell's Didi And Aeneas, Gioachino Rossini's La Cenerentola, and Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème. Married baritone Jud Arthur in 2015, previously Fiebig had been married to composer Iain Grandage ~ Fiebig was born in 1972
March 20, 2020 ~ Trumpeter, conductor, director, composer, arranger Johnny Harris, full name John Stanley Livingstone, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Turned down an offer from Elvis Presley, twice. Trumpeter in bands led by Vic Lewis, Ken Mackintosh, and Cyril Stapleton. Member of beat group the Shubdubs. As a conductor, arranger, director, or producer Harris has worked with artists such as Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Lynda Carter, Jackie Trent, Roy Budd, Lulu, Ginette Reno, Paul Anka, and Odia Coates ~ Harris was born in 1932
March 20, 2020 ~ Singer, actor Kenny Rogers, full name Kenneth Donald Rogers, passed away in Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA ~ Hugely successful cross-over singer, especially during the 1970s and 1980s. Sold over 100 million records during his lifetime. Known for songs such as Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In, Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town, Love Lifted Me, The Gambler, Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got), and Lucille. Worked with the Scholars, Bobby Doyle, Mickey Gilley, Eddy Arnold, the New Christy Minstrels, Larry Butler, extensively with Dottie West, with Kim Carnes (Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer), Lynda Carter, Dolly Parton (You Can't Make Old Friends, Islands In The Stream), Sheena Easton, Lionel Richie (who wrote Rogers' Lady), David Foster, Barry Gibb, Ronnie Milsap, Whitney Duncan, and Bloodline Rogers ~ Rogers was born in 1938March 20, 2017 ~ Conductor Louis Frémaux, full name Louis Joseph Felix Frémaux, passed away in Blois, France ~ Member of the French Resistance during World War II. As a conductor and director worked with the Monte Carlo Orchestre, the Orchestre National De Lyon, the City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra ~ Frémaux was born in 1921
March 20, 2017 ~ Trumpeter Tony Terran passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of highly revered collective of first call session musicians the Wrecking Crew. Has backed artists such as the Jackson 5, the Mamas & the Papas, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Bee Gees, Ray Charles, Chicago, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Elvis Presley, Eartha Kitt, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Madonna, Dean Martin, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, the Baja Marimba Band, the Tijuana Brass, the Carpenters, and Tom Waits. Also known for his many recordings for TV series, I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, Star Trek, The Love Boat, and films such as An Officer And A Gentleman, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and The Exorcist ~ Terran was born in 1926March 20, 2015 ~ Alexander Jude Pero, commonly known as drummer AJ Pero, passed away in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA ~ Best known as a member of Twisted Sister and of the Adrenalin Mob. Also worked with the Cities, No More Tears, and Circle Of Thorns ~ Pero was born in 1959
March 20, 2015 ~ Jazz saxophonist, arranger Paul Jeffrey passed away in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Closely associated with Thelonious Monk, backing the pianist from 1970 through 1975. Has toured with Illinois Jacquet, Elmo Hope, Big Maybelle, Wynonie Harris, and BB King, and appeared on albums by the likes of Charles Moffett (The Gift), Sam Rivers, Ricky Ford, Duke Jordan, Charles Mingus (Cumbia & Jazz Fusion), Lionel Hampton, Gerry Mulligan, and Curtis Fuller ~ Jeffrey was born in 1933
March 20, 2013 ~ Jazz saxophonist George Barrow passed away ~ Active since the 1950s, notably backing Charles Mingus on the quintessential albums The Moods Of Mingus, Mingus At The Bohemia, and Jazz Composers Workshop. An in-demand sideman, Barrow would go on to appear on albums by the likes of Kenny Clarke, Teddy Charles (The Teddy Charles Tentet), Mary Ann McCall, Big Maybelle, Eddie Lockjaw Davis (Trane Whistle), Oliver Nelson (The Blues And The Abstract Truth), Jimmy Forrest, Gene Ammons, Frank Wess, Clark Terry (Mellow Moods), Etta Jones, Sam Cooke (Sam Cooke At The Copa), Clifford Thornton, and David Amram ~ Barrow was born in 1921March 20, 2013 ~ Risë Gus Steenberg, commonly known as operatic mezzo-soprano singer Risë Stevens, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera, starring in numerous operas for over two decades starting in 1938. Would go on to serve as director of the Metropolitan Opera National Company from 1963 through 1968 ~ Steenberg was born in 1913
March 20, 2011 ~ Steel guitarist, songwriter Ralph Mooney, full name Ralph Eugene Mooney, passed away in Kennedale, Texas, USA ~ Key player on the Bakersfield country scene. Has worked with Wynn Stewart, Buck Owens, and with Merle Haggard. Member of Waylon Jennings' backing band for two decades. Co-wrote Crazy Arms, Ray Price's first major hit topping the country chart in 1956. Especially known for his instrumental work, notably showcased on Corn Pickin' & Slick Slidin', a 1968 collaborative album with guitarist James Burton ~ Mooney was born in 1928
March 20, 2009 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Mel Brown passed away in Kitchener, Canada ~ Best known for his association with Bobby Blue Bland. Also a solo artist with over a dozen albums to his name starting with Chicken Fat in 1967. Has worked with Clifford Coultier, BB King, Albert Collins, James Cotton, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy McGriff, Doug Sahm, Earl Hooker, and T-Bone Walker ~ Brown was born in 1939March 20, 2001 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Jay Cameron passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Fronted the International Sax Band and the Third Herdsmen. Spent most of the 1940s backing Ike Carpenter. Would go on to work with Rex Stewart, Bill Coleman, Roy Haynes, Henri Renaud, Bobby Jaspar, Barney Wilen, Jean-Louis Chautemps, Woody Herman, Slide Hampton, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Freddie Hubbard, Candido Camero, Bill Barron, André Hodeir, Hal McKusick, Les Elgart, Larry Elgart, and Paul Winter ~ Cameron was born in 1928
March 20, 2000 ~ Gene Andrusco, commonly known as rock, alternative rock, funk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Gene Eugene, passed away in Huntington Beach, California, USA ~ Best known for fronting alternative rock band Adam Again. Member of the Swirling Eddies. Co-founding member of supergroup the Lost Dogs. Notable credits as a producer and engineer include 441, Randy Stonehill, the 77's, Daniel Amos, Aunt Bettys, the Kosmos Express and Starflyer '59 ~ Andrusco was born in 1961
March 20, 2000 ~ Journalist, author, columnist, critic, radio and TV personality Johan Anthierens passed away in Dilbeek, Belgium ~ Hosted Charme Van Het Chanson on Belgian public radio, showcasing his knowledge of and love for chansons, especially the anarchic lyrics of Leo Ferré, Georges Brassens, and Jacques Brel. Regularly irritated the censors. Fired for reading the lyrics of Evviva Il Papa on-air, a banned song protesting the Pope. Fired as co-host of TV show Noord-Zuid after angering singer Vader Abraham to the point of the latter walking out. The other host, Mies Bouwman, was offered a new co-host but declined and the show would be canceled altogether ~ Anthierens was born in 1937
March 20, 1990 ~ New jack swing vocal group Bell Biv DeVoe release their Poison debut album ~ The group was comprised of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe, three former members of New Edition. Although the trio had no immediate plans once New Edition disbanded, it would be at the suggestion of producer Jimmy Jam that they teamed up and formed Bell Biv DeVoe. It worked out, as they would become one of the earliest new jack swing acts with crossover appeal, merging R&B, hip hop and urban contemporary. All five singles of their debut album reached top 10 Billboard R&B, with Poison and Do Me crossing over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 where both peaked at No.3. The album would sell over 4 million copies
March 20, 1990 ~ Singer Madonna releases Vogue, lead single off her I'm Breathless album ~ Written and produced by Madonna and Shep Pettibone. Inspired by voguing, a dance which was part of the underground gay scene in New York. Vogue is a house song with influences of disco, which contains escapist lyrics describing the dance floor as “a place where no boundaries exist”. At the time of its release, it became her biggest selling single, and topped the charts in over a dozen countries including Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA. The song would later be covered by several artists, including notably Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé, and Ariana GrandeMarch 20, 1989 ~ Country, country-pop singer, guitarist Lindsay Ell, full name Lindsay Elizabeth Ell, born in Calgary, Canada ~ Discovered by Randy Bachman. Draws from rock, blues, pop. Influenced by John Mayer, Keith Urban, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton. Released her Consider This debut album in 2008. Best known for songs such as All Alright, Waiting On You, Criminal, What Happens In A Small Town with Brantley Gilbert and Want Me Back
March 20, 1988 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Angel Taylor, full name Angel Mae Taylor, born in Sylmar, California, USA ~ Debuted in 2009 with the Love Travels album. Has opened for acts such as Five For Fighting, Mat Kearney, Sugar Ray
March 20, 1988 ~ Ian Ernest Gilmore Green, commonly known as jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger, composer Gil Evans, passed away in Cuernavaca, Mexico ~ Helped develop cool jazz, modal jazz, free jazz. Closely associated with Miles Davis, arranging the pivotal Davis albums Miles Ahead, Porgy & Bess and Sketches Of Spain. Has also worked with Kenny Burrell, Claude Thornhill, Glen Hall, Astrud Gilberto, Kimiko Kasai, Masabumi Kikuchi, Lee Konitz, Lucy Reed, Ray Russell, James Senese, and Lew Soloff ~ Green was born in 1912
March 20, 1987 ~ Guitarist, producer, arranger Norman Harris, full name Norman Ray Harris, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Co-founded MFSB. Session guitarist and arranger for Philadelphia International Records. Member of the Salsoul Orchestra. Arranger, producer, songwriter for the likes of Blue Magic, the Trammps (Hold Back The Night), First Choice (Armed And Extremely Dangerous), the Dells, the Four Tops, the Temptations, the Whispers, Eddie Kendricks, Barbara Mason, Curtis Mayfield, Bunny Sigler, Joe Simon, Major Harris, Loleatta Holloway (Catch Me On The Rebound), and Eddie Holman. ~ Harris was born in 1947