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, 1943 ~ Jazz drummer Jon Christensen, full name Jon Ivar Christensen, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Father of singer Emilie Stoesen Christensen. Key figure in Norwegian jazz. Active since the late 1960s, starting with the likes of George Russell and Jan Garbarek. Key member of 1980s jazz unit Masqualero. Present on albums by Karin Krog, Lee Konitz, Steve Kuhn, Terje Rypdal, Keith Jarrett (Belonging), Ralph Towner (Solstice), Enrico Rava, Blow Out, Miroslav Vitous, John Abercrombie, and Tomasz Stańko ~ Christensen passed away in 2020March 20, 1942 ~ Country singer Al Dexter records Pistol Packin' Mama at CBS Columbia Square Studio, Los Angeles, California ~ Written and first recorded by Al Dexter. Released later the same month, Rosalita featured on the flip side. Backing musicians included Johnny Bond and Dick Reinhart. The single would become a nationwide sensation, eventually selling over 3 million records. It would notably be covered by Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters the same year. Over time numerous would record the song, including Gene Vincent, Lloyd Price, Hank Thompson and Boxcar Willie
March 20, 1941 ~ Pianist, guitarist, singer Mike Settle, fulll name Michael Ward Settle, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Member of the New Christy Minstrels. As a solo artist best known for his 1961 debut album Folk Sing Hallelujah and especially the track Sing Hallelujah notably covered by Judy Collins. Also worked with Kenny Rogers' backing unit the First Edition from 1967 to 1970, also writing a number of the band's best known such as But You Know I Love You and The Last Few Threads Of Love
March 20, 1940 ~ Trombonist, conductor, composer Frode Thingnæs born in Nore-og-Uvdal, Norway ~ Classical, jazz, pop conductor, composer. Composed the music for Norway's 1974 and 1976 Eurovision Songfestival entries, respectively Hvor Er Du and Mata Hari. Worked with Egil Kapstad, Terje Rypdal, Laila Dalseth, Espen Rud, Bjørn Alterhaug, Per Husby, Popol Ace, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Anne-Karine Strøm, Kampen Janitsjarorkester, Wenche Myhre, Lill Lindfors, Svante Thuresson, Einar Schanke, Alfred Naess, Yngvar Numme, and the Bodega Band ~ Thingnaes passed away in 2012
March 20, 1939 ~ Lawrence Ira Kahn, commonly known as salsa keyboardist, bandleader, producer, composer Larry Harlow born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Son of opera singer Rose Sherman and bandleader Buddy Kahn. Larry Harlow led Orchestra Harlow, the second orchestra to be signed to Fania. Harlow has recorded numerous albums with his own ensembles and produced over a 100 albums for various artist, mostly. Founded the Fania All-Stars, regarded as the seminal and most-important salsa group to date ~ Harlow passed away in 2021March 20, 1938 ~ R&B singer Carlis McKinley Monroe born ~ Member of late 1960s, early 1970s R&B outfit 100 Proof (Aged In Soul). Has formerly sang with the Falcons, the Firestones and with the Fabulous Playboys ~ Monroe passed away in 2009
March 20, 1937 ~ Saxophonist Eddie Shaw born in Stringtown, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his association with Howlin' Wolf, leading Wolf's backing unit the Wolf Gang from 1972 onwards. Wrote or co-wrote half the songs on Wolf's 1973 album Back Door Wolf. In his teens worked with Little Milton, Willie Love and an ocassional jam session with Ike Turner at age 14. Joined Muddy Waters backing unit at age 20. Also worked with Hound Dog Taylor, Freddie King, Otis Rush, and Magic Sam. Released nine albums as a solo artist, starting with 1982's Moving & Grooving through 2012's Still Riding High ~ Shaw passed away in 2018
March 20, 1937 ~ Jerry Reed Hubbard, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Jerry Reed, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Known for songs such as Guitar Man, US Male, A Thing Called Love, Alabama Wild Man, Amos Moses, When You're Hot You're Hot, Lord Mr Ford, and East Bound And Down. Member of country supergroup Old Dogs, which also included Mel Tillis, Bobby Bare and Waylon Jennings ~ Reed passed away in 2008March 20, 1937 ~ R&B singer Joe Rivers born in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Formed the duo Johnnie & Joe with Johnnie Louise Richardson, known for late 1950s songs such as Over The Mountain (Across The Sea), I'll Be Spinning and My Baby's Gone On On, all of which reached top 20 Billboard R&B ~ Rivers passed away in 2016
March 20, 1937 ~ Country singer, guitarist Tommy Hunter, full name Thomas James Hunter, born in London, Canada ~ Best known for his work in radio and TV from the 1950s through the early 1990s, notably hosting The Tommy Hunter Show TV show on the Canadian network CBC during the 1980s. Artists who made appearances on the show early on in their careers include Gordon Lightfoot, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and Yvonne Murray. After Hunter's show was cancelled in the early 1990s he would tour with his band the Travelling Men, retiring from performing in 2012
March 20, 1936 ~ Hard bop, post-bop, soul jazz pianist, composer Harold Mabern born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Described as one of the great post-bop pianists, Mabern has recorded over 20 albums as a leader, starting with A Few Miles From Memphis released in 1968. Initially started on drums. Self-taught on piano by emulating Charles Thomas and Phineas Newborn Jr. In the mid 1950s Mabern played in Chicago with artists such as Walter Baby Sweet Perkins. Moved to New York in 1959 and replaced Tommy Flanagan in trumpeter Harry Sweets Edison's backing band. Backed Jimmy Forrest for a recording that resulted in the albums All The Gin Is Gone and Black Forrest. Mabern continued to perform, tour and record as a sideman with artists such as Lionel Hampton, the Jazztet, Betty Carter, Johnny Hartman, Arthur Prysock, Donald Byrd, Roy Haynes, Miles Davis, JJ Johnson, Sonny Rollins, Lee Morgan, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Blue Mitchell, Sarah Vaughan, and Joe Williams ~ Mabern passed away in 2019March 20, 1935 ~ Drummer Sam Lay, full name Samuel Julian Lay, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Worked with Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, Eddie Taylor, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Bo Diddley, Magic Sam, Jimmy Rogers, Earl Hooker, Muddy Waters, Moon Dog Combo, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the Siegel-Schwall Band, Mike Bloomfield, and Johnnie Marshall ~ Lay passed away in 2022
March 20, 1927 ~ Classical composer John Joubert, full name John Pierre Herman Joubert, born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Music academic associated with the universities of Hull and Birmingham. Composed over 160 works including symphonies, concertos, and operas. Best known for the carols Torches and There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue and the anthem O Lorde The Maker Of All Thing ~ Joubert passed away in 2019
March 20, 1927 ~ Trombonist, trumpeter, saxophonist John RT Davies, full name John Ross Twiston Davies, born in Wivelsfield, UK ~ As a musician has played with Ken Colyer in the Crane River Jazz Band during the 1950s and with the jazz revival band the Temperance Seven during the 1960s, including on the latter's You're Driving Me Crazy 1961 hit single. Best known though as a sound enigeer, specialized in restoring classic jazz records. Founded his own Ristic label, reissuing early jazz recordings ~ Davies passed away in 2004
March 20, 1921 ~ Jazz saxophonist Jimmy Coe born in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, USA ~ Active since the late 1930s. Has worked with Erroll Groundhog Grandy, Buddy Bryat, Jay McShann, Charlie Parker, Al Hibbler, Tiny Bradshaw, Aretha Franklin, Roy Hamilton, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Slide Hampton, David Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Carl Perkins, Larry Ridley, and Leroy Vinnegar ~ Coe passed away in 2004
March 20, 1918 ~ Margaret Marian Tuner, commonly known as jazz pianist, composer Marian McPartland, born in Slough, UK ~ Met her husband cornetist Jimmy McPartland when both served in the USO, playing for the Allied troops during World War II. After the war Marian played with Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Terry Gibbs, Joe Morello, Vinnie Burke, and Bill Crow ~ Turner passed away in 2013
March 20, 1917 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Vera Lynn, full name Vera Margaret Lynn, born in East Ham, UK ~ Widely known for her concerts for the troops during World War II. Best known for songs such as We'll Meet Again, The White Cliffs Of Dover, A Nightingale Sang In Berkely Square, There'll Always Be An England, Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart, and My Son My Son. Became the oldest person, at age 97, to top the English album charts, with the compilation album We'll Meet Again (The Very Best Of Vera Lynn) in 2014 ~ Lynn passed away in 2020
March 20, 1915 ~ Blues singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, USA ~ Gospel, blues singer popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Influenced early rock & roll musicians such as Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Also a major influence on later British stars, such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Keith Richards. Pioneered use of deliberate distortion on the electric guitar. Pushed pop-gospel, gospel-influenced pop into the mainstream. Known for songs such as Rock Me, Down By The Riverside, and Strange Things Happening Every Day ~ Tharpe passed away in 1973
March 20, 1915 ~ Pianist Sviatoslav Richter, full name Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter, born in Zhytomyr, Volhynian Governate ~ Praised for the depth of his interpretations and virtuoso technique and generally regarded as one of the all-time greatest pianists. Frequent accompaniest of soprano singer Nina Dorliak. As a conductor premiered Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony Concerto For Cello And Orchestra in 1952. Critically acclaimed for his 1960 performance of Johannes Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra ~ Richter passed away in 1997March 20, 1912 ~ Pianist Andreja Preger born in Pecs Austro, Austro-Hungary ~ Of Jewish descent and member of the Yugoslav Resistance during World War II. Became a noted concert pianist after the war. Co-founded the Belgrade Trio ~ Preger passed away in 2015
March 20, 1908 ~ Jazz, pop bandleader, saxophonist Bob Chester born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Known for songs such as Wait Till The Sun Shines Nelie, Madellaine, Not A Care In The World and With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair. Employed sidemen such as Alec Fila, Nick Travis, Lou Mucci, Conrad Gozzo, Herbie Steward, Peanuts Hucko, Irv Kluger, Dolores O'Neill, Kathleen Lane, Betty Bradley, Gene Howard, Bill Darnell, Stu Brayton, and Bob Haymes ~ Chester passed away in 1977March 20, 1892 ~ Composer Arthur Goring Thomas passed away in London, UK ~ Composed choral music, orchestral music, song and duets, cantatas, ballets and operas. Best known for his 1885 Nadeshda opera. Committed suicide at age 41 ~ Thomas was born in 1850