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 21, 2025 ~ Rock, garage rock singer, keyboardist Larry Tamblyn, full name Lawrence Arnold Tamblyn, passed away in Newnan, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Standells, which would serve as inspiration for later punk groups such as the Ramones and the Sex Pistols. The band is known best for their 1966 Billboard Hot 100 No.11 hit Dirty Water. The song, written by the band's producer Ed Cobb, with some additional contributions by several band members, has gone on to become acknowledged as one of the quintessential 1960s garage rock hits and remains a staple of classic rock radio to this day. In later years, the song would also be adopted as an anthem played after every hometown win by Boston baseball team the Boston Red Sox. Dirty Water has been named as one of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll by the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Although the band would be unable to score another Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit, Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White would also become a classic, later covered by hardcore band Minor Threat as well as by punk outfit the Cramps ~ Tamblyn was born in 1943
March 21, 2022 ~ Gospel singer, songwriter LaShun Pace, full name Tarrian LaShun Pace, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ On-and-off member of sibling outfit the Anointed Pace Sisters. Renowned solo artist, releasing her He Lives debut album in 1990 which reached top 10 on the Billboard Gospel album charts. Known best for songs such as Act Like You Know featuring Karen Clark Sheard, There's A Leak In This Old Building, Walk With Me and her signature song I Know I've Been Changed. Has also ventured into acting, most notably in the role of the Angel of Mercy in the 1992 film Leap Of Faith ~ Pace was born in 1961
March 21, 2021 ~ Experimental musical instrument inventor, singer, painter, sculptor Constance Demby, full name Constance Mary Demby, passed away in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Considered a pioneer in new age music. Plays piano, keyboards, dulcimer, koto, harpeleck, tamboura, and numerous self-invented sheet metal sound scultpures combining her work as a musician and a sculptor. Over a dozen album to her name. Best known for her 1986 Novus Magnificat album ~ Demby was born in 1939March 21, 2021 ~ Singer, actress Hana Hegerová passed away in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Dubbed “the Queen of Czechoslovak chanson” and primarily a singer of chansons, including Czech versions of songs originally by Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Kurt Weill, and Charles Aznavour. Enjoyed some popularity in German-speaking countries, yet forced to stop her activities abroad by Czech authorities from the mid 1970s through early 1980s. Hegerová retired from music in 2011 ~ Hegerová was born in 1931
March 21, 2019 ~ Doris Curry, commonly known as soul, southern soul, R&B, gospel singer Doris Duke, passed away in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Married to doo-wop singer Gus Willingham. In-demand session and backing singer, notably present on Nina Simone's A Very Rare Evening live album. Released her Running Away From Loneliness debut single in 1966 under her married name Doris Willingham. Best known among aficionados for her 1969 I'm A Loser, spawning the Billboard R&B top 10 hit To The Other Woman (I'm The Other Woman). The album has over time become to be regarded as one of the finest deep soul records of all time ~ Curry was born in 1941
March 21, 2015 ~ Sharon Finkelstein, commonly known as blue-eyed soul singer Sharon Tandy, passed away in London, UK ~ Critically compared to Dusty Springfield, Julie Driscoll and Christine McVie, enjoying some modest succes in 1960s UK wave of blue-eyed soul, Tandy drawing from R&B, British pop and mod-psychedelia. Known for songs such as Hold On, Daughter Of The Sun, Border Town and Toe Hold. Due to the lack of commercial succes Tandy mostly retired from music by the 1970s, recording only sporadically ~ Finkelstein was born in 1943
March 21, 2014 ~ Pop, rock guitarist, bouzouki player Wout Pennings passed away in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ~ Best known for his association with singer, songwriter Frank Boeijen. Founded 1970s country-rock outfit Country Road. Also worked with Lenny Kuhr, Kaz Lux, Rob de Nijs, Auto Da Fé, de Boem Boem Bluesband, Kali Tichi, Nels Busch, Henk Wanders, and Emanuel Pessanhas ~ Pennings was born in 1950
March 21, 2011 ~ Joe Willie Perkins, commonly known as pianist Pinetop Perkins, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Accompanied some of the greatest names in blues. Perhaps best known for his association with Muddy Waters. Also worked with Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, BB King, Ronnie Earl, Bob Margolin, Carey Bell, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd ~ Perkins was born in 1913March 21, 2009 ~ Songwriter, producer Ted Jarrett, full name Theodore Roosevelt Jarrett Jr, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ A&R scout for Tennessee Records. Wrote It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day), a hit for Louis Brooks and later recorded by Hank Ballard and Ruth Brown. Wrote Love Love Love, a 1955 hit for Webb Pierce. Wrote and produced You Can Make It If You Try, a hit for Gene Allison and notably covered by the Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy and Gene Vincent. Has also produced artists such as Christine Kittrell, the Fairfield Four, Larry Birdsong, Roscoe Shelton, and the Avons ~ Jarrett was born in 1925
March 21, 2008 ~ Krautrock, proto-punk, art rock, post-punk drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Klaus Dinger passed away ~ Appeared on Kraftwerk's 1970 eponymous Kraftwerk debut album, playing on the track Von Himmel Hoch. Best known as co-founding member of pioneering krautrock band Neu, the group actually being named by Dinger, known for the albums Neu, Neu 2, and Neu 75. Though they initially had little commercial success the band would in retrospect be credited as quintessential to the development of krautrock and prove influential on later genres such as electronica and punk. Following the band's initial disbandement in 1975 Dinger has played with La Düsseldorf, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Dinger was born in 1946
March 21, 2004 ~ R&B, soul, pop singer, producer, songwriter Johnny Bristol, full name John William Bristol, passed away in Brighton Township, Michigan, USA ~ As a solo artist scored a 1974 hit with Hang On In There Baby, which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. However, Bristol is best known as a songwriter and producer. Bristol co-wrote Someday We'll Be Together, best known as a 1969 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit for the Supremes, the last single by the girl group to feature Diana Ross. Bristol also co-wrote Love Me For A Reason, a 1974 Billboard Hot 100 No.10 hit for the Osmonds, and revived by Boyzone two decades later. Both songs had originally been recorded by Bristol in the early 1960s, the former as part of a duo with Jackey Beavers, the latter as a solo artist. Artists who recorded songs written or produced by Bristol include Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Edwin Starr (25 Miles), the Velvelettes, David Ruffin (My Whole World Ended The Moment You Left Me), Gladys Knight & the Pips, Junior Walker & the All-Stars, the Four Tops (What Is A Man), the Miracles, Randy Crawford, Boz Scaggs (I Got Your Number), Marlena Shaw, Jermaine Jackson, Johnny Mathis, Tavares, Margie Joseph, and the Jackson Sisters. Bristol has one daughter with Iris Gordy, his second wife and the niece of Motown executive Berry Gordy Jr ~ Bristol was born in 1939
March 21, 1997 ~ Martina Stoessel Muziera, commonly known as actress, singer, dancer, model, songwriter Tini, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Child actress, starting her career in the Argentine children's TV series Patiteo Feo in 2007. Would rise to fame as a teenager, portraying the lead role in the Disney telenovela Violetta and subsequently the series' sequel movie. As a singer released her Tini (Martina Stoessel) debut album in 2015 and has recorded mostly to commercial succes since. Well known for songs such as Fresa with Lalo Ebratt, Oye with Sebastián Yatra, Ella Dice with Khea, Miénteme with María Becerra, Bar with L-Gante, and La Triple T
March 21, 1989 ~ Singer Bonnie Raitt releases Nick Of Time, her commercial breakthrough and her first album to top the Billboard Hot 200 album charts ~ Raitt had been going through a series of personal struggles. Dropped by Warner Brothers in 1983 for disappointing sales of the albums The Glow and Green Light, Bonnie Raitt had broken up with her boyfriend producer Rob Fraboni, was forced to dissolve her backing band as she could no longer afford to pay them, struggled with alcohol addiction, and was hospitalized after a skiing accident. In 1988 Raitt had teamed up with producer Don Was for the track Baby Mine, recorded for an album by various artists featuring contemporary interpretations of songs from Disney films. Was agreed to produce her upcoming album, though the project would be rejected by over a dozen executives before Capitol Records gave them a chance. The album would be Raitt's commercial breakthrough, bringing her to mainstream audiences. It would gradually climb the charts, eventually reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 200, and earn her three Grammy Awards including one for Album of the Year
March 21, 1982 ~ Clarence Beeks, commonly known as jazz singer King Pleasure, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Early vocalese singer, putting vocals to previously instrumental songs. Cited by Van Morrison as an influence. Known for recordings such as Moody's Mood For Love, Red Top, I'm Gone, and Jumping With Symphony Sid. Worked with Matthew Gee, Teddy Edwards, Harold Land, Gerald Wiggins, Earl Palmer, Lem Davis, Ray Abrams, Cecil Payne, Leonard Gaskin, Blossom Dearie, Peck Morrison, Herbie Lovelle, Kenny Clarke, JJ Johnson, Lucky Thompson, Danny Bank, Paul Chambers, Jon Hendricks, Quincy Jones, Kai Winding, and Eddie Jefferson ~ Beeks was born in 1922March 21, 1981 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground by Willie Nelson hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Willie Nelson wrote the song sometime in the mid 1970s, but saved it for just the right occasion. It would be used for the soundtrack of the musical drama film Honeysuckle Rose, which also features Nelson as a struggling country singer. Nelson has never been specific about his intent with the song, leaving it up to listeners to interpret it however they see fit: “It's a pretty general theme that can be taken and applied to a lot of different situations. A lot of people have taken it and applied it to their own situation. You could relate it to someone who has died, love affairs or whatever. It has a lot of different meanings to a lot of different people who have no idea why I wrote that song.” Other than performing the lead role in the film, Nelson served as the primary songwriter and performer for the soundtrack which also includes On The Road Again and It's Not Supposed To Be That Way
March 21, 1978 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Louis Cottrell Jr, full name Louis Albert Cottrell Jr, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of influential jazz drummer Louis Cottrell Sr. Best known for founding the Heritage Hall Jazz Band in 1971, leading the ensemble until his death in 1978. As a sideman Cottrell has recorded with artists such as Peter Bocage, Harold Dejan, Sweet Emma Barrett, Kid Howard, and Waldren Joseph ~ Cottrell was born in 1911
March 21, 1978 ~ Rufus Lee Cooper III, commonly known as rapper Young Noble, born in Sierra Madre, California, USA ~ Best known for his association with Tupac Shakur, appearing on the tracks Bomb First (My Reply), Hail Mary, Life Of An Outlaw, and Just Like Dady of Shakur's 1996 Makaveli The Don (Killiminati The 7 Day Theory) album. Noble, sometimes referred to as “Marbles” by Shakur, was the last member to be added to Shakur's rap group Outlawz before the rapper's untimely death in 1996. Noble would go on to work with a wide array of rappers, most notably Bone Thugs 'n Harmony members Krayzie Bone and Layzie Bone, and recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Noble Justice released in 2002. Noble passed away at age 47 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound ~ Cooper passed away in 2025
March 21, 1977 ~ Singer, keyboardist, flutist Peter Gabriel releases Solsbury Hill, lead single off his Peter Gabriel 1 album ~ One of Peter Gabriel's few autobiographical songs, Solsbury Hill was inspired by a spiritual experience Gabriel had atop the Solsbury Hill in Somerset. The singer would later explain the song's meaning, “it's about being prepared to lose what you have for what you might get, it's about letting go”, which was fitting considering Gabriel had been the lead singer of Genesis from 1967 until 1975, and issued Solsbury Hill as his solo debut single. Solsbury Hill would reach top 20 across Europe, including No.10 in the singer's native UK. In America, the single was only a minor hit upon its release, stalling at No.68 Billboard Hot 100, yet it would become one of his best known and a radio staple to this day. In 2013, guitarist Steve Hunter would record an instrumental version of the song for his The Manhattan Blues Project album, backed among others by bassist Tony Levin. Both Hunter and Levin had appeared on the Gabriel originalMarch 21, 1972 ~ William Paul Mitchell, commonly known as rapper, producer the Large Professor, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Founding member of underground hip-hop group the Main Source. Mentor and frequent collaborator of Nas. As a producer worked with Busta Rhymes, the X-Ecutioners, Tragedy Khadafi, Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, and A Tribe Called Quest
March 21, 1971 ~ Soft rock outfit Bread release If, lifted off their Manna album ~ Preceded by Make It With You and It Don't Matter To Me, If would become the band's third Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, where it peaked at No.4. Over the years, the song would be covered by over 300 artists including Perry Como, Olivia Newton-John, Petula Clark, Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, Telly Savalas, and Shirley Bassey. The band's co-lead singer David Gates, who wrote, arranged and produced the song, would later recall writing the song in about an hour and half: “When I was done, I said, ‘That's the best song I've ever written and probably will be the best song I'll ever write.’ For me it's really held up over time, more than any of the others”
March 21, 1970 ~ Singer Dana wins the 15th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Representing her native Ireland, Dana wins with the song All Kinds Of Everythin' written by Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith. Runner-ups would be the UK's Mary Hopkin in 2nd place with Knock Knock Who's There and Germany's Katja Ebstein in 3rd with Wunder Gibt Es Immer Wieder
March 21, 1968 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Andrew Copeland born in Gainesville, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member of Sister Hazel. The band was founded in Gainesville, Florida, in 1993 and named for a local missionary Sister Hazel Williams who ran a homeless shelter. Drawing from southern rock, folk rock and jangle pop the band would grow a devoted local fanbase with spirited poppy songs. Best known for their 1997 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit All For You. Other well known songs include Champagne High, Change Your Mind, and Karaoke Song, the latter featuring guest vocalist Darius Rucker
March 21, 1966 ~ Christopher Edward Martin, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ Premier, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Regarded as one of the most important hip-hop producers. Known for sampling jazz, funk and soul. Formed the hip-hop duo Gang Starr with rapper Guru. Has worked with Anderson Paak, Ludacris, Dr Dre, Royce da 5'9", Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Common, D'Angelo, Joey Badass, Kanye West, KRS One, the LOX, and Mobb Deep
March 21, 1964 ~ Singer Gigliola Cinquetti wins the 9th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Representing Italy, Gigliola Cinquetti wins with the song Non Ho L'Eta written by Nicola Salerno and Mario Panzeri. Runner-ups would beMatt Monro in 2nd place with I Love The Little Things for the UK and Romuald in 3rd with Ou Sont-Elles Passées for Monaco
March 21, 1964 ~ R&B outfit the Isley Brothers record Testify at Atlantic Studios, New York, New York ~ With Ronald Isley on lead, and siblings Rudolph Isley and O'Kelly Isley on backing vocals, this uptempo soul gem was the first single to be released on the siblings' own T-Neck label. Following several successes, record buyers failed to notice the release and the song missed the charts. Over time, however, the recording would become beloved by aficionados, if only for being one of the first recordings featuring guitarist Jimi Hendrix