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 24, 2026 ~ Singer, songwriter Gino Paoli passed away in Genoa, Italy ~ An icon of Italian pop music, Paoli would rise to fame in the early 1960s as the leading voice of a generation of musicians inspired by Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens. Alongside artists such as Luigi Tenco, Bruno Lauzi, Umberto Bindi, and Giorgio Calabrese, Paoli is known as a key member of what would become known as “the Genovese school” of Italian songwriting. Numerous songs written or co-written by Paoli have become classics of Italian pop, recorded by dozens of artists, with some also finding their way to audiences outside Italy. Early successes include Paoli's own recordings of La Gatta, Senza Fine and Sapore Di Sale, Mina's rendition of Il Cielo In Una Stanza, and Umberto Bindi's Il Mio Mondo, the latter written by Paoli and Bindi and first recorded by the latter. Il Mio Mondo would also become well known abroad, translated to You're My World, as a career defining hit for Cilla Black and later recorded by dozens of artists including Dionne Warwick and Tom Jones. Artists such as Dean Martin and Connie Francis have recorded Italian-language versions of Paoli's songs. As a singer, Paoli has recorded well over two dozen albums ~ Paoli was born in 1934
March 24, 2024 ~ Dennis Bouman, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Def Rhymz, passed away in Utrecht, the Netherlands ~ Enjoyed popularity especially in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Has recorded the albums De Goeiste, De Allergoeiste, and Hoorgasme. Best known for Doekoe and Schudden, both of which topped the charts in the Netherlands. Has also notably collaborated with the Postmen on the Doe Maar-cover De Bom, a Dutch top 10 hit at the turn of the century ~ Bouman was born in [artist-def-rhymz]March 24, 2024 ~ R&B, funk singer Vincent Bonham passed away ~ Co-founding member of Raydio, with whom he recorded four albums during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The band is best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Jack And Jill, You Can't Change That, and A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do), and launched the career of lead singer Ray Parker Jr. Following the band's disbandement, Bonham has produced his bandmate Jerry Knight's Perfect Fit solo album, and served as backing musician for Prince, Chaka Khan, and Evelyn Champagne King ~ Bonham was born ca.1957
March 24, 2022 ~ Classical, TV, film composer John McLeod passed away in Edinburgh, UK ~ Had numerous of his works premiered by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Others who performed his compositions include the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Well known works include Out Of The Silence, Percussion Concerto, Symphonies Of Stone And Water and Viola Concerto ~ McLeod was born in 1934
March 24, 2021 ~ Rock, country, country rock drummer, songwriter Don Heffington passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Lone Justice, best known for the singles Ways To Be Wicked and Shelter. Member of bluegrass outfit Watkins Family Hour. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with acts such as Lowell George, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Victoria Williams, the Wallflowers, the Jayhawks, and Joanna Newsom ~ Heffington was born in 1950
March 24, 2020 ~ Drummer Bill Rieflin, full name William Frederick Rieflin, passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Industrial rock, industrial metal drummer rose to fame in the 1990s. Worked with Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Lard, KMFDM, Pigface, Swans, Chris Connelly, Nine Inch Nails, REM, Slow Music, the Humans, Minus 5, Robert Fripp, Acid Horse, Blackouts, Sweet '75, and King Crimson ~ Rieflin was born in 1960March 24, 2019 ~ Son cubano, Afro-Cuban jazz saxophonist Issa Cissoko passed away ~ Best known as member of the internationally acclaimed the Orchestra Baobab, joining the band in 1972. As a songwriter infused the band's oeuvre with reggae and ska influences. In-demand collaborator for a host of other artists, perhaps most notably Youssou n'Dour ~ Cissokho was born ca.1946
March 24, 2019 ~ Joseph Alia Incagnoli Jr, commonly known as producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Joe Harvard, passed away in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA ~ As a producer helped lay the foundation for bands such as the Pixies, the Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr, Buffalo Tom, and Throwing Muses ~ Incagnoli was born in 1959
March 24, 2017 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Avo Uvezian passed away in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Claims to have written the music for Frank Sinatra's Strangers In The Night eventhough the song is credited to Bert Kaempfert ~ Uvezian was born in 1926
March 24, 2017 ~ Washboardist Pete Shotton passed away in Knutsford, UK ~ Member of the Quarrymen, precursor of the Beatles. Became a lifelong friend of John Lennon. Became a successful businessman in the restaurant and retail industries, known for founding the Fatty Arbuckle's chain of restaurants ~ Shotton was born in 1941
March 24, 2016 ~ Roger Marcel Cicero Ciceu, commonly known as jazz and pop singer Roger Cicero, passed away in Hamburg, Germany ~ Son of jazz pianist Eugen Cicero, with whom he also worked. Opened for Helen Vita at age 11. Debuted on TV aged 16 teaming up with the RIAS Tanzorkester under the direction of Horst Jankowski. Also worked with de Jazzkantine, Soulounge, and Julia Hülsmann. Represented Germany at 2007's edition of Eurovision Songfestival, ranking 19th with the song Frauen Regiern Die Welt ~ Ciceu was born in 1970
March 24, 2013 ~ Dennis Lusier, commonly known as songwriter, producer Deke Richards, passed away in Bellingham, Washington, USA ~ Closely associated with Motown label, member of songwriting collective the Clan, member of producer, songwriter team the Corporation. Wrote and produced for artists such as Bobby Darin, Martha & the Vandellas, the Blackberries, Stacie Johnson, Diana Ross, the Supremes, Sherlie Matthews, and the 5th Dimension ~ Lussier was born in 1944
March 24, 2010 ~ Johnny Mastrangelo, commonly known as doo-wop, R&B singer Johnny Maestro, passed away in Cape Coral, Florida, USA ~ Original lead singer of the Crests, one one the first interracial groups and known for songs such as 16 Candles, The Angels Listened In, Trouble In Paradise. Maestro departed the band in 1960 to pursue a solo career, scoring moderate hits throughout the remainder of the decade. Would go on to front Brooklyn Bridge from 1968 onwards, notably known for the 1969 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Worst That Could Happen ~ Mastrangelo was born in 1939March 24, 2009 ~ R&B singer Carlis McKinley Monroe passed away ~ 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 was born in 1938
March 24, 2009 ~ Drummer Uriel Jones passed away in Dearborn, Michigan, USA ~ Member of Motown house band the Funk Brothers, initially hired as a fill-in for Benny Benjamin eventually taking on bigger role through the early 1970s. Appears on records such as the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell duet Ain't No Mountain High Enough, the Temptations hits Cloud Nine and Ain't Too Proud To Beg, the Miracles' I Second That Emotion, and Stevie Wonder's For Once In My Life ~ Jones was born in 1934
March 24, 2008 ~ Chalmers Edward Alford, commonly known a blues, gospel, neo soul guitarist Chalmers Alford or Chalmers Spanky Alford, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Gospel guitar player from the 1960s through the 1980s including with the Mighty Clouds Of Joy. From the 1990s onwards productive in the neo-soul genre. Has worked with D'Angelo, Tony Toni Toné, the Soultronics, Questlove, James Poyser, Pino Palladino, Anthony Hamilton, Joss Stone, John Mayer, Mary J Blige, Raphael Saadiq, Roy Hargrove, the Roots, Vikter Duplaix, Evelyn Turrentine Agee, Norman Brown, the Bee Gees, Tupac Shakur, Al Green, and the Canton Spirituals ~ Alford was born in 1955
March 24, 2006 ~ Alvis Edgar Owens Jr, commonly known as singer, songwriter Buck Owens, passed away in Bakersfield, California, USA ~ Pioneered the Bakersfield sound, most evidently in songs such as The Streets Of Bakerfield. Also known for songs such as Above And Beyond, Foolin' Around, Under The Influence Of Love, Act Naturally, and I've Got A Tiger By The Tail. Hugely influential on future generations, most notably Dwight Yoakam, and the Derailers. Had his songs covered by Johnny Rivers (Under Your Spell Again), Emmylou Harris (Together Again), the Beatles (Act Naturally), and Cake (Excuse Me I Think I've Got A Heartache) ~ Owens was born in 1929March 24, 2003 ~ Saxophonist Don Raffell passed away in Sherman Oaks, California, USA ~ Closely associated with arranger, conductor Nelson Riddle. Also worked with Benny Goodman, Sonny Burke, Johnny Burke, Charlie Barnet, Louis Armstrong, Ray Conniff, Mel Tormé, Skitch Henderson, Les Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, Keely Smith, Nancy Wilson, Sammy Davis Jr, Anita O'Day, the Platters, and Gerald Wilson ~ Raffell was born in 1919
March 24, 2000 ~ Jazz trombonist Al Grey passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA ~ Best remembered for his work with Count Basie's orchestra. Also worked with Benny Carter, Jimmie Lunceford, Lucky Millinder, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Lorez Alexandria, Ray Bryant, Arnett Cobb, John Hicks, Johnny Hodges, Melba Liston, Jimmy McGriff, Jay McShann, Joe Newman, Oscar Pettiford, Pony Poindexter, Paul Quinichette, Clark Terry, and Randy Weston ~ Grey was born in 1925
March 24, 1999 ~ Joseph Young Jr, commonly known as blues guitarist Mighty Joe Young, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Especially acclaimed for a handful of mid 1970s albums including Chicken Heads (1974) and the eponymous Mighty Joe Young (1976). Worked with Billy Boy Arnold, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Jimmy Rogers, Willie Dixon, Tyrone Davis, and Jimmy Dawkins ~ Young was born in 1927March 24, 1997 ~ Singer Harold Melvin passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Eponym and founding member of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, known for songs such as If You Don't Know Me By Now, I Miss You and The Love I Lost. Contrary to common belief the de facto lead singer was not Melvin but from 1970 forward Teddy Pendergrass ~ Melvin was born in 1939
March 24, 1997 ~ Monsif Bakkali, mononymously known as Nederhop, pop singer, rapper Monsif, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Influenced by Justin Bieber and Usher. Released his Mee Met Me debut single in 2010. Co-produced the acclaimed New Wave 2015 eponymous New Wave album. Bakkali has also served as producer for artists such as Boef, Josylvio, SMBG, Lijpe, Nathalie Blue, and Hydro
March 24, 1991 ~ Pekka Johannes Järvinen, commonly known as rock guitarist Albert Järvinen, passed away in London, UK ~ Chose his stage name in honor of blues guitarist Albert King. Best known as guitarist of rock outfit the Hurriganes, with whom he recorded two albums in the early 1970s and two more after rejoining the band at the end of the decade. During his hiatus from the band, Järvinen released his solo debut album Ride On and worked with Dave Lindholm. Reportedly, singer Elvis Costello also sought to employ Järvinen for his backing unit, but Järvinen declined. Following his second dismissal from the Hurriganes in 1981, Järvinen was briefly a member of the Sleepy Sleepers before forming the short-lived the Quips with Sleepers bandmate drummer Harri Lemola. Järvinen recorded two more solo albums, Braindamage (Or Still Alive) which included a guest performance from his big hero Albert King, and Mirror Tower, before passing away at age 40 of a heart attack while touring the UK ~ Järvinen was born in 1950
March 24, 1984 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, Let's Stay Together by Tina Turner peaks at No.26 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Originally a 1972 Billboard Hot 100 charttopper for R&B singer Al Green, his biggest crossover hit, written by Green, producer Willie Mitchell and Al Jackson Jr. By the mid-1980s Tina Turner, who had enjoyed massive success through the early 1970s with her then-husband Ike Turner, would have yet to score a major hit as a solo artist. Let's Stay Together, issued as the lead single off her Private Dancer album, was the one. It would be her first single as a solo artist to reach top 30 in her native America, and did especially well in Europe, where it reached top 10 in both the UK and the Netherlands. Three later singles off the same parent album would also do well in the singer's native America, with What's Love Got To Do With It becoming her sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, while Better Be Good To Me and Private Dancer both reached top 10, peaking respectively at No.5 and No.7March 24, 1982 ~ Maude Elsie Aileen Muggeridge, commonly known as singer Aileen Stanley, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ One of the most popular singers of the 1920s. Started in vaudeville with her older brother Stanley Muggeridge. Known for songs such as My Mammy, Sweet Indiana Home, When My Sugar Walks Down The Street, Carolina In The Morning, and Singin' The Blues ~ Muggeridge was born in 1893