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 28, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Arthur Crudup, full name Arthur William Crudup, passed away in Nassawadox, Virginia, USA ~ Best known for writing and first recording That's All Right, My Baby Left Me and So Glad You're Mine, all later recorded by Elvis Presley ~ Crudup was born in 1905
March 28, 1972 ~ Ledisi Anibade Young, mononymously known as R&B, neo soul, gospel, jazz singer, songwriter, actress Ledisi, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Frontwoman and eponym of of 1990s group Anibade gaining some exposure in the late 1990s. Would gain serious attention re-releasing earlier recordings under her solo moniker with the 2000 Soulsinger (The Revival) album and has recorded steadily since. Best known for singles such as Alright, In The Morning, Goin' Thru Changes, Higher Than This, Pieces Of Me, Stay Together featuring Jaheim, Like This and Anything For You
March 28, 1970 ~ In its 5th week on the charts, Instant Karma (We All Shine On) by John Lennon peaks at No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ The first solo single by a member of the Beatles to sell a million copies would be John Lennon's. It peaked at No.3 Billboard Hot 100, trailing behind Let It Be by the Beatles, the band's final single issued before their disbandement, and folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water at No.1March 28, 1969 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Rodney Atkins, full name Rodney Allan Atkins, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Active since the late 1990s but did not release an album until his 2003 Honesty which spawned the hit Honesty (Write Me A List). His 2006 sophomore album would land him two more hits If You're Going Through Hell and Watching You, both reaching the top of Billboard's country chart. Has recorded steadily since to commercial succes
March 28, 1968 ~ Jonathan Henry Lee, commonly known as rock drummer Jon Lee, born in Newport, UK ~ Best known as original drummer of Feeder. Previously a member of the Darling Buds. Died by suicide, four separate suicide notes would be found. His funeral was attended by thousands. Other than cancelling a high profile gig, headlininig at Reading Leeds Festival, the band decided to not break up. Skunk Anansie drummer Mark Richardson helped out on recordings in progress and booked live dates, becoming an official member by 2005 ~ Lee passed away in 2002
March 28, 1967 ~ Singer Van Morrison records Brown Eyed Girl at A&R Studios, New York, New York ~ Having recently departed Them, Van Morrison was looking to start his solo career and flew to New York at the invite of producer, label executive Bert Berns, hastily signing a contract and recording eight songs over the course of two days including Brown Eyed Girl. Though the single would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, effectively launching his solo career, and remain popular throughout his career, the singer himself would be unpleased with the recording, decades later remarking “it's not one of my best, I mean I've got about 300 songs that I think are better”March 28, 1966 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion singer, keyboardist, songwriter Indra Lesmana born in Jakarta, Indonesia ~ Son of jazz guitarist Jack Lesmana and singer Mien Lesmana. Father of actress, singer Eva Celia. Leader and sideman. Active since the early 1980s. Has worked with James Morrison, Dale Barlow, Steve Hunter, Tony Buck, Sandy Evans, Vinnie Colaiuta, Charlie Haden, Jimmy Haslip, Albert Tootie Heath, Michael Landau, Airto Moreira, and Bobby Shew
March 28, 1965 ~ Singer, guitarist Steve Turner born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Important but somewhat overlooked figure influential in early grunge. Member of the Ducky Boys and original guitarist of Green River, both bands also included future Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard. Turner was also a co-founding member of Mudhoney, best known for their 1992 single Suck You Dry which nearly hit the Billboard top 20March 28, 1964 ~ British pop rock group the Beatles become the first rock stars displayed in Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, London, UK ~ On the verge of Beatlemania, taking America by storm and spearheading the British Invasion, the quartet also become the first rock musicians to be immortalized as wax statues in the well known Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. Over time, the band would become acknowledged as one of the most, if not the single most important and influential bands in rock history. In 1967, the band would use the wax statues for the cover art of their Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album in a collage featuring several dozen celebrities and cultural icons
March 28, 1964 ~ Heavyweight boxing champion Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, peaks at No.102 just outside the Billboard Hot 100, with his rendition of Stand By Me, originally a hit for Ben E King three years earlier ~ Although best known as a boxer, considered the all-time greatest heavyweight boxer by some, Cassius Clay did on occasion venture into music. Stand By Me was included on his I Am The Greatest debut album released in 1963. Clay would also appear in the Broadway musical Buck White, which ran for seven performances in 1969, and release the album Ali And His Gang Vs Mr Tooth Decay in 1976, which told a story meant to educate children about dental hygiene and featured guest singers such as Frank Sinatra and Richie Havens. A follow-up to the latter album was planned, but never materializedMarch 28, 1963 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter Matt Wilson, full name Matthew Robert Wilson, born in Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member, frontman of Trip Shakespeare, active from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s. Released his Burnt White And Blue solo debut album in 1998, drummed for Polara, and served as producer for the likes of Steel Shank, the Wonsers, and Velma
March 28, 1963 ~ Punk-pop, indie pop singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Simon Holmes, full name Simon Carter Holmes, born in Mordialloc, Australia ~ Singer, lead guitarist for indie rock bands the Hummingbirds from the mid-1980s through the early 2000s, known for their 1989 LoveBUZZ debut album, and Her Name In Lights during the early 2000s ~ Holmes passed away in 2017
March 28, 1961 ~ Carol Valère, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter Carol Arnauld, born in Bagnolet, France ~ Considered a one-hit wonder for C'Est Pas Facile taken of her 1986 eponymous Carol Arnauld debut album. The song tells of her struggle with her brother's death, killed by a reckless driver. The single would reach top 10 in her native France ~ Valère passed away in 2022
March 28, 1958 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter, film composer Edesio Alejandro, full name Edesio Alejandro Rodríguez Salvá, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Initially studied classical composition, guitar and piano, with further studies in orchestral conducting and electronic composition, Alejandro would go on to become regarded as one of Cuba's most innovative composers blending traditional Cuban music such as conga, rumba and son with modern influences including funk, rap, and hip-hop. Alejandro often utilized keyboards and electronic programming, earning him critical comparisons to Jean-Michel Jarre, and has composed and performed over 50 soundtracks, often working on films by renowned director Fernando Pérez. Well known works include the 1987 rock opera Violente, which is considered the first rock opera in Latin America, and the soundtracks to the Cuban films El Desayuno Más Caro Del Mundo, Clandestinos, Madagascar, and Suite Habana ~ Rodríguez passed away in 2025
March 28, 1958 ~ Country, pop, schlager singer Elisabeth Andreassen, full name Elisabeth Gunilla Andreassen, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Internationally best known for several appearances at the Eurovision Songfestival. As a member of Chips represented Sweden, reaching 8th place in 1982 with the song Dag Efter Dag. As a member of the Bobbysocks won for Norway in 1985 with the song La Det Swinge. Duetted with Jan Werner Danielsen on Duett, again for Norway, in 1994 reaching 6th place. As a solo artist reached 2nd place in 1996, representing Norway with the song I EvighetMarch 28, 1958 ~ Producer, artist manager Gary Smith born ~ Active since the mid-1980s. First gained attention producing early recordings by the Pixies, including their 1987 Come On Pilgrim EP. Other notable credits include Throwing Muses, Tanya Donelly, the Blake Babies, the Connells, Juliana Hatfield, Scrawl, 10,000 Maniacs, and Billy Bragg ~ Smith passed away in 2023
March 28, 1958 ~ William Christopher Handy, commonly known as cornetis, songwriter WC Handy, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Self-proclaimed “Father of the Blues”. Helped popularize Blues. Regarded as one of the monst influential songwriters. Best known for penning songs such as St Louis Blues (Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, Guy Lombardo), and Beale Street Blues (Earl Fuller, Marion Harris, Jack Teagarden) ~ handy was born in 1873
March 28, 1957 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer Mark Spiro born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ As a solo artist, Spiro has released a little over half a dozen albums, starting with In Stereo in 1986. Though a gifted singer in his own right, Spiro is perhaps best known as a songwriter, notably co-writing Cheap Trick's Mighty Wings with Harold Faltermeyer for the Top Gun soundtrack. Songs written or co-written by Spiro have been recorded by the likes of Audrey Landers, Laura Branigan (Foolish Lullaby), Anne Murray, David Hasselhoff, Bad English (Straight To Your Heart), Julian Lennon, and Robin Zander ~ Spiro passed away in 2024
March 28, 1955 ~ Singer, actress Reba McEntire born in McAlester, Oklahoma, USA ~ Discovered by Red Steagall. Debuted in 1977 with the eponymous Reba McEntire and has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since, especially successful during the 1980s and 1990s. Unlike contemporaries controlled many aspects of her career, serving as a role model to future female country singers. Known for songs such as All Over Again, How Blue, Somebody Should Leave, Whoever's In New England, What Am I Gonna Do About You, and One Promise Too Late
March 28, 1954 ~ Folk, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bill Bourne, full name William Sigurd Bourne, born in Innisfail, Canada ~ Member of the Tannahill Weavers. Member of roots trio Tri-Continental alongside Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim. As a solo artist perhaps best known for his 2002 Voodoo King album. Has also collaborated with Alan Macleod, Shannon Johnson, Eivør, Jasmine Ohlhauser, and Tippy Agogo ~ Bourne passed away in 2022
March 28, 1954 ~ Pianist Donald Ray Brown born in Hernando, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his brief association with Art Blakey, serving in Blakey's backing unit the Jazz Messengers in the 1980s and present on the albums Killer Joe, Keystone 3 and Feeling Good. As a producer produced over half a dozen Kenny Garrett albums. Recorded over a dozen albums as a leader starting with 1987's Early Bird. Served as sideman to numerous artists. Has worked with Bill Mobley, Jeff Tain-Watts, Charnett Moffett, Gary Bartz, Louis Hayes, Don Braden, Harold Mabern, Essiet Essiet, Lionel Loueke, Donald Byrd, and Wallace RoneyMarch 28, 1952 ~ Harold Holiday, commonly known as Texas blues pianist, singer, songwriter Black Boy Shine, passed away in Sugar Land, Texas, USA ~ Drew from dance music, ragtime, boogie-woogie, blues. Remembered by blues aficionados for a number of 1930s recordings, notably Hobo Blues and Ice Pick And Pistol Woman Blues. Formed the duo Moonshine with the more famous blues pianist Moon Mullican. Has also worked with Bernice Edwards, JT Smith, and Robert Shaw ~ Holiday was born in 1908
March 28, 1950 ~ Folk, folk-rock, rock singer, songwriter, poet Claudio Lolli born ~ Active since the early 1970s, mostly focusing on political and social issues. Known for songs such as Aspettando Godot, Michel, Quando La Morte Avrà and Quanto Amore. Also known as poet and novelist, publishing his first novel, Antipatici Antipode, in 1997 ~ Lolli passed away in 2018
March 28, 1950 ~ Country singer Hank Snow records I'm Moving On at Brown Radio Productions, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Penned by Hank Snow. Produced by Steve Sholes. Released the following May, b/w With This Ring I Thee Wed, it would be a Billboard Country No.1 for Snow and become one of his best known. Over the years it would be recognized as a classic, covered by numerous artist inlcuding Ray Charles, Don Gibson, and Emmylou HarrisMarch 28, 1948 ~ Pianist, producer, songwriter Milan Williams born in Okolona, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known as founding member of R&B outfit the Commodores. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Machine Gun, Bump, Rapid Fire, Better Never Than Forever, Mary Mary, Wonderland, You Don't Know That I Know, Let's Get Started and one of the band's biggest hits Brick House ~ Williams passed away in 2006