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 29, 1994 ~ Choi Jin-ri, commonly known as K-pop singer, actress Sulli, born in Busan, South Korea ~ Member of girl group fx, known for songs such as Nu Abo, Pinocchio (Danger), Electric Shock, and Rum Pum Pum Pum. Jin-ri has ventured into acting and released her sole solo album, Goblin, in 2019 ~ Jin-ri passed away in 2019
March 29, 1990 ~ Justin Rafaek Quiles Rivera, commonly known as reggaeton singer, songwriter Justin Quiles, born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ In-demand songwriter. Artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Quiles include J Balvin, Lil' Jon, Maluma, Yandel and Karol G. As a solo artist debuted in 2015 with the album Carpe Diem
March 29, 1985 ~ Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers, commonly known as singer the Singing Nun, passed away in Wavre, Belgium ~ Nun and member of the Dominican Order in Belgium. As a singer known for the 1963 novelty hit Dominique which became an international hit topping the charts in several countries including America. Besides English Deckers has recorded and released French, Dutch, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese versions of the song ~ Deckers was born in 1933
March 29, 1983 ~ Indie rock, electronic guitarist, drummer Luiza Sá, full name Luiza da Silva e Sá, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Constant member of Cansei de Ser Sexy, active from the early 2000s through early-2010s and regarded as one of the premier bands of the Brazilian new rave scene. Internationally the band is best known for singles such as Alala, Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above, and Music Is My Hot Hot Sex
March 29, 1982 ~ Composer Carl Orff passed away in Munich, West Germany ~ Best known for his 1937 cantata Carmina Burana. One of the few composers allowed to work under the Nazi regime and a controversial figure, both accused of ties to the regime and of ties to the Resistance movement and persecuted Jewish composers. After the War Orff claimed he helped establish the White Rose resistance group, though this claim has been disputed. Eventually, American denazification authorities would change his classification from “gray unacceptable” to “gray acceptable”, allowing him to continue to compose for public presentation ~ Orff was born in 1895
March 29, 1982 ~ Jazz, R&B guitarist Floyd Smith, full name Floyd George Smith, passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for Floyd's Guitar Blues, penned by Smith, recorded with Andy Kirk in 1939 and arguably the first hit record to feature a blues solo on electric guitar. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Eddie Johnson's Crackerjacks, the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, the Sunset Royal Orchestra, the Clouds Of Joy, Django Reinhardt, Wild Bill Davis, and Bill Doggett. Smith has also notably served as producer for Loleatta Holloway, including on the 1975 hit Cry To Me, whom he later married ~ Smith was born in 1917March 29, 1981 ~ Pop singer Mattias Andréasson born in Vasterås, Sweden ~ Member of boy band EMD, alongside Erik Segerstedt and Danny Saucedo. All three members had been contestants on the Swedish edition of Idol in the mid 2000s. The group is best known for singles such as All For Love, Let Me Love You, Alone, and Baby Goodbye, all of which Swedish No.1 hits taken of the band's 2008 A State Of Mind debut album
March 29, 1981 ~ Actress, singer Megan Hilty, full name Megan Kathleen Hilty, born in Bellevue, Washington, USA ~ Rose to prominence for her roles in several Broadway musicals, notably Wicked, 9 To 5 (The Musical), and Noises Off. Has also worked as actress and voice actress for TV and film
March 29, 1976 ~ Marcus Lakee Edwards, commonly known as rapper Lil' Keke, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Member of Southern rap collective Screwed Up Click. As a solo artist has recorded prolifically since his 1997 Don't Mess Wit Texas debut album. Collaborated with Bun B, Paul Wall, Big Hawk, and Chamillionaire
March 29, 1969 ~ Country singer, keyboardist Brady Seals born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1997 The Truth debut album which included the modest hit single Another Year Another Me. Rose to fame as co-lead singer of Little Texas from 1988 through 1994, known for Billboard Country top 10 hits such as Some Guys Have All The Love, You And Forever And Me, What Might Have Been, God Blessed Texas, My Love, Kick A Little and Amy's Back In Austin. Founded Hot Apple Pie in known for their eponymous sole Hot Apple Pie album spawning the modest Billboard Country hit HillbilliesMarch 29, 1969 ~ Pianist, songwriter, producer Jason Rebello, full name Jason Mathew Rebello, born in Carshalton, UK ~ Influenced by Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner. Had his solo debut, 1990's Clearer View, produced by Wayne Shorter. Also worked with Jean Toussaint, Tommy Smith, Branford Marsalis, Sting, Jeff Beck, Chaka Khan, Des'ree, Mica Paris, Carleen Anderson, Manu Katché, and Peter Gabriel
March 29, 1969 ~ Singer Lenny Kuhr ‘wins’ the 14th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Madrid, Spain ~ Representing the Netherlands, Lenny Kuhr wins with the song De Troubadour written by Kuhr and David Hartsema. Spain being run by dictator Franco the score is disputed with accusiations of a rigged contest being made. Four entries tie for the No.1 spot, including France's Un Jour Un Enfant (Frida Boccara), Spain's Vivo Cantando (Salomé), and the UK's Boom Bang-a-bang (Lulu)
March 29, 1968 ~ Singer, guitarist Sue Foley born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Member of Blues Caravan. Over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with 1992's Young Girl Blues. Has guested on recordings by Mark Hummel, Wayne Hancock, Lazy Lester, Big Dave McLean, Candye Kane, and Lee HolmesMarch 29, 1967 ~ Jam band, alternative rock, blues rock singer, harmonica player, guitarist John Popper born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Blues Traveler, writing or co-writing the majority of the band's material. Released his Zygote solo debut album in 1999. Has collaborated with the Spin Doctors, the Dave Matthews Band, Phish, the Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, BB King, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Karl Denson, and Frogwings
March 29, 1966 ~ William McKinley Gillum, commonly known as blues harpist Jazz Gillum, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for being one of the first to record Key To The Highway in 1940, featuring Big Bill Broonzy on guitar, which became a blues standard covered by many including Eric Clapton. Has also worked with Lester Melrose, Big Maceo Merriweather, Memphis Slim, and Arbee Stidham. Gillum was shot and killed in a street argument ~ Gillum was born ca.1904March 29, 1962 ~ Singer Emmett Miller passed away in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ The link between old-time Southern music, minstrelsy, jazz, and Western swing. Major influence on later country singers including Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, Milton Brown, Tommy Duncan, and Merle Haggard. Backed by Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Gene Krupa and Eddie Lang as early as 1924, recording as the Georgia Crackers. Known for songs such as Lovesick Blues, I Ain't Got Nobody, and Right Or Wrong. Miller's songs have been recorded by Van Dyke Parks, Ry Cooder, Leon Redbone, Louis Prima, and David Lee Roth ~ Miller was born in 1900
March 29, 1961 ~ Gospel singer Alfreda McCrary born ~ Member of traditional black gospel, contemporary urban gospel outfit the McCrary Sisters alongside siblings Ann McCrary, Deborah McCrary and Regina McCrary. The group has recorded a number of albums, starting with Our Journey released in 2010, as well as provided backing vocals for artists such as Carrie Underwood (Choctaw County Affair), Margo Price (Do Right By Me), and Allison Russell (All Of The Women)
March 29, 1960 ~ Bassist Dylan Taylor born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Lee Konitz, Freddie Hubbard, Mose Allison, Larry Coryell, Tom Lawton, Bobby Zankel, the Warriors Of The Wonderful Sound, Khan Jamal, Kelly Meashey, and 53 Stations. Taylor released an album as a leader, Sweeter For The Struggle in 2013
March 29, 1960 ~ Singer Jacqueline Boyer wins the 5th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in London, UK ~ Representing France, Jacqueline Boyer wins with the song Tom Pillibi written by André Popp and Pierre Cour. Runner-ups were the UK's Bryan Johnson with Looking High High High in 2nd place, and Monaco's François Deguelt with Ce Soir-Là in 3rd placeMarch 29, 1960 ~ Blues singer Jimmy Reed records Big Boss Man ~ One of the few Jimmy Reed tracks not self-penned, written by Luther Dixon and Al Smith. Released as a single, b/w I'm A Love You, in April 1961. Backing musicians: Lee Baker and Lefty Bates guitars, Willie Dixon bass, Earl Phillips drums, Mamma Reed backing vocals. Notably covered by Elvis Presley, and by BB King
March 29, 1960 ~ Tejano, Latin pop singer Oscar de la Rosa, full name Oscar de la Rosa Gonzales, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Lead singer of La Mafia, which also included his brother guitarist Leonardo Gonzales. The band has recorded over three dozen albums since the early 1980s and is most acclaimed for the mid 1990s albums Vida and Un Million De Rosas
March 29, 1959 ~ Peretz Bernstein, commonly known as singer Perry Farrell born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Frontman of alternative rock band Jane's Addiction, critically acclaimed for the albums Nothing's Shocking and its follow-up Ritual De Lo Habitual. Founding the Lollapalooza festival, initially a 1991 farewell tour for his band which evolved into a four-day festival held in Chicago with up to 400,000 visitors each July. Farrell also fronted Porno For Pyros in the 1990s, Satellite Party in the 2000s, and has recorded as a solo artist
March 29, 1956 ~ Lincoln Valentine Scott, commonly known as reggae, dub drummer Style Scott, born in Chapelton, Jamaica ~ Drummer for Roots Radics, which served as the rhythm section of many top-notch Jamaican stars including Bunny Wailer, Israel Vibration and Gregory Isaacs. Later teamed up with British dub producer Adrian Sherwood to form the core of Dub Syndicate. Also drummed on Revenge Of The Mozabites, the 1979 debut album of Suns Of Arqa ~ Scott passed away in 2014
March 29, 1954 ~ Josina van de Wijdeven, commonly known as pop singer José Hoebee, born in Best, the Netherlands ~ Original member of Luv' alongside Marga Scheide and Patty Brard, known best for U.O.Me (You Owe Me), You're The Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse, Casanova. After the band's disbandement scored a handful of solo hits under the moniker José, notably I Will Follow Him and Secret Love. Has also duetted with Ron Brandsteder and with Bonnie St Claire. Married to producer Will Hoebee, with whom she has one son
March 29, 1951 ~ Jaroslaw Smietana, commonly known as jazz guitarist, composer, bandleader Jarek Smietana, born in Kraków, Poland ~ One of the most renowned jazz musicians in Polish jazz with well over two dozen albums to his name, from the 1970s onward Smietana has captivated audiences with his remarkable technique and forward thinking attitude. Founded and led several noted ensembles, most notably Hall, jazz-rock outfit Extra Ball, the Sounds Big Band Symphonic Orchestra, and the Polish Jazz Stars Band. Smietana has been praised for his inventiness and individual sound, a style once described as “always personal yet constantly communicative.” Over the course of his career, Smietana has performed and recorded with just about every Polish jazz musician of note including Vladislav Sendecki, Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski, and his icon Zbigniew Seifert, as well as with a host of international players including Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Zawinul, Hamiet Bluiett, and John Abercrombie. Smietana's daughter Alicja Smietana would follow in her father's footsteps and became a professional classical and jazz violist, violinist and composer ~ Smietana passed away in 2013