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 30, 2026 ~ Progressive rock, soft rock, art rock keyboardist, organist Christopher North, full name Christopher Reed North, passed away ~ Co-founding and key member of Ambrosia, providing the aural landscapes that balanced his virtuosity on the keyboards with soulful, radio-friendly hooks. Known for his stage presence and the intensity and depth of his performance, North's playing helped define the sound of the band which started in progressive rock only to venture into soft rock with the band scoring several romantic hits popular to this day. North would be hired by the band's bassist Joe Puerta after he saw him perform in a dimly lit room one night. Puerta would later recall that night: “There was a coffin with speakers in it. And at the end of the room, Chris was there, playing the organ with a bottle of wine on the top, smoking a cigarette, and there was a girl massaging his shoulders as he played, so I go, We gotta get this guy in the band.” North is especially noted for his organ playing on the hits Holdin' On To Yesterday, Biggest Part Of Me and You're The Only Woman (You & I), all three generally acknowledged as among the all-time finest organ solos in pop. North also guested on Chuck Girard's eponymous 1974 album, and along with his Ambrosia bandmates on Tales Of Mystery And Imagination, a 1976 album by the Alan Parsons Project. Ambrosia recorded five albums through the early 1980s before disbanding, yet have reconvened since from time to time. They are most acclaimed for their eponymous 1975 debut album, which at the time would be slightly overlooked, and its Alan Parsons produced Somewhere I've Never Travelled follow-up album a year later ~ North was born in 1951March 30, 2025 ~ Conductor, music director, pianist Enrique Bátiz Campbell passed away ~ Best known as founding conductor of the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra, which apart from a stint with the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra during the 1980s he conducted from the early 1970s until his retirement for medical reasons in 2018. As a pianist, Bátiz has also made numerous recordings, including of symphonies by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Ludwig van Beethoven, and the complete orchestral works of Joaquín Rodrigo. Either in concert or on recordings, Bátiz has also conducted orchestras such as the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic ~ Bátiz was born in 1942
March 30, 2023 ~ Beat, pop rock drummer Alfio Cantarella passed away ~ Co-founding member of beat band Equipe 84, one of the premier Italian bands of the 1960s and 1970s known for songs such as 29 Settembre and Io Ho In Mente Te. the latter an Italian translation of the Ian & Sylvia song You Were On My Mind. Following the band's disbandement in 1977 Cantarella has served as manager and producer, most notably working with Zucchero and Sergio Caputo ~ Cantarella was born in 1941
March 30, 2023 ~ Raymond Shulman, commonly known as progressive rock bassist, producer Ray Shulman passed away in London, UK ~ Member of progressive rock outfit Gentle Giant, known for the complexity and sophistication of their music merging hard rock with classical music and medieval influences. The band recorded about a dozen albums and is especially acclaimed for the albums Octopus and Free Hand. Shulman also played violin, viola, guitar, trumpet, keyboards and percussion but was most praised for his virtuoso bass playing, drawing comparisons to Yes-bassist Chris Squire. After the band disbanded in the early 1980s would go on to work as a producer, working with artists such as the Sugarcubes, the Sundays, the Trash Can Sinatras, Ian McCulloch, and the Defects ~ Shulman was born in 1949
March 30, 2022 ~ Nathaniel Ian Wynter, commonly known as reggae keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, singer, songwriter Natty Wailer, passed away in London, UK ~ At times credited as Ian Wynter and Brother Ian. Best known for his work with Aston Barrett, King Tubby and Bob Marley. First recorded with the latter on the 1976 Rastaman Vibration album. Toured with Marley throughout the USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. After Marley's death in 1981 semi-retired from music to reemerge by the late 1990s. Over the course of his career has also worked with Peter Tosh, Linval Thompson, Dennis Brown, and fronted his own outfit the Reggae Vibes notably known for the albums Lifted and Destiny released respectively in 2000 and 2013 ~ Wynter was born in 1954March 30, 2022 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer Tom Parker, full name Thomas Anthony Parker, passed away in London, UK ~ Member of pop, dance-pop boy band the Wanted. The boy band have recorded three albums and enjoyed popularity in the early-2010s, songs such as All Time Low, Heart Vacancy, Glad You Came, Lightning, Chasing The Sun and Show Me Love (America) all reaching the top 10 UKrica] ~ Parker was born in 1988
March 30, 2020 ~ Singer, songwriter Bill Withers, full name William Harrison Withers Jr, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Known for songs such as Lean On Me, Ain't No Sunshine, Use Me, the Grover Washington Jr duet Just The Two Of Us, Lovely Day, and Grandma's Hands. Has worked with Stephen Stills, James Gadson, Benorce Blackmore, Ray Jackson, Melvin Dunlap, Gladys Knight, the Crusaders, Ralph MacDonald, Michel Berger, Jimmy Buffett, Bobby Womack, and Ruby Lee ~ Withers was born in 1938
March 30, 2019 ~ Rockabilly singer, guitarist Billy Adams, full name Willie Murray Adams, born in Redbush, Kentucky, USA ~ Influenced by Elvis Presley. Founded and fronted the Rock-a-teers at age 14. Known for songs such as You Heard Me Knocking, True Love Will Come Your Way, You Gotta Have A Duck Tail and perhaps his best known, the 1957 recording of Rock Pretty Mama which wwould become considered a seminal rockabilly classic by critics. Re-emerged in the early 2000s, the critically acclaimed Legacy album bringing him back in the spotlight ~ Adams was born in 1940
March 30, 2018 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Ashley McBryde releases her Girl Going Nowhere debut album ~ For her debut album, Ashley McBryde teamed up with producer Jay Joyce, who had previously worked with Patty Griffin, John Hiatt, Eric Church, and Little Big Town. It would be a fruitfull cooperation. Music magazine Paste called the record “a no bullshit record free of frills and fat, eleven songs that make their points powerfully and memorably”. The album would reach top 10 Billboard Country, and be nominated for Best Country Album at the 61st Grammy Awards, losing out to Kacey Musgraves' Golden Hour. Singer Garth Brooks would cover the title track, revised to Guy Goin' Nowhere, for his Triple Live live album released in 2019March 30, 2018 ~ Michael Applebaum, commonly known as violist Michael Tree, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Founding member of the Marlboro Trio. Founding member of the Guarneri Quartet. Violin and viola soloist with renowned orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra ~ Applebaum was born in 1934
March 30, 2017 ~ Singer Rosie Hamlin, full name Rosalie Mendez Halin, passed away in Belen, New Mexico, USA ~ Fronted Rosie & the Originals, best known for their 1961 hit Angel Baby. The song would later be covered by several artists including perhaps most notably by Linda Ronstadt and by John Lennon. Hamlin would be the first Latina to be honored by the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame on their Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Of One Hit Wonders, as well as the first Latina to appear on American Bandstand in 1961 ~ Hamlin was born in 1945March 30, 2016 ~ Francis Michael Chennesky, commonly known as singer, actor Frankie Michaels, passed away in Chittenango, New York, USA ~ Child actor, singer known for being the youngest Tony Award winner ever, winning the award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Patrick Dennis in the original production of Mame at age 10 ~ Chernesky was born in 1955
March 30, 2016 ~ Singer Rihanna releases Needed Me, lifted off her Anti album ~ On this dubstep-influenced electro R&B kiss-off, Rihanna tells a former lover who's still obsessed over her that their fling was purely physical. The song was co-written by Starrah, who told Billboard she drew from her own romantic history for the lyrics: “The way it translated to other people was a good feeling for me. It changed my perspective on my ability to write a universal song.” For Starrah, Needed Me would be one of her first major hits as the single would top the Billboard R&B charts and reach No.7 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Over the next few years, Starrah would co-write several other major hits including Havana for Camila Cabello, Girls Like You for Maroon 5, and Savage (Remix) for Megan Thee Stallion. As a recording artist, Starrah is best known for the collaborative Starrah x Diplo EP with Diplo released in 2017 and her full-length The Longest Interlude debut album released in 2021
March 30, 2010 ~ Jazz pianist John Bunch passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Somewhat overlooked swing, big band pianist. As a leader acclaimed for the albums John's Bunch, The Best Thing For You, and John Bunch Plays Kurt Weill. Music director and pianist for Tony Bennett from the mid 1960s through the early 1970s. Member of New York Swing. Bunch has also appeared on albums by Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich (Richcraft), Rex Stewart, Buck Clayton (Goin' To Kansas City), Joe Morello, Gene Roland (Swingin' Friends), Bucky Pizzarelli, Milt Hinton, Max Kaminsky (When Summer Is Gone), Eddie Barefield (The Indestructible Eddie Barefield), Butch Miles, George Masso (A Swinging Case Of Masso-ism), Ruby Braff, and Ken Peplowski ~ Bunch was born in 1921March 30, 2009 ~ Composer, musicologist David Johnson, full name David Charles Johnson, passed away in Edinburgh, UK ~ Internationally recognised scholar whose work did much to rediscover and reinvent 18th century Scottish music, setting it in historical context. His doctoral thesis would lead to the 1972 Music And Society In Lowland Scotland In The 18th Century, considered a seminal work in its field. Despite a varied body of compositions, including operas, string quartets, and cello suites, his work as a composer would not be as well known as his scholastic work and only earn him local recognition ~ Johnson was born in 1942
March 30, 2008 ~ R&B singer, songwriter, actor Sean Levert, full name Sean Edward Levert, passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Son of the O'Jays lead singer Eddie Levert. Baby brother of singer Gerald Levert. Member of LeVert, known for a string of R&B hits starting in the mid-1980s such as Pop Pop Pop Goes My Mind, My Forever Love, Sweet Sensation, Addicted To You, Just Coolin' featuring Heavy D, Baby I'm Ready and Casanova, the latter also reaching the Billboard top 10 in 1987 ~ Levert was born in 1968March 30, 2005 ~ Skate punk, punk rock, pop punk drummer, guitarist Derrick Plourde, full name Derrick William Plourde, passed away in Goleta, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Lagwagon, with whom he recorded the acclaimed albums Duh, Trashed and Hoss, before departing the band in 1996 to be succeeded by Dave Raun. Plourde has also worked with Bad Astronaut, Jaws, the Ataris, Mad Caddies, and Rich Kids On LSD ~ Plourde was born in 1971
March 30, 2004 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases Damita Jo, her eighth studio album ~ Titled for her middle name, the Damita Jo album had Janet Jackson team up with a wide array of producers including Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, Dallas Austin, Kanye West, and Scott Storch, as well as longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Drawing from R&B, pop and hip hop, the album explored themes of love and romance. Damita Jo was met with mixed reviews from critics, some of which praised the slick production yet dismissed the excessive sexual content. The album was released only shortly after Jackson's performance at Super Bowl halftime show, which ended in Jackson's breast being exposed by surprise guest Justin Timberlake. The costume tear is believed to have been orchestrated, yet the breast exposure on live TV was most likely unintentional. The incident would cause controversy, with many conglomerates including CBS, MTV, and Infinity Broadcasting receiving massive fines, which effectively led to Jackson's singles and music videos subsequently being blacklisted. Although Damita Jo reached No.2 Billboard Hot 200, only two of the album's three singles reached the Billboard Hot 100, with its lead single Just A Little While being its highest charting at a disappointing No.45. It is believed the album and especially its singles would have been more successful without the Super Bowl controversy and its resulting blacklisting of Jackson
March 30, 2004 ~ Singer Timi Yuro, full name Rosemary Victoria Yuro, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Considered to be one of the first blue-eyed soul singers. Known for songs such as early 1960s hits such as Hurt and What's A Matter Baby (Is It Hurting You). Over the course of her career Yuro has worked with producers such as Clyde Otis, Bob Johnston and Quincy Jones. Opened for Frank Sinatra. Influential on artists such as Elvis Presley, Morrissey, PJ Proby, and Elkie Brooks ~ Yuro was born in 1941March 30, 2002 ~ As Foolish hits No.9 Billboard Hot 100, R&B, hip hop, soul singer Ashanti dominates the American top 10 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, Ashanti's own Foolish rises to No.9 up from No.11 the previous week. The singer also guests on Fat Joe's What's Luv, and on Ja Rule's Always On Time, charting respectively at No.5 and No.4, while this week's No.1, Ain't It Funny by Jennifer Lopez, contains some lyrics written by Ashanti
March 30, 1998 ~ Michèline Care, commmonly known as singer, chansonierre Michèle Arnaud, passed away in Maisons-Lafitte, France ~ Represented Luxembourg in the 1st edition of the Eurovision Songfestival in 1956, performing the songs Ne Crois Pas and Les Amants De Minuit. Arnaud would reach the 2nd place, losing out to Lys Assia's Refrain, the contestant for Switzerland ~ Caré was born in 1919
March 30, 1995 ~ Errol Bellot, commonly known as singer, rapper, songwriter Kojo Funds, born in London, UK ~ Blends West African and Caribbean music with rap, dancehall and pop. Featured on Yxng Bane's Fine and on Mabel's Finders Keepers. As a solo artist known for his 2018 Golden Boy debut album, which spawned the UK top 30 single Check featuring Raye
March 30, 1993 ~ Larissa de Macedo Machado, commonly known as singer Anitta, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Influenced by Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Sandy. Broke through with her debut single, Show Das Poderosas, in 2013 followed by a full-length debut album, Anitta, later the same year. Has been recording since. Collaborated with Becky G, Ozuna, Natti Natasha, Maluma, J Balvin, Jhama, Alesso, Prince Roy, and Black Eyed Peas
March 30, 1991 ~ Nathan John Feuerstein, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter NF, born in Gladwin, Michigan, USA ~ Scored a number of rap hits on Christian charts starting in the early-2010s, including Wait, I Just Wanna Know, Warm Up and perhaps his best known Let You Down, the latter also reaching the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 top 20
March 30, 1990 ~ Thomas Rhett Akins Jr, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Thomas Rhett, born in Valdosta, Georgia, USA ~ Son of singer Rhett Akins. Debuted in 2013 with the It Goes Like This and has since scored over a dozen top 10 hits on the Billboard Country charts including It Goes Like This, Die A Happy Man, Craving You featuring Maren Morris and What's Your Country Song. Has also written songs for Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, and Florida Georgia Line