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, 1986 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Robin Pecknold born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Best known as singer, main songwriter of indie band the Fleet Foxes, with whom he has recorded four albums merging country-rock and British folk-rock influences. The band is especially acclaimed for their 2008 eponymous Fleet Foxes debut album. The band is perhaps best known for White Winter Hymnal, covered by over a dozen artists including Birdy, Kim Wilde, and Pentatonix. Pecknold has also recorded as a solo artist, including under the moniker White Antelope, co-wrote the soundtrack to the 2012 Birth Story (Ina May And The Farm Midwives) film, and wrote the score for the off- Broadway play Wyoming written by his cousin Brian Watkins
March 30, 1984 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Justin Moore, full name Justin Cole Moore, born in Poyen, Kansas, USA ~ Released his full-length eponymous Justin Moore debut album in 2009 and has recorded consistently since. Best known for his 2009 single Small Town USA, which would top Billboard's country charts. Other well known songs include If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away, Till My Last Day, Somebody Else Will, The Ones That Didn't Make It Back and Why We Drink
March 30, 1983 ~ Singer, guitarist Scott Moffatt, full name Scott Andrew Moffatt, born in Whitehorse, Canada ~ Lead guitarist, singer for sibling teen pop outfit the Moffatts, alongside younger triplet brothers Clint Moffatt, Bob Moffatt, and Dave Moffatt. The brothers started their career while all still not in their teens yet, making them the all-time youngest Canadian band to sign a contract, and were initially marketed as a country act. In light of the success of bands such as the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, however, they soon made the move to pop. The group is best known for I'll Be There For You of their 1998 Chapter I (A New Beginning) album and the Canadian No.1 hit single Bang Bang Boom of the follow-up Submodalities released two years later. It would be the band's last albumMarch 30, 1981 ~ Edith Goodall, commonly known as vaudeville, blues singer Edith Wilson, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Johnny Dunn, Fletcher Henderson, Florence Mills, Hot Chocolates, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Bill Robinson, Duke Ellington, Alberta Hunter, Cab Calloway, Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, Little Brother Montgomery, and Terry Waldo ~ Goodall was born in 1896
March 30, 1981 ~ Pianist, songwriter, composer Sherman Edwards passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Best known for composing the 1969 Broadway musical 1776, adapted to film in 1982. Edwards has also written or co-written a number of pop and jazz songs since the late 1950s including Wonderful Wonderful for Johnny Mathis, For Heaven's Sake for Billie Holiday, Broken-hearted Melody for Sarah Vaughan, Flaming Star for Elvis Presley, and Johnny Get Angry for Joanie Sommers ~ Edwards was born in 1919
March 30, 1979 ~ Pianist, singer, songwriter Norah Jones, full name Geethali Norah Jones Shankar, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Daughter of sitarist Ravi Shankar. Drew comparisons to Billie Holiday early on in her career for her repertoire and voice. Debuted in 2002 with the Come Away With Me album and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Has collaborated with Peter Malick, the Little Willies, Willie Nelson, Danger Mouse, and Puss 'n Boots
March 30, 1979 ~ Singer, rapper, songwriter, actor Simon Webbe born in Manchester, UK ~ Member of boy band Blue, known best for a string of early 2000s hits. The band's first three albums all topped the UK albums charts. Well known songs include Too Close, If You Come Back and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word featuring Elton John. The band disbanded in 2005 but has reunited since and represented England at the 2011 Eurovision Songfestival with the song I Can which reached 11th place. Webbe has recorded as a solo artist during and after the band's hiatus, starting with 2005's Sanctuary which included the hits Lay Your Hands and No Worries
March 30, 1978 ~ Keyboardist, organist Larry Young passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Acclaimed organ innovator active in soul jazz, avant-garde, fusion. Influenced by Jimmy Smith and John Coltrane. Frequently collaborated with Grant Green and Elvin Jones in the mid 1960s. About a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for his 1965 release Unity which also featured Joe Henderson and a young Woody Shaw. Backed Tony Williams on Emergency. Backed Miles Davis on Bitches Brew. Other notable collaborations include Jimmy Forrest, Thornel Schwartz (Soul Cookin'), Gildo Mahones, Buddy Terry, John McLaughlin (Devotion), Lenny White (Venusian Summer), and Steve Khan ~ Young was born in 1940
March 30, 1977 ~ Abdel Halim Ali Shabana, commonly known as singer, conductor, actor Abdel Halim Hafez, passed away in London, UK ~ Considered one of the all-time greatest Egyptian singers dubbed “the Dark-Skinned Nightingale” with over 80 million records sold. Known for patriotic songs, some of his songs reaching the status of anthem during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. Well known songs include El Massih, Ahwak, Fatet Ganbena, Gabbar, Habibati Man Takoon and Aadah Al Nahar. In the Western world best known when two bars of his Khosara were used by Jay-Z in the 2000 hit Big Pimpin' featuring UGK ~ Shabana was born in 1929
March 30, 1976 ~ Pop, surf outfit the Beach Boys record Had To Phone Ya ~ Written by Brian Wilson, Mike Love with some contributions by Diane Rovell. The latter would be credited as co-writer on the initial release, her name removed on subsequent pressings. Included on the 1976 15 Big Ones album and used as the B-side of the It's OK singleMarch 30, 1976 ~ Choro, samba, jazz bandolim player Hamilton de Holanda born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Merges choro with contemporary jazz. Acclaimed for Bossa Negra released in 2015, a collaborative album with Diogo Nogueira. Has also worked with Yamandu Costa, Mike Marshall, Joel Nascimento, Marco Pereira, Brasilia Brasil, André Mehman, Stefano Bollani, and João Bosco
March 30, 1976 ~ Reuben Bloom, commonly known as songwriter Rube Bloom, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Sammy Cahn, Ted Koehler, and notably Johnny Mercer. Songs co-written by Bloom include Day In Day Out (Bob Crosby, Artie Shaw, Frank Sinatra), Out In The Cold Again (Glen Gray, Ruth Etting, Billy Eckstine), Maybe You'll Be There (Gordon Jenkins, Kay Starr, June Christy), Give Me The Simple Life (Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett), and Don't Worry 'Bout Me (Katherine Perry, Les Brown, Ella Fitzgerald) ~ Bloom was born in 1902March 30, 1976 ~ Michael Ugochukwu, commonly known as rapper, producer Ruggedman, born in Ohafia, Nigeria ~ Actively recording since the turn of the 21st century, quickly becoming one of the most popular Nigerian artists. Has collaborated with international stars such as Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Akon, Maxi Priest, Kanye West, LL Cool J, T-Pain, and Nas
March 30, 1974 ~ Pop singer Paola Iezzi born ~ Formed the sibling pop duo Paola & Chiara with Chiara Iezzi, which eventually became one of the most popular female outfits in Italian music selling over an estimated six million records. The siblings were discovered by music manager Claudio Cecchetto, who was looking for musicians to back Max Pezzali. The Iezzi sisters joined Pezzali's group 883 for the 1995 album La Donna Il Sogno E Il Grande Incubo and its accompanying tour before venturing out on their own, recording over half a dozen albums through the 2010s. Well known songs include Vamos A Bailar (Esta Vida Nueva), Vice El Amor, Festival, O Modo Mio, Second Life, Cambiare Pagina, all of which reached top 10 in their native Italy. The duo parted ways in 2013, as Chiara Iezzi decided to dedicate herself to acting, but has since reunitedMarch 30, 1973 ~ Alex Michael Goldstein, commonly known as DJ, turntablist, remixer DJ AM, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Club DJ in Los Angeles. Member of Crazy Town from 1999 through 2001. Skyrocketed to fame by the mid 2000s, playing weekly sets in Las Vegas. Formed the duo TRV$DJAM with Travis Barker. Has remixed tracks recorded by Three 6 Mafia, Ashlee Simpson, Weezer, and Guru Josh ~ Goldstein passed away in 2009
March 30, 1968 ~ Pop, soft rock, chanson singer, songwriter Céline Dion, full name Céline Marie Claudette Dion born in Charlemagne, Canada ~ One of all-time best-selling and the best-selling Canadian artists with record sales exceeding 200 million. Actively recording since the early 1980s in both French and English. Known for international hits such as The Power Of Love, Because You Loved Me and her signature song My Heart Will Go On, the latter used as the theme of blockbuster film Titanic. Won the 1988 Eurovision Songfestival representing Switzerland with the song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi
March 30, 1964 ~ Folk, folk-pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Tracy Chapman born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Known for her open, honest, introspective storyteling. Social activist. Rose to fame with her critically acclaimed eponymous 1988 Tracy Chapman debut album, which included her signature song Fast Car. Has recorded to critical acclaim since. Other well known songs include Give Me One Reason, Baby Can I Hold You, Crossroads and Telling Stories. Has duetted with BB King, Eric Clapton, Luciano Pavarotti and with Buddy Guy
March 30, 1957 ~ Jazz guitarist Dave Stryker born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his associations with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff and Kevin Mahogany. Has also worked with Eliane Elias, Javon Jackson, Andy Laverne, Jared Gold, Steve Slagle, Don Braden, Craig Handy, Royce Campbell, Bob Mintzer, and Matthew WhitakerMarch 30, 1951 ~ Paul Leonard Prewer, commonly known as rock, pop rock, glam rock singer, songwriter Paul Da Vinci, born in Thurrock, UK ~ Best known as lead vocalist on the Rubettes 1974 hit Sugar Baby Love. As a solo artist known for Your Baby Ain't Your Baby No More released the same year. In-demand session singer, present on recordings by Gary Moore, Ringo Starr, Barry Blue, David Essex, and Tight Fit
March 30, 1951 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Wolfgang Niedecken born in Cologne, Germany ~ Lead singer, co-founding and sole constant member of BAP, known for songs such as Verdamp Lang Her, Kristallnaach, Alles Em Lot, and Weihnachtnaach featuring Nina Hagen, the latter is a German-language rendition of Fairytale Of New York originally by the Pogues. Niedecken has also recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, notably Leopardefell released in 1995 consisting solely of German-language covers of Bob Dylan songs
March 30, 1950 ~ Guitarist Dave Ball born in Handsworth, UK ~ Briefly a member of Procol Harum, joining the band in 1971 as replacement for Robin Trower and leaving in 1972 halfway through the sessions for the band's The Grand Hotel album. Present on the 1972 Procol Harum Live (In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra) live album. Has also worked with Cozy Powell in the shortlived rock group Bedlam. Backed Long John Baldry on Baldry's Good To Be Alive album ~ Ball passed away in 2015
March 30, 1949 ~ Actress, folk, blues, pop singer, songwriter Dana Gillespie, full name Richenda Antoinette de Winterstein Gillespie, born in Woking, UK ~ Recording since her mid-teens, with a repertoire ranging from folk and teen-pop to blues. Starred in the original London production of Jesus Christ Superstar as Mary Magdalena. Had Jimmy Page guest on her 1968 Foolish Seasons debut album. Backed David Bowie on It Ain't Easy of Bowie's The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars album. Member of the Mojo Blues Band
March 30, 1949 ~ Lili-Marlene Premilovich, commonly known as new wave, post punk, gothic rock singer Lene Lovich, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for Lucky Number of her 1978 Stateless debut album, the single reaching top 10 in the UK. The song would be notably covered by Nina Hagen, retitled to Wir Leben Immer Noch, for her Unbehagen album. Lovich would release three more albums through the late 1980s before semi-retiring from music, returning in 2005 with the album Shadows And DustMarch 30, 1949 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly singer Stan Beaver born ~ Known for his sole hit, I Got A Rocket In My Pocket, which hit the charts in 1963 and is currently considered a collector's item. Beaver has also worked as a studio and live recording engineer with artists such as Emmylou Harris, the Righteous Brothers, Carl Perkins, Ray Charles, Hoyt Axton, and perhaps most notably Tom T Hall ~ Beaver passed away in 2021
March 30, 1948 ~ Blues, blues-rock, rock & roll guitarist, slide guitarist, singer, songwriter Dave Hole, full name Robert David Hole, born in Heswall, UK ~ Influenced by Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Elmore James. Best known for two 1990s albums, 1995's Steel On Steel and 1997's Ticket To Chicago. Regarded as one of Australia's top blues guitarists, especially proficient on the slide guitar, on par with guitar virtuosos such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King
March 30, 1948 ~ Tenor singer John Bieling passed away in Hempstead, New York, USA ~ Dubbed “the Canary” for the purity of his tone. Enjoyed popularity through the mid-1910s both as a member of several renowned vocal groups including the American Quartet, and the Haydn Quartet, appearing on songs such as In The Good Old Summer Time, You're The Flower Of My Heart, and By The Light Of The Silv'ry Moon, and as a solo singer, scoring hits with In The Sweet Bye And Bye and Over The Hills And Far Away ~ Bieling was born in 1869