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 31, 1980 ~ R&B, pop, funk singer Támar Davis, full name Ashley Támar Davis, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Member of Girl's Tyme, departing the group before the name change to Destiny's Child. Toured with Prince in 2006. Contestant on the 2010 edition of the talent show The Voice aired on NBC, eliminated during the live playoffs. Following her succes on the show released her Milk & Honey debut album later the same year. Has recorded sporadically since
March 31, 1979 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger, composer Mel Henke passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Mitch Todd, Frank Snyder, and Stephen Leonard. Also known as a jingle writer, notably the Ajax cleanser “stronger than dirt” and Chevrolet's “see the USA in your Chevrolet” jingles ~ Henke was born in 1915
March 31, 1979 ~ Vocal group Milk & Honey win the 24th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Jerusalem, Israel ~ Representing Israel vocal group Milk & Honey win with the song Hallelujah written by Kobi Oshrat and Shimrit Orr. Runner-ups were Spain's Betty Missiego with the song Su Canción in 2nd place, and France's Anne-Marie David with Je Suis L'Enfant Soleil in 3rd
March 31, 1979 ~ Jazz singer Sasha Dobson born in Santa Cruz, California, USA ~ Daugher of pianist Smith Dobson and singer Gail Dobson. Released her full-length Modern Romance debut album in 2006. Has opened for and backed Norah Jones. Also known as a member Puss 'n Boots alongside Jones and Catherine Popper
March 31, 1978 ~ Harpist, songwriter Edmar Castaneda born in Bogota, Colombia ~ Worked with David Silliman, Marshall Gilkes, Sam Sadigursky, Paquito d'Rivera, Simon Diaz, Lila Downs, Giovanni Hidalgo, Joe Locker, Wynton Marsalis, John Patitucci, Janis Siegel, John Scofield, Samuel Torres, Hiromi, the United Nations Ochestra, the Candy Butchers, Yerba Buena, Martha Topferova, Arturo Romay, and Andrea Tierra
March 31, 1978 ~ Gypsy jazz guitarist Paulus Schäfer born in Nuenen, the Netherlands ~ Considered one of the most talented Dutch gypsy jazz guitarists. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Stochelo Rosenberg, Jimmy Rosenberg, Fapy Lafertin, Tim Kliphuis, Dominique Paats, Biréli Lagrène, and Andreas Oberg
March 31, 1976 ~ Carlos Rico Walker, commonly known as rapper Shawty Lo, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Member of D4L, known for song such as Bet You Can't Do It Like Me and Laffy Taffy. As a solo artist best known for his 2007 debut album Units In The City and the hit singles Dey Know, Dunn Dunn, and Foolish. Collaborated with Ludacris, Jeezy, Plies, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Birdman, Rick Ross, Jim Jones, Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, and The-Dream ~ Walker passed away in 2016
March 31, 1970 ~ Flutist, pianist, drummer Damian Draghici born in Bucharest, Romania ~ In-demand collaborator in pop, jazz and world music. Leader of Damian & Brothers. Worked with the London Symphony Orchestra, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Abraham Laboriel, Neil Stubenhaus, John JR Robinson, Ramón Stagnora, Luis Conte, and Oscar Castro Neves
March 31, 1968 ~ Wesley Williams, commonly known as rapper Maestro, born ~ One of the early Canadian rappers and the first to achieve mainstream success. Maestro released his debut LP Symphony In Effect in 1989 and became the first rapper to hit the Canadian Top 40 the next year with Let Your Backbone Slide. Maestro attempted to hit the US market since the early 1990s but to no avail. He continues to record to this day and has also established himself as an actor, including a role as a security guard in the 50 Cent bio pic Get Rich Or Die Tryin'March 31, 1968 ~ Enos William McDonald, commonly known as country, honky-tonk, rockabilly singer, guitarist, songwriter Skeets McDonald, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity during the 1950s and 1960s. Honky-tonker bridged the gap between country and rock & roll. Perhaps best known for Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes, a Billboard Country charttopper in 1952. Subsequent hits include This Old Heart, Call Me Mr Brown and Mabel ~ McDonald was born in 1915
March 31, 1967 ~ Jazz percussionist, xylophonist, vibraponist Ivar Kolve born in Voss, Norway ~ Brother of saxophonist Kåre Kolve. Known as a solo artist and an in-demand collaborator who has worked with artists such as Maria João, Stale Storløkken, Eivind Sarset, Sébastien Dubé, Stein Inge Brækhus, and Jarle Vespestad
March 31, 1963 ~ Jazz bassist Geir Rognø, full name Geir Aimar Rognø, born in Bergen, Norway ~ Perhaps best known as member of Hot Cargo alongside Ole Thomsen. Has also worked with Jan Eggum, Dag Arnesen, Mads Eriksen, Jahn Teigen, and the Little Big Band
March 31, 1963 ~ Pianist, songwriter Harry Akst passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Started in vaudeville, accompanying artists such as Nora Bayes, Frank Faye, Al Jolson. Would go on to become a respected songwriter for Broadway and Hollywood. Best remembered for co-authoring Dinah with Sam M Lewis and Joe Young, originally recorded by Ethel Waters in 1925 it would also become a hit for the Boswell Sisters, Bing Crosby and the Mills Brothers, the Revelers, and for Fletcher Henderson ~ Akst was born in 1894March 31, 1962 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, dobroist Phil Leadbetter born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of JD Crowe & the New South from 1990 through 2001. Subsequently co-founding member of Wildfire, Grasstowne, and of Flashback. Has also worked with Vern Gosdin, the Whites, Dale Ann Bradley. Three solo albums to his name, 1999's Philibuster, 2005's Slide Effects and 2014's The Next Move ~ Leadbetter passed away in 2021
March 31, 1961 ~ Jazz saxophonist Mark Lockheart born in Lymington, UK ~ Worked with Loose Tubes, the Perfect Houseplants, Huw Warren, the Orlando Consort, Polar Bear, the In Deep Quintet, Liam Noble, Jasper Høiby, Seb Rochford, Tom Herbert, Margrit Hasler, James Alssopp, Finn Peters, Malija, Radiohead, Prefab Sprout, Stereolab, Django Bates, June Tabor, Jah Wobble, High Llamas, John Parricelli, Colin Towns, Kenny Wheeler, and Norma Winstone
March 31, 1960 ~ Theodore Joseph Horowitz, commonly known as guitarist, singer Popa Chubby, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ High-energy performer rooted in old-school blues, electric blues, blues-rock, carrying the torch with a touch of rock and punk thrown in for good measure. Influenced by Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Jimi Hendrix. Emerged in the 1990s New York blues scene and especially noted for albums such as 1995's Booty And The Beast, 1999's Brooklyn Basement Blues and 2000's How'd A White Boy Get The Blues
March 31, 1959 ~ Punk rock, pop rock bassist Ali McMordie, full name Alistair Jardine McMordle, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Co-founding member of Stiff Little Fingers, remaining with the band through its entire existence from 1977 through 1983. Subsequently worked with Friction Groove, Sinéad O'Connor, and Dan DonnellyMarch 31, 1958 ~ Rock, alternative metal, post-punk drummer, singer Paul Ferguson, full name Matthew Paul Ferguson, born ~ Best known as co-founding member of Killing Joke remaining with the band through 1987. Has subsequently worked with Warrior Soul, Murder Inc, Crush, Pigface, and Pink Parts. Released his full-length solo debut album, Virtual Control, in 2021
March 31, 1956 ~ Jazz, funk singer Charmaine Neville born ~ Daughter of the Neville Brothers singer Charles Neville. Released her solo debut It's About Time in 1992. Has worked with her father's band on the 1981 Fiyo On The Bayou album. Also guested on recordings by Andrei Codrescu, Marva Wright, Nils Lofgren, Joe Sample, and Mitch Woods
March 31, 1955 ~ Hard rock guitarist Angus Young, full name Angus McKinnon Young, born in Glasgow, UK ~ One of hard rock's most recognisable artists due to his energetic performances including his own version of the Chuck Berry-inspired duckwalk and his trademark school boy uniform outfit. Co-founding member of the Malcolm Hook Roll Band and subsequently of AC/DC, both of which also included his brother rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young
March 31, 1952 ~ Ralf Hendrik Lindholm, commonly known as guitarist Dave Lindholm, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Sings in Finnish and English. Fronted the rock outfits Ferris and the Rock & Roll Band. As a solo artist best known for his 1978 Vanha Ja Uusi Romanssi albumMarch 31, 1950 ~ Folk pianist, accordionist, harmonica player Chris Parkinson born ~ Co-founded the House Band, remaining with the group from 1984 through 2001. Forms the accordion duo the Sultans Of Squeeze with John Kirkpatrick. Has also worked with Ralph McTell, Steve Phillips, Billy Connolly, and Band Of Hope
March 31, 1950 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Yitzhak Klepter born in Haifa, Israel ~ Earned the nickname “Churchill” after giving a presentation in elementary school about the life of Winston Churchill. Would name his first band, formed at age 15, the Churchills. Best known as member of Kaveret in the mid 1970s. The band is widely considered a breakthrough band in Israeli pop and rock history. Internationally they are known for representing Israel in the 1974 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 7th place with the song Natati La Khayay. Subsequently an English-language version, She Looked Me In The Eye, would be released ~ Klepter passed away in 2022
March 31, 1948 ~ Guitarist Mick Ralphs, born in Michael Geoffrey Ralphs, born in Hereford, UK ~ Member of the Doc Thomas Group, later renamed to Silence and later still to Mott The Hoople. Under the latter monniker, they would score the hits All The Young Dudes, given to them by David Bowie, Honaloochie Boogie, and All The Way From Memphis, all of which featured Ralphs. The guitarist departed the group in 1972 to found Bad Company with Free guitarist Paul Rodgers. The classic rock outfit would become best known for their Can't Get Enough debut single, a Billboard Hot 100 No.5 hit written by Ralphs while he was still with Mott The Hoople. Ralphs has also appeared on Luther Grosvenor's 1971 Under Open Skies album, toured with David Gilmour, teamed up with former Mott The Hoople bandmate Ian Hunter in Ian Hunter & the Rant Band, and released a handful of albums either as a solo artist or fronting his own blues outfit the Mick Ralphs Band ~ Ralphs passed away in 2025March 31, 1947 ~ Rock & roll, R&B, pop drummer John Poulos born ~ Co-founding member of the Buckinghams, known for a string of mid to late 1960s singles including Don't You Care, Mercy Mercy Mercy, Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song) and perhaps their best known Kind Of A Drag. The latter would top the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 ~ Poulos passed away in 1980