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 4, 2025 ~ Jazz, post-bop, jazz-funk singer, vibraphonist, keyboardist Roy Ayers, full name Roy Edward Ayers Jr, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Firmly rooted in bebop, Ayers would become one of the premier vibraphonists to emerge from the 1960s. Initially working as a sidemen with artists such as Curtis Amy, Jack Wilson, Gerald Wilson, Teddy Edwards, Chico Hamilton, Hampton Hawes, Phineas Newborn Jr, and notably with Herbie Mann, Ayers ventured out on his own by the early 1970s and would become especially acclaimed for a series of albums over the next decade, pioneering acid-jazz and jazz-funk, notably Vibrations and Music Of Many Colours with Fela Kuti. Best known for composing and performing the soundtrack to the 1973 blaxploitation film Coffy and for singles such as Running Away, Freaky Deaky, and perhaps his best known Everybody Loves The Sunshine, the latter later notably covered by Cibo Matto, D'Angelo, and N'Dambi. In later years, at some point generally acknowledged as “the Godfather of Neo-Soul”, Ayers would become an in-demand collaborator for the likes of Rick James, Whitney Houston, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Coolio, Mary J Blige (Share My World), Eric Benét, Ronny Jordan, Erykah Badu (Mama's Gun), Jill Scott (Who Is Jill Scott), Gerald Levert, Talib Kweli, and Alicia Keys ~ Ayers was born in 1940
March 4, 2024 ~ Harris Lloyd Seaton, commonly known as ska, rocksteady, reggae singer, songwriter Bibby Seaton or BB Seaton passed away in London, UK ~ Formed the duo Winston & Bibby with Delano Stewart, the pair later expanding into the Gaylads. The vocal group would become one of the premier rocksteady groups in Jamaica, reigning for about a decade starting in the early 1960s. The group had several hits of their own, including My Jamaican Girl, Don't Say No, and There's A Fire, and served as backing unit for the likes of Ken Parker, Ken Boothe, and Delroy Wilson. Seaton has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for songs such Accept My Apology and Thin Line Between Love And Hate, worked with groups such as the Astronauts, Conscious Minds, and the Messengers, and has written songs recorded by Boothe, Wilson, and the Melodians ~ Seaton was born in 1944
March 4, 2023 ~ Bassist Michael Rhodes passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand touring and session musician from the early 1980s forward, present on albums by Stevie Nicks (Bella Donna), JJ Cale (Shades), Dolly Parton, Keith Whitley, Michael Martin Murphey, John Jarvis, Crystal Gayle, Hank Williams Jr, Rodney Crowell (Diamonds & Dirt), Marie Osmond, Rosanne Cash (King's Record Shop), Reba McEntire (Reba), Kenny Rogers, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Delbert McClinton, Steve Winwood, Etta James, Kelly Willis, Alan Jackson (Don't Rock The Jukebox), Vince Gill (Pocket Full Of Gold), Bob Seger, Jason Ringenberg, Faith Hill, Tammy Wynette, Mark Knopfler, Clint Black (Nothin' But The Taillights), Allison Moorer, the Dixie Chicks, Green On Red, Lee Ann Womack (Something Worth Leaving Behind), Aaron Neville, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Sheryl Crow, Gretchen Wilson, George Strait, India Arie, Darius Rucker, Tommy Emmanuel (Little By Little), Buddy Guy, Joss Stone, and Joe Bonamassa ~ Rhodes was born in 1953March 4, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Robert Haimer, also known as Artie Barnes, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the duo Barnes & Barnes with actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, childhood friend Bill Mumy. The duo adopted the personae of Art & Artie Barnes, twin brothers existing in alternate dimensions, and is best known for their 1978 novelty recording Fish Heads ~ Haimer was born in 1954
March 4, 2023 ~ Glenn Michael Lockett, commonly known as producer, sound engineer SPOT, passed away in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA ~ In-house producer and engineer for influential punk label SST Records. Engineered, mixed, produced most of SST's pivotal acts from 1979 until leaving the label in 1986. Has worked with acts such as Black Flag, the Descendents, the Minutemen, Meat Puppets, Hüsker Dü (Everything Falls Apart), the Misfits, Saint Vitus, and the Crucifucks ~ Lockett was born in 1951
March 4, 2022 ~ James L Hinson Jr, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimbeau Hinson, passed away ~ Best known as a songwriter, his songs recorded by the likes of David Lee Murphy, Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, Brenda Lee (Broken Trust), John Conlee, Reba McEntire (Red Roses Won't Work Now), Lynn Anderson, Steve Earle (Hillbilly Highway), Carol Channing and perhaps most notably the Oak Ridge Boys, the latter taking (I'm Settin') Fancy Free written by Hinson and Roy August to the top of the Billboard Country charts in 1981 ~ Hinson was born in 1952
March 4, 2017 ~ Fitzroy Edwards, commonly known as singer Edi Fitzroy, passed away in May Pen, Jamaica ~ First gained attention with the 1978 single Miss Molly Colly, which reached the Jamaican top 10. Soon after Fitzroy toured the UK with Mikey Dread, opening for the Clash. Went on to collaborate with noted producers such as Lloyd Norris, and Trevor Elliot (who produced Check For You Once, the singer's debut album). Fitzroy would continue to record steadily, including hits such as Princess Black and The Gun. Fitzroy would keep his day job, accountancy, until the mid 1990s before focusing solely on his music career ~ Edwards was born in 1955
March 4, 2017 ~ Singer, songwriter Valerie Carter passed away in St Petersburg, Florida, USA ~ Present as a member of Howdy Moon for their eponymous 1974 album Howdy Moon. Went solo with 1977's Just A Stones Throw Away which featured appearances from Maurice White, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and Deniece Williams. Carter also wrote or co-wrote sngs such as Cook With Honey (Judy Collins), Deceiver (the Brothers Johnson), Turn It Into Something Good (Earth Wind & Fire). In-demand backup singer appearing on albums by Little Feat, James Taylor (Gorilla, In The Pocket), Jorge Calderon, Hoyt Axton, Nicolette Larson, Christopher Cross, Randy Newman, Eric Carmen, Jimmy Webb, Don Henley (The End Of Innocence), Diana Ross, Aaron Neville, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett (The Road To Ensanada), Freebo, Neil Diamond, and Julie Miller ~ Carter was born in 1953
March 4, 2009 ~ Piedmont blues guitarist John Cephas passed away ~ First teamed up with the younger blues harpist Phil Wiggins in the mid 1970s, both playing in singer, pianist Big Chief Ellis' backing unit. Following Ellis' death in 1977, the pair decided to continue as a duo despite their 24-year age difference. Showing strong influences from Blind Boy Fuller, Gary Davis, and Sonny Terry, the duo would become a popular festival act, earning acclaim among blues aficionados for keeping the Piedmont blues alive. Cephas & Wiggins recorded well into the 2000s, and are noted most for the late 1980s albums Dog Days Of August and Walking Blues ~ Cephas was born in 1930
March 4, 2008 ~ Rock, blues, folk guitarist Jimmy Faulkner passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Active since the 1960s. Member of the Jangle Dangle Band. Member of the Freak Show. Member of the Fleadh Cowboys. Has also worked with the Floating Dublin Blues Band, Christy Moore, Dónal Lunny, Mary Coughlan, Paul Brady, and Luka Bloom ~ Faulkner was born in 1950
March 4, 2007 ~ Jazz, R&B drummer Bill English passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Sonny Thompson, Amos Milburn, Julien Dash, Bennie Green, Erskine Hawkins, Earl Hines, the Prestige Blues Swingers, Gene Ammons, Quincy Jones, Joe Newman, Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell, Eddie Jefferson, and Eric Dixon ~ English was born in 1925
March 4, 2005 ~ Jazz guitarist, singer Tony Romano passed away in Santa Ana, California, USA ~ In-demand backing musician on radio programs and in Hollywood films from the 1930s through the 1950s. Perhaps best known for his association with Bob Hope and Frances Langford on USO tours in World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars. Has also served as arranger for Johnny Mercer and Bing Crosby. As a solo artist known for Stars Fell On Alabama, a hit for Romano in 1956 ~ Romano was born in 1915March 4, 2004 ~ Singer, songwriter Claude Nougaro passed away in Paris, France ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Marcel Amont (Le Balayeur Du Roi), Philippe Clay (La Sentinelle), Edith Piaf (Mephisto). Debuted as a solo singer in the early 1960s, immediately rising to fame with songs such as Une Petite Fille and Cécile Ma Fille. Would continue to record to critical acclaim and commercial success well into the 1990s ~ Nougaro was born in 1929
March 4, 2004 ~ Alternative rock, post-punk, new wave, gothic rock guitarist, keyboardist, saxophonist John McGeoch, full name John Alexander McGeoch, passed away in Launceston, UK ~ Regarded by some as one of the most influential post-punk guitarists, cited as a primary influence by guitarists such as the Smiths' Johnny Marr, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Jane's Addiction's Dave Navarro, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante. Best known for his associations with Magazine, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Visage and Public Image Ltd ~ McGeoch was born in 1955March 4, 1997 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Raymond Edwards passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Bass singer for doo-wop outfit the Silhouettes, known best for their 1957 hit Get A Job. Originally issued as the B-side to I Am Lonely, the A-side re-release sold a million copies and became the group's only hit, reaching the No.1 spot on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts. Later, the doo-wop revival group Sha Na Na derived their band name from the lyrics of Get A Job, they also covered the song for the 1978 Grease musical film ~ Edwards was born in 1922
March 4, 1996 ~ Mutiat Yewande Isola, commonly known as Christian hip-hop rapper Wande, born in Nigeria ~ Independently released a number of singles during the 2010s leading up to signing with Reach, making her the first female to be signed to the Christian hip hop label. Released her Exit debut EP in 2020. Has guested on recordings by D-Flow, Joey Vantes, V Rose, TobyMac, and 116 Clique
March 4, 1993 ~ Jazz, blues pianist Art Hodes, full name Arthur W Hodes, passed away in Harvey, Illinois, USA ~ By some considered the greatest white jazz, blues pianist of his day. Honed his skills in Chicago's thriving 1920s jazz scene, making his recording debut in 1928 with Wingy Manone. Spent most of the 1930 in obscurity before relocating to New York by the end of the decade, where he became an in-demand collaborator backing artists such as Joe Marsala and Mezz Mezzrow, prior to forming his own ensemble. Recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically for the mid 1950s albums Art Hodes Hot Five and Chicago Rhythm Kings. Hodes has also guested on recordings by Sidney Bechet, Tony Parenti (Tony Parenti And His New Orleanians), Albert Nicholas (All-Star Stompers), Edmond Hall, Barney Bigard (Bucket's Got A Hole In It), Max Kaminsky, and Kenny Davern ~ Hodes was born in 1904
March 4, 1993 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Tomislav Ivcic passed away in Zagreb, Croatia ~ Rose to national fame during the 1970s. Merged pop music with regional folklore. Has recorded about two dozen albums and is best known for songs such as Neman Za Kavu, Veceras Je Nasa Festa which would become an unofficial anthem of the Dalmatia region, and Stop The War In Croatia. Ran as candidate for the HDZ party in the 1993 elections and won a seat in the Croatian Parliament. A few weeks before he was supposed to take office he would die in a car accident at age 40 ~ Ivcic was born in 1953
March 4, 1991 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release Highwire, lead single off the band's Flashpoint live album ~ One of the rare political songs by the band, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in response to the fall-out from the Persian Gulf War. Bassist Bill Wyman is present on the recording, but absent in the accompanying video, fueling speculations he had left the band. Highwire would be the last single release with Wyman, his departure confirmed some two years later. Of the lyrics, Richards stated: “This is not about the war. It's about how you build up some shaky dictator. You can't build them up, 'cause then you've got to slam them down.”
March 4, 1990 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases Alright, lifted off her Rhythm Nation 1814 album ~ Written and produced by Janet Jackson with regular collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Alright tells of finding true love with a person who is also a friend. The song samples two early 1970s classics, Think (About It) by James Brown-protegé Lyn Collins and Do You Like It by BT Express. Alright earned Jackson two Grammy Award nominations, and peaking at No.4 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 it would be the fourth of seven consecutive singles off the same album to reach top 5 on the all-genre. Not only did Jackson break the record for most consecutive top 5 singles off the same album with her seven-hit run, Alright would also do especially well on the Billboard Dance charts, where it become the fourth consecutive single to reach the top spot, breaking a record previously held by Madonna. The dance remix featured Heavy D, marking the first time a rapper appeared on a Janet Jackson track. Heavy D would later also guest on Jam by Janet's brother Michael Jackson, where he would reference his guest appearance on Janet's hit in the lyrics “Got with Janet, then with Guy, now with Michael”March 4, 1979 ~ Michael Thomas McCarthy, commonly known as progressive rock, pop singer Mike Patto, passed away ~ First gained attention as lead singer, frontman of Bo Street Runners. Would subsequently work with Timebox, his own band Patto, and Dick & the Firemen. Joined Spooky Tooth in 1974, present on the band's last album The Mirror. Following Spooky's disbandement later the same year co-founded Boxer with guitarist Ollie Halsall ~ McCarthy was born in 1942
March 4, 1979 ~ Jazz, blues guitarist, composer Stein Urheim born in Bergen, Norway ~ Closely associated with singer Mari Kvien Brunvoll, having released a number of critically acclaimed duet albums starting with 2011's Daydream Community. Has also recorded as a solo artist and has collaborated with Steady Steele, Bearfarm, and Solar Plexus
March 4, 1978 ~ In its 18th week on the charts, (Love Is) Thicker Than Water by Andy Gibb hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Second in a string of three consecutive Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits lifted off his first two albums. Like its predecessor I Just Want To Be Your Everything, (Love Is) Thicker Than Water was written by Andy Gibb's more famous older brother Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, and featured Joe Walsh of the Eagles on guitar. The third single of the bunch, Shadow Dancing, would be the biggest hit of the three, holding the American top spot for seven consecutive weeks, and Andy Gibb's final No.1. Gibb scored several more hits through the early 1980s before fading from view. For most of the 1980s, Gibb struggled with depression before passing away of myocarditis, aggravated by years of substance abuse, at age 30 in 1988. At the time of his death, Gibb was just getting his life back together and working on new material for what was intended to be his comeback album
March 4, 1978 ~ Jazz, dixieland, swing clarinetist, bandleader, songwriter Joe Marsala, full name Joseph Francis Marsala, passed away in Santa Barbara, California, USA ~ Considered an excellent clarinetist, Marsala got his start in music in the late 1920s freelancing for the likes of Wingy Manone and Ben Pollack, before venturing out on his own. Marsala led several groups through the late 1940s, notably being one of the first to employ then-future superstar drummer Buddy Rich. Others who have passed through the ranks of his ensembles include his wife Adele Girard, as well as Red Allen, Eddie Condon, Joe Bushkin, Dave Tough, Shelly Manne, Max Kaminsky, and his younger brother trumpeter Marty Marsala. By the end of the 1940s, Marsala retired from performing to focus on a career as a songwriter and music publisher. Marsala wrote Don't Cry Joe (Let Her Go Let Her Go Let Her Go), best known as recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1949, and co-wrote And So To Sleep Again with Sunny Skylar, recorded by Patti Page in 1951 ~ Marsala was born in 1907March 4, 1977 ~ Rock, indie rock drummer Jeremiah Green, full name Jeremiah Martin Green, born in Oahu, Hawaii, USA ~ Founding member of indie rock outfit Modest Mouse, active with the band since 1993 with a brief hiatus in 2003 and 2004. Has previously worked with Satisfact, Red Stars Theory, Peeved. Later collaborations include Vells and Psychic Emperor ~ Green passed away in 2022
March 4, 1977 ~ Indie rock, punk rock, emo, post-rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Mike Kinsella born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist of emo band American Football. Drummed for Cap'n Jazz, which he co-founded with his brother singer Tim Kinsella. Has also worked with Joan Of Arc, Kyle Fischer, Rainer Maria, the Love Of Everything, Crissi Cochrane, and has recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist going by the moniker Owen
March 4, 1977 ~ Glam rock, hard rock, pop rock outfit Queen release Tie Your Mother Down, lifted off their A Day At The Races album ~ Though at the time of its release, Tie Your Mother Down disappointingly peaked just outside of the top 30 in their native UK, outside the top 40 on the American Billboard Hot 100, this solid, straightforward rocker has become a concert favorite, played on every tour since its release. Guitarist Brian May first came up with the riff on a Spanish guitar while singing “tie your mother down”, a line he considered a joke. Freddie Mercury, however, convinced him to keep it. May would later comment: “Sometimes you get a little riff, and you just put some words with it, and then you don't even think about what they mean. Now I'm remember thinking, now this isn't a good enough title for this song, but everyone said: ‘Well actually, it sounds okay, ’ and so we kind of lyrically built it around that. That's the truth, folks”