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 8, 2025 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader Bill Ashton, full name William Michael Allingham Scott, passed away ~ Co-founder of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, of which he served as director from 1965 until his retirement in 2009. The orchestra served as a training school and launching pad for numerous British jazz artists including Julian Argüelles, Guy Barker, Nigel Hitchcock, Gerard Presencer, Brian Priestley, Frank Ricotti, Jamie Talbot, Neil Yates, and numerous others. To more pop oriented audiences, the orchestra is perhaps best known for including Amy Winehouse, who sang with the jazz orchestra for several months in the early 2000s. The orchestra has recorded over 40 albums, with numerous compositions arranged or written by Ashton ~ Ashton was born in 1936
March 8, 2024 ~ Jazz, R&B saxophonist Ernie Fields Jr passed away in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Son of trombonist, pianist Ernie Fields, with whom he has also worked. Composed the score to the 1978 film Disco Godfather. Toured with James Brown alumnus Fred Wesley during the 1990s. Fields was an in-demand session musician, appearing on albums by Alphonso Johnson, Albert King, Freddie Hubbard, Martha Reeves, Marvin Gaye (Here My Dear), Marlena Shaw, Teena Marie (Wild & Peaceful), Rick James (Bustin' Out Of L Seven), Aretha Franklin, Third World, Miles Davis, Two Tons Of Fun, and Stevie Wonder ~ Fields was born in 1934
March 8, 2023 ~ Marcel Jean-Pierre Balthazar Miramon, commonly known as singer, actor Marcel Amont, passed away in St Cloud, France ~ Hugely popular during the 1960s and 1970s. Some 30 albums to his name. Recorded about a 1,000 songs. Sold an approximate 300 million records. Renowned as interpreter of compositions by Georges Brassens, Leo Ferré, Georges Moustaki. Known for songs such as Blue Blanc Blond, L'Amour Ça Fait Passer Le Temps, Ballade Pour L'Espagnol, Le Plus Beau Tango Du Monde and perhaps his best known Le Mexicain ~ Amont was born in 1929March 8, 2023 ~ Alternative rock bassist Phil Titus passed away ~ Co-founding member of Morning Parade, active through the mid-2010s. The band is best known for Headlights and Speechless, both taken of their eponymous 2012 Morning Parade debut album. The band would release one more album, 2014's Pure Adulterated Joy, before disbanding ~ Titus was born ca.1987
March 8, 2022 ~ Elliott Small, commonly known as blues harpist, singer Grandpa Elliott, passed away in Jefferson, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as a street-musician in New Orleans, Louisiana, preferring the streets over the studio and concert stage. Small developed the persona of Grandpa Elliott, an old man dressed in blue denim overals, bright red shirt, Santa beard and a floppy hat playing the blues harp and singing for the street traffic on his corner at Royal and Toulouse in the French quarter. Over the years has become an institution in New Orleans, recording a debut album as late as 2009 after a YouTube video of him went viral. The sudden attention would get him on The Tonight Show, The Colbert Report, at Dodger Stadium performing for a crowd of 40,000, and have Keb' Mo accompany him on his sole Sugar Sweet album ~ Small was born in 1944March 8, 2022 ~ Hisoa Oma Suzuki, commonly known as jazz double bassist Isao Suzuki passed away in Kawasaki, Japan ~ Worked with artists including Shotaro Moriyasu, Hidehiko Matsumoto, Sadao Watanabe, Hampton Hawes, Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, Ella Fitzgerald, Jim Hall, Wynton Kelly, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Bobby Timmons, Kenny Burrell, and Mal Waldron ~ Suzuki was born in 1933
March 8, 2022 ~ Jazz trumpeter, cornetist Ron Miles, full name Ronald Glen Miles, passed away in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Praised for his harmonically nuanced approach to modern jazz, Miles has released over a dozen albums as a leader starting in the late 1980s. Especially acclaimed for his 1997 Woman's Day album. Closely associated with Bill Frisell and Fred Hess, recording some half a dozen albums with each of the two. Miles has also appeared on albums by the likes of Lannie Garrett, Dotsero (Essensual), Paul Warburton, Jon Gunther (Healing Song), Ginger Baker (Coward Of The County), Myriam Alter, the Czars, DJ Logic, Otis Taylor (Double V), Jenny Scheinman, Wayne Horvitz, Floratone, Myra Melford (Snowy Egret), Ben Goldberg, Matt Wilson (Honey And Salt), Bruce Cockburn, and Joshua Redman ~ Miles was born in 1963March 8, 2021 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Julien-François Zbinden passed away in Lausanne, Switzerland ~ Active since the late 1930s. Composed over a hundred works including stage works, concertante works, chamber and vocal works. Best known for his symphonies, collected on the 2007 Orchestral Works album as performed by various artists. Also closely associated with Radio Suisse Romande, initially working as a recording manager, promoted to the head of the music department in 1956 ~ Zbinden was born in 1917
March 8, 2019 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Eddie Taylor Jr passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of guitarist, singer Eddie Taylor and singer Vera Taylor, stepbrother of Larry Taylor, brother of singer Demetria Taylor. Initially tried his hand at rapping but quickly turned to blues. Debuted in 1998 with the album Looking For Trouble, a tribute to his late father, also featuring his mother on backing vocals. Worked with Johnny B Moore, Little Arthur Duncan, Willie Kent, Hubert Sumlin, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Billy Gibbons ~ Taylor was born in 1972
March 8, 2019 ~ Composer, conductor Michael Gielen, full name Michael Andreas Gielen, passed away in Mondsee, Austria ~ Closely associated with the Royal Swedish Opera. Premiered works by György Ligeti, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Bernd Alois Zimmermann. Has also worked with the Oper Frankfurt, the National Orchestra Of Belgium, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra ~ Gielen was born in 1927
March 8, 2017 ~ Latin jazz, smooth jazz, crossover jazz flutist Dave Valentin, full name David Peter Valentin, passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Active since his early teens. Started on conga and timbales, switched to flute to get to known a girl in school who played the flute. Mentored by Hubert Laws. Recorded close to two dozen albums as a solo artist or leader, drawing from pop, R&B, Brazilian music to create a slick and accessible form of crossover jazz. Especially acclaimed for his 1988 Live At The Blue Note live album, and for his 1990 Two Amigos collaborative album with Herbie Mann. Has also worked with Noel Pointer, Patti Austin, Lee Ritenour, David Benoit, Eliane Elias, the GRP All-Star Big Band, Scott Cossu, and Nnenna Freelon ~ Valentin was born in 1952March 8, 2017 ~ Dansband, schlager, pop rock singer, songwriter Lars Diedricson passed away in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Member of Snowstorm. Member of Don Patrol. Internationally perhaps best known for co-writing Take Me To Your Heaven with lyricists Gert Lengstrand and Marcos Ubeda, which performed by Charlotte Perrelli would win the 1999 Eurovision Songfestival for Sweden ~ Diedricson was born in 1961
March 8, 2016 ~ Rock & roll, progressive rock, rock guitarist, singer Ross Hannaford, full name Ross Andrew Hannaford, passed away in Melbourne, Australia ~ Closely associated with singer Ross Wilson, including in the bands Pink Finks and Daddy Cool. The latter would become one of Australia's biggest bands with the release of their 1971 Daddy Who (Daddy Cool) album and are specifically noted for the single Eagle Rock. Has also worked with Mighty Kong, Hey Gringo, the Party Machine, the Black Sorrows, Paul Madigan, Ian Moss, Steve Hoy, Mark Gillespie, and the Ram Band. Hanna, as he was affectionately known, also fronted the Ross Hannaford Trio, acclaimed for a number of albums starting with the eponymous The Ross Hannaford Trio album released in 1996 ~ Hannaford was born in 1950
March 8, 2015 ~ Trumpeter, hornist Lew Soloff, full name Lewis Michael Soloff, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ To pop, rock audiences perhaps best known as a member of Blood Sweat & Tears from 1968 through 1973 first appearing on the band's eponymous 1969 Blood Sweat & Tears sophomore album. Member of 1980s jazz outfit Members Only. Present on albums by George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Evans, Bloomfield Kooper & Stills, Herbie Mann, Sonny Stitt, Aretha Franklin, Marlena Shaw, Chaka Khan, Charlie Musselwhite, Michael Franks, Sinéad O'Connor (Am I Not Your Girl), Grant Green, Carla Bley, Paul Simon (Graceland), Hank Crawford, the Manhattan Jazz Quintet, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Previte, and Joss Stone (Colour Me Free) ~ Soloff was born in 1944March 8, 2014 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jerry Corbitt, full name Jerry Byron Corbitt, passed away in Smiley, Texas, USA ~ Best known as founding member, guitarist, songwriter of the Youngbloods. wrote or co-wrote songs such as A Dreamer's Dream, Don't Play Games, Don't Let The Rain Bring You Down. Also produced Don McLean's debut album Tapestry, co-wrote Charlie Daniels' Life Goes On, co-wrote Cypress Hill's Insane In The Brain ~ Corbitt was born in 1943
March 8, 2013 ~ Samuel T Lawmaster, commonly known as rockabilly, country singer, songwriter Sammy Masters, passed away in Orange, California, USA ~ Somewhat overlooked singer. As a songwriter best known for Turn The Cards Slowly, a minor hit for Patsy Cline, and for Who Can I Count On, recorded by Bobby Darin as well as by Wayne Newton ~ Lawmaster was born in 1930
March 8, 2012 ~ James Thomas Ellis, commonly known as R&B, disco singer Jimmy Ellis, passed away in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA ~ Lead singer of the Trammps, best known for their era-defining hit Disco Inferno. The song had been a modest hit in 1976 but inclusion in the 1977 Saturday Night Fever film would rekindle interest. A re-release would top the Billboard R&B charts and reach top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. The song has become one of the all-time classic dance tracks and remains a favorite of radio stations the world over ~ Ellis was born in 1937
March 8, 2011 ~ Alternative rock bassist Mike Starr, full name Michael Christopher Starr, passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA ~ Best known as member of Alice In Chains from its inception in 1987 until early 1993, departing the band just as they were reaching their biggest success. Starr was present on the band's first two albums, 1990's Facelift and its 1992 Dirt follow-up, the latter spawning the hit singles Rooster and Down In A Hole. Subsequently Starr worked with Sun Red Sun, which also included former Black Sabbath members Ray Gillen and Bobby Rondinelli ~ Starr was born in 1966March 8, 2011 ~ Bernard St Clair Lee, commonly known as St Clair Lee, passed away in Lake Elsinore, California, USA ~ Best known as singer of the Hues Corporation, scoring a Billboard top 10 hit with their single Rock The Boat taken of their 1973 Freedom For The Stallion album. Previously the band had contributed to the Blacula soundtrack, a 1973 blaxploitation version of the classic Dracula tale ~ Lee was born in 1944
March 8, 2009 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Hank Locklin, full name Lawrence Hankins Locklin, passed away in Brewton, Alabama, USA ~ One of country's earliest honky tonk singers. Influential on later generations. Known for songs such as Please Help Me I'm Falling, Send Me The Pillow You Dream On, Geisha Girl, Happy Journey, and Fraulein. Locklin's songs have been covered by artists such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Roy Rogers, Dwight Yoakam, and Dean Martin ~ Locklin was born in 1918
March 8, 2006 ~ Laurence Mazel, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Raphe Malik, passed away in Guilford, Vermont, USA ~ One of the few trumpeters to excel in high-energy free jazz, noted for his work with pianist Cecil Taylor during the 1970s including on albums such as Dark To Themselves and Cecil Taylor Unit. Malik has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, notably 21st Century Texts released in 1999, and has appeared on albums by Jimmy Lyons (Wee Sneezawee), Joel Futterman, Glenn Spearman (Free Worlds), Rova, Sabir Mateen, and Alan Silva ~ Mazel was born in 1948March 8, 2005 ~ Vibraphonist, drummer Larry Bunker, full name Lawrence Benjamin Bunker, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ First gained attention in the early 1950s, replacing Chico Hamilton in Gerry Mulligan's ensemble. Would go on to become an in-demand studio musician, perhaps best known for his association with Bill Evans in the early 1960s including on the album Time Remembered. Bunker has also appeared on albums by Hampton Hawes, Harry Babasin (Jazz In Hollywood), Stan Getz (West Coast Jazz), June Christy, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald (Lullabies Of Birdland), Jon Eardley, Eartha Kitt, Sonny Criss, Anita O'Day, Freddie Redd (Piano East Piano West), Buddy Collette (Man Of Many Parts), Stan Kenton, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra (Only The Lonely), Fred Katz, Carmen McRae, Benny Carter (Aspects), Henry Mancini, Zoot Sims (Choice), Chet Atkins (Chet Atkins In Hollywood), Neal Hefti, the 5th Dimension, Michael Franks, Al Jarreau (We Got By), John Williams (Jaws), Donna Summer, and Tom Waits (Swordfishtrombones) ~ Bunker was born in 1928
March 8, 2003 ~ Terence Nelhams Wright, commonly known as singer Adam Faith, passed away in Stoke-on-Trent, UK ~ Teen idol, best known for a string of early 1960s hits including What Do You Want, Poor Me, Someone Else's Baby, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, How About That, Lonely Pup In A Christmas Shop and Who Am I ~ Nelhams-Wright was born in 1940March 8, 2001 ~ Electric blues singer Robert Ealey, full name Robert Daniel Ealey, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Began singing in church in his mid-teens. Influenced by Lightnin' Hopkins, Melvin Jackson, and T-Bone Walker. Rose to regional fame as a member of the Boogie Chillun Boys, performing for about two decades at the the Blue Bird Club, Fort Worth, after which he purchased the club and ran it for another ten years. Has recorded a number of albums during the 1990s, especially noted for 1996's Turn Out The Lights, and through intensive touring found popularity in Europe with his authentic Texas urban blues ~ Ealey was born in 1925
March 8, 1993 ~ Jazz, pop singer, bandleader Billy Eckstine, full name William Clarence Eckstine, passed away in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced Earl Coleman, Johnny Hartman, Arthur Prysock, Lou Rawls. Known for songs such as Cottage For Sale, Prisoner Of Love and I Apologize. Employed and mentored sidemen sich as Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro, Sarah Vaughan, Tadd Dameron, Gil Fuller, and Jerry Valentine ~ Eckstine was born in 1914March 8, 1993 ~ Cornetist, tubist, bassist, bandleader Singleton Palmer passed away in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Actively performing since his mid-teens. First recorded with Oliver Cobb in the late 1920s. Has backed artists such as Dewey Jackson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Forrest, Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson I, and Count Basie prior to forming and leading his own ensemble the Dixieland Six, with whom he performed in St Louis, Missouri, and recorded about half a dozen albums through the mid 1960s ~ Palmer was born in 1912