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, 1965 ~ Pianist, arranger, composer Tadd Dameron passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ The most influential arranger of the bebop era, also worked for swing and hard bop players. Arranged for artists such as Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Jimmie Lunceford, Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan. Co-wrote If You Could See Me Now, one of Vaughan's first signature songs ~ Dameron was born in 1917
March 8, 1963 ~ Country guitarist, singer Jack Anglin passed away in Madison, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit Anglin Brothers, active through the late 1930s. Would rise to fame as half of the duo Johnny & Jack, alongside Johnny Wright, becoming permanent residents of the Grand Ole Opry in 1952. The duo is best known for singles such as Poison Love, Oh Baby Mine I Get So Lonely, and Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight ~ Anglin was born in 1916
March 8, 1962 ~ Mark Brown, commonly known as R&B, funk, rock, soul bassist, singer, producer Brownmark, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Influenced by Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, Jaco Pastorius, Verdine White, and Bootsy Collins. Early member of Prince's backing band the Revolution, appearing on albums such as Controversy, Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day, and Parade. Post-Prince Brown has achieved minor succes fronting the funk-rock outfit Mazarati, known for their sole eponymous Mazarati album released in 1986. Though not a commercial succes the album is considered a cult classic. Brown also served as producer for Stacy Lattislaw, Chico DeBarge, and LakesideMarch 8, 1961 ~ Conductor, impresario Thomas Beecham passed away in London, UK ~ Especially known as an advocate of lesser known composers such as Frederick Delius and Hector Berlioz. Closely associated with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra ~ Beecham was born in 1879
March 8, 1958 ~ Gary Anthony James Webb, commonly known as new wave, pop rock singer, bassist, songwriter, producer Gary Numan born in Hammersmith, UK ~ First gained attention as frontman of Tubeway Army, known best for their single Are Friends Electric. Debuted as a solo artist in 1979 with the album The Pleasure Principle spawning the hit Cars
March 8, 1958 ~ Glam rock, gothic rock, post-punk, trance, psychedelic trance singer, DJ Olli Wisdom, full name Oliver John Wisdom, born in London, UK ~ Fronted UK punk band the Unwanted. Member of early 1980s glam, gothic rock outfit the Specimen. Would go on to become a pioneer of psychedelic trance, using the moniker Space Tribe from the mid 1990s on, influenced by electro-driven psychedelic sounds he first encountered on his travels to Asia ~ Wisdom passed away in 2021
March 8, 1957 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger, conductor Billy Childs, full name William Edward Childs, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Herbie Hancock, Keith Emerson, Chick Corea, Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky. Worked with JJ Johnson, Freddie Hubbard, Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Botti, Gladys Knight, Michael Bublé, David Foster, Phil Ramone, and Claudia Acuna
March 8, 1957 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock drummer Clive Burr, full name Clive Ronald Burr, born in East Ham, UK ~ Member of Samson. Best known as drummer for Iron Maiden from 1979 through 1982, replaced by Nicko McBrain. Present on the band's first three albums, namely Iron Maiden, Killers and the band's breakthrough album The Number Of The Beast. Co-wrote Gangland of the latter album. Following his departure from the band Burr has played with Trust, Alcatrazz, supergroup Gogmagog, and Dee Snider. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Burr retired from music in the late 1990s ~ Burr passed away in 2013
March 8, 1956 ~ Robert Antonio Pérez Herrera, commonly known as merengue singer, guitarist Rubby Pérez, born in Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic ~ Initially aspired to become a professional baseball player, turning to music after a car accident caused permanent damage to his leg. Known for his distinctive vocals, earning him the nickname “the Highest Voice of Merengue”. Over the course of his career, Pérez has recorded over a dozen albums starting with Con Altura in 1986. Well known songs include Buscando Tus Besos, Enamorado De Ella, and Tú Vas A Volar. Pérez was among over 200 persons killed when the roof of the Jet Set night club in Santo Domingo, where he performed that night, collapsed. Upon hearing of his death, longtime collaborator bandleader Wilfrido Vargas commented: “(Pérez's) voice, powerful and full of life will continue to resonate in every corner of our Dominican Republic and beyond. Rubby was not just a singer, he was a symbol of courage, passion and artistic excellence” ~ Pérez passed away in 2025March 8, 1954 ~ Rita Maria Crudgington, commonly known as pop singer Cheryl Baker, born in London, UK ~ Member of Bucks Fizz from 1981 through 1993, present on most of the band's best known including the 1981 Eurovision Songfestival winner Making Your Mind Up, The Land Of Make Believe, and My Camera Never Lies
March 8, 1950 ~ Rock, pop rock singer Seid Memic born in Travnik, Yugoslavia ~ First gained attention as lead singer of rock band Teska Industrija, present on the band's Ho Ruk debut album. Active as a solo artist since the late 1970s. Internationally perhaps best known for representing his native Yugoslavia at the 1981 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 15th place with Lejla which remains a favorite in Balkan countries
March 8, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Antonello Venditti born in Rome, Italy ~ Became famous for the social themes of his songs. Debuted in 1972 with Theorius Campus. The album, a joint effort with Francesco de Gregori, initially sold poorly but did contain Roma Capoccia which would later become one of Venditti's most famous songs
March 8, 1949 ~ Rock, progressive rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Dave Lambert born ~ Best known for his association with Strawbs, playing with the band from 1972 through 1978, rejoining in later years. Present on a string of acclaimed albums including Grave New World, Bursting At The Seams, Hero And Heroine, and Ghosts. Lambert has also worked with Fire, the King Earl Boogie Band, and with Chas Cronk, and recorded as a solo artistMarch 8, 1948 ~ Margaret Annemaria Battavio, commonly known as pop singer Little Peggy March, born in Lansdake, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for I Will Follow Him, a million-seller hit in 1963. Would continue to record to moderate European succes into the 1970s
March 8, 1948 ~ Guitarist, singer Mell Galley, full name Melville John Galley, born in Cannock, UK ~ Best known as longtime member of Trapeze. Has also worked with Finders Keepers appearing on the 1968 single Sadie The Cleaning Lady. Other collaborations include Glenn Hughes, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Phenomena and Cozy Powell ~ Galley passed away in 2008
March 8, 1947 ~ Rock guitarist, producer Earle Mankey born in Washington, USA ~ Founding member, guitarist of Sparks, known for songs such as This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us and The Number One Song In Heaven. Also an in-demand producer for acts including 20/20, the Runaways, Concrete Blonde, Jumpin' Jimes, the Long Ryders, the Three O'Clock, the Tearaways, the Conditionz, and Kristian HoffmanMarch 8, 1947 ~ Guitarist Mike Allsup. full name Michael Rand Allsup, born in Modesto, California, USA ~ Early member of Three Dog Night, remaining with the band through 1975 and present on songs such as One, Easy To Be Hard, Mama Told Me (Not To Come), Joy To The World, Black & White, Shambala and The Show Must Go On
March 8, 1947 ~ Pop, rock guitarist Phil Sawyer born in London, UK ~ Active since the mid 1960s. Member of Les Fleur De Lys. Member of the Cheynes, which also included a then-unknown 15-year-old Mick Fleetwood. Member of Shotgun Express, again with Fleetwood and a then-unknown Rod Stewart. Briefly a member of the Spencer Davis Group, appearing on the 1968 With Their New Face album. The album spawned a couple of minor hits including Don't Want You No More later notably covered by the Allman Brothers Band. Subsequently worked as songwriter and producer for several artists, including Sandie Shaw, and for TV and radio commercials, documentaries, and feature films. Has released a number of new-age albums, using the moniker Beautiful World, in the 1990s following the success of two songs, Wonderful World and In Existence, he wrote for the shampoo brand Timotei
March 8, 1946 ~ Country rock, pop rock bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Randy Meisner, full name Randall Herman Meisner, born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of Poco, appearing on the band's 1969 Pickin' Up The Pieces but departing the band before its release. Leaving in high spirits his image was removed from the painting on the album's cover and replaced with a dog. Member of the Stone Canyon Band, present on the albums In Concert At The Troubadour 1969 and Rudy The Fifth. Best known for co-founding the Eagles, for whom he wrote or co-wrote and sang lead on songs such as Take It To The Limit, Try And Love Again, Is It True, Take The Devil, Tryin', and Certain Kind Of Fool. Citing “exhaustion” Meisner left the band in 1977. Meisner released his eponymous Randy Meisner solo debut album the following year ~ Meisner passed away in 2023March 8, 1945 ~ Pop, rock singer, drummer Micky Dolenz, full name George Michael Dolenz Jr, born in Tarzana, California, USA ~ Member of the Monkees. Sang lead on Last Train To Clarksville, Pleasant Valley Sunday and I'm A Believer
March 8, 1943 ~ Andrew Raeburn Semple, commonly known as pop, merseybeat singer, guitarist Shel Macrae, born in Burbank, UK ~ Member of the Fortunes from 1966 through 1977, present on the early 1970s UK top 10 hits Freedom Come Freedom Go and Storm In A Teacup ~ Semple passed away in 2022
March 8, 1943 ~ Charles Emanuel Sherrell, commonly known as R&B, funk bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Sweet Charles Sherrell, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for backing James Brown for the better part of two decades starting in 1968. Credited by Brown with being the first bassist to incorporate techniques such as thumping on the strings, essential to Brown's evolution from soul to funk. Notably present on Brown hits such as Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud, Mother Popcorn and Give It Up Or Turn It Loose. Sherrell also recorded the unsuccessful For Sweet People From Sweet Charles solo album, backed Al Green, and worked with several Brown alumni including Marva Whitney, Lyn Collins, and extensively with Maceo Parker including on the latter's Funk Overload album ~ Sherrell passed away in 2023
March 8, 1941 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Franco D'Andrea, full name Francesco D'Andrea, born in Merano, Italy ~ Leader and sideman. Recorded an estimated 200 albums. Worked with Pergeo, Gato Barbieri, Steve Lacy, Dave Liebman, John Surman, Kenny Wheeler, Phil Woods, Ernst Reijseger, Slide Hampton, Frank Rosolino, Conte Candoli, Max Roach, Lee Konitz, Johnny Griffin, Tony Scott, Han Bennink, Dave Douglas, Nunzio Rotondo, Bruno Tommaso, Franco Tonani, Mark Helias, Barry Altschul, Tino Tracanna, Stephen Schertler, Bill Elgart, Hein van de Geyn, Enrico Rava, Miroslav Vitous, Daniel Humair, Steven Bernstein, and Phil WoodsMarch 8, 1939 ~ Operatic tenor, conductor Robert Tear born in Barry, UK ~ First gained attention in the mid 1960s performing in a number of Benjamin Britten operas, starting with The Rape Of Lucretia with the English Opera Group. Britten was so thrilled with Tear that he wrote two roles with Tear's voice in mind, namely Misael in The Burning Fiery Furnace and the title role in The Prodigal Son. Tear is also closely associated with the Royal Opera House, remaining with the company from the 1970s until his retirement in 1999. In the 1980s Tear conducted the London Mozart Players, the English Chamber Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Philharmonia Orchestra ~ Tear passed away in 2011
March 8, 1937 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Richard Fariña, full name Richard George Fariña, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Important Greenwich Village figure. Married to Carolyn Hester, later married to Joan Baez's sister Mimi Baez. Befriended Bob Dylan. Known for songs such as Pack Up Your Sorrows and Birmingham Sunday. Also known for his 1966 novel Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me, the title taken from lyrics of Furry Lewis's I Will Turn Your Money Green. Died in a motorcycle accident two days after his novel was published ~ Fariña passed away in 1966