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 9, 2024 ~ Classical trumpeter, cornetist Guy Touvron passed away in Saint-Yorre, France ~ Accomplished soloist. Renowned interpreter of baroque composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Tomaso Albinoni, and Giuseppe Torelli, and contemporary classical music. Premiered trumpet concerts written by Ivan Jevtic, Jacques Loussier, and François Rauber. Principal trumpeter for the Orchestre National De Lyon and the French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Formed the Guy Touvron Brass Ensemble by the early 1970s ~ Touvron was born in 1950
March 9, 2024 ~ Americana, folk, alternative country singer, guitarist, songwriter Malcolm Holcombe, full name Malcolm Brank Holcombe, passed away in Asheville, North Carolina, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name, including the criminally overlooked A Hundred Lies released in 1996. Known for his moody poetry, country blues guitar, and distintive rumbling baritone voice. Though Holcombe has never achieved mainstream success, he was revered by peers and critics, drawing comparison to the likes of John Prine and Tom Waits. Holcombe enjoyed a cult following, artists such as Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Iris DeMent among his fans, and has opened for Merle Haggard and Wilco. Upon hearing of his death, revered singer, songwriter Mary Gauthier commented: “He was a genius. A channel. A giver. A master, a maestro, one of my greatest teachers, saintly in spirit, and truly touched by God and the angels” ~ Holcombe was born in 1955
March 9, 2023 ~ Jazz fusion keyboardist Robin Lumley passed away in London, UK ~ Co-founded jazz-rock unit Brand X with guitarist John Goodsall and drummer Phil Collins, remaining with the band from 1974 through 1983 with a small hiatus around 1978 to focus on his career as a producer. The band is best known for their 1977 Moroccan Roll sophomore album which would reach top 40 in their native UK. Lumley has also served as producer for Rod Argent, Bill Bruford, Orleans, and as session musician for Curved Air, Gary Boyle, Ellen Shipley, Exile ~ Lumley was born in 1948
March 9, 2022 ~ Guitarist, producer, songwriter Richard Podolor, full name Richard Allen Podolor, passed away ~ Has worked prolifically as a session musician since the 1950s with artists such as Bonnie Guitar (Dark Moon), and was a member of 1950s band the Pets which also included drummer Earl Palmer, saxophonist Plas Johnson and guitarist René Hall. Best known though for his association with Three Dog Night, producing Mama Told Me (Not To Come) and Joy To The World and most of their subsequent albums. Produced two albums for Steppenwolf, engineering all their early hits including Born To Be Wild. Has also produced albums for Iron Butterfly, the Dillards, Chris Hillman, Black Oak Arkansas, and Alice Cooper ~ Podolor passed away in 1936March 9, 2021 ~ Conductor, pianist James Levine, full name James Lawrence Levine, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known as music director of the Metropolitan Opera from 1976 through 2016. Has also worked with the Munich Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Berlin Philharmonic ~ Levine was born in 1943
March 9, 2021 ~ Leonard Skeat, commonly known as jazz double bassist Len Skeat, passed away ~ Worked with Mel Tormé, Ben Webster, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Scott Hamilton, Helen Merrill, Lou Rawls, Harry Sweets Edison, Denny Wright, Digby Fairweather, Spike Robinson, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Stéphane Grappelli, Dick Morrisey, Bill Watrous, Randy Sandke, Eddie Thompson, and Charly Antolini ~ Skeat was born in 1937
March 9, 2020 ~ Americana, folk, blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Eric Taylor passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Acclaimed storyteller. After relocating to Texas, the Georgia native would find a following on the 1970s Houston folk, country scene alongside contemporaries such as Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. Influential on artists such as Nanci Griffith, to whom he was married from 1976 through 1982, and Lyle Lovett, both of whom recorded his songs. Lovett would also guest on Taylor's eponymous Eric Taylor 1995 sophomore album, which along with its predecessor Shameless Love released over a decade earlier would be ranked among his best work. Taylor recorded throughout the 2010s, toured extensively throughout America and Europe, building a cult following, and has worked as a teacher, giving songwriting workshops ~ Taylor was born in 1949
March 9, 2016 ~ Jonathan James English, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jon English, passed away in Newcastle, Australia ~ Worked with Zenith, Sebastian Hardie, Marcia Hines, and Mario Millo, and starred in several musicals including the Australian version of Jesus Christ Superstar. As a solo artist best known for Australian top 20 hits such as Turn The Page, The Hollywood Seven, Words Are Not Enough, Six Ribbons and Hot Town. Outside Australia best known for the album The Calm Before The Storm released in 1980 ~ English was born in 1949
March 9, 2016 ~ Bassist Leon Francioli passed away in Switzerland ~ Founded Sunnymoon with Werner Ludi, Stephan Wittwer and Fredy Studer. Also worked with Beb Guérin, Pierre Favre, George Gruntz, Michel Portal, Jerry Chardonnens, Albert Mangelsdorff, Jean Francois Bovard, Francois Lindemann, Alex Theus, Joe McPhee, Mario Schiano, and Daniel Bourquin ~ Francioli was born in 1946
March 9, 2016 ~ Juvenal de Holanda Vasconcelos, commonly known as percussionist, singer Naná Vasconcelos, passed away in Perbambuco, Brazil ~ One of the premier Brazilian percussionists, pivotal in changing the direction of Brazilian jazz in the post-bossa nova era. About two dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for Saudades released in 1979. Formed the world fusion trio Codona with Don Cherry and Collin Walcott, with whom he released three albums at the turn of the 1980s. An in-demand collaborator for a wide array of Latin and international jazz artists, as well as occasionally backing pop and rock artists, Vasconcelos has appeared on albums by Luiz Bonfá, Os Mutantes, Gato Barbieri (Fenix), Milton Nascimento (Milagre Dos Peixes), Herb Alpert, Jon Hassell, Joachim Kühn, Sérgio Mendes, Terumasa Hino, BB King, Chaka Khan, Jan Garbarek, Pat Metheny, Bob Moses, Michael Franks, Pino Daniele, Talking Heads (Little Creatures), Ginger Baker (Horses & Trees), Paul Simon, Teena Marie, David Sanborn, John Zorn, Brian Eno, Aztec Camera (Dreamland), Arto Lindsay, Egberto Gismonti, and Caetano Veloso ~ Vasconcelos was born in 1944March 9, 2014 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal singer Michael Jagosz, full name Michael Theodore Jagosz, passed away ~ Influenced by Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Rob Halford. Original lead singer, co-founding member of the LA Guns, present on the band's 1985 Collector's Edition No.1 debut EP. After the band folded in 1985 Jagosz has worked with Abattoir, Eden, and with Stoneheart ~ Jagosz was born in 1965
March 9, 2012 ~ Harry Fisher Henderson, commonly known as blues rock, electric blues singer, guitarist Bugs Henderson, passed away in Jefferson, Texas, USA ~ Recorded well over a dozen albums as a solo artist or with the Bugs Henderson Group or his backing unit the Shuffle Kings. Critically acclaimed for the mid 1990s albums Daredevils Of The Red Guitar and its follow-up That's The Truth. In 2012 a Benefit Bugs concert would be held to aid Henderson suffering from liver cancer. The 11-hour event included artists such as Ray Wylie Hubbard, Smokin' Joe Kubek, and Bnois King. Henderson would die four days after the benefit concert ~ Henderson was born in 1943
March 9, 2007 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Brad Delp, full name Bradley Edward Delp, passed away in Atkinson, New Hampshire, USA ~ Lead singer of Boston. Delp wrote or co-wrote a substantial amount of the band's material such as Smokin' and Let Me Take You Home Tonight of the band's eponymous 1975 Boston debut album, as well as Party, Used To Bad News, Cool The Engines and Can'tcha Say You Believe In Me/Still In Love of later albums. In 1991 Delp co-founded RTZ with bandmate guitarist Barry Goudreau and be involved in several other side projects including Orion The Hunter ~ Delp was born in 1951March 9, 2006 ~ Opera singer, actress, TV personality Anna Moffo passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Nicknamed “La Bellissima” for her beauty. One of the leading lyric-coloratura sopranos of her generation. Worked with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House, and the Rome Opera ~ Moffo was born in 1932
March 9, 2005 ~ Singer, songwriter Chris LeDoux passed away in Casper, Wyoming, USA ~ Rodeo champion, rodeo Hall of Famer singing rodeo songs. Some three dozen albums to his name, most of them self-released. Shot to national promince being mentioned in Garth Brooks' Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old). LeDoux would later duet with Brooks on What Are You Gonna Do With A Cowboy. As a solo artist LeDoux is best known for songs such as Cadillac Ranch, Ten Seconds In The Saddle, Stampede, and for Bang A Drum, the latter with Jon Bon Jovi ~ LeDoux was born in 1948March 9, 2004 ~ Jazz, big band singer Ruby Wright passed away in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Not to ber confused with her namesake country singer Ruby Wright. Mostly unknown in her native America, Wright was best known for a number of UK hits during the 1950s including Bimbo, Three Stars, and Let's Light The Christmas Tree. Wright was married to bandleader Barney Rapp, in whose orchestra she also sang ~ Wright was born in 1914
March 9, 2004 ~ Jazz pianist Tony Lee, full name Anthony Leedham Lee, passed away in Esher, UK ~ Worked with Tommy Whittle, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Barney Kessel, Sonny Stitt, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Terry Smith, Tubby Hayes, Dick Morrisey, Phil Seamen, Eddie Gomez, Tony Archer, Jack Parnell, Kenny Baker, Don Lusher, and Betty Smith ~ Lee was born in 1934
March 9, 1998 ~ Country singer Tim McGraw releases One Of These Days, lifted off his Everywhere album ~ The song tells of the narrator's regrets of mistakes in high school such as bullying a schoolmate, the hurt he has caused people later resulting in a deep loathing of himself. Written by Marcus Hummon, who first recorded the song for his 1995 album All In Good Time, with Monty Powell, and Kip Raines. Powell would later recall on how the song became to be, him and Raines over at Hummon's house working on a rudimentary draft: “We wound up writing and writing, and we sort of got stuck on how to bring it home. It was one of those moments of inspiration that came to me when we were sitting there and I went, “Guys, one of these days, I'm gonna love me. Me!’ As soon as that happened the rest of it just fell out.” A few years later Tim McGraw would cover the song, and take the single to No.2 Billboard Country, making it his fourth consecutive top 10 hit off Everywhere
March 9, 1997 ~ Christopher George Latore Wallace, commonly known as rapper the Notorious BIG, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Considered one of the most important and influential rappers of all-time. Best known for songs such as Juicy and Big Poppa. Married to R&B singer Faith Evans ~ Wallace was born in 1972March 9, 1996 ~ Nathan Birnbaum, commonly known as vaudevillian, comedian, singer George Burns passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Formed the comedy duo Burns & Allen with his wife Gracie Allen, performing from the 1920s through the 1950s on radio, TV and film. Enjoyed a sudden career revival at age 79, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1975 film The Sunshine Boys ~ Burns was born in 1896
March 9, 1996 ~ Symphony conductor James Guthrie, full name James Kelley Guthrie, passed away ~ Founded the San Bernardino Community Orchestra at age 15, the orchestra would later evolve into the San Bernardino Symphony. Known for conducting the first performance of the Hollywood Grand Opera Association in 1936, earning him critical acclaim. Also closely associated with the Riverside Symphony Orchestra. Established the Guthrie Music Rental Library in 1974 with the aim to rent out scores and sheet music at affordable prices to schools, colleges and orchestras in order to encourage music performance ~ Guthrie was born in 1914
March 9, 1992 ~ Singer, actress María Eugenia Suárez, full name Maria Eugenia Suárez Riveiro, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Former child actress, debuting in 2003 at age 11 in the TV series Rincón De Luz. To music audiences best known for her role of Jazmin Romero on the TV series Casi Angeles from 2007 through 2010, which also spawned the musical group the Teen Angels. Suárez exited the band in 2011
March 9, 1992 ~ Monte Rex Budwig, commonly known as jazz double bassist Monty Budwig, passed away in Eagle Rock, California, USA ~ In-demand sideman and collaborator, especially associated with Barney Kessel, Shelly Manne, and Vince Guaraldi. Budwig has also appeared on albums by Lennie Niehaus, Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Tal Farlow, Art Pepper, Frank Rosolino (Frank Rosolino Quintet), June Christy, Henry Mancini (The Music From Peter Gunn), Zoot Sims (Choice), Benny Goodman, Thelonious Monk (At The Blackhawk), Junior Mance, Sonny Criss (Rockin' In Rhythm), Jimmy Rowles, Mundell Lowe, Soprano Summit, Herb Ellis, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Al Cohn, and Lew Tabackin. Budwig recorded one album as a leader, the highly acclaimed Dig released in 1978 ~ Budwig was born in 1926
March 9, 1987 ~ Shad Gregory Moss, commonly known as rapper Bow Wow, born in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, USA ~ Discovered by Snoop Dogg. Released his debut album, 2000's Beware Of Dog, at age 13. Known for songs such as Bounce With Me featuring Xscape, Let's Get Down featuring Birdman, Let Me Hold You featuring Omarion, and Like You featuring Ciara. Has also collaborated with Jermaine Dupri, Johnta Austin, Lil Wayne, and Bone Thugs 'n Harmony
March 9, 1986 ~ Hip-hop outfit Run-DMC record their cover of Aerosmith's Walk This Way ~ Originally by Aerosmith. Written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, who also guest on the record. Produced by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. Released as a single the following July. Included on the Raising Hell album