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.
May 14, 1957 ~ Rock, punk rock guitarist Dix Denney born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Co-founding and along with brother singer John Denney the only other constant member of punk rock outfit the Weirdos. Member of Thelonious Monster, known for their 1992 A Beautiful Mess major label debut album which included the modest hit Body And Soul. The band was named after jazz pianist Thelonious Monk ~ Denney passed away in 2023
May 14, 1956 ~ Jazz guitarist Bruce Forman born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman actively recording since the early 1980s. Worked with Richie Cole, Ray Brown, George Cables, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Woody Shaw, Lorez Alexandria, Chuck Deardorf, Dan Hicks, Roger Kellaway, Jimmy Knepper, Geoff Muldaur, and Charlie Shoemake
May 14, 1952 ~ New wave, rock, art pop, worldbeat singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter David Byrne born in Dumberton, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter of pivotal new wave, art pop group Talking Heads, one of the most acclaimed bands of the 1980s and known for songs such as Psycho Killer, Burning Down The House, Slippery People, Road To Nowhere, And She Was, and Once In A Lifetime. Also known as a solo artist, in-demand collaborator, filmer, photographer and founder of the Luaka Bop record label, focusing on world music from artists such as Os Mutantes, Lose de Abajo, Zap Mama, Tom Zé, and King ChangoMay 14, 1951 ~ Smooth jazz, jazz fusion saxophonist Jay Beckenstein born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Spyro Gyra. Guested on a number of Dream Theater's albums, perhaps most notably playing the sax solo on Another Day of the 1992 Images And Words album. Has also worked with Bob James, Jason Miles, Orleans, David Broza, Basia, and Chuck Loeb
May 14, 1950 ~ Conductor, arranger, producer Celso Valli born in Bologna, Italy ~ Worked with Drupi, Tantra, Azoto, Mina, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti, FiIlippa Giordano, Mango, Vasco Rossi, Matia Bazar, Raf, Giorgia, Gerardina Trovato, and others ~ Valli passed away in 2025May 14, 1945 ~ Singer, guitarist Derek Leckenby born in Leeds, UK ~ Best known as member of Herman's Hermits, remaining with the band from its inception in 1964 until his death three decades later. Noted for playing the signature riff on Silhouettes, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1965 ~ Leckenby passed away in 1994
May 14, 1944 ~ Blue-eyed soul guitarist, bassist, singer Gene Cornish born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Co-founding member of the Young Rascals, later renamed to the Rascals, remaining with the band through 1971. Co-wrote Do You Feel It and You Don't Know. The band is best known for their Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Good Lovin', Groovin' and People Got To Be Free
May 14, 1943 ~ Banjoist, guitarist Clive Palmer, full name Clive Harold Palmer, born in Edmonton, UK ~ Best known as founding member of the Incredible String Band, teaming up with Robin Williamson, later joined by Mike Heron. Also worked with the Famous Jug Band, Wizz Jones, Stockroom 5, Tim Welland, John Bidwell, the Temple Creatures, Chrissie Quayle, and the Clives Original Band ~ Palmer passed away in 2015
May 14, 1943 ~ John Symon Asher Bruce, commonly known as bassist, singer Jack Bruce, born in Bishopbriggs, UK ~ Considered one of the all-time most important and influential UK bassists. Member of the Graham Bond Organisation. Member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Best known for founding the pivotal 1960s supergroup Cream with Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton, co-writing a vast amount of the band's songs including The Sunshine Of Your Love, White Room and I Feel Free. After the band disbanded released his Songs For A Tailor solo debut album in 1969, which would be a global smash hit. Has since recorded to critical acclaim as a solo artist, as a member of blues-rock outfit West Bruce & Laing, and served as touring bassist and studio collaborator for a wide array of artists including Michael Mantler, Charlie Mariano, John McLaughlin, Bernie Marsden, Rocket 88, Soft Machine, Mose Allison, the Golden Palominos, Kip Hanrahan, and Dick Heckstall-Smith ~ Bruce passed away in 2014
May 14, 1943 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Winston Riley born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ One of the most productive and successful Jamaican reggae producers. Founded the Techniques in 1962. As a producer worked with Hortense Ellis, Johnny Osbourne, Ansel Collins, General Echo, Sister Nancy, Buju Banton, Cutty Ranks, the Lone Ranger, and Frankie Paul ~ Riley passed away in 2012
May 14, 1939 ~ Gary Wayne Schelton, commonly known as singer Troy Shondell, born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA ~ Wrote his first song at age 14. Recorded a handful of singles under the moniker Gary Shelton, including the rockabilly standard Kissing At The Drive-In. Briefly gained widespread attention in the early 1960s after he changed his stage name to Shondell with songs such as This Time and Tears From An Angel. The band Tommy James & the Shondells named themselves after Troy ~ Schelton passed away in 2016
May 14, 1938 ~ Jack Davies, commonly known as actor, singer Mike Preston, born in Hackney, UK ~ Enjoyed some succes as a singer in the UK in the late 1950s through early 1960s, Mr Blue and Marry Me both reaching top 20, before relocating to Australia to find employ as a nightclub singer, actor and TV host. Notable credits include roles in series such as The A-Team, Airwolf, and Highlander, and in films such as Mad Max 2 and Metalstorm (The Destruction Of Jared-Syn)
May 14, 1937 ~ Guitarist Vic Flick, full name Victor Harold Flick, born in Worcester Park, UK ~ In-demand studio guitarist since the 1950s, getting his start in music with the John Barry Seven. Best known for playing the guitar riff on Monty Norman's James Bond Theme, recorded for the 1962 Doctor No James Bond soundtrack. Over the course of his career, Flick has worked with numerous mostly British acts. Present on songs such as I Only Want To Be With You by Dusty Springfield, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore by the Walker Brothers, No Milk Today by Herman's Hermits, and Puppet On A String by Sandie Shaw. Other notable associations include Petula Clark, Peter & Gordon, the Bee Gees, Hardin & York, Serge Gainsbourg, Hank Marvin, and Paul McCartney. However, Flick remains best known for his work on several James Bond soundtracks through the 1980s. As to his most famous recording, the original James Bond theme for the first film in the franchise, Flick has said: “It had an edge to it, sort of a dynamic sound. I overplayed it. Leaned into those thick low strings with the very hard plectrum, played it slightly ahead of the beat, and it came out exciting, almost ‘attacking’, which fit the James Bond image” ~ Flick passed away in 2024
May 14, 1936 ~ Walden Robert Cassotto, commonly known as singer Bobby Darin, born in East Harlem, New York, USA ~ Well aware that his poor health would not allow him to live a long life, Darin set out to become an established legend by age 25, and he succeeded, recording some two dozen albums over the course of his brief career, passing away at age 37. Considered one of the most versatile vocalists of his generation, scoring about a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits ranging from the novelty Splish Splash, his 1958 breakout hit, to what may have been the definitive version of Mack The Knife, originally written by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill for the 1928 the Threepenny Opera, and the classic Beyond The Sea. At times, Darin would be considered a teen idol or rock & roll singer, at other times he was seen as a younger version of Frank Sinatra. In the late 1980s, singer, guitarist Neil Young would remark: “I used to be pissed off at Darin because he changed styles so much. Now I look at him and I think he was a fucking genius” ~ Cassotto passed away in 1973
May 14, 1936 ~ Charles Anthony Graci, commonly known as rock, R&B singer, guitarist Charlie Gracie, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Drew from country, rockabilly, rock & roll, R&B, jump blues. Best known for a number of mid- to late 1950s songs including Boogie Woogie Blues, All Over Town, Butterfly and Fabulous ~ Graci passed away in 2022
May 14, 1935 ~ Rock & roll singer Wayne Handy, full name Wayne Jackson Handy, born in Eden, North Carolina, USA ~ Influenced by Little Richard and Chuck Berry. Although Handy recorded only a handful of singles during the late 1950s prior to becoming disillusioned with the music business and pursuing a career in mortgage banking, Handy's songs are cherished by rock & roll aficionados to this day as some of the era's finest. A performance on a local Durham, North Carolina, TV show would lead to a record deal with the small Renown Records label, where he issued the self-penned Say Yeah as his debut single in 1957. The song would later be covered by Johnny Devlin, Sammy Salvo, and Johnny Rebb. Handy is also known for songs such as Betcha Didn't Know, Seminole Rock 'n Roll, Don't Be Unfair, and Problem Child ~ Handy passed away in 2025
May 14, 1934 ~ Electric blues, Texas blues, jazz blues tenor saxophonist Grady Gaines born in Waskom, Texas, USA ~ Brother of guitarist, singer Roy Gaines. Perhaps best known for working with Little Richard in the 1950s including on Keep A Knockin' (But You Can't Come In) and Ooh My Soul. Has also backed Dee Clark, Little Willie John, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Joe Tex. Recorded a handful of solo albums starting with Full Gain released in 1988 ~ Gaines passed away in 2021
May 14, 1934 ~ Vibraphonist, percussionist Warren Smith born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founded the Composer's Workshop Ensemble in 1961. Co-founded Max Roach's percussion ensemble M'Boom in 1970. Accompanied artists such as Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Nat King Cole, Sam Rivers, Wadada Leo Smith, Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, Anthony Braxton, and Carmen McRae. Appeared on Van Morrison's 1968 Astral Weeks album, worked with Broadway orchestras well into the 1990s, and performed with a number of classical ensemblesMay 14, 1933 ~ Jazz trumpeter, trombonist Stu Williamson, full name Stuart Lee Williamson, born in Brattleboro, Vermont, USA ~ Younger brother of pianist Claude Williamson. Leader and sideman. Worked with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Billy May, Charlie Barnet, Shelly Manne, Pepper Adams, Terry Gibbs, Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Elmo Hope, Jack Montrose, Zoot Sims, Lennie Niehaus, Shorty Rogers, Pete Rugolo, Howard Rumsey, Duane Tatro, and Bud Shank ~ Williamson passed away in 1991
May 14, 1931 ~ Experimental composer Alvin Lucier, full name Alvin Augustus Lucier Jr, born in Nashua, New Hampshire, USA ~ Explores the physical properties of sound itself, resonance of spaces, and transmission of sound through physical media. Best known for North American Time Capsule, I Am Sitting In A Room and Music On A Long Thin Wire. Member of the collective the Sonic Arts Union, which also included Robert Ashley, David Behrman, and Gordon Mumma ~ Lucier passed away in 2021
May 14, 1928 ~ Will J Jones, commonly known as R&B singer Will Dub Jones born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Member of the Cadets, present on the band's biggest hit Stranded In The Jungle. Along with Cornell Gunter joined the Coasters in 1958, notably present on the classics Yakety Yak and Charlie Brown. Other notable credits include singing bass or backing vocals on 1950s singles such as Richard Berry's Jelly Roll, the Crescendos' Sweet Dreams, and Jesse Belvin's My Satellite ~ Jones passed away in 2000May 14, 1916 ~ Lloyd Vernon Martin, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, orchestrator Skip Martin, born in Robinson, Illinois, USA ~ For most of the 1940s, Martin served as arranger, and sometimes reedist, for some of the most popular swing bands of the era, working with Count Basie, Charlie Barnet, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller. During the 1950s, Martin worked in Hollywood, co-orchestrating or co-arranging for musical films such as Singing In The Rain, Kiss Me Kate, Funny Face, and Guys And Dolls. Notably served as sole orchestrator for 1954's A Star Is Born, Judy Garland's comeback vehicle. Recorded several albums as a leader or co-leader, notably Scheherajazz released in 1959. Martin has also worked with the likes of Les Brown, Tony Martin, the Pied Pipers, the Andrews Sisters, Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Solomon Burke ~ Martin passed away in 1976
May 14, 1912 ~ Tango violinist, bandleader, composer Alfredo Gobbi born in Paris, France ~ Acclaimed violinist and bandleader enjoying popularity during the golden age of tango. As a composer known for works such as Perro Fiel, Desvelo and Mi Paloma De Punta. Has worked with Juan Maglio Pacho, Roberto Firpo, Manuel Buzón, Anselmo Aieta, Osvaldo Pugliese, and Vicente Greco ~ Gobbi passed away in 1965
May 14, 1898 ~ Arthur James Singleton, commonly known as jazz drummer Zutty Singleton, born in Bunkie, Louisiana, USA ~ Got his nickname, a Creole word for “cute”, in his infancy. Has worked with Papa Celestin, Fate Marable, Charlie Creath, Doc Cook, Dave Peyton, Jimmie Noone, Louis Armstrong, Bubber Miley, Tommy Ladnier, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Otto Hardwick, Slim Gaillard, Wingy Manone, Eddie Condon, Nappy Lamare, Art Hodes, and Max Kaminsky. Singleton retired from music in 1970 after suffering a stroke ~ Singleton passed away in 1975
May 14, 1897 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist Sidney Bechet, full name Sidney Joseph Bechet, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ One of the first major soloists in jazz, active since the mid 1920s and enjoying popularity by the 1940s. Worked with Freddie Keppard, the Olympia Orchestra, Bunk Johnson, King Oliver, Will Marion Cook, Tommy Ladnier, and Willie The Lion Smith ~ Bechet passed away in 1959