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 20, 2025 ~ Arthur Hamilton Stern, commonly known as songwriter Arthur Hamilton, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for penning Cry Me A River, first and most famously released by singer Julie London, a former high school classmate of Hamilton's. Through his connection to London, then married to film director Jack Webb, Hamilton was contracted to write several songs for the 1955 film Pete Kelly's Blues. Ella Fitzgerald was tapped to sing Cry Me A River for the film, yet the song was rejected. When London recorded the song for the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It, it became a global hit. The song would quickly become a standard and has since been recorded by hundreds of artists. When Hamilton penned the song back in the 1950s, the commonly used phrase “cry me a river” was relatively new to him. As he told The Wall Street Journal in 2010: “I had never heard the phrase. I just liked the combination of words. (…) It sounded like a good, smart retort to somebody who had hurt your feelings or broken your heart.” Other songs written or co-written by Hamilton include Bouquet Of Blues (Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore), About The Blues (Chris Connor, Ann Hathaway), Rain Sometimes (Nancy Wilson, Matt Monro, Susannah McCorkle), I Never Told You (Quincy Jones, Toots Thielemans), and Till Love Touches Your Life (Richard Williams, Shirley Bassey, Lou Rawls). Hamilton was the son of comedian and songwriter Jack Stern ~ Stern was born in 1926
May 20, 2021 ~ Soul, rock drummer Roger Hawkins passed away in Sheffield, Alabama, USA ~ Member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Present on classic recordings such as Percy Sledge's When A Man Loves A Woman, Aretha Franklin's RESPECT, Wilson Pickett's Land Of 1,000 Dances. Has also worked with the Staple Singers, Johnnie Taylor, Cat Stevens, Duane Allman, Joe Cocker, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, Bobby Blue Bland, Boz Scaggs, Albert King, Traffic, Willie Nelson, and Eric Clapton ~ Hawkins was born in 1945
May 20, 2015 ~ James Robert Belden, commonly known as bandleader, conductor, arranger, saxophonist Bob Belden, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Known for arranging the music of Giacomo Puccini, Prince, the Beatles, and Sting, turning the works into jazz. Also acclaimed for his 2011 Grammy Award-winning Black Dahlia album consisting of original music. Has also served as conductor for the likes of McCoy Tyner (The Turning Point), and Paquito d'Rivera ~ Belden was born in 1956
May 20, 2014 ~ Soul singer Josh Kaufman wins NBC's The Voice ~ Singer Josh Kaufman wins the sixth season of NBC's talent show The Voice, runner-up would be singer Jake Worthington. Prior to his success his on the show, Kaufman was a member of the New Etiquette, known for their 2012 eponymous EP. As a solo artist, two of Kaufman's singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100, Stay With Me reached No.92 while I Can't Make You Love Me peaked at No.71
May 20, 2013 ~ Raymond Daniel Manczarek Jr, commonly known as keyboardist Ray Manzarek, passed away in Rosenheim, Germany ~ Co-founding member of the Doors, staying with the band from its inception in 1965 till shortly after lead singer Jim Morrison's death in 1973. Co-founding member of the short-lived Nite City in the late 1970s. Performed and recorded with Doors-bandmate Robby Krieger under the moniker Manzarek-Krieger from 2001 until his death in 2013. Also worked as a contributing collaborator and as a producer with artists such as Iggy Pop, Echo & the Bunnymen, trumpeter Piotr Bal, Beat Generation poet Michael McClure, Darryl Read, and notably with punk rockers X, producing the latter's first four albums ~ Manczarek was born in 1939
May 20, 2012 ~ Blues, jazz singer Carrie Smith, full name Carrie Louise Smith, passed away in Inglewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with the New York Jazz Repertory Company, Tyree Glenn, Yank Lawson, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Doc Cheatham, Buddy Tate, Hank Jones, Wycliffe Gordon, Winard Harper, Clark Terry, and Bross Townsend ~ Smith was born in 1925
May 20, 2012 ~ Singer Robin Gibb passed away in London, UK ~ Member of the Bee Gees, with his twin brother Maurice Gibb and older brother Barry Gibb. Also worked with the band's predecessor the Rattlesnakes. As a solo artist debuted in 1969 with the single Saved By The Bell and would release several solo albums throughout the years. Co-produced soul singer Jimmy Ruffin's 1980 Sunrise album. Duetted with Marcy Levy. Co-wrote most of Barbra Streisand's Guilty album with brother Barry. Involved in several foundations and charities including 2005's One World Project which recorded Grief Never Grows Old to aid the Asian tsunami victims ~ Gibb was born in 1949
May 20, 2009 ~ Singer, songwriter Kris Allen wins American Idol ~ Singer Kris Allen wins the 8th season of American Idol aired on Fox, beating runner-up Adam Lambert. Prior to his success on the show, Allen had released a sole album, 2007's Brand New Shoes which failed to chart. His eponymous Kris Allen album released after his win, however, would peak just outside the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 200 album charts. Allen would release several more albums, albeit it to lesser success, and eventually runner-up Lambert would become more famous
May 20, 2007 ~ Songwriter Ben Weisman, full name Benjamin Weisman, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Probably best known for co-penning over 50 songs for Elvis Presley, usually partnering up with either Aaron Schroeder or Fred Wise. Well known Presley songs include Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do, Crawfish, Pocketful Of Rainbows, I Slipped I Stumbled I Fell, Follow That Dream and Change Of Habit. Others who have recorded his songs include Guy Mitchell, Nat King Cole, Patti Page, Carl Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Dusty Springfield, Barbra Streisand, Evie Sands, and Shirley Bassey ~ Weisman was born in 1921
May 20, 2006 ~ Hard rock, metal outfit Lordi wins the 51st of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Athens, Greece ~ Representing Finland, metal outfit Lordi wins with the song Hard Rock Hallelujah written by the band's frontman and lead singer Tomi Putaansuu. Runner-ups would be Hari Mata Hari representing Bosnia & Herzegovina reaching 2nd place with Lejla, and Russia's Dima Bilan reaching 3rd place with Never Let You Go
May 20, 2003 ~ Maurice Hughes, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist Joe Guitar Hughes, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Clarence Gatemouth Brown and Johnny Guitar Watson. Member of the Dukes Of Rhythm in the 1950s alongside close friend Johnny Copeland. Backed Little Richard and Bobby Blue Bland during the 1960s. As a solo artist earned acclaim during the 1980s especially in Europe, at times touring intensely and signed to the Dutch Double Trouble Records label. Noted for the albums Texas Guitar Master and If You Want To See The Blues ~ Hughes was born in 1937May 20, 2002 ~ The 33rd edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. A sunny weekend, this year's edition would draw a crowd of in total some 63,000 visitors. Included on today's, Monday the 20th's bill would be Arid, Jewel, Kane, Muse, Lenny Kravitz, Rammstein, Millionaire, Morgan Heritage, Macy Gray, System Of A Down, Daryl-Ann, the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Beef, Starsailor, and Sergent Garcia
May 20, 2001 ~ Jazz, swing, blues, folk singer, pianist, songwriter Renato Carosone passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Revered as a canzone napoletana performer. One of only two artists, the other being Domenico Modugno, to enjoy considerable succes in America without translating his songs to English. Known for songs such as O Sarracino, Caravan Petrol, Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano, Maruzella and Pigliate Na Pastiglia ~ Carosone was born in 1920
May 20, 2000 ~ Flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal passed away in Paris, France ~ Returned the flute as a classical solo instrument. With his flair and presence Rampal paved the way for flutist superstars such as James Galway and Emmanuel Pahud ~ Rampal was born in 1922
May 20, 2000 ~ Rock singer Scott Weiland, frontman of the Stone Temple Pilots, marries model Mary Forsberg ~ Recently divorced from his first wife, Scott Weilandn marries for the second and final time, this time with a low-key wedding reception taking place at a Los Angeles restaurant. Celebrity guests include his bandmates and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Weiland and Mary Forsberg would have two children and divorce in 2007. Weiland passed away in 2015
May 20, 1998 ~ The funeral of singer Frank Sinatra takes place in Beverly Hills, California ~ Frank Sinatra's funeral takes places in Beverly Hills, which draws 400 invited guests and a slew of onlookers. Among the celebrities paying their respect are Tony Bennett, Angie Dickinson, last surviving the Rat Pack-member Joey Bishop, Liza Minnelli, Jack Nicholson, and Tom Selleck
May 20, 1998 ~ Jazz, swing guitarist Robert Normann, full name Robert Uno Normann, born in Borge, Norway ~ Influenced by Teddy Wilson and Chu Berry. Also plays accordion, banjo and saxophone. Considered a pioneer on the jazz guitar. Worked with Freddy Valier, String Swing, Gunnar Due, Pete Brown, Alf Prøysen, and Sigbjørn Bernhoft Osa. Turned down offers from Benny Goodman and Barney Kessel ~ Normann was born in 1916
May 20, 1995 ~ Singer, drummer Don Henley marries model Sharon Summerall in Malibu, California ~ Henley marries his first and only wife Sharon Summerall. Performers at the wedding would include Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Billy Joel, John Fogerty, Sheryl Crow, Tony Bennett, and the Eagles-bandmate Glenn Frey. Don Henley would later write Everything Is Different Now from the album Inside Job for Sharon
May 20, 1993 ~ Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Clarence Edwards passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Would gain recognition later in life, playing the blues festival circuit in the late 1980s. Best known for songs such as Lonesome Bedroom Blues and I Want Somebody ~ Edwards was born in 1933May 20, 1993 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Matt Terry, full name Matthew James Terry, born in Broomely, UK ~ Winner of the thirteenth edition of The X-Factor in 2016. Would subsequently release his debut single When Christmas Comes Around, reaching the UK top 10. A full-length debut album, Trouble, would follow the next year
May 20, 1991 ~ Soul jazz, blues guitarist Billy Butler, full name William Butler Jr, passed away in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for his association with Bill Doggett, including writing and performing on the 1956 hit Honky Tonk. Butler also worked with Al Casey, King Curtis, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Wild Bill Davison, Tommy Flanagan, Panama Francis, Benny Goodman, Johnny Hodges, Floyd Candy Johnson, David Fathead Newman, Houston Person, Sammy Price, Jimmy Smith, Norris Turney, Dinah Washington, Joey Dee & the Starliters (The Peppermint Twist), Gene Ammons, James Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hodges, Illinois Jacquet, Freddie King, Houston Person, and Yusef Lateef ~ Butler was born in 1924May 20, 1991 ~ The 22nd edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Sunny and warm, some 53,500 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes the Happy Mondays, Lenny Kravitz, Living Colour, Joe Jackson, An Emotional Fish, Luka Bloom, Primus, de Tröckener Kecks, Walter Trout, and the Tragically Hip
May 20, 1986 ~ Jazz trombonist Clyde Bernhardt passed away in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. Bernhardt had a lengthy career, starting in the early 1920s working with the likes of Tillie Vennie, Richard Cheatham, and the Whitman Sisters. Would go on to work with the likes of the Alabamians, Billy Fowler, Vernon Andrade, Jay McShann, Cecil Scott, Luis Russell, and Claude Hopkins, before leading his own ensembles, making his most significant recordings from the mid 1940s through the 195s0s. In the 1970s, interest in Bernhardt resurged, leading the Harlem Blues & Jazz Band, a veteran band with whom he recorded close to a dozen albums with sidemen such as Doc Cheatham, Happy Caldwell and Miss Rhapsody ~ Bernhardt was born in 1905May 20, 1985 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jon Pardi, full name Jonathan Ryan Pardi, born in Dixon, California, USA ~ Opened for Dierks Bentley in 2010. Released his full-length Write You A Song debut album in 2012, its single Up All Night reaching top 10 on the Billboard Country charts. Subsequent hit would include Head Over Boots, Dirt On My Boots, Heartache On The Dance Floor, Night Shift, Heartache Medication and Ain't Alway The Cowboy
May 20, 1985 ~ British pop group Simply Red release Money's Too Tight (To Mention), lead single off their Picture Book debut album ~ Originally written by siblings the Valentine Brothers, who issued the song as a single off their 1982 oddly named First Take sophomore album. As many people faced economic hardship during the early 1980s, the song tells of a man trying to borrow money, unsuccessfully as everybody else is broke too. The original single by the siblings failed to become a hit, however, when Simply Red covered the song for their debut single it reached No.13 on the British charts setting the band on a path to fame. Simply Red would go on to enjoy popularity in Europe, and especially their native UK where they would score nearly two dozen top 20 hits through the early 2000s. Across the pond, the band would have less of an appeal though occasionally they did reach the charts. To American audiences, Simply Red is best known for Holding Back The Years and If You Don't Know Me By Now, their two Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits