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 3, 1945 ~ Pop drummer Dick Allix born in Gravesend, UK ~ Co-founding member of Vanity Fare, known for a handful of late 1960s singles. I Live For The Sun, Early In The Morning, and Hitchin' A Ride, all lifted off their The Sun The Wind And Other Things debut album, would all reach top 20 in the band's native UK. Allix departed the band in 1970, and would later become known among sports fans as a sports promoter, manager, and co-founder of the Professional Darts Corporation ~ Allix passed away in 2024
May 3, 1944 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records Like Someone In Love ~ Written by Jimmy van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1944 The Belle Of The Yukon film, where it was sung by Dinah Shore. Bing Crosby however would popularize the song, reaching the top 20 on the pop charts, after which it would become a jazz standard recorded by numerous artists including Tommy Dorsey with Bobbie Lou Williams, Art Blakey, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Nancy Wilson, Björk, and Diana Krall
May 3, 1944 ~ Singer Yves Simon born in Choiseul, France ~ Gained attention during the 1970s with albums such as Les Gauloises Bleues, Au Pays Des Merveilles De Juliet, and Respirer Chanter. Retired from performing by the late 1970s, yet would continue to record to critical and commercial acclaim. Also known as a novelist with over two dozen books to his nameMay 3, 1939 ~ Electric blues lap steel guitarist, singer Freddie Roulette, full name Frederick Martin Roulette, born in Evanston, Illinois, USA ~ Member of Daphne Blue. Also worked with Earl Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, Henry Kaiser, Harvey Mandel, Pinetop Perkins, Carey Bell, Andrew Odom, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Don Sugarcane Harris, Will Bernard, the Holmes Brothers, and David Lindley ~ Roulette passed away in 2022
May 3, 1939 ~ Jazz percussionist Ralf Hubner born in Berlin, Germany ~ Worked with Benny Bailey, Nathan Davis, the Jazz Ensemble des Hessischen Rundfunks, Albert Mangelsdorff, the Frankfurt Jazz Ensemble, Joki Freund, Volker Krieger, Itaru Oki, Michel Pilz, Manfred Schoof, Eberhard Weber, and Christof LauerMay 3, 1938 ~ Jerrold Samuels, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Napoleon XIV, born in New York, New York, USA ~ One-hit wonder known for the 1966 novelty hit They're Coming To Take Me Away (Ha Haa), the single would be an an instant success reaching top 10 in several countries including the UK, Canada and America. Previously Samuels had co-written As If I Didn't Know, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Adam Wade in 1961, and The Shelter Of Your Arms for Sammy Davis Jr which would reach top 20 in 1964 ~ Samuels passed away in 2023
May 3, 1935 ~ Folk figure Elizabeth Jones Reed Napier passed away in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Reed had the Allman Brothers Band instrumental In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed named after her. Married to Army captain Briggs Hopson Napier, with whom she had a dozen children. The couple worked as farmers and ran a local pub in Macon, Georgia, during the early-1900s. Guitarist Dickey Betts would name the song after seeing her headstone at the Rose Hill Cemetery, a place the band would frequent to relax and write songs. A critically acclaimed jazz-influenced track, the original nearly seven minute long studio version was first included on the 1970 Idlewild South album. It would become a concert favorite, often running for half an hour. Reed's grave is not far from those of bandmembers Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and Gregg Allman ~ Reed was born in 1845
May 3, 1934 ~ Francesco Stephen Castelluccio, commonly known as singer Frankie Valli, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as frontman of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons since 1960, scoring hits such as Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, Dawn Go Away, Rag Doll, Let's Hang On, and Working My Way Back To YouMay 3, 1934 ~ Giuseppe Mustacchi, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Georges Moustaki, born in Alexandria, Egypt ~ Revered songwriter, wrote an estimated 300 songs. Artists who have recorded his work include some of France's most popular singers including Edith Piaf (Milord), Françoise Hardy, Yves Montand, Serge Reggiani (Sarah), Brigitte Fontaine, Herbert Pagani, France Gall, Cindy Daniel, Juliette Gréco, Barbara (La Langue Dame Brune), Pia Colombo, and Tino Rossi ~ Mustacchi passed away in 2013
May 3, 1933 ~ R&B, soul, funk singer James Brown, full name James Joseph Brown, born in Barnwell, South Carolina, USA ~ Known as “the Godfather of Soul”. Pivotal to developement of funk, soul, hip-hop. First gained attention as lead singer of Famous Flames in the late 1950s with songs such as Please Please Please and Try My. Also known for classics such as Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Part 1), I Got You I Feel Good, It's A Man's Man's Man's World, Cold Sweat, Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud, Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine Part 1, and Hot Pants. Beloved bandleader, collaborator, mentor to many including Bobby Byrd, Lynn Collins, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Clyde Stubblefield, Bootsy Collins, and Marva Whitney ~ Brown passed away in 2006
May 3, 1930 ~ Jazz trombonist Bob Havens born in Quincy, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with Lawrence Welk, backing Welk on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1960 to 1982. Has also worked with Ralph Flanagan, George Girard, Al Hirt, Bob Crosby, Peanuts Hucko, and the Great Pacific Jazz BandMay 3, 1929 ~ Denise Jeanna Briault, commonly known as singer, actress Denise Lor, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as a an actress appearing on the Garry Moore Show, Seven At Eleven, and musical comedies such as Gypsy and Annie. As a singer scored a hit with If I Gave My Heart To You in 1954 ~ Briault passed away in 2015
May 3, 1927 ~ Pianist, songwriter Ernest R Ball passed away in Santa Ana, California, USA ~ Best known for co-penning When Irish Eyes Are Smiling with George Graff Jr and Chauncey Olcott, the latter introducing the song in the 1912 musical show Isle O' Dreams. The song would become a standard recorded by numerous artists including Bing Crosby, Connie Francis, Hank Locklin, and Frank Zappa ~ Ball was born in 1878
May 3, 1926 ~ Jazz trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, full name James Milton Cleveland, born in Wartrace, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the finest trombonists to emerge from the 1950s. As a leader best known for his 1959 Rhythm Crazy album. As a sideman appeared on albums by Clifford Brown, Lionel Hampton, Quincy Jones, Art Farmer, Manny Albam (Jazz Workshop), Betty Carter, Cannonball Adderley, Oscar Pettiford, Art Blakey, Dinah Washington, Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis (Miles Ahead), Benny Golson, Milt Jackson (Plenty Plenty Soul), Melba Liston, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich (Richcraft), Ray Charles (Genius+Soul=Jazz), Randy Weston, Blue Mitchell, Jimmy Smith, Shirley Scott (For Members Only), Wes Montgomery, the Drifters, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Barbara Lewis, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Quincy Jones (Walking In Space), and James Brown ~ Cleveland passed away in 2008
May 3, 1926 ~ Jazz bassist Jymie Merritt born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked in jazz, R&B, blues and rock & roll. Active since the early 1950s, starting with Bull Moose Jackson and BB King. Perhaps best known for his stint with Art Blakey from 1957 through 1962, forming the core of Blakey's ensemble the Jazz Messengers alongside Benny Golson and Bobby Timmons including on the acclaimed Moanin' album. Also present on albums by the likes of Curtis Fuller, Wayne Shorter, Max Roach, Wild Bill Davis, Jimmy Smith (Stay Loose), and Lee Morgan. Merritt's son Mike Merritt is also a bassist, playing jazz and blues ~ Merritt passed away in 2020May 3, 1924 ~ Neville Williams, commonly known as pop singer, actor Gary Miller, born in Blackpool, UK ~ Enjoyed popularity from the mid 1950s through the early 1960s. Best known for his sole UK top 10 hit, Robin Hood, used as the theme to the TV series The Adventures Of Robin Hood. Other charting singles included The Yellow Rose Of Texas, Garden Of Eden, and The Story Of My Life ~ Williams passed away in 1968
May 3, 1921 ~ José Refugio Sánchez Saldaña, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor Cuco Sánchez, born in Altamira, Mexico ~ One of Mexico's most popular singers, songwriters known for songs such as Anillo De Compromiso, Anoche Estuve Llorando, Siempre Hace Frio, No Soy Monedito De Oro, Canno Santo and Gritenme Piedras Del Campo. Had his songs recorded by Pedro Infante, La Panchita, Veronica Loyo, Flor Silvestre, Antonio Aguilar, Dora María, Vikki Carr, and Linda Ronstadt ~ Sánchez passed away in 2000May 3, 1921 ~ Joseph Urick, commonly known as traditional pop singer Joe Ames, born in Malden, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of family outfit the Ames Brothers, known for a number of 1950s hits including Rag Mop, Sentimental Me, Can Anyone Explain (No No No), Undecided, The Man With The Banjo, The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane and Tammy ~ Urick passed away in 2007
May 3, 1920 ~ Pianist John Lewis, full name John Aaron Lewis, born in LaGrange, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Count Basie, Art Tatum, Hank Jones, Oscar Peterson. Best known as co-founding member, musical director of the Modern Jazz Quartet, acclaimed for albums such as Fontessa, Third Stream Music and Lonely Woman. Accompanied Charlie Parker on pivotal recordings such as Parker's Mood and Blues For Alice. Backed Miles Davis on Birth Of The Cool album. Also present on albums by the likes of Zoot Sims, Dizzy Gillespie (In Paris), Clifford Brown, Illinois Jacquet, Benny Golson, Sonny Rollins, Gil Evans (Pacific Standard Time), Charlie Byrd, Les McCann, Sonny Stitt (Stitt Plays Bird), Joe Pass, Ramsey Lewis, and Buddy Rich ~ Lewis passed away in 2001
May 3, 1919 ~ Singer, songwriter Pete Seeger born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Almanac Singers. Member of pivotal folk outfit the Weavers, known for The Hammer Song and for their 1950 hit recording Goodnight Irene. As a solo artist Seeger would become one of the premier folk singers and prolific songwriters of the 1960s, perhaps best known for penning and first recording Where Have All The Flowers Gone which would be covered by well over 150 artists including Bobby Darin, Eddy Arnold, Johnny Rivers, Harry Belafonte, Joan Baez, and Earth Wind & Fire ~ Seeger passed away in 2014May 3, 1911 ~ Trumpeter Yank Lawson born in Trenton, Missouri, USA ~ Closely associated with Bob Haggart, with whom he worked in the Lawson-Haggart Band in the 1950s and in the World's Greatest Jazz Band from the late 1960s through the late 1970s. Lawson has also worked with Ben Pollack, Bob Crosby, Benny Goodman, and Tommy Dorsey ~ Lawson passed away in 1995
May 3, 1903 ~ Harry Lillis Crosby Jr, commonly known as singer, actor, songwriter Bing Crosby, born in Tacoma, Washington, USA ~ Popular from the 1930s well through the 1950s. Over 70 films, over 1,600 songs. Influential on wide array of artists from Frank Sinatra to John Lennon. Noted for his vocal phrasing. Worked with the Rhythm Boys, Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Eddie Lang, Hoagy Carmichael, and Gus Arnheim. Well known songs include I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five And Ten Cent Store, At Your Command, White Christmas, Swinging On A Star, Pistol Packin' Mama, Don't Fence Me In, and I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance ~ Crosby passed away in 1977May 3, 1861 ~ Composer Anthony Philip Heinrich passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Most prominent pre-Civil War American composer, dubbed “Father Heinrich” ~ Heinrich was born in 1781