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 8, 2024 ~ Drummer John Barbata passed away in Ada, Oklahoma, USA ~ First turned to drumming following his older brother in marching bands, the rudimentary rhythms defining his drum technique throughout his career in pop rock. Member of early 1960s surf group the Sentinals, best known for their Big Surf album which spawned the regional hit Latin'ia. Member of the Turtles for the second half of the 1960s, including on hits such as Happy Together, She'd Rather Be With Me, and Elenore. Member of Jefferson Starship, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. In late 1978, Barbata broke his neck, arm and jaw in a car crash, needing a full year to heal from the accident, forcing him to resign from Jefferson Starship. Barbata has also appeared on albums by Linda Ronstadt, Ry Cooder, Batdorf & Rodney, John Sebastian, Crosby Stills Nash & Young (4-Way Street), Stephen Stills, Neil Young (Time Fades Away), and Grace Slick ~ Barbata was born in 1945May 8, 2023 ~ Rita Lee Jones, commonly known as rock, pop, psychedelic rock singer, songwriter Rita Lee, passed away in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Founded Os Mutantes with Arnaldo Baptista and Sérgio Dias. As a solo artist has over 20 albums to her name, starting with Build Up released in 1970. Has sold over 60 million records. Collaborated with Tutti Frutti, Gilberto Gil, and with her husband guitarist Roberto de Carvalho ~ Jones was born in 1947
May 8, 2023 ~ Country singer Stacie Roper passed away ~ Lead singer of Canadian country trio Hey Romeo, which also included guitarist Darren Gusnowsky and keyboardist Rob Shapiro. The band released their eponymous Hey Romeo debut album in 2007 and is known for songs such as the Fleetwood Mac-cover Second-Hand News, Searchin' For You, That's What I Am, Jump Back In, and Maybe You Remember Me Now ~ Roper was born in 1976
May 8, 2021 ~ Jazz, hard bop, soul jazz trombonist Curtis Fuller, full name Curtis DuBois Fuller, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Urbie Green, JJ Johnson, and Miles Davis, Fuller would establish himself as one of the few trombonists able to make the trombone sound fluid and inviting. Prior to leading his own ensembles, Fuller played in an Army band alongside Cannonball Adderley, and honed his skills in his native Detroit with the likes of Kenny Burrell and Yusef Lateef. Fuller was a member of the Jazztet alongside Benny Golson and Art Farmer, and as a member of the Jazz Messengers backed Art Blakey through the mid 1960s including on Caravan, Ugetsu, and Indestructible. Fuller has recorded over two dozen albums as a leader, including notably The Opener, Blues-Ette and Soul Trombone. Over the course of his career, Fuller has appeared on albums by Jackie McLean (Makin' The Changes), Lou Donaldson (Lou Takes Off), Clifford Jordan, Lee Morgan, Jimmy Smith, Machito (Latin Soul Plus Jazz), Kenny Dorham, Wilbur Harden, Abbey Lincoln (It's Magic), John Coltrane (Blue Train), Jimmy Heath, Sonny Clark, Gil Evans (Pacific Standard Time), Blue Mitchell, Gigi Gryce, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Phil Woods (Rights Of Swing), Dexter Gordon, Paul Chambers, Freddie Hubbard (The Artistry Of Freddie Hubbard), Stanley Turrentine, Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson (Mode For Joe), Wayne Shorter (Schizophrenia), Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Shaw, and Slide Hampton ~ Fuller was born in 1934
May 8, 2020 ~ Marcus Barkan, commonly known as musical director, songwriter, producer Mark Barkan, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Got his first success in the early 1960s when Adam Wade took The Writing On The Wall, written by Barkan, Sandy Baron and George Eddy, to the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Barkan would go on to write or co-write songs for the likes of Jay & the Americans, Connie Francis (I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter), Lesley Gore, Neil Sheppard, Barbara Chandler, Shelley Fabares, Kurt Harris, Elvis Presley (Big Love Big Heartache), Lesley Gore (She's A Fool), Gene Pitney (Pretty Flamingo), the Archies, and the Monkees ~ Barkan was born in 1934May 8, 2018 ~ Conductor, musical director Jonathan Sternberg passed away ~ Revered conductor who worked with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Brendel, the Halifax Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Flemish Opera, the Harkness Ballet, the Atlanta Opera & Ballet, and other noted orchestras ~ Sternberg was born in 1919
May 8, 2018 ~ Silvana Savorelli, commonly known as singer, impresario, producer Lara St Paul passed away in Casalecchio di Reno, Italy ~ Worked with Pino Presti, Angel Pocho Gatti, Victor Bacchetta, Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, Roberta Flack, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Leon Ware, the Pointer Sisters, Ray Parker Jr, Chuck Rainey, and Bill Conti ~ Savorelli was born in 1945
May 8, 2014 ~ Jair Rodrigues de Oliveira, commonly known as singer, guitarist, percussion Jair Rodrigues, passed away in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Father of Luciana Mello and Jair Oliveira, both singers. Started in the mid 1950s as a crooner. First gained attention in the early 1960s through television appearances. Has notably worked with Elis Regina and the Quarteto Novo. As a solo artist known best for songs such as O Menino Da Porteira, Boi Da Cara Preta and Majestade O Sabia ~ De Oliveira was born in 1939
May 8, 2012 ~ Singer Jermaine Paul wins NBC's The Voice ~ Paul wins the 2nd season of NBC's talent show The Voice, runner-up would be rock singer Juliet Simms. Prior to his success on the show, Jermaine Paul has sung backup on several of Alicia Keys' singles, notably Diary, Unbreakable and If This World Were Mine, and was a member of the short-lived R&B group 1Accord
May 8, 2008 ~ Singer, guitarist Eddy Arnold, full name Richard Edward Arnold, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Nashville sound innovator. Sold over 85 million records. Scored 147 singles on Billboard's country charts. Known for songs such as To My Sorrow, Cuddle Buggin' Baby, I Wanna Play House With You, I Really Don't Want To Know, The Cattle Call, A Little Heartache, What's He Doing In My World, Make The World Go Away, and Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye ~ Arnold was born in 1918
May 8, 2008 ~ Recording engineer Larry Levine passed away in Encino, California, USA ~ Received a Grammy Award nomination for his work with producer Phil Spector on the 1964 Walking In The Rain single by the Ronettes, which included the then-novice sound effects of thunder and lightning. Other notable recordings engineered by Levine include Herb Alpert's A Taste Of Honey single, which earned Levine a Grammy Award, and the highly acclaimed Pet Sounds album by the Beach Boys, regarded as one of the all-time greatest albums. Levine passed away of emphysema on his 80th birthday ~ Levine was born in 1928
May 8, 2007 ~ Blues, R&B, country keyboardist, songwriter Carson Whitsett, full name James Carson Whitsett, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Co-wrote Why Not Me, a 1980 hit for Fred Knobloch. As a keyboardist especially proficient on the Hammond organ. Worked with artists such as James Stroud, Paul Simon (appearring on the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon), Anita Ward (Ring My Bell), Dorothy Moore, Connie Francis, ZZ Hill, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor, and Kathy Mattea. Revered as songwriter, wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Etta James, Eddie Floyd, John Anderson (Mississippi Moon), Johnny Adams, James Carr, Ruth Brown, Solomon Burke (Don't Give Up On Me), Wilson Pickett, Conway Twitty, Barbara Mandrell, Albertina Walker, the Staple Singers, BB King, Jerry Butler, Suzy Bogguss, and Irma Thomas ~ Whitsett was born in 1945
May 8, 1999 ~ Free jazz, blues, soul jazz, pop singer Leon Thomas, full name Amos Leon Thomas Jr, passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Referred to as “the John Coltrane of jazz vocalists”. Influenced James Moody, Tim Buckley, Bobby McFerrin. Worked with Armando Peraza, Jimmy Forrest, Grant Green, the Jazz Messengers, Dakota Staton, Pharoah Sanders, Freddie Hubbard, Santana (Welcome, Lotus), Gary Bartz, Jeri Brown, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Hodges, Archie Shepp, and Malachi Thompson ~ Thomas was born in 1937
May 8, 1996 ~ Daniel Hernandez, commonly known as rapper 6ix9ine born in New York, New York, USA ~ Controversial rapper, convicted felon. Known for his aggressive raps, public feuds with fellow celebrities and legal issuse. Hit the charts with songs such as Gooba, FEFE and his debut single Gummo. Collaborated with Trippie Red, Uncle Murda, 50 Cent, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Nicki Minaj, and Fetty Wap
May 8, 1991 ~ Organist, composer Jean Langlais, full name Jean François-Hyacinthe Langlais III, passed away in Paris, France ~ Served as church organist for the the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris from 1945 until 1988, a post previously held by César Franck and Charles Tournemire. In-demand concert organist, touring extensively across Europe and America. Prolific composer, mainly of choral music yet has also written orchestral works and chamber music, and best known for his masses Messe Solennelle, Missa Salve Regina and Missa In Simplicitate ~ Langlais was born in 1907
May 8, 1990 ~ Avant-garde classical composer Luigi Nono passed away in Venice, Italy ~ Member of the Italian Resistance during World War II, his anti-fascist political orientation would regularly also be reflected in his music. Became one of the leading composers of New Music during the 1950s, alongside contemporaries such as Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Known for compositions such as La Victoire De Guernica, Il Canto Sospeso, Diario Polacco Composizione No.2, and Intolleranze 1960 ~ Nono was born in 1924
May 8, 1989 ~ Kathleen Anne Brien, commonly known as dubstep, R&B, dance singer, songwriter Katy B, born in Peckham, UK ~ Debuted in 2011 with the On A Mission album, which included the UK top 10 hits Katy On A Mission, Lights On featuring Ms Dynamite and Broken Record. Would also reach the charts with subsequent recordings such as What Love Is Made Of, 5 AM, Crying For No Reason and notably Turn The Music Louder (Rumble) featuring KDA & Tinie Tempah
May 8, 1983 ~ Steel guitarist, guitarist, singer Aaron Goldstein born in Toronto, Canada ~ Active since the mid 2000s. Worked with the Surly Young Bucks where he first discovered the pedal steel guitar. Would go on to with Bucks bandmate Dan Griffin in the Regrets, record and tour with the psychedelic folk collective Lee Harvey Osmond and found his own band Huron. Has also worked with Nick Rose, the Cowboy Junkies, Zachary Lucky, Elliott Brood, the Sadies, and Daniel Romano
May 8, 1983 ~ Singer, bassist, songwriter Matt Willis, full name Mathew James Willis, born in Tooting, UK ~ First gained attention as a member of pop punk trio Busted, known for a string of early 2000s UK hits including the No.1 singles You Said No, Crashed The Wedding and Thunderbirds/3AM. Released his Don't Let It Go To Waste solo debut album in 2006, which included the UK top 20 hits Up All Night, Hey Kid and Don't Let It Go To Waste. Willis reunited with Busted bandmate James Bourne and McFly to form McBusted, releasing their sole eponymous McBusted album in 2015
May 8, 1982 ~ Jazz trumpeter Bernie Glow passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Snooky Young and Billy Butterfield. Toured with the likes of Richard Himber, Xavier Cugat, Artie Shaw and Woody Herman early on in his career through the last years of the big band era. Would go on to become an in-demand session musician for radio orchestras and studio sessions led by composers, arrangers such as Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones and Oliver Nelson. Closely associated with Miles Davis, appearing on albums such as Miles Ahead, Porgy & Bess and Sketches Of Spain. Also present on albums by the likes of Sarah Vaughan (In The Land Of Hi-Fi), Tito Puente, Coleman Hawkins, Jimmy Giuffre, Dinah Washington (The Swingin' Miss D), Johnny Mathis, Lena Horne (Stormy Weather), Quincy Jones, Urbie Green, Denise Jannah, Ruth Brown, Anita O'Day, Art Farmer, Aretha Franklin (Aretha Now), Solomon Burke, Wes Montgomery, Al Kooper, Grover Washington Jr, Freddie Hubbard, and Van McCoy ~ Glow was born in 1926
May 8, 1982 ~ In its 22nd week on the charts, Chariots Of Fire (Titles) by Vangelis hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Pianist and composer Evangelos Papathanassiou, commonly known by his stage name Vangelis, had been held in the highest regard by prog-rock aficionados for his role as a key member of Aphrodite's Child, known for their landmark 666 album issued in 1972. However, it was the soundtrack to Chariots Of Fire, a film about two runners in the 1924 Olympics, that made the Greek composer a household name. The film would win four Academy Awards including for Best Original Music Score. Both the full soundtrack album and its main theme, the latter most commonly known as Chariots Of Fire (Titles), would reach the top of the charts in America. The composer himself has stated he does not consider the film score his best work, as he told de Telegraaf in 1991: “It occurs very rarely that a composer thinks of his most successful work as his best. I am no exception to that rule. I think of my soundtrack for Mutiny On The Bounty as endlessly more interesting than Chariots Of Fire”
May 8, 1979 ~ Pop, electronic, trip hop, new wave, bossa nova singer, guitarist, bassist Liset Alea born in Havana, Cuba ~ Co-founded drum and bass unit Etro Anime, co-writing and singing lead on all the tracks of their 2003 album See The Sound before departing the band to pursue a solo career. Released her No Sleep debut album in 2005. Well known for her association with Nouvelle Vague, remaining with the Marc Collin-led collective from 2009 through 2017. Has written or co-written for artists such as Katerine, Ewa Farna, Noemi, Ruben Hein, Chiara Galiazzo, and Elodie FrégéMay 8, 1979 ~ Jazz bassist, composer Ole Morten Vågan born in Brønnøysund, Norway ~ Brother of guitarist Petter Vagån. Artistic director of the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. Has also worked with Atle Nymo, Mathias Eick, David Thor Johnson, Mattias Ståhl, Ola Kvernberg, Håkon Kornstad, Motif, Tore Johansen, Havard Wilk, Bugge Wesseltoft, and Tore Brunborg
May 8, 1978 ~ Singer Ana Maria Lombo born in Medellin, Columbia ~ Member of short-lived girl group Eden's Crush, the end product of the American TV show Popstars in 2000. The band released a sole album, Popstars, in 2001 which included the Billboard top 10 hit Get Over Yourself. The band would also include Nicole Scherzinger, future member of the Pussycat Dolls
May 8, 1977 ~ Joseph Leonard Bonamassa, commonly known as rock, blues, blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Joe Bonamassa, born in Utica, New York, USA ~ Child prodigy. Guitar virtuoso. Influenced by John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Opened for BB King at age 12. Member of Bloodline. Released his A New Day Yesterday solo debut album in 2000 and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Member of hard rock supergroup Black Country Communion. Member of jazz-funk outfit Rock Candy Funk Party. Also known for his acclaimed collaborations with singer Beth HartMay 8, 1977 ~ Folk rock, indie folk, indie rock bassist, singer Joe Doyle, full name Joseph Philip Doyle, born in Ireland ~ Member of the Frames since 1996, a band considered central to the development of Irish rock since the 1990s. Also known for backing the Swell Season on their acclaimed 2009 Once soundtrack and the album Strict Joy released the same year