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.
November 12, 2024 ~ Folk singer Agnes Buen Garnås passed away in Notodden, Norway ~ Comes from a renowned musical family, which included her brothers fiddlers Hauk Buen and Knut Buen with whom she has also worked. Has recorded over a dozen albums since the mid 1970s, consisting of ancient unaccompanied Norwegian ballads. Outside of folk circles, Garnås is perhaps best known for collaborating with saxophonist Jan Garbarek on the late 1980s, early 1990s albums Rosensfole and Twelve Moons ~ Garnås was born in 1946
November 12, 2024 ~ Jazz, swing, jazz fusion, avant-garde jazz drummer Roy Haynes, full name Roy Owen Haynes, passed away in Nassau County, New York, USA ~ One of the most recorded drummers in jazz with a career spanning eight decades starting in the early 1940s. Has recorded as a leader or co-leader since the mid 1950s, especially acclaimed for Out Of The Afternoon released in 1962. Also noted for the collaborative album We Three with Phineas Newborn Jr and Paul Chambers released four years earlier. In-demand sideman, present on albums by the likes of Lester Young, Charlie Parker, JJ Johnson, Bud Powell, Cal Tjader, Sarah Vaughan (At Mister Kelly's), Sonny Rollins (The Sound Of Sonny), Thelonious Monk, Art Farmer, Booker Little (Booker Little), Etta Jones, Ray Charles (Genius+Soul=Jazz), Oliver Nelson, Eric Dolphy, Eddie Lockjaw Davis (Trane Whistle), Rahsaan Roland Kirk, John Coltrane (Impressions), Gary Burton, Jack DeJohnette, Sonny Stitt, and Chick Corea ~ Haynes was born in 1925
November 12, 2018 ~ Worship, contemporary Christian music pianist, arranger, composer Kurt Kaiser, full name Kurt Frederic Kaiser, passed away in Waco, Texas, USA ~ For over five decades, Kaiser influenced modern day church music and helped usher in a new era in American Christian music. Has recorded well over a dozen albums since the late 1950s, noted especially for Psalms Hymns & Spirituals released in 1994, has led numerous workshops, served as A&R director, and has arranged and produced for the likes of George Beverly Shea, Jerome Hines, Burl Ives, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Ethel Waters, Ken Medema, and Kathleen Battle ~ Kaiser was born in 1934November 12, 2016 ~ Lawyer, agent, TV producer Frank Konigsberg passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ To pop and rock audiences perhaps best known for producing the 1977 Merrie Old Christmas TV special starring Bing Crosby. It would feature a duet with David Bowie, Crosby singing the traditional The Little Drummer Boy, Bowie countering with Peace On Earth. Bowie would release it a a single, the flip side featuring Fantastic Voyage ~ Konigsberg was born in 1933
November 12, 2016 ~ Poet, singer, screenwriter Jacques Werup passed away in Malmö, Sweden ~ Best known as a poet and author, publishing his first novel Returbiljett Polen in 1971. As a musician and songwriter closely associated with singer, guitarist Michael Saxell, co-writing songs for their own projects as well as others including collaborations with Lill Lindfors, Mats Ronander and Benneth Fagerlund ~ Werup was born in 1945
November 12, 2012 ~ Jazz drummer Bob French passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ While not widely known outside New Orleans, French is nonetheless considered a key figure in the city's rich musical history. Organized an R&B band while in high school, which included Art Neville, Charles Neville, and Kidd Jordan. Recorded with the likes of Earl King, Snooks Eaglin, and Fats Domino during the 1960s. Led the the Tuxedo Jazz Band, previously led by his father banjoist Papa French, from 1977 until his death at age 74 ~ French was born in 1937
November 12, 2011 ~ Singer, drummer, songwriter Doyle Bramhall passed away in Alpine, Texas, USA ~ Father of singer, guitarist Doyle Bramhall II. Member of the Chessmen who once opened for Jimi Hendrix. Formed Texas Storm with Jimmie Vaughan. Formed the Nightcrawlers, teaming up with Jimmie's younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan and Marc Benno. As a solo artist especially noted for his 1994 Bird Nest On The Ground debut album, his gravelly voice critically compared to Bob Seger ~ Bramhall was born in 1949
November 12, 2008 ~ John Graham Mitchell, commonly known as drummer Mitch Mitchell, passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Best known for his association with Jimi Hendrix, chosen over Aynsley Dunbar by way of a toin coss at his audition. Backed Hendrix at the famed Monterey Pop Music Festival in 1967 and at the 1969 the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Appeared on the albums Are You Experienced, Axis (Bold As Love), and Electric Ladyland ~ Mitchell was born in 1946
November 12, 2005 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, We Be Burnin' by Sean Paul peaks at No.6 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Sean Paul's third Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, preceded by the No.7 hit Gimme The Light and the charttopping Get Busy, We Be Burnin' advocates the use of marijuana while cautioning the listener to stay away from more dangerous and destructive substances such as cocaine. A radio-friendly version of the song has also been released, titled We Be Burnin' (Recognize It), which changed all drug-related references to ones concerning women. High Times, a monthly magazine reporting on all things marijuana-related, named We Be Burnin' the Best Pot Song of 2005
November 12, 2003 ~ Anthony Terrence Thompson, commonly known as drummer Tony Thompson, passed away in Encino, California, USA ~ Cited by Dave Grohl as an inspiration. Drummed with Labelle and briefly with soul, disco outfit Ecstasy Passion & Pain before rising to fame as member of Chic, a band known for quintessential disco hits such as Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah), Le Freak, I Want Your Love, and Good Times. Member of supergroup Power Station, noted for their 1985 eponymous The Power Station album. Thompson can also be heard on albums by Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, David Bowie (Let's Dance), Madonna (Like A Virgin), Mick Jagger, Jody Watley, and Rod Stewart (Out Of Order) ~ Thompson was born in 1954
November 12, 2001 ~ Albert Marcuse, commonly known as songwriter, actor Albert Hague, passed away in Marina Del Rey, California, USA ~ Known for co-writing Broadway musicals such as Plain & Fancy, Redhead, Cafe Crown, and The Fig Leaves Are Falling. Hague also composed the music for the TV musical cartoon How The Grinch Stole Christmas. As an actor Hague is perhaps best known for portraying the role of Benjamin Shorofsky, the music teacher, in the TV series Fame and the film of the same name ~ Marcuse was born in 1920
November 12, 2000 ~ Conductor, violinist Frank Pourcel, full name Franck Marius Louis Pourcel, passed away in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France ~ Recorded some 250 albums, over 3000 songs and conducted numerous famous orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Orchestra, and the Lamoureux Orchestra. To pop audiences best known for his 1956 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Only You, a cover of the Platters-classic. Co-wrote and first recorded the instumental Chariot, which would notably be covered by Little Peggy March with English lyrics added and retitled to I Will Follow Him ~ Pourcel was born in 1913
November 12, 1998 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, post-bop pianist, keyboardist Kenny Kirkland, full name Kenneth David Kirkland, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Classically trained. First gained attention in the mid 1970s, touring with fusion violinist Michal Urbaniak. Subssequently worked with bassist Miroslav Vitous, including on the albums First Meeting and Miroslav Vitous Group, and with trumpeter Terumasa Hino, before teaming up with Wynton Marsalis, with whom he would regularly collaborate. Present on some of Wynton's best known albums, including the acclaimed Black Codes (From The Underground). To pop audiences, Kirkland is perhaps best known as a member of the Blue Turtles, a pop-jazz group assembled by the Police singer Sting for his first two solo albums, the 1985 The Dream Of The Blue Turtles and its follow-up Bring On The Night. Other notable associations include Rodney Jones, John Scofield, Chico Freeman, Elvin Jones, Carla Bley, Dizzy Gillespie, Franco Ambrosetti, Branford Marsalis, and Hiram Bullock. Kirkland recorded one album as a leader, the warmly received eponymous Kenny Kirkland released in 1991 ~ Kirkland was born in 1955
November 12, 1997 ~ Blues-rock, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Rainer Ptacek, full name Rainer Jaromir Ptacek, passed away in Tucson, Arizona, USA ~ Noted for his slide and finger-picking technique and use of electronic manipulation. Though never rising above cult status, Ptacek is considered influential during brief recording career, praised by artists such as Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. Co-founded alt-country outfit Giant Sand with Howe Gelb in the late 1970s, drawing from swing, country, rock, and beatnik lyricism. As a solo artist best known for the albums DYO released in 1995 and Live At The Performance Center released posthumously in 2000. The latter was recorded in June 1997, about half a year before his death at age 46 of cancer ~ Ptacek was born in 1951November 12, 1995 ~ Michelle Davina Hoogendoorn, commonly known as singer Davina Michelle, born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ Best known for her 2018 Duurt Te Lang single, a No.1 hit in her native Netherlands. Other well known songs include Skyward, Hoe Het Danst featuring Marco Borsato and Armin Van Buuren, Beat Me, and 17 Miljoen Mensen with Snelle, the latter an updated cover of the Fluitsma & Van Tijn classic 15 Miljoen Mensen
November 12, 1990 ~ Guitarist Ron Wood injured in a traffic accident ~ Wood's wife Jo was driving the couple's BMW when they crashed their car some 50 miles outside of London. Ron Wood escaped unscathed and got out to direct traffic, but was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The impact broke both his legs. Wood would tell People magazine: “The doctors have prescribed a pint of Guinness a day, so that can't be bad”
November 12, 1988 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, Wild Wild West by the Escape Club hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ When this song reached the top of the American Billboard Hot 100, the Escape Club earned the distinction of being the only British band ever to have scored a No.1 hit in America while never having charted at all in their native England. Over the next few years the group would appear on the American charts twice more, Shake For The Sheik reached No.28, and I'll Be There reached No.8November 12, 1988 ~ Singer Helvetia Boswell passed away ~ One third of close harmony trio the Boswell Sisters, alongside siblings Martha Boswell and Connee Boswell, known for 1930s hits such as I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five An Ten Cent Store, Rock & Roll, The Object Of My Affection, Dinah, and Alexander's Ragtime Band ~ Boswell was born in 1911
November 12, 1987 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet, actor Cornelis Vreeswijk passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Emigrated to Sweden at age 12. Regarded as one of Sweden's most influential troubadours. Played Pontius Pilate in the Swedish version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Influenced by Josh White, Georges Brassens, Leadbelly. Known for songs such as Angbatsblus (Steam Boat Blues), Jubelvia For Fiffiga Nanette (Joyful Song For Clever Nanette), Polaren Par My Buddy Par, and Blues For Fatumeh. Renowned interpreter of the songs of Michael Bellman, Evert Taube, and of Lars Forssell. In the Netherlands best known for a handful of Dutch songs, especially 1972's Veronica, picked up by pirate radio station Veronica, and 1966's De Nozem & De Non (The Greaser & The Nun. The latter initially made little impact, yet has since become a classic ~ Vreeswijk was born in 1937November 12, 1987 ~ Jazz drummer, singer Jamison Ross born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Fluid percussionist and gospel-influenced singer, known for his associations with the likes of Dr John, James Southwell, Carmen Lundy, Jon Cleary, Snarky Puppy, the Soul Rebels, and Tank & the Bangas. Released his Jamison acclaimed solo debut album in 2015, drawing from gospel, post-bop, and R&B
November 12, 1985 ~ William Wells, commonly known as jazz trombonist Dicky Wells, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of trombonist Henry Wells. Worked steadily behind the likes of Cecil Scott, Spike Hughes, Fletcher Henderson, and Benny Carter before rising to fame playing with Count Basie. About half a dozen albums as a leader, noted for Goin' To Kansas City released in 1960. Has also worked with Jimmy Rushing, Jelly Roll Morton (Mr Jelly Roll), Buddy Tate, Buck Clayton, Booty Wood, Nancy Harrow, James Brown (Live At The Apollo), and Jimmy Rushing ~ Wells was born in 1907
November 12, 1985 ~ Pop, rock singer, songwriter Yoko Yazawa born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Daughter of singer Eikichi Yazawa. Member of the Generous, known best for their eponymous The Generous album released in 2010. Yazawa released her eponymous Yoko Yazawa solo debut album the same year, has worked with Joe Inoue, and is a member of Piggy Banks
November 12, 1984 ~ Singer Madonna releases her Like A Virgin sophomore album, her first to reach No.1 Billboard Hot 200 ~ It was her sophomore album, co-produced with Nile Rodgers, that made her an icon of 1980s pop. It reached the No.1 spot in over half a dozen countries including the USA, the UK, and the Netherlands, and spawned five Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits. Regarding the album's two biggest hits, Like A Virgin and Material Girl, both considered pivotal to her career, Madonna later remarked: “I liked them both because they were ironic and provocative at the same time but also unlike me. I am not a materialistic person, and I certainly wasn't a virgin, and, by the way, how can you be ‘like a virgin’? I liked the play on words, I thought they were clever. They're so geeky, they're cool.”
November 12, 1983 ~ James Preston McDonald, commonly known as jazz trombonist Preston Jackson, passed away in Blytheville, Arkansas, USA ~ Mentored by Roy Palmer and Honore Dutrey. Fixture on the 1920s Chicago jazz scene, backing artists such as Tig Chambers, Al Simone, Eli Rice, Art Simms, Bernie Young, and Richard M Jones. Would go on to play with Erskine Tate, Louis Armstrong, Frankie Jaxon, Jimmie Noone, Roy Eldridge, and Johnny Dodds ~ McDonald was born in 1902November 12, 1979 ~ The Muppet Show episode featuring guest operatic soprano Beverly Sills airs in the USA ~ In the show, Beverly Sills is slated to lead an opera titled Pigoletto, leading to many of the Muppet cast's pigs to audition for a role, including Miss Piggy who desires a lead part. Sills and Gonzo also practiced hanging spoons on their noses backstage, much to Sam the Eagle's horror. Sills would reunite with Miss Piggy four years later co-hosting Gala Of Stars 1983 aired on PBS, where they discussed opera singing
November 12, 1979 ~ Country, pop, soft rock singer Kenny Rogers releases Coward Of The County, lifted off his Kenny album ~ Like his crossover hit The Gambler released a year earlier, Coward Of The County would be made into a TV movie. The song tells of a boy whose father died in prison and who in his last breath advised the 10-year old son to stay out of trouble. The son heeds the advice and avoids fights throughout his life, earning him the nickname “coward of the county”, until one day he is pushed too far and takes revenge on three brothers who sexually assaulted his girlfriend. Although not specifically written to be made into a TV film, it would inspire a TV film which also starred Kenny Rogers. The single would be a bigger hit than the film, and became a signature song for Rogers. Coward Of The County would top the Billboard Country chart, and crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at no.3, making it the singer's fourth top 10 hit on the tally and his highest charting up to this point in his career. A massive crossover hit, Coward Of The County would also reach top 10 on the pop charts in over half a dozen other countries including Canada, the Netherlands, and UKNovember 12, 1979 ~ Gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu born in Owerri, Nigeria ~ Rose to notoriety in her native Nigeria with the single Ekwueme featuring Prospa Ochimana. Nwachukwu was the victim of domestic violence, perpetruated by her husband Peter Nwachukwu, and after several days on life support succumbed to her injuries ~ Nwachukwu passed away in 2022