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 13, 2024 ~ Sheldon Talmy, commonly known as producer Shel Talmy, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Got his start in music in the early 1960s, working with acts such as Marketts, the Castells, René Hall, and Robert Bumps Blackwell. Rose to fame in the mid 1960s, becoming a pivotal independent producer in Britain when a five-week vacation turned into an extended stay. Notable recordings from the mid- to late 1960s include the landmark My Generation album by the Who, about half a dozen albums by the Kinks, including You Really Got Me, Kinda Kinks, and Kinkdom, the Pentangle debut album The Pentangle, and singles such as Friday On My Mind by the Easybeats, Just Like A Woman by Manfred Mann, and (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice by Amen Corner. From the 1970s onward, Talmy would be less prolific, yet continued to produce acts such as Ralph McTell, the Band Of Joy, the Small Faces, and the Damned. Upon his death, a prepared statement by Talmy was released which among other things read: “I've had a good run, and I am delighted it lasted as long as it did” ~ Talmy was born in 1937November 13, 2021 ~ Heavy metal, doom metal bassist Greg Mayne, full name Gregory Clifford Mayne, passed away ~ Member of Space Meat. Co-founding member of pioneering doom metal band Pentagram, remaining with the band from 1971 through 1976. Along with Randy Palmer Mayne briefly rejoined lead singer Bobby Liebling in 1988 working on a new album, the renewed Pentagram line-up would split up after their first performance ~ Mayne was born in 1953
November 13, 2021 ~ Jazz trumpeter Jim Knapp, full name James Donald Knapp Jr, passed away in Kirkland, Washington, USA ~ Recorded a handful of albums as a leader, noted particularly for On Going Home released in 1995. Taught at the Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, for over four decades starting in 1971. Director for the chamber ensemble the Composers And Improvisers Orchestra from 1977 through 1985, presenting compositions by the orchestra's members and guest composers including Carla Bley, Anthony Braxton, Gil Evans, and Sam Rivers. Founded the Chamber Groove Orchestra in the late 1990s. As a sideman has appeared on albums by Jay Clayton, Pax Wallace, Steve Korn, and Carolyn Graye ~ Knapp was born in 1939
November 13, 2021 ~ Pop singer, drummer Phil Margo passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of vocal group the Tokens, which also included his brother Mitch Margo, best known for their 1961 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Other well known songs include Tonight I Fell In Love, Big Boat, and Ain't That Peculiar. Margo is also known as a producer, notably co-producing He's So Fine for the Chiffons, Denise for Randy & the Rainbows, I Got Rhythm for the Happenings, and Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree for Tony Orlando & Dawn ~ Margo was born in 1942
November 13, 2020 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Doug Supernaw, full name Douglas Anderson Supernaw, passed away in Livingston, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by George Jones and Gene Watson. Recorded four albums starting with Red And Rio Grande released in 1993. The album spawned the Billboard Country No.1 hit I Don't Call Him Daddy, previously recorded by Kenny Rogers. Besides his sole No.1, the singles Reno, What'll You Do About Me and Not Enough Hours In The Night, would also reach top 20 Billboard Country ~ Supernaw was born in 1960
November 13, 2020 ~ Southern gospel singer, pianist, songwriter Henry Slaughter, full name Henry Thaxton Slaughter, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Active since the 1940s. Has worked with acts such as the Stamps-Ozark Quartet, the Weatherford Quartet, the Imperials, Bill Gaither, and as a duo with his wife Hazel Myers. Slaughter is also known for penning If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side, notably covered by Elvis Presley on his 1967 How Great Thou Art gospel album ~ Slaughter was born in 1927
November 13, 2016 ~ Claude Russell Bridges, commonly known as pianist, bassist, guitarist, hornist, singer Leon Russell, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Legendary rock & roll session pianist, songwriter, producer, appearing on hundreds of albums since the late 1950s. As a solo artist over two dozen albums to his name. Noted especially for his 1970 eponymous Leon Russell solo debut album, featuring guests such as Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, and including the track A Song For You which has been covered by over 200 artists including Donny Hathaway, and for his 1973 Hank Wilson's Back album. Artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Russell include Joe Cocker (Delta Lady), Delaney & Bonnie, Freddie King (Palace Of The King), Helen Reddy, and Lee Rocker ~ Bridges was born in 1942November 13, 2010 ~ Singer Taylor Swift sets a record by becoming the first female artist to place 11 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time ~ With 10 new entries and Mine at No.21, down from No.13 the previous week, Taylor Swift sets the record with no less than 11 singles simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100. The 10 new entries are Long Live at No.85, Never Grow Up at No.84, Enchanted at No.75, Last Kiss at No.71, Haunted at No.63, Better Than Revenge at No.56, Dear John at No.54, The Story Of Us at No.41, Innocent at No.27, and Sparks Fly at No.17
November 13, 2005 ~ Harry Goldberg, commonly known as Dixieland jazz saxophonist, bandleader Harry Gold, passed away in London, UK ~ Driving force behind Britain's post-war Dixieland revival. Decided to pursue a career in music after seeing the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in concert in the late-1910s. Has worked with the Magnetic Dance Band, the Florentine Dance Band, and notably the Metronomes, establishing himself as a gifted arranger during his stint with the latter, and with Oscar Rabin. Rose to fame in the late 1940s, early 1950s leading the Pieces Of Eight ~ Goldberg was born in 1907
November 13, 2005 ~ Singer Liz Phair guest stars on the fantasy drama Charmed in the episode Battle Of The Hexes, performing the song Somebody's Miracle ~ Phair appears on the show performing the title track of her Somebody's Miracle album. It was the singer's 5th studio album, for which Liz Phair had done two tours in support of the album, a nine-date acoustic tour over the summer previewing some of the album's material, and a month-long tour shortly after the album's release in early October. Phair would be the last musical artist to guest on the show
November 13, 2004 ~ Reggae, ska, dub producer, engineer Errol Thompson passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Nicknamed “ET”. One of the first engineers, over time moving into producing as well, involved in dub music. Has worked with Joe Gibbs, Junior Byles, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Althea & Donna, Prince Far I, Eek-a-mouse, I-Roy, Cornell Campbell, Freddie McGregor, Barrington Levy, Clive Chin, and King Tubby ~ Thompson was born in 1948
November 13, 2004 ~ Russell Tyrone Jones, commonly known as hip hop, hardcore hip hop rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, which rose to fame with their 1993 Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) debut album. Jones, known for his outrageously profane free-associative rhymes, would record four albums with the band until his death of an accidental overdose at age 35. Jones has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1995's Return To The 36 Chambers which spawned the modest hits Brooklyn Zoo and Shimmy Shimmy Ya ~ Jones was born in 1968
November 13, 2002 ~ William Richard Berry, commonly known as bandleader, trumpeter, cornetist Bill Berry passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ As a leader especially acclaimed for Hello Rev released in 1976 and its follow-up Shortcake two years later. Active since the late 1950s, present on albums by Woody Herman, Herb Pomeroy (Band In Boston), Duke Ellington, Trini López, Ruth Brown, Jake Hanna (Live At The Concord), Ray Charles, Jimmy Rowles (Plus 2 Plus 3 Plus 4), and Johnny Hodges ~ Berry was born in 1930November 13, 2002 ~ Folk, folk pop, folk rock guitarist, producer Michael Stewart, full name Michael Gassen Stewart, passed away in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Member of folk pop group We Five, known for their 1965 Billboard top 10 hit You Were On My Mind. As a producer known for producing Piano Man, Billy Joel's breakthrough album, as well as for his work with Tom Jones, and Kenny Rankin ~ Stewart was born in 1945
November 13, 2002 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion pianist Roland Hanna, full name Roland Pembroke Hanna, passed away in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA ~ Inventive pianist with a thorough understanding of the roots of jazz. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for 1959's Easy To Love and 1974's Perugia. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Kenny Burrell, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus (Mingus Ah Uhm), Sarah Vaughan, Elvin Jones, Herbie Mann, Stanley Turrentine (Look Of Love), Ruth Brown, Freddie Hubbard (The Hub Of Hubbard), Ron Carter (All Blues), Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stéphane Grappelli, George Benson, Don Sebesky, the New York Jazz Quartet, the Mingus Dynasty (Live At The Village Vanguard), and Eddie Lockjaw Davis ~ Hanna was born in 1932
November 13, 2001 ~ Jean-Jacques Reinhardt, commonly known as guitarist Babik Reinhardt, passed away in Cannes, France ~ Son of revered gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Coming of age in a different era than his father, his influences branched beyond gypsy jazz and included guitarists such as Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Raney. Recorded over half a dozen albums since the late 1960s. Has collaborated with the likes of Georges Arvanitas, Romane, Larry Coryell, and Didier Lockwood ~ Reinhardt was born in 1944
November 13, 2001 ~ David Albert Francis, commonly known as swing, R&B drummer Panama Francis, passed away in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Given his nickname by Roy Eldridge for wearing a panama hat. Active since the 1930s, backing George Kelly, Tab Smith, Lucky Millinder, Willie Bryant, and Cab Calloway. To pop audiences known for his contributions to numerous 1950s, early 1960s hits, including The Great Pretender and Only You (And You Alone) by the Platters, Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet) by Jackie Wilson, Splish Splash by Bobby Darin, Calender Girl by Neil Sedaka, Runaround Sue by Dion, and Big Girls Don't Cry and Walk Like A Man by the Four Seasons ~ Francis was born in 1918November 13, 1999 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger, composer John Benson Brooks passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote Just As Though You Were Here with Eddie DeLange, a hit for Tommy Dorsey featuring Frank Sinatra as lead vocalist. Co-wrote You Came A Long Way (From St Louis) with Bob Russell, a 1948 single for Ray McKinley. Close friend of Gil Evans, who recorded Brooks' Sirhan's Blues and Where Flamingos Fly. Has also worked as arranger for artists such as Randy Brooks, Les Brown, and Boyd Raeburn ~ Brooks was born in 1917
November 13, 1997 ~ Jazz pianist, singer, arranger Onzy Matthews, full name Onzy Durrett Matthews Jr, passed away in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ As a leader known for the mid 1960s albums Blues With A Touch Of Elegance and Sounds For The 60's. Closely associated with Duke Ellington orchestra during the 1960s and 1970s. Also especially noted as arranger, conductor, pianist for the 1963 Lou Rawls album Black And Blue, and as arranger, conductor for the Richard Groove Holmes album Book Of The Blues Vol.1 the following year. Other notable associations include Kenny Dorham, Curtis Amy, Gene Shaw, Dexter Gordon, and specifically Ray Charles, working in one capacity or another on a string of the latter's mid 1960s albums ~ Matthews was born in 1930
November 13, 1996 ~ Jazz, R&B organist, pianist Bill Doggett, full name William Bill Doggett, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Started in swing, to transition into R&B. Considered helpful to the development of rock & roll. Led his own trio from the early 1950s onward, known for the instrumental Honky Tonk, as well as for Slow Walk, Ram-Bunk-Shun, and Hold It, all of which reached top 10 Billboard R&B. As a sideman Doggett has worked with the likes of Buddy Tate, Lucky Thompson, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Jordan, Lucky Millinder, Willis Jackson, Coleman Hawkins, and Paul Quinichette ~ Doggett was born in 1916
November 13, 1993 ~ John Collins Fulton, commonly known as trombonist, singer Jack Fulton, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Sang with Paul Whiteman's orchestra from 1925 through 1933, present on songs such as Cuban Love Song, How Deep Is The Ocean, and Touch Of Your Hand. As a songwriter Fulton has co-written songs such as Until recorded by Tommy Dorsey, Mrs Santa Claus recorded by Nat King Cole, and Wanted recorded by Perry Como ~ Fulton was born in 1903
November 13, 1993 ~ Julia Carin Cavazos, commonly known as singer, pianist, guitarist Julia Michaels, born in Davenport, Iowa, USA ~ As a solo artist, singer best known for her debut single, Issues, a top 20 hit in 2017. Guested on JP Saxe's If The World Was Ending and Clean Bandit's I Miss You. As a songwriter wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Fifth Harmony, Shawn Mendes, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Hailee Steinfeld, and Gwen Stefani
November 13, 1992 ~ R&B, soul singer Bobby McClure passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Soul Stirrers in the 1950s, then led by Sam Cooke. As a solo artist best known for the mid 1960s singles Don't Mess Up A Good Thing, You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone and Peak Of Love. Moved on to work with Bobby & the Vocals, Big Daddy Jenkins, Oliver Sain, Little Milton, Fontella Bass, Otis Clay, and Shirley Brown ~ McClure was born in 1942November 13, 1992 ~ Pop singer, pianist Elton John performs at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, to a crowd of 90,000 ~ As part of his world tour in support of his latest album, The One, Elton John plays the first of two nights at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, to a crowd of some 90,000 visitors. It would be his first concert ever in Mexico. The album included the singles The One, Runaway Train, The Last Song, and Simple Life
November 13, 1992 ~ Ronald Bullis, commonly known as drummer Ronnie Bond, passed away in Winchester, UK ~ Original drummer for the Troggs, remaining with the band through 1968. The band has been critically described as the progenitors of punk, influential on Iggy Pop and the Ramones. Bond is present on all of the band's best known including the UK top 10 hits Wild Thing, With A Girl Like You, I Can't Control Myself, Any Way That You Want Me, and Love Is All Around ~ Bullis was born in 1940