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 14, 2025 ~ Singer, songwriter Todd Snider, full name Todd Daniel Snider, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Discovered by Keith Sykes, an associate of Jimmy Buffett. Draws from Americana, alt-country, folk, and rock. Snider, considered a humorous postmodern troubadour, has recorded well over a dozen albums since the mid 1990s, including the highly acclaimed Step Right Up released in 1996, and though he never became a household name Snider has built a devoted following, earned critical acclaim and is held in high regard by peers. Songs written or co-written by Snider have frequently been covered by artists, mostly country singers, including Mark Chesnutt, Will Kimbrough, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and Jason Isbell. Snider also fronts the supergroup the Hard Working Americans which includes members of Widespread Panic and Great American Taxi ~ Snider was born in 1966
November 14, 2024 ~ Drummer Dennis Bryon, full name Dennis Ronald Bryon, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of 1960s pop outfit Amen Corner, with whom he scored the UK top 10 hits Bend Me Shape Me, High In The Sky, (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice, and Hello Susie. Bryon is als closely associated with the Bee Gees, backing the Gibb brothers from 1974 through 1979 including on the albums Main Course, Children Of The World, and on several tracks of the soundtrack album Saturday Night Fever. Bryon also co-produced Robin Gibb's How Old Are You album released in 1983 ~ Bryon was born in 1949
November 14, 2024 ~ Progressive rock, art rock guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Peter Sinfield, full name Peter John Sinfield, passed away in London, UK ~ Co-founded King Crimson, remaining with the band through its first four albums. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1969 In The Court Of The Crimson King debut album, widely considered one of the most influential albums in the progressive rock genre. Following his departure from King Crimson, Sinfield has produced Roxy Music's eponymous Roxy Music debut album, which included the hit single Virginia Plain, and has notably worked with Emerson Lake & Palmer. Sinfield would remain an in-demand songwriter, known for his use of surreal imagery, over time gravitating towards more pop-oriented artists. Artists who have recorded songs co-written by Sinfield include Angelo Branduardi, Leo Sayer, Bucks Fizz (The Land Of Make Believe), Five Star, Céline Dion, Nikka Costa, Cher (Heart Of Stone), and Agnetha Fältskog. Sinfield recorded one album as a solo artist, the overlooked Still released in 1973 ~ Sinfield was born in 1943
November 14, 2024 ~ Country singer, guitarist Tommy Alverson passed away ~ Considered a legend in his native Texas for helping define the Texan country. Has recorded over half a dozen studio and live albums, starting with Texasongs released in 1995 which consisted of material previously released on cassette records. It would not be until his 1999 sophomore effort, Me And The Jukebox which gave him the regional hit Una Mas Cerveza, that Alverson would be able to quit his day job of three decades working for the Miller Brewing Company and focus on his music career fulltime. Alverson would be held in the highest regards by fellow Texan singers, including Ray Wylie Hubbard, Larry Joe Taylor, Michael Martin Murphey, and Willie Nelson, many of whom he collaborated with. Alverson is also well known for founding the Texas Music Family Gathering in the late 1990s, which grew from a small event to one of the most legendary annual gatherings in Texas music around. Alverson has also produced Shadows Where The Magic Was, the 1999 debut album for fellow Texas icon James Hand, and has guested on recordings by Gary P Nunn, Brian Burns (Highways Heartaches & Honky-Tonks), Ed Burleson, Johnny Bush, and Ed Burleson. Upon hearing of Alverson's passing, close friend and fellow musician Dallas Wayne commented: “We lost one of the best today. I'm not talking about his songwriting, singing or his guitar playing. Although he was amazing at all those things. I'm talking about him as a man, father, husband and a friend. Alverson was all about kindness, heart and compassion” ~ Alverson was born in 1950
November 14, 2024 ~ Guitarist Vic Flick, full name Victor Harold Flick, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ In-demand studio guitarist since the 1950s, getting his start in music with the John Barry Seven. Best known for playing the guitar riff on Monty Norman's James Bond Theme, recorded for the 1962 Doctor No James Bond soundtrack. Over the course of his career, Flick has worked with numerous mostly British acts. Present on songs such as I Only Want To Be With You by Dusty Springfield, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore by the Walker Brothers, No Milk Today by Herman's Hermits, and Puppet On A String by Sandie Shaw. Other notable associations include Petula Clark, Peter & Gordon, the Bee Gees, Hardin & York, Serge Gainsbourg, Hank Marvin, and Paul McCartney. However, Flick remains best known for his work on several James Bond soundtracks through the 1980s. As to his most famous recording, the original James Bond theme for the first film in the franchise, Flick has said: “It had an edge to it, sort of a dynamic sound. I overplayed it. Leaned into those thick low strings with the very hard plectrum, played it slightly ahead of the beat, and it came out exciting, almost ‘attacking’, which fit the James Bond image” ~ Flick was born in 1937
November 14, 2016 ~ Singer, songwriter Holly Dunn, full name Holly Suzette Dunn, passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ~ Country singer with ten albums to her name. Charting singles since the mid-1980s including Are You Ever Gonna Love Me, You Really Had Me Going, Love Someone Like Me, There Goes My Heart Again (co-written with then unknown Joe Diffie), It's Always Gonna Be Someday, and A Heart Full Of Love. Sang with Kenny Rogers on Maybe, with John Michael Montgomery on A Face In The Crowd ~ Dunn was born in 1957November 14, 2014 ~ TV, producer, songwriter Glen A Larson passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Best known as a TV producer responsible for hit shows such as Battlestar Galactica, Magnum PI and Knight Rider. As a musician known as an original member of folk revival, satire group the Four Preps, scoring hits with 26 Miles (Santa Catalina) and Big Man in the late 1950s, both co-written by Larson ~ Larson was born in 1937
November 14, 2014 ~ Boy band Take That release These Days, lifted off their III album ~ Following the departure of Robbie Williams and Jason Orange, These Days was the boy band's first single as a trio, with all three remaining members sharing lead vocals. The single would be critically well-received as the Daily Telegraph called it “uplifting” and “a fun and fuzzy comeback”, while the Independent noted the sense of nostalgia, the song “a nod to the sound that defined their early years and out-and-out feel-good pop.” When These Days reached No.1 on the British charts, it made Take That the first act in UK chart history to have scored a No.1 hit as a five-piece, four-piece, and three-piece group
November 14, 2012 ~ Bertram McLean, commonly known as reggae bassist, guitarist Bertram Ranchie McLean, passed away ~ Noted Jamaican studio, session musician active from the 1970s through the 1990s. Released an occasional solo recording from time to time, most notably the single Toy. Wrote Rub-a-dub Partner, recorded by Jimmy Cliff. Has also worked with Ansel Collins, Lloyd Parks, Sly Dunbar, the Impact All-Stars, the Revolutionaries, Skin Flesh & Bone, Earth & Stone, Culture, the Clarendonians, the GG All-Stars, Sadao Watanabe, Burning Spear, I-Roy, and the Meditations ~ McLean was born in 1948
November 14, 2011 ~ Alan Moffatt, commonly known as folk, rock, Celtic blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Jackie Leven, passed away in Hampshire, UK ~ Co-founding, sole constant member of psychedelic-tinged rock, new wave outfit Doll By Doll, with whom he has recorded four albums round the turn of the 1980s. After the band disbanded, the singer would take a sabbatical before emerging as a solo artist gravitating towards folk yet drawing from a wide array of influences with well over a dozen albums to his name. He is perhaps best known for his 1994 The Mystery Of Love Is Greater Than The Mystery Of Death album, which drew critical comparison to the enigmatic art-rock icon Scott Walker of the Walker Brothers. Leven continued to record and perform until his death at age 61 of cancer, passing away just days prior to a scheduled performance in Kinross, the UK. His final studio album, Wayside Shrines And The Code Of The Traveling Man, was released only two months earlier. Leven's obituary in the Guardian stated he was “a brilliant outsider, a remarkably prolific Scottish singer-songwriter who built up a devoted cult following during his lengthy, wildly varied and often turbulent career, but never achieved the level of success that he deserved” ~ Moffatt was born in 1950
November 14, 2011 ~ Songwriter Lee Pockriss, full name Lee Julian Pockriss, passed away in Bridgewater, Connecticut, USA ~ In-demand songwriter of the 1950s and 1960s, with several soundtracks and Broadway shows to his name. Perhaps best known for co-writing Perry Como's Catch A Falling Star, Brian Hyland's Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini, and the Cuff Links' Tracy. Others who have recorded his songs include Jerry Vale, Johnny Mathis, Anita Bryant (My Little Corner Of The World), Dodie Stevens, Shelley Fabares (Johnny Angel), Frankie Laine, the Rooftop Singers, and Clint Holmes (Playground In My Mind) ~ Pockriss was born in 1924
November 14, 2005 ~ Singer Mary J Blige releases Be Without You, lead single off her The Breakthrough album ~ Peaking at No.3 Billboard Hot 100, the song would be Mary J Blige's second-highest charting single after charttopper Family Affair. The tender ballad tells of a couple wondering where they would be without their significant other, perhaps even better off, however, Blige urges the couple to count their blessings and stay together. Be Without You was one of several new songs originally intended for Blige's upcoming compilation album, yet selected for her The Breakthrough album at the last minute. The song received raving reviews and close to a dozen awards, including two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Performance while also being nominated in the categories Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The parent album would also receive a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. The song has endured the test of time, with BET retrospectively stating how “with a beautiful piano melody and Mary in top-notch, gut-wrenching form, it's easy to see why this is one of the biggest songs of Mary's legendary career.” The single would eventually sell over 2 million copies in Blige's native America alone
November 14, 1995 ~ Singer Mariah Carey releases One Sweet Day, a collaboration with Boyz II Men, lifted off Carey's acclaimed Daydream album ~ Written by all members of Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey, the latter also co-producing the track with Walter Afanasieff, One Sweet Day tells of the death of a loved one, having taken them for granted and missing them, to finally seeing the person in heaven. Issued as the second single off Carey's Daydream hit album, One Sweet Day would be met with universal acclaim, and spend a consecutive sixteen weeks at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, at the time a record for longest run at No.1. It would also be nominated for two Grammy Awards, one for Record of the Year, and one for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. In total, the parent album and its singles were nominated for six Grammy Awards, yet much to the amazement of critics the singer would win none. One Sweet Day, however, remains one of the best known and most beloved for both Carey and Boyz II MenNovember 14, 1992 ~ Saxophonist, flutist George Adams, full name George Rufus Adams, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity during the 1970s and 1980s. Recorded about two dozen albums as leader or co-leader, often teaming up with Don Pullen. Especially acclaimed for Live At The Village Vanguard Vol.2 and Breakthrough, both co-led with Pullen. Adams is also present on albums by the Fatback Band, Charles Mingus (Changes One), Gil Evans (There Comes A Time), David Sanborn, McCoy Tyner (Horizon), Johnny Copeland, Craig Harris, Phalanx, Craig Harris, and Kip Hanrahan ~ Adams was born in 1940
November 14, 1989 ~ William Edward Davison, commonly known as jazz, Dixieland cornetist Wild Bill Davison, passed away in Santa Barbara, California, USA ~ Considered one of the prime Dixieland cornetiss, known for his colorful style, unusually placed high notes, and strong personality. Dubbed “Wild Bill” for his heavy drinking and womanizing. Active since the 1920s, playing with Muggsy Spanier and Frank Teschemacher, but it would not be until the 1940s, teaming up with Eddie Condon, that he would gain wider recognition. Recorded well over a dozen albums as leader, especially acclaimed for That's A Plenty, After Hours, and Jazz On A Saturday Afternoon Vol.1. As a sideman Davison has appeared on albums by Sidney Bechet, Art Hodes (Art Hodes Hot Five), Hot Lips Page, Pee Wee Russell, and Tony Parenti ~ Davison was born in 1906
November 14, 1983 ~ Pop, synth-pop, new wave duo Eurythmics release Touch, their third studio album ~ The duo broke through with their previous album, Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) released earlier the same year, and continued their hit streak with Touch. It would be the first album to reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic, including the No.1 spot in their native UK, and all of the album's singles, Who's That Girl, Right By Your Side and Here Comes The Rain Again, reached top 10 UK, the latter also doing well in America where it peaked at No.4 Billboard Hot 100
November 14, 1983 ~ New wave, pop rock outfit the Simple Minds release Waterfront, lead single of their Sparkle In The Rain album ~ While strolling alongside the waterfront, seeing the decline of the shipyard industry in his native Glasgow inspired lead singer Jim Kerr to come up with the lyrics expressing a feeling of hope and rebirth. The song's melody originated from a one-note bassline Derek Forbes came up with. Preceded by Promised You A Miracle and Glittering Prize, Waterfront would become their third UK top 20 hit peaking at No.13. It would also do well abroad, and reached No.5 in Ireland and topped the charts in New ZealandNovember 14, 1982 ~ Torrence Ivy Hatch Jr, commonly known as rapper Lil' Boosie or Boosie Badazz, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as vocalist on Baby Boy da Prince's The Way I Live and on Webbie's Independent. As a solo artist known for songs such as Wipe Me Down. Has also worked with Yung Joc, Jeezy, Kiara, Sean Kingston, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Tyga, and Kodak Black
November 14, 1981 ~ Pop, contemporary Christian singer Joy Williams born in Mount Hermon, California, USA ~ Cites Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Massive Attack, Portishead as inluences. Debuted with the eponymous Joy Williams album in 2001. Formed the duo the Civil Wars with John Paul White from 2009 to 2014
November 14, 1980 ~ Bernard Guerin, commonly known as jazz double bassist Beb Guérin, passed away in Paris, France ~ Fixture on the Paris jazz scene from the 1960s onwards. In-demand sideman, present on recordings by Jacques Coursil (Way Ahead), Arthur Jones, Alan Silva, Dave Burrell, Clifford Thornton (Ketchaoua), Grachan Moncur III, the Celestrial Communication Orchestra, Sonny Sharrock, Archie Shepp, Jacques Thollot, Toto Bissainthe, and Burton Greene (Aquariana) ~ Guérin was born in 1941November 14, 1980 ~ Pop punk drummer, percussionist, singer Matt Brann born in Ajax, Canada ~ Best known as drummer for Avril Lavigne. Co-wrote Lavigne's Freak Out of her sophomore Under My Skin album released in 2004. Has also worked with the Operation MD, which also includes high school classmate Jason McCaslin
November 14, 1980 ~ Michael W Eagle II, commonly known as rapper, comedian Open Mike Eagle, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of hip-hop collective Project Blowed. Has also worked with Thirsty Fish, the Swim Team, Cavanaugh. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Unapologetic Art Rap released in 2010
November 14, 1979 ~ Shyheim Dionel Franklin, . mononymously known as rapper, actor Shyheim, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Debuted at age 16 with his AKA The Rugged Child album in 1994, which spawned the hit single On & On. Would go on to become a regular collaborator of the Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man and Ghostface Killah
November 14, 1975 ~ Drummer Travis Barker, full name Travis Landon Barker, born in Fontana, California, USA ~ Dubbed “punk's first superstar drummer” by Rolling Stone. Best known as drummer for rock band Blink-182, reaching mainstream succes with their 1999 Enema Of The State album which spawned the hits What's My Age Again, All The Small Things and Adam's Song. Barker is also an in-demand collaborator. Formed the duo TRV$DJAM with DJ AM. Formed the rock bands 44 and Box Car Racer. Has also worked with the Aquabats, ANTEMASQUE, Expensive Taste, and the Transplants. Released his Give The Drummer Some solo album in 2011November 14, 1974 ~ Rock, indie rock guitarist, keyboardist, clarinetist, singer Tom Pintens born in Antwerp, Belgium ~ As a solo artist best known for In Charleroi of his 2009 Winter Maakt Ons Vrolijk sophomore album. Pintens has been active since the mid 1990s, working with bands such as Flowers For Breakfast, Think Of One, Het Zesde Metaal, and perhaps most notably Zita Swoon ~ Pintens passed away in 2023