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 16, 1975 ~ Electronic, alternative dance, synth-pop, indie pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Dan Black, full name Daniel Emmett Black, born in London, UK ~ Co-founding member of alternative rock band the Servant from 1998 through 2007. Member of Minty. Founding member of Massive Ego. Guested on recordings by Planet Funk. As a solo artist known for songs such as Alone, Yours, his breakthrough single HYPNTZ and perhaps his best known SymphoniesNovember 16, 1974 ~ Soul, reggae, reggae fusion singer, songwriter Andru Donalds born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ As a solo artist known for the singles Mishale and Save Me Now, both of which charted in several countries in 1994. Served as one Enigma's lead vocalists starting in 1999
November 16, 1974 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, Whatever Gets You Thru The Night by John Lennon hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Previously, both Instant Karma and Imagine had done well in America, both singles peaking at No.3 Billboard Hot 100. Whatever Gets You Thru The Night, however, issued as the lead single off his Walls And Bridges album, would be John Lennon's first American No.1 and the last during his lifetime, making him the last member of the Beatles to reach the top position as a solo artist. In 1980, following a five-year hiatus, Lennon issued (Just Like) Starting Over, which reached No.1 some three weeks after the singer was shot and killed by a deranged fan in the archway of his New York residence
November 16, 1972 ~ Alternative rock, post-hardcore, hard rock, pop rock guitarist, singer Daniel P Carter, full name Daniel Philip Carter, born in Reading, UK ~ Member of A, joining the band in 1997 shortly after the release of their How Ace Are Buildings debut album as replacement for original bassist Steve Swindon. Present on most of the band's best known including the singles I Love Lake Tahoe, Nothing, Starbucks and Rush Song. In the mid 2000s formed the songwriting, production team the Collective with Julian Emery and bandmate Jason Perry, responsible for Matt Willis debut album Don't Let It Go To Waste and McFly's Motion In The Ocean album. Carter has also worked with Lucky Nine, Hexes, and the Bloodhound Gang
November 16, 1964 ~ Jazz singer, pianist, songwriter Diana Krall, full name Diana Jean Krall, born in Nanaimo, Canada ~ Debuted with the 1991 album Stepping Out featuring John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton and has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Has sold over 15 million records. Married singer Elvis Costello in 2003 with whom she has two sons
November 16, 1963 ~ Soul, R&B, funk, jazz, gospel keyboardist, singer Bernard Wright born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Worked with Tom Browne at age 16. Sessioned with Doug E Fresh, Cameo, Bobby Brown, Pieces Of A Dream, Charles Earland, Marcus Miller, and Miles Davis. As a solo artist recorded half a dozen albums, starting with 'Nard released in 1981. Often sampled by the likes of Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Skee Lo, and LL Cool J. Known for songs such as Just Chillin' Out, Haboglabotribin', Funky Beat and Who Do You Love, the latter reaching top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts. Starting in the 1990s Wright would focus mostly on gospel ~ Wright passed away in 2022November 16, 1963 ~ Traditional pop, folk singer Carlo Buti passed away in Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy ~ As a boy paid by other men to serenade their girlfriends. Actively recording since the 1930s with over 1,500 songs to his name. Dubbed “the Golden Voice of Italy”, compared to Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra ~ Buti was born in 1902
November 16, 1963 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, Deep Purple by Nino Tempo & April Stevens hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ This song had been around for a while, written by Peter De Rose somewhere in the early 1930s and first released by Paul Whiteman in 1934. By the time Nino Tempo & April Stevens issued their version, it had already been recorded by over an estimated 100 artists including Art Tatum, Percy Faith, Jackie Gleason, Ray Conniff, and Lawrence Welk, yet the definitive hit version would become the 1963 single by siblings April Stevens and Nino Tempo, the single earning the pair a Grammy Award for Best R&R Single. Over the years, several others have also recorded the song, with over an estimated 350 versions known to exist. The rock group Deep Purple was named after this song, as a version of this song, unclear which one though, was a favorite of the band's co-founding member lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore's grandmotherNovember 16, 1963 ~ Jazz drummer, producer Steve Argüelles born in Crowbrough, UK ~ Brother of saxophonist Julian Argüelles. House drummer at Ronnie Scott's noted jazz club. Founded Loose Tubes. Has also worked with Django Bates, Corin Curschellas, John Wolf Brennan, Nguyên Lê, Benoit Delbecq, Noël Akchoté, Christophe Minck, and Katerine. Argüuelles released his solo debut album, the eponymous Steve Argüelles, in 1990
November 16, 1962 ~ Gary Mounfield, commonly known as rock, alternative rock, indie rock bassist Gary Mani Mounfield, born in Crumpsall, UK ~ Member of the Stone Roses, joining the band in 1987 and remaining until its initial disbandement in 1996. The band is best known for the UK top 10 hits Fools Gold, One Love, Love Spreads. Member of Primal Scream from 1996 until 2011, departing the band to rejoin a reunited Roses. Mounfield also played with Freebass, which also included the Smiths' Andy Rourke and Joy Division's Peter Hook ~ Mounfield passed away in 2025
November 16, 1961 ~ Pop singer Corinne Hermès born in Lagny-sur-Marne, France ~ Internationally best known for winning the 1983 Eurovision Songfestival, representing Luxembourg, with the song Si La Vie Est Cadeau written by Jean-Pierre Millers and Alain Garcia
November 16, 1960 ~ Country singer Patsy Cline records I Fall To Pieces at Decca Records, Nashville, Tennessee ~ The song was first offered to Brenda Lee, who declined. Patsy Cline too was initially reluctant to record I Fall To Pieces, yet coaxed into it by producer Owen Bradley. It would become one of her biggest hits and established Cline's sophisticated style. Renowned songwriter Harlan Howard, who had co-penned the song with Hank Cochran, would later comment: “The toughest songs in the world to write are love songs. ‘I love you and I will forever and blah blah blah.’ I'd rather get into a song about a relationship that's a little bit shaky or even tragic. That in my mind represents country music and the drama of the man-woman thing”November 16, 1959 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, Mr Blue by the Fleetwoods hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The first and arguably biggest hit for songwriter Dewayne Blackwell, who would go on to write songs such as I'm Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home for David Frizzell, Nobody Gets Off In This Town for Moe Bandy, and Friends In Low Places for David Chamberlain, the latter notably covered by Garth Brooks. The teenage trio the Fleetwoods would be the first to record Mr Blue, making it their second and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit after Come Softly To Me earlier the same year. The trio's success wouldn't last though, they would score one more top 10 hit with Tragedy in 1961, before their popularity waned. Over the years, Mr Blue would be covered by dozens of artists including Johnny Crawford, Bobby Vinton, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, and Classics IV, but none would equal the original version by the Fleetwoods
November 16, 1958 ~ Drummer Harry Rushakoff born in Illinois, USA ~ Best known as drummer for Concrete Blonde, present on the band's eponymous Concrete Blonde debut album. Previously a member of the Nodes and Special Affect. Has also worked with 4xy, Harvey Mandel, Tom Peterson, and Lindsey Buckingham
November 16, 1952 ~ Avant-garde jazz, contemporary classical singer Lauren Newton, full name Lauren Amber Newton, born in Coos Bay, Oregon, USA ~ Founding member of the Vienna Art Orchestra. Founding member of the Vocal Summit. Debuted as a solo artist with the critically acclaimed Timbre in 1983. Has since collaborated with Jon Rose, Fritz Hauser, Vladimir Tarasov, Anthony Braxton, Christy Doran, Bernd Konrad, Peter Kowald, Joachim Kühn, Joëlle Léandre, Urs Leimgruber, Patrick Scheyder, Aki Takase, George Gruntz, and Pink Martini
November 16, 1950 ~ Songwriter Atilla Sereftug born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Along with Nella Martinetti co-wrote Céline Dion's Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, 1988 Eurovision Songfestival winner
November 16, 1949 ~ Singer, percussionist Pattie Santos born ~ Member of It's A Beautiful Day from 1967 through 1970, best known for their 1969 single White Bird of their eponymous It's A Beautiful Day debut album ~ Santos passed away in 1989
November 16, 1949 ~ Guitarist, producer, label founder, executive William Ackerman born ~ Founded the Windham Hill label to release his own recordings, starting with his 1976 In Search Of The Turtle's Navel debut album. Others in the label's catalogue include Darol Anger, Liz Story, Michael Hedges and Shadowfax. Over time Ackerman's company would become a defining force in what would later be called New Age music. As a recording artist perhaps best known for his Grammy Award-winning Returning album released in 2004November 16, 1948 ~ Singer Evelyn Knight records Powder Your Face With Sunshine ~ Written by Carmen Lombardo and Stanley Rochinski. The biggest hit would be Evelyn Knight's, reaching No.1 on the pop charts. Other early versions would be recorded by Dean Martin, Doris Day with Buddy Clark, Blue Barron, and notably Sammy Kaye
November 16, 1946 ~ Rock drummer Colin Burgess, full name Colin John Burgess, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Member of Masters Apprentices from 1968 until its disbandement in 1972, present on most of the band's best known including the hit singles 5:10 Man, Think About Tomorrow Today, Turn Up Your Radio, and Because I Love You. Following the band's disbandement Burgess would serve as the original drummer for AC/DC, remaining with the band joining the band late 1973 and fired early 1974 for appearing drunk on stage ~ Burgess passed away in 2023November 16, 1945 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist Paul Raymond, full name Paul Martin Raymond, born in St Albans, UK ~ Best known as intermittent member of UFO from 1976 onwards, and member of the Michael Schenker Group during the early 1980s including on the acclaimed eponymous Michael Schenker Group album. Raymond had previously worked with Plastic Penny, Chicken Shack, Savoy Brown, and Danny Kirwan ~ Raymond passed away in 2019
November 16, 1941 ~ Guitarist, composer Angelo Gilardino born in Vercelli, Italy ~ Actively performing since the late 1950s, noted for premiering Mutations On Dies Irae in 1974 written by John Duarte. As a composer, Gilardino wrote for solo guitar as well as chamber music, concertos and sonatas, and is perhaps best known for his Studi Di Virtuosita Di Transcendenza collection. Gilardino had his compositions recorded by the likes of Cristiano Porqueddu, Ermanno Brignolo, Sanja Plohl, Lorenzo Micheli, and Aniello Desiderio ~ Gilardino passed away in 2022
November 16, 1941 ~ Wallace Daniel Pennington, commonly known as songwriter, singer, guitarist Dan Penn, born in Vernon, Alabama, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by the Sweet Inspirations (Sweet Inspiration), TG Sheppard, Janis Joplin (A Woman Left Lonely), Johnny Adams, Sandy Posey, Irma Thomas, the Tams, Tommy Roe, the Box Tops (Cry Like A Baby), Solomon Burke (Don't Give Up On Me), Aretha Franklin (Do Right Woman Do Right Man), Dalton Reed, Arthur Conley (I Can't Stop No No), Marshall Crenshaw, the Vel-tones, Conway Twitty (Is A Blue Bird Blue), James Carr (The Dark End Of The Street), Jimmy Hughes, Wilson Pickett (Uptight Good Woman), Lee Roy Parnell, Percy Sledge, and Lonnie Mack
November 16, 1939 ~ Wesley Curley Clark, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist WC Clark, born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Dubbed “the Godfather of Austin Blues” for his influence since the late 1960s. Sang gospel in church choirs, took up guitar by age 14, was playing professionally two years later. Early on in his career, Clark toured with Joe Tex before returning to his native Austin, to find a new crop of young and eager performers. Clark is legendary perhaps most for forming the Triple Threat Revue in the mid 1970s with the then-unknown Lou Ann Barton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Though the trio only briefly played together, they set the standard for Austin blues, with Vaughan crediting Clark as a mentor and immense influence. Clark has shared stages with BB King, James Brown, Albert King, and Freddie King. Outside Texas, he is perhaps best known for half a dozen solo albums released later on in his career, notably 1994's Heart Of Gold, and From Austin With Soul released in 2002 ~ Clark passed away in 2024
November 16, 1938 ~ Label founder, producer, concert promoter Dick Griffey, full name Richard Gilbert Griffey, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Talent coordinator on the famed Soul Train TV show. Co-founded Soul Train Records with Don Cornelius in 1974. After buying Cornelius out, the label would be renamed SOLAR Records. The company would play a major role in developing the funk-oriented R&B sounds of the 1970s and 1980s, enjoying succes with artists such as the Whispers, Lakeside, Midnight Starr, Calloway, and the Deele. The label would also launch the careers of singer Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, future music executive LA Reid, and producers, songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. From 1974 until his death in 2010, Griffey was married to singer Carrie Lucas, who also recorded for the label ~ Griffey passed away in 2010
November 16, 1938 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Toni Brown born ~ Frontwoman, and alongside guitarist Terry Garthwaite co-lead singer of Joy Of Cooking. The band was identified with the hippie culture, its lyrics often reflecting feminist themes, drew from rock & roll, folk, blues, and jazz, and is best known for their 1971 modest hit Brownsville. The band has recorded three albums in the early 1970s, Joy Of Cooking, Closer To The Ground, and Castles. Following the band's disbandement Brown released two albums, 1973's Good For You Too and 1979's Toni Brown, and formed the duo Toni & Terry with bandmate Garthwaite. Brown retired from music by the end of the 1970s and has since earned in master's degree in clinical psychology and founded Four Winds West, a non-profit organization for disadvantaged youth in Fairfax, California ~ Brown passed away in 2022
November 16, 1938 ~ Singer, songwriter Troy Seals, full name Troy Harold Seals, born in Big Hill, Kentucky, USA ~ Has recorded two solo albums, 1973's Presenting Troy Seals and 1976's eponymous Troy Seals. Best known as a songwriter. Co-wrote Seven Spanish Angels recorded as a duet by Ray Charles and Willie Nelson. Co-wrote Lost In The Fifties Tonight recorded by Ronnie Milsap. Co-wrote If You Ever Have Forever In Mind recorded by Vince Gill. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra, Randy Travis, Conway Twitty, Hank Williams Jr, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Levon Helm, Jerry Lee Lewis, and George Jones