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 18, 1950 ~ Singer, songwriter Graham Parker born in East London, UK ~ Often said to have preceded singer-songwriters Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. Best known for his 1970s, 1980s recordings with his backing unit the Rumour, especially acclaimed for the Squeezing Out Sparks album released in 1979
November 18, 1949 ~ Bonje Cornelia Swart, commmonly known as pop singer Bonnie St Claire, born in Rozenburg, the Netherlands ~ Discovered by Peter Koelewijn. Teamed up with Unit Gloria in the erly 1970s. Known for songs such as Tame Me Tiger, Rocco Don't Go and perhaps her best known Dokter Bernard with Ron BrandstederNovember 18, 1949 ~ Singers Fran Warren and Tony Martin record I Said My Pajamas (And Put On My Prayers) ~ Written by George Wyle and Edward Pola. The most popular version would be Fran Warren and Tony Martin's, reaching top 10 on the pop charts in 1950. Other hit versions the same year were released by Ray Bolger with Ethel Merman, by Margaret Whiting, and by Doris Day
November 18, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, actor Tõnis Mägi born in Tallinn, Estonia ~ Considered one of the more remarkable names in Estonian rock with a career starting in the 1980s. Has recorded as a solo artist, and worked with acts such as Baltika, Laine, Kärjed, and perhaps most notably Ultima Thule. More recently, he drew controversy for his support of the right-wing and national-conservative politics and for his vaccine hesitancy during the COVID pandemic
November 18, 1947 ~ Rock & roll, pop rock, progressive rock singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer Ross Wilson, full name Ross Andrew Wilson, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Co-founder, frontman of Daddy Cool, known for hits such as Eagle Rock and Come Back Again. Co-founder, frontman of Mondo Rock, known for songs such as State Of The Heart, Cool World and Come Said The Boy. Has also worked with Pink Finks, Procession, the Sons Of The Vegetal Mother, and Mighty Kong. As a solo artist best known for Bed Of Nails taken of his 1989 Dark Side Of The Man solo debut album. Served as producer for Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons and Skyhooks, notably producing the latter's first three albums including the acclaimed Living In The Seventies debut album
November 18, 1946 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Bennie Wallace born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Cites Sonny Rollins and Coleman Hawkins as major influences. Worked with Barry Harris, Buddy Rich, Dannie Richmond, Flip Phillips, Scott Hamilton, Eddie Gomez, Tommy Flanagan, Chick Corea, Elvin Jones, John Scofield, Dr John, Jack DeJohnette, Oliver Lake, Jerry Bergonzi, Lew Tabackin, Aretha Franklin, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Barron, and Mose Allison
November 18, 1946 ~ Drummer, singer John Duckworth born in Springfield, Missouri, USA ~ Early member of Syndicate Of Sound until being drafted in the US Army. Present on the band's 1966 Little Girl hit single, which reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 and would later notably be covered by both Dwight Yoakam and English punk group the Banned
November 18, 1936 ~ Trumpeter, hornist Don Cherry, full name Donald Eugene Cherry born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Father of Eagle Eye Cherry, stepfather of Neneh Cherry. Highly revered and influential trumpeter. Influenced by Miles Davis, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown. Well over two dozen albums as a leader, acclaimed especially for the albums Complete Communion, Live At Café Montmartre 1966 Vol.2, Eternal Rhythm, and Brown Rice. Frequently backed Ornette Coleman, including on quintessential albums such as The Shape Of Jazz To Come and The Art Of The Improvisers. Formed the pioneering world fusion group Codona with Collin Walcott and Naná Vasconcelos, drawing from free jazz and world music. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Steve Lacy, the New York Contemporary Five, Archie Shepp, Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler, Gato Barbieri, Charles Brackeen, the Jazz Composers Orchestra, Clifford Jordan (In The World), Jan Garbarek, Steve Hillage, Lou Reed (The Bells), Ian Dury, Old And New Dreams, and Sun Ra ~ Cherry passed away in 1995
November 18, 1935 ~ Alain Bellec, commonly known as pop, chanson singer Alain Barrière, born in La Trinité-sur-Mer, France ~ Active since the 1950s. Internationally best known for representing France at the 1963 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 5th place with Elle Etait Si Jolie. Would continue to record throughout the 1970s ~ Bellec passed away in 2019
November 18, 1928 ~ Sheila Jeanette Dawson, commonly known as jazz singer, songwriter Sheila Jordan, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Known for her scat singing accompanied by a sole upright bass. Debuted in 1962 with the album Portrait Of Sheila. Has worked with Herbie Nichols, George Russell, Steve Kuhn, Don Heckman, Lee Konitz, Roswell Rudd, Arild Andersen, George Gruntz, Cameron Brown, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Frank Holder, Jane Bunnett, and Bob Moses ~ Dawson passed away in 2025
November 18, 1927 ~ Contralto singer Emma Carus passed away ~ Vaudeville, Broadway performer. First gained attention in the cast of the original 1907 Ziegfeld Follies revue. Drew comparisons to Sophie Tucker, Fay Templeton and Eva Tanguay. Helped popularize Alexander's Ragtime Band, songwriter Irving Berlin's first major hit ~ Carus was born in 1879
November 18, 1927 ~ John Henry Kendricks, commonly known as singer Hank Ballard, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Fronted Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, known for songs such as Work With Me Annie, Sexy Ways, Teardrops On Your Letter, Finger Poppin' Time and The Twist. The latter was initially released as a B-side by Ballard, but would later become a smash hit, and signature tune, for Chubby Checker ~ Ballard passed away in 2003
November 18, 1926 ~ Jazz pianist Claude Williamson born in Brattleboro, Vermont, USA ~ Older brother of trumpeter Stu Williamson. Influenced by Teddy Wilson, Al Haig, and by Bud Powell. Worked with Teddy Edwards, Red Norvo, Charlie Barnet, June Christy, Max Roach, Art Pepper, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Bud Shank, Stan Levey, Bob Cooper, Conte Candoli, Howard Rumsey, Sonny & Cher, Sam Jones, Dizzy Reece, Pete Rugolo, Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Barney Kessel, and Roy Haynes ~ Williamson passed away in 2016
November 18, 1926 ~ Marjorie Chandler, commonly known as singer, actress Dorothy Collins, born in Windsor, Canada ~ As a singer known for a number of mid 1950s singles, notably 1955's My Boy (Flat Top) and 1956's Seven Days. Also noted for her performance in a 1971 Broadway-production of Follies portraying Sally Durant Plummer, a one-time showgirl trapped in a disappointing marriage ~ Chandler passed away in 1994
November 18, 1925 ~ Heinz Meier, commonly known as pianist, bandleader, arranger, songwriter Henry Mayer, born in Nuremburg, Germany ~ Best known for composing Der Sommerwind with lyricist Hans Bradtke. The song would first be recorded by Grethe Ingmann in 1965, and be covered by well over 150 artists mostly either as an instrumental or with English lyrics by Johnny Mercer, the song renamed to Summer Wind. Artists who have recorded the song include Wayne Newton, Frank Sinatra, Brenda Lee, Shirley Bassey, and Eddy Arnold. The song has also been recorded in Czech, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, French, and Spanish ~ Meier passed away in 1998
November 18, 1925 ~ Composer William Mayer born in New York, New York, USA ~ Composed orchestral, chamber, and choral music, as well as pieces for vocals or solo piano. Critically acclaimed, his work once described by the New York Times as “singing out with real beauty, both in the vocal writing and instrumental settings.” Best known for his opera Death In The Family, premiered in 1983. Taught composition and orchestration at the Boston University, Boston, and served as guest lecturer at several other renowned institutions ~ Mayer passed away in 2017
November 18, 1919 ~ Singer, model, actress Georgia Carroll born in Blooming Grove, Texas, USA ~ Actress since the early 1940s, noted for her appearance in the 1942 musical Yankee Doodle Dandy alongside James Cagney. As a singer known as member of Kay Kyser's band joining in 1943. Carroll and Kyser were married from 1945 until the latter's death in 1985 ~ Carroll passed away in 2011
November 18, 1909 ~ Songwriter, singer Johnny Mercer born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote over 1500 songs. Co-founded Capitol Records with Buddy DeSylva and Glenn E Wallichs. Well known songs co-written by Mercer include I Wanna Be Around (Wynona Carr, Aretha Franklin, Brenda Lee), Day In Day Out (Bob Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich), In The Cool Cool Cool Of The Evening (Dean Martin, Jo Stafford, Rosemary Clooney), Jeepers Creepers (Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, the Dells), Lazy Bones (Glen Gray, the Supremes, Leon Redbone, Dr John), One For My Baby And One More For The Road (Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Billie Holiday, Etta James), Trav'lin Light (Paul Whiteman, Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald), Midnight Sun (Lionel Hampton, Sarah Vaughan, Kate Ceberano), You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby (Tommy Dorsey, Perry Como, Maurice Chevalier), Tangerine (Vaughn Monroe, Ray Nance, Harry Connick Jr), and That Old Black Magic (Glenn Miller, Charlie Barnet, the Platters) ~ Mercer passed away in 1976
November 18, 1900 ~ James Kimball Gannon, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Kim Gannon, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Collaborated with songwriters such as J Fred Coots, Walter Kent, Josef Myrow, Max Steiner, Jule Styne, Mabel Wayne, Luckey Roberts. Well known songs co-written by Gannon include Moonlight Cocktail (Glenn Miller), I Understand (Jimmy Dorsey), A Dreamer's Holiday (Perry Como), I'll Be Home For Christmas (Bing Crosby), and I Want To Be Wanted (Brenda Lee) ~ Gannon passed away in 1974
November 18, 1871 ~ Ragtime composer Tom Turpin, full name Thomas Million John Turpin, born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Early ragtime composer, dubbed “the Father of St Louis Ragtime” and known for songs such as Bowery Buck, Ragtime Nightmare, St Louis Rag, Buffalo Rag, and perhaps his best known Harlem Rag. The latter is reportedly the first published rag by an African-American ~ Turpin passed away in 1922
November 18, 1836 ~ Dramatist, librettist, poet WS Gilbert, full name William Schwenk Gilbert, born in London, UK ~ Best known for his association with composer Arthur Sullivan, the pair writing over a dozen comic operas including HMS Pinatore, The Pirates Of Penzance and The Mikado, paving the way for the musical theater of the 20th century ~ Gilbert passed away in 1911