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 19, 2022 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Danny Kalb passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Blues Project remaining with the band through 1967, rejoining in 1969. Merging blues, R&B, jazz, psychedelia and folk-rock the band is best known for their 1966 Projections sophomore album, its highlight being an 11-minute Muddy Waters-cover Two Trains Runnin' featuring Kalb on guitar and lead vocals ~ Kalb was born in 1942
November 19, 2021 ~ Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby, commonly known as punk rock, glam punk, hard rock, heavy metal singer, guitarist, songwriter Hank von Hell, passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Frontman, lead singer of Turbonegro starting in 1993, merging glam rock, punk rock and hard rock first achieving international recognition in the mid- to late 1990s. Especially known for their 1998 The Apocalypse Dudes. Husby was known for his theatrical stage presence, including wearing Alice Cooper-like makeup. As a solo artist best known for Rom For Alle, a duet with Maria Solheim which topped the Norwegian charts in 2009. Has also fronted Doctor Midnight & the Mercy Cult. Portrayed the role of Cornelis Vreeswijk in the 2009 biopic Cornelis ~ Husby was born in 1972November 19, 2019 ~ Rock, blues guitarist Lloyd Watson passed away ~ Early adopter of the wah-wah pedal. Enjoyed regional popularity with his backing unit the Soul Mates during the late 1960s. Would go on to open for David Bowie, King Crimson and Roxy Music during the 1970s, including on international tours. Sessioned on Brian Eno's Here Come The Warm Jets and Andy Mackay's In Search Of Eddie Riff. Member of experimental rock supergroup 801, which also included Eno and Roxy alumni Phil Manzanera ~ Watson was born in 1949
November 19, 2017 ~ Delloreese Patricia Early, commonly known as jazz, gospel singer Della Reese, passed away in Encino, California, USA ~ Rooted in gospel, Reese sang in her church choir from a young age to be discovered in her mid-teens by Mahalia Jackson, who invited Reese to join her touring choir. After five years with Jackson, Reese formed her own gospel group, the Meditation Singers, with whom she performed until her mother's death and father's illness forced her to take on several odd jobs to pay the bills. Encouraged, however, by her pastor, Reese would return to music, recording some two dozen albums starting in the mid 1950s. An energetic live performer, Reese is especially acclaimed for the live albums Della Reese On Stage and Della Reese Live released respectively in 1962 and 1966. Reese is well known for songs such as Ain't That Reminds Me, Don't You Know, Someday You'll Want Me To Want You, And Now, The Most Beautiful Words, and After Loving You ~ Early was born in 1931
November 19, 2017 ~ Lonnie Melvin Tillis, commonly known country singer, guitarist Mel Tillis, passed away in Ocala, Florida, USA ~ Active since the 1950s, most successfuly during the 1970s. Member of Old Dogs. Employed sidemen such as Buddy Cannon, Paul Franklin and Hoot Hester in his backing band the Statesiders. Father of singer Pam Tillis. As a singer known for songs such as I Ain't Never, Good Woman Blues, Coca Cola Cowboy, Life Turned Her That Way, Heaven Everyday and The Arms Of A Fool. As a songwriter, Tillis had his songs recorded by a wide array of country artists including Webb Pierce (I'm Tired). Ray Price, Brenda Lee, Bobby Bare (Detroit City), Tom Jones, Wanda Jackson, Stonewall Jackson, Charley Pride (Snakes Crawl At Night), Kenny Rogers (Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town), the Hacienda Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, Gram Parsons, Barbara Mandrell, Jamey Johnson, Waylon Jennings (Mental Revenge), Ricky Skaggs, and Randy Travis ~ Tillis was born in 1932
November 19, 2017 ~ Warren Thomas Moore, commonly known as singer, songwriter Warren Pete Moore, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Member of the Chimes. Member of the Miracles. Songwriter, oft in collaboration with Smokey Robinson, for many hits for others including the Temptations (It's Growing, Since I Lost My Baby), Marvin Gaye (Ain't That Peculiar, I'll Be Doggone). Moore's compositions have been recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, the Rolling Stones, Ramsey Lewis, Tom Jones, Luther Vandross, the Four Tops, and Debby Boone ~ Moore was born in 1939
November 19, 2011 ~ Film composer, arranger Russell Garcia passed away in Kerikeri, New Zealand ~ Known for his work for TV series such as Rawhide and Laredo, and films such as The Time Machine, Atlantis The Lost Continent and Father Goose. Has worked with artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Anita O'Day, Mel Tormé, Julie London, Oscar Peterson, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, and Henry Mancini ~ Garcia was born in 1916
November 19, 2007 ~ Country singer Alan Jackson releases Small Town Southern Man, lifted off his Good Time album ~ Described by Country Universe as “a deserving tribute to fathers who put family before everything else, and a comfort to the sons and daughters that miss them once they're gone,” Alan Jackson drew from his own ancestry for this one, although the song isn't a tribute to his father per se, but rather to anyone with a rural upbringing such as his own. The song struck a chord with listeners, as most everybody could relate to the sentiment in this humble, roots-conscious song. Jackson would later comment to the Seattle Post: “Everywhere you go there are regular people just like where I grew up in Georgia.” Small Town Southern Man would reach No.1 Billboard Country
November 19, 2004 ~ Terrence Paul Jorden, commonly known as rock, pop singer, songwriter, producer Terry Melcher, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Son of trombonist Al Jorden and actress, singer Doris Day. Pivotal to the development of the 1960s California sound and folk-rock. Perhaps best known for producing the Byrds' first two albums Mr Tambourine Man and Turn Turn Turn as well as most of Paul Revere & the Raiders' and Gentle Soul's best known. Member of surf group the Rip-chords. Formed the duo Bruce & Terry with Bruce Johnston ~ Jorden was born in 1942November 19, 2003 ~ Rock, blues-rock, boogie rock, hard rock bassist Greg Ridley, full name Alfred Gregory Ricley, passed away in Alicante, Spain ~ Co-founding member of Spooky Tooth. Co-founding member of Humble Pie remaining with the band until its initial disbandement. The band is known for songs such as Black Coffee, 30 Days In The Hole, I Don't Need No Doctor and Natural Born Boogie ~ Ridley was born in 1941
November 19, 1995 ~ Donald Elliott Goldfild, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Don Goldie, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Son of trumpeter Harry Goldfield and pianist Claire St Claire. Active since the late 1940s. Worked with Art Hodes, Willie The Lion Smith, Louis Armstrong, Tony Parenti, Joe Mooney, Jack Teagarden, the Sir Douglas Quintet, Ralph Burns, Neal Hefti, Gene Krupa, Earl Hines, and Buddy Rich. Recorded half a dozen albums as a leader starting in the the early 1960s, some of which under the moniker Billy Franklin ~ Goldfield was born in 1930
November 19, 1992 ~ Singer, songwriter Bobby Russell passed away in Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA ~ As a singer known for the crossover pop hit Saturday Morning Confusion. As a songwriter best known for The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, a hit for his then-wife Vicki Lawrence. Russell also wrote songs such as Little Green Apples (OC Smith, Roger Miller), Honey (Bobby Goldsboro), Do You Know Who I Am (Elvis Presley), and The Joker Went Wild (Brian Hyland) ~ Russell was born in 1940November 19, 1986 ~ Rocksteady, reggae singer Freddie McKay passed away ~ Father of singer, bassist Brushy One String. Active since the mid 1960s, working with producers such as Prince Buster, Duke Reid and Coxsone Dodd. About half a dozen albums to his name, starting with Picture On The Wall, released in 1971. Known for songs such as Love Is A Treasure, High School Dance, the Horace Andy duet Talking Love, and Dance This Ya Festival ~ McKay was born in 1947
November 19, 1986 ~ Jeannette Ortega, commonly known as hip-hop, R&B, Christian pop singer, guitarist, songwriter, actress Jeannie Ortega, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Released her full-length no Place Like BKLN in 2006 spawning the urban-pop hit single Crowded. Opened for Rihanna on her world tour the same year. Has moved from R&B to solely singing Christian pop with her 2012 Perfect Love sophomore album
November 19, 1985 ~ Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry, commonly known as vaudevillian, comedian, actor Stepin Fetchit, passed away in Woodland Hills, California, USA ~ First African-American to have a serious film career, enjoying popularity from the 1930s onwards. Perry's film career nearly stopped in the early 1950s as black Americans began to see his regular character as an embarrassing and harmful stereotype. Co-wrote May What He Lived For Live with Berry Gordy Jr and Esther Gordy Edwards, recorded by Liz Lands, intended to honor the memory of the then-recently assassinated President John F Kennedy ~ Perry was born in 1902November 19, 1983 ~ Rock, power pop singer, bassist, guitarist Tom Evans passed away in London, UK ~ Member of Badfinger, for whom he co-wrote the hit Without You. Also worked with Iveys, the Dodgers, the Calderstones, the Inbeateens, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon, notably present on the latter's acclaimed Imagine album ~ Evans was born in 1947
November 19, 1982 ~ Pop, blue-eyed soul singer Robert Palmer releases Pride, lifted off the album of the same name ~ Robert Palmer's humourous take on the fitness rage of the early 1980s, spurred on by Jane Fonda's series of workout videos and songs such as Olivia Newton-John's hit Physical. Both Fonda and Newton-John are mentioned in the lyrics. The single did not chart. Its parent album Pride reached top 40 in his native UK, and spawned two modest hits with You Are In My System and You Can Have It (Take My Heart)
November 19, 1980 ~ Petja Turunen, commonly known as industrial metal, gothic rock singer, pianist, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist MC Raaka Pee, born in Siilinjärvi, Finland ~ Best known as co-founder, singer of Turmion Katilot. Fronts side project 2Times Terror. Guested on Tarot's Crows Fly Black album. Has also worked with Aeon, Ancient Drive, Project Silence, and Black Light Discipline
November 19, 1978 ~ Jazz bassist, producer Janek Gwizdala born in London, UK ~ Sat in with Flora Purim and Airto Moreira while working as an assistant sound engineer at the renowned Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London. Would go on to work with Kenwood Dennard, Pete Levin, Hiram Bullock, Bob Reynolds, and Hal Crook. Released his debut as a leader, Mystery To Me, in 2004. Has recorded consistenly since
November 19, 1974 ~ Singer Linda Ronstadt releases You're No Good, lifted off her Heart Like A Wheel album ~ This song had been around for a while, previously recorded by Dee Dee Warwick, Betty Everett, and the Swinging Blue Jeans. None of the earlier versions were a major hit, however, for Linda Ronstadt it would be a breakout single. The singer had begun including You're No Good in her live sets in early 1973, after band member Kenny Edwards suggested it to her. The following year the song was a last-minute choice for her Heart Like A Wheel album. Capitol Records was unsure whether to release You're No Good or When Will I Be Loved as the album's lead single, only deciding on the former a week after the album's release. Reaching No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100, it would be her first American top 10 hit. The success of the single set a precedent for Ronstadt, over the next few years nearly every one of her singles would be a remake of a classic rock & roll song
November 19, 1973 ~ Singer Billy Currington, full name William Matthew Currington, born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Debuted in 2003 with his eponymous Billy Currington. Would go on to score numerous Billboard Country charttoppers including Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right, Good Directions, People Are Crazy, That's How Country Boys Roll, Pretty Good At Drinkin' Beer, Let Me Down Easy, Hey Girl, We Are Tonight, Don't It, It Don't Hurt Like It Used To and Do I Make You Wanna
November 19, 1971 ~ Antonio Jeffries, commonly known as singer, songwriter Tony Rich, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Staff songwriter for LaFace Records, penning songs for the likes of Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men, TLC, Johnny Gill. As a solo artist known for drawing from jazz, rock, soul. Released his Words debut album in 1996, which included the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 Nobody Knows hit single. His debut would earn Rich four Grammy Award-nominations, winning the award for Best R&B Album. Would go on to write and produce for artists such as Sam Salter, Michael Bolton, Aaron Neville. Portrayed Duke Ellington in the 1997 crime drama Hoodlum and record Harlem Is Home for the accompanying soundtrack. Has continued to record to warm reception but would be unable to repeat the chart succes of his debut albumNovember 19, 1970 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer Mike Zito born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Royal Souhern Brotherhood which also features Cyril Neville. Revered solo artist releasing records on his own label. Also worked with James Hutchinson, Benmont Tench, Tony Braunagel, Michito Sanchez, Joe Sublett, Darrell Leonard, Reese Wynans, and Johnny Sansone
November 19, 1969 ~ Alessandra Mirka Gatti, commonly known as Italo disco, Eurobeat singer Domino, born in Mantua, Italy ~ Best known for her 1994 Tora Tora Tora eurobeat hit single. Has recorded under various monikers, though mostly under the name Domino. Previously married to noted club, dance, eurobeat producer Giancarlo Paquini
November 19, 1969 ~ Riot grrrl, punk rock bassist Kathi Wilcox, full name Kathi Lynn Wilcox, born ~ Perhaps best known as bassist for alternative rock, dance-punk outfit the Julie Ruin. Has previously worked with a number of key riot grrrl acts including Bikini Kill, the Casual Dots, and the Frumpies. Married to Fugazi guitarist Guy Picciotto, with whom she has one child