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 20, 2024 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Mike Pinera, full name Carlos Michael Pinera, passed away in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Fronted Blues Image, known for Ride Captain Ride lifted off their Open sophomore album. The single, written by Pinera and the band's keyboardist Skip Konte, would be their sole single to reach top 40, peaking at No.4 Billboard Hot 100. After the band folded, Pinera would go on to work with Iron Butterfly, Ramatam which also included Jimi Hendrix-drummer Mitch Mitchell, Cactus, Alice Cooper, and with supergroup the Classic Rock All-Stars. As a solo artist, Pinera is perhaps most noted for his 1979 Forever album, which spawned the minor hit Goodnight My Love ~ Pinera was born in 1948
November 20, 2023 ~ Rock, hip hop, funk, jazz saxophonist Mars Williams passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker. Closely associated with Hal Russell, Ken Vandermark, and the NRG Ensemble. An in-demand sideman, Williams has appeared on albums by Fred Frith (Speechless), the Waitresses, Billy Idol (Rebel Yell), the Psychedelic Furs (Mirror Moves), Power Station, Die Warzau, Sister Machine Gun, Nikki Sudden, Peter Brötzmann (Short Visit To Nowhere), Wayne Kramer, and Ike Reilly (We Belong To The Staggering Evening). Described as “one of the true saxophone players” by John Zorn, who once commented: “Williams is someone who takes pleasure in the sheer act of blowing the horn. His tremendous enthusiasm is an essential part of his sound, and it comes through each note every time he plays.” ~ Williams was born in 1955
November 20, 2022 ~ Jazz pianist David Ornette Cherry passed away in London, UK ~ Son of revered jazz trumpeter, cornetist Don Cherry. Named after iconic saxophonist Ornette Coleman. Starting in the late 1990s, Cherry has recorded about a dozen albums drawing from world music and jazz, starting in the late 1990s. Especially acclaimed for the albums Organic Groove and Cherry Extract, released respectively in 2000 and 2007 ~ Cherry was born in 1958
November 20, 2022 ~ Ione Emily Bryant, commonly known as traditional pop, vocal jazz, gospel singer, dancer, civil rights activist Joyce Bryant, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Known for her signature silver hair and tight mermaid dresses, Bryant became one of the first African-American sex symbols earning her the nickname “the Black Marilyn Monroe”. Songs such as Love For Sale and Drunk With Love would be banned from radio for their provocative lyrics, yet would nevertheless find a wide audience. Civil rights advocate, strongly opposing the practice of racial billing at night clubs, at times even defying the Ku Klux Klan. Bryant retired from music by the mid 1950s at the peak of her popularity, only to return about a decade later as a classically trained singer working with the New York City Opera and other renowned orchestras ~ Bryant was born in 1927
November 20, 2021 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Billy Hinsche passed away ~ Formed the trio Dino Desi & Billy with Dean Paul Martin and Desi Arnaz Jr, known for mid- to late 1960s singles such as I'm A Fool, Not The Lovin' Kind and Superman. Hinsche has also regularly performed with the Beach Boys, intermittently touring with the band as a backing singer and instrumentalist from the late 1960s through the late 1970s but declined several offers to formally join the band. Hinsche can also be heard as a backing singer on recordings by America, Warren Zevon, Joan Jett, and Elton John, including on the latter's 1974 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me ~ Hinsche was born in 1951
November 20, 2021 ~ Progressive rock, post-prog singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist David Longdon passed away in Nottingham, UK ~ Best known as co-lead singer of progressive rock band Big Big Train, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums after joining the band in 2009 including the acclaimed The Underfall Yard. Longdon has also recorded as a solo artist, notably Wild River issued in 2004, and collaborated with the likes of Louis Philippe, Martin Orford, the Tangent, Dave Kerzner, the Charlatans, and Judy Dyble ~ Longdon was born in 1965November 20, 2019 ~ Psychedelic rock, rock, jazz fusion bassist Doug Lubahn passed away ~ Perhaps best known for his session work for the Doors, starting on the Strange Days album. The band offered Lubahn a permanent spot in the band but he declined. Co-founding member of Clear Light, known for their sole eponymous Clear Light album released in 1967. Founded jazz-rock unit Dreams with Jeff Kent. Bassist and co-lead vocalist for Pierce Arrow for whom Lubahn wrote Treat Me Right, later a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit for Pat Benatar. Lubahn has also worked with Riff Raff, Billy Squier, and Ted Nugent ~ Lubahn was born in 1947
November 20, 2018 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Eddie C Campbell passed away in Oak Park, Illinois, USA ~ Became a fixture on the Chicago blues scene, backing the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Little Johnny Taylor, and Jimmy Reed. Member of the Willie Dixon-assembled unit the Chicago Blues All-Stars. Would find popularity especially in Europe as a solo artist, particularly acclaimed for his 1977 King Of The Jungle debut album. Has recorded over another half dozen albums since, warmly welcomed by blues aficionados, until a stroke and a heart attack while on tour in Germany in 2013 left him partly paralyzed and forced him to retire from music ~ Campbell was born in 1939
November 20, 2016 ~ Walter Howard O'Brien, commonly known as jazz pianist Hod O'Brien, passed away ~ Has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for Opalessence released in 1985. Active since the 1950s honing his skills backing the likes of Oscar Pettiford, Elvin Jones, Phil Woods, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Rouse, and Lee Konitz. In the mid 1970s briefly ran the St James Infirmary jazz club in New York. As a sideman present on albums by Roswell Rudd, Joe Puma (Shining Hour), Stephanie Nakasian, Danny D'Imperio, and Herb Geller. Would marry Nakasian, the couple's daughter, jazz, bebop singer Veronica Swift released her debut album at age 9 ~ O'Brien was born in 1936November 20, 2014 ~ Jazz, hard bop, modal jazz pianist Joe Bonner passed away in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Influenced by McCoy Tyner and Art Tatum. Over a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for 1981's Impressions Of Copenhagen. Appears on albums by Pharoah Sanders (Black Unity), Roy Haynes, Azar Lawrence (Bridge Into The New Age), Shirley Scott, and Fred Wesley ~ Bonner was born in 1948
November 20, 2013 ~ President Barack Obama awards country singer, songwriter Loretta Lynn the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House, Washington DC ~ Known for songs such as Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' With Lovin' On Your Mind, Fist City, Coal Miner's Daughter, and Fist City, quintessential country singer Loretta Lynn is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom as “one of the first successful female country singers, courageously breaking barriers in an industry long dominated by men”
November 20, 2012 ~ Guitarist Michael Dunford passed away in Surrey, UK ~ Early member of the Nashville Teens, briefly playing with the band in the early 1960s to be replaced by John Allen. Best known as key member of progressive rock band Renaissance, described as “her guiding light” by the band's singer Annie Haslam. The band is especially acclaimed for their mid 1970s work, notably the albums Turn Of The Cards and its follow-up Scheherazade And Other Stories ~ Dunford was born in 1944
November 20, 2010 ~ Albert Abraham Smothers, commonly known as Chicago blues guitarist, singer Little Smokey Smothers passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Noted for backing Howlin' Wolf on the quintessential 1958 Howlin' Wolf (The Rockin' Chair Album) album, appearing on the tracks I've Been Abused, Howlin' For My Darling, and Mr Airplane. Not to be confused with his brother, guitarist Otis Big Smokey Smothers, who also played with the Wolf. Other notable associations include Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Earl Hooker, Junior Wells, George Mojo Buford, and the Legendary Blues Band ~ Smothers was born in 1939
November 20, 2009 ~ Jazz drummer Billy James passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the 1950s, quickly making a name for himself while still in his mid-teens backing Lionel Hampton. Highly admired by fellow drummers, contemporaries as well as later sticksmen. Recorded with Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Eric Kloss, Shirley Scott, and extensively with both Don Patterson and Sonny Stitt during the 1960s, including on the latter's masterpiece Soul People album released in 1966. Later associations would include Eddie Harris, Clarence Wheeler, and Houston Person ~ James was born in 1936
November 20, 2009 ~ Linda Gertz, commonly known as singer, songwriter Linda Laurie passed away in Santa Barbara, California, USA ~ Scored a minor hit as a singer with her 1959 novelty single Ambrose (Part Five) while she was still in high school. Would record a few more sides throughout the mid 1960s, yet none charted. Eventually she found greater success as a songwriter, her songs recorded by Bobby Vinton, Sonny & Cher, Helen Reddy (Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)), Nancy Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, Love Unlimited, and Diana Ross ~ Gertz was born in 1941November 20, 2009 ~ Martin Robert Schopp, commonly known as radio DJ, guitarist, fiddler, actor, songwriter Marty Roberts, passed away in St Petersburg, Florida, USA ~ Member of the Tennessee Ramblers. Co-wrote You Can't Have My Love, a 1954 hit for Wanda Jackson. Best known as a radio DJ and TV personality ~ Schopp was born in 1918
November 20, 2007 ~ Ernest Paulin, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, bandleader Ernest Doc Paulin, passed away in Marrero, Louisiana, USA ~ Active on the New Orleans scene from the 1920s well through the 1990s. Paulin had 13 children, 6 of whom became professional musicians, starting in their father's band. As a local icon Paulin is featured in the 1978 documentary Always For Pleasure about New Orleans culture ~ Paulin was born in 1907
November 20, 2005 ~ Blues-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Chris Whitley, full name Christopher Becker Whitley, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Recorded over a dozen albums starting in the early 1990s. Known best for songs such as Living With The Law and Big Sky Country. Counted Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Don Henley, John Mellencamp, Gavin Degraw, and Keith Richards among his fans. Following Whitley's passing at age 45 of lung cancer John Mayer would comment: “His somewhat prostrated place in pop culture earned him a sidebar of an obituary, but to those who knew his work, it registers as one of the most underappreciated losses in all of music.” ~ Whitley was born in 1960
November 20, 2005 ~ Operatic tenor James King passed away in Naples, Florida, USA ~ In-demand opera and concert singer enjoying popularity since the 1950s. Generally considered one of America's greatest heldentenors, known for roles in operas composed by Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. Closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera, working with the renowned company for some three decades starting with his debut in the role of Florestan in Ludwig van Beethoven's sole opera Fidelio in 1966 ~ King was born in 1925
November 20, 2000 ~ Singer Connie Talbot born in Streetly, UK ~ Reached the finals of the first season of Britain's Got Talent in 2007, coming in second after Paul Potts. Initially Talbot, who had never received formal vocal training, auditioned for the show just for fun, but her confidence increased when juror Simon Cowell described her as “pure magic” and claimed he would make her earn “£1 million-plus this year.” Released her Over The Rainbow debut album later the same year, shortly after her 7th birthday. Talbot continued to record but would be unable to repeat the success of her debut album, which sold 250,000 copies in the UKNovember 20, 1998 ~ Ska, rocksteady, reggae saxophonist Roland Alphonso passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of pioneering 1960s Jamaican outfit the Skatalites. They are best known for their 1965 recording Guns Of Navarone, produced by Coxsone Dodd and featuring Alphonso as lead singer. A sleeper hit in the UK, reaching top 40 two years after its initial release, the song would over time nevertheless become to be seen as a landmark recording in ska. The song would again be a hit in the UK in 1980, as a mostly instrumental cover by ska revivalists the Specials. Originally the song, written by Dimitri Tiomkin, traces back to 1961, when it was recorded by the Sinfonia Of London as the theme song to the film of the same name ~ Alphonso was born in 1931
November 20, 1995 ~ Brian Eno and U2, going by the common moniker the Passengers, release their Miss Sarajevo single notably featuring Luciano Pavarotti ~ The song was written by Eno and U2 about a group of women who held a beauty pageant during the the Siege of Sarajevo as an act of defiance. It was the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare, lasting from April 1992 until February 1996. The city was reduced to poverty, no longer having access to public transit, water, gas, and electricity, yet a group of women tried to fight the war with lipstick and heels, carrying on life as usual yet with each contestant carrying a banner that read “don't let them kill us”. Miss Sarajevo would reach top 10 across Europe including the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland. U2 singer Bono would later comment: “Everywhere people had heard their call for help, but help never came. That was the feeling. I had tried to tackle subjects like this head-on, but I'd learnt a lesson. You have to try and make the same points, in a different, less direct, more surrealist way.”
November 20, 1987 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer Tiffany releases Could've Been, lifted off her eponymous Tiffany debut album ~ Originally written and first recorded by Lois Blaisch in 1983, whose version was never released. The song was inspired by a broken releationship Blaisch had with a smooth-talking oral surgeon, who had promised her the world yet did not deliver. Blaisch would later explain she didn't really fall in love with him, but rather with what could have been. A few years later, Tiffany would take the song to the top of the charts, making it her second and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. When Tiffany was asked how she could sing Could've Been at such a young age, she remarked: “I have been an old soul for a long time. When I heard that song, I related to it immediately. I hadn't lived any of that heartbreak, but I understood it. At 14, you go through dating a guy for two weeks and he goes out with your best friend. That is heartbreaking. Your world is falling apart and that is what I could relate it to”November 20, 1986 ~ Alternative metal, alternative rock, post-hardcore singer, keyboardist Oliver Sykes, full name Olvier Scott Sykes, born in Ashford, UK ~ Cites Pantera, Black Flag, Linkin Park and the Dillinger Escape Plan as influences. Best known as co-founding member, frontman, lead singer of Bring Me The Horizon. Has guested on recordings by Admiral's Arms, Deez Nuts, While She Sleeps, and Poorstacy
November 20, 1983 ~ Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, commonly known as rapper Future born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Influential in 2010s hip-hop, considered one of the premier trap artists. Released his Pluto debut album to commercial succes in 2012 and has recorded consistently since. Well known songs include Low Life featuring the Weeknd, Mask Off and Life Is good featuring Drake. Has also worked with TI, Kelly Rowland, Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Juice WRLD, Travis Scott, Meek Mill, YC, DJ Drama, Ludacris, and Fat Joe