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, 1959 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, post bop bassist, double bassist Drew Gress born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA ~ Over a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for his 1998 Heyday debut album and 2019's Imaginary Friends. Co-founded jazz-fusion outfit Joint Venture with Phil Haynes in the late 1980s. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Allen Farnham, Randy McKean, Tony Martucco, Ethel Ennis (Ethel Ennis), Fred Hersch, Erik Friedlander, Marc Copland, Peggy Stern, Andy Laster (Polyogue), Tim Berne, Uri Caine, Jon Ballantyne, Paraphrase (Visitation Rights), Janis Siegel, Dave Douglas, John Zorn, Tony Malaby, and Michael MusillamiNovember 20, 1959 ~ Jazz-rock, post-bop, hard rock, heavy metal drummer Steve Clarke born in London, UK ~ Got his start in music in the early 1980s working as drum tech for former Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra-drummer Billy Cobham. Would go on to form jazz-fusion outfit Network in 1986, which also included King Crimson's David Cross and Soft Machine's Hugh Hopper. The group is best known for their landmark LNC album recorded in 1996 and released in 2003. Clarke has also played with his brother guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke, appearing on the 1988 On Target album by his brother's band Fastway, and with hard rock, heavy rock units Tank, Atomgod, and Leader Of Down
November 20, 1959 ~ Pop, jazz, R&B singer, percussionist Valerie Day born in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Nu-shooz, co-fronted with her husband keyboardist, guitarist, singer John Smith. The band is best known for 1980s dance tracks such as I Can't Wait, Point Of No Return and Are You Lookin' For Somebody Nu
November 20, 1957 ~ Singer, activist, songwriter Billy Bragg, full name Stephen William Bragg, born in Barking, UK ~ Draws from folk music, punk and rock. Influenced by the Faces, the Rolling Stones, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, the Clash. Enjoyed some regional succes and released a number of underpromoted singles with pub rock band Riff Raff, which he co-founded with Philip Wigg in 1977. After a brief training in the Army bought himself free to focus on his music, releasing the Life's A Riot With Spy Vs Spy in 1983. Has since established him as a storyteller touching on unrequitted love as well as socially conscious subjects, including covering several socialist anthems such as The Internationale and The Red Flag. Also wrote and first performed A New England, notably covered by Kirsty MacColl. Since Maccoll's death in 2000 Bragg would always include the verse Maccoll added when performing the song
November 20, 1957 ~ Pop, reggae, dub drummer Jim Brown born ~ Co-founding and constant member of UB40, known for a string of 1980s, 1990s hits including My Way Of Thinking, One In Ten, I Got You Babe, Breakfast In Bed, Homely Girl, and Kingston Town, all of which reached top 10 in their native UK. Their two best known songs, Red Red Wine and Can't Help Falling In Love With You, would also top the American Billboard Hot 100
November 20, 1956 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Achille Baquet, full name Achille Joseph Baquet, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Papa Jack Laine, and the Whiteway Jazz Band. Co-wrote songs such as the New Orleans Jazz Band's Why Cry Blues and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band's Livery Stable Blues ~ Baquet was born in 1885November 20, 1956 ~ Guitarist, singer Robert Poss born ~ Co-founding and constant member of guitar-centric alternative rock band Band of Susans, active from 1986 through 1996 and considered a part of the no wave movement. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with Rhys Chatham, and When People Were Shorter And Lived Near The Water
November 20, 1955 ~ Singer, guitarist Bo Diddley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show, aired on CBS ~ Hours before going on air, host Ed Sullivan hears Bo Diddley performing Tennessee Ernie Ford's Sixteen Tons backstage, and asked him to perform that song for the show. Diddley agreed, but when he looked at the set list he saw “Bo Diddley. Sixteen Tons”. Not realizing that the “Bo Diddley” was referring to him, not his hit single, Diddley took that to mean that he was supposed to play both songs back to back. Diddley was cut off after playing his first song, Bo Diddley, and Sullivan would ban the singer from the show for not following his directions. The singer later claimed he never got paid, but nevertheless the performance would be seen by millions and cement Diddley as a pioneer of rock & roll
November 20, 1955 ~ Sun Records-owner Sam Phillips sells Elvis Presley's contract to RCA-Victor for $35,000 ~ With only one year left on the running contract, Sam Phillips sells Elvis Presley's contract to RCA-Victor for $35,000. Reportedly, at the time the amount would be the highest paid for any singer. In hindsight it may have been a poor business decision as Presley would go on to become the all-time biggest rock & roll star, selling millions of records. Yet, as Phillips would later explain, he never regretted the decision as he invested the money in a local hotel chain called the Holiday Inn. His investment would make Phillips a bigger fortune than anything he did in music
November 20, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Anders Glenmark, full name Gert Anders Glenmark, born in Tomelilla, Sweden ~ Played lead guitar on ABBA's Money Money Money, and sang backup on both Anni-Frid Lyngstad's Frida Ensam and Agnetha Fältskog's Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus solo albums. Sang backup on Murray Head's Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit One Night In Bangkok. Member of family outfit the Glenmarks and sibling duo Gemini, both alongside his sister Karin Glenmark. Recorded over half a dozen solo albums, starting with Känslor in 1973, and has written and produced for the likes of Eva Dahlgren, Orup, Ted Gärdestad, and Patrik IsakssonNovember 20, 1952 ~ Jazz violinist, bandleader Mal Hallett passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Started out as a sideman for Al Moore. Best known as a bandleader employing artists who would later become noted in their own right, including Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, Frankie Carle, Jack Jenney, Toots Mondello, Irene Daye, Floyd O'Brien, Lyle Murphy, Boots Mussulli, Brad Gowans, Turk Murphy, Teddy Grace, John Thomas Williams, and Don Fagerquist ~ Hallett was born in 1893
November 20, 1951 ~ Raul Alberto Antonio Gieco, commonly known as folk rock singer, songwriter Leon Gieco, born in Canada Rosquin, Argentina ~ Sometimes referred to as “the Argentine Bob Dylan” known for mixing folkloric genres with rock & roll. Member of supergroup Porsuigieco alongside Raúl Porchetto, Charly García, Nito Mestre and Maria Rosa Yorio. As a solo artist known best for his 1976 El Fantasma De Canterville, which was censored by the military junta forcing him to change the lyrics yet becoming a succes anyway. Though restricted by the government Gieco would continue to record and speak out with protest songs such as Solo Le Pido A Dios and La Cultura Es La SonrisaNovember 20, 1950 ~ Progressive rock guitarist Gary Green, full name Gary Williams Green, born in Stroud Green, UK ~ Blues-infused progressive rock guitarist best known as co-founding and constant member of progressive rock band Gentle Giant, acclaimed for their 1975 Free Hand album. After the band disbanded in the early 1980s has mostly worked as sideman on a number of projects, notably with Mother Tongue, Eddie Jobson, and Billy Sherwood
November 20, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author Ulf Lundell, full name Ulf Gerhard Lundell, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Influenced by Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, drawing critical comparison to the latter with critics hailing him as “the Swedish Dylan” immediately after the release of his 1975 Vargmåne debut album. Has recorded to critical acclaim since with some 40 albums to his name, becoming a central figure in Swedish rock and one of the most important influences on rock singers writing and singing in Swedish. Also known as a novelist and poet, noted for his debut novel Jack published in 1976 and for his autobiographical novel A Wolf In Search Of His Pack in 1989 shattering rock myths and telling about his struggles with alcohol abuse. The song Öppna Landskap of his 1982 Kär Och Galen has been playfully suggested as replacement for the national anthem of Sweden
November 20, 1948 ~ Operatic soprano, concert singer Barbara Hendricks born in Stephens, Arkansas, USA ~ Has worked with the San Francisco Opera, the Opera National de Paris, the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, La Scala. Has also performed jazz material, notably at the 1994 Montreux Jazz FestivalNovember 20, 1947 ~ Mary Sandeman, commonly known as pop, folk singer Aneka, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Best known for her 1981 UK No.1 hit Japanese Boy, penned by Bob Heatlie. After the single's success would release a full-length pop album, Aneka, and a number of singles through the mid-1980s all of which made little impact. By the mid-1980s Sandeman would drop the Aneka moniker and revert to recording traditional Scottish folk under her own name and collaborate with the likes of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra
November 20, 1947 ~ Rock, hard rock, blues rock, country rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Joe Walsh, full name Joseph Fiddler Walsh, born in Wichita, Kansas, USA ~ Influenced by Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, the Beatles. Fronted the James Gang from 1968 through 1971, best known for the 1970 hit Funk No.49. Member of the Eagles from 1975 through 1980. Also worked with the Measles and with Barnstorm. As a solo artist has a dozen albums to his name, scoring hits with 1973's Rocky Mountain Way and 1978's Life's Been Good. Produced and played guitar on Dan Fogelberg's 1974 Souvenirs. Has also collaborated with Herbs, the Party Boys, John Entwistle (Too Late The Hero), Ringo Starr, America, REO Speedwagon, Andy Gibb, the Bee Gees, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Steve Winwood, and with Richard Marx, appearing on the latter's Don't Mean Nothing hit of his eponymous 1987 Richard Marx debut album
November 20, 1946 ~ Guitarist Duane Allman, full name Howard Duane Allman, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Co-founder, original frontman of the Allman Brothers Band, present on the albums The Allman Brothers Band, Idlewild South, At Fillmore East, and Eat A Peach. In-demand session musician and collaborator, has worked with King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Mann, 31st of February, Wilson Pickett, Delaney & Bonnie, Eric Clapton's Derek & the Dominos, Boz Scaggs, and Hour Glass ~ Allman passed away in 1971
November 20, 1945 ~ Daniel Hatton, commonly known as singer, guitarist Danny McBride, born in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA ~ Enjoyed regional popularity with the Cavaliers in the Boston area during the 1960s. Rose to national prominence as lead guitarist for Sha Na Na including on the TV show of the same name and in the 1978 film Grease. Has since worked as musician with various bands, as actor, as voice-over actor and published several humorous pieces for a variety of magazines ~ Hatton passed away in 2009
November 20, 1945 ~ Singer, actress Nanette Workman, full name Nanette Joan Workman, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Although raised as an English speaker, Workman performs primarily though not exclusively in French earning her a devout following among Francophone audiences including Canada and France. Has recorded well over a dozen albums, starting with Nanette released in 1967. Sang backing vocals on You Can't Always Get What You Want of the Rolling Stones 1969 Let It Bleed album, opened for Johnny Hallyday, and can be heard on albums by the likes of Iain Matthews, Cerrone, Georges Thurston, and Michel BergerNovember 20, 1944 ~ Jazz, traditional pop singer Doris Day, backed by Les Brown and orchestra, records Sentimental Journey ~ Written by Brown and Ben Homer. Brown had been playing the song for a while yet was unable to record it due to the musicians' strike. When the strike ended the orchestra recorded it with Doris Day as featured vocalist, giving Day her first No.1 pop hit. The single's success coincided with the end of World War II and it would become an unofficial homecoming theme for veterans returning from the war. Over the years it would become a standard recorded by numerous artists including Dinah Shore, Conway Twitty, Ella Fitzgerald, the Platters, Booker T & the MG's, Ringo Starr, and Dave Dudley
November 20, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Norman Greenbaum, full name Norman Joel Greenbaum, born in Walden, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for his self-penned Spirit In The Sky single, one of the era-defining songs of the late 1960s. It would reach top 10 across the globe, including the Netherlands and America, reaching No.1 positions in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland and the UK
November 20, 1941 ~ Malcolm Rebennack Jr, commonly known as pianist, singer, songwriter Dr John, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Mixes blues, pop, jazz, boogie-woogie, rock & roll and more into a highly energetic voodoo and cajun-infused hybrid. Influenced by King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Little Richard, Guitar Slim and Professor Longhair. Started as a session musician, mostly guitar, in the late 1950s working with the likes of James Booker, Earl King and Jimmy Clanton. Starting with his 1969 debut album Gris Gris built a zydeco, voodoo, cajun and Louisiana heritage on stage persona ~ Rebennack passed away in 2019November 20, 1941 ~ Classical double bassist virtuoso Gary Karr born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Considered one of the finest classical double bassists of his day. Has worked as a soloist with numerous renowned orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Simon Bolivar Orchestra, the Oslo Philharmonic, and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra
November 20, 1940 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Jim Horn, full name James Ronald Horn, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Toured and recorded with Duane Eddy for five years, starting in 1959. Would go on to become a highly in-demand reeds and horn player. Present on the Beach Boys landmark album Pet Sounds released in 1966. Other notably credits include Cannonball Adderley, the Righteous Brothers, Buffalo Springfield, the Mamas & the Papas, the Monkees (Pisces Aquarius Capricorn & Jones Ltd), the Everly Brothers, Joni Mitchell, the Carpenters (The Carpenters), John Lennon (Imagine), Rita Coolidge, Seals & Crofts (Summer Breeze), the Rolling Stones (Goat's Head Soup), Badfinger, George Harrison, Minnie Riperton, Marvin Gaye, Captain & Tennille, Jackson Browne (The Pretender), Steely Dan, Etta James, Emmylou Harris, Burton Cummings, Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt, Toto, the Pointer Sisters, and kd LangNovember 20, 1940 ~ Singer Tony Butala, full name Anthony Francis Butala, born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Co-founding and sole constant member of the Lettermen, known for their close-harmony pop songs. The band scored two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, namely When I Fall In Love in 1961 and Goin' Out Of My Head in 1967