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 23, 1970 ~ Singer, songwriter, author, poet, playwright Alf Prøysen passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ As a singer active since the late 1940s and known for songs such as Tango For To, Lillebrors Vise, Du Ska Tå En Dag I Mårå, Jukveldsvis, Jorgen Hattemaker, Musevisa and Romjulsdrøm. Considered a cultural icon for his contributions to literature including as a children's author and poet, theatre, TV, radio, film. ~ Prøysen was born in 1914
November 23, 1969 ~ Donnell Clyde Cooley, commonly known as Western swing bandleader, actor, TV personality Spade Cooley, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the King of Western Swing”. Known for songs such as Shame On You, A Pair Of Broken Hearts, Detour, and You Can't Break My Heart. Convicted in 1961 and sentenced to a life sentence for the murder of his second wife ~ Cooley was born in 1910
November 23, 1963 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, I'm Leaving It Up To You by Dale & Grace hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written and originally recorded by Don & Dewey in 1957. The song would be popularized though by Dale & Grace in 1963, holding the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks. Their single was No.1 the day president John F Kennedy was assasinated, and as chance would have it Dale & Grace happened to be in Houston that very same day and, along with several other artists, had waved to the president from near their hotel shortly before the shooting. The duo was scheduled to perform that night as part of Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars tour. Needless to say, the performance was cancelled that night, as was the next night in Oklahoma. In 1974, singers Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond of the Osmonds would reprise the song, their single reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100November 23, 1962 ~ Antonio Carlos de Freitas, commonly known as singer, percussionist, producer Carlinhos Brown, born in Salvador, Brazil ~ Blends funk, latin music, R&B and traditional percussion. Has worked with Luis Caldas, Caetano Veloso, Bill Laswell, Sérgio Mendes, Sepultura, Bonga, Marisa Monte, Los Van Van, and the Tribalistas
November 23, 1962 ~ New wave, punk rock, pop rock bassist Chris Bostock born in Bristol, UK ~ Worked with Subway Sect, Joboxers, Spear of Destiny, Dave Stewart's backing band the Spiritual Cowboys, Shakespears Sister, Savage World, Clint Bradley, Amina, the Rhythm Sisters, and Johnny BrittonNovember 23, 1962 ~ Heavy metal, progressive power metal. Christian metal singer, songwriter Lance King born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ In-demand collaborator active since the early 1980s, has worked with over three dozen bands, most notably Ilium, Avian, Pyramaze, Shining Star, Balance Of Power, Mattson, Defyance, and Kings Machine
November 23, 1960 ~ Guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Mixed jazz, blues, rock, and more. Worked with Muhal Richard Abrams, Olu Dara, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Steve Coleman, Marc Ribot, Elliott Sharp, Archie Shepp, David Torn, and Miles Davis
November 23, 1959 ~ Singer, songwriter Peter Himmelman born in St Louis, Minnesota, USA ~ Member of indie rock outfit Sussman Lawrence. Released his solo debut album, This Father's Day, in 1986. Has also composed for TV and film
November 23, 1954 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Bruce Hornsby, full name Bruce Randall Hornsby, born in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA ~ In-demand collaborator. Notably associated with Ricky Skaggs and with the Grateful Dead, serving as the latter's touring guitarist during the early 1990s. Co-wrote and played piano on Don Henley's The End Of Innocence. Played piano on Bonnie Raitt's signature song I Can't Make You Love Me. Has also guested on albums by Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Clannad, Crosby Stills & Nash, Stevie Nicks, Squeeze, Ambrosia, the Other Ones. Best known for The Way It Is, recorded with his backing band under the moniker Bruce Hornsby & the Range, a 1986 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit of the album of the same name. The album was helpful in estblishing the Virginia sound drawing from rock, jazz and bluegrass, and also spawned the hits Mandolin Rain and Every Little KissNovember 23, 1953 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Francis Cabrel, full name Francis Christian Cabrel, born in Agen, France ~ Sold over 25 million albums. Known for songs such as Petite Marie, L'Encre De Tes Yeux, Je L'Aime à Mourir, Le Chêne Liège, and La Corrida
November 23, 1952 ~ Rock, pop rock guitarist, bassist, producer Ladislav Lucenic, also known as Laco Lucenic, born in Cifer, Slovakia ~ Influenced by the Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones. Member of some of the best known Slovak bands including Fermata, Prudy, Modus, Limit. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Beáta Dubasová, Marika Gombitová, Pavol Hammel, Marián Varga, and Miroslav Zbirka
November 23, 1950 ~ Pianist, bandleader, composer Percival Mackey, full name Thomas Percival Montague Mackey, passed away in Edgware, UK ~ Popular 1920s dance band bandleader. Also known for scoring soundtracks in the 1930s. Worked with Jack Hylton, the Broadway Five, Al Bowlly, Art Christmas, Jack Jackson, and Ivor Mairants ~ Mackey was born in 1894November 23, 1949 ~ Alan Paul Wichinsky, commonly known as singer, actor, songwriter Alan Paul, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of the Manhattan Transfer, wrote Twilight Zone (Twilight Tone) and Code Of Ethics
November 23, 1949 ~ Country songwriter, producer Charlie Black, full name Charles Frank Black, born in Cheverly, Maryland, USA ~ First gained attention penning Girl You Eased My Mind for Tommy Overstreet. Others who have recorded his songs include Anne Murray, Gary Morris, Earl Thomas Conley, Johnny Paycheck, Phil Vassar. Married to songwriter Dana Hunt ~ Black passed away in 2021November 23, 1949 ~ Reggae, roots reggae singer Marcia Griffiths born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Recorded a number of duets in the 1960s, notably with Tony Gregory (You're Mine), Bob Marley (Oh My Darling), Jeff Dixon (Words), Bob Andy (Always Together). Would form a duo, Bob & Marcia, with Andy through the mid 1970s. Member of the I-Threes, a vocal trio backing Marley, from 1974 through 1981 while continuing to record as a solo artist
November 23, 1948 ~ Jazz pianist Emil Viklický born in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia ~ Actively recording since the 1980s with well over two dozen albums to his name. Known for his self-penned Green Satin and Cacharel. Has collaborated with artists such as Lou Blackburn, Benny Bailey, Harald Gunhus, Jaroslav Jakubovic, Eva Olmerová, and Miroslav Vitous
November 23, 1947 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist Melton Mustafa born ~ Active since the late 1960s, starting out backing R&B artists such as Sam & Dave, Betty Wright, Latimore, the Marvelettes, Joe Simon. Over time progressed towards jazz, working with Jaco Pastorius, George Cables, John Hicks, Eric Allison, Jon Faddis, Benny Golson, Grover Washington Jr, Wallace Roney, Billy Cobham, Herbie Mann, Clark Terry, and Randy Brecker ~ Mustafa passed away in 2017November 23, 1946 ~ Bassist Ray Drummond born in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Member of the Drummonds. Has also worked with Manny Boyd, Branford Marsalis, John Hicks, Kenny Barron, Bill Mays, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Arnett Cobb, Ted Curson, Art Farmer, Curtis Fuller, Slide Hampton, Craig Handy, Freddie Hubbard, Etta Jones, Frank Morgan, Idris Muhammad, Houston Person, Pharoah Sanders, Horace Silver, and John Zorn ~ Drummond passed away in 2025
November 23, 1945 ~ Reggae, ska, rocksteady, lovers rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Cornell Campbell born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Noted for his sweet falsetto voice. Known for songs such as My Treasure, Turndown Date, Dance In A Greenwich Farm and The Gorgon. Worked with Coxsone Dodd, the Skatalites, Duke Reid, the Sensations, Jimmy Reilly, Bunny Lee, Joe Gibbs, and the Uniques
November 23, 1943 ~ Jazz drummer Alan Turnbull, full name Alan Lawrence Turnbull, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ In-demand sideman and session drummer. Closely associated with double bassist Ed Gaston, the duo setting the bar for future rhythm sections. Has worked with Don Burrows, Milt Jackson, Joe Henderson, Gary Burton, Sonny Stitt, Barney Kessel, Richie Cole, Cleo Laine, Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway, Billy Field, Neil Sedaka, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Pops Orchestra, Rolf Stube, Graeme Norris, the Jazz Co/op, and Paul McNamara ~ Turnbull passed away in 2014November 23, 1942 ~ Flutist, composer Jiri Stivin born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Performs music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Has worked as a soloist with the Prague Symphony Orchestra, the Slovak Chamber Orchestra, and the Suk Chamber Orchestra. Has also recorded jazz repertoire, notably with the band Jazz Q
November 23, 1940 ~ Lawrence Fewell Roberts II, commonly known as rock & roll singer Rockin' Robin Roberts, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of rock & roll outfit the Wailers. As a solo artist best known for the Richard Berry-cover Louie Louie and Rockin' Robin ~ Roberts passed away in 1967
November 23, 1939 ~ Gospel-tinged soul singer Betty Everett born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for recording the first hit versions of You're No Good and The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss), notably covered by respectively Linda Ronstadt and Cher. Other well known songs include There'll Come A Time, It's Been A Long Time and the Jerry Butler-duets Smile and Let It Be Me ~ Everett passed away in 2001
November 23, 1936 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Robert Johnson records I Believe I'll Dust My Broom at Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas ~ Produced by Don Law. Songwriting credits Robert Johnson, though historians have argued the song may be traced back to several blues songs, namely I Believe I'll Make A Change (the Sparks Brothers), I Believe I'll Go Back Home (Jack Kelly), and Sagefield Woman Blues (Kokomo Arnold). In 1951 Elmore James would record the song as Dust My Broom, making it the classic as we know it. Johnson also recorded Kind Hearted Woman Blues, Rambling On My Mind, Come On In My Kitchen, Terraplane Blues and Sweet Home Chicago during the same session
November 23, 1935 ~ Drummer Alvin Fielder, full name Alvin Leroy Fielder, born in Meridian, Mississippi, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, of Black Artists Music Society, and of Improvisational Arts. Played with Sun Ra, Muhal Richard Abrams, Eddie Harris, Kalaparushe, Fred Anderson, Lester Lashley, Roscoe Mitchell, Clifford Jordan, Kidd Jordan, Ahmed Abdullah, Charles Brackeen, Joel Futterman, Andre Lamb, and Peter Kowald ~ Fielder passed away in 2019