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 25, 2023 ~ Keyboardist, saxophonist Les Maguire, full name Leslie Charles Maguire, passed away in Liverpool, UK ~ Played the saxophone for Liverpool pop group the Undertakers. Joined Gerry & the Pacemakers in 1961, replacing original pianist Arthur Mack, and remained with the band through 1966. Appeared on most of the band's best known including How Do You Do It, I Like It, You'll Never Walk Alone, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying, and Ferry Cross The Mersey, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK ~ Maguire was born in 1941
November 25, 2022 ~ Label executive, producer Charles Koppelman passed away in Roslyn Harbor, New York, USA ~ Member of the Ivy Three, known for their sole hit Yogi which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. Koppelman would go on to hold several executive positions at companies such as Columbia Music, CBS Records, and SBK Records ~ Koppelman was born in 1940
November 25, 2022 ~ Donald Newkirk, commonly known as R&B, hip-hop singer, producer, songwriter Don Newkirk, passed away ~ One of the first to be signed to Def Jam Records. Guested on De La Soul's acclaimed Three Feet High And Rising debut album released in 1989. Released his own solo debut album, Funk City, later the same year. Also noted for co-writing the soundtrack to the Netflix biographical documentary Who Killed Malcolm X with Prince Paul ~ Newkirk was born ca.1966
November 25, 2022 ~ Irene Cara Escalera, commonly known as R&B, pop, disco singer, actress Irene Cara, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Best known for singing, co-writing the 1984 Flashdance (What A Feeling) from the film Flashdance, earning her a Grammy Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Also acted in the 1980 film Fame, for which she also sang Out Here On My Own and the title track Fame, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit ~ Escalera was born in 1959November 25, 2022 ~ Gospel singer Sammie Okposo passed away ~ Active as a soundtrack producer in his native Nigeria since the early 1990s. Debuted as a singer with the album Unconditional Love released in 2000, spawning the hit Welu-Welu. Has collaborated with Marvellous Odiete and Jonathan Nelson ~ Okposo was born in 1971
November 25, 2020 ~ Guillermina Jimenez Chabolia, commonly known as singer, actress Flor Silvestre, passed away in Villanueva, Mexico ~ Sister of singers La Prieta Linda and Mary Jiménez. Dubbed “La Sentimental” for her melodious voice. As an actress appeared in over 70 films. As a singer best known for songs such as Imposible Olvidarte, Que Dios Te Perdone, Viejo Nopal, Guadalajara, Cielo Rojo, Carino Santo, Toda Una Vida, and Celosa ~ Chabolia was born in 1930November 25, 2018 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Norio Maeda passed away in Osaka Prefecture, Japan ~ Leader and sideman. Founded the Wind Breakers. Founded We 3. Member of the West-liners. Worked with artists such as Shungo Sawada, Konosuke Saijo, Yasuo Arakawa, Takeshi Inomata, and Sadanori Nakamure. Has composed for Blue Coats, Tatsuya Takahashi, Nobuo Hara, and for Toshiyuki Miyama ~ Maeda was born in 1934
November 25, 2018 ~ Beriford Shepherd, commonly known as jazz drummer, vibraphonist, singer Shep Shepherd, passed away ~ As a child had an early fascination with marching bands, drumming on tables and chairs until his mother bought him a toy drum to save wear and tear on the furniture. Perhaps best remembered for backing Bill Doggett from 1952 through 1959. Co-wrote Doggett's smash hit and signature instrumental Honky Tonk, later covered by numerous artists including the Ventures, Bill Haley, Joey Dee & the Starliters, King Curtis, and the Beach Boys. Shepherd has also worked with Benny Carter, Artie Shaw, Little Willie John, Dinah Washington, Odetta (Odetta And The Blues), Ruth Brown, Joya Sherrill, Lena Horne, and Big Maybelle ~ Shepherd was born in 1917
November 25, 2015 ~ Composer, conductor Alexander Yossifov passed away in Sofia, Bulgaria ~ As a composer known for writing chamber music, symphonies and the Back To The Beginning opera. Perhaps best known for the composition Prelude And Fuga No.2. As a conductor best known for his association with the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra ~ Yossifov was born in 1940
November 25, 2015 ~ Jazz drummer Svein Christiansen passed away in Strømmen, Norway ~ Worked with artists such as the Hot Saints, Oddvar Paulsen, Roy Hellvin, Helge Hurum, Fred Nøddelund, Frode Thingnæs, Einar Iversen, Egil Kapstad, Karin Krog, Terje Bjørklund, Laila Dalseth, Øystein Sevåg, Jens Wendelboe, Susanne Fuhr, Dag Arnesen, Bjørn Alterhaug, Helge Iberg, Svein Finjarn, Odd Børretzen, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Jan Eggum, Lars Klevstrand, Ryfylke Visegruppe, Trond Viggo Torgersen, the Oslo Filharmonien, the Tott Bergh Quintet, and the Tine Asmundsen Trio ~ Christiansen was born in 1941
November 25, 2013 ~ Drummer Chico Hamilton passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Recorded prolifically as a leader since the mid 1950s, especially acclaimed for Gong's East, The Chico Hamilton Special, and Man From Two Worlds. Over the course of his career Hamilton has recorded with Gerry Mulligan, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Eric Dolphy, Tony Bennett (I Wanna Be Around), Yank Lawson, Slim Gaillard, Gábor Szabó, Arnie Lawrence, Joe Houston (Rockin 'n Boppin), Chet Baker, Wardell Gray, and Roots Radics ~ Hamilton was born in 1921
November 25, 2012 ~ Doo-wop, R&B singer Earl Speedo Carroll passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Fronted the Cadillacs, best known for the 1955 doo-wop classic Speedoo which gave Carroll his nickname. Joined the Coasters in 1961, leaving the group in the 1980s to reform the Cadillacs ~ Carroll passed away in 1937
November 25, 2011 ~ Producer, label executive, guitarist Don DeVito passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Toured with Al Kooper while in his teens, returned to college to study English, formed the Sabres. Would go on to become a label executive and A&R manager for CBS. Best known for producing a number of 1970s Bob Dylan albums, notably Blood On The Tracks, Desire, Hard Rain, Street Legal and At Budokan. Has also served as A&R director for artists such as Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, Aerosmith, Tony Bennett, and Carole King ~ DeVito was born in 1939
November 25, 2007 ~ Rafael Leon René, commonly known as R&B, rock & roll, jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, songwriter Googie René, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of producer, songwriter Leon René. Father of singer Chris René. Helped set up Class Records with his father and Preston Love, serving as the label's general manager. Appears on a number of the label's best known, notably Bobby Day's signature tune Rockin' Robin. As a bandleader known for leading the Googie Rene Combo whose early 1960s recording are credited by some as the start of hipster lounge music, fusing jazz-infused pop with easy listening. Notable recordings with the Combo include The Slide Part 1, Flapjacks Part 1 and Smokey Joe's La La ~ René was born in 1927
November 25, 2007 ~ Singer Kevin DuBrow, full name Kevin Mark DuBrow, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Reportedly, his first band consisted of 11-year olds, including himself, playing only one gig, to an audience of senior citizens who where not particularly fond of rock music. Influenced by the Small Faces, Queen, Rod Stewart, and Humble Pie. Best known as lead singer for heavy metal unit Quiet Riot. The band scored a million-seller with their 1983 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Cum On Feel The Noize, originally recorded by British glam rockers Slade a decade earlier. DuBrow appeared on all of the band's albums until his death, with the exception of 1988's QR recorded during his brief dismissal from the band ~ Dubrow was born in 1955
November 25, 2006 ~ Trombonist, bandleader Bobby Byrne passed away in Irvine, California, USA ~ Joined the Dorsey Brothers orchestra at age 16, following Jimmy Dorsey to serve as Dorsey's primary trombonist after the brothers split in 1935. With the help of Jimmy founded his own orchestra a few years later, notably recording Meditation At Moonlight, struggling to keep the orchestra going through the war years as one after the other band member was called upon to serve in the Army. Byrne is especially known for backing Eartha Kitt on her early 1950s album That Bad Eartha Kitt, serving as musical director for WNBT-TV, and backing Cootie Williams on the 1958 Cootie Williams In Hi-Fi album ~ Byrne was born in 1918November 25, 2005 ~ Rock singer, songwriter Jerry Lynn Williams passed away in Saint Martin ~ Got his big break when Delbert McClinton recorded Givin' It Up For Your Love for his 1980 The Jealous Kind album. Others who recorded his songs include Robert Plant, BB King, Eric Clapton (Forever Man), Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, and Bonnie Raitt (Real Man) ~ Williams was born in [artist-jerry-lynn-williams]
November 25, 1997 ~ R&B singer Jewel King, full name Mary Jewel King, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Best known for her late 1940s hits such as 3x7=21. Worked with Cosimo Matassa, Dave Bartholomew, Herbert Hardesty, Alvin Tyler, Ernest McLean, Frank Fields, and Earl Palmer ~ King was born in 1910
November 25, 1992 ~ Sam Lassner, commonly known as DJ, producer Prince Fox, born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Cites John Mayer, Skrillex and Coldplay's Chris Martin as his biggest influences. First gained attention in the mid-2010s remixing songs by 3LAU, Sam Smith, Florence + the Machine, Cazzette. Known for songs such as 2016's Fragile featuring Hailee Steinfeld and 2017's Just Call featuring Bella Thorne, the latter reaching the No.1 spot on the Billboard Dance charts. Released his full-length All This Music in 2019November 25, 1990 ~ Ryeisha Berrain, commonly known as hip-hop, dance rapper, singer, dancer, actress Rye Rye, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Released her Go Pop Bang debut album in 2012. Featured in the 21 Jump Street film the same year. Best known for songs such as Bang and Sunshine both featuring MIA. Has guested on recordings by Blaqstarr, the Count & Sinden, Diplo, Crookers, Far East Movement, Asher Roth, and Bassnectar
November 25, 1989 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, Blame It On The Rain by Milli Vanilli hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The protaganist advises the listener to “blame it on the rain” and other natural causes if they have left a lover only to later regret it. Originally intended for the Jets, however, when the Minnesota family outfit did not record it, label executive suggested to the song's sole songwriter Diane Warren that it might be a good fit for Milli Vanilli. It would become one of three Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits, and one of five consecutive top 10 hits all off the same album. Blame It On The Rain would be warmly received as another pleasant pop hit from the pop duo, yet when it later turned out the two band members did not actually sing on their recordings but producer Frank Farian had employed ghost musicians, Milli Vanilli would make Grammy Award history as their Award for Best New Artist would be retrospectively canceled, something that has never happened before or since
November 25, 1984 ~ Catherin Anne Brudenell-Bruce, commonly known as indie pop, indie rock singer, songwriter Bo Bruce, born in Marlborough, UK ~ One of four finalists of the 1st season of talent show The Voice UK aired on BBC One in 2012, alongside Tyler James, Vince Kidd, and winner Leanne Mitchell
November 25, 1979 ~ Rock, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Thea Gilmore, full name Thea Eve Gilmore, born in Oxford, UK ~ Over 20 albums to her name, starting with Burning Dorothy released in 1998. Member of early 2000s project the Reel And Soul Association merging American soul with British folk, which among others included Kellie While, Maartin Allcock and the Pretenders guitarist Robbie McIntosh. As a solo artist best known for her 2003 UK top 40 single Juliet (Keep That In Mind) and 2012's London, the latter co-penned by Sandy Denny of the collaborative Don't Stop Singing album. Gilmore started recording under the moniker Afterlight in 2021
November 25, 1978 ~ Country singer Tanya Tucker releases Texas (When I Die), lifted off her TNT album ~ First released the previous year by Ed Bruce, who had co-written the song with his wife Patsy Bruce and Bobby Borchers. Yet while Bruce's original had failed to make the top half of the Billboard Country charts, stalling at No.52, the song would become best known as covered by Tanya Tucker, one of her few Billboard Country top 10 singles of the second half of the 1970s. Tucker had initially used Texas (When I Die) for the flip side of the Buddy Holly-cover Not Fade Away, issued as the lead single off TNT. However, as that failed to chart they gave it another go. Now prominently featured as the A-side, Texas (When I Die) would do much better on the second try, and reached No.5 Billboard Country. Tucker had previously scored another top 10 hit with a Bruce song, namely The Man That Turned My Mama On written solely by Ed Bruce, which was a Billboard Country No.4 hit for Tucker back in 1974November 25, 1978 ~ Progressive rock guitarist Travis Stever born in New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead and rhythm guitarist of Coheed & Cambria. Co-wrote Ten Speed. Also involved with a number of side projects, notably the metal band Fire Deuce and alternative rock outfit Zero Trust. Besides guitar Stever plays several other instruments including bass, lap steel guitar, banjo, mandolin and dobro