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 27, 2021 ~ Singer Taylor Swift's extended version of All Too Well reaches No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Taylor Swift breaks the record for the longest single to ever top the Billboard Hot 100 when the extended version of All Too Well with a running time of 10:13 hits No.1. The previous record had been held by Don McLean, whose single American Pie with a running time of 8:42 topped the chart in 1972
November 27, 2021 ~ Classical, jazz double bassist, composer Teppo Hauta-aho passed away in Helsinki, Finland ~ Equally adept in orchestral, chamber music, classical, and opera settings, as well as in jazz, free jazz, and improvisational music, Hauta-aho would become one of the most well respected Finnish bassists and an in-demand sideman in jazz from the 1970s onwards. A prolific composer with over 300 works to his name, Hauta-aho drew from a wide array of influences, and is best known for the award-winning Fantasia for trumpet and orchestra and Kadenza for solo bass, the latter often a required piece in competitions. Hauta-aho has played with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra from the mid 1960s through the early 1970s, and subsequently with the Finnish National Opera. Hauta-aho has often collaborated with pianist, singer Carita Holmström, his regular duo partner, and appeared on recordings with Juhani Aaltonen, Edward Vesala (Nan Madol), Pekka Pöyry, Anthony Braxton, Evan Parker, the Quintet Moderne, Barre Phillips (To Face The Bass), the Otherworld Ensemble, Cecil Taylor, and Kalle Kalima. Composer Harry Wessman has praised Hauta-aho for his compositional technique: “Hauta-aho's own instrument, the double bass, has profited especially from his rich inventiness in finding new means to conjure forth unusual sounds from the instrument, and in applying them in an artistically meaningful and striking way” ~ Hauto-aho was born in 1941
November 27, 2019 ~ Singer the Weeknd releases Heartless, lead single off his After Hours album ~ Welcomed to wide critical acclaim, Heartless has the Canadian singer seemingly celebrating his hedonistic lifestyle engaging in promiscuity and over-indulgence in drugs and alcohol. However, underneath it all, it also seems the Weeknd is hoping for someone to rescue him from his party and playboy lifestyle. It has been rumored the song references his on-off girlfriend Bella Hadid, with whom he has been intermittently involved since 2015, as the one person who has never given up on him and possibly the only one who can help him climb out of his personal hole: “You never gave up on me, I'll never know what you see, I don't do well when alone, you hear it clear in my tone.” Heartless would be the Weeknd's fifth Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, preceded by The Hills, Can't Feel My Face, Starboy, and Die For You
November 27, 2016 ~ Label executive Tony Martell passed away in Madison, New Jersey, USA ~ Longtime CBS Records and Epic Records executive and producer. Helped shape and advance careers of the Isley Brothers, the O'Jays, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Ozzy Osbourne. Also worked with artists such as George Benson, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Hall, Lalo Schifrin, Bill Withers, Patti Austin, George Duke, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Eumir Deodato, Stanley Turrentine, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the Electric Light Orchestra, Joan Jett, and Henry Lee Summer ~ Martell was born in 1926November 27, 2012 ~ Machouston Baker, commonly known as guitarist Mickey Baker passed away in Montastruc, France ~ Half of Mickey & Sylvia, the other half being Sylvia Robinson, known for their 1956 hit Love Is Strange. Also worked with Doc Pomus, the Drifters, Ray Charles, Ivory Joe Hunter, Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Louis Jordan, and Coleman Hawkins ~ Baker was born in 1925
November 27, 2009 ~ Al Albertini, commonly known as singer, composer Al Alberts, passed away in Arcadia, Florida, USA ~ Co-founded the Four Aces with navy buddy Dave Mahoney. The group scored two Oscars for best song, Three Coins In The Fountain in 1954 and Love Is A Many Splendored Thing in 1955. Later Albertini would host a TV show in Philadelphia, Showcase. In its 32 years running the show helped launch the careers of Sister Sledge, the Kinleys, and Teddy Pendergrass ~ Albertini was born in 1922November 27, 2008 ~ Bassist, pianist, violinist, producer, composer Pekka Pohjola, full name Jussi Pekka Pohjola, passed away in Helsinki, Finland ~ Member of progressive rock outfit Wigwam. Debuted as a solo artist with 1972's Pihkasilma Kaarnakorva. Also worked with Jussi & the Boys, Made In Sweden, the Group, Jukka Tolonen, and Mike Oldfield ~ Pohjola was born in 1952
November 27, 2007 ~ Jazz baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne passed away in Stratford, New Jersey, USA ~ Sideman and leader. Played with Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Weston, JJ Johnson, Roy Eldridge, Tadd Dameron, Illinois Jacquet, Cannonball Adderley, Count Basie, Nick Brignola, Kenny Burrell, Jimmy Cleveland, Ray Charles, Kenny Clarke, Ernie Wilkins, John Coltrane, Kenny Dorham, Matthew Gee, Benny Golson, Al Grey, Gigi Gryce, Johnny Hammond Smith, Ernie Henry, Quincy Jones, Duke Jordan, James Moody, Archie Shepp, Jimmy Smith, Sonny Stitt, Idrees Sulieman, Clark Terry, Randy Weston, and with Ernie Wilkins ~ Payne was born in 1922November 27, 2006 ~ Jazz, classical tubist Don Butterfield, full name Don Kiethly Butterfield, passed away in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, USA ~ Following a stint in the US Army through 1946 worked with radio orchestras for the remainder of the decade to become an in-demand sideman from the 1950s onwards. Though never a household name has appeared on some of the era's most important albums. Notable credits include Gil Melle, Coleman Hawkins, Teddy Charles, Bob Brookmeyer, Art Farmer (Brass Shout), Perry Como, Cannonball Adderley, Oliver Nelson (Afro-American Sketches), Oscar Peterson, Jimmy Heath, Charles Mingus (The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady), Wes Montgomery, Lee Morgan (Delightfulee), and James Moody ~ Butterfield was born in 1923
November 27, 2005 ~ John B Richmond, commonly known as jug player Fritz Richmond passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band. Has guested on records by Jackson Browne, Loudon Wainwright III, Maria Muldaur, Geoff Muldaur, Tom Rush, Ry Cooder, Norman Greenbaum, and the Grateful Dead ~ Richmond was born in 1939
November 27, 2005 ~ Singer Joe Jones, full name Joseph Charles Jones, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Discovered the Dixie Cups. Discovered Shirley & Lee. Pianist and arranger for BB King. As a solo artist best known for the 1960 Billboard top 10 hit You Talk Too Much and the original recording of Carnival Time, the latter later successfuly covered by the Rivieras ~ Jones was born in 1926
November 27, 2002 ~ Jazz trumpeter John McLevy passed away ~ Best known for his association with Benny Goodman, touring with the clarinetist throughout Europe in the 1970s and appearing on albums such as The King Swings. McLevy has also worked with the likes of Max Bygraves, Jack Emblow, Tommy McQuater, Krysia Kocjan, and Bob Wilber ~ McLevy was born in 1927
November 27, 2001 ~ Rapper Ja Rule releases Always On Time featuring Ashanti, lifted off his Pain Is Love album ~ Written by Ja Rule, Channel 7, and Irv Gotti, the latter also serving as producer. The track was initially intended to feature Brandy, but features guest vocals from Ashanti instead. The single would reach top 10 in about half a dozen countries, including the UK and the No.1 position in America
November 27, 1999 ~ Roy Samuel Reid, commonly known as reggae, dancehall DJ I-Roy, passed away in Spanish Town, Jamaica ~ Influenced by U-Roy and Dennis Alcapon. Worked with Dennis Walks, Harry Muddle, Lloyd Campbell, Bunny Lee, Derrick Harriott, Lee Scratch Perry, Glen Brown, Rupie Edwards, Byron Lee, Keith Hudson, Rudy Redwood (Sidewalk Killer), and Prince Jazzbo ~ Reid was born in 1942
November 27, 1999 ~ John Mayon Walker, commonly known as Chicago blues, electric blues pianist, organist, bassist, singer Johnny Big Moose Walker, born in Stoneville, Mississippi, USA ~ Worked with Ike Turner, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Lowell Fulson, Muddy Waters, Choker Campbell, Elmore James, Earl Hooker, Otis Spann, Sunnyland Slim, Jimmy Dawkins, Son Seals, Mighty Joe Young, Louis Myers, Andrew Odom, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Curtis Jones ~ Walker was born in 1927
November 27, 1998 ~ R&B singer, songwriter Barbara Acklin, full name Barbara Jean Acklin, passed away in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Backing singer for Fontella Bass, Etta James, and Koko Taylor. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Stoned Out Of My Mind, Toby, Too Good To Be Forgotten and Have You Seen Her for the Chi-lites, Whispers (Gettin' Louder) for Jackie Wilson, and Two Little Kids for Peaches & Herb. As a recording artist, Acklin duetted with Gene Chandler on Show Me The Way To Go and From The Teacher To The Preacher, and scored several hits as a solo singer including Love Makes A Woman, Just Ain't No Love, Raindrops, and Am I The Same Girl. The latter would be covered by Dusty Springfield and as an instrumental, renamed to Soulful Strut, by Young-Holt Unlimited ~ Acklin was born in 1943November 27, 1995 ~ Singer Don Adams passed away in London, UK ~ Not to be confused with the country singer Don Adams. Moved to Munich in the 1960s to perform in a German production of the musical Hair. Has recorded as a solo artist, notably 1969's Watts Happening and 1972's The Black Voice. Member of the Love Generation and subsequently of the Les Humphries Singers ~ Adams was born in 1942
November 27, 1992 ~ Daniel Doroteo Santos Betancourt, commonly known as guaracha, plena, rumba, bolero singer, composer Daniel Santos, passed away in Ocala, Florida, USA ~ Active since the early 1930s, initially as a member of Trio Linco. Would go on to perform in night clubs and casinos. Rose to fame as member of Pedro Flores' El Cuarteto Flores, notably present on hits such as Perdon, Amor, El Ultimo Adios and Si Yo Fuera Millonario. After serving in the Army during World War II would emerge as a successful solo singer and songwriter, best remembered for Sierra Maestra ~ Santos was born in 1916November 27, 1992 ~ K-pop, hip hop, R&B rapper, singer, actor, model Park Chanyeol, also mononymously known as Chanyeol, born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Member of boy band EXO, known for a string of 2010 hits in their native South Korea including the No.1 hits December 2014 (The Winter's Tale), Love Me Right, Monster, and Ko Ko Bop. Chanyeol has also ventured into acting for film and TV
November 27, 1990 ~ Singer, rapper, songwriter Matthew Tyler Musto, commonly known as Blackbear, born in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA ~ Half of hip-hop, R&B duo Mansionz, the other half being Mike Posner. Co-wrote Justin Bieber's Boyfriend. Produced G-Eazy's These Things Happen. Has collaborated with artists such as Marc E Bassy, Maejor Ali, Palisades, Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, Cam'ron, 2 Chainz, Mod Sun, Rivers Cuomo, Childish Gambino, Billie Eilish, Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus, Linkin Park, the Tiny Meat Gang, and Jacob Sartorius
November 27, 1990 ~ Jerome Philip Herst, commonly known as lawyer, songwriter Jerry Herst, passed away in Alameda, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for writing So Rare with Jack Sharpe. The song was first published in 1937 and would be a late-career hit for Jimmy Dorsey just months before his death in 1957. Others who have recorded the song include Carl Ravell, Gus Arnheim, Ella Fitzgerald, King Curtis, Chet Atkins. Herst has also collaborated with Felton Kaufmann, Richard O'Kreamer, and wrote or co-wrote a number of instrumental works and musicals. Herst practiced law from the mid-1930 through the mid 1940s ~ Herst was born in 1909
November 27, 1989 ~ Singer Van Morrison releases Whenever God Shines His Light featuring Cliff Richard, lifted off his Avalon Sunset album ~ Warmly received by critics, the single would reach top 20 in the UK and top 10 in Van Morrison's native Ireland. Cashbox stated that “if George Harrison can have a hit single while invoking his sweet Lord, Van could do it with the totally engaging Whenever God Shines His Light”
November 27, 1986 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Oritsé Williams, full name Oritsé Jolomi Matthew Soloman Williams, born in London, UK ~ Member of boy band JLS, runner-up in the 2008 edition of The X-Factor talent contest aired on ITV. The band released their eponymous JLS debut album the following year, which included the UK No.1 hits Beat Again and Everybody In Love. They would continue to reach the higher echelons of the UK charts before disbanding in 2013, reuniting in 2021. Well known songs include The Club Is Alive, Love You More, She Makes Me Wanna featuring Dev.
November 27, 1983 ~ Stephen Paul Manderson, commonly known as hip-hop, grime rapper, songwriter Professor Green, born in Hackney, UK ~ Released his full-length Alive Till I'm Dead, which included the UK top 10 hits I Need You Tonight featuring Ed Drewett and Just Be Good To Green feat Lily Allen. Subsequent hits would include Read All About It, Remedy featuring Ruth-Anne and Lullabye featuring Tori Kelly
November 27, 1982 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, Truly by Lionel Richie hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Richie, who had already topped the chart with the Commodores, Three Times A Lady and Still both reaching the top spot, and with his previous single, duetting with Diana Ross on Endless Love, gets his first solo No.1 with Truly, issued as the lead single of his eponymous 1982 Lionel Richie solo debut album. Lionel Richie would go on to score three more No.1 hits, All Night Long (All Night Long) and Hello both taken of his Can't Slow Down sophomore album, and Say You Say Me taken of his Dancing On The Ceiling