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 28, 2023 ~ Jazz pianist John Colianni, full name John Kelly Colianni, passed away in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First got interested in music after watching Duke Ellington perform. Backed Lionel Hampton during the early 1980s. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, especially acclaimed for John Colianni & Company released in 1998. As a sideman, Colianni has appeared on albums by Mel Tormé, Spider Saloff, Scott Whitfield, Ben Tucker, Toni Ballard (I'm Your Pal), Holly Shelton, Muriel Anderson, and Marshall McDonald ~ Colianni was born in 1962November 28, 2022 ~ Pop singer Galit Burg, full name Galit Shira Burg, passed away ~ Internationally perhaps best known for forming the duo Gili & Galit with Gili Netanel. The duo, featuring a then 12-year-old Netanel, represented their native Israel at the 1989 Eurovision Songfestival, where they would reach twelfth place with Derekh Hamelekh. Burg passed away age 54 in a car accident ~ Burg was born in 1968
November 28, 2021 ~ Alexander Borisovich Fradkin, commonly known as singer, pianist, guitarist, bassist, violinist, percussionist Alexander Gradsky, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Influenced by Elvis Presley. Internationally best known for duetting with John Denver on the 1986 song Let Us Begin. Formed Tarakany while still in his early teens, the band's 1963 performance at the Moscow University arguably the first public performance of rock & roll by any Russian act. Lead singer of Slaviane, the band's repertoire consisting of covers of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Founded and fronted Skomorokhi, blending traditional Russian music with western rock influences. Has recorded as a solo artist, and composed soundtracks, the rock operas Stadium and The Master And Margarita, and the rock ballet The Man ~ Fradkin was born in 1949November 28, 2021 ~ Laila Sinikka Soppi, commonly known as singer Laila Halme, passed away in Tampere, Finland ~ Best known for representing Finland at the 1963 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching tied thirteenth place with the song Muistojeni Laulu (The Song Of My Memories). The other contestant reaching thirteenth place was Annie Palmen, who represented the Netherlands with Een Speeldoos ~ Soppi was born in 1934
November 28, 2021 ~ Miguel Angel Barcasnegras, commonly known as salsa singer Meñique, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Meñique released in 1972. Has also appeared on albums by Tito Puente, Kako, Charlie Palmieri (Impulsos), Chamaco Rivera, Jerry Masucci, and Santitos Colon ~ Barcasnegras was born in 1933
November 28, 2020 ~ Othella Strozier, commonly known as jazz singer, dancer Othella Dallas, passed away in Basel, Switzerland ~ Had blues artist WC Handy as her baby sitter. As a dancer discovered by Katherine Dunham who brought her to her New York dance company. As a singer has worked with Sidney Bechet and Nat King Cole. Relocated to Switzerland in the 1960s, opening a dance school in Zurich teaching the Dunham technique. Would also continue to work as a singer until a year before her death ~ Strozier was born in 1925November 28, 2019 ~ Country, rock guitarist, singer Philip Donnelly passed away in Waterford, Ireland ~ Following a mid 1970s tour backing Donovan, Donnelly settled in Los Angeles, California, to become an in-demand session musician. In his native Ireland perhaps best known for his work with several major Irish acts such as Clannad, the Fleadh Cowboys, the Hothouse Flowers, and De Dannan after returning home in the late 1980s to help care for his mother. Produced Townes Van Zandt's final album, 1994's No Deeper Blue, having played previously on Townes's albums. Donnelly has appeared on albums by the likes of Gary Moore, Bonnie Koloc, Tracy Nelson, Johnny Cash, Nanci Griffith (Once In A Very Blue Moon), Emmylou Harris, and Rita Connolly. As a solo artist Donnelly is best known for his final album, 2015's Beyond The Pale, which includes duets with John Prine and Crystal Gayle ~ Donnelly was born in 1948
November 28, 2018 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger Roger Neumann passed away ~ Recorded two outstanding albums as a leader, 1983's Roger Neumann's Rather Large Band and 1994's Instant Heat. Married to singer Madeline Vergari, with whom he has also worked. As a tenor saxophonist has backed Woody Herman, Bob Crosby, and Anita O'Day. Best known as an arranger for the likes of Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Ray Brown, and the Beach Boys ~ Neumann was born in 1941November 28, 2017 ~ Magin Diaz Garcia, commonly known as singer, composer Magin Diaz passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known for his chalupa version of the Cuban song Rosa Que Linda Eres, which has since become a standard, and his 2017 Grammy Award-winning El Orisha De La Rose album ~ Garcia was born in 1922
November 28, 2016 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Ivar Thomassen passed away ~ Enjoyed local popularity in the Northern regions of Norway, his compositions often reflecting on the region's nature, culture and history. Best known for songs such as Imella Multebær Og Mygg and Det Artige Landet ~ Thomassen was born in 1954
November 28, 2014 ~ Progressive rock keyboardist Joe Vescovi passed away in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy ~ One of the most valued artists in Italian progressive rock known for his energetic stage presence, eccentric clothing and virtuoso keyboard playing. Active since his mid-teens. Best known for his work with the Trip, replacing Ritchie Blackmore who departed the band to join Deep Purple, and with Dik-Dik, one of the all-time favorite Italian rock bands ~ Vescovi was born in 1949
November 28, 2006 ~ Classical violinist, conductor Andor Toth, full name Andor John Toth, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Enjoyed a career spanning six decades starting as a soloist with the Ballets Russes in the early 1940s. Violinist for the Alma Trio for well over a dozen years. Co-founded several chamber music ensembles including the Oberlin String Quartet, the New Hungarian Quartet, and the Stanford String Quartet. Has also worked with the NBC Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra ~ Toth was born in 1925
November 28, 2002 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Dave Ray, full name James David Ray, passed away ~ Closely associated with John Koerner and Tony Glover, the trio recording and performing in various configurations, in solo turns and duets, but rarely as a trio. Ray suggested that it would be more accurate to refer to them not as Koerner Ray & Gloever, but rather Koerner and/or Ray and/or Glover. As a trio noted for appearing at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964, captured on the Newport Folk Festival 1964 (Evening Concerts III) album. In later years they would occasionally perform together, until Ray's death in the early 2000s ~ Ray was born in 1943
November 28, 2001 ~ Kalman Cohen, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Kal Mann, passed away in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA ~ Lyricist, often teaming up with composers such as Bernie Lowe and Dave Appell. Co-writer of several well-remembered songs from the rock & roll era including Elvis Presley's Teddy Bear, Charlie Gracie's Fabulous and Butterfly, Bobby Rydell's The Cha Cha Cha and Wild One, and Let's Twist Again and Limbo Rock recorded by Chubby Checker ~ Mann was born in 1917
November 28, 1997 ~ William Daniel Smith, commonly known as rock, soul, jazz keyboardist William Smitty Smith, passed away ~ Member of Canadian soul outfit the Soul Searchers. Co-founding member of Motherlode, known for the 1969 Billboard Hot 100 No.18 hit When I Die. In-demand session musician, present on albums by the likes of the James Gang, Etta James, Domenic Troiano, Dave Loggins, Martha Reeves, Bill Wyman (Monkey Grip), Billy Joel (Streetlife Serenade), Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Rankin, Blood Sweat & Tears, Rory Block, Rare Earth, Yvonne Elliman, the Pointer Sisters, Ry Cooder (Borderline), Dionne Warwick, David Lindley, Rita Coolidge, Bob Dylan (Shot Of Love), Roberta Flack, Rod Stewart, Tracy Chapman, Linda Ronstadt, Lucinda Williams, and Solomon Burke ~ Smith was born in 1944
November 28, 1995 ~ R&B outfit Total release No One Else featuring Da Brat, lifted off their eponymous Total debut album ~ Produced by Jean-Claude Olivier and Sean Combs, who co-wrote the song with Shawntae Harris and Terri Robinson, No One Else would reach No.22 Billboard Hot 100 and No.4 Billboard R&B. The single is also especially known for its Sean Combs remix which besides Da Brat featured rappers Foxy Brown and Lil' Kim. The remix is the only musical appearance of now-rivals Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown together, who were at the time great friendsNovember 28, 1994 ~ Alan Levitt, commonly known as jazz drummer Al Levitt, passed away in Paris, France ~ Active since the early 1950s. As a leader known for his 1968 We Are The Levitts album. Studied with Lennie Tristano. Closely associated with Lee Konitz, including on the albums In Harvard Square and Jazz At Storyville. Other notable collaborations include Paul Bley, Jimmy Raney, Lionel Hampton, Barney Wilen, Stan Getz (Stan Getz And The Cool Sounds), Alain Jean-Marie, Horace Parlan (Glad I Found You), Chet Baker, and Duke Jordan ~ Levitt was born in 1932
November 28, 1993 ~ Drummer, singer Jerry Edmonton passed away in Santa Barbara, California, USA ~ Best known as drummer for Steppenwolf, which also included his brother singer Mars Bonfire. Previously a member of the Sparrows. Formed the band Seven when Steppenwolf temporarily broke up in the early 1970s ~ Edmonton was born in 1946
November 28, 1992 ~ Guitarist Wayne Bennett, full name Wayne Talmadge Bennett, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since the 1950s, backing artists such as Amos Milburn, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Arbee Stidham, Jimmy Reed, and Elmore James early on in his career. Perhaps best known for his longtime association with Bobby Blue Bland, praised especially for his guitar playing on songs such as Stormy Monday and Wishing Well, serving as a model for younger guitarists including Eric Clapton. Bennett has also worked with Little Junior Parker, James Cotton, Ramsey Lewis, Tyrone Davis, and Jackie Wilson ~ Bennett was born in 1931
November 28, 1989 ~ Indie folk, folk pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Brady Parks born in Reno, Nevada, USA ~ Teamed up with Sydney Macfarlane, performing locally in Provo, Utah, going by the moniker Brady Parks & the IndiAnns in the early-2010s. The band would evolve into the National Parks, releasing their Young debut album in 2013. The band draws from classical, folk, rock, and pop, and are most acclaimed for their 2015 Until I Live sophomore album, heading into a more soulful pop direction
November 28, 1987 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, I've Had The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes from the Dirty Dancing film hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The Dirty Dancing hit peaks at No.1 on the American charts as the “Swayze-lift” becomes a popular dance move. The soundtrack album would sell over 30 million copies, becoming one of the all-time best-selling albums, aided by the impact of both the movie and the Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes duet. Besides acting in the lead role, Patrick Swayze also sang She's Like The Wind for the soundtrack, which also reached top 10
November 28, 1985 ~ Singer Diana Ross releases Chain Reaction, lifted off her Eaten Alive album ~ Sibling outfit the Bee Gees had an impressive run during the disco era, reigning the charts with their own releases, but as the genre fell out of favor by the early 1980s the brothers Gibb would focus on writing for others. At the time, they had recently worked with Dionne Warwick and Barbra Streisand, and Diana Ross was next on their list. All of the tracks of the Eaten Alive album were co-written by the Bee Gees, including Chain Reaction which would be overlooked by American audiences, as it charted poorly, but became a No.1 hit in Australia, Ireland, and the UK. Initially, the brothers were reluctant to offer the song to Diana Ross, as Barry Gibb would later comment: “Chain Reaction was never originally meant to be on the album. It was the last song we cut. We'd done the whole album and Diana said, well, we still need one more song from somewhere. We had Chain Reaction all along but didn't have the nerve to play it to her because it was so Motown-ish that we were scared she wouldn't go back there. Robin Gibb persuaded her by saying, we think it's time you did something that you would have done with the Supremes and not just Diana Ross. Once Diana had recorded it, she sat down and heard the playback and realized it was a credible tribute to the past”
November 28, 1984 ~ Tremaine Aldon Neverson, commonly known as singer, rapper, songwriter, producer Trey Songz, born in Petersburg, Virginia, USA ~ Released his debut album, I Gotta Make It, in 2005. Known for songs such as Ca't Help But Wait, Say Aah featuring Fabolous, Bottom's Up featuring Nicki Minaj, and Na Na. Has also collaborated with Twista, Yung Joc, Drake, Ace Hood, Toni Braxton, Mary J Blige, Lupe Fiasco, Waka Flocka Flame, Ty Dolla $ign, BoB, 50 Cent, and 2 Chainz
November 28, 1982 ~ Anthony Leonard Platt, commonly known as hip hop, Southern hip hop hype man, rapper, DJ Unk, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Considered a cornerstone of Atlanta rap, helpful in propelling Southern rap into mainstream. Platt has recorded two albums, Beat'n Down Yo Block released in 2006 and 2econd Season issued two years later. His debut album spawned two major hits, Walk It Out which reached No.10 Billboard Hot 100 and its followup 2 Step which reached No.24. The former is best known as a remix which included four additional verses featuring OutKast, Unk himself, and Jim Jones. Regarding Walk It Out, the rapper would later tell Billboard he was thrilled to be working with OutKast's André 3000: “I still can't believe that to this day. I never dreamed that he would get on a record like that because he's so powerful as far as hip-hop and music and everything, so it's a blessing. That was a dream come true. It was like doing a song with Michael Jackson.” Platt has also appeared as a featured artist on tracks by Johnta Austin, Montana, and Three 6 Mafia ~ Platt passed away in 2025November 28, 1977 ~ Country singer Barbara Mandrell releases Woman To Woman, lead single off her Love's Ups And Downs album ~ Stax/Volt songwriters Homer Banks, Eddie Marion and Henderson Thigpen had constructed the song as a phone call from one woman to her husband's mistress. It would first be offered to Inez Foxx, who declined as she did not like the spoken intro. Singer Shirley Brown, however, jumped at the chance and would take the song to the top of the Billboard R&B charts in 1974, making it the last big hit for the label. A few years later, Barbara Mandrell would record her countrified rendition, which was issued as the lead single off Love's Ups And Downs and reached No.4 Billboard Country. Mandrell's previous top 5 hit had also started as an R&B song, namely Married But Not To Each Other originally co-written and first recorded by Denise Lasalle