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 3, 2024 ~ Jazz, pop, R&B trumpeter, conductor, bandleader, arranger, producer, songwriter Quincy Jones, full name Quincy Delight Jones Jr, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ One of the most revered musical icons of the 20th century with a career spanning eight decades, earning him over two dozen Grammy Awards. Rose to prominence in the 1950s as jazz arranger and bandleader, branching out into pop the following decade. Jones has recorded some 50 albums since the mid 1950s, and is particularly acclaimed for the albums This Is How I Feel About Jazz, The Birth Of A Band, Walking In Space, Gula Matari, and Smackwater Jack. Well known soundtracks composed or produced by Jones include The Pawnbroker, The Italian Job, The Wiz, and the highly acclaimed The Color Purple. To pop audiences, Jones is best known for his 1981 album The Dude, which featured musicians such as Patti Austin, Herbie Hancock, and James Ingram, and for producing Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad, three of Michael Jackson's biggest albums. Over the course of his lengthy career, Jones has collaborated with numerous artists including Lionel Hampton, Gigi Gryce, Clifford Brown, Art Farmer, Betty Carter, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie (Afro), Dinah Washington, Roy Haynes, Ray Charles (The Genius of Ray Charles), Louis Jordan, Lesley Gore, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin (Spirit In The Dark), Billy Preston, Paul Simon, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and the Brothers Johnson ~ Jones was born in 1933
November 3, 2023 ~ Rock bassist Pete Garner passed away ~ Original bassist for the Stone Roses. Garner remained with the band from 1983 through 1987, appearing on several of the band's early singles including So Young, Tell Me, and the UK top 10 hit Elephant Stone, prior to the band's rise to fame, sans Garner, in the late 1980s. Upon hearing of his death the band's lead singer Ian Brown commented: “Few loved music as much as Pete. He had been bathing in music since Anarchy In The UK came out. Pete was off the scale nice, an old nice that you just don't get no more.” ~ Garner was born in 1964November 3, 2022 ~ Music journalist, author Colin Irwin, full name Colin Lester Irwin, passed away ~ Best known as journalist and editor for Melody Maker from the mid 1970s through the mid-1980s. Would go on to work as a music critic for the Guardian, Mojo, the Daily Telegraph, and the Independent. Irwin has also authored a number of books, including biographies of the Dire Straits, ABBA, and Leonard Cohen ~ Irwin was born in 1951
November 3, 2022 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Gerd Dudek, full name Gerhard Rochus Dudek, passed away ~ Brother of bandleader Ossi Dudek, with whom he also worked. Would go on to work with Kurt Edelhagen, Manfred Schoof, the Globe Unity Orchestra, the Berliner Jazz Quintet, Karl Blume, Alexander von Schlippenbach, Loek Dikker, Wolfgang Dauner, Branislav Lala Kovacev, Don Cherry, and George Russell ~ Dudek was born in 1938
November 3, 2022 ~ Soul, R&B singer Noel McKoy passed away in London, UK ~ Cited the Beatles, Dennis Brown and Chaka Khan as influences. Recorded half a dozen albums, starting with Full Circle (Within A Spiritual Social Soul) released in 1993. Known for songs such as I'm Lucky, Family, Jealousy and Liberation, the latter featuring UB40 saxophonist Brian Travers and reggae-fusion trumpeter Patrick Anthony ~ McKoy was born ca.1960
November 3, 2021 ~ Georges Mayer Dahan, commonly known as pop singer Georgie Dann, passed away in Madrid, Spain ~ Enjoyed popularity in Spain during the 1970s and 1980s with upbeat, catchy and danceable songs such as El Bimbo, Carnaval Carnaval, El Dinosaurio and Mi Cafetal. Dann was honored in the song Que Vuelva Ya Georgie Dann, recorded by La Banda Del Capitán Canalla ~ Dahan was born in 1940
November 3, 2018 ~ Singer Ariana Grande releases Thank U (Next), lead single off the album of the same name ~ A celebratory ode to her failed relationships, with Ariana Grande specifically mentioning her previous boyfriends rapper Big Sean, backup dancer Ricky Alvarez, the late Mac Miller, and comedian Pete Davidson, the singer thanks her exes for helping her find herself. Grande has stated the song's title comes from the phrase “thank you, next”, something she and frequent songwriting partner Victoria Monét used to say, the phrase since becoming part of the common vernacular and inspiring numerous internet memes. Thank U (Next) would top the charts in nearly two dozen countries, including on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her first American No.1 hit. Additionally, the following February with the single still at No.3 Billboard Hot 100, and Break Up With Your Girlfriend (I'm Bored) at No.2 and 7 Rings atop the chart, Grande became the first artist in over 50 years to occupy the three top spots, a feat previously accomplished by the Beatles in 1964November 3, 2017 ~ Operatic tenor Gaetano Bardini passed away in Cecina, Italy ~ Italian tenor, popular in the Czech Republic. Known for recordings with conductors such as Jan Stych and Ino Savini, orchestras such as the Prague Smetana, the Brno State Opera and the Prague Chamber Orchestra ~ Bardini was born in 1926
November 3, 2014 ~ Conductor, composer, arranger, TV personality Augusto Martelli passed away in Milan, Italy ~ Best known as a composer for film and TV and as a host of various TV shows, especially on Canale 5 ~ Martelli was born in 1940
November 3, 2012 ~ Soprano singer Anne-Lise Berntsen passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Best known for her association with Nils-Henrik Asheim, notably on the Engleskyts albums Engleskyts and Kom Regin ~ Berntsen was born in 1943
November 3, 2010 ~ Musical composer Jerry Bock, full name Jerrold Lewis Bock, passed away in Mount Kisco, New York, USA ~ Frequent writing partner of lyricist Sheldon Harnick, the duo acclaimed for musicals such as Fiorello, Fiddler On The Roof, and The Apple Tree. Bock spoke at the funeral of Fiddler playwright Joseph Stein just 10 days before his own death at age 81 ~ Bock was born in 1928
November 3, 2007 ~ Singer Joe Verscharen passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Original member of doo-wop outfit the Skyliners, known for songs such as This I Swear, Pennies From Heaven, It Happened Today, Close Your Eyes, Comes Love and their best known Since I Don't Have You, the latter reaching the Billboard top 20 in 1958 ~ Verscharen was born in 1940
November 3, 2006 ~ Composer, conductor Paul Mauriat passed away in Perpignan, France ~ Closely associated with French icons Charles Aznavour and Maurice Chevalier. Composed with collaborators such as Andre Pascal, Frank Pourcel, Jacques Plante, Raymond Lefèvre. Internationally best known for songs such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Love In Every Room, and for his late 1960s American No.1 hit record Love Is Blue (l'Amour Est Bleu), originally by André Popp ~ Mauriat was born in 1925
November 3, 1998 ~ Country singer Tim McGraw releases For A Little While, lifted off his Everywhere album ~ Tim McGraw reminisces about a particular summer with a woman who is no longer with him, but is thankful for the times they had together. The song would be critically well-received, Billboard praising the rolling piano, sturdy fiddle, and out-in-front guitar which make the strong melody come alive, yet stress that it is McGraw's vocal “what really sells this song”. Retrospectively, Country Universe would mark For A Little While, his sixth and final single off Everywhere, as the most historically significant of the bunch, “given that it's the blueprint for countless Kenny Chesney hits that followed”. For A Little While would peak at No.2 Billboard Country. All five previous singles from the same album, It's Your Love, Everywhere, Just To See You Smile, One Of These Days, and Where The Green Grass Grows, had also reached top 10
November 3, 1995 ~ Jazz, pop, film composer Bojan Adamic passed away in Ljubljana, Slovenia ~ Member of the Slovenian resistance during World War II. First conductor of the RTV Slovenia Big Band, established in 1945. As a composer would venture from jazz to film scores, composing scores for over an estimated 200 films ~ Adamic was born in 1912November 3, 1995 ~ Sidney Edward Pollacsek, commonly known as songwriter, actor, radio and TV producer Edward Pola, passed away in Jackson County, Oregon, USA ~ As a songwriter known for songs such as My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes (Lawrence Welk), Marching Along Together (Ray Noble), Quicksilver (Doris Day), and I Love The Way You Say Goodnight (Doris Day). Probably best known for co-writing It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year with frequent collaborator George Wyle, the song would be first recorded by Andy Williams and become a Holiday classic covered by well over 250 artists ~ Pollacsek was born in 1907
November 3, 1994 ~ Ella Mai Howell, commonly known as R&B, hip-hop, pop singer, songwriter Ella Mai, born in London, UK ~ Released her debut album, Ella Mai, in 2018. Best known for songs such as Boo'd Up and Trip. Collaborated with artists such as Meek Mill, Usher, John Legend, and Ed Sheeran
November 3, 1992 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, songwriter George S Davis passed away in London, Kentucky, USA ~ Dubbed “the Singing Miner” for his day job as a coal miner. Known for pro union, laborer's songs including Buggerman In The Bushes, Coal Miner's Boogie and When Kentucky Had No Union Men. Claimed the Merle Travis hit and country standard Sixteen Tons was based on his composition Nine-to-ten Tons, though there is no evidence supporting this claim ~ Davis was born in 1906
November 3, 1991 ~ Songwriter, singer, pianist Mort Shuman passed away in London, UK ~ Wrote or co-wrote numerous 1960s hits for artists such as Dion & the Belmonts (A Teenager In Love), the Flamingos, Andy Williams (Can't Get Used To Losing You), Bobby Darin, Fabian (Turn Me Loose), the Drifters (Save The Last Dance For Me, Sweets For My Sweet), Elvis Presley (Little Sister, (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame, Viva Las Vegas), the Small Faces, and Cilla Black ~ Shuman was born in 1938
November 3, 1986 ~ Edward F Davis, commonly known as saxophonist Eddie Lockjaw Davis, passed away in Culver City, California, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity throughout the big band, bebop, R&B, and soul-jazz eras. Has recorded prolifically as a leader or co-leader since the mid 1950s, noted especially for the albums Very Saxy, Goin' To The Meetin', and Streetlights, and is well known for his work with Count Basie, appearing on at least some two dozen Basie albums including the landmark The Atomic Mr Basie album. An in-demand sideman throughout his four-decade spanning career, Davis has appeared on numerous albums perhaps most notably with Bennie Green (Trombone By Three), Sonny Criss, JJ Johnson, Dinah Washington (After Hourse With Miss D), Fats Navarro (Nostalgia), Arnett Cobb, Johnny Griffin, Coleman Hawkins (In A Mellow Mood), Carmen McRae, Junior Mance, Charlie Parker, Harry Sweets Edison, and Milt Jackson. Several theories as to how Davis got his nickname “Lockjaw” have been put forward, perhaps the most persistent tale being it came from his way of biting hard on the saxophone moutpiece ~ Davis was born in 1922
November 3, 1984 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run) by Billy Ocean hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 for the first of two consecutive weeks ~ Initially issued in Europe as European Queen (No More Love On The Run), the single had only limited success. However, when retitled and reissued as Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run), the single took off, reaching the top 10 in over half a dozen countries. It also earned Billy Ocean a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, making him the first Brit to win in that category. Issued as Ocean's first single for Jive Records, which at the time carried acts such as A Flock Of Seagulls and Roman Holliday, it also gave the label their first major American hit. Over the next few years though, the British-American label expanded into hip-hop, signing American acts such as Whodini, Kool Moe Dee and DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Ocean would go on to score two more Billboard Hot 100 charttoppers, both also recorded for the Jive Records label, There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) in 1986, and Get Outta My Dreams (Get Into My Car) in 1988November 3, 1983 ~ Conductor, composer Alfredo Antonini passed away in Clearwater, Florida, USA ~ Student of Arturo Toscanini. Worked with the Pan-American Orchestra, the Columbia Concert Orchestra, Nestor Mesta Cháyres, Terig Tucci, Juan Arvizu, Elas Miranda, the New York Philharmonic, Eileen Farrell, Robert Merrill, and the CBS Orchestra ~ Antonini was born in 1901
November 3, 1981 ~ Gospel, CCM, urban contemporary gospel singer, organist, songwriter Bryan Andrew Wilson born in Danville, Illinois, USA ~ Known for His Eye Is On The Sparrow. Resurfaced after a decade in 2014 with the acclaimed album The One Percent, spawning the hits Turning Away and Overflow
November 3, 1980 ~ Country singer, guitarist, fiddler, upright bassist, songwriter Joey Allcorn born in Columbus, Georgia, USA ~ Traditionalist influenced by older country artists such as Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, Faron Young and Lefty Frizzell, as well as by modern-day artists such as BR5-49, Wayne Hancock, Robbie Fulks and Dale Watson. Debuted in 2006 with the 50 Years Too Late album featuring appearances by Hank Williams III, Those Poor Bastards, Johnny Hiland, Donnie Herron and Walt Cunningham. Has since also worked with Lloyd Green, Hank Singer, Dave Roe, and Don Helms
November 3, 1979 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, Pop Muzik by M hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Considered a one-hit wonder in America, Robin Scott actually already had a lengthy career in music starting in the early 1970s prior to conceiving the M-project. Scott has stated he chose the moniker “M” as a “cynical reflection of contemporary politics” while it also had a strong curiosity factor. Pop Muzik was initially recorded in R&B and funk styles before a friend of Scott's suggested using synthesizers. The single would reach top 10 across the globe, including the No.1 spot in over half a dozen countries. It would be one of the first synthesizer-heavy singles to top the Billboard Hot 100. The song drew heavily from both European disco such as Giorgio Moroder and American funk and R&B such as Earth Wind & Fire. Scott has later stated on the song: “I was looking to make a fusion of various styles which somehow would summarise the last 25 years of pop music. It was a deliberate point I was trying to make. Whereas rock and roll had created a generation gap, disco was bringing people together on an enormous scale. That's why I really wanted to make a simple, bland statement, which was, ‘All we're talking about basically (is) pop music’”