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 6, 2023 ~ Indie pop singer Sean Martin passed away ~ Lead singer for indie pop outfit the Night Café, formed with childhood friends while still in school. The band was named for the Vincent van Gogh painting of the same name, originally titled Le Café de Nuit. The band has opened for Sundara Karma and the Wombats, released their Get Away From The Feeling debut EP in 2017, followed by a full-length 0151 debut album in 2019. Well-known songs include Growing Up and Addicted ~ Martin was born ca.1997
November 6, 2022 ~ Ali Mahammed, commonly known as Oromo, world music singer, guitarist, songwriter Ali Birra, passed away in Adama, Ethiopia ~ Regarded as the most popular Oromo icon, an ethnic group mostly native to the Oromia region. Other than in his native Oromo language Birra also sang in Amharic, Harari and Somali. Actively recording since the early 1970s. Well known songs include Hin Yaadin, Asabalee, Ammalelee, and Gamachu ~ Mahammed was born in 1950November 6, 2022 ~ Singer, keyboardist Don Lewis passed away in Pleasonton, California, USA ~ Best known for creating an instrument called the LEO, short for Live Electronic Orchestra, which integrated multiple instruments under a single controller and predated the MIDI controller by ten years. As a musician has collaborated with artists such as Quincy Jones, Sérgio Mendes, and Michael Jackson. Opened for the Beach Boys on their 1974 tour ~ Lewis was born in 1941
November 6, 2021 ~ Keyboardist, bassist Andy Barker passed away in Manchester, UK ~ Member of 808 State, notably present on the 1988 Quadrastate EP. Would go on to record a small number of songs under the monikers Atlas and Benaco ~ Barker was born in 1968
November 6, 2021 ~ Terence Wilson, commonly known as rapper, toaster, singer, drummer Astro, passed away ~ Member of UB40 from 1979 through 2013, present on the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Red Red Wine and Can't Help Falling In Love. His nickname comes from his childhood, wearing a pair of Dr Martens boots of a model named “Astronaut” ~ Wilson was born in 1957
November 6, 2016 ~ Virtuoso pianist, conductor, composer Zoltan Kocsis passed away in Budapest, Hungary ~ Considered an expert on the works of Béla Bartók, whose entire works he recorded. Also included in his oeuvre are works by Claude Debussy, noted for his early 1990s recording of Images, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johann Sebastian Bach. A celebrated soloist the world over, Kocsis has performed with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Staatskapelle Dresden. Kocsis is also known for co-founding the Budapest Festival Orchestra with Iván Fischer ~ Kocsis was born in 1952November 6, 2014 ~ Singer, flutist Maggie Boyle passed away ~ Worked with John Renbourn, Ship Of Fools, Grace Note, Steve Tilston, Incantation, the Sergeant Early Band, Ralph McTell, Jez Lowe, Pete Coe, Paul Downes, Jon Boden, Peter Bellamy, Bert Jansch, John McCormick, John Drury, Gordon Tyrrall, Mike Deavin, Pauline Cato, Damien Barber, and Mick Ryan ~ Boyle was born in 1956
November 6, 2013 ~ Rockabilly singer, guitarist Clyde Stacy, full name Haskell XClyde Stacy, passed away in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA ~ Credited as a founder of the “Tulsa sound” and known for a handful of 1950s singles, notably So Young released in 1957. Stacy has opened for artists such as Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline, eventually mostly retiring from music by the mid 1970s ~ Stacy was born in 1936
November 6, 2011 ~ Pianist, composer Gordon Beck, full name Gordon James Beck, passed away in Ely, UK ~ Worked with Don Byas, was in Gyroscope with Tubby Hayes and Jeff Clyne, played with Tony Oxley, Helen Merrill, Phil Woods, played as house pianist at the famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, played funk with George Gruntz's six-keyboard outfit the Piano Conclavo, free jazz with drummer John Stevens, was briefly a member of Nucleus, and also played with Allan Holdsworth, Henri Texier, and Didier Lockwood ~ Beck was born in 1936
November 6, 2007 ~ Henry William Thompson, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Hank Thompson passed away in Keller, Texas, USA ~ Smooth baritone vocals backed by the Brazos Valley Boys, a hybrid of fiddles, electric guitars, steel guitars. Had his first hit in 1952 with The Wild Side Of Life. It contained the memorable line “I didn't know God made honky tonk angels”, solliciting the JD Miller-penned It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Also known for songs such as Whoa Sailor, Waiting In The Lobby Of Your Heart, Rub-a-dub-dub, and Wake Up Irene ~ Thompson was born in 1925November 6, 2006 ~ Actor, singer, songwriter Miguel Aceves Mejía passed away in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Enjoyed popularity during the golden age of Mexican film. Dubbed “the God of Ranchera” starred in over 60 films and recorded over 1,500 songs. Known for songs such as El Pastor, Se Me Hizo Fácil, Yo Tenia Un Chorro De Voz, Vaya Con Dios, La Malagueña Salerosa, Cuatro Caminos, El Pescado Nadador, and Oh Gran Dios ~ Mejía was born in 1915
November 6, 2004 ~ Peter A Ceragioli, commonly known as jazz pianist, acccordionist Pete Jolly, passed away in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Worked with Howard Roberts, Shorty Rogers, Jan Lundgren, Buddy DeFranco, Art Pepper, Red Norvo, Ray Conniff, Herb Alpert, Ralph Peña, Chuck Berghofer, Larry Bunker, Milt Holland, Elmer Bernstein, Kenny Burrell, Buddy Collette, Joni James, JJ Johnson, Quincy Jones, Johnny Mandel, Gerry Mulligan, Jack Nitzsche, and Tom Waits ~ Ceragioli was born in 1932
November 6, 2001 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases Son Of A Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You) featuring Carly Simon and Missy Elliott, lifted off her All For You album ~ Written and produced by Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song is built around a sample of Carly Simon's 1972 hit You're So Vain. Jackson had asked Simon for permission to sample her signature song, but Simon insisted on re-recording her vocals. Simon added some new lines, earning her co-writing credit, and rapped her parts in a demo version, initially thinking they would not use the demo version. Jackson, Jam and Lewis, however, were thrilled and decided to marry both tracks, effectively turning the song into a duet. Reviews for the end result were mixed as some called it a highlight of the album while others criticized Simon for attempting to rap. Commercially, the single which also featured Missy Elliott underperformed, partly due to Jackson's label abruptly ending the promotional campaign for the All For You parent album as they struggled with financial difficulties. Son Of A Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You) peaked at No.28 Billboard Hot 100, making it the singer's first single in over a decade to miss the top 10. It did do significantly better in the UK though, where it reached No.13November 6, 1997 ~ Kevin Paul Godfrey, commonly known as post-punk, indie rock, alternative rock singer, percussionist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Epic Soundtracks, passed away in London, UK ~ Brother of Nikki Sudden, his bandmate in post-punk outfit Swell Maps. Member of Crime & the City Solution and These Immortal Souls. Would focus on his solo career from the early 1990s onwards, especially acclaimed for the 1992 Rise Above album ~ Godfrey was born in 1959
November 6, 1995 ~ Country singer Faith Hill releases It Matters To Me, lifted off her sophomore album of the same name ~ Hill's 1993 debut album had spawned two Billboard Country No.1 hits, Wild One, and Piece Of My Heart. The title track of her It Matters To Me sophomore album, written by Ed Hill and Mark D Sanders, would be her third. At the time, Cashbox noted that Faith Hill had done well with uptempo songs, but could also deliver a powerful ballad just as well. It Matters To Me would be Hill's third Billboard Country No.1. It would also be her first single to cross over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it reached No.74. Cashbox would turn out to be right, over the next few years Hill scored two massive crossover hits with ballads, This Kiss would reach No.7 Billboard Hot 100, and Breathe peaked at No.2
November 6, 1995 ~ Singer Tina Turner releases GoldenEye, recorded as the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name ~ Initially Depeche Mode were approached to do a theme song for the upcoming James Bond film, but as the band could not meet the schedule the film's producers turned to Tina Turner. U2's Bono and the Edge where brought in to write the song, while Nellee Hooper, perhaps best known for his work with Massive Attack, signed on for the production. Despite critical acclaim, Billboard praising the “glorious over-the-top James Bond theme”, GoldenEye failed to make the American charts, bubbling under the Billboard Hot 100 at No.102. However, commercially it was a success in Europe, where Turner had a large and devoted following, reaching the top 10 in over a dozen countries
November 6, 1995 ~ Singer Whitney Houston releases Exhale (Shoop Shoop), recorded for the soundtrack of the romantic comedy drama Waiting To Exhale ~ Whitney Houston had been recruited to play the female lead in Waiting To Exhale, a romantic comedy-drama based on the 1992 novel of the same name. Initially Houston was reluctant to record any songs at all for its soundtrack, as she aimed to focus on her acting career instead. However, when Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, sole songwriter of Exhale (Shoop Shoop), played her the song, she agreed. Issued as the soundtrack's lead single, it would become Houston's 11th and final Billboard Hot 100 hit. Edmonds would later comment on how the song came to be: “When Whitney first heard the song, she figured I'd lost it, I couldn't come up with words anymore. And, actually she's right. I couldn't think of anything for that particular part. It felt like it should groove there. But I knew it couldn't groove without any vocals, so I started humming along with it and that's what happened. The ‘shoops’ came. But they felt so good, I though‘Why not?’ It doesn't have to mean anything”
November 6, 1990 ~ Singer Madonna releases Justify My Love, co-written and co-produced by Lenny Kravitz ~ Originally written by Lenny Kravitz, with additional lyrics by Madonna. Kravitz also co-produced the song with André Betts. Singer, songwriter Ingrid Chavez claimed and was given co-writing credits after filing a law suit, eventually reaching an out of court settlement. The song's video flirted with images of sadomasochism, voyeurism, and bisexuality, which had the video banned from major networks including MTV. Nevertheless, Justify My Love, which drew from hip hop, dance, trip hop, and pop, reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies within months. The track would be included on Madonna's 1990 The Immaculate Collection compilation albumNovember 6, 1989 ~ Richard Dorian Goodman, commonly known as producer Dickie Goodman, passed away in North Carolina, USA ~ Half of producer, songwriter duo Buchanan & Goodman with Bill Buchanan. Known for novelty records. One of the first to use the “break-ins” and mash-ups, an early precursor to sampling as evidenced on the 1956 single The Flying Saucer (Back To Earth) ~ Goodman was born in 1934
November 6, 1987 ~ Composer Jean Rivier, full name Alexis Fernand Félix Jean Rivier, passed away in La Penne-sur-Huveane, France ~ Best known for his flute compositions, though Rivier has composed over two hundred works including symphonies, chamber music, concertos, choral music, and works for solo instruments. A neo-classical composer active until his death, Rivier's music was often eclipsed by increasingly avant-garde compositions of more progressive French composers. Rivier also served as professor of composition at the Paris Conservatory, Paris, from 1948 until his retirement nearly two decades later, notable students include Gareth Walters, Pedro Ipuche Riva, and Gerd Boder ~ Rivier waws born in 1896November 6, 1986 ~ Pianist Lili Kraus passed away in Asheville, North Carolina, USA ~ Studied with Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók. Earned critical international acclaim in the 1930s through her chamber music performances, often collaborating with violinist Szymon Goldberg. Regarded as a specialist in the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Kraus was born in 1903
November 6, 1985 ~ Christopher Daniels Miller, commonly known as rapper, songwriter YC, born in Decatur, Georgia, USA ~ Member of rap group the Block Boyz. As a solo artist best known for his 2011 Racks debut single featuring Future and its follow-up I Know featuring Ace Hood, both included on his I Got Racks debut album. Miller has also guested on recordings by POLO, Gorilla Zoe, the Rich Kids, Gucci Mane, and Waka Flocka Flame
November 6, 1981 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Graham Colton born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ First gained attention in the early 2000s playing the bars and coffee houses in the Dallas area, quickly becoming a local favorite, scoring national tours as support act for Better Than Ezra and the Counting Crows, and releasing the 2002 indie eponymous Graham Colton album. Would release his major-label Brendan O'Brien-produced Drive debut in 2004 and has recorded to a growing and devoted fanbase since
November 6, 1976 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, Rock'n Me by the Steve Miller Band hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as the second single off Fly Like An Eagle, Rock'n Me was warmly received by critics. Billboard described the song as “catchy and highly humorous” while Cashbox said it drew from “the best of rock & roll over the last ten years”. Rock'n Me would spend 18 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 including one week at the top spot, making it the band's second American No.1 hit after The Joker off their previous album. Miller has acknowledged he took the intro and guitar riff from Free's All Right Now, a song he had picked up while in the UK: “Yeah, it's a tack on the wall for (Free guitarist) Paul Kossoff”
November 6, 1971 ~ In its 16th week on the charts, Tired Of Being Alone by Al Green peaks at No.11 Billboard Hot 100 ~ This song came to Al Green when he woke up early the morning after a show in Detroit, Michigan, and he completed writing it in half an hour. However, Hi-Records producer Willie Mitchell wasn't keen on Green performing his own material. Green would later recall: “I was toting my song around in my pocket for days on end, saying, ‘Hey, I got a song.’ Finally, at the end of the session, I said, ‘Well, I still got a song’.” Tired Of Being Alone would become his first hit, reaching No.7 Billboard R&B and peaking just outside the top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Through the mid 1970s, Green would regularly score hits with songs he co-wrote, usually teaming up with Willie Mitchell, Al Jackson Jr or Teenie Hodges
November 6, 1971 ~ R&B outfit Sly & the Family Stone release Family Affair, lifted off their There's A Riot Goin' On album ~ The band's third and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, preceded by Everyday People and Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin). The single would top the Billboard R&B charts for five weeks, and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 for three. To this day, Family Affair stands as one of the era's best remembered funk tracks and most certainly one of its most influential, helpful in defining 1970s funk. Family Affair has been revived from time to time, with notable covers recorded by Gwen Guthrie, Shabba Ranks, Iggy Pop, Michael Franti, Steve Winwood, and Paul Weller. Its drum machine-created rhythm would also be duplicated in several 1970s tracks, including You Haven't Done Nothin' by Stevie Wonder