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 9, 2024 ~ Bebop, hard bop, jazz blues, soul jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson passed away in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA ~ Widely acknowledged as one of the all-time greatest alto saxophonists. Strongly influenced by Charlie Parker, yet Donaldson's distinctive style is remarkably bluesier than Parker's. Although he has worked as a sideman on early key bebop and hard bop recordings, notably with Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver, and Art Blakey, he is best known as a leader, usually with smaller ensembles and regularly employing an organist rather than a pianist. Sidemen who have passed through the ranks of Donaldson's ensembles, many of whom made their recording debut with the famed Blue Note Records label backing Donaldson, include Grant Green, Blue Mitchell, Curtis Fuller, Donald Byrd, Charles Earland, Stanley Turrentine, Horace Parlan, Baby Face Willette, Idris Muhammad, and Ray Barretto. Donaldson has recorded prolifically from the early 1950s onward, and is especially acclaimed for albums such as New Faces New Sounds, Blues Walk, Here 'Tis, Signifyin', Lush Life, and Sweet Lou ~ Donaldson was born in 1926November 9, 2023 ~ Producer Jim Vienneau, full name James Francis Vienneau, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for producing It's Only Make Believe for Conway Twitty. It would be Conway's breakout hit, reaching No.1 Billboard Hot 100 in 1958, and has become a classic of the genre recorded by over a hundred artists including Johnny Burnette, Paul Anka, Glen Campbell, Lynn Anderson, and Ronnie McDowell. Twitty would re-record the song as a duet with Loretta Lynn in 1971. Other well known songs produced by Vienneau include Vacation for Connie Francis, Teen Angel for Mark Dinning, and Whole Lotta Woman for Marvin Rainwater. Vienneau has also worked with Hank Williams Jr, Roy Orbison, Bob Gallion, Mel Tillis, and Billy Thunderkloud ~ Vienneau was born in 1926
November 9, 2022 ~ Bossa nova, tropicália, pop singer Gal Costa, full name Maria da Graça Costa Penna Burgos, passed away in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Duetted with Maria Bethânia on Sol Negra of the latter's 1965 debut album. Released Domingo, a collaborative album with Caetano Veloso, in 1967. Would score her first major hit with the Veloso-penned Baby the next year. The single would be included on her eponymous 1969 Gal Costa album, considered a classic in the tropicália genre. Has been recording steadily to critical acclaim and commercial succes since ~ Costa was born in 1945
November 9, 2022 ~ Garrick Roberts, commonly known as pop, rock guitarist Garry Roberts, passed away ~ Co-founded the Boomtown Rats with Johnnie Fingers, soon employing bassist Pete Briquette, guitarist Gerry Cott, drummer Simon Crowe and lead singer Bob Geldof. The band would score a number of hits in their native Ireland and the UK including Like Clockwork, Rat Trap, Banana Republic and their best known I Don't Like Mondays. After the band folded in 1985 Roberts would work as a sound engineer for acts such as Simply Red, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark and Flesh For Lulu ~ Roberts was born in 1954
November 9, 2021 ~ Composer John Kinsella passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Regarded as one of Ireland's most prolific symphonists of the 20th century. Closely associated with the TV channel RTE, serving as senior assistant in the music department since 1968. Co-founding member of Aosdana, an invite-only association of artists. As a composer strongly influenced by contemporary avant-garde, especially serialism. Known for works such as Two Pieces For String Orchestra, Montage and Montage II and for The Wayfarer Rhapsody On A Poem Of PH Pearse ~ Kinsella was born in 1932
November 9, 2017 ~ Charles Henry Mosley III, commonly known as singer, guitarist Chuck Mosley, passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Best known as frontman of Faith No More from 1984 to 1988, appearing on the albums We Care A Lot and Introduce Yourself. Formed Bad Brains. Formed Cement. Released solo albums backed by guests such as Jonathan Davis, John 5, Michael Carellone, Roddy Bottum, Imperial Teen, and Leah Lou. Joined industrial collective Primitive Race in 2017 ~ Mosley was born in 1959
November 9, 2017 ~ Rock, garage rock, hard rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Fred Cole, full name Frederick Lee Cole, passed away in Clackamas, Oregon, USA ~ Active from the mid 1960s well into the 2000s. First gained attention as a member of garage rock outfit the Weeds, known for their sole single It's Your Time released in 1966 and over time becoming a cult classic. The band would later be renamed to Lollipop Shoppe. Cole would go on to work with acts such as King Bee, Rats, Dead Moon, and Pierce Arrows ~ Cole was born in 1948
November 9, 2016 ~ Guitarist, composer, arranger Al Caiola passed away in Allendale, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked prolifically as a studio musician during the 1950s. Became a recording star in his own right in the 1960s, scoring hits such as The Magnificent Seven and Bonanza. Spanned a variety of music genres and has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Elvis Presley, Ray Conniff, Ferrante & Teicher, Frank Sinatra, Percy Faith, Buddy Holly, Mitch Miller, and Tony Bennett ~ Caiola was born in 1920
November 9, 2015 ~ Drummer Andy White, full name Andrew McLuckie White, passed away in Caldwell, New Jersey, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for temporarily filling in for the Beatles-drummer Ringo Starr on the band's Love Me Do and PS I Love You, respectively the A and B-side of their 1962 debut single. The band had recorded the songs earlier both with original drummer Pete Best and newcomer Starr, but all takes would leave manager George Martin dissatisfied. Starr is present on both recordings though, playing tambourine, maracas, bongos, but White serves as the main drummer. White would go on to session for a wide array of artists including Billy Fury, Herman's Hermits, Tom Jones (It's Not Unusual), Lulu, Rod Stewart, Anthony Newley, and Bert Weedon ~ White was born in 1930
November 9, 2012 ~ Singer Major Harris passed away in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Sang with R&B, doo-wop units such as the Charmers, the Teenagers, the Jarmels, and Nat Turner's Rebellion, before joining the Delfonics, taking over from Randy Cain. Harris remained with the group from 1971 through 1974, their most productive period. Following his departure, Harris has recorded four albums as a solo artist, starting with My Way which spawned his biggest hit Love Won't Let Me Wait, a 1975 Billboard R&B charttopper ~ Harris was born in 1947
November 9, 2011 ~ Songwriter Jimmy Duncan, full name James Ollie Duncan Jr, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Though a reasonably adept singer, Duncan would enjoy his greatest successes as a songwriter. Wrote I Asked The Lord, recorded by George Beverly Shea, Mahalia Jackson, the Cathedrals Quartet, and the Oak Ridge Boys. Wrote My Special Angel, a Billboard Country No.1 hit for Bobby Helms in 1957, later covered by Connie Francis, Johnny Burnette, Bobby Vinton and Wayne Newton. Co-wrote String Along with Bobby Doyle, recorded by Fabian, Ricky Nelson, and Gary Lewis & the Playboys ~ Duncan was born 1927November 9, 2010 ~ Country singer David Thompson passed away in Aylmer, Canada ~ As a solo artist known for a string of singles from the late 1970 through the mid-1980s including Rachel I'm Just Not That Strong, My Broken Old Heart and perhaps his best known I Never Figured On This. Joined Thunder Road in 1984 as lead singer ~ Thompson was born in 1950
November 9, 2008 ~ Zenzile Miriam Makeba, commonly known as singer, activist Miriam Makeba, passed away in Catel Volturno, Italy ~ Dubbed “Mama Africa” and considered an icon of African jazz, also well known as a fierce activist. Actively performing since the mid 1950s with acts such as the Cuban Brothers, Manhattan Brothers, and the all-female unit the Skylarks. A role in the 1959 Come Back Africa anti-apartheids film would gain her enough exposure to set her off on an international career. Has recorded well over a dozen albums, starting in the early 1960s. Shared a Grammy Award with mentor Harry Belafonte for the 1965 collaborative An Evening With Belafonte And Makeba album. Also especially noted for her 1967 Pata Pata album. Its Billboard Hot 100 top 20 title track, written by Makeba and Jerry Ragovoy, became a signature song and would be covered by over 50 artists ~ Makeba was born in 1932November 9, 2006 ~ Singer David Bowie gives his last public performance, singing at the second Annual KCA Black Ball fundraiser gala at the Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, New York ~ Ten years before his death, singer David Bowie gives his last public performance singing Wild Is The Wind, Fantastic Voyage, and Changes, the latter as a duet with Alicia Keys. Other musical performers that night were Keys, Damian Marley, and indie rock band Louis XIV. The event is to raise funds for the non-profit organization Keep A Child Alive, co-founded by Keys. The organization aims to provide healthcare, housing, and other support services to HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa and India
November 9, 2004 ~ R&B group Destiny's Child release Soldier featuring TI and Lil Wayne, lifted off their Destiny Fulfilled album ~ The final Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the band, peaking at No.3, as they would announce their disbandement the following year. Soldier received mostly positive reviews, though some critized the lyrical content with each of the trio's members taking a verse to describe what they were looking for in a man. Notably featuring rappers TI and Lil Wayne, the song would be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Following the trio's disbandement, both Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé would include the song in their set lists
November 9, 2002 ~ In its 4th week on the charts, Die Another Day by Madonna peaks at at No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ The singer breaks a record previously held by the Beatles, with now 35 American top 10 hits to her name. The theme song to the James Bond-film of the same name, Madonna's Die Another Day would be nominated for a Golden Globe Award and two Grammy Awards, top the charts in about half a dozen countries, and reach top 10 in numerous others. The previous film in the Bond-franchise, The World Is Not Enough, had been a box office hit, but the eponymous theme by alternative rockers Garbage bombed. Now, Madonna was MGM's first choice. As MGM Music VP Anita Camrata explained: “With every other artist, you're taking a chance. But with Madonna, she has an extraordinary track record. She has written songs for films before and they were always perfect.”
November 9, 1999 ~ Country singer Faith Hill releases Breathe, her first album to reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Hill's previous albums all made the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts, and especially This Kiss, lead single off her 1998 Faith, would gain her widespread attention. But it was her fourth, Breathe, that made Faith Hill a star. The first of three consecutive albums, followed by Cry and Fireflies, that topped both the Billboard Country album charts and the all-genre Billboard Hot 200. The singles Breathe and The Way You Love Me would both reach top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, with both also topping the Billboard Country charts. The album also earned the singer a Grammy Award for Best Country Album
November 9, 1998 ~ Rapper Juvenile releases 400 Degreez, his first album to chart on the Billboard Hot 200 ~ The New Orleans rapper's third album reached top 10 Billboard Hot 200, spawned his first major hit single, and would sell over 3 million copies in its first year. The album's third single, Back That Thang Up featuring guest rappers Mannie Fresh and Lil Wayne, reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100, top 10 on both the Billboard R&B and Billboard Rap charts. In 2020, some twenty years after its release Rolling Stone stated Juvenile's 400 Degreez “reorientated hip hop toward a new Southern Sound, adding new sonic textures that pop is still mining”
November 9, 1998 ~ Singer Monica releases Angel Of Mine, lifted off her The Boy Is Mine album ~ First recorded by British R&B girl group Eternal, whose 1997 single reached No.4 in the UK and did reasonably well across continental Europe. Rhett Lawrence, who co-wrote the song with Travon Potts, would slightly change the lyrics for Monica. Monica herself was unaware of the original version until she had recorded her own version of the song. For Monica, Angel Of Mine would be the third consecutive Billboard Hot 100 No.1 single off her sophomore album, preceded by The Boy Is Mine and The First Night. Potts would later comment on the American singer's version: “Rodney Jerkins did an incredible job on the production, and then Monica's interpretation, vocally, was incredible as well. She has such a big voice for someone so young”
November 9, 1997 ~ Jazz saxophonist Joe Roccisano, full name Joseph Lucian Rossicano, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Received a Grammy Award for arranging Green Earrings, recorded by Woody Herman for his 1978 Plays Chick Donald Walter And Woodrow album. Roccisano has recorded a handful of albums as a leader, noted particularly for The Shape I'm In released in 1993. As a sideman, he is present on albums by Don Ellis, Toshiko Akiyoshi (Long Yellow Road), the Manhattan Transfer, Frank Capp (Juggernaut Strikes Again), and Louie Bellson ~ Roccisano was born in 1939November 9, 1985 ~ Alternative rock, singer, guitarist, keyboardist Andy Skib born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Influenced by Sting and Jason Mraz. Lead singer, lead guitarist for the Midwest Kings, a band known best for including 2008 American Idol-winner David Cook in its line-up. Skib has also regulary appeared on Cook's solo outings, including the 2011 This Loud Morning album, and is known for his solo side project To Have Heroes
November 9, 1985 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, Miami Vice Theme by Jan Hammer hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Up to this point Jan Hammer had been well known to jazz, jazz fusion and rock enthusiasts, noted especially for his work with John McLaughlin in the Mahavishnu Orchestra, guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck, and a wide array of jazz artists including Al di Meola, John Abercrombie and Elvin Jones, yet it was the instrumental Miami Vice Theme that would make him a household name. Used as the theme to the hugely popular TV show, Miami Vice, centered around two police officers in a glitsy world of drug lords, drop-dead gorgeous women, fast cars, and fast boats in tropical Miami, the single would reach top of the charts and earn Hammer two Grammy Awards for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Instrumental Composition. The music video shot for Miami Vice Theme shows Hammer as a fugitive on the run, chased by the show's main characters detectives Crockett and Tubbs with Hammer making an escape in a helicopter. Hammer's Miami Vice Theme would remain his sole charting Billboard Hot 100 single, yet he continued to be an in-demand composer for soundtracks
November 9, 1984 ~ Country, country pop singer Chris Lane, full name Christoper Eric Lane, born in Kernersville, North Carolina, USA ~ Debuted in 2012 with his Let's Ride album. Known for songs such as The Fix, For Her, Take Back Home Girl featuring Tori Kelly, I Don't Know About You and Big Big Plans, all of which reached top 20 Billboard Country. Lane has served as support act for the likes of the Band Perry, the Eli Young Band, Lee Brice, and Brantley Gilbert
November 9, 1984 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, actress Delta Goodrem, full name Delta Lea Goodrem, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Signed at age 15. Debuted in 2003 with the album Innocent Eyes, and has recorded to commercial success since. The debut album would become one of Australia's all-time best selling albums with over four million copies sold, top the album charts for nearly thirty non-consecutive weeks, and spawn five No.1 hit singles starting with Born To Try. Subsequent albums would produce hits such as Almost Here featuring Brian McFadden, In This Life, and Wings
November 9, 1981 ~ Michael David Larsen, commonly known as alternative rap, rap rock rapper, poet, songwriter Eyedea, born in St Paul, Minnesota, USA ~ Freestyle pioneer. As a solo artist recorded under the moniker Oliver Hart. Following his win at the KRS One-hosted Blaze Battle in 2000, declined an offer from Sean Combs, offering him a higher cut, preferring to remain with the fledging Rhymesayers Entertainment label instead. Released his sole full-length The Many Faces Of Oliver Hart (Or How Eye One The Write Too Think) album two years later. Formed the hip-hop duo Eyedea & Abilities with DJ Abilities, recording three more albums through the end of the decade. Following his death at age 28, several hip hop artists paid homage, perhaps most notably close friend Murs in the song I Miss Mikey of his 2015 Have A Nice Life album. Larsen's music is often described as thoughtful and philosophical while still providing a live aesthetic ~ Larsen passed away in 2010
November 9, 1981 ~ Pop rock outfit Men At Work release their Business As Usual debut album in their native Australia ~ Men At Work had started as an acoustic duo, consisting of singer Colin Hay and guitarist Ron Strykert, playing the Australian pubs until they were discovered by an American working for CBS Records. The band's Business As Usual debut album would be a smash hit at home, spending nine weeks atop the Australian album charts, as well as abroad, holding the No.1 spot in the UK for five weeks, and topping the American Billboard Hot 200 album charts for fifteen, at the time a record for a debut album. The album spawned two major international hits, Who Can It Be Now and Down Under. Both singles were accompanied by simple yet humorous and highly effective music videos, with heavy rotation on MTV helping each single reach the top of the American Billboard Hot 100 charts. The success of Business As Usual also helped the band land a BRIT Award nomination for Best International Artist and win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The band would record two more albums, spawning a few more international hits, before disbanding in the mid-1980s, though they have reunited from time to time