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.
October 16, 2025 ~ Paul Daniel Frehley, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal guitarist, bassist, singer Ace Frehley, passed away ~ Best known as co-founding member, lead guitarist of Kiss, remaining with the band through 1982 and present on hits such as Rock & Roll All Nite, Beth, Calling Dr Love, and perhaps their best known I Was Made For Lovin' You. Frehley would rejoin the band in 1996. As a solo artist well over half a dozen albums to his name, starting with the eponymous Ace Frehley album released in 1978 ~ Frehley was born in 1951October 16, 2025 ~ Horst Nussbaum, commonly known as pop, schlager, disco singer, producer, songwriter Jack White passed away ~ Best known for his association with several 1980s, 1990 artists, serving as producer, songwriter for the likes of Laura Branigan (Control), Engelbert Humperdinck, Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora (When The Rain Begins To Fall), David Hasselhoff, Barry Manilow, Hazell Dean, and Audrey Landers ~ Nussbaum was born in 1940
October 16, 2025 ~ Saxophonist Klaus Doldinger, full name Klaus Erich Dieter Doldinger, passed away ~ Best known as founder, frontman, constant member of long-running outfit Passport, active since the early 1970s. Especially in its early days, the jazz-fusion outfit was critically regarded as “the European the Weather Report” for its influence. Doldinger is also well known for numerous film scores, perhaps most notably for the 1981 cult film Das Boot. Its characteric lead melody would later be used by rave group U96 for their 1991 Das Boot debut single ~ Doldinger was born in 1936
October 16, 2024 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Liam Payne, full name Liam James Payne, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Member of boy band One Direction. The Irish-English boy band was conceived and assembled through the talent show The X-Factor in 2010 to become one of the all-time best-selling boy bands, releasing five albums until their definite hiatus in 2016, all albums reaching top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic. Well-known songs include What Makes You Beautiful, Live While We're Young, Best Song Ever, and Story Of My Life. Payne would debut as a solo artist with the 2017 single Strip That Down featuring Quavo, which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Payne has since collaborated with Zedd, Rita Ora, J Balvin, French Montana, and Jonas Blue, and released his full-length solo album LP1 in 2019. At the time of his death, Payne was working on his sophomore album ~ Payne was born in 1993
October 16, 2023 ~ Film composer Gennady Gladkov, full name Gennady Igorevich Gladkov, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Renowned Russian film composer with well over two dozen soundtracks to his name, including for the 1969 animated 20 minute film The Bremen Town Musicians. Based on the characters of a fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers, the film would become a cult hit in the Soviet Union because of its memorable soundtrack influenced by Western rock & roll. Two sequels would be made, On The Trail Of The Bremen Town Musicians in 1973 and The New Bremen Town Musicians in 2000, both also scored by Gladkov ~ Gladkov was born in 1935
October 16, 2021 ~ TV composer, pianist Alan Hawkshaw, full name William Alan Hawkshaw, passed away ~ Best known as a composer of theme tunes, notably for the children's TV show Grange Hill and the TV game show Countdown. Scored a 1979 Billboard Dance No.1 hit with Here Comes That Sound Again with his disco group Love De-luxe. Has also worked as a session musician and collaborator, including with Emile Ford, the Shadows, Olivia Newton-John, Serge Gainsbourg, Cliff Richard, and Donna Summer ~ Hawkshaw was born in 1937
October 16, 2021 ~ Rock, country drummer Ron Tutt, full name Ronald Ellis Tutt, passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand session and touring drummer. Best known as member of Elvis Presley's backing band the TCB Band from 1969 until Presley's death in 1977. Also appeared on Billy Joel's 1973 breakthrough album Piano Man and it's 1974 follow-up album Streetlife Serenade. Toured with several of Jerry Garcia's side projects, including the Jerry Garcia Band and Legion Of Mary. Has also worked with Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, the Carpenters, Roy Orbison, and Silverado ~ Tutt was born in 1938
October 16, 2020 ~ John Bush Shinn III, commonly known as country, honky-tonk, western swing singer, guitarist, drummer, fiddler, songwriter Johnny Bush, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Nicknamed “the Country Caruso”, after singer Enrico Caruso. Wrote and first recorded Whiskey River, later successfuly covered by Willie Nelson. First gained attention when he joined Ray Price's backing unit the Cherokee Cowboys in 1963. Debuted as a solo artist with the album The Sound Of A Heartache in 1967 and has been recording to critical acclaim and commercial succes since ~ Shinn was born in 1935
October 16, 2017 ~ Rock, punk drummer Iain Shedden passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Spent most of his career working as a journalist, with music on the side. As a musician active since the early 1980s, his first band being the Jolt enjoying some regional popularity in Scotland. Toured Europe with the Saints in 1982, rejoining them later throughout the remainder of the decade. Has also drummed for the Snakes Of Shake and Summerhill. After relocating to Australia in the early 1990s initially sought employment as a musician yet with opportunities limited worked as music editor at the Australian until his unexpected death caused by an aneurysm ~ Shedden was born in 1957
October 16, 2015 ~ Rock, country guitarist John Jennings passed away in Rockville, Maryland, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1997 Buddy album. Closely associated with Mary Chapin Carpenter as member of Carpenter's backing band and producer of several of her albums including the aacclaimed 1992 Come On Come On album. Has also worked, in one role or another with artists such as Beausoleil, John Gorka, Janis Ian, the Indigo Girls, the Rankin Family, Cheryl Wheeler, Iris DeMent, George Jones, Darol Anger, and Joe Diffie ~ Jenning was born in 1953
October 16, 2010 ~ Michael David Larsen, commonly known as alternative rap, rap rock rapper, poet, songwriter Eyedea, passed away 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 was born in 1981October 16, 2005 ~ Conductor, oboist Clyde Roller, full name Archibald Clyde Roller, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Served as principal oboist with the Oklahoma City Symphony, the Birmingham Symphony, and the Tulsa Philharmonic, prior to finding employ as a conductor. Well known associations include the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Houston Symphony, and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra ~ Roller was born in 1914
October 16, 2005 ~ Singer, voice actor Elmer Dresslar Jr passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Best known as a voice actor, mostly in jingles and commercials. As a solo singer known for the singles Chain Gang and These Hands. Member of the Singers Unlimited ~ Dresslar was born in 1925
October 16, 2001 ~ Jazz, pop, R&B singer, songwriter Etta Jones passed away in Mount Vernon, New York, USA ~ Known for songs such as Don't Go To Strangers and Save Your Love For Me. Worked with Buddy Johnson, Oliver Nelson, Earl Hines, Barney Bigard, Gene Ammons, Kenny Burrell, Milt Jackson, Cedar Walton, Houston Person, Frank Wess, and Roy Haynes ~ Jones was born in 1928
October 16, 1999 ~ Guitarist Bruce Cameron passed away ~ Known for his sole album, 1999's Midnight Daydream, featuring appearances by a host of noted rock musicians including Jack Bruce, Mitch Mitchell, Neal Smith, Michael Bruce, and Billy Cox ~ Cameron was born in 1955
October 16, 1999 ~ Pop, R&B, jazz singer Ella Mae Morse passed away in Bullhead City, Arizona, USA ~ Hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was just 14 years old. Predated rock & roll. Would go on to score hits such as Cow Cow Boogie, Mister Five By Five and House Of The Blue Lights with Freddie Slack, and Shoo Shoo Baby and Love Me Or Leave Me as a solo artist ~ Morse was born in 1924
October 16, 1994 ~ Amelia ily Oliver, commonly known as pop, dance, pop rock singer Amelia Lily, born in Nunthorpe, UK ~ Reached third place in the 8th edition of The X-Factor in 2011. Following her success on the show, Lily released several singles including most notably You Bring Me Joy which reached top 10 in the UK, has appeared in a stage production of the rock opera American Idiot, and participated in several TV shows
October 16, 1990 ~ Arthur Blakey, commonly known as drummer, bandleader Art Blakey passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Fletcher Henderson, Billy Eckstine, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, and with Dizzy Gillespie before co-founding the Jazz Messengers with Horace Silver in the mid 1950s. The Messengers would become known as the quintessential hard bop group of the late 1950s and serve as an incubator for young talent including Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, and Wynton Marsalis. Blakey would lead the band for some 35 years until his death in 1990 ~ Blakey was born in 1919
October 16, 1987 ~ Pop rock singer, bassist Sting releases his Nothing Like The Sun sophomore album ~ Generally regarded the culmination of Sting's earliest smoother, adult-oriented sound, Nothing Like The Sun would be a critical and commercial success, reaching top 10 in over a dozen countries including the No.1 spot in his native England. In a retrospective review, AllMusic named the album “one of the most doggedly serious pop albums ever recorded” Aside from the then-usual line-up including a set of jazz-oriented musicians, notably keyboardist Kenny Kirkland and saxophonist Branford Marsalis, the album also features an impressive guest array including former bandmate of the Police guitarist Andy Summers, as well as Eric Clapton and the Dire Straits-frontman Mark Knopfler on They Dance Alone, jazz bandleader Gil Evans and orchestra on the Jimi Hendrix-cover Little Wing, and Annie Lennox and Vesta Williams providing backing vocals on We'll Be Together, the latter his sole Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single off the album, peaking at No.7
October 16, 1984 ~ Singer, actor Shayne Ward, full name Shayne Thomas Ward, born in Tameside, UK ~ Winner of the 2nd edition of The X-Factor in 2005. Following his success on the show, Ward's That's My Goal debut single was released shortly before Christmas. It would become the all-time third-fastest selling UK single, behind Elton John's 1997 remake of Candle In The Wind and Will Young's Evergreen, and hit No.1 on the charts in the week of Christmas. Ward would continue his success both as a singer, his first two albums reaching the top 10, and scoring top 10 hits such as No Promises, If That's OK With You, and Breathless, and venture into acting, notably playing the role of Aidan Connor in the soap opera Coronation StreetOctober 16, 1983 ~ Lorine Zineb Noka Talhaoui, commonly known as pop singer, producer Loreen, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Internationally best known for Euphoria, the 2012 Eurovision Songfestival winner written by Peter Boström and Thomas Gustafsson
October 16, 1982 ~ Country singer Doyle Wilburn, full name Virgil Doyle Wilburn, passed away ~ Child performer since the mid 1930s, alongside his younger brother Doyle Wilburn under the moniker the Wilburn Children. Discovered by Roy Acuff, who brought them to the Grand Ole Opry in 1940. Following each brother's stints in the Army, the brothers would reconvene as the Wilburn Brothers. They were offered the chance to record Heartbreak Hotel before Elvis Presley, but declined as they felt the song was “strange and almost morbid”. The duo would record well into the 1970s, backing Webb Pierce on the 1954 Billboard Country top 10 hit Sparkling Brown Eyes, and reaching the top 10 on their own with songs such as Which One Is To Blame, Trouble's Back In Town, Roll Muddy River, and Hurt Her Once For Me ~ Wilburn was born in 1930
October 16, 1981 ~ Ali Bouali, commonly known as pop rapper, singer, TV personality Ali B, born in Zaanstad, the Netherlands ~ Emerged in the early 2000s with songs such as Ik Ben Je Zat and Hartendief both with Brace, Rampeneren featuring Yes-R & the Partysquad, and Wat Zou Je Doen with Marco Borsato. Has also worked with artists such as the Opposites, Fresku, and Ronnie Flex, hosted music-related TV shows, and served as a judge on talent shows. In the 2020's, following a series of allegations and subsequently conviction of sexual abuse, Bouali would fall out of grace, especially as it clashed with his lovable imageOctober 16, 1981 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Edward Heyman passed away in Jalisco, Mexico ~ Co-wrote a number of standards including Body And Soul (Bert Ambrose, Ruth Etting, Billie Holiday), I Cover The Waterfront (Abe Lyman, Eddy Duchin, Sarah Vaughan), For Sentimental Reasons (Kay Kyser, Mildred Bailey, the Ink Spots), I Wanna Be Loved (Don Redman, the Andrews Sisters, Dinah Washington), Easy Come Easy Go (Johnny Green, Russell Garcia, Anita O'Day), and Blame It On My Youth (Freddy Martin, the Dorsey Brothers, Mabel Mercer) ~ Heyman was born in 1907
October 16, 1980 ~ Avant-garde jazz guitarist Mary Halvorson born in Brookline, Massachusetts, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader, co-leader, sidewoman. Although primarily categorized as an avant-garde jazz guitarist draws from a wide variety of idioms including flamenco, rock and psychedelia. Formed the trio Thumbscrew with bassist Michael Formanek and drummer Tomas Fujiwara. Has also worked with John Hebert, Ches Smith, Ambrose Akinmusire, John Dieterich, Jessica Pavone, Tom Rainey, Plymouth, the Thirteenth Assembly, Marc Ribot, the Young Philadelphians, Noël Akchoté, and Ingrid Laubrock