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 17, 2025 ~ Songwriter, lyricist, producer Bernd Meinunger passed away ~ Internationally best known for co-writing about a dozen of Germany's entries for the annually held Eurovision Songfestival and a few more for Luxembourg, Switzerland, Montenegro and San Marino, including the 1982 winner Ein Bisschen Frieden performed by Nicole. Other notable Eurovision Songfestival entries co-written by Meinunger include Theater (Katja Ebstein), Johnny Blue (Lena Valaitis), Lass Die Sonne In Dein Herz (Wind), Wir Geben 'ne Party (Mekado), and Reise Nach Jerusalem (Kudüs'e Seyahat) (Sürpriz), all of which reached the second or third place. Aside from Meinunger's successes in the Eurovision Songfestival, over 200 of his songs have charted in Germany including songs recorded by Peter Alexander, Mireille Mathieu, Peter Maffay (So Bist Du), Rex Gildo, Andrea Martin, and Christoff ~ Meinunger was born in 1944
October 17, 2023 ~ Lovella May Borg, commonly known as jazz, free jazz pianist, composer Carla Bley, passed away in Willow, New York, USA ~ Over two dozen albums to her name as a leader or co-leader, best known for her 1971 Escalator Over The Hill jazz opera. Married to pianist Paul Bley, who encouraged her to compose, from 1957 to 1964. Married to trumpeter Michael Mantler from 1965 to 1991. Considering herself “99% composer and 1% pianist” Bley would become especially renowned as a composer, writing pieces such as Bent Eagle recorded by George Russell, Ictus recorded by Jimmy Giuffre, and Sing Me Softly Of The Blues recorded by Art Farmer. To rock audiences known for her association with Pink Floyd-drummer Nick Mason, producing, writing all the material of and playing piano on Mason's Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports solo debut album, which also featured Soft Machine's Robert Wyatt on vocals ~ Borg was born in 1936October 17, 2022 ~ Classical pianist Michael Ponti passed away in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany ~ Acclaimed interpreter of the works of Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff as well as lesser-known composers including Charles-Valentin Alkan, Mily Balakirev, Clara Schumann and Sigismond Thalberg. Ponti has worked with renowned orchestras such the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, the Buenos Aires Philharmonic, and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra ~ Ponti was born in 1937
October 17, 2020 ~ Avant-garde, jazz fusion trumpeter Toshinori Kondo born in Mabari City, Japan ~ Active since the late 1970s, known for his avant-garde jazz and ambient recordings. As a leader especially acclaimed for a string of late 1990s, early 2000s albums, most notably Nerve Tripper released in 2003. As a sideman and collaborator, Kondo has appeared on albums by Eugene Chadbourne, Han Bennink (Jazz Bunker), Peter Brötzmann, Herbie Hancock (Future Shock), the Globe Unity Orchestra, Tristan Honsinger, the Die Like A Dog Quartet, Bill Laswell (Points Of Order), and Milford Graves ~ Kondo was born in 1948
October 17, 2018 ~ Saxophonist Chuck Wilson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Took up the saxophone at age 11, led his own trio while still in high school. Spent much of his career in various big band ensembles. As a leader known for his 2010 Echo Of Spring album. As a sideman toured and recorded with the likes of Jerry Gray, Buddy Rich, Leon Redbone, Howard Alden (Swing Street), Loren Schoenberg, Buck Clayton, Bob Belden (Straight To My Heart (The Music Of Sting)), the One O'Clock Lab Band, Marisa Monte, John Pizzarelli, and Randy Sandke ~ Wilson was born in 1948
October 17, 2017 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Gord Downie, full name Gordon Edgar Downie, passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Lead singer, lyricist of the Tragically Hip from its inception in 1984 until his death over three decades later. The band would rise from late-80s modern rock heroes to a national treasure in their native Canada, their final concert attended by the Prime Minister and broadcast live to millions. They are best known for songs such as Greasy Jungle, Ahead By A Century, Gift Shop, Poets, Fireworks, and Bobcaygeon. Downie has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Coke Machine Glow released in 2001. Downie is also known as a passionate advocate for environmental issues ~ Downie was born in 1964October 17, 2014 ~ Rockabilly singer, label founder Willie Lewis passed away ~ Best known for founding Rock-A-Billy Record Company which from 1982 through 1998 re-released rare rockabilly recordings from artists such as Go Cat Go, Ronnie Dawson, Don Rader, Marti Brom, and the Redline Rockets ~ Lewis was born ca.1946
October 17, 2009 ~ Carla Gaiano, commonly known as singer Carla Boni, passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Enjoyed popularity especially during the 1950s with songs such as Viale D'Autunno, E Stelle 'E Napule, and Mambo Italiano ~ Gaiano was born in 1925
October 17, 2009 ~ Folk, pop, rock, psychedelica singer, songwriter, producer Kazuhiko Kato passed away in Karuizawa, Japan ~ Member of the Folk Crusaders, known for their 1967 psychedelic hit Kaettekita Yopporai (I Only Live Twice). Would go on to become an in-demand producer working with the likes of Shigeru Izumiya, Mariya Takeuchi, Takuro Yoshida. Also founded the Sadistic Mika Band, which included his wife Mika Fukui, known for their 1974 landmark album Kurofune. Also founded Vitamin Q ~ Kato was born in 1947
October 17, 2009 ~ Victor Mizzy, commonly known as songwriter, film, TV composer Vic Mizzy, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known for composing the theme songs for the TV series Green Acres and The Addams Family. Other well known songs written or co-written by Mizzy include My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time (Doris Day), Three Little Sisters (the Andrews Sisters), Take It Easy (Dinah Shore), and The Jones Boy (the Mills Brothers) ~ Mizzy was born in 1916
October 17, 2008 ~ Levi Stubbles, commonly known as singer Levi Stubbs, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Brother of singer Joe Stubbs who sang with 100 Proof (Aged In Soul), the Falcons, the Contours, and the Originals. Best known as longtime lead singer of the Four Tops, known for songs such as Baby I Need Your Lovin', It's The Same Old Song, Reach Out I'll Be There, Bernadette, Standing In The Shadows Of Love, and Loco In Acapulco ~ Stubbs was born in 1936
October 17, 2007 ~ Theresa Veronica Breuer, commonly known as singer Teresa Brewer, passed away in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Actively performing from a young age forward, her mother entering Brewer in a contest when she was just two years old, the young singer would be an immediate hit with audiences. At age seven, she was touring the country with the Major Bowes Amateur Hour, a talent contest stemming from Major Bowes' popular radio show. Brewer would record prolifically, enjoying popularity especially during the 1950s, her oeuvre incorporating pop, country, jazz, R&B, musical and novelty songs. Among her best known songs are the 1950 No.1 hit Music Music Music, as well as Ricochet Rock-o-Shay, Baby Baby Baby, and Jilted. When booked at a Las Vegas venue in 1971, Elvis Presley sent a messenger to Brewer's dressing room because he wanted to meet her, as Presley wanted to tell her the first song he performed in public, singing for his classmates while in his early teens, was Brewer's Till I Waltz Again With You. At some point, Brewer slowed down her career, opting to raise her children instead, yet she continued to make appearances from time to time. In a 1991 interview with the Toledo Blade, Brewer commented she didn't need to be in the spotlight to be happy: “I enjoy it when I am on the stage, but I don't need it.” Brewer resurfaced in the 1980s with a series of jazz albums, including tribute albums to Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, and Fats Waller, aided by stellar casts which at times included musicians such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie. Softly I Swing, issued in 1993, featuring saxophonist David Murray, double bassist Ron Carter, pianist Kenny Barron, and drummer Grady Tate, is widely considered one of Brewer's finest albums. Brewer's second marriage was to producer and label executive Bob Thiele, whom she met when he was working for Coral producing Buddy Holly. Brewer has never recorded after Thiele's death in 1996. Brewer was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 1960 ~ Brewer was born in 1931
October 17, 2002 ~ Beecher Ray Kirby, commonly known as country guitarist, steel guitarist, dobroist, banjoist, singer Bashful Brother Oswald, passed away in Madison, Tennessee, USA ~ Popularized the resonator guitar and dobro. Original and sole constant member of Roy Acuff's backing unit the Smoky Mountain Boys, notably present on songs such as Precious Jewel, Wreck On The Highway, and Old Age Pension Check. In-demand session musician and collaborator, including with the all-star the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on the 1972 Will The Circle Be Unbroken album, and solo artist, recording about half a dozen albums starting with the eponymous Bashful Brother Oswald album released in 1962 ~ Kirby was born in 1911
October 17, 2002 ~ Charles Louis Domanico, commonly known as jazz, pop bass guitarist, double bassist Chuck Domanico, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Carmen McRae, Joni Mitchell, Taj Mahal, Diane Schuur, Natalie Cole, the Manhattan Transfer, Chet Baker, Henry Mancini, the Hindustani Jazz Sextet, Shelly Manne, Oliver Nelson, John Klemmer, Roger Kellaway, Barney Kessel, Art Pepper, Don Ellis, Bob Thiele, João Donato, Pisano & Ruff, Gerry Mulligan, Phoebe Snow, Rita Coolidge, Bobby Hutcherson, Louie Bellson, Sonny Criss, Shelly Manne, Wade Marcus, JD Souther, the Pointer Sisters, Herb Alpert, Freddie Hubbard, Patti Austin, Lou Rawls, Joe Sample, Bonnie Raitt, Julio Iglesias, Pat Benatar, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Céline Dion, Dwight Yoakam, and Lee Ann Womack ~ Domanico was born in 1944
October 17, 2001 ~ Songwriter Jay Livingston, full name Jacob Harold Levison, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Songwriting partner of lyricist Ray Evans. Known for songs such as Buttons And Bows (Evelyn Knight, Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, the Ray Conniff Singers), Mona Lisa (Frank Culley, Nat King Cole, Santo & Johnny, Duane Eddy), and Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be) (Doris Day, Ivo Robic, Connie Francis, the Shirelles) ~ Livingston was born in 1915
October 17, 1998 ~ R&B outfit Total release Trippin' featuring Missy Elliott, lead single off their Kima Keisha And Pam sophomore album ~ The New Jersey based trio had previously scored four Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits, three of their eponymous debut album and one recorded for the soundtrack of the comedy-drama Soul Food, yet peaking at No.7 Trippin' would be their highest charting and sole top 10 hit. Two more singles would be released from Total's sophomore and final album before the group effectively disbandedOctober 17, 1996 ~ Shoegaze, pop rock drummer Chris Acland, full name Christopher John Dyke Acland, passed away in Burneside, UK ~ Co-founding member of Lush, considered one of the earliest as well as one of the top shoegaze bands of the 1990s. Their third and final album, Lovelife released in 1996, would become their best known and spawn the UK top 30 hits Single Girl, Ladykillers, and 500 (Shake Baby Shake). Singer, guitarist Emma Anderson had written the latter about the Fiat 500 car model, as she had just passed her driver's exam during the writing of the album. Following Acland's death of suicide at age 30, the band disbanded ~ Acland was born 1966
October 17, 1991 ~ Singer Paula Abdul releases Blowing Kisses In The Wind, lifted off her Spellbound sophomore album ~ Peaking at No.6 Billboard Hot 100, Blowing Kisses In The Wind would be Paula Abdul's eighth and final American top 10 hit. The song about unrequited love was written by Peter Lord, who co-produced the single with Vernon Jeffrey Smith, Blowing Kisses In The Wind would be well-received by critics, with Billboard describing the song as “an engaging pop ballad, (with) plush strings providing a warm and properly dramatic setting for her chirpy and charming voice.” The majority of the songs on her Spellbound album were written or co-written by Lord, some of which with regular collaborator and bandmate in the Family Stand Smith. Lord would later tell Songfacts how he got involved with the album: “My production partner, Vernon Jeffrey Smith, and I were working on a group called Aftershock for Virgin Records. They were signed to the same label as Paula and we heard she was looking for new material. So we went to work to submit”October 17, 1991 ~ Ernest Jennings Ford, commonly known as country, pop, gospel singer Tennessee Ernie Ford passed away in Reston, Virginia, USA ~ Best known for his hit recordings Shotgun Boogie and Sixteen Tons. Also remembered for songs such as Smokey Mountain Boogie, I'll Never Be Free with Kay Starr, Tailor Made Woman with Joe Fingers Carr, Mister And Mississippi, Blackberry Boogie, and Hicktown ~ Ford was born in 1919
October 17, 1988 ~ Im Da-mi, commonly known as pop, gospel singer, pianist, violinist, flutist, songwriter Dami Im, born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Released her Dreams debut album in 2010. First gained serious attention winning the 5th season of the Australian talent contest The X-Factor Australia in 2013. Internationally known for representing her adopted homeland Australia in the 2016 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 2nd place with Sound Of Silence
October 17, 1987 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, Lost In Emotion by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Like all of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's hits, Lost In Emotion was written and produced by Full Force, a producer-team that discovered lead singer Lisa Lisa as a teenager and got her a record deal with Columbia Records. Full Force member Bowlegged Lou said they were listening to Mary Wells when they came up with the idea for Lost In Emotion, trying to combine the Wells hits You Beat Me To The Punch and Two Lovers. The result was Lost In Emotion, an upbeat love song telling of a woman in love with a man that everyone she knows thinks is wrong for her, yet she disregards them all and follows her heart. The song became the New York act's second and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, after Head To Toe off the same parent album earlier the same year. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam would rack up several more hits on the Billboard R&B charts through the early 1990s
October 17, 1986 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases Control, lifted off her break-out album of the same name ~ Molded by a dominant father in a performance-geared musical family, Janet Jackson declares her independence in the title track of her third studio album. Peaking at No.5 Billboard Hot 100, Control would be the fourth of five lifted off the album to reach top 10. The song would later also be included in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll. Jackson's first two albums, both recorded with the help of her family, had barely made an impact, yet when Jackson took ‘control’ herself, she became an overnight household name. In 2022, when Jackson inducted Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, the producer-songwriter duo who helped her break free and have been her regular go-to collaborators ever since Control, the singer declared: “I had a million ideas, and Jimmy and Terry encouraged me to write them down. To them, I was a singer, a songwriter, a performer, a young woman and an artist with a story to tell”
October 17, 1984 ~ Jazz, blues singer, songwriter Alberta Hunter passed away on Roosevelt Island, New York, USA ~ Coming from humble beginnings, Hunter would get her start in music performing in a seedy bordello, where she developed a particular skill for improvising lyrics, to eventually become a headlining act in the best venues including touring abroad by the mid 1930s. Hunter is perhaps best known for first recording Down Hearted Blues, which she co-wrote with Lovie Austin. The song would become a million-seller for blues singer Bessie Smith, with Hunter receiving no royalties as her manager had sold the rights. Down Hearted Blues, however, would become a standard covered by dozens of artists including Noble Sissle, Cab Calloway, Mildred Bailey, and Jimmy Rushing. Other well known songs recorded by Hunter include Someday Sweetheart (You'll Be Sorry), Chirping The Blues, and The Love I Have For You. By the late 1950s, Hunter retired from music to return to school and has subsequently worked as a nurse for the next 20 years until being forced into retirement because of her old age. In the 1970s, Hunter resumed her music career, performing and recording several acclaimed albums. Hunter has been posthumously inducted in the Blues Hall Of Fame and the Memphis Music Hall Of Fame ~ Hunter was born in 1895October 17, 1984 ~ Jazz singer, bandleader, composer Anja Eline Skybakmoen born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Sister of guitarist Jonas Skybakmoen, married to guitarist David Aleksander Sjølie. Has worked with Eplemoya Songtag and Aphrodisiac. Joined Pitsj replacing Tore Augestad, first appearing on the 2009 Gjenfortellinger album. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with We're The Houses released in 2014
October 17, 1980 ~ Hard rock, speed metal outfit Motörhead release Ace Of Spades, lifted off the album of the same name ~ The band's best known song, with a ferocious intro once described as “wouldn't be out of place ushering in the end of the world” by Q magazine. Lyrically, the song is built around gambling references used as metaphors for a hard-living, wreckless lifestyle with the singer realizing it will eventually do him in but he wouldn't have it any other way, live hard and die with your boots on. The band's frontman Lemmy Kilmister, who co-wrote the song, may have specifically chosen the ace of spades as the song's topic as it is believed to be one of the cards held by Old West folk hero Wild Bill Hickok when he was shot during a poker game in 1876, his so-called dead man's hand reportedly consisting of the two black aces, the two black eights and the queen of hearts. As to gambling preferences, Kilmister has stated he is more into slot machines, but “you can't really sing about spinning fruit and the wheels coming down”. Initially Ace Of Spades reached No.15 in the band's native UK. Shortly after Kilmister's death in 2015, the song reappeared on the British charts peaking two places higher at No.13. Upon Kilmister's passing, Dave Grohl of Nirvana and the Foo Fighters had an ace of spades card tattood on his left forearm in honor of his longtime friend