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 19, 2025 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, funk bassist Anthony Jackson, full name Anthony Claiborne Jackson, passed away ~ Although Jackson started on guitar he would later take up the bass, influenced especially by James Jamerson and Jack Casady, he would eventually become to be regarded as a master of the bass. Jackson has recorded a handful of albums as a co-leader, most notably Trio In Tokyo with Michel Petrucciani and Steve Gadd, but is best known as a sideman appearing on over an estimated 500 albums. To pop audiences Jackson may be best known for his association with Philadelphia International Records, appearing on quintessential Philly soul tracks such as Me & Mrs Jones by Billy Paul and For The Love Of Money by the O'Jays, the latter of which was co-written by Jackson. Jackson has played on albums by Eddie Green, Buddy Rich, Chick Corea, Michal Urbaniak (Fusion III), Roberta Flack (Feel Like Makin' Love), Randy Crawford, Lalo Schifrin (Black Widow), Grover Washington Jr, Gene Harris, Phyllis Hyman, Pee Wee Ellis (Home In The Country), Eric Gale, Garland Jeffreys (Ghost Writer), Lee Ritenour, Carlos Garnett (Fire), Stéphane Grappelli, David Sanborn (Heart To Heart), Chaka Khan (Chaka), Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Steely Dan (Gaucho), Luther Vandross (Never Too Much), Steve Khan, Patti Austin, Donald Fagen (The Nightfly), Teena Marie, Madonna, and Al Jarreau. Upon hearing of Jackson's passing, regular collaborator Al di Meola, with whom Jackson recorded nearly a dozen albums, commented: “Anthony was one of the most extraordinary musicians I’ve ever had the honour to play with. A true innovator whose genius on the six-string contrabass reshaped modern music” ~ Jackson was born in 1952
October 19, 2023 ~ Mark Howard James, commonly known as hip hop DJ, producer the 45 King, passed away in East Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ His stagename comes from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records. First gained attention with his 1987 breakbeat track The 900 Number, featuring a looping of a sax solo from Marva Whitney's 1968 Unwind Yourself recording. Not only did his breakbeat track land him a production deal, it would become a hip hop classic sampled by numerous artists. James is also especially acclaimed for his extensive work on Queen Latifah's 1989 All Hail The Queen debut album, serving as co-producer, co-songwriter on nearly half the album's tracks including Dance For Me ~ James was born in 1961
October 19, 2023 ~ Jazz bassist Carl Morten Iversen passed away ~ Son of jazz violinist Arild Iversen. Central figure in the Oslo jazz scene. Actively recording since the mid 1960s, initially as accompaniest for folk singers gravitating towards jazz by the early 1970s. Has worked with Lars Klevstrand, Lillebjørn Nilsen, Jon Balke, Ditlef Eckhoff, Magni Wentzel, Jon Eberson, and Oslo 13 ~ Iversen was born in 1948
October 19, 2023 ~ Lars Nils Berghagen, commonly known as pop, schlager singer, guitarist Lasse Berghagen, passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Married to singer, actress Lill Babs during the 1960s, with whom he has a daughter singer, actress Malin Berghagen. Known for songs such as Teddybjörnen Fredriksson, En Enkel Sång Om Frihet, Hålligang I Skogen, and Du Som Vandrar Genom Livet. Internationally known for representing Sweden at the 1975 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 8th place with Jennie Jennie ~ Berghagen was born in 1945
October 19, 2022 ~ Operatic mezzo-soprano Joanna Simon, full name Joanna Elizabeth Simon, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Sister of soft rock, pop, folk singer Carly Simon and singer, musical theatre composer Lucy Simon. Praised for her distinctive smoky-voiced mezzo-soprano vocals. Active mostly from the early 1960s through the 1980s, working with orchestras such as the New York City Opera, the Washington Opera Society, the New York Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra ~ Simon was born in 1936
October 19, 2021 ~ Pianist, songwriter, arranger, producer Antonio Coggio passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Perhaps best known for co-penning several of Claudio Baglioni's best known including Questo Piccolo Grande Amore, E Tu, Amore Bello and Poster. Early on in his career accompanied Gino Paoli including on the 1965 Paoli Dal Vivo Allo Studio D album. Would go on to serve as producer for artists such as Mia Martini, Ivano Fossati, Patty Pravo, and Stefano Rosso ~ Coggio was born in 1939
October 19, 2021 ~ Composer, lyricist Leslie Bricusse passed away in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France ~ Film and musical composer best known for co-writing the James Bond-themes Goldfinger sung by Shirley Bassey and You Only Love Twice sung by Nancy Sinatra. Frequent collaborator of composers such as Anthony Newley, Cyril Ornade, and Henry Mancini. Has worked on numerous musicals and soundtracks, many songs notably covered by a host of pop and jazz artists including Sammy Davis Jr (The Candy Man), Nina Simone (Feelin' Good), Matt Monro (My Kind Of Girl), the Turtles (A Guide For The Married Man), Maureen McGovern (Can You Read My Mind), and Diana Krall (When I Look In Your Eyes) ~ Bricusse was born in 1931
October 19, 2020 ~ Spencer David Nelson Davies, commonly known as rock, pop, R&B guitarist, singer, songwriter Spencer Davis, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as eponym of the Spencer Davis Group, which also included Steve Winwood, Muff Winwood, Pete York, known for hits such as Keep On Running, Somebody Help Me and I'm A Man ~ Davies was born in 1942
October 19, 2014 ~ Ska, rocksteady, reggae singer, songwriter John Holt, full name John Kenneth Holt, passed away in London, UK ~ Instrumental in the development of lovers' rock. Member of the Paragons, known for songs such as Ali Baba, I See Your Face and their biggest hit The Tide Is High. The latter, penned by Holt, would later be covered by both Blondie and Atomic Kitten. Holt also established himself as a successful solo artist, collaborating with producers such as Bunny Lee, Prince Buster, Alvin Ranglin, and Henry Jujo Lawes ~ Holt was born in 1947October 19, 2013 ~ Percussionist, composer John Bergamo passed away ~ Known for co-founding two all-percussion ensembles, namely the Repercussion Unit in the mid 1970s and the Hands On'Semble in the late 1990s. Has also collaborated with Frank Zappa, Nexus, Dave Liebman, Lou Harrison, Mickey Hart, Emil Richards, Gunther Schuller, John McLaughlin, and Steve Gadd ~ Bergamo was born in 1940
October 19, 2009 ~ Songwriter, lyricist, singer Alberto Testa passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Frequent collaborator of Tony Renis, with whom he wrote Quando Quando Quando, a bossa nova styled pop song originally written in Italian. The song was first recorded by Renis in 1962 and has since become a standard covered by over 250 artists in about a dozen languages, the word ‘quando’ retained in most likely nearly all but, obviously, the instrumental versions. Notable covers have been recorded by Tito Rodriguez, Pat Boone, Nana Moskouri, the Drifters, Engelbert Humperdinck, Xavier Cugat, and as a duet by Michael Bublé and Nelly Furtado, and by Fergie and will.i.am, the latter version recorded for the 2009 musical film Nine. The song also briefly appears in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers where during an effort to reform the band, Jake and Elwood find five of their members playing the song in a deserted lounge. Quando Quando Quando remains Testa's biggest claim to fame, yet other songs co-written by Testa have been recorded by Caterina Valente, Plácido Domingo, Shirley Bassey, and Barbra Streisand. The Prayer, which Testa co-wrote with David Foster, Tony Renis and Carole Bayer Sager, would be recorded by Céline Dion and Andrea Bocelli for the 1998 musical animated feature film Quest For Camelot after both artists had recorded their own versions. The duet version would earn a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, and subsequently win a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals the following year ~ Testa was born in 1927October 19, 2000 ~ Ska, rocksteady singer Tyrone Evans passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Original member of the Paragons. The band is best known for first recording The Tide Is High written by band member John Holt and released in 1967, considered a landmark recording in Jamaican music. The song would later be popularized by Blondie, whose cover would reached No.1 spot on both sides of the Atlantic ~ Evans was born ca.1944
October 19, 1999 ~ Alternative rock outfit Vertical Horizon release Everything You Want, lifted off the album of the same name ~ In Everything You Want, the narrator tells of watching a girl seeking love everywhere and not finding it, while he is the one who could give her everything she wants. As the band's lead singer Matthew Scannell, who wrote the song, later explained: “I was in love with this girl, and she was just a broken person. She kept turning to everyone except me for love and acceptance, and I wanted so much to help her. I wanted to be the one to give her everything she wanted, but I couldn't. She just couldn't accept it from me, and it was that pain, that led me to creating the song.” Everything You Want would be the band's sole major hit, peaking at No.1 Billboard Hot 100
October 19, 1995 ~ Trumpeter, hornist Don Cherry, full name Donald Eugene Cherry passed away in Malaga, Spain ~ Father of Eagle Eye Cherry, stepfather of Neneh Cherry. Highly revered and influential trumpeter. Influenced by Miles Davis, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown. Well over two dozen albums as a leader, acclaimed especially for the albums Complete Communion, Live At Café Montmartre 1966 Vol.2, Eternal Rhythm, and Brown Rice. Frequently backed Ornette Coleman, including on quintessential albums such as The Shape Of Jazz To Come and The Art Of The Improvisers. Formed the pioneering world fusion group Codona with Collin Walcott and Naná Vasconcelos, drawing from free jazz and world music. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Steve Lacy, the New York Contemporary Five, Archie Shepp, Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler, Gato Barbieri, Charles Brackeen, the Jazz Composers Orchestra, Clifford Jordan (In The World), Jan Garbarek, Steve Hillage, Lou Reed (The Bells), Ian Dury, Old And New Dreams, and Sun Ra ~ Cherry was born in 1936
October 19, 1994 ~ Actress, singer Martha Raye passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Band vocalist for Paul Ash and Boris Morros. Sang with Al Jolson. Comedy, film, TV and Broadway actress and singer who worked with many of the leading comics of her day including Abbott & Costello, WC Fields, and Charlie Chaplin. Joined the USO in 1942, awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in the form of an Oscar in 1969, awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom in 1993 by President Bill Clinton for her service to her country ~ Raye was born in 1916
October 19, 1992 ~ Jazz drummer Alvin Stoller passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Though largely forgotten, Stoller was an in-demand sideman during the 1940s and 1950s. Performed on nearly all of Frank Sinatra's 1950s albums, including In The Wee Small Hours and Songs For Swingin' Lovers. Other notable credits include Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, Bob Keene (Big Band Bash), Harry Sweets Edison (Sweets At The Haig), June Christy, Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald, George van Eps (Mellow Guitar), Ben Webster, Herb Ellis, Buddy Bregman (Swinging Kicks), Mel Tormé, Billie Holiday, Ray Brown (Bass Hit), Phineas Newborn Jr, Coleman Hawkins, and Oscar Pettiford ~ Stoller was born in 1925
October 19, 1992 ~ R&B, acid jazz, funk outfit Jamiroquai release their When You Gonna Learn debut single on the Acid Jazz label ~ Not only would the band's debut single receive raving reviews from critics, it also drew the attention of the major label Sony, landing the band a record deal starting with a 1993 re-release of their debut single. They would go on to become one of the hottest and certainly most energetic acts to emerge from London's funk and acid jazz movement, finding appeal with their hybrid of acid jazz, funk, disco, and pop. Through the end of the decade, Jamiroquai would score about half a dozen top 10 singles and four top 5 albums in the UK. Sony made the right choice signing the young actOctober 19, 1992 ~ Durk Derrick Banks, commonly known as rapper Lil Durk, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Released his full-length debut album, Remember My Name, in 2015. Known for songs such as Like Me featuring Jeremih, My Beyoncé featuring Dej Loaf, 3 Headed Goat featuring Lil' Baby and Polo G. Has also collaborated with Ty Dolla $ign, Yo Gotti, Chance the Rapper, Future, Drake, and Queen Naioja
October 19, 1992 ~ Joachim Guillaume Lamothe, commonly known as country singer Willie Lamothe, passed away in Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada ~ Considered a pioneer of French-language country music Lamothe has recorded some 500 songs, both originals and translated renditions over the course of his three-decade long career starting in the mid 1940s. Well-known songs include La Promesse, Mille Après Mille, Allo Cowboy, Aux Accords Des Guitares, and Oh Ma Cherie. Lamothe has also ventured into acting for film ~ Lamothe was born in 1920
October 19, 1989 ~ Pop rock guitarist Alan Murphy passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as member of Go West. Closely associated with Kate Bush, backing Bush both on tour and on the albums Never For Ever, The Dreaming, Hounds Of Love, and The Sensual World. Appeared on the Ace hit single How Long. Joined Level 42 in 1988 and remained with the band until his death the following year, present on the album Staring At The Sun. In-demand touring and session musician, worked with acts such as SFX, the Fusion Orchestra, David Bowie, Nick Heyward, Joan Armatrading, Mike + the Mechanics (Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)), Scritti Politti, and Miquel Brown ~ Murphy was born in 1953
October 19, 1988 ~ Edward James House Jr, commonly known as Delta blues guitarist, singer Son House passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influential slide guitarist helped develop Delta Blues. Praised for his rhythmic drive, vocal power and emotional intensity. Influenced Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Known for pre-war releases such as My Black Mama, Preachin' The Blues and Dry Spell Blues. Rediscovered in the 1960s wave of blues revival ~ House was born in 1902
October 19, 1985 ~ Drummer, percussionist Johnny Williams, full name John Francis Wiliams, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Father of film composer John Williams. Rose to fame drumming for the CBS Radio Orchestra in the 1930s and subsequently backing Raymond Scott from 1936 through 1939. Has also worked with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Vincent Lopez, Leo Reisman, Jacques Renard, and Alfonso D'Artega ~ Williams was born in 1905October 19, 1984 ~ Eugene Moss, commonly known as Piedmont blues harpist, guitarist, singer Buddy Moss, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his early to mid 1930s recordings, notably Hey Lawdy Mama which would become a jazz and blues standard recorded by Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Freddie King (titled See See Mama), Junior Wells, and Cream. Moss has collaborated Curley Weaver, Fred McMullen, Blind Willie McTell, Ruth Willis, and Josh White ~ Moss was born in 1914
October 19, 1984 ~ Stephen Lee Bruner, commonly known as bassist, guitarist, singer Thundercat, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Rose to prominence as member of crossover thrash outfit Suicidal Tendencies, remaining with the band from 2002 through 2011. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the 2011 The Golden Age Of Apocalyps album. Guested on Kendrick Lamar's 2015 To Pimp A Butterfly, notably present on the track These Walls
October 19, 1982 ~ Andrew Sims, mononymously known as alternative hip-hop rapper Sims, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Member of the hip-hop collectives Doomtree and the Shredders. Released his Lights Out Paris solo debut album in 2005. Best known for the acclaimed follow-up Bad Time Zoo featuring a notable guest appearance from POS. Has also worked with Dessa, Astronautalis, Transit, and Air Credits