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 24, 1961 ~ Jazz saxophonist Rick Margitza born in Dearborn, Michigan, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Maynard Ferguson, Flora Purim, Miles Davis, Eddie Gomez, Tony Williams, Bobby Hutcherson, Maria Schneider, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Martial Solal, Francois Moutin, Louis Moutin, Ari Hoenig, Franck Amsallem, Jean-Michel Pilc, Mike Starmike, Manuel Rocheman, John Fedchock, Andy Laverne, Lou Rawls, Kei Akagi, Burt Bacharach, Bob Belden, Anders Bergcrantz, Niels Lan Doky, Dave Douglas, Eliane Elias, Mike Fahn, Jimmy Haslip, Steve Masakowski, Ron McClure, Cæcilie Norby, Øyvind Nypan, Jarmo Savolainen, Steps Ahead, Dave Stryker, the Trio Toeykeaet, and Lenny White
October 24, 1959 ~ Guitarist, organist, singer Rowland S Howard born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Member of post-punk outfit the Birthday Party, active from 1979 through 1983. The band evolved from its predecessor Boys Next Door and achieved little commercial success yet was heralded by critics as one of the most challenging post-punk groups of the early 1980s and is especially known for launching the career of singer Nick Cave. Howard would go on to work with Crime & the City Solution, These Immortal Souls, Nikki Sudden, and record as a solo artist ~ Howard passed away in 2009
October 24, 1955 ~ Jazz double bassist Jay Anderson born in Upland, California, USA ~ Worked with Woody Herman, Carmen McRae, Ira Sullivan, Red Rodney, Michael Brecker, Toots Thielemans, Joe Sample, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Eliane Elias, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bennie Wallace, Brian Lynch, Bob Belden, Warren Bernhardt, Joey Calderazzo, Dave Stryker, Mike Stern, Chaka Khan, Terumasa Hino, Michel Legrand, Tiger Okoshi, Lynne Arriale, Bob Mintzer, George Cables, Paul Bley, Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, Dr John, Rich Perry, Vic Juris, and Lee Konitz
October 24, 1954 ~ Worldbeat guitarist, singer Amadou Bagayoko born in Bamako, Mali ~ Formed Amadou & Mariam with his wife Mariam Doumbia, the duo widely acknowledged as one of Africa's leading duos and one of the continent's most successful musical export products. The couple's early recordings, starting in the 1980s, merged traditional Mali music with rock guitars, Latin, Middle-Eastern and Indian influences, a style once described as “a thrilling mix of blues and rock with traditional African rhythms” by the Times. After gaining popularity in Europe in the 2000s, especially France, the duo would gain the attention of Mano Negra's Manu Chao who would produce their critically acclaimed Dimanche à Bamako album. The couple would become a popular live act, touring the world and opening for the likes of the Scissor Sisters, Coldplay, and Blur ~ Bagayoko passed away in 2025
October 24, 1954 ~ Rock, pop singer, bassist, songwriter Jozef Ráz, also known as Jozo Ráz, born in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia ~ Co-founding member of Elán, active since the late 1960s and eventually becoming one of the most popular bands in Czechoslovakia during the 1980s. Ráz has drawn criticism for his support for authoritarian leaders such as Gustáv Husák, Rpnert Fico, Fidel Castro, and Vladimir Putin, His son Jozef Ráz Jr was nominated for the position of Slovak Minister of the Interior in 2018 for the SMER Social Democratic party but refused by then-ruling president Andrej KiskaOctober 24, 1953 ~ Keyboardist, composer David Wright born in Kent, UK ~ Over two dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting in the late 1980s. Co-founded New Age electronic rock band Code Indigo. Co-founded Callisto. Founded the New Age label AD Music in 1989. Wright has notably served as producer for the likes of Bekki Williams and Claudio Merlini
October 24, 1952 ~ Pop, country singer, keyboardist Mark Gray, full name Mark Eugene Gray, born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of Exile from 1979 to 1982, for whom he co-wrote The Closer You Get, You're Good For Me and Take Me Down, the latter later notably covered by Alabama. Also wrote Janie Fricke's It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy, Gary Morris' Second Hand Heart, and Aretha Franklin's Whatever It Is. As a solo artist, Gray would enjoy success as a country artist through the mid-1980s, the singles The Left Side Of The Bed, If All The Magic Is Gone, Diamond In The Dust, the Tammy Wynette duet Sometimes When We Touch, and Please Be Love all reaching top 10 Billboard Country ~ Gray passed away in 2016
October 24, 1950 ~ Producer Steven Greenberg born in St Paul, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as thriving force behind Lipps Inc, a hastily assembled group of session musicians scoring the hit Funkytown of their 1979 Mouth To Mouth album. The single would top the charts in well over a dozen countries including the Netherlands and America. The album reached top 10 Billboard Hot 200. The follow-up Rock It, taken off the same album, would be their second and final single and score considerably less, peaking at No.64 Billboard Hot 100. The group continued to record through the mid-1980s, with some success on the Billboard Dance charts, but would fail to repeat their earlier success
October 24, 1948 ~ Terence Dale Griffin, commonly known as drummer, producer Dale Buffin Griffin, born in Ross-on-Wye, UK ~ Co-founding member of Mott The Hoople, known best for their 1972 David Bowie-produced All The Young Dudes album. Its All The Young Dudes title track would reach the uK top 10. Griffin is also known as a producer, notably producing many of the John Peel sessions from 1981 through 1994 ~ Griffin passed away in 2016
October 24, 1948 ~ Ignacio Egaña Azpeitia, commonly known as bassist, singer, songwriter Iñaki Egaña, born in Portugalete, Spain ~ Member of late 1960s blues rock outfit Los Buenos, which also included John Mayall's brother organist Rod Mayall. Formed early 1970s Latn rock trio Alacrán with drummer Fernando Arbex and guitarist Oscar Lasprilla, known for their sole eponymous Alacrán album. Co-founding member of Barrabás, present on the band's 1971 Wild Safari debut album. Egaña has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 1974 Karma album, and collaborated with Miguel Rios, the Dr Blues Band, Goio Gutiérrez, and Juan Pardo
October 24, 1948 ~ Singer, songwriter Keith Sykes born in Murray, Kentucky, USA ~ Debuted in 1969 with the eponymous Keith Sykes album and has recorded steadily and to critical acclaim since. As a songwriter revered by peers. Had his songs recorded by John Prine, Rosanne Cash, the Judds, Jerry Jeff Walker, George Thorogood, the Wilburn Brothers, McKendree Spring, Jimmy Buffett, Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, Mitch Ryder, Chris Bell, Eric Gales, Jed & Kelley, Sunny Sweeney, Max Gomez, and Jed ZimmermanOctober 24, 1947 ~ Rock singer Kenny Shields born in Nokomis, Canada ~ Lead singer of Streetheart. The band is best known for their 1979 disco-hybrid the Rolling Stones-cover Under My Thumb. Other well known songs include Action, Hollywood, Look In Your Eyes, and What Kind Of Love Is This ~ Shields passed away in 2017
October 24, 1946 ~ Drummer, singer Jerry Edmonton born in Oshawa, Canada ~ Best known as drummer for Steppenwolf, which also included his brother singer Mars Bonfire. Previously a member of the Sparrows. Formed the band Seven when Steppenwolf temporarily broke up in the early 1970s ~ Edmonton passed away in 1993
October 24, 1945 ~ R&B singer Brenda Payton born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Fronted Brenda & the Tabulations. The girl group enjoyed popularity especially during the late 1960s and early 1970s, songs such as Dry Your Eyes, Who's Lovin' You, The Touch Of You, And My Heart Sang (La La La), Don't Make Me Over, Right On The Tip Of My Tongue, and A Part Of You all reaching top 20 Billboard R&B ~ Payton passed away in 1992
October 24, 1943 ~ Mark Paul Siegel, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Corky Siegel born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Blues, blues-rock singer, songwriter. Plays piano and harmonica. Co-leader of the Siegel-Schwall Band, alongside guitarist Jim Schwall. Leader of Chamber Blues. Experimented with fusing blues and classical collaborating with top-notch orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco SymphonyOctober 24, 1942 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Don Gant, full name Donald W Gant, born ~ Co-founded Neon Philharmonic with Tupper Saussy, known for their 1969 hit Morning Girl. Also in-demand songwriter, producer, executive associated with Acuff/Rose, MGM Records and with ABC Records, worked with Joe Melson, Jimmy Buffett, Lefty Frizzell, Eddy Raven, and Roy Orbison ~ Gant passed away in 1987
October 24, 1942 ~ Edward John Templeman, commonly known as singer, drummer, guitarist, A&R executive, producer Ted Templeman born in Santa Cruz, California, USA ~ First gained serious attention in the mid 1960s drumming with the Tikis. At the suggestion of Warner Bros president Lenny Waronker, the band renamed themselves to Harper's Bizarre, with Templeman switching to vocals and guitar, and scored a Billboard Hot 100 No.13 hit with their Simon & Garfunkel cover The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy). The band would record a handful of albums before disbanding by the turn of the 1970s, after which Templeman remained with the label as an A&R scout. Early on, he would become most noted for discovering the Doobie Brothers. After their Toulouse Street sophomore album, produced by Templeman and Waronker, became a success, its single Listen To The Music a Billboard Hot 100 No.11 hit, Templeman would be promoted to staff producer. Templeman would become most closely associated with Van Morrison, the Doobie Brothers, and perhaps most notably Van Halen, whom he discovered in a bar in 1977, and produce or co-produce numerous essential albums through the early 1990s before slowing down. Included among his most memorable credits are albums such as Tupelo Honey (Van Morrison), Sailin' Shoes (Little Feat), Clear Spot (Captain Beefheart), Montrose (Montrose), Van Halen (Van Halen), VOA (Sammy Hagar), Done With Mirrors (Aerosmith), and Eat 'Em And Smile (David Lee Roth). Templeman has also worked with acts such as Carly Simon, Nicolette Larson, Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons, Honeymoon Suite, Bulletboys, and Cheap TrickOctober 24, 1940 ~ Singer Ricky Brook, full name Richard Alan Brooks, born in Winchester, UK ~ Formed the sibling duo the Brooks Brothers with Geoff Brook, known for a string of early 1960s UK hits including Ain't Gonna Wash For A Week, Welcome Home Baby and perhaps their best known Warpaint
October 24, 1938 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Odean Pope born in Ninety Six, South Carolina, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy McGriff, Max Roach, Catalyst, the Saxophone Choir, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Sunny Murray, Byard Lancaster, Monnette Sudler, Donald Bailey, Gilles Peterson, and Khan Jamal
October 24, 1937 ~ Composer Miguel Angel Coria, full name Miguel Angel Coria Varela, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Contemporary classical composer influenced by impressionism and post-modernism. Wrote works for orchestra, chamber music, electronic music, vocal music, ballet and opera ~ Coria passed away in 2016
October 24, 1937 ~ Guitarist Santo Farina born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo Santo & Johnny with Johnny Farina, best known for their 1959 instrumental Sleep-Walk which is considered one of the biggest instrumental hits of the golden age of rock & roll. The record would top the Billboard Hot 100 and prove influential on future surf guitarists
October 24, 1936 ~ William George Perks Jr, commonly known as bassist Bill Wyman, born in Lewisham, UK ~ Best known as member of the Rolling Stones from 1962 through 1993. Released his solo debut album, Monkey Grip, in 1974 while still a member of the Stones. Collaborated with Mickey Gee, Andy Fairweather Low, Geraint Watkins and Stones bandmate Charlie Watts working under the moniker Willie & the Poor Boys. Fronts Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings with a revolving door line-up with many of rock, rock & roll's veterans. Guested on albums by John Hammond Jr, Howlin' Wolf, and Stephen Stills
October 24, 1936 ~ James Henry Dawkins, commonly known as Chicago blues, electric blues guitarist, singer Jimmy Dawkins, born in Tchula, Mississippi, USA ~ Debuted in 1969 with Fast Fingers and has released albums steadily since. Backed on tour and record by musicians such as Andrew Odom, Otis Rush, Jon Preizler, James Solberg, Jimi Schutte, Sylvester Boines, Rich Kirch, and Billy Flynn ~ Dawkins passed away in 2013
October 24, 1934 ~ Orin Glenn Troutman, commonly known as rockabilly, pop singer Glen Glenn, born in Joplin, Missouri, USA ~ Formed the duo the Missouri Mountain Boys with guitarist Gary Lambert. Ventured into a solo career by the mid 1950s, releasing his Everybody's Movin debut single in 1958. Drafted soon after its release, Troutman was unable to do any promotion, effectively stalling his career. Resurfaced in the 1970s after Ace Records issued a compilation of his rockabilly recordings ~ Glenn passed away in 2022
October 24, 1934 ~ Sanger D Shafer, commonly known as songwriter, singer Whitey Shafer, born in Whitney, Texas, USA ~ Lifelong compadre of Lefty Frizzell, with whom he frequently collaborated. Staff songwriter at famed Acuff/Rose publishers, his songs recorded by George Jones (Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong), George Strait (Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind, All My Ex's Live In Texas), Johnny Russell (The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor), Moe Bandy (Bandy The Rodeo Clowen), Johnny Rodriguez, Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley (I Wonder Do You Think Of Me), John Michael Montgomery, Lee Ann Womack, and Kenny Chesney. Though best known as a songwriter, Shafer has ocassionally recorded as a singer, his highest charting single You Are A Liar reaching No.48 Billboard Country. Shafer was inducted in the the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989 ~ Shafer passed away in 2019