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 27, 2022 ~ Geraldine Milligan, commonly known as R&B, disco singer Geraldine Hunt, passed away ~ Enjoyed moderate success on the R&B and dance charts from the 1970s through the early 1980s. Well known songs include the Charlie Hodges duet You And I, the Supremes cover Baby I Need Your Loving, You Brought Joy and perhaps her best known Can't Fake The Feeling, the latter topping the Billboard Dance charts in 1980 ~ Milligan was born in 1945October 27, 2021 ~ Conductor, composer Letieres Leite passed away in Salvador, Brazil ~ Perhaps best remembered for founding and fronting the brass and percussion ensemble the Orkestra Rumpilezz, critically acclaimed for their 2009 Letieres Leite & the Orkestra Rumpilezz album. Leite has worked with a wide array of artists including Nico Assumpção, Naná Vasconcelos, Gilberto Gil, Elba Ramalho, Lulu Santos, Hermeto Pascoal, Stanley Jordan, Carlinhos Brown, Toninho Horta, and Ivete Sangalo ~ Leite was born in 1959
October 27, 2021 ~ R&B, soul, funk, disco keyboardist, singer William Shelby passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer for Dynasty, for whom he co-wrote songs such as Groove Control, Do Me Right and Love In The Fast Lane. The band is best known for their Billboard R&B top 10 hit I've Just Begun To Love You off their 1980 Adventures In The Land Of Music sophomore album. Shelby has also served as a latter-day member for Lakeside, remaining with the funk outfit from 1993 until his death at age 65 ~ Shelby was born in 1954
October 27, 2018 ~ Frederick Segrest, commonly known as singer, guitarist Freddie Hart, passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Country singer, best known for his 1971 crossover pop hit Easy Loving. Also known for songs such as The Key's In The Mailbox, Hank Williams' Guitar, Born A Fool, My Hang-up Is You, Got The All Overs For You All Over Me, Trip To Heaven, and I'd Like To Sleep Till I Get Over You. Would regularly hit the country charts from the early 1950s through the late 1980s. Later in life Hart would turn to gospel, performing untill he died. Artists who have covered Hart's songs include Carl Smith (Loose Talk), Patsy Cline (Lovin' In Vain), George Jones (My Tears Are Overdue), and Porter Wagoner (Skid Row Joe) ~ Segrest was born in 1926October 27, 2018 ~ Steel guitarist Herb Remington, full name Herbert Leroy Remington, passed away in Texas, USA ~ Member of Bob Wills' backing unit the Texas Playboys from 1946 through 1949, notably present on Boot Heel Drag. Also worked with Hank Penny, with whom he recorded Remington Ride which has since become a standard for steel guitarists ~ Remington was born in 1926
October 27, 2018 ~ Clarinetist Murray Khouri passed away in Bowral, Australia ~ Classical clarinetist worked with orchestras such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, the Royal Ballet Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Pierre Boulez, Georg Solti, Bernard Haitink, Adrian Boult, and Eugen Jochem ~ Khouri was born in 1941
October 27, 2018 ~ Todd Schofield, commonly known as guitarist Todd Youth passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Active since the mid-1980s in predominantly punk and metal bands including notably Warzone, Murphy's Law (Back With A Bang), D-Generation, Chrome Locust, Son Of Sam, Danzig (I Luciferi), the Chelsea Smiles, Cheap Trick (The Latest), and Bloodclot ~ Schofield was born in 1971
October 27, 2016 ~ Robert Coull Wellins, commonly known as saxophonist Bobby Wellins, passed away in Bognor Regnis, UK ~ Best known for collaborating with Stan Tracey on the album Jazz Suite Inspired By Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood (1965). Leader and sideman. Has worked with artists such as Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Kenny Wheeler, Tony Crombie, Lionel Grigson, Jim Richardson, Pete Jacobsen, Adrian Kendon, Ken Baldock, Andy Cleyndert, Spike Wells, Liam Noble, Simon Thorpe, Dave Wickens, and Jimmy Knepper ~ Wellins was born in 1936
October 27, 2013 ~ Lewis Allan Reed, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lou Reed, passed away in East Hampton, New York, USA ~ First gained attention as guitarist, singer, principal songwriter of the influential 1960s outfit the Velvet Underground, writing or co-writing some of the band's best known including All Tomorrow's Parties, Waiting For The Man and Venus In Furs. Reed would go on to become one of the most celebrated solo artists of the 1970s, acclaimed for albums such as Transformer, Rock 'n Roll Animal and Coney Island Baby. Well known songs include Walk On The Wild Side, Satellite Of Love, Sweet Jane and Perfect Day ~ Reed was born in 1942
October 27, 2012 ~ Jazz, soul, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Terry Callier, full name Terrence Orland Callier, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance and Jerry Butler. Started in doo-wop bands in his teens. Influenced by John Coltrane. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by HP Lovecraft (Spin Spin Spin, It's About Time) and by the Dells (The Love We Had Stays On My Mind). Worked with George Benson, Gil Scott-Heron, Paul Weller, Massive Attack, the Juju Orchestra, Hardkandy, Nujabes, Koop, Beth Orton, and the Urban Species ~ Callier was born in 1945
October 27, 2008 ~ Producer, songwriter Ray Ellis passed away in Encino, California, USA ~ Orchestrated Billie Holiday's Lady In Satin album. Arranged many 1950s and 1960s hits, including for Johnny Mathis (A Certain Smile), Sarah Vaughan (Broken-hearted Melody), and the Four Lads (Standing On The Corner). Produced Emmylou Harris' 1970 debut album Gliding Bird. As arranger or conductor Ellis has also worked with Chris Connor, Joe Castro, Barbra Streisand, Lena Horne, Liza Minnelli, Esther Phillips, Ben E King, Harold Land, and Herbie Mann ~ Ellis was born in 1923
October 27, 2004 ~ Jazz guitarist Art Ryerson passed away in Brookfield, Connecticut, USA ~ Emerged in the 1930s. Played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo. Appears on the early recordings of Bill Haley including on Crazy Man Crazy, What'cha Gonna Do, Pat-a-cake and I'll Be True. Worked with Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, Ruby Braff, Erroll Garner, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hackett, Ellis Larkins, Red Norvo, Anita O'Day, Hot Lips Page, Artie Shaw, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, Fats Waller, Elvis Presley, and Eartha Kitt ~ Ryerson was born in 1913
October 27, 2004 ~ Pianist, composer Claude Helffer passed away in Paris, France ~ Member of the French Resistance during World War II. Revered classical, contemporary classical pianist. Premiered works by Iannis Xenakis, André Boucourechliev, Betsy Jolas, and Luis de Pablo. Also noted for his renditions of Arnold Schoenberg, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Pierre Boulez, Alban Berg, and Jean Barraqué ~ Helffer was born in 1922
October 27, 2004 ~ Jazz, big band, pop bandleader Lester Lanin, full name Nathaniel Lester Lanin, passed away in New York, USA ~ Active since the late 1920s, most popular during the 1950s, albums such as 1957's Dance To The Music Of Lester Lanin and Lester Lanin & his Orchestra, as well as Have Band Will Travel and Lester Lanin Goes To College the following year all reaching the Billboard top 10. Played at the wedding of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley in 1985. Led the orchestra at the prestigious annual the International Debutante Ball until his death ~ Lanin was born in 1907
October 27, 2000 ~ Operatic bass-baritone Walter Berry passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Closely associated with the Vienna State Opera, remaining with the company for the most of his career. Married to mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, with whom he has also worked, from 1957 through 1970. As a lieder singer praised for his interpretations of works by Franz Schubert and Gustav Mahler. Regularly appeared at the Metropolitan Opera during the 1960s and 1970s ~ Berry was born in 1929
October 27, 2000 ~ Winston Richards, commonly known as drummer, pianist, singer Winston Grennan, passed away in Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA ~ Noted session drummer active in Jamaica in the 1960s, in New York throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Worked with Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Leslie Kong, Sonia Pottinger, Clive Chin, Byron Lee, Winston Riley, Toots & the Maytals, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Paul Simon, Eddie Kendricks, Peter Paul & Mary, Booker T & the MG's, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Garland Jeffreys, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, the O'Jays, Minnie Riperton, Herbie Mann, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Pat Kelly, the Clarendonians, Yellowman, and the Skatalites ~ Richards was born in 1944
October 27, 1999 ~ Bandleader, arranger, composer Frank Devol passed away in Lafayette, California, USA ~ Began composing music at age 12. Played violin in his father's orchestra. Worked as arranger for Horace Heidt. Toured with Alvino Rey orchestra. Went on to arrange for a host of artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, Vic Damone, and Jaye P Morgan. Arranged string and piano for Nat King Cole's Nature Boy. Composed numerous film scores. Nominated for Academy Awards four times from the late 1950s through the mid 1960s, for Pillow Talk, Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, Cat Ballou and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. Devol has also worked extensively for a number of TV shows ~ DeVol was born in 1911
October 27, 1999 ~ Grunge, alternative rock guitarist Wes Berggren passed away in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of Tripping Daisy, best known for their 1995 single I Got A Girl. Following the unexpected death of Berggren, who died of an overdose, the band would finish a few remaining tapes with Berggren's father playing piano on the unfinished song Soothing Jubilee for their eponymous 2000 Tripping Daisy album, before disbanding ~ Berggren was born in 1971
October 27, 1998 ~ Boy band NSYNC release (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You, lifted off their eponymous NSYNC debut album ~ Issued as the third single off their debut album, (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You would be the band's first of half a dozen American top 10 hits, peaking at No.8 Billboard Hot 100. The single was only released in America and Australia and was only included on the American edition of their debut album. The song was written by New York based duo of Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken, who also wrote songs for 98°, Boyzone, and perhaps most notably Rihanna. Country outfit Alabama would cover (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You for their 1999 album Twentieth Century with backing vocals provided by NSYNC. The Alabama rendition reached No.3 Billboard Country and earned the artists a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country CollaborationOctober 27, 1997 ~ James Taylor-Watts, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, songwriter James TW, born in Barford, UK ~ Self-released a debut EP, Just A Number, in 2014. Best known for his 2016 single When You Love Someone. Attention garnered through online platforms would secure Taylor-Watts a record deal, leading to a full-length debut album, Chapters, released in 2019
October 27, 1994 ~ Donald Lee Owens, commonly known as singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Donnie Owens, passed away ~ Close and long time associate of Lee Hazlewood. Session rhythm guitarist for Nancy Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Duane Eddy. As a solo artist known for recordings such as Need You, Ask Me Anything, Stormy Came To Town, Heart Attack, and Climbing The Walls. Produced albums by Barney Carl, Virgil Warner, Linda Owens, Honey Ltd, Suzi Jane Hokom, Buddy Long, Sanford Clark, Ann-Margret, Danny Michaels, Jimmie Lee Morris, and Joe Cannon. Wrote songs for Budd the Spudd & the Sprouts, Virgil Warner, Johnny Wakely, Ray Sharpe, Sanford Clark, and Mac Wiseman ~ Owens was born in 1932
October 27, 1994 ~ Guitarist Robert White, full name Robert Willie White, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Oscar Moore and Wes Montgomery. Best known as guitarist of the Funk Brothers, the house studio band at Motown. Appears on numerous recordings including the Temptations' My Girl for which White wrote and performed the guitar riff, Can I Get A Witness (Marvin Gaye), You Keep Me Hangin' On (the Supremes), My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder), Something About You (the Four Tops), and on It's A Shame (the Spinners) ~ White was born in 1936
October 27, 1992 ~ R&B trio SWV release their It's About Time debut album ~ The trio had originally formed as a gospel trio back in 1988, yet when they switched to R&B it landed them a record deal. The trio's debut album would sell three million copies and earned them a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist. Initially, the trio's debut single Right Here issued some two months ahead of the album would do well on the Billboard R&B charts but only scratched the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 stalling at No.92. However, its followup singles I'm So Into You and Weak both reached top 10, the latter topping the charts for two consecutive weeks in the summer of 1993. A remixed version of Right Here, titled Right Here (Human Nature Remix), reached No.2 and would be included as a bonus track on re-issues of the album. The trio continued to record until their initial disbandement in 1998, scoring several lesser yet still notable hits. Overall, the band would score nine Billboard R&B top 10 hits, four of which also reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
October 27, 1990 ~ Bandleader, violinist, arranger Xavier Cugat passed away in Barcelona, Spain ~ Leading figure in Latin music. Led the resident orchestra at the the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, and owned and operated a restaurant in West Hollywood, California, shuttling between the two for some 30 years. His orchestra included musicians such as Desi Arnaz, Abbe Lane, Tito Rodriguez, Yma Sumac, and Miguelito Valdes, many of whom going on to become stars in their own right ~ Cugat was born in 1900
October 27, 1986 ~ Jazz pianist, vibraphonist, saxophonist Alan Branscombe passed away in London, UK ~ Closely associated with Johnny Dankworth, serving in Dankworth's orchestra on and off from 1960 through 1972. Has also worked with the likes of Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Jackie Lomax, Harold McNair, Kenny Wheeler, and Tubby Hayes. To pop and rock audiences, Branscombe is perhaps best known for his saxophone playing on the Beatles track Got To Get You Into My Life of their 1966 Revolver album ~ Branscombe was born in 1936