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 29, 1975 ~ Arranger, composer, orchestra leader John Scott Trotter passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Closely associated with Bing Crosby, backing the singer with the Trotter Orchestra from 1937 through 1954. Also worked with Vince Guaraldi scoring, arranging, conducting the soundtracks to one film and a series of Peanuts TV specials starting with 1966's It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown up to You're A Good Sport Charlie Brown, the latter first aired one day before Trotter's death ~ Trotter was born in 1908
October 29, 1971 ~ Guitarist Duane Allman, full name Howard Duane Allman, passed away in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founder, original frontman of the Allman Brothers Band, present on the albums The Allman Brothers Band, Idlewild South, At Fillmore East, and Eat A Peach. In-demand session musician and collaborator, has worked with King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Mann, 31st of February, Wilson Pickett, Delaney & Bonnie, Eric Clapton's Derek & the Dominos, Boz Scaggs, and Hour Glass ~ Allman was born in 1946October 29, 1970 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Toby Smith born in London, UK ~ Best known as keyboardist and co-songwriter for Jamiroquai from 1992 through 2002. Also produced and managed pop rock band the Hoosiers. Produced Absent Elk's 2009 Elk Caught In The Headlights album. Co-produced Matt Cardle's 2013 Porcelain album ~ Smith passed away in 2017
October 29, 1967 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Jimi Hendrix records One Rainy Wish at Olympic Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Jimi Hendrix, reportedly inspired by a dream he had in which “eleven moons played across the rainbows”. Produced by Chas Chandler. Hendrix' guitar playng on the recording has been critically compared to jazz guitarists such as Wes Montgomery. The song is also specifically noted for its radical harmonies and complex rhythmic concepts. Included on the band's 1967 Axis (Bold As Love) sophomore album. Also used as the B-side of the Up From The Skies, recorded the same day
October 29, 1967 ~ Singer, actress Joely Fisher born in Burbank, California, USA ~ Daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress, singer Connie Stevens. Best known as an actress, starring in the sitcom Ellen, as replacement in 1990s Broadway-productions of Grease and Cabaret, and roles in Desperate Housewives and Til Death
October 29, 1966 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, 96 Tears by ? & the Mysterians hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Note that the singer doesn't shed 96 tears, he plans to take revenge on a former lover, and she will be crying 96 tears.The song is known especially for its organ riff, one of the most recognisable in rock. The band was clouded in mystery, its frontman going by the moniker “?”, real name Rudy Martinez, and the band members all in shades to add to the mystique. Martinez has stated the number “96” has a deep philosophical meaning, yet he has never divulged what that is. ? & the Mysterians would continue to record, but 96 Tears remained their one major hit. The group would disband in 1968October 29, 1965 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones kick off their North American tour at the Montreal Forum, Montreal, Canada ~ The band plays some 40 shows across Canada and the USA through early December, in support of their Out Of Our Heads album. The set list includes She Said Yeah, Heart Of Stone, Play With Fire, Get Off Of My Cloud, and (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
October 29, 1965 ~ Rock band the Who release their My Generation single, which would become one of the band's best known ~ One of rock's all-time rawest statements of youthful rebellion, famously containing the often quoted line “I hope I die before I get old”, and considered a forebear to punk rock. At the time of its initial release, the song would become the band's highest-charting UK single, peaking at No.2. The song became a signature song for the band, and has been included on several all-time best lists. Named one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll in 1995. Guitarist, singer Pete Townshend, the band's primary songwriter, is said to have been inspired by the Queen Mother, who allegedly had Townshend's 1935 Packard hearse towed off a street in Belgravia because she was offended by the sight of it during her daily drive through the neighbourhoodOctober 29, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist John West born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Best known as lead guitarist of Artension. Previously fronted Royal Hunt. As a solo artist debuted with the album Mind Journey in 1997. Also worked with Diamond, the Sages Recital, Mythodea, Artlantica, Forces United, Emir Hot, Badlands, Sun Red Sun, Cozy Powell, Michael Lee Firkins, Lynch Mob, Royal Hunt, Uli Jon Roth, James Murphy, Savatage, and the Ten Man Push
October 29, 1964 ~ Free jazz saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, full name Mats Olof Gustafsson, born in Umea, Sweden ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Thing, Günter Christmann, Gush, Peter Brötzmann, Joe McPhee, Paul Lovens, Derek Bailey, Magnus Broo, Otomo Yoshihide, Pat Thomas, Jim O'Rourke, Thomas Lehn, Evan Parker, Misha Mengelberg, Zu, the Ex, Sonic Youth, Hamid Drake, Michael Zerang, Ken Vandermark, Kjell Nordeson, Mademoisell Karen, Colin Stetson, Barry Guy, and Craig Taborn
October 29, 1962 ~ Drummer, songwriter Richard Ploog, full name Richard John Ploog, born in Adelaide, Australia ~ Best known as drummer for the Church replacing original drummer Nick Ward in 1981. Ploog is absent from what is perhaps the band's internationally best known hit, Under The Milky Way, as the band were unable to get a drum beat which sounded right with Ploog. The band would play to a click track, and later bring in session drummer Russ Kunkel to add drums and percussion. Ploog recorded five albums with the band, leaving after recording 1990's Gold Afternoon Fix to be replaced by Jay Dee Daugherty and has since worked with the Wigmen, Deadly Hume, Funkicide, and the Sleep-Ins
October 29, 1955 ~ Reggae guitarist, singer Basil Gabbidon, full name Basil Glendon Gabbidon, born in Jamaica ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist for British reggae outfit Steel Pulse from 1975 through 1982, present on the albums Handsworth Revolution, Tribute To The Martyrs, Reggae Fever (Caught You), and True Democracy. Gabbidon would be succeeded by Melvin Brown
October 29, 1955 ~ Singer Kevin DuBrow, full name Kevin Mark DuBrow, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Reportedly, his first band consisted of 11-year olds, including himself, playing only one gig, to an audience of senior citizens who where not particularly fond of rock music. Influenced by the Small Faces, Queen, Rod Stewart, and Humble Pie. Best known as lead singer for heavy metal unit Quiet Riot. The band scored a million-seller with their 1983 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Cum On Feel The Noize, originally recorded by British glam rockers Slade a decade earlier. DuBrow appeared on all of the band's albums until his death, with the exception of 1988's QR recorded during his brief dismissal from the band ~ Dubrow passed away in 2007October 29, 1954 ~ Singer Anita Meyer born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ As a solo artist best known for The Alternative Way and Why Tell Me Why. Sang backup for Patricia Paay and Sandra Reemer
October 29, 1952 ~ Singer, producer Arnell Carmichael born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Founding member of Raydio, which also included Ray Parker Jr, best known for Jack And Jill, You Can't Change That and perhaps their best known A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)
October 29, 1952 ~ Violinist Ida Kavafian born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Best known as member of the Beaux Arts Trio from 1992 through 1998. Also worked with her sister Ani Kavafian, Chick Corea, the Chamber Music Society, Opus One, Steven Tenenbom, Anne-Marie McDermott, Peter Wiley, and Mark O'Connor. Praised for her renditions of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Felix Mendelssohn as well as 20th century works of Ruth Crawford Seeger and Toru Takemitsu
October 29, 1952 ~ James L Hinson Jr, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimbeau Hinson, born in Newton, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known as a songwriter, his songs recorded by the likes of David Lee Murphy, Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, Brenda Lee (Broken Trust), John Conlee, Reba McEntire (Red Roses Won't Work Now), Lynn Anderson, Steve Earle (Hillbilly Highway), Carol Channing and perhaps most notably the Oak Ridge Boys, the latter taking (I'm Settin') Fancy Free written by Hinson and Roy August to the top of the Billboard Country charts in 1981 ~ Hinson passed away in 2022October 29, 1952 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Rich Lataille born in Westerly, Rhode Island, USA ~ Longtime member of Roomful Of Blues with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting with the acclaimed eponymous 1977 Roomful Of Blues debut album. Lataille has also appeared on albums by several of his bandmates and others including John Mooney, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, JB Hutto, Duke Robillard (After Hours Swing Session), Greg Piccolo, Pat Benatar, Otis Grand, and Al Basile
October 29, 1949 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer David Paton born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Rose to fame as lead singer of 1970s band Pilot, known for songs such as January, Call Me Round, Just A Smile and perhaps their best known Magic, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1975. Also closely associated with the Alan Parsons Project, appearing on most of the band's albums including I Robot, The Turn Of A Friendly Card and Eye In The Sky. Has also worked with Kate Bush, Camel, Rick Wakeman, Fish, and Eric Woolfson
October 29, 1949 ~ Proto-punk, garage rock, hard rock, glam rock, punk rock guitarist, singer James Williamson, full name James Robert Williamson, born in Castroville, Texas, USA ~ Best known as guitarist for Iggy Pop's late 1960s, early 1970 the Stooges. Williamson joined the band in 1970 and appears on the 1973 Raw Power album for which he co-wrote all songs. Following the band's disbandement Williamson would continue his work with Pop through the end of the decade, appearing on the Kill City collaborative album released in 1977, and co-produce Pop's New Values and Soldier albums. Williamson released his Re-Licked solo debut album in 2014
October 29, 1946 ~ Peter Allen Greenbaum, commonly known as guitarist Peter Green born in Bethnal Green, UK ~ Best known as co-founding Fleetwood Mac member, wrote or co-wrote songs such as Albatros, Black Magic Woman, Oh Well and The Green Manalishi With The Two Prong Crown. Also worked with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Eddie Boyd, Duster Bennett, Gordon Smith, Otis Spann, Clifford Davis, Jeremy Spencer, Peter Bardens, Memphis Slim, BB King, Dave Kelly, Country Joe McDonald, Toe Fat, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Peter Gabriel, and with the Peter Green Splinter Group ~ Green passed away in 2020
October 29, 1944 ~ Brian Frederick Arthur Hines, commonly known as pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Denny Laine born in Tyseley, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Moody Blues, present on the band's 1965 The Magnificent Moodies debut album. Sang lead on the band's first hit, Go Now, which would top the charts in their native UK in 1965 and reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Laine would depart the band in 1966 and be replaced by Justin Hayward. Perhaps best known for his association with Paul McCartney, serving as member of McCartney's backing unit Wings from 1971 through 1981. Also co-wrote Mull Of Kintyre with McCartney. Laine has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, noted for his 1976 Holly Days sophomore album, and worked with the Electric String Band, Balls, Ginger Baker, Colin Blunstone, and Carmine Appice ~ Hines passed away in 2023
October 29, 1944 ~ Pop singer Fausto Leali born in Nuvolento, Italy ~ Married to singer Melina Cantù, with whom he has one daughter. First gained attention in the mid 1960s as frontman of Leali & the Novelty, selling a million copies of the Roy Hamilton-cover Hurt translated to Italian as A Chi. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist. Dubbed “Il Negro Bianco” or the white negro for his hoarse singing style, the moniker would also serve as the title of his 1968 Il Negro Bianco. Well-known for songs such as Si Chiama Maria, Io Camminero, Io Amo, and Ti Lascero. The latter, a duet with Anna Oxa, would be used as Italy's entry for the 1989 Eurovision Songfestival and reach 9th place
October 29, 1940 ~ Singer David Brigati born in Garfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Started as a member of doo-wop outfit the Hi-Fives, known for their 1958 regional hit Dorothy. Member of Joey Dee & the Starliters, scoring a 1961 Billboard Hot 100 charttopper with The Peppermint Twist. Best known as “the Fifth Rascal”, singing backup with the Rascals and occasionaly singing lead such as on Once Upon A Dream ~ Brigati passed away in 2026
October 29, 1940 ~ Singer Frida Boccara, full name Danielle Frida Hélène Boccara, born in Casablanca, French Morocco ~ Representing France Boccara tied for the No.1 spot with Un Jour Un Enfant at the 1969 Eurovision Songfestival held in Madrid. Allegations were made of foul play, Spanish dictator Franco aiming to have Spain win. The other “winners” were Lenny Kuhr with De Troubadour for the Netherlands, Lulu with Boom Bang-a-bang for the UK and Salomé with Vivo Cantando for Spain ~ Baccaro passed away in 1996