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 3, 2025 ~ Bassist, guitarist Chris Dreja, full name Christopher Walenty Dreja, passed away ~ Co-founding member of the Yardbirds, remaining with the band from its inception in 1963 until its initial disbandement in 1969. Reportedly, Dreja was once offered a spot by Jimmy Page in what was to become Led Zeppelin but declined in order to focus on his career as a photographer instead ~ Dreja was born in 1945
October 3, 2023 ~ Operatic mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Dark, full name Jacqueline Lisa Dark, passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Has performed opera, music theatre, cabaret, and concerts. Closely associated with the Opera Australia and the Victorian State Opera. Has also worked with the Opera Queensland, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Philharmonic Society, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra ~ Dark was born ca.1968October 3, 2021 ~ Guitarist, bassist, percussionist Anouman Brou Félix passed away in Abidjan, Ivory Coast ~ Pioneer of Attie music. Founded the Ivoiry Band. Started the Wamy dance while in France ~ Félix was born in 1935
October 3, 2020 ~ Edgar Antonio Galindo ibarra, commonly known as pop singer Anthony Galindo, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Best known as a member of Menudo from 1995 through 2000, present on the 1996 Tiempo De Amar album. Also worked with the spin-off group MDO ~ Galindo was born in 1978
October 3, 2018 ~ Singer, guitarist Hugo Raspoet passed away in Leuven, Belgium ~ Best known for his signature song Helena (1970) and for Evviva Il Papa (1969), the latter banned from radio for criticizing the Pope. A radio DJ, Johan Anthierens, protesting the ban would be fired for reading the lyrics on-air ~ Raspoet was born in 1940
October 3, 2015 ~ Vibraphonist David Pike, full name David Samuel Pike, passed away in Del Mar, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Recording as a leader since the early 1960s. Worked with Nick Brignola, Paul Bley, Bill Evans, Herbie Mann, the Jazz Couriers, Kenny Clarke, Lee Konitz, Chuck Israels, Don Friedman, Volker Kriegel, JA Rettenbacher, and Peter Baumeister ~ Pike was born in 1938
October 3, 2015 ~ Music journalist, musician Franciszek Walicki passed away in Adynia, Poland ~ Seen as founder of Polist beat and rock, calling them big-beat as rock & roll was unacceptable for communist authorities. Organized jazz festivals. Founded a number of quintessential polish bands including Rhythm & Blues, considered the first Polish rock & roll band, as well as Czerwono Czarni and Breakout ~ Walicki was born in 1921
October 3, 2013 ~ Frank Caldarone, commonly known as jazz singer, guitarist Frank D'Rone, passed away in Wheaton, Illinois, USA ~ Active during 1950s and 1960s, starting with the 1959 album Frank D'Rone Sings. Best known for his 1960 single Strawberry Blonde (The Band Rocked On) ~ Caldarone was born in 1932
October 3, 2012 ~ Singer Kathi McDonald, full name Kathryn Marie McDonald, passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Without even trying, McDonald landed a spot in Ike & Tina Turner's backing choir the Ikettes as Turner noticed her singing in the audience. McDonald would subsequently succeed Janis Joplin as lead singer of Big Brother & the Holding Company, with whom she recorded the albums Can't Go Home Again, How Hard It Is, and Be A Brother. McDonald has also recorded as a solo artist, noted particularly for her 1974 Insane Asylum album, and sung backup for Don Nix, Leon Russell (Leon Russell And The Shelter People), Joe Cocker, Freddie King, Dave Mason, the Rolling Stones (Exile On Main St), Betty Davis, Grin, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Nicky Hopkins, and Long John Baldry. Prior to becoming a professional singer, McDonald had never received any formal musical training ~ McDonald was born in 1948
October 3, 2011 ~ Armenuhi Manoogian, commonly known as singer Kay Armen, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity mostly during the 1940s and 1950s. Appeared in the 1955 musical film Hit The Deck. As a singer known best for songs such as Be Good To Yourself, My Love And I and It's A Sin To Cry Over You ~ Manoogian was born in 1915October 3, 2005 ~ Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez passed away in Paris, France ~ Noted for his association with Carlos Valdés. Also worked with Africando, Arsenío Rodriguez, Conjunction Sensacion, Vicentico Valdés, Willie Rosario, Joe Cuba, José Fajardo, Tipica Novel, Alfredo de la Fé, Ismael Rivera, Rafael Cortijo, La Lupe, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Camilo Azuquita, Art Webb, and Roberto Torres ~ Rodriguez was born in 1936
October 3, 1997 ~ Songwriter Phil Medley passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote Twist And Shout with Bert Berns. The song would be first recorded by the Top Notes in 1961 but is more famous as covered by the Isley Brothers the following year and by the Beatles for their 1963 Please Please Me album. Other songs co-written by Medley include TV Is The Thing This Year (Dinah Washington), Anything You Wanna Do (Billy Eckstine), A Million To One (Jimmy Charles), and If I Didn't Have A Dime To Play The Jukebox (Gene Pitney) ~ Medley was born in 1916
October 3, 1995 ~ Jazz Ishmael Butler, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Lil' Tracy, born in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA ~ Son of Digable Planets-rapper Ishmael Butler and SWV singer Cheryl Gamble. Member of hip-hop collective GothBoiClique. Frequent collaborator of Lil' Peep, notably on the track White Tee. Released his full-length Anarchy solo debut album in 2019
October 3, 1995 ~ R&B girl group Xscape release Who Can I Run To, lifted off their Off The Hook album ~ Originally recorded by the Jones Girls in 1979 for their eponymous The Jones Girls album. R&B group Xscape would issue their rendition as the second single off their Off The Hook sophomore album, which topped would top the Billboard R&B charts and peak at No.8 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, making it their third Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit after Just Kickin' It and Understanding off their previous album. Both Anderson Paak and rapper Joyner Lucas would later sample the Xscape version, respectively on the tracks Might Be and When I Need LoveOctober 3, 1994 ~ Henk Mando, commonly known as rapper Henkie T, born in Paramaribo, Suriname ~ First gained attention as member of SBMG. Released his Visionair solo debut album in 2019. Best known for guesting on Qlas & Blacka's 2020 Dom Perignon hit single which also featured Murda and Jonna Fraser
October 3, 1988 ~ Rakim Athelaston Mayers, commonly known as rapper, producer A$AP Rocky, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Joined the Harlem-based collective A$AP Mob in 2007. Released the single Purple Swag in 2011 which quickly became a street anthem in New York. A critically acclaimed mixtape, Live Love A$ap, followed in October of the same year. Before the year was over Rocky had signed a two-year multi-million dollar deal with RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music
October 3, 1988 ~ Caleb Shapiro, commonly known as pop-rap singer Cal Shapiro, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Has cited influences as diverse as Robert Johnson, Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, and rapper Big L. Got his first taste of performing as a member of the Ride while still in college. Shapiro would go to on form the pop-rap, hip-hop, pop duo Timeflies with bandmate drummer Rob Resnick, Shapiro freestyling over Resnick's beats. Since their start in the early-2010s, the duo has gained a devoted following with originals and popular covers posted to online platforms. The duo issued their first full-length album, The Scotch Tape, independently in 2011, its title a nod to Shapiro's love of scotch whisky. Its follow-up album After Hours reached top 10 Billboard Hot 200. The duo is best known for songs such as I Choose U, All The Way, and Once In A While, all of which peaked just outside the Billboard Hot 100 charts, reaching top 10 Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100
October 3, 1988 ~ Pop rock group Deacon Blue release Real Gone Kid, lead single off their When The World Knows Your Name sophomore album ~ Peaking at No.8, Real Gone Kid would be the band's first UK top 10 hit. Written by the group's lead singer Ricky Ross, the song is a tribute to former Lone Justice singer Maria McKee whom he had seen while serving as their support act. The term “real gone” is meant to describe McKee's wild stage antics. Real Gone Kid isn't the only McKee tribute to have reached top 10 in the UK. A few years before Real Gone Kid, Feargal Sharkey had reached No.5 with You Little Thief which was written by Tom Petty-keyboardist Benmont Tench shortly after he had broken up with McKee. Deacon Blue would score two more UK top 10 hits over their career, at the turn of the 1990s I'll Never Fall In Love Again reached No.2 and Twist And Shout peaked at No.10October 3, 1985 ~ Dancer, singer, songwriter Shokichi born in Tomakomai, Japan ~ Member of Exile. Member of the J-Soul Brothers. As a solo artist released his full-length The Future in 2016. Has reached the Oricon top 10 with songs such as Back To The Future, Don't Stop The Music and Underdog
October 3, 1984 ~ Singer, actress, songwriter Ashlee Simpson, full name Ashlee Nicole Simpson, born in Waco, Texas, USA ~ Baby sister of singer, actress Jessica Simpson. Best known for songs such as Boyfriend, LOVE, Invisible and her debut single Pieces Of Me which reached the Billboard top 10 in 2004
October 3, 1982 ~ Ernest Weatherly Greene Jr, commonly known as synth-pop, dream pop, bedrom pop singer, songwriter, producer Washed Out, born in Perry, Georgia, USA ~ First gained attention in the late-2010s, his internet videos finding a warm audience with bloggers. Would release his full-length Within And Without in 2011. Best known for songs such as You'll See It (Small Black Remix), Eyes Be Closed and It All Feels Right
October 3, 1980 ~ Boris Titulaer, mononymously known as pop, soul singer Boris, born in Venlo, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention as winner of the 2003 edition of Dutch talent contest Idols. Well known songs include When You Think Of Me, MSG and Within My HandsOctober 3, 1980 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen kicks off his The River Tour at the Crisler Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan ~ Concurrently with the release of his album The River, Bruce Springsteen kicks off his tour, totalling some 140 dates through September 1981 across the USA, Canada, and Europe. With 34 dates in Europe it would be Springsteen's first trip to the continent since 1975, the European leg considered a huge success, establishing his European fanbase. Pete Townshend, co-lead singer, guitarist for the Who, would join Springsteen on-stage for the encores at the June 7 concert in Birmingham, UK. About a dozen songs recorded during the tour would be included on the Live 1975-85 live box set released in 1986
October 3, 1980 ~ Indie pop, rock singer Danny O'Donoghue, full name Daniel John Mark Luke O'Donoghue, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Best known as frontman of the Script, known for songs such as The Man Who Can't Be Moved, Breakeven, For The First Time, Hall Of Fame featuring will.i.am and Superheroes, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native Ireland
October 3, 1980 ~ Soul jazz organist Freddie Roach passed away in California, USA ~ One of a handful of hammond players that made history in the 1960s. Roach recorded 5 critically acclaimed albums in the mid to late 1960s for Blue Note Records, notably 1964's Good Move, and 3 more for Prestige Records. Roach also worked as a sideman with Ike Quebec, Willis Jackson and Donald Byrd. Roach retired from the music business in 1970 and ventured into theater, playwriting and film ~ Roach was born in 1931October 3, 1980 ~ Singer, songwriter Kjetil Mørland born in Grimstad, Norway ~ Fronted Absent Elk, known for their sole album Elk Caught In The Headlights released in 2009. Represented Norway in the 2015 Eurovision Songfestival duetting with Debrah Scarlett on A Monster Like Me, reaching 8th place