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 30, 1925 ~ Attilio Joseph Macero, commonly known as producer Teo Macero, born in Glens Falls, New York, USA ~ Macero was to jazz in the 1950s and beyond what Phil Spector was to pop-rock in the 1960s and beyond. Produced some of jazz's most influential and quintessential albums, working with artists such as Thelonious Monk (Monk's Blues), Charles Mingus, Miles Davis (Kind Of Blue, Bitches Brew), Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, Charlie Byrd, and Maynard Ferguson.Macero has also produced classical orchestral and contemporary works, Broadway recordings and soundtracks ~ Macero passed away in 2008
October 30, 1925 ~ R&B singer, bandleader Tommy Ridgley, full name Thomas Herman Ridgley, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Fronted the Untouchables. Debuted in 1949 with the single Shrewsbury Blues. Also known for songs such as Double Eyed Whammy, I've Heard That Story Before and Tra La La, the latter later covered by Pat Boone ~ Ridgley passed away in 1999
October 30, 1912 ~ Leland James Gillette, commonly known as producer, label executive, A&R director Lee Gillette, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Headed the country division for Capitol Records starting in 1942, signing and producing acts such as Tex Ritter, Jack Guthrie, Jimmy Wakely, Merle Travis, Tex Williams, Tennessee Ernie Ford. Moved to the label's pop division in 1950, where he would produce Georgia Gibbs, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Stan Kenton, Vic Damone. Especially closely associated with Nat King Cole, producing all of Cole's recordings from 1950 onwards. Following Cole's death in 1965 Gillette suffered from depression and retired shortly afterwards, only occasionally producing thereafter ~ Gillette passed away in 1981