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 8, 2025 ~ Isaiah Johnson, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Terry Buzzy Johnson, passed away ~ Key member of 1950s doo-wop outfit the Flamingos. Sang lead on Fool Heart and Are You Sorry, co-lead on Never Say Goodbye, Love Walked In and Time Was. Recruited in 1964 by Smokey Robinson to join Motown as staff writer. Wrote or co-wrote songs for artists such as the Four Tops, Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers (Malinda), the Temptations, Martha & the Vandellas, the Supremes and perhaps most notably the Miracles (Here I Go Again, Baby Baby Don't Cry) ~ Johnson was born in 1938
October 8, 2023 ~ Singer Nina Matviienko, full name Nina Mytrofanivna Matviienko, passed away in Kyiv, Ukraine ~ Considered a pivotal voice in Ukrainian folk. Member of the Ukrainian State Folk Choir from 1966 through 1991. Member of folk trio Zoloti Kliuchi. Well-known for her 2017 performance with the Lviv National Opera of Yevhen Stankovych's folk opera When The Fern Blooms. The opera had been banned during the Soviet era, the recording featuring Matviienko would be streamed online following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine ~ Matviienko was born in 1947
October 8, 2021 ~ Drummer, songwriter Everett Morton, full name Everett Matthew Livingstone Morton, passed away ~ Reggae-influenced drummer known for his syncopated and polyrhythmic drumming. Member of 1980s ska revival band the Beat, known for hits such as The Tears Of A Clown, Mirror In The Bathroom, Too Nice To Talk To and perhaps their best known Can't Get Used To Losing You, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK ~ Morton was born in 1950
October 8, 2020 ~ Bassist, clarinetist, keyboardist Brian Locking passed away ~ Briefly a member of Cliff Richard's backing unit the Shadows, including in the Summer Holiday film. Has also worked with the Wildcats, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Joe Brown, Conway Twitty, and Brenda Lee ~ Locking was born in 1938
October 8, 2019 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, songwriter Malcolm Duncan, also known as Molly Duncan, passed away in Bocholt, Germany ~ Founding member of funk, pop, R&B outfit the Average White Band from 1972 to 1983, present on the acclaimed albums AWB which spawned the hit Pick Up The Pieces and Cut The Cake. Also worked with Ray Charles, Tom Petty, Buddy Guy, Ben E King, the Dire Straits, Bryan Ferry, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan, Knee Deep, and Cold Sweat & the Horny Horns ~ Duncan was born in 1945
October 8, 2017 ~ Jazz, soul jazz drummer, singer Grady Tate passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Got his start in music in the early 1960s working with Quincy Jones. Would go on to work with the New York Jazz Quartet during the 1970s. Drummed for Simon & Garfunkel during their famed 1981 Central Park concert. As a singer known best for I Got Six, Naught Number Nine and Fireworks. In-demand sideman, worked with Jimmy Smith, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Stan Getz, Cal Tjader, Wes Montgomery, Eddie Harris, and JJ Johnson ~ Tate was born in 1932October 8, 2016 ~ Pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist Don Ciccone, full name Donald Joseph Ciccone, passed away in Ketchum, Idaho, USA ~ Founding member of the Critters, known for songs such as Younger Girl and Mr Dieingly Sad. Member of the Four Seasons in the 1970s, present on December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and Rhapsody. Subsequently a member of the Shondells through 1987 ~ Ciccone was born in 1946
October 8, 2015 ~ Funk, rock singer, guitarist, producer Bruce Nazarian passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ First-call session musician. Worked with George Clinton, Don Was, Earl Van Dyke, Richard Pistol Allen, Uriel Jones, Robert White, the Austin Moro Big Band, the 8th Day, Brownsville Station, the A-Band, Randy Jacobs, Midway, Millie Scott, Nighthawk, and Jimmy Lifton ~ Nazarian was born in 1949
October 8, 2015 ~ Pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jim Diamond, full name James Aaron Diamond, passed away in London, UK ~ Lead singer of PhD, known for the 1982 UK top 10 hit I Won't Let You Down. As a solo artist known for 1984's I Should Have Known Better and 1986's Hi Ho Silver, both of which also reached top 10 in the UK ~ Diamond was born in 1951
October 8, 2013 ~ Philip Ryan, commonly known as singer, guitarist Philip Chevron passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Regarded as one of the most influential figures in Irish punk. Best known as lead guitarist of celtic punk rockers the Pogues. Chevron wrote several classic Pogues songs including Thousands Are Sailing and Lorelei. Previously fronted Radiators From Space ~ Ryan was born in 1957
October 8, 2011 ~ Alternative rock, emo, indie rock bassist, guitarist, singer Mikey Welsh, full name Michael Edward Welsh, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with Weezer, joining the band in 1998 replacing original bassist Matt Sharp. Present on the Weezer (Green Album) album released in 2001. Had previously played with Left Nut, Heretix, Jocobono, Juliana Hatfield. In 2001, Welsh suffered a mental breakdown and retired from music shortly thereafter ~ Welsh was born in 1971
October 8, 2011 ~ Louis Jacob Weertz, commonly known as pianist Roger Williams, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Brass Monkey. Majored in piano but reportedly expelled for playing Smoke Gets In Your Eyes in the practice room instead of classical music. Known for songs such as Almost Paradise, Till, Near You, Born Free, and Autumn Leaves. The latter stands as the only piano instrumental since 1955 to top the Billboard charts ~ Weertz was born in 1924October 8, 2010 ~ Gospel singer, songwriter, actress Albertina Walker passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Mahalia Jackson. Known for songs such as Please Be Patient With Me, I Can Go To God In Prayer, The Best Is Yet To Come, The Impossible Dream, and Joy Will Come. Worked with the Pete Williams Singers, the Willie Webb Singers, the Robert Anderson Singers, the Caravans, James Cleveland, Bessie Griffin, Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Loleatta Holloway, John McNell, Cassietta George, Delores Washington, the Cathedral Of Love Choir, Metro Mass Choir, the West Point Choir, the Sisters Of Glory, Thelma Houston, CeCe Peniston, Phoebe Snow, and Lois Walden ~ Walker was born in 1929
October 8, 2009 ~ Fred Leroy Robinson, commonly known as R&B, blues guitarist Abu Talib, passed away in Lancaster, California, USA ~ Influenced by Joe Willie Wilkins. Active since the mid 1950s, getting his start in music backing blues harpist Birmingham Jones. Would go on to tour with Little Walter, record with Howlin' Wolf including on Wolf's classics Spoonful, Back Door Man, and Wang Dang Doodle, and work with R&B singers such as Jerry Butler, Syl Johnson, and notably Ray Charles. Robinson would record sporadically as a solo artist, known perhaps best for the modest instrumental hit Black Fox, and has appeared on albums by Monk Higgins, Milt Jackson, John Mayall (Moving On), and Blue Mitchell ~ Robinson was born in 1939October 8, 2003 ~ Ranchera singer, pianist Angela Aguilar, full name Angela Aguilar Alvarez, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Daughter of Pepe Aguilar and sister of Leonardo Aguilar, both singers. Released her Primero Soy Mexicana debut album in 2018 earning her three Grammy Award-nominations including for Best New Artist making her the youngest person to achieve this feat
October 8, 1997 ~ Annabell Avery Thorne, commonly known as singer, actress Bella Thorne, born in Penbroke Pines, Florida, USA ~ Best known as an actress, first gaining attention playing the role of CeCe Jones in the Disney series Shake It Up from 2010 to 2013. As a singer released a number of recordings, most notably 2014's Call It Whatever which charted reasonably well on the Billboard dance charts
October 8, 1991 ~ Lodewijk Fluttert, commonly known as singer, producer, DJ Bakermat, born in Markelo, the Netherlands ~ Majored in psychology. Would rise to fame as a jazz and soul influenced DJ and producer mashing up electronic, techno, deep and tropical house and incorporating a wide array of live musicians on-stage. Hit the Dutch, Belgian and French charts in late 2012, early 2013 with the single Vandaag and has been recording and performing to critical acclaim and commercial success since. Bakermat's earlier work is considered to be at the forefront of tropical or melodic house, alongside the works of Klingande, Kungs, Lost Frequencies, Felix Jaehn, Sam Feldt, Thomas Jack and Kygo
October 8, 1990 ~ Barrie James Wilson, commonly known as baroque pop, rock, progressive rock drummer BJ Wilson, passed away in Eugene, Oregon, USA ~ Member of the Paramounts, known for their 1963 single Poison Ivy. Declined an offer by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant to join Led Zeppelin. Best known as longtime drummer for Procol Harum, joining the band in 1967 right after the succes of their A Whiter Shade Of Pale debut single and present on all subsequent recordings through 1977 ~ Wilson was born in 1947
October 8, 1985 ~ Peter Gene Hernandez, commonly known as pop, R&B, funk, soul singer, guitarist, pianist, drummer Bruno Mars born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Probably the youngest Elvis Presley impersonator in history, performing with his family's band at age 3. One third of producer, songwriter team the Smeezingtons, alongside Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine. Guested on singles such as BoB's Nothing On You and Travie McCoy's Billionaire. As a solo artist rose to stardom starting with international charttoppers Just The Way You Are (Amazing), Grenade and The Lazy Song of his 2010 debut Doo-wops & Hooligans album. Would go on to score numerous international hits, at times collaborating with Cardi B, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, Ed Sheeran, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and Mark Ronson. Has sold over 130 million records to date
October 8, 1982 ~ Bassist Bas van Wageningen born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Founding member, bassist of Di-rect, known for hits such as Inside My Head, She, Als Je Iets Kan Doen, Hungry For Love, Cool Without You and A Good Thing, all of which reached top 10 in the NetherlandsOctober 8, 1982 ~ Daniel Carrillo, commonly known as rapper, producer Termanology, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA ~ First gained attention with the 2006 single Watch How It Go Down. Released a full-length solo album Politics As Usual in 2008. Collaborated with DJ Premier, Pete Rock, the Large Professor, Easy Mo Bee, Buckwild, Statik Selektah, Kid Ink, Cory Gunz, DJ Kay Slay, Sheek Louch, Lil' Fame, Sean Price, Inspectah Deck, and Skyzoo
October 8, 1981 ~ Jazz guitarist Oscar Moore, full name Oscar Frederick Moore, passed away in Clark, Nevada, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with Nat King Cole. Brother of singer Johnny Moore, with whom he also worked. Also collaborated with Leon René, Helen Humes, Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow, Leroy Vinnegar, Charles Brown, Lester Young, and Buddy Rich ~ Moore was born in 1916
October 8, 1980 ~ Singer Prince releases When You Were Mine as a promotional 12" off Dirty Mind, released on the same day ~ Paired with Gotta Broken Heart Again and Uptown on the flip side. Prince later commented he was inspired to write When You Were Mine while listening to John Lennon. The song would be notably covered as a mid-tempo synthesizer-based ballad by Cyndi Lauper for her 1983 She's So Unusual debut album. In 2019 Lauper's version would be used as the theme song to the second season of the true crime show Dirty John (The Betty Broderick Story)
October 8, 1978 ~ Jazz guitarist Mike Moreno born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Cites Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and Bill Frisell as main musical influences. Worked with Joshua Redman, Lizz Wright, Nicholas Payton, Meshell Ndegeocello, Greg Osby, Wynton Marsalis, Rober Glasper, Stefon Harris, Aaron Parks, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Garrett, Ravi Coltrane, Bilal, Q-Tip, John Ellis, Jeremy Pelt, Marcus Strickland, Jesse Chandler, Kendrick Scott, Gaetano Partipilo, Michael Janisch, Brince Winston, and James FranciesOctober 8, 1974 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinettist Harry Carney, full name Harry Howell Carney, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for spending over four decades as a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra. Also worked with Benny Goodman (The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert), with Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Hodges, and Billy Taylor ~ Carney was born in 1910