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 9, 1952 ~ Sharon Rachel Levy, commonly known as TV personality, music manager Sharon Osbourne, born in London, UK ~ Daughter of music manager Don Arden. Married to heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne. Became a household name through the reality show The Osbournes, following her family's daily life and first aired on MTV in 2002
October 9, 1951 ~ Jeri Keever Hull, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Bunny Hull, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Co-wrote New Attitude, recorded by Patti LaBelle for the soundtrack of the 1984 Beverly Hills Cop feature film. Backup singer, present on albums by Harvey Mason Sr, the Jacksons, Michael Jackson (Thriller), Irene Cara, Morris Day, Anita Baker (Rapture), Peabo Bryson, and Billy Idol. As a solo artist best known for her 1994 A Child's Spirit albumOctober 9, 1951 ~ Radio DJ, nightclub DJ, producer, remixer Tom Wilson born ~ Closely associated with the Scottish dance music scene. Best known for his radio show Steppin' Out, aired on Radio Forth for over a dozen years starting in 1985. Nightclub DJ. Record producer, remixer, worked with artists such as N-Trance, the Time Frequency, Ice MC, Scooter, and DJ Dado ~ Wilson passed away in 2004
October 9, 1948 ~ Vibraphonist, marimba player Dave Samuels, full name David Alan Samuels, born in Waukegan, Illinois, USA ~ Recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Closely associated with Spyro Gyra, appearing on close to two dozen of the ensemble's albums. Founded the Caribbean Jazz Project. Has also worked with Gerry Mulligan, Carla Bley, Gerry Niewood, Paul McCandless, Bobby McFerrin, Double Image, Frank Zappa, Dave Valentin, Paquito d'Rivera, Edie Brickell, and Pat Metheny ~ Samuels passed away in 2019
October 9, 1948 ~ Rock, folk rock, country rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Jackson Browne, full name Clyde Jackson Browne born in Heidelberg, Germany ~ One of the preeminent 1970s singer, songwriters known for songs such as These Days, The Pretender, Running On Empty, Doctor My Eyes, Take It Easy, For A Rocker and Somebody's Baby. Member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Member of Pamela Polland's Gentle Soul. Romantically involved with the Velvet Underground's Nico. Had his songs recorded by Tom Rush, Gregg Allman, Joan Baez, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, and the Byrds
October 9, 1947 ~ Isabelle Genevieve Marie Anne Gall, commonly known as singer, actress France Gall born in Paris, France ~ Daughter of lyricist Robert Gall and singer Cecile Berthier. Won the 1965 edition of Eurovision Songfestival, representing France with the song Poupée De Cire (Poupée De Son). Also worked with Denis Bourgeois, Serge Gainsbourg, Alain Goraguer, Jacques Datin, Gigliola Cinquetti, and Michel Berger ~ Gall passed away in 2018October 9, 1947 ~ Beat guitarist Phil Cash, full name Philip Peter Cash, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Played rhythm guitar in the Applejacks, known for a number of mid 1960s singles including Like Dreamers Do penned by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Three Little Words and the UK top 10 hit Tell Me When. The band was also the first to record I Go To Sleep, written by the Kinks singer Ray Davies. Others who have recorded the song include Cher on her 1965 All I Really Want To Do solo debut album, Peggy Lee, the Pretenders, Graham Bonnet, and Soulwax
October 9, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist Don Baskin born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Member of Syndicate Of Sound, known for their single Little Girl which would reach the Billboard top 10 in 1966. The band would record a number of other singles, notably Rumors and Brown Paper Bag, but would be unable to replicate the success of Little Girl ~ Baskin passed away in 2019
October 9, 1944 ~ Bassist John Entwistle, full name John Alec Entwistle, born in Chiswick, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Who. The only one in the band with formal musical training. The band is known for songs such as I Can't Explain, My Generation, Substitute, Happy Jack and I Can See For Miles, the latter their only Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single ~ Entwistle passed away in 2002
October 9, 1944 ~ R&B, funk, soul, pop, funk rock, new wave singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Nona Hendryx born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA ~ Closely associated with Patti LaBelle with whom she co-founded both the Blue-belles and of Labelle, and wrote or co-wrote several of the latter's best known including Nightbirds, Going Down Makes ME Shiver and Space Children. As a solo artist well over half a dozen albums to her name, starting with the eponymous Nona Hendryx album released in 1977, and known for songs such as Keep It Confidential, Transformation, I Sweat (Going Through The Motions) and Why Should I Cry. Hendryx has also worked with Talking Heads, Keith Richards, Billy Vera, Afrika Bambaataa, Dan Hartman, and Yoko Ono, composed for film, dabbled in acting, written for Dusty Springfield and Ultra Naté, and is a gay-rights activist
October 9, 1943 ~ Jazz, blues guitarist Pete Cosey, full name Peter Palus Cosey, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his 1973-1975 stint playing with Miles Davis, including on the albums Get Up With It, Agharte, Pangaea, and Fark Magus. Prior Cosey worked as an in-demand session musician backing artists such as Etta James, Fontella Bass (including on the single Rescue Me), Rotary Connection, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters. Member of the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians. Member of the Pharaohs, which would later evolve into Earth Wind & Fire. Cosey's talent and technique has been likened to Jimi Hendrix yet Cosey would maintain a low profile throughout his career and not record any solo albums ~ Cosey passed away in 2012October 9, 1941 ~ Helen Riggins, commonly known as actress, singer Helen Morgan, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity as a torch singer from the 1920s onwards. Starred as Julie LaVerne in the original 1927 Broadway production of Show Boat as well as several reprises and film adaptations ~ Morgan was born in 1900
October 9, 1940 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter John Lennon, full name John Winston Lennon, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Quarrymen which eventually evolved into the Beatles, generally regarded as one of the most important acts in the history of pop-rock music. Active as a solo artist since 1968, most notably collaborating with his second wife Yoko Ono using the moniker the Plastic Ono Band. Well known for songs such as Give Peace A Chance, Instant Karma, Imagine and Happy Xmas (War Is Over). Shot and killed by Mark David Chapman, a deranged fan, at age 40 ~ Lennon passed away in 1980
October 9, 1939 ~ Jazz saxophonist Ed Xiques, full name Edward F Xiques Jr, born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Worked with Jaki Byard, Herb Pomeroy, Buddy Morrow, Les Elgart, Larry Elgart, Duke Pearson, Woody Herman, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Ten Wheel Drive, Frank Foster, Bill Watrous, McCoy Tyner, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Liza Minnelli, the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, Mario Bauzá, and Maria Schneider ~ Xiques passed away in 2020October 9, 1939 ~ Overton Vertis Wright, commonly known as R&B, soul, funk, deep soul singer OV Wright born in Leno, Tennessee, USA ~ Renowned Southern soul singer known for That's How Strong My Love Is, You're Gonna Make Me Cry, When You Took Your Love From Me, Nucleus Of Soul, A Nickel And A Nail, I Can't Take It and Ace Of Spades ~ Wright passed away in 1980
October 9, 1939 ~ Harry DePona Bone, commonly known as accordionist Ponty Bone, born in Texas, USA ~ Early on in his career a member of Joe Ely's backing band, appearing on nearly half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Honky Tonk Masquerade released in 1978. Achieved fame fronting his own band the Squeezetones, with whom he performed and recorded for two decades starting in the early 1980s, drawing from gypsy dances, reggae-blues, Tex-mex polkas, Cajun boogie, and other idioms. Bone has also guested on recordings by Butch Hancock, Wes McGee, Rory McLeod, Jimmie Dale Gilmore (After Awhile), Omar & the Howlers, Jerry Jeff Walker, Charlie Robison (Bandera), and Robert Earl Keen ~ Bone passed away in 2018
October 9, 1936 ~ Poet, writer, playwright, lyricist, songwriter Agnieszka Osiecka born in Warsaw, Poland ~ Daughter of pianist, composer Wiktor Osiecki. In her own right considered a cultural icon having co-written over an estimated 2,000 songs, collaborating with composers such as Krzysztof Komeda, Seweryn Krajewski, Adam Slawinski, and Zygmunt Konieczny. Of her lyrics Osiecka would comment “I am a journalist, that is why some of my songs are reports which rhyme.” Well known songs co-written by Osiecka include Ballada Wagonowa, Malgoska and Diabel I Raj all recorded by Maryla Rodowicz and Port Piratów recorded by Czerwone Gitary ~ Osiecka passed away in 1997
October 9, 1935 ~ Electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Johnnie Bassett, full name Johnnie Alexander Bassett, born in Marianna, Florida, USA ~ Cites Billy Butler, Tiny Grimes, Albert King, BB King, T-Bone Walker as influences. Sessioned for decades for artists such as Big Joe Turner, Ruth Brown, Nolan Strong, André Williams, the Miracles, John Lee Hooker, Alberta Adams, Lowell Fulson, Dinah Washington, Tina Turner, and Little Willie John. Recorded as a leader since the mid 1990s ~ Bassett passed away in 2012
October 9, 1934 ~ Adolph Johannes Brand, commonly known as South-African jazz, bebop, post-bop, folk pianist, saxophonist, cellist Dollar Brand, sometimes also known as Abdullah Ibrahim, born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Leading figure in Cape Jazz, drawing from gospel and traditional African music as well as from Western jazz. Influenced by Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington. Active since the early 1960s, initially leading the Jazz Epistles. Best known for Mannenberg recorded in 1974, which would become an anti-apartheid anthem. Has collaborated with international stars such as Max Roach, Carlos Ward, Randy Weston as well as with numerous renowned classical orchestras. Married to singer Sathima Bea Benjamin. Their daughter Jean Grae is also a musician, rising to fame in the late 1990s New York underground rap sceneOctober 9, 1929 ~ Singer Bing Crosby, backed by Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra, records Without A Song ~ Originally written by Vincent Youmans, lyrics added by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu, for the musical Great Day. The play only ran for 36 performances but Without A Song, along with the play's title track Great Day, would become famous. The Bing Crosby-Paul Whiteman version would be one of the earliest popular hit versions. It would later be recorded by a wide array of pop, jazz, opera and R&B artists including Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Lauritz Melchior, Mario Lanza, Mahalia Jackson, George Benson, the Isley Brothers, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Sonny Rollins, Oscar Peterson, Freddie Hubbard, Art Blakey, and Nana Mouskouri
October 9, 1920 ~ William Emanuel Huddleston, commonly known as saxophonist, flutist, bassoonist, pianist, singer Yusef Lateef, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Especially noted for albums such as Jazz Mood, Eastern Sounds, Live At Pep's, The Golden Flute, and The Doctor Is In & Out. Recorded prolifically both as a leader and sideman, appearing on albums by Donald Byrd, Frank Wess, Babatunde Olatunji (Drums Of Passion), Curtis Fuller, Charles Mingus (Pre-Bird), Clark Terry, Sonny Red, Grant Green, Slide Hampton, Les McCann, Art Farmer, Leon Redbone (Double Time), and Randy Weston. Lateef has also recorded outside of jazz, including forays into world and new age music, his 1987 Yusef Lateef's Little Symphony album winning the Grammy Award for Best New Age Recording, though his core influences, however, were clearly rooted in jazz. Or in Lateef's own words: “My music is jazz.” ~ Huddleston passed away in 2013
October 9, 1918 ~ Dionisio Ramon Emilio Valdes Amaro, commonly known as pianist, composer Bebo Valdes, born in Quivican, Cuba ~ Central figure in Cuban jazz. Father of pianist Chucho Valdes. Worked with the Orquesta Sabor de Cuba, Paquito d'Rivera, Rita Montaner, Benny Moré, Pio Leyva, Norman Granz, Rolando Laserie, Cachao, Diego el Cigala, Monna Bell, and Eladio Reinon ~ Valdés passed away in 2013October 9, 1908 ~ Jazz singer Lee Wiley born in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, USA ~ Popular jazz singer from the 1930s through the 1950s. Worked with Leo Reisman (Got The South In My Soul), Bunny Berigan, Bud Freeman, Max Kaminsky, Victor Young (Just So You'll Remember), Fats Waller, Billy Butterfield, Bobby Hackett, Eddie Condon, Stan Freeman, Cy Walter, Jess Stacy, Paul Whiteman, the Dorsey Brothers, and Johnny Green (Easy Come Easy Go) ~ Wiley passed away in 1975
October 9, 1900 ~ Jazz banjoist, guitarist Elmer Snowden, full name Elmer Chester Snowden, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Worked with the Washingtonians, Bob Fuller, Lou Hooper, Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford, Bubber Miley, Tricky Sam Nanton, Frankie Newton, Benny Carter, Rex Stewart, Roy Eldridge, Chick Webb, Cliff Jackson, Al Sears, Dicky Wiss, Sid Catlett, Lonnie Johnson, Bud Freeman, Jo Jones, and Tommy Bryant ~ Snowden passed away in 1973