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.
September 1, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Jimmy Buffett, full name James William Buffett, passed away in Sag Harbor, New York, USA ~ Over two dozen albums to his name since the early 1970s, steadily growing his devoted fanbase lovingly referred to as “parrotheads”. Buffett is especially known for his laidback island escapism lifestyle and witty lyrics as evidenced in songs such as Margaritaville, Changes In Latitudes Changes In Attitudes, Come Monday, Pencil Thin Mustache, A Pirate Looks At Forty and Cheeseburger In Paradise. Noted musicians who passed through the ranks of Buffett's backing unit the Coral Reefer Band include in-demand percussionists such as Ralph MacDonald, Russ Kunkel and Kenny Buttrey, bassist Timothy B Schmit of Poco and the Eagles, progressive country singer, guitarist Jerry Jeff Walker, and fiddler Vassar Clements. Artists who on occasion have performed or recorded with Buffett, earning them status as “honorary Coral Reefers”, include Paul McCartney, Rita Coolidge, Steve Cropper, Steve Winwood, John Hiatt, Roy Orbison, JD Souther, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, James Taylor, and Sheryl Crow ~ Buffett was born in 1946September 1, 2023 ~ Operatic soprano Milka Stojanović passed away in Belgrade, Serbia ~ Debuted at the the Belgrade Opera at age 22 portraying the role of Amelia in Giuseppe Verdi's Un Ballo In Maschera. Would go on to become an in-demand international guest singer with appearances with the Graz Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Bavarian State Opera, the Cologne Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the Bolshoi Theatre, and the Hamburg State Opera ~ Stojanovic was born in 1937
September 1, 2023 ~ Hardcore punk guitarist Robert Becerra passed away ~ Member of the Stains, one of the earliest Los Angeles punk groups, founded in 1976. The band is considered influential on peers, merging elements from heavy metal into punk, and noted especially for their 1983 eponymous The Stains album. Becerra's guitar playing would serve as an inspiration for more well known artists, perhaps most notably Black Flag's Greg Ginn ~ Becerra was born ca.1959
September 1, 2021 ~ Carol Augustus Anthony, commonly known as soul blues, swamp pop singer, pianist Carol Fran, passed away in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for a number of 1960s singles, perhaps most notably a 1962 swamp pop version of the Platters-classic The Great Pretender. Has worked with artists such as Guitar Slim, Nappy Brown, Lee Dorsey, Joe Tex. Resurged in the 1990s releasing a string of albums, often collaborating with her husband guitarist Clarence Hollimon, including the Soul Sensation album released in 1992 ~ Anthony was born in 1933
September 1, 2018 ~ Jazz, world fusion pianist Randy Weston, full name Randolph Edward Weston, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ A disciple of Thelonious Monk, also influenced by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, and Earl Hines. Closely associated with trombonist Melba Liston, a regular collaborator. Weston recorded some 50 albums as a leader or co-leader, and is particularly noted for Jazz A La Bohemia, Uhuru Afrika, and Tanjah. As a composer, Weston is perhaps best known for Hi-Fly, first recorded by Weston in 1958 and covered by numerous artists including Art Blakey, Cannonball Adderley, Eric Dolphy, and Dexter Gordon. Once described as America's African Musical Ambassador, Weston has been quoted as saying: “What I do I do because it's about teaching and informing everyone about our most natural cultural phenomenon. It's really about Africa and her music” ~ Weston was born in 1926
September 1, 2017 ~ Folk guitarist, singer Mick Softley passed away in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland ~ Softly recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Songs For Swingin' Survivors released in 1965, and has earned a devoted cult following including among fellow musicians. Played the trombone in school, before discovering the music of blues guitarist Big Bill Broonzy which prompted him to switch to guitar. Spent the late 1950s and early 1960s busking and playing the clubs in Paris, France, sharing stages with the likes of Clive Palmer, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Wizz Jones before returning to his native UK to become a figurehead in British folk. Reportedly taught cross-picking guitar techniques to Donovan, who would later record Softley's Goldwatch Blues and The War Drags On and cite Softley as a major influence. Softley continued to record and perform well into the 2000s, rejecting stardom and often performing for free, preferring to watch people enjoy his music rather than make money. Well known songs include Walk Walk Talk Talk, I Love You Baby, Can You Hear Me Now, Ragtime Mama, as well as renditions of Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit and Woody Guthrie's The Plains Of The Buffalo ~ Softley was born in 1939
September 1, 2015 ~ Owen Castleman, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Boomer Castleman, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ As a solo artist known for the 1975 single Judy Mae. Toured with John Denver before Denver adopted the Denver monniker. Co-founded the Survivors with Michael Nesmith. Co-founded Lewis & Clarke Expedition with John London and Michael Martin Murphey. Wrote or co-wrote, often with Murphey, songs recorded by the Monkees (What Am I Doing Hangin' Around), Royal Guardsmen (The Airplane Song (My Airplane)), George Hamilton IV (West Texas Highway), Lyle Lovett, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and by Rusty Wier (Texas Morning). Backed Tammy Wynette, Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, and Roy Clark ~ Castleman was born in 1945
September 1, 2012 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Hal David, full name Harold Lane David, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as songwriting partner of Burt Bacharach on songs such as Do You Know The Way To San Jose, Don't Make Me Over and Walk On By (Dionne Warwick), What's New Pussycat (Tom Jones), (They Long To Be) Close To You) (the Carpenters), One Less Bell To Answer (originally by Keely Smith, later a huge hit for the 5th Dimension), and The Look Of Love (Dusty Springfield). Also collaborated with other songwriters, Albert Hammond, Sherman Edwards, Paul Hampton, co-writing songs such as To All The Girls I've Loved Before (Willie Nelson & Julio Iglesias), Broken-hearted Melody (Sarah Vaughan), and Sea Of Heartbreak (Don Gibson) ~ David was born in 1921
September 1, 2012 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz saxophonist, flutist Sean Bergin passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ During apartheid performed illegally with blacj musicians. Part of a large diaspora of South Africans to flee the country to find succes in Europe. Over a dozen albums as a leader, most acclaimed for the 1999 Copy Cat album. Sideman on recordings by the Abstract Truth, Burton Greene, Ernst Reijseger, the ICP Orchestra, Louis Moholo, Miriam Makeba, and the Dedication Orchestra ~ Bergin was born in 1948
September 1, 2008 ~ Jerry Reed Hubbard, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Jerry Reed, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for songs such as Guitar Man, US Male, A Thing Called Love, Alabama Wild Man, Amos Moses, When You're Hot You're Hot, Lord Mr Ford, and East Bound And Down. Member of country supergroup Old Dogs, which also included Mel Tillis, Bobby Bare and Waylon Jennings ~ Reed was born in 1937September 1, 2007 ~ James Reginald Riley, commonly known as jazz fusion, R&B percussionist Juma Santos, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Enjoyed a career spanning four decades in jazz, fusion and R&B. Perhaps best known for touring with trumpeter Miles Davis for about a year and appearing on the seminal Bitches Brew jazz fusion album released in 1970. Other notable credits include Compost, Roy Ayers (He's Coming), Paul Pena, Andy Pratt (Andy Pratt), Larry Young, Michael Gibbs, David Sanborn, Chico Freeman, Freddie Hubbard, and Taj Mahal ~ Riley was born in 1948
September 1, 2005 ~ Guitarist RL Burnside passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Performed, albeit part-time, for most of his life but success eluded him until collaborations with Jon Spencer in the mid 1990s drew attention and brought his gritty, rough blues, blues-rock to new audiences. Started touring with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in 1995, both as an opening act and sitting in with the band. The collaborative A Ass Pocket Of Whiskey would be released the next year and lauded by critics, Billboard writing it “sounded no other blues album ever released” and gaining praise from musicians such as Bono and Iggy Pop. It turned out to be Burnside's big break. Subsequent albums would feature his rough blues-rock rooted in old blues styles such as rural blues, hill country, Delta and Chicago blues, but drawing from idioms as diverse as punk, techno, hip-hop and downtempo ~ Burnside was born in 1926September 1, 2004 ~ Blues harpist, singer Raful Neal passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Bandmate of Buddy Guy in the Clouds. Critically acclaimed for a number of 1990s solo albums. Also worked with Tab Benoit and with the Hoodoo Kings. Nine of his ten children are also blues musicians, including singer Jackie Neal and guitarist Kenny Neal ~ Neal was born in 1936
September 1, 2002 ~ Sylvester Austin, commonly known as saxophonist Sil Austin, passed away in College Park, Maryland, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Cites Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Sonny Stitt as major influences. Active since the 1940s. Has worked with Roy Eldridge, Cootie Williams and Tiny Bradshaw before setting out on his own, scoring jazzified hits of pop tunes such as Danny Boy, Slow Walk and My Mother's Eyes ~ Austin was born in 1929
September 1, 1997 ~ Soprano singer Natalya Rozhdestvesnkaya, full name Natalya Petrovna Rozhdestvenskaya, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Long-time soloist for the Russian All-Union Radio radio station starting in the late 1920s, performing concert performances of operas, often conducted by her husband Nikolai Anosov. The couple's son is conductor Gennnady Rozhdestvensky ~ Rozhdestvenskaya was born in 1900
September 1, 1997 ~ Britpop, rock outfit the Verve release The Drugs Don't Work, lifted off their Urban Hymns album ~ Singer Richard Ashcroft had written the song two years before its inclusion on the band's Urban Hymns, and would regularly perform the song in concert. Many have speculated about the song's meaning, yet Ashcroft was reluctant to elaborate. In an interview with Songfacts, the singer has stated: “What I’ve found with lyrics is sometimes people’s own interpretations are on another level to mine, certainly with things like The Drugs Don't Work. I found that was the most sensitive tune to start. I realized then, 20 years ago, if I underline with a big marker pen, The Drugs Don't Work equals whatever, then I’m killing it for people.” The song would become the band's sole UK No.1 hit
September 1, 1996 ~ Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, singer, actress, commonly known simply as Zendaya, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Former child model, backup dancer, Disney Channel actress. Released self-recorded singles Zwag It Out and Watch Me in 2011, the latter a collaboration with Bella Thorne. Her major-label debut followed with 2013's Replay, which reached No.40 US singles, and the eponymous album Zendaya, peaked at No.51 US albums chart. Currently best known as an actress in feature films
September 1, 1987 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, producer, engineer, songwriter Dann Hume born in Feilding, New Zealand ~ Member of Evermore alongside his brothers Peter Hume and Jon Hume. Has co-written songs such as Running, Light Surrounding You and It's Too Late. Has also served as producer and songwriter for artists such as Lisa Mitchell, Matt Corby (Telluric), Amy Shark (Weekends), Alpine, Troye Sivan, Sticky Fingers (Caress Your Soul), Tones And I and Kita Alexander
September 1, 1986 ~ All-female pop rock, power pop, paisley underground group the Bangles release Walk Like An Egyptian, lifted off their Different Light sophomore album ~ Songwriter Liam Sternberg was inspired when he watched people clumsily walking, trying to keep their balance on a ferry crossing the English Channel as they hit choppy waters. It reminded him of the depictions of human figures in ancient Egyptian tomb paintings, and he scribbled down the words “walk like an Egyptian” in his notebook. Sternberg recorded a demo version with singer Marti Jones, featuring percussion with kitchen implements. The song would first be offered to Toni Basil, who turned it down, and Lene Lovich, who recorded a demo version before taking a break from music. When a demo reached producer David Kahne, he took it to the Bangles, who recorded the song for their Different Light album. It would become the band's first Billboard Hot 100 No.1
September 1, 1986 ~ Adegbenga Adejumo, commonly known as dubstep, UK garage producer Benga, born in London, UK ~ Released his full-length Newstep debut album in 2006. Best known for songs such as Pour Your Love featuring Marlene and Forefather featuring Kano. Member of Magnetic Man alongside Skream and Artwork
September 1, 1985 ~ Country singer, songwriter Charlie Worsham born in Grenada, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of the Old Crow Medicine Show, member of Kingbilly. Toured with Taylor Swift. Opened for Miranda Lambert and Wade Bowen. Debuted in 2013 with the Rubberband album, featuring guest appearances from Vince Gill and Marty StuartSeptember 1, 1984 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Joe Trohman, full name Joseph Mark Trohman, born in Hollywood, Florida, USA ~ Lead guitarist of Fall Out Boy, known for songs such as Sugar We're Going Down, Dance Dance, and This Ain't A Scene (It's An Arms Race). Also worked with the Damned Things and With Knives
September 1, 1984 ~ In its 16th week on the charts, What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Tina Turner initially disliked the song, yet trusted in her manager Roger Davies who was sure it would be a hit. He was right. The singer had enjoyed success with her then-husband Ike Turner through the mid 1970s, notably with Proud Mary, but struggled as a solo artist since the couple's split. What's Love Got To Do With It would be Turner's comeback hit, her sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit as a solo artist, and earned the singer Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Female Vocal Performance. Its parent album Private Dancer spawned two more major hits, with Better Be Good To Me and the title track Private Dancer both reaching top 10 in her native America. The following year, Turner would score another hit penned by the same songwriters who had written What's Love Got To Do With It, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, when We Don't Need Another Hero from the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome soundtrack peaked at No.2 Billboard Hot 100September 1, 1982 ~ Rock guitarist Carlo Gimenez born ~ Best known as member of Meg & Dia. Influenced by Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Benson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd
September 1, 1982 ~ Classical pianist Clifford Curzon, full name Clifford Michael Curzon, passed away in London, UK ~ Studied and taught at the Royal Academy of Music, London. Married to harpsichordist Lucille Wallace, with whom he adopted the two sons of soprano Maria Cebotari after she and her husband died. In-demand soloist, known for premiering works by Germaine Tailleferre, John Ireland, Alan Rawsthorne, and Lennox Berkeley. Recorded prolifically since the late 1930s, though highly self-critical Curzon would veto many of his recordings, some of which would be released after his death ~ Curzon was born in 1907