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 10, 2025 ~ Robert Luke Harshman, commonly known as songwriter Bobby Hart, born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Tommy Boyce, the duo writing songs for the likes of Jay & the Americans, Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Leaves, and perhaps most notably the Monkees, the latter recording songs such as Theme From The Monkees, Last Train From Clarksville, She, and Through The Looking Glass ~ Harshman was born in 1939September 10, 2024 ~ Howard Beverly, commonly known as R&B, soul, funk singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Frankie Beverly, passed away in Walnut Creek, California, USA ~ Formed the Butlers, known among soul aficionados for the 1967 recording If That's What You Wanted. The group would be rechristened to Raw Soul, open for Marvin Gaye and eventually be renamed to Maze. The group would score a string of R&B hits from the late 1970s through the early 1990s, with Workin' Together, Feel That You're Feelin', Southern Girl, Running Away, Love Is The Key, Back In Stride, Too Many Games, Can't Get Over You and Silky Soul all reaching top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Beverly was born in 1946
September 10, 2023 ~ Pop rock, folk rock, country rock guitarist, singer Brendan Croker passed away in New Jersey, USA ~ Close to a dozen albums to his name since the mid-1980s, either fronting the 5 O'Clock Shadows or as a solo artist. Especially acclaimed for his 1991 The Great Indoors album. Member of the Notting Hillbillies, a country-rock infused band which also included the Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler and known for their sole 1990 Missing (Presumed Having A Good Time) album. In-demand session guitarist and collaborator, present on recordings by the Mekons, Tanita Tikaram (Ancient Heart), Rory Block (Ain't I A Woman), Sally Timms, Kevin Coyne, Chet Atkins, and Guy Fletcher ~ Croker was born in 1953
September 10, 2023 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Charlie Robison, full name Charles Fitzgerald Robinson, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Brother of singers Bruce Robison and Robyn Ludwyck. Married to Emily Erwin of the Dixie Chicks. Turned to music after a knee injury ended a potential football career. Worked with Chaparral, the Millionaire Playboys, and Two Hoots & A Holler. Recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Bandera released in 1996. Known for songs such as Barlight, I Want You Bad, Walter, My Hometown, and El Cerrito Place ~ Robison was born in 1964September 10, 2023 ~ Ska punk, punk pop trumpeter Matthew Stewart passed away ~ Member of ska punk outfit Streetlight Manifesto from 2007 until his death at age 41. Present on the albums Somewhere In The Between, 99 Songs Of Revolution, and The Hands That Thieve ~ Stewart was born ca.1982
September 10, 2021 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Byther Smith, full name Byther Claude Earl John Smith, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for a string of well-received 1980s albums. Active since the mid 1950s as a session and club performer, often besides his non-music day job. Has worked with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Junior Wells and perhaps most notably with Otis Rush, regularly playing rhythm guitar in Rush's backing bands during the 1960s ~ Smith was born in 1932September 10, 2021 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Michael Chapman passed away ~ Cited as a major influence by Thurston Moore, Steve Gunn, Ryley Walker, and Meg Baird. Acclaimed singer, virtuoso guitarist rooted in folk drawing from numerous genres including rock, jazz and blues with over 40 albums to his name, starting with the fingerpicking folk classic Rainmaker released in 1969 ~ Chapman was born in 1941
September 10, 2010 ~ Singer Rihanna releases Only Girl (In The World), lifted off her Loud album ~ This club banger has the singer demanding her man's devoted attention: “I want you to make me feel like I'm the only girl in the world.” The song reached No.1 in over a dozen countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and America, and earned Rihanna a Grammy Award. The Norwegian duo Stargate, consisting of Tor E Hermansen and Mikkel S Eriksen, who co-produced and co-wrote the track, had previously worked on Rihanna tracks such as Don't Stop The Music, Hate That I Love You, and Rude Boy. Up to this point in their career, the duo had also helmed tracks recorded by Brandy, Mis-Teeq, Ne-Yo (So Sick), Beyoncé (Irreplaceable), Jordin Sparks, and Mariah Carey
September 10, 2005 ~ Singer Clarence Gatemouth Brown passed away in Orange, Texas, USA ~ Plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, violin and viola, harmonica, drums and percussion, sings and writes too. Blends just about every imaginable roots music into a high-energy, raw hybrid. Hates being called a “blues” musician ~ Brown was born in 1924
September 10, 1995 ~ Constantinos Tsobanoglou, commonly known as amapiano, Afrobeat, Afro pop singer, rapper Costa Titch, born in Mbombela, South Africa ~ Known for hits such as Nkalakatha, Activate, Ayeye, and Big Flexa. Notably collaborated with Senegalese-American rapper Akon on a remix of the latter. Tsobanoglou passed away at age 27 after collapsing on stage while performing at the Ultra South Africa music festival in Johannesburg ~ Tsobanoglou passed away in 2023
September 10, 1986 ~ Singer, songwriter Ashley Monroe born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ As a solo artist known for songs such as Satisfied and I Don't Want To, the latter featuring Ronnie Dunn. One third of the Pistol Annies, alongside Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley. As a backup singer Monroe can be heard on songs by Will Hoge (Goodnight Goodbye), Cory Morrow (More Than Perfect), Andrea Glass (North Wind), Wade Bowen (If We Ever Make It Home), and Josh Kelley (Georgia Clay)
September 10, 1986 ~ Park Frederick Adams III, commonly known as jazz, hard bop, post-bop saxophonist Pepper Adams, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Unlike his contemporaries who favored cool jazz, Adams is praised for bringing the baritone sax into the fast speeds of hard bop. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for 10 To 4 At The Five Spot released in 1958. An in-demand sideman, Adams has appeared on over an estimated 600 sessions including albums by Chet Baker, Teddy Charles (The Teddy Charles Tentet), Kenny Clarke, Quincy Jones (This Is How I Feel About Jazz), Lee Morgan, John Coltrane (Dakar), Gene Ammons, Philly Joe Jones, Donald Byrd (Byrd In Hand), Charles Mingus (Blues & Roots), Maynard Ferguson, Blue Mitchell (Boss Horn), Lou Donaldson (Lush Life), Jimmy Smith, Duke Pearson (Now Hear This), Rahsaan Roland Kirk, George Benson, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Elvin Jones (Poly-Currents), Carmen McRae, and Dakota Staton ~ Adams was born in 1930
September 10, 1984 ~ James Young, commonly known as swing trombonist, songwriter Trummy Young, passed away in San Jose, California, USA ~ Closely associated with Louis Armstrong. Also worked with Jimmie Lunceford, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Clyde Hart, Buck Clayton, Billy May, Mildred Bailey, and Chris Barber. Co-wrote T'Ain't What You Do It's The Way That You Do It, a hit for both Lunceford and Ella Fitzgerald, and Traveling Light which was recorded with Billie Holiday ~ Young was born in 1912
September 10, 1980 ~ Singer Prince releases Uptown, lead single off the Dirty Mind album ~ The song addresses the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis, the area used as a metaphor for an ideal place that is free of prejudices and racism. The song is noted for being one of Prince's first efforts to blend political statements into his art. The single, paired with Crazy You off his flopped For You debut album on the flip side, would be the album's sole hit, reaching top 10 Billboard R&B and just miss the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.101. The song would be used as the opening track for his Controversy tour, and made a few live appearances after that
September 10, 1979 ~ Hip-hop, urban guitarist, keyboardist, accordionist, trombonist, saxophonist, percussionist Eduardo Cabra, full name Eduardo Cabra Martinez, born in Santurce, Puerto Rico ~ Influenced by Rubén Blades and Silvio Rodriguez. Rose to fame as member of hugely influential Puerto Rican hip-hop outfit Calle 13 which also included his stepbrother René Pérez Joglar and half-sister Ileana Cabra Joglar. In-demand producer, working with international artists such as Silvina Moreno, Diana Fuentes, La Vida Bohème, Chambao, Gustavo Cordera, and Jorge Drexler
September 10, 1977 ~ In its 19th week on the charts, (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher by Rita Coolidge peaks at No.2 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Slightly retitled from Jackie Wilson's 1967 (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher, Rita Coolidge's cover would surpass the original, which peaked at No.6. It would be Coolidge's first of two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, scoring a No.7 hit with another cover later the same year, namely We're All Alone which was written and originally recorded by Boz Scaggs for his 1976 Silk Degrees albumSeptember 10, 1974 ~ Producer, composer Lasse Marhaug born in Steigen, Norway ~ Has participated in over 200 recordings. Has collaborated with artists such as Mats Gustafsson, Dror Feller, Tore Honore Boe, Marc Broude, Anla Courtis, Carlos Giffoni, John Hegre, Kommissar Hjuler, Merzbow, Paal Nilssen-Love, Nordvargr, Maja Ratkje, Skull Defekts, Ronnie Sundin, Ken Vandermark, Jon Wesseltoft, Runhild Gammelsaeter, John Wiese, and Jenny Hval
September 10, 1972 ~ Sara Lee Colbaugh, commonly known as Christian singer Sara Groves, born in Burnsville, Minnesota, USA ~ Wrote her first songs at age 4. Merges gospel roots with delicate pop sensibility. Has recorded over a dozen albums since her 1998 Past The Wishing debut album. Especially acclaimed for the album Tell Me What You Know released in 2007
September 10, 1971 ~ Indie pop, indie rock singer, guitarist, pianist, bassist, harpsichordist, harpist, songwriter Paula Kelley born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of Drop Nineteens, remaining with the band from 1990 through 1994. Co-wrote the band's Delaware, covered by Below The Sea, and Winona, covered by the Viet Cong Blues Project. Has also worked with Boy Wonder, Hot Rod, and the Boy Joys. As a solo artist best known for her 2003 The Trouble With Success Or How You Fit Into The World album
September 10, 1968 ~ Antonio Hardy, commonly known as rapper Big Daddy Kane, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of the Juice Crew. Widely seen as one of the most influential MCs in hip-hop. Kane's first two albums, 1988's Long Live The Kane and 1989's It's A Big Daddy Thing, are considered hip-hop classics. Worked with Biz Markie, Teddy Riley, Patti LaBelle (providing the rap chorus on Feels Like Another One), Quincy Jones, MC Hammer, Tupac Shakur, Kool G Rap, KRS One, Morcheeba, A Tribe Called Quest, the Jurassic 5, Little Brother, DJ Babu, DJ Premier, MF Doom, and Masta AceSeptember 10, 1959 ~ Music journalist, A&R executive Terry Tolkin born in Kansas, USA ~ As a music journalist credited with coining the term “alternative music” while a writer for the trade publication Rockpool. As an executive, A&R executive associated with several labels including Touch & Go Records, Rough Trade Records, his own indie No.6 Records and perhaps most notably Elektra Records, signing acts such as Stereolab, Afghan Whigs and Nada Surf to the latter. Also especially remembered for producing the 1988 Neil Young-tribute album The Bridge (A Tribute To Neil Young) featuring covers performed by then-unknown upcoming bands such as the Pixies, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, the Flaming Lips and Soul Asylum. The album's proceeds would be donated to the Bridge School, a charity for children suffering from Cerebral Palsy run by Young and his wife Pegi Young ~ Tolkin passed away in 2022
September 10, 1958 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter, producer Monte Moir born in Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as original keyboardist for Prince-associated R&B outfit the Time. In-demand producer, songwriter, collaborator for the likes of Alexander O'Neal, Gladys Knight, Vanity 6, Deniece Williams, Thelma Houston, Deja, Lolly Pop, Precious Wilson, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis. His songwriting credits include Janet Jackson's The Pleasure Principle, Ruby Turner's In My Life and Steven Dante's It's Only Love
September 10, 1958 ~ Singer Siobhan Fahey, full name Siobhan Maire Deirdre Fahey, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Founding member of 1980s trio Bananarama, alongside Sarah Elizabeth Dalin and Keren Woodward, known for songs such as Cruel Summer, It Ain't What You Do (It's The The Way That You Do It) with the Fun Boy Three, Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye), Robert de Niro's Waiting, the US No.1 hit Venus, and Love In The First Degree. Also founded Shakespears Sister, known for the 1992 hit Stay. Married to producer and Eurythmics member Dave Stewart from 1987 to 1996 with whom she has two sonsSeptember 10, 1956 ~ R&B, soul singer, actress Debra Laws, full name Debra Renee Laws, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Sister of flutist Hubert Laws and singers Eloise Laws and Ronnie Laws. Best known for her 1981 Very Special Billboard R&B top 20 hit. The song would later notably be sampled by Jennifer Lopez in the international hit All I Have
September 10, 1955 ~ Pop rock, progressive rock, jazz fusion drummer Pat Mastelotto born in Chico, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Mr Mister, scoring the Billboard Hot 100 charttoppers Broken Wings and Kyrie both taken of the 1985 Welcome To The Real World sophomore album. Also noted as a member of King Crimson's “double trio” lineup from 1994 through 1997. In-demand session drummer, present on recordings by Martin Briley, Scandal, Al Jarreau, the Pointer Sisters, Kenny Loggins, XTC, the Sugarcubes, the Rembrandts, Eddie Money, Robyn Hitchcock, and David SylvianPage 1 ~ Page 2