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 12, 2023 ~ Researcher, author Olof Björner passed away ~ Known to Bob Dylan aficionados for meticulously documenting over four decades of Dylan's history of live performances and studio recordings in thirteen volumes of Olof's Files (A Bob Dylan Performance Guide) published by Hardinge Simpole ~ Björner was born in 1942
September 12, 2022 ~ Rakim Hasheem Allen, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer PnB Rock, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his mid-2010s singles Fleek and Selfish. Has worked with Young Thug, Kodak Black, Lil Skies, Nicki Minaj, and Young Zona ~ Allen was born in 1991
September 12, 2022 ~ Jazz pianist, keyboardist Ramsey Lewis, full name Ramsey Lewis Emmanuel Lewis Jr, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Over 80 albums to his name starting in the 1950s. Known for songs such as The In-Crowd, Hang On Sloopy and Wade In The Water. His Ramsey Lewis Trio has at times included Isaac Holt and Eldee Young of future Young-Holt Unlimited fame, Cleveland Eaton, Maurice White who would later found Earth Wind & Fire, Morris Jennings, Frankie Donaldson, Bill Dickens, and Felton Crews ~ Lewis was born in 1935
September 12, 2020 ~ R&B singer Edna Wright passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Younger sister of singer Darlene Love. Married to producer Greg Perry. Lead singer of Honey Cone, known for their 1971 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Want-Ads. The follow-up singles Stick-up and One Monkey Don't Stop No Show also reached the top 20. Wright has also sung backup for artists such as the Righteous Brothers, Johnny Rivers, Ray Charles, U2, Kim Carnes, Aaron Neville, and Andráe Crouch ~ Wright was born in 1945September 12, 2020 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet Joaquín Carbonell, full name Joaquín Carbonell Marti, passed away in Zaragoza, Spain ~ Active since the 1970s with over a dozen albums to his name. Important figure in the new Aragonese song movement, along with mentor José Antonio Labordeta. Known for songs such as Amor Tu Donde Estas, Cancion Para Un Invierno, Cancion Para Dimitris and Mientes ~ Carbonell was born in 1947
September 12, 2018 ~ Trombonist, bandleader Erich Kleinschuster passed away ~ Worked with Fridl Althaler, the International Youth Band, Johannes Fehring, Friedrich Gulda, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, George Gruntz, Peter Herbolzheimer, Gerry Mulligan, and Toots Thielemans. Conducted the 1972 and 1976 editions of Eurovision Songfestival ~ Kleinschuster was born in 1930
September 12, 2018 ~ Singer, activist Rachid Taha passed away in Paris, France ~ Algerian singer and activist. Influenced by Nass El Ghiwane and the Clash. Started as club DJ mashing up Algerian rai with rock, Led Zeppelin, Bo Diddley, Kraftwerk. Co-founded Carte de Sejour. Has been releasing solo records since the late 1980s. Blends rock, electronic, punk and rai. ~ Taha was born in 1958
September 12, 2017 ~ Francis Cappucio, commonly known as jazz, pop, rock drummer, percussionist, vibraphonist Frank Capp, passed away in Studio City, California, USA ~ Co-led the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut with pianist Nat Pierce from 1975 until Pierce's death in 1992. Had been active in music since the early 1950s, initially gaining attention as a member of Stan Kenton's orchestra. In-demand session musician in jazz, pop, and rock. Present on albums by Art Pepper, Benny Goodman, André Previn, Henry Mancini (The Music From Peter Gunn), Dinah Shore, Sonny & Cher, Nancy Sinatra, the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), the Monkees, Frank Zappa, Harry Nilsson, Bette Midler, Tina Turner (Simply The Best), and John Denver ~ Cappucio was born in 1931September 12, 2017 ~ Several artists including Stevie Wonder perform on the hour-long Hand In Hand (A Benefit For Hurricane Relief) telethon aired on several TV networks including ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox ~ Singer Stevie Wonder performs the Bill Withers-tune Lean On Me with Victoria White, Marquist Taylor and the Houston Gospel Choir on the hour-long telethon. In total over $50 million was raised to help victims of the hurricanes Harvy and Irma. Several stars from music and film industry make an appearance. Musical performances include Usher & Blake Shelton (Stand By Me), Tori Kelly & Luis Fonsi (Hallelujah), Dave Matthews (Mercy), Demi Lovato, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker & CeCe Winans (With A Little Help From My Friends), and George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen (Texas and I Believe)
September 12, 2014 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Joe Sample, full name Joseph Leslie Sample passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Father of bassist Nicklas Sample. Co-founded the Jazz Crusaders in 1960, initially a jazz band, venturing into R&B in the 1970s after their namechange to the Crusaders. Sample remained with the band through their final album in the early 1990s. The band is best known for their 1979 hit Street Life featuring Randy Crawford. Parallel to his career in the band has recorded as a solo artist, collaborated with the likes of Ray Brown, Shelly Manne and David T Walker, and guested on recordings by Miles Davis, George Benson, Jimmy Witherspoon, BB King, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Anita Baker, the Supremes, the LA Express, Marvin Gaye, Minnie Riperton, Gene Ammons, Al Jarreau, Milt Jackson, Cher, Tina Turner, and Solomon Burke ~ Sample was born in 1939September 12, 2014 ~ Rock, pop rock, hard rock bassist, singer John Gustafson, full name John Frederick Gustafson, passed away ~ Renowned bassist worked with the Big Three, the Merseybeats, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Quatermass, Roxy Music (Love Is The Drug), Juan Martin, Steve Hackett, and Gordon Giltrap ~ Gustafson was born in 1942
September 12, 2011 ~ Country singer, banjoist Wade Mainer, full name Wade Echard Mainer, passed away in Flint, Michigan, USA ~ Bridged the gap between old-time mountain music and bluegrass. Influenced artists such as Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, and Doc Watson. Worked with the Sons Of Mountaineers, Zeke Morris, and the Smiling Rangers ~ Mainer was born in 1907
September 12, 2007 ~ R&B, funk, soul singer, songwriter Bobby Byrd, full name Bobby Howard Byrd, passed away in Loganville, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with James Brown, starting as a member of Famous Flames which Byrd co-founded. Contrary to numerous accounts it was Byrd who launched Brown's career, not the other way around. Previously a member of a number of vocal and gospel groups such as the Avons, the Zioneers and the Gospel Starlighters. Byrd is credited as writer or co-writer on numerous Brown recordings, including I Know You Got Soul and Hot Pants, and worked with Brown from the earliest recordings in the late 1950s throughout the mid 1970s, a short hiatus here and there. As a solo artist Byrd is best remembered for songs such as 1964's Baby Baby Baby and 1965's We Are In Love. Married to Brown's backup singer Vicki Anderson from 1973 until his death ~ Byrd was born in 1934
September 12, 2004 ~ Drummer Kenny Buttrey, full name Aaron Kenneth Buttrey, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Working professionally since his early teens. Went on his first world tour at age 14, backing Chet Atkins. Closely associated with Charlie McCoy, Barefoot Jerry, and Area Code 615. An in-demand session musician, Buttrey has appeared on albums by Elvis Presley (He Touched Me), Joan Baez, Bob Dylan (Blonde On Blonde), Donovan, Dan Fogelberg, Neil Young (Harvest), Al Kooper, Kris Kristofferson, Jimmy Buffett, and Bob Seger. Buttrey was once quoted as saying he was most proud of drumming on Lay Lady Lay off of Dylan's 1969 Nashville Skyline album ~ Buttrey was born in 1945
September 12, 2003 ~ Country, rock & roll, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Johnny Cash passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Iconic country singer with a career spanning well over four decades and a reach far beyond country audiences, incorporating elements from a wide array of genres including rockabilly, gospel, blues, folk and gospel. Has recorded over 50 albums since the mid 1950s with record sales north of 90 million, making him one of the all-time best-selling artists. Known for his bass-baritone voice and themes of sorrow, moral tribulation and redemption and signature black attire. Signature songs include I Walk The Line, I Got Stripes, Ring Of Fire and A Boy Named Sue. Frequent collaborator of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson including in the country supergroup the Highwaymen. Rejuvenated his career in the 1990s with a string of critically acclaimed albums, the American Recordings-series, finding new audiences outside country ~ Cash was born in 1932
September 12, 1999 ~ In its 1st week on the charts, We're Going To Ibiza by Vengaboys hits No.1 UK charts ~ Based on the 1975 Typically Tropical hit Barbados, We're Going To Ibiza would do slightly less than its predecessor Boom Boom Boom Boom but still managed to reach top 10 in about a dozen countries across Europe including the No.1 spot in the Netherlands and the UK. In 2019, the song would re-enter the Austrian charts after the song was adopted as a protest song following the revelation of the Ibiza affair, a corruption scandal involving the Freedom Party which led to the fall of the then-governing coalition. Upon its initial release, We're Going To Ibiza had peaked at No.12 on the Austrian charts. On its second run, following the Ibiza scandal, it reached No.16September 12, 1998 ~ Free jazz, free improvisation bassist Motoharu Yoshizawa passed away ~ Considered a pioneer of the bass solo on par with Barre Phillips and key figure in Japanese jazz. Closely associated with Mototeru Takagi, Masayuki Takayanagi and Kaoru Abe. Has collaborated with a host of Japanese and international musicians including Takehisa Kosugi, Steve Lacy, Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Ikue Mori, Keiji Haino, and Kan Mikami ~ Yoshizawa was born ca.1931
September 12, 1997 ~ Music manager, lyricist, music publisher, label executive Stig Anderson, full name Stig Erik Leopold Anderson, passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Prolific songwriter enjoying popularity throughout the 1960s, his songs recorded by the likes of Lill Babs, Brita Borg, and Lena Anderson. However, Anderson is most noted for managing pop band ABBA and for co-founding the Polar Music label ~ Anderson was born in 1931
September 12, 1995 ~ Jazz double bassist Larry Gales, full name Lawrence Bernard Gales, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Renowned sideman. Occassional leader. Worked with JC Heard, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Johnny Griffin, Herbie Mann, Junior Mance, Joe Williams, Erroll Garner, Willie Bobo, Red Rodney, Harry Sweets Edison, Benny Carter, Blue Mitchell, Clark Terry, Kenny Burrell, Buddy Tate, Bennie Green, Sonny Stitt, Mary Lou Williams, Jimmy Smith, Sonny Criss, Big Joe Turner, Eddie Henderson, Johnny Lytle, Junior Mance, and Charlie Rouse ~ Gales was born in 1936
September 12, 1993 ~ Country, country pop, pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Kelsea Ballerini, full name Kelsea Nicole Ballerini, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Began songwriting as a child. Released her The First Time debut album in 2017. The album included her 2014 Love Me Like You Mean It debut single which at the time reached top 10 Billboard Country. Subsequent hit singles included Dibs, Peter Pan, Yeah Boy, Miss Me More and Hole In The BottleSeptember 12, 1989 ~ Singer, songwriter Tim Knol born in Hoorn, the Netherlands ~ Member of Be Right Back. Debuted in 2010 with his eponymous Tim Knol album and has been releasing records to commercial success since. Known for his close association with Anne Soldaat, formerly of Daryl Ann
September 12, 1988 ~ Bandleader, director Charlie Palmieri, full name Carlos Manuel Palmieri, passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Known as the “Giant of the Keyboard.” Worked with Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Papiro Allende, Willie Rodriguez, Adalberto Santiago, Celia Cruz, Herbie Mann, Ismael Rivera, Rafael Cortijo, Ismael Quintana, Bobby Capó, Mongo Santamaria, and Ray Barretto ~ Palmieri was born in 1927September 12, 1988 ~ Matthew Martian, commonly known as singer, producer, songwriter Matt Martians, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member of Odd Future, present on the 2012 The OF Tape Vol.2. Has also recorded as a solo artist starting with Drum Chord Theory released in 2017
September 12, 1986 ~ Post-dubstep, ambient, art pop producer Dominic Maker born in Brighton, UK ~ Formed the electronic music duo Mount Kimbie with Kai Campos, acclaimed for their 2010 Crooks & Lovers which is generall seen as one of the albums that defined UK dubstep. Also closely associated with James Blake, for whom he co-produced and co-wrote several tracks starting on the 2017 Assume Form. Has also worked with Jay-Z, Slowthai, Rosalia, Starrah, Isaiah Rashad, and Schoolboy Q
September 12, 1985 ~ Jazz singer, pianist Champian Fulton born in Norman, Oklahoma, USA ~ Daughter of jazz trumpeter Stephen Fulton. Influenced by Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Wynton Kelly, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum. Best known for her 2007 Champian debut album and her 2012 Champian Sings And Swings album