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 13, 1932 ~ Eddie Brown, commonly known as percussionist Eddie Bongo Brown born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ Backed numerous Motown artists mostly during the 1960s as member of the label's houseband the Funk Brothers. Best known for his contributions to songs such as (I Know) I'm Losing You by the Temptations, I Second That Emotion by the Miracles, and If I Were Your Woman by Gladys Knight & the Pips. Also worked with Brass Fever, present on both Brass Fever and Time Is Running Out, which also included John Handy, Lee Ritenour, Buddy Collette, Oscar Brashear, and Shelly Manne ~ Brown passed away in 1984
September 13, 1925 ~ Singer, drummer, songwriter, actor Mel Tormé, full name Melvin Howard Tormé, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Dubbed “the Velvet Fog” for his smooth vocal delivery. Child prodigy. Actively recording since the 1940s. Known for songs such as Careless Hands, Again, The Four Winds And Seven Seas and Bewitched ~ Tormé passed away in 1999
September 13, 1922 ~ Singer, pianist Charles Brown born in Texas City, Texas, USA ~ Influential on artists such as Floyd Dixon, Cecil Gant, Ivory Joe Hunter, Percy Mayfield, Johnny Ace, and Ray Charles. Known for a string of late 1940s, early 1950s top 10 hits including Drifting Blues, Hard Times, and Merry Christmas Baby. Member of Johnny Moore's the Three Blazers. Married to singer Mabel Scott from 1949 through 1951, with whom he also worked including on the 1948 Elevator Boogie hit ~ Brown passed away in 1999September 13, 1918 ~ Singer, actor Dick Haymes, full name Richard Benjamin Haymes, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ One of the most popular male vocalists of the 1940s. Brother of songwriter Bob Haymes. Worked with Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrew, Vivian Blaine, Helen Forrest, Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Nelson Riddle, Bing Crosby, Gordon Jenkins, Cy Coleman, and Johnny Kay ~ Haymes passed away in 1980
September 13, 1911 ~ Bandleader, mandolinist, songwriter Bill Monroe born in Rosine, Kentucky, USA ~ Commonly referred to as “the Father of Bluegrass,” the genre defined by Monroe. Led the Bluegrass Boys. Known for songs such as Blue Grass Breakdown, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, and Molly And Tenbrooks ~ Monroe passed away in 1997September 13, 1910 ~ Leon Brown Berry, commonly known as swing saxophonist Chu Berry born in Wheeling, West Virginia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Starting in the late 1920s Berry worked with Sammy Stewart, Benny Carter, Teddy Hill, Fletcher Henderson, Cab Calloway, Spike Hughes, Bessie Smith, the Chocolate Dandies, Mildred Bailey, Teddy Wilson, Billie Holiday, Wingy Manone, and Lionel Hampton ~ Berry passed away in 1941
September 13, 1894 ~ Romantic composer, pianist Emmanuel Chabrier, full name Alexis-Emmanuel Chabrier, passed away in Paris, France ~ Influenced Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Francis Poulenc. Coming from a bourgeois family who did not approve of a musical career Chabrier studied law and worked as a civil servant until age 39 before finally turning to a life of music. Best known for the orchestral works España and Joyeuse Marche, yet also write operas and piano music ~ Chabrier was born in 1841September 13, 1893 ~ Clarinetist Larry Shields born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the first jazz band to record commercially. Co-wrote the band's Clarinet Marmalade and At The Jazz Band Ball. Influential on later clarinetists such as Benny Goodman and Dink Johnson. Also played with Papa Jack Laine, Bert Kelly, King Watzke, and Paul Whiteman ~ Shields passed away in 1953