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 17, 1926 ~ William Patton Black Jr, commonly known as bassist Bill Black, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as bassist backing Elvis Presley in Presley's early years. Black later formed Bill Black's Combo with whom he achieved moderate succes with songs such as White Silver Sands, Blue Tango, and Hearts Of Stone. The combo at one time or another included musicians such as Reggie Young, Chips Moman, Tommy Cogbill and William Martin Willis ~ Black passed away in 1965
September 17, 1926 ~ Eugene McDuff, commonly known as keyboardist, organist, bassist Jack McDuff, born in Champaign, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Acclaimed for early 1960s albums such as Brother Jack, The Honeydripper and Brother Jack Meets The Boss. Employed a young George Benson early on in the latter's career. Also worked with Joe Farrell, Willis Jackson, Red Holloway, Joe Dukes, Jimmy Witherspoon, Leo Wright, Kenny Burrell, Pat Martino, David Fathead Newman, Cecil Bridgewater, and Houston Person ~ McDuff passed away in 2001
September 17, 1923 ~ Hiram King Williams, commonly known as singer, songwriter Hank Williams, born in Georgianna, Alabama, USA ~ Despite a relatively short career, ended abruptly by his untimely death, one of the most important and influential singers and songwriters of the 20th century. Known for classics such as Hey Good Looking, Your Cheatin' Heart, and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Williams never learned to read music ~ Williams passed away in 1953September 17, 1901 ~ Songwriter Stuart Gorrell, full name Stuart Graham Steven Gorrell, born in Knox, Indiana, USA ~ Remembered for co-writing Georgia On My Mind, composed and first recorded by Hoagy Carmichael. The song has become a standard recorded by numerous artists, notably Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Willie Nelson. Gorrell wrote the lyrics in a single night after hearing Carmichael play the new composition at a party and never wrote another lyric in his life ~ Gorrell passed away in 1963