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 18, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist Nick Gravenites, full name Nicholas George Gravenites, passed away in Santa Rosa, California, USA ~ Somewhat overlooked guitarist, known best for his role in 1960s white blues and psychedelia. Over half a dozen records to his name as a solo artist, noted most for My Labors released in 1969. Closely associated with Paul Butterfield, wrote Born In Chicago and co-wrote East-West with Michael Bloomfield, both recorded by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Formed the Electric Flag, which also included Bloomfield. Worked with Quicksilver Messenger Service. Worked with the Kozmic Blues Band, Janis Joplin's first band, and served as co-lead singer of Big Brother & the Holding Company after Joplin's departure. Gravenites has also worked with Brewer & Shipley, for whom he produced the 1970 Billboard Hot 100 No.10 hit One Toke Over The Line, as well as with Otis Rush, and the Usual Suspects ~ Gravenites was born in 1938
September 18, 2022 ~ Actress, singer Diane Guérin, also known as Belgazou, passed away ~ As a singer known best for a string of 1980s recordings including Quitter Ton Ile, Entre Mozart Et Jagger and Talk About It. Duetted with her husband Christian Montmarquette under the moniker Diane & Christian ~ Guérin was born in 1948September 18, 2017 ~ Blues-rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Mark Selby, full name Mark Otis Selby, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Muddy Waters, and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. Released a number of solo rock, blues-rock albums, often working with producer Brent Maher. In-demand collaborator and session musician, present on recordings by Kenny Rogers, Johnny Reid, Keni Thomas, Jimmy Hall, Wynonna Judd, and his wife Tia Sillers. Co-wrote a number of songs for Kenny Wayne Shepherd, including Deja Voodoo, Blue On Black, Never Lookin' Back. Also wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by the Dixie Chicks, Sons Of The Desert, and Tammy Cochran ~ Selby was born in 1961
September 18, 2014 ~ Singer George Hamilton IV passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Teen idol turned country singer, gradually gravitating more towards folk-influenced country. Known for songs such as A Rose And A Baby Ruth, Why Don't They Understand, Before This Day Ends, Three Steps To The Phone, If You Don't Know I Ain't Gonna Tell You, and Abilene ~ Hamilton was born in 1937
September 18, 2014 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz trumpeter, hornist Kenny Wheeler, full name Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, passed away in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Especially acclaimed for his mid-1980s streak, consisting of the albums Double Double You, Jumpin' In, and Rambler. Closely associated with John Taylor, including in Azimuth. Has also worked with Johnny Dankworth, the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, the Globe Unity Orchestra, Anthony Braxton, Lee Konitz, Marc Copland, and John Abercrombie ~ Wheeler was born in 1930
September 18, 2014 ~ Margaret Hoffler, commonly known as R&B singer Margie Day, passed away in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Recorded as a solo artist as well as with the Four Bars & a Melody (Near You), the Griffin Brothers (Street Walking Daddy, Sadie Green, Pretty Baby), and Paul Williams ~ Hoffler was born in 1926
September 18, 2010 ~ Zouk singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Patrick Saint-Eloi passed away in Le Moule, Guadeloupe ~ Leading figure in the Zouk genre. Co-lead singer of Kassav. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting in the 1980s ~ Saint-Eloi was born in 1958
September 18, 2008 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Opal Courtney Jr passed away in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Member of the Spaniels, known for 1950s hits such as Baby It's You and Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight, the latter later remaining popular to this day featured in several films including American Graffiti ~ Courtney was born in 1936
September 18, 2005 ~ Double bassist Frank Fields, full name Frank Nomer Fields, passed away in Zachary, Louisiana, USA ~ Closely associated with Dave Bartholomew and Cosimo Matassa, becoming a first-call session musician for many New Orleans based acts including Fats Domino (The Fat Man), Professor Longhair, Little Richard (Tutti Frutti), Smiley Lewis, Shirley & Lee, Lloyd Price, Huey Piano Smith, and Ray Charles ~ Fields was born in 1914
September 18, 1997 ~ Jump blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Active since the mid 1940s. In-demand singer worked with a host of artists including Teddy Weatherford, Jay McShann (notably on the 1949 recording of Ain't Nobody's Business), Jimmy Rowles, Earl Hines, Vernon Alley, Mel Lewis, Teddy Edwards, Gerald Wiggins, John Clayton, Paul Humphrey, Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell, Harry Sweets Edison, Jimmy Smith, Long John Baldry, Junior Mance, Jimmy Woode, Kenny Clarke, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Mullen, Count Basie, Van Morrison, the Dutch Swing College Band, Gene GIlbeaux, Robben Ford, Russell Ferrante, and Joe Sample ~ Witherspoon was born in 1920
September 18, 1994 ~ Zydeco accordionist John Delafose, full name John Irvin Delafose, passed away in Opelousas, Louisiana, USA ~ As a child would fashion fiddles and guitars out of old boards and cigar boxes. Eventually learned to play fiddle, harmonica and accordion. Earned his living farming and did not pursue a career in music until the early 1970s. Formed the Eunice Playboys in the mid 1970s, his backing unit until his death two decades later. Best known for the 1990s albums Joe Pete Got Two Women and Blues Stay Away From Me, bridging the gap between zydeco's roots and its contemporary sound ~ Delafose was born in 1939
September 18, 1992 ~ Singer, rapper, songwriter Amber Liu, full name Amber Josephine Liu, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of girl group fx, known for songs such as Nu Abo, Pinocchio (Danger), Electric Shock, and Rum Pum Pum Pum. First member of the band to release solo recordings, starting with the 2015 Beautiful EP in 2015 and has since recorded singles in Korean, English, and Mandarin. Liu has also collaborated with Danson Tang, Chad Future, Superfruit, and Gen Neo
September 18, 1992 ~ Keyboardist Earl Van Dyke passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as main keyboardist for Motown house band the Funk Brothers during the late 1960s and early 1970s, taking over for Joe Hunter. Can be heard on classic songs such as the Four Tops' Bernadette, Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine and the Temptations' Runaway Child Running Wild. Prior to his tenure with the Brothers Van Dyke worked as a jazz session organist with Blue Note Records artists such as Fred Jackson and Ike Quebec. Van Dyke is also known for his 1967 hit 6 By 6 ~ Van Dyke was born in 1930
September 18, 1991 ~ R&B, soul, gospel, jazz singer, pianist, songwriter Garry Glenn, full name Garry Dewayne Glenn, passed away in Los Angeles County, California, USA ~ While still in his teens toured with his sister, gospel singer Beverly Glenn. Released his eponymous solo debut album, Garry Glenn, in 1980. Best known as a songwriter, songs written or co-written by Glenn recorded by artists such as Dianne Quander, the Dramatics, Earth Wind & Fire (Share Your Love), the Emotions, Eddie Kendricks (Intimate Friends), Jean Carn, Anita Baker (Caught Up In The Rapture), Atlantic Starr (Armed & Dangerous), Santana, Natalie Cole (Gonna Make You Mine), and Pieces Of A Dream ~ Glenn was born in 1955
September 18, 1991 ~ Robert W Derminer, commonly known as proto-punk singer Rob Tyner, passed away in Royal Oak, Michigan, USA ~ Although Tyner originally auditioned for the bass player spot, he would serve as lead singer for MC5, one of the rawest and most outspoken bands in American rock. They are especially acclaimed for their 1969 Kick Out The Jams debut album, widely regarded as a forerunner to proto-punk and punk nearly a decade later. After two more albums, both of which sold poorly, the band disbanded in 1972. Tyner had taken his stage name in honor of jazz pianist McCoy Tyner ~ Derminer was born in 1944
September 18, 1989 ~ Singer Kate Bush releases The Sensual World, lifted off the album of the same name ~ The song is inspired by the fictional character Molly Bloom from the James Joyce-novel Ulysses stepping out of the pages of the book into the real world to discover the sensuality of it all, being able to use all her senses. Initially, Kate Bush had intended to use lyrics from the novel, but she did not get permission to do so. The Sensual World would be warmly received by critics, with Music Week heralding Bush for her “dazzling return to form after a few slightly indifferent releases”. The singer's brother Paddy Bush guests on fishing rods, as a later explained: “the swishing sound should conjure the atmosphere of fly-fishing, tweed hats and long wellingtons.” The Sensual World reached top 20 in the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and the singer's native UKSeptember 18, 1987 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Luisa Sobral, full name Luisa Vilar Braamcamp Sobral, born in Lisbon, Portugal ~ First gained attention reaching third place in the 2003 Portuguese edition of Idols talent show. Internationally best known for writing Amar Pelos Dois, the 2017 Eurovision Songfestival winner for Portugal, performed by her brother Salvador Sobral
September 18, 1984 ~ Dylan Kwabena Mills, commonly known as hip-hop, grime rapper, MC, songwriter Dizzee Rascal, born in London, UK ~ Pioneer of grime music, drawing from UK garage, hip-hop, R&B. Debuted in 2003 with the Boy In Da Corner, considered a classic in the genre. Best known for songs such as Dance Wiv Me featuring Calvin Harris & Chrome, Bonkers featuring Armand van Helden, You Got The Dirtee Love with Florence + the Machine, Goin' Crazy featuring Robbie WilliamsSeptember 18, 1983 ~ R&B, jump blues singer, drummer, bandleader Roy Milton passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the Solid Senders in 1933. Milton is best known for late 1940s, early 1950s R&B hits such as Hop Skip & Jump, Information Blues, Grooving With Joe, and Best ~ Milton was born in 1907
September 18, 1980 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader Dick Stabile, full name Richard Dominic Stabile, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Vincent Lopez, Ben Bernie, Bunny Berigan, Dave Barbour, Frank Signorelli, Paula Kelly, Burt Shaw, Dean Martin, Evelyn Oaks and with Gracie Barrie, eventually marrying the latter ~ Stabile was born in 1909
September 18, 1979 ~ Lincoln Barrett, commonly known as electronic music DJ, producer High Contrast, born in Penarth, UK ~ Son of Paul Legs Barrett, who managed singer Shakin' Stevens. Released his debut album, True Colours, in 2002 spawning the modest UK hits Return Of Forever and Global Love. Also known for a number of remixes, notably Ayumi Hamasaki's No Way To Say, Adele's Hometown Glory, Eric Prydz's Pjanoo and Jorja Smith's The One, the latter remix earning a Grammy Award-nomination in 2020September 18, 1976 ~ Accordionist, drummer, pianist Jeremy Barnes born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ~ Member of Neutral Milk Hotel, appearing on the band's 1998 In The Aeroplane Over The Sea sophomore album. Formed A Hawk & A Hacksaw in 2001, which also included singer, violinist Heather Trost whom he would later marry. Barnes and Trost also contributed to Beirut's 2005 Gulag Orkestar debut album
September 18, 1976 ~ In its 14th week on the charts, Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The lyrics literally describe the predicament of a rock band trying to adjust to the disco era. Wild Cherry were actually a funk rock band, yet as lead singer Rob Parissi was intent to write a hit song he would check the weekly Billboard charts and pick one or two songs to copy, changing them just enough to not get sued. For the disco-themed Play That Funky Music, Parissi copied Fire by the Ohio Players, in particular the bassline and vocal stylings, and built the song around a phrase, “play that funky music, white boy”, a member of the audience had shouted at one of their shows. The band was concerned about the lyrics, but Parissi insisted on keeping them. Play That Funky Music would reach top 10 in over half a dozen countries, including the Netherlands, the UK, and the band's native America, where it held the Billboard Hot 100 top spot for three consecutive weeks. It would be the band's only major hit
September 18, 1974 ~ Cellist, conductor, teacher Hideo Saito passed away in Tokyo, Japan ~ Not to be confused with his namesake composer Hideo Saito born in 1958. First gained attention in the mid 1920s as principal cellist and soloist with the New Symphony Orchestra. Well known for co-founding the Music School for Children, Tokyo, in 1948 which evolved into the the Toho Gakuen School of Music, Tokyo, a four-year college for further musical education. Saito would serve as professor of the college and chairman its string and conducting departments. Saito has toured USA, Soviet Union, and Europe with the school's the Toho Children's Orchestra, and had been preparing the orchestra for another major tour shortly before his death ~ Saito was born in 1902
September 18, 1974 ~ James Sontag, commonly known as electronic, house, UK garage producer, DJ Tiga, born in Montreal, Canada ~ First gained attention in the 2000s through a series of mixtapes and compilations, quickly becoming an acclaimed remixers with some dubbing him one of the world's best remixers. As a solo artist, producer, DJ released his full-length Sexor debut album in 2006. Has remixed songs for LCD Soundsystem, Cabaret Voltaire, Dannii Minogue, the Scissor Sisters, Märtini Brös, Mylo, Depeche Mode, Jamie Lidell, and Iggy Azalea