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 19, 2023 ~ Francis Deprijck, commonly known as pop, disco, samba, ska singer, songwriter Lou Deprijck, passed away in Brussels, Belgium ~ First gained attention as member of Two Man Sound, actually a trio with Sylvain Vanholme and Yves Lacomblez, merging Latin rhythms with disco. The band is known for their 1975 million-seller Charlie Brown, written and recorded by Benito di Paula the previous year, and Disco Samba. Deprijck is also known as thriving force behind Plastic Bertrand, notably providing lead vocals, songwriting and production for the 1978 pastiche Ça Plane Pour Moi. Originally a B-side the single would be re-released with sides flipped, reach top 10 across Europe and later be covered by dozens of artists including Sonic Youth, Leila K, and the Presidents of the United States. In the 1980s Deprijck would find chart success producing Viktor Lazlo ~ Deprijck was born in 1946September 19, 2021 ~ Classical violinist, conductor András Ligeti passed away ~ Closely associated with the Hungarian State Opera House, serving as concert master and conductor from 1977 through 1985, and with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra from 1985 through 1993. Has also worked with the Dresden Philharmonic, the Oslo Philharmonic, the Bergen Symphony, and the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande ~ Ligeti was born in 1953
September 19, 2020 ~ Rock, progressive rock, hard rock drummer Lee Kerslake, full name Lee Gary Kerslake, passed away ~ Nicknamed the Bear. Best known as longtime member of Uriah Heep, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums starting with Demons & Wizards, the band's fourth studio album. Kerslake remained with the band from 1971 through 1982, and again from 1982 through 2007. Kerslake has also recorded with the Gods, Head Machine, Toe Fat, the National Head Band, Ken Hensley, David Byron, Ozzy Osbourne, appearing on Osbourne's 1980 solo debut album Blizzard Of Oz and its follow-up Diary Of A Madman, and with Living Loud. Kerslake recorded one solo album, Eleventeen, which was released posthumously in 2021 ~ Kerslake was born in 1947
September 19, 2019 ~ Guitarist, bassist, singer, producer Larry Wallis passed away ~ Best known as member of the Pink Fairies, notably present on the 1973 album Kings Of Oblivion for which Wallis wrote or co-wrote all songs. Briefly an early member of Motörhead during the mid 1970s, appearing on the 1975 album On Parole which would remain unreleased until 1979. Wallis has also worked with Shagrat, Blodwyn Pig, the Deviants, Steve Peregrin Took, UFO, and Lee Brilleaux. Wallis has sporadically recorded as a solo artist and served as in-house producer for Stiff Records, working with artists such as Wreckless Eric (A Louder Silence), the Adverts, and Mick Farren ~ Wallis was born in 1949
September 19, 2017 ~ Bassist Johnny Sandlin passed away in Decatur, Alabama, USA ~ Session bassist, guitarist, drummer. Member of the Impacts, the Five Minutes, and alongside Duane Allman and Gregg Allman a member of Hour Glass. Best known as an engineer and producer who worked with Widespread Panic, Wet Willie, the Aquarium Rescue Unit, and perhaps most notably extensively with the Allman Brothers Band ~ Sandlin was born in 1945
September 19, 2014 ~ Singers Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett release their Cheek To Cheek collaborative album ~ The pair first met at a charity event in 2011, where Lady Gaga performed Nat King Cole's Orange Colored Sky. Impressed by her voice, Tony Bennett invited Gaga to duet with him on his Duets II album, for which they recorded The Lady Is A Tramp. Over the next few years, plans for a full-length jazz album materialized inspired by their desire to introduce jazz standards to a younger generation, since they believed jazz to have a universal appeal. Cheek To Cheek consists of standards composed by the likes of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, and Irving Berlin, and would debut atop the Billboard Hot 200. Gaga would later comment: “Cheek To Cheek came out of a very organic friendship and relationship that Tony and I have built over the years and it truly was a collaborative effort”September 19, 2014 ~ Percussionist, conga player, singer Milton Cardona passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Mongo Santamaria. Especially acclaimed for the albums Bembe and Cambucha, released respectively in 1985 and 1999. A mainstay on New York's salsa scene, Cardona reportedly appears on over an estimated 1,000 recordings including albums by Willie Colón, Clifford Thornton, Héctor Lavoe, Cachao, Ismael Miranda, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, the Fania All-Stars, Kip Hanrahan, Eddie Palmieri, Michael Brecker (Now You See It (Now You Don't)), David Byrne, Ronnie Cuber (The Scene Is Clean), David Sánchez, Steve Turre, Marlena Shaw, Paul Simon, Mario Bauzá (Messidor's Finest), Herbie Mann, and Paquito d'Rivera ~ Cardona was born in 1944
September 19, 2010 ~ William Marcel Collette, commonly known as flutist, saxophonist, clarinetist Buddy Collette, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ In 1949 Collette was the first black musician to be hired by a nationally broadcast TV studio orchestra, for You Bet Your Life hosted by Groucho Marx. The conductor received hate-mail for it, yet show, station and musicians stood by Collette. Collette also helped merge an all-black musicians union with an all-white one in the early 1950s. Over the course of his career Collette played with Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Nelson Riddle, Jim Hall, Fred Katz, Carson Smith, Ivie Anderson, Johnny Otis, Gerald Wilson, Ernie Andrews, Charles Mingus, Britt Woodman, John Anderson, Lucky Thompson, Teddy Edwards, Spaulding Givins, Oscar Bradley, Benny Carter, Percy Faith, Joe Liggins, and Louis Jordan ~ Collette was born in 1921
September 19, 2010 ~ Rapper Tinie Tempah releases Written In The Stars featuring Eric Turner, lifted off his Disc-Overy debut album ~ With lyrics addressing overcoming hardship top eventually find success, the song was warmly received by critics who praised its positive message. The song was also a natural to accompany sporting events, and as such would be used by several networks and organizations including Sky Sports for their coverage of the Premier League, the WWE for their 2011 Wrestlemania XXVII event, used as the New York Giants entrance song at the 2011 Super Bowl, and played at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics. The single, notably featuring Eric Turner of Street Fighting Man, would be Tinie Tempah's second UK No.1 hit, preceded by Pass Out, and reached No.12 on the American Billboard Hot 100
September 19, 2009 ~ Anthony Williams, commonly known a DJ, turntablist Roc Raida, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of DJ team the X-Ecutioners, present on the band's first three albums including the acclaimed 2002 Built From Scratch album. Served as DJ for Busta Rhymes and for MF Grimm. Has produced tracks for Ill Al Skratch, Showbiz & AG, the Jungle Brothers, Skillz, and Big Pun. As a solo artist, Williams released about half a dozen albums, starting with The Adventures Of Roc Raida (One Too Many) in 1997 ~ Williams was born in 1972
September 19, 2008 ~ Richard Merrill Sudhalter, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Dick Sudhalter, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of saxophonist Al Sudhalter, brother of saxophonist, flutist Carol Sudhalter. As a recording artist especially noted for 1968's Anglo-American Alliance and 1994's After Awhile. Also known as a journalist, music critic and writer, notably co-penning the Bix Beiderbecke biography Bix (Man And Legend) and penning the Hoagy Carmichael biography Stardust Melody ~ Sudhalter was born in 1938
September 19, 2008 ~ Drummer Earl Palmer, full name Earl Cyril Palmer, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since the late 1940s Palmer has worked as a session drummer with a host of artists including on Little Richard's first few albums and just about every early Richard single, on Fats Domino's The Fat Man and I'm Walking, Professor Longhair's Tipitina, Lloyd Price's Lawdy Miss Clawdy, and on Smiley Lewis' I Hear You Knocking. Has also sessioned for TV and film soundtracks, and worked well into the 1980s with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Phil Spector, Ricky Nelson, Bobby Vee, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Eddie Cochran, Ritchie Valens, Bobby Day, Jan & Dean, the Beach Boys, Larry Williams, Gene McDaniels, Bobby Darin, Neil Young, the Pets, David Axelrod, Dizzy Gillespie, Earl Bostic, Onzy Matthews, Count Basie, BB King, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, Tim Buckley, Little Feat, and Elvis Costello. Member of the Wrecking Crew, a loose collective of first call session musicians which at times included Leon Russell, Jim Gordon, Plas Johnson, Hal Blaine, and Larry Knechtel ~ Palmer was born in 1924September 19, 2007 ~ Jazz saxophonist Mike Osborne, full name Michael Evans Osborne, passed away in Hereford, UK ~ Member of Brotherhood Of Breath, notably present on the albums Bremen To Bridgewater and Eclipse At Dawn. Member of saxophone trio SOS with John Surman and Alan Skidmore. Has also worked with Mike Westbrook, Michael Gibbs, Alan Skidmore, Kenny Wheeler, and Norma Winstone ~ Osborne was born in 1941
September 19, 2006 ~ Singer, pianist, saxophonist, songwriter Danny Flores, also known as Chuck Rio, passed away in Huntington Beach, California, USA ~ Founded the Champs with guitarist Dave Burgess. Flores is best remembered for authoring the near-instrumental Tequila, originally the flip side of the Champs' debut single. As listeners requested the B-side over its A-side, Train To Nowhere, the single was re-released and shot to No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Flores was born in 1929
September 19, 2006 ~ Folk singer Joe Glazer passed away in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA ~ Often called “Labor's Troubadour” and closely associated with the labor unions. Recorded over 30 albums. Best known for songs such as The Mill Was Made Of Marble, Too Old To Work, and Automation ~ Glazer was born in 1918September 19, 2004 ~ Waldren Joseph, commonly known as trombonist Frog Joseph, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Plays piano, double-bass and trombone. Toured with artists such as Joe Robichaux, Sidney Desvignew, and Lee Allen. Recorded with Big Joe Turner, Earl King, Smiley Lewis, Dave Bartholomew. Has also worked with Paul Barbarin, Louis Cottrell Jr, Papa French, and the Original Camelia Band. Two of Joseph's sons would go on to become professional jazz musicians, sousaphonist Kirk Joseph and trombonist Charles Joseph ~ Joseph was born in 1918
September 19, 2004 ~ Kenneth Parkin, commonly known as singer, actor Kenneth Sandford, passed away in Market Drayton, UK ~ Best known for his performances in baritone roles of Gilbert & Sullivan operas. Closely associated with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, remaining with the company for over two decades starting in 1957 ~ Parkin was born in 1924
September 19, 2004 ~ Mary Francis Penick, commonly known as singer Skeeter Davis passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Country-pop crossover singer. Member of the Davis Sisters. One of the first women in country to reach major stardom fame. Influenced Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette. Collaborated with Ralph Emery, Porter Wagoner, Bobby Bare, NRBQ, and Teddy Nelson. Known for songs such as Lost To A Geisha Girl, I Can't Help You (I'm Falling Too), My Last Date With You, Set Him Free, Where I Ought To Be, Fuel To The Flame, The End Of The World, What Does It Take (To Keep A Man Like You Satisfied) and I'm A Lover Not A Fighter ~ Penick was born in 1931
September 19, 2000 ~ Boy band NSYNC release This I Promise You, lifted off their No Strings Attached sophomore album ~ When label executive David Novik asked Richard Marx if he had a ballad to give to NSYNC, Marx provided them with This I Promise You. Marx had initially intended the song for a three-person girl group, and quickly adjusted the harmonies specifically for NSYNC. At the request of the label, Marx would also produce the recording. Peaking at No.5 Billboard Hot 100, it became the group's third consecutive American top 10 hit off their sophomore album, preceded by Bye Bye Bye and It's Gonna Be Me which respectively reached No.4 and No.1. The success would also be a big break for Marx, as it helped him transition into writing and producing songs for other acts in addition to his solo work. NSYNC would score one more top 10 hit, their sixth, when Girlfriend featuring Nelly off their third and final album Celebrity peaked at No.5 Billboard Hot 100 in 2002
September 19, 1999 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Ed Cobb, full name Edward Cornelius Cobb, passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Member of the Four Preps from 1956 to 1966. Post-Preps Cobb has focused mainly on producing and as such has worked with artists such as the Standells, the Lettermen, the Chocolate Watch Band, the Piltdown Men, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd. Cobb is also noted for writing songs for the Standells (Dirty Water), Brenda Holloway (Every Little Bit Hurts) and Gloria Jones (Tainted Love) ~ Cobb was born in 1938September 19, 1997 ~ Richard Wayne Mullins, commonly known as Christian singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Rich Mullins, passed away in Lostant, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his worship songs Awesome God and Sometimes By Step. Described by singer Amy Grant as “the uneasy conscience of Christian music” ~ Mullins was born in 1955
September 19, 1995 ~ R&B, gospel singer Zilla Mays, full name Zilla Florine Mays, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ As a singer known for a number of early 1950s R&B, gospel recordings, notably I'll Keep Singing My Song, If You Were On The Other Side, Seems Like You Just Don't Care, and Don't Take My Good Love Away. Best known as a radio host and community leader in Atlanta from the mid 1950s until her death four decades later, hosting a number of shows on WAOK ~ Mays was born in 1931
September 19, 1989 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases Rhythm Nation 1814, her fourth studio album ~ Jackson's previous album, Control released in 1986, was Jackson's breakout album, having gained ‘control’ of her own destiny after freeing herself from the domineering reign of her family including notably her manager-father Joe Jackson. The album first saw Janet Jackson taking creative control, co-writing and co-producing the majority of the songs with the producer-songwriter duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Control was a commercial and critical success, reaching No.1 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart, spawning no less than five Billboard Hot 100 top 5 singles, and catapulting the singer to international stardom. Naturally, Jackson's label wanted similar material for her next album yet the singer insisted on creating a concept album addressing social issues including racism, poverty, and substance abuse, in addition to themes of romance. The concept of a sociopolitical utopia was initially met with mixed reactions, yet Rhythm Nation 1814 received critical acclaim, with many regarding the album as the pinnacle of her career, while commercially the album even outdid its predecessor. All seven singles from the album reached top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, again setting a record for most top 5 singles from one album, of which Miss You Much, Escapade, Black Cat, and Love Will Never Do (Without You) all reached the top spotSeptember 19, 1988 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Reigan Derry born in Maida Vale, Australia ~ Member of Scarlett Belle known for the singles Closure and Freak Tonight. As a solo artist known for entering several talent shows, including Australian Idol in 2006 and The X-Factor Australia in 2011, for songs such as Feels Like Heaven, for her collaborations with Olic, Redfoo, Jake Gosling, Adam Argyle, Jon Hume, Trinity, David Ryan Harris, and Bombs Away
September 19, 1986 ~ Ilya Salmanzadeh, mononymously known as producer, songwriter Ilya born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Frequent collaborator of producers, songwriters such as Max Martin, Shellback, Savan Kotecha. Has produced, written numerous hits for Fifth Harmony, Jennifer Lopez (First Love), Ellie Goulding, Tove Lo, Adam Lambert, Taylor Swift, Hilary Duff, Demi Lovato, DNCE, Skip Marley, Ariana Grande (Problem), Sam Smith, and Kim Petras