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 2, 1977 ~ Nu metal, rap rock, rap metal, alternative metal bassist Sam Rivers, full name Samuel Robert Rivers, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding and key member of Limp Bizkit with whom he has recorded half a dozen albums since the late 1990s. The band is widely acknowledged for bringing rap-metal and nu-metal to mainstream, especially through the albums Three Dollar Bill Y'All, Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish & The Hot Dog Flavored Water, all of which reached multi-platinum status in their native America. The band rarely charted on the American singles charts, yet would score several international hits including Take A Look Around, the UK No.1 hit Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle) and the Who cover Behind Blue Eyes. Rivers retired from performing in the mid-2010s due to medical reasons, yet continued to record with the band. Rivers has also served as producer for Burn Season, the Embraced, and Indorphine. Upon Rivers' passing, his Limp Bizkit bandmates stated: “Sam wasn't just our bass player, he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound” ~ Rivers passed away in 2025
September 2, 1976 ~ Indie folk, indie rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Tom Miller born ~ Lead singer, co-founding member and along with Brian Garth primary songwriter for alternative, indie outfit Black Camaro, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums since its inception in 2001. Miller also provides the visual arts for the band's album art and concert posters
September 2, 1975 ~ Singer, songwriter Tony Thompson, full name Anthony Ulysses Thompson Jr, born in Waco, Texas ~ Best known as a member of Hi-Five best known for their eponymous debut, 1990's Hi-Five, which went platinum and spawned the hits I Like The Way (The Kissing Game), I Can't Wait Another Minute, and Just Another Girlfriend. Thompson released a sole solo album, Sensational, in 1995 ~ Thompson passed away in 2007September 2, 1974 ~ Heavy metal drummer Felix Bohnke born ~ Member of power metal outfit Edguy, first appearing on the highly acclaimed 1999 Theater Of Salvation album. Member of Avantasia, initially sessioning and touring with the band in the early-2010s and a permanent member since 2016. Has also worked with Saints & Preachers, Taraxacum, and Khymera
September 2, 1974 ~ Country singer Waylon Jennings records Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way for his Dreaming My Dreams album ~ Written by Waylon Jennings and co-produced with Cowboy Jack Clement, Jennings voices his frustration at how the industry's hold on artists has changed country music, criticizing the glitz and the uninspired, slick, commercial sound. The song would become an anthem of the burgeoning outlaw country movement, of which Jennings was one of its key figures, and has remained popular with the rowdier crowds to this day. Issued as a single off Dreaming My Dreams, the song would spend sixteen weeks on the Billboard Country charts, including one week at the top spot. The single's flip side featured a tribute to another iconic country musician from the past, Bob Wills Is Still The King, which became a staple of classic country stations. For his 1999 D'Lectrified album, singer Clint Black remade Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way into Are You Sure Waylon Done It This Way as a duet with JenningsSeptember 2, 1967 ~ Heavy metal, rap metal, nu metal, hard rock drummer, percussionist Frank Fontserè, full name Frank Carles Fontserè, born in Denville, New Jersey, USA ~ Known for using drum triggers both in the studio and for each live performance. Member of rap metal group Stuck Mojo and of heavy metal group Fozzy, recording about half a dozen albums with each of the two. Has also worked with Agent Cooper, Duke, Soundevice, Love Said No, and Primer 55
September 2, 1967 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, Branded Man by Merle Haggard hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Merle Haggard epitomized the tough country sound of the 1960s and 1970s with artists who lived their songs. For his self-penned Branded Man, Haggard drew from personal experience. The song tells about an ex-convicts fear of not being accepted in society as a “branded man” for his crime. Haggard had served three years in prison for robbery. His previous charttopper, The Fugitive, although not self-penned tackled a similar subject, telling of an escaped prisoner living a lonely life on the run. Despite being a branded man, Haggard would go on to become a highly successful singer scoring some seventy Billboard Country top 10 hits over his career, thirteen of which reached the top spot
September 2, 1966 ~ Jazz clarinetist, violinist Darnell Howard passed away in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Regarded as a skilled soloist, influenced by Jimmie Noone, Howard has enjoyed a lengthy career as a sideman and occasional leader starting in his mid-teens. Played the violin, notably backing WC Handy, before taking up the reeds. Howard would go on to work with Charlie Elgar, King Oliver, Erskine Tate, Fletcher Henderson, Coleman Hawkins, Kid Ory, Muggsy Spanier, Bob Scobey, Don Ewell, Elmer Snowden, and Burt Bales. Howard is perhaps best known for his stint with Earl Hines for most of the 1930s, including notably playing the violin on the 1933 Cavernism recording ~ Howard was born in 1895
September 2, 1964 ~ R&B singer Marvin Gaye releases Baby Don't You Do It, lifted off his How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) album ~ Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland Jr. Marvin Gaye's single reached would reach No.27 Billboard Hot 100, No.14 on the Billboard R&B chart. In the early 1970s, both the Band and the Who would record notable live versions of the song. The former included a cover on their Rock Of Ages live album, the latter used theirs for the B-side of the Join Together singleSeptember 2, 1963 ~ Jazz drummer, vibraphonist Sherrie Maricle, full name Sharon Lee Maricle, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Well-known for her association with vibraphonist, percussionist Peter Appleyard. Also worked closely with John Mastroianni, notably on the albums Cookin' On All Burners and The Time Being. Co-founded all-female big band Diva. Present on albums by Maria Anadon, Maurice Hines, Ruby Braff, and Tommy Newsom
September 2, 1961 ~ Blues-rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Mark Selby, full name Mark Otis Selby, born in Enid, Oklahoma, 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 passed away in 2017
September 2, 1961 ~ Double bassist, bandleader Rafael Muñoz, full name Rafel Muñoz Medina, passed away in Santurce, Puerto Rico ~ Enjoyed popularity with his orchestra from the late 1920s through his retirement in the 1950s, playing guaraches, congas, and boleros. Well-known songs include Sandunguera, El Hueso De Maria, La Conga Del 39, and Ojos Malvados. Muñoz also served as musical director for the 1934 film Romance Tropical, the first Puerto Rican movie with sound ~ Muñoz was born in 1900
September 2, 1960 ~ Rock, post-rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Arnaldo Antunes born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Co-founding member of rock band Titas, remaining with the band from 1982 through 1992. Has also worked with Marisa Monte, the Tribalistas, Carlinhos Brown, Tom Zé, João Donato, and Chico Buarque
September 2, 1960 ~ John Charles Hall, commonly known as performance poet, spoken word poet, art rock singer John S Hall, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known as frontman and constant member of avant-garde art rock outfit King Missile with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. The band is acclaimed for the albums They and Happy Hour, and is best known for their 1992 Detachable Penis single
September 2, 1960 ~ Singer Ruth Jacott born in Paramaribo, Suriname ~ Represented the Netherlands at the 1993 Eurovision Songfestival with the song Vrede, reaching 6th place. Would release her eponymous solo album, Ruth Jacott, shortly afterwards. Has worked with Paul de Leeuw (Blijf Bij Mij), Gerard Joling, René Froger, Oscar Harris, Humphrey Campbell, Fluitsma & Van Tijn, the Toppers, and Edsilia Rombley
September 2, 1959 ~ Singer Esther Oosterbeek, full name Esther Rosita Oosterbeek, born in Haarlem, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of pop girl group the Dolly Dots. The band would score numerous top 10 hits in the Netherlands, starting in the late 1970s, including Tell It All About Boys, Hela-do-ladi-do, STOP, Do You Wanna Wanna, She's A Liar, Dreaming Of You, and What A Night. After the band disbanded Oosterbeek would semi-retire from an active music career, working as a fashion adviser, designer and make-up artist for other musiciansSeptember 2, 1959 ~ Drummer Paul Deakin born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Member of country, country rock outfit the Mavericks, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums starting with their eponymous The Mavericks debut album released in 1990. The band is best known for the singles O What A Thrill, There Goes My Heart, and All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down featuring Flaco Jiménez, all of which reached top 20 Billboard Country
September 2, 1958 ~ Singer Connie Francis records Fallin' at Metropolitan Studio, New York, New York ~ Produced by Morton Craft who also conducted. Connie Francis released the song as a single later the same year as a single, paired with Happy Days And Lonely Nights on the flip side, it would reach No.30 Billboard Hot 100, No.20 in the UK. Neil Sedaka, who originally co-wrote the song with regular partner Howard Greenfield, would cut his own version for his 1959 Rockin' With Sedaka debut albumSeptember 2, 1958 ~ Pop keyboardist, singer, songwriter Fritz McIntyre born in Birmingham, UK ~ Co-founding member, keyboardist of Simply Red from 1985 through 1995, leaving the band after the completion of the Life album. Co-wrote a vast amount of the band's material, sang lead on Wonderland. Has recorded as a solo artist since leaving the band, including the Christian worship album First Fruits, but would fail to reach the same level of succes ~ McIntyre passed away in 2021
September 2, 1958 ~ Alternative rock, jangle pop drummer Jerry Augustyniak, full name Jerome Stanley Augustyniak, born in Sloan, New York, USA ~ Member of 10,000 Maniacs, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. The band is known for songs such as What's The Matter Here, Trouble Me, Eat For Two, These Are Days, and Candy Everybody Wants
September 2, 1958 ~ Pianist, accordionist Radoslav Lorkovic born in Zagreb, Croatia ~ Revered solo artist, member of the original line-up of the Lost Gonzo Band and an in-demand collaborator. Worked with Odetta, Jimmy Lafave, Shawn Mullins, Greg Brown, Richard Shindell, Ellis Paul, Susan Werner, Ronny Cox, Andy White, and Bo Ramsey
September 2, 1957 ~ J-pop, pop, disco singer Keiko Masuda, also known as Kei, born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan ~ Formed the duo Pink Lady with childhood friend Mitsuyo Nemoto. The duo would enjoy popularity in their native Japan during the second half of the 1970s, scoring hits such as SOS, Nagisa No Sindbad, Wanted (Shimei Tehao), Southpaw, Monster, and Chameleon Army. Their 1979 single Kiss In The Dark would also reach top 40 on the American Billboard Hot 100
September 2, 1957 ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter Steve Porcaro, full name Steven Maxwell Porcaro, born in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Brother of drummer Jeff Porcaro and bassist Mike Porcaro, both bandmates in Toto. The band's song Rosanna was inspired by Porcaro's then-girlfriend actress Rosanna Arquette. In-demand session musician for a wide range of artists, present on albums by Bette Midler, the Brothers Johnson, the Alessi Brothers, the Pointer Sisters, Leo Sayer, Earth Wind & Fire (I Am), Michael Jackson (Off The Wall), Boz Scaggs, Herb Alpert, Donna Summer, James Ingram, Al Jarreau (Jarreau), Don Henley (Building The Perfect Beast), Chaka Khan, Kenny Loggins, and Ry Cooder
September 2, 1956 ~ William G Evans, commonly known as bluegrass banjo player Bill Evans, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Cloud Valley, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Due West, Bluegrass Intentions, Fletcher Bright, Alan Munde, Kathy Kallick, Chad Manning, Jim Nunally, Tony Trischka, and Jody Stecher
September 2, 1956 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Too Much at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Lee Rosenberg and Bernard Weinman. Elvis Presley released the song, paired with Playing For Keeps on the flip side, the following JanuarySeptember 2, 1956 ~ Wayne Pedziwiatr, commonly known as pop, rock, jazz, fusion bassist Wayne Pedzwater, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Briefly a member of Blood Sweat & Tears in the early 1980s. Would go on to session for artists such as Thom Rotella, José José, Tom Chapin (Billy The Squid), Chuck Loeb, Michael Jackson, John Forster (Helium), Jewel, and Vaneese Thomas ~ Pedziwiatr passed away in 2005