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 20, 1973 ~ Saxophonist Ben Webster, full name Benjamin Francis Webster, passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Influenced by Johnny Hodges. Spent the 1930s working with artists such as Blanche Calloway, Bennie Moten, Cab Calloway, Fletcher Henderson, and notably starting in 1940 Duke Ellington. Known for his instantly recognisable warm sound, Webster was considered one of the most influential and important swing tenor saxophonists, alongside Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. As a leader or co-leader, Webster has recorded prolifically, and is noted especially for the albums Ballads, Soulville, See You At The Fair, and For The Guv'nor (Tribute To Duke Ellington). Following his rise to fame as a leader, Webster continued to regularly appear as a sideman including on quintessential jazz albums such as Woody Herman's Songs For Hip Lovers, Billie Holiday's Body And Soul, Songs For Distingué Lovers, and All Or Nothing At All, Oliver Nelson's More Blues And The Abstract Truth, and Barney Kessel's Let's Cook. Webster used the same saxophone from 1938 until his death over three decades later. He left instructions that the horn was never to be played again. It is on display in the Institute Of Jazz Studies, Newark, New Jersey ~ Webster was born in 1909
September 20, 1973 ~ Jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, producerr Jack Marshall, full name Jack Wilton Marshall, passed away in Newport Beach, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Staff producer at Capitol Records during the late 19500s and 1960s. Produced albums by Howard Roberts and Jack Sheldon. Composed for TV series such as The Munsters, penning the theme, and movies such as Thunder Road, The Giant Gila Monster and Kona Coast. Has guested on recordings by Laurindo Almeida, Benny Carter, Judy Henske, Harry James, Barney Kessel, Jody Miller, Marian Montgomery, Louis Prima, Shorty Rogers, and Jack Teagarden ~ Marshall was born in 1921
September 20, 1973 ~ Folk, rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jim Croce, full name James Joseph Croce, passed away in Natchitoches, Louisiana, USA ~ Released two unsuccessful albums before breaking through with You Don't Mess Around With Jim in 1972, which spawned the hit singles Time In A Bottle, That's Not The Way It Feels and the title track You Don't Mess Around With Jim. His follow-up album, 1973's Life And Times, would give him the hit Bad Bad Leroy Brown. Croce's career was cut short when he died at age 30 in a plane crash while on tour, the day before I Got A Name, lead single and title track of his fifth and final album, was set to be released ~ Croce was born in 1943
September 20, 1972 ~ Singer, guitarist Rodolfo Abrantes, full name Rodolfo Gonçalves Leite de Abrantes, born in Sobradinho, Brazil ~ Lead singer, guitarist for influential punk rock outfit Raimundos from 1987 through 2001. The punk rock outfit is hugely influenced by American rockers the Ramones and would go on to become one of the most influential rock bands in Brazil, especially popular during the 1990s and especially acclaimed for their 1996 Lavô Tá Novo album
September 20, 1971 ~ Sebastian Roth, commonly known as Eurodance singer, songwriter Sin With Sebastian, born in Neustadt-an-der-Weinstrasse, West Germany ~ Best known for Shut Up (And Sleep With Me) off his 1995 Golden Boy debut album. The single would be a hit across continental Europe, reaching top 10 in most countries, including topping the charts in Austria, Finland, and Spain. The single would also be praised by critics, Billboard describing the song as “a novelty number for the Europop twirler in all of us, the vocals are utter camp, (…) and the groove is springy and fun”. Roth has released several more recordings, but would be unable to repeat the success of Shut Up (And Sleep With Me)
September 20, 1970 ~ Uilleann piper Leo Rowsome passed away in Riverstown, Ireland ~ First uillean piper to perform on Irish National Radio in the 1920s. First Irish artist to perform on BBC radio. Formed the Pipes Quartet in the mid 1930s, remaining popular throughout the 1940s and 1950s ~ Rowsome was born in 1903
September 20, 1968 ~ Bassist Ben Shepherd, full name Hunter Benedict Shepherd, born in Okinawa, Japan ~ Best known as bassist for Soundgarden, joining in 1990 as replacement for Hiro Yamamoto and staying with the band through 2019. Shepherd has recorded over half a dozen albums with the band including the acclaimed Badmotorfinger and Superunknown. Shepherd wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs such as Slaves & Bulldozers, Half, Head Down, Zero Chance, and Switch Opens. Shepherd has also recorded with Hater, Wellwater Conspiracy, Mark Lanegan, and Ten CommandosSeptember 20, 1967 ~ Twin brothers Gunnar Nelson and Matthew Nelson born ~ Twin brothers, sons of singer Ricky Nelson. Formed the glam rock duo Nelson known for their 1990 album After The Rain spawning the hit (Can't Live Without Your) Love And Affection
September 20, 1966 ~ Stephen Austin, commonly known as drum and bass, jungle, hip hop MC Stevie Hyper D, born in London, UK ~ Considered a pioneering drum and bass MC, the first to use the “double time” technique, where he would double the speed of the flow but still remain with the bars of the music. Has released a number of singles starting in the early 1990s, including Teknoragga, Boomshakalack, and All I Wanna Do. Austin's sole full-length album, The Next Step, was released posthumously in 1999. Austin passed away at age 31 of a heart condition ~ Austin passed away in 1998
September 20, 1964 ~ Punk bass guitarist Randy Bradbury born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Bassist for Pennywise, joining the band in 1996 initially as a temporary replacement for Jason Thirsk. Thirsk would take a leave of absence to enter a rehab program, yet committed suicide the same year. Bradbury had previously played with Falling Idols, appeared on Tender Fury's 1991 If Anger Were Soul I'd Be James Brown album, and was an original member of One Hit Wonder, appearing on the band's 1994 Where's The World debut EP and 1996's ClusterphukastuffSeptember 20, 1962 ~ Violinist, singer Fionnula Sherry born in Naas, Ireland ~ Half of the Secret Garden, the other half being keyboardist, songwriter Rolf Løvland, known for winning the 1995 Eurovision Songfestival with their performance of Nocturne representing Norway
September 20, 1960 ~ Pop, rock drummer, singer Dave Hemingway, full name David Robert Hemingway, born in Hull, UK ~ Member of the Housemartins, appearing on the band's sophomore album People Who Grinned Themselves To Death. Co-founding member, lead male vocalist of the Beautiful South, known for hits such as A Song For Whoever, A Little Time and Perfect 10, remaining with the band until its disbandement in 2007
September 20, 1959 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal guitarist Sergey Popov, full name Sergey Sergeevich Popov, born in Moscow, USSR ~ Member of Master from 1987 through the late 1980s rejoining in later years as a session musician, present on the band's million-seller albums Master and S Petlyoy Na Sheye. Best known as a member of Aria with whom he recorded well over two dozen albums since the early 2000s
September 20, 1958 ~ Radio DJ Steve Walsh born ~ Key figure in London's soul scene. As a radio DJ known for his shows on pirate stations such as Radio Invicta and JFM, as well as on prominent regional stations such as BBC Radio Kent and BBC London. Perhaps best known for his live work in nightclubs, and notably known for his 1987 remix version of the Fatback Band's I Found Lovin' which would reach top 10 on the UK singles charts ~ Walsh passed away in 1988
September 20, 1957 ~ Singer, saxophonist, percussionist Alannah Currie, full name Alannah Joy Currie, born in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Co-founding member of Thompson Twins, known for songs such as Doctor Doctor, Hold Me Now and You Take Me Up. Co-wrote Debbie Harry's 1989 single I Want That Man with Twins bandmate Tom Bailey. Formed Babble in 1992 with Bailey
September 20, 1955 ~ Guitarist Carlton Moody born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known as member of sibling outfit Moody Brothers alongside Dave Moody and Trent Moody. Also a member of the Flying Burrito Brothers-spinoff Burrito Deluxe from 2002 through 2009
September 20, 1954 ~ Rock, glam metal drummer Tony Destra born ~ Member of Enforcer, which also included future Tangier-frontman Bill Matson. Subsequently worked with Cinderella including on the tracks Shake Me and Somebody Save Me. Departed the band in 1985 to join Britny Fox, present on their 1986 demo In America. Destra died the following year in a car accident ~ Destra passed away in 1987
September 20, 1953 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Jeff Jones, full name Jeffrey Robin Jones, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Original member of Rush, replaced by Geddy Lee prior to their second performance. Gained serious attention as a member of gospel rock band Ocean, known best for their 1971 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Put Your Hand In The Hand. Member of Red Rider, including on their 1981 hit Lunatic Fringe. Member of Stingaree
September 20, 1953 ~ Singer Ricci Martin born in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Son of singer Dean Martin. Fronted the Pack. Collaborated with the Beach Boys singer Carl Wilson. One third of Ricci Desi & Billy, the other two being Desi Arnaz Jr and Billy Hinsche who had previously worked with Martin's late brother Dean Paul Martin under the moniker Dino Desi & Billy ~ Martin passed away in 2016
September 20, 1952 ~ Harvey William James Harrop, commonly known as guitarist Harvey James, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Member of Mississippi, notably present on the hit Will I. Member of Sherbet, present on the band's biggest hit Howzat and co-writing several other hits including Rock Me Gently, Beg Steal & Borrow and Angela. Has also worked with Ariel and with the Party Boys ~ Harrop passed away in 2011
September 20, 1948 ~ Guitarist Lloyd Willis, also known as Lloyd Gitsy Willis, born in Kingston,Jamaica ~ Jamaican session guitarist. Perhaps best known for appearing on and co-writing Tease Me, an international hit for Chaka Demus & Pliers taken of their 1993 Tease Me album. The single, produced by Sly & Robbie, would reach top 20 across Europe with top 10 positions in the Netherlands and the UK ~ Willis passed away in 2021
September 20, 1947 ~ Violinist, composer Billy Bang born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Co-founded String Trio Of New York, teaming up with guitarist James Emery and double bassist John Lindberg. Also worked with Sun Ra, William Hooker, John Lindberg, William Parker, the World Saxophone Quartet, and Ahmed Abdullah ~ Bang passed away in 2011
September 20, 1947 ~ Pop rock singer, bassist Göran Lagerberg, full name Göran Bertil Lagerberg, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Sole constant member, primary songwriter for beat unit Tages, considered one of the premier 1960s Swedish bands and especially acclaimed for their 1967 Studio album. Member of 1970s progressive rock band Kebnekajse, present on the albums Kebnekajse II and Kebnekajse III. Member of supergroup Grymlings alongside Magnus Lindberg, Pugh Rogefeldt, and Mikael Rickfors
September 20, 1947 ~ Domenica Rita Adriana Bertè, commonly known as singer, songwriter Mia Martini, born in Bagnara Calabra, Italy ~ Widely regarded as one of the all-time leading voices of Italian music, with some twenty albums to her name from the turn of the 1970s until her death of cardiac arrest at age 47. Prior to her rise to fame as Martini, she has recorded a number of singles under the moniker Mimi Bertè. Best known for the hit songs Piccolo Uomo and Almeno Tu Nell' Universo, originally issued respectively in 1972 and 1989, both of which have also been translated and covered into other languages. Martini has represented her native Italy twice at the Eurovision Songfestival, reaching thirteenth place in 1977 wth Libera, 4th place in 1992 with Per Amarti. In 2019, the biopic Io Sono Mia was released, narrating Martini's life, including her artistic career, tumultuous relationships, and the discrimination she endured by the music system and her colleagues ~ Bertè passed away in 1995September 20, 1944 ~ Country singer Tex Ritter records Jealous Heart ~ Written and originally recorded by Jenny Lou Carson. Released as a single, b/w We Live In Two Different Worlds, Tex Ritter's version would reach top 10 on the Billboard Country charts. In later years the song would be covered by a wide array of artists including Ivory Joe Hunter, Ernest Tubb, Tab Hunter, and Connie Francis