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 21, 1949 ~ Bassist Colin Gibson born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK ~ First gained attention as a member of the Primitive Sect during the mid 1960s. Subsequently joined the Chosen Few with bandmate John Turnbull, soon renamed to Skip Bifferty. Member of short-lived Griffin, known for their 1969 I Am The Noise In Your Head single. Member of Ginger Baker's Air Force, replacing Ric Grech, present on the band's acclaimed 1970 Ginger Baker's Air Force 2 album. Would go on to work, both as a band member and a session musician, with the likes of Stefan Grossman, Alan Hull, Mark Almond, Snafu, Steve Howe, Graham Bonnet, Kevin Coyne, and Trevor Watts Moiré Music
September 21, 1948 ~ Eddie James Lusk Jr, commonly known as Chicago blues keyboardist, pianist Professor Eddie Lusk, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Raised in the Pentecostal faith, his parents running the Lusk Bible Way Center in Chicago, Illinois, and Lusk himself an ordained minister, Lusk could not resist the lure of the blues. Got his start in music backing Luther Allison for a number of years, before going on to work as a session musician throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Notably appeared on albums by Buddy Guy, Jimmy Johnson, Koko Taylor (Queen Of The Blues), Jimmy Dawkins, Sunnyland Slim, and Nate Taylor. Lusk has also toured with the likes of Fenton Robinson, Syl Johnson, and Otis Rush. Lusk recorded one solo album, Professor Strut released in 1989, before committing suicide at age 43 after being diagnosed with cancer ~ Lusk passed away in 1992
September 21, 1947 ~ Jazz guitarist Bern Nix born in Toledo, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his association with Ornette Coleman for over a decade, starting in the mid 1970s. Other than with Coleman's Prime Time group Nix also worked with Jayne Cortez, John Zorn, Elliott Sharp, Jemeel Moondoc, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Kip Hanrahan, Lenore von Steiin, and recorded a number of albums as a leader, notably Tangerine released in 2015 ~ Nix passed away in 2017
September 21, 1947 ~ Guitarist Don Felder, full name Donald William Felder, born in Gainesville, Florida, USA ~ Best known as member of the Eagles since 1974, joining the band shortly after having guested on the tracks Good Day In Hell and Already Gone. Felder is present on most of the band's best known, and co-wrote songs such as Visions, which was the only song on which he sang lead, Too Many Hands, Victim Of Love, Hotel California, The Disco Strangler, and Those Shoes. Between the band's initial disbandement in the early 1980s and their reunion by the mid 1990s, Felder has composed and performed several soundtracks, notably Fast Times At Ridgemont High, recorded as a solo artist, and guested on albums by Joe Walsh (There Goes The Neighbourhood), the Bee Gees, Stevie Nicks (Bella Donna), Mickey Thomas, Bob Seger, Barbra Streisand, and Robin Zander. Felder was fired from the Eagles in 2001, after which he filed various lawsuits against the band for wrongful termination. Felder published an autobiography detailing his tenure with the band, Heaven And Hell (My Life In The Eagles 1974-2001), in 2008
September 21, 1947 ~ Rock drummer Jan Manschot, also known as Brekken Jan Schampschot, born in Lichtenvoorde, the Netherlands ~ Co-founded Normaal with Bennie Jolink, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums. The band, a mainstay in Dutch rock and one of the first to consistently gain national attention with songs performed in a regional dialect, is known especially for songs such as Oerend Hard, Net As Gisteren, Mamma Woar Is Mien Pils and Deurdonderen. Manschot has also worked with Boi Foi Toch, Bakkerij Manschot, Old Ni-js, and the Hanska Duo ~ Manschot passed away in 2014
September 21, 1947 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter, producer Rupert Hine, full name Rupert Neville Hine, born in Wimbledon, UK ~ As a singer and keyboardist, Hine is best known as a member of Quantam Jump, with whom he scored the 1979 UK top 10 hit The Lone Ranger. Hine has recorded over half a dozen albums under either the moniker Thinkman or his own name, notably the 1981 Immunity album. However, Hine is best known as a producer, successful particularly in the 1980s, producing or co-producing albums by Yvonne Elliman, Camel (I Can See Your House From Here), Murray Head, Saga, Chris De Burgh (The Getaway), the Waterboys (The Waterboys), the Fixx (Reach The Beach), Tina Turner (Private Dancer), Howard Jones (Human's Lib), Power Station, Bob Geldof, Thompson Twins, Stevie Nicks, Robert Palmer, and Rush. Former Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips, for whom Hine produced several late 1970s albums, once said of Hine: “I've yet to work with a more affable, patient, funny and bloody good producer” ~ Hine passed away in 2020
September 21, 1944 ~ Rock, blues-rock, electric blues guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Bobby Tench born in London, UK ~ Though never a household name, Tench was held in the highest regards by peers and critics, having played with some of the biggest names in British rock. Co-founding member of Gass and of Hummingbird. Best known for his associations with blues guitarist Freddie King and with singer Van Morrison. Worked with Jeff Beck both in the Jeff Beck Group and as a touring singer with Beck Bogert & Appice. Other notable associations include Humble Pie, the Streetwalkers, Hummingbird, Ginger Baker, Linda Lewis, Boxer, Widowmaker, Eric Burdon, Axis Point, Brian Robertson, Topper Headon, Roger Chapman, Ruby Turner, and Alan Price ~ Tench passed away in 2024September 21, 1944 ~ Ginger Kay Hammond, commonly known as bluegrass singer Ginger Boatwright born in Columbus, Mississippi, USA ~ Sang with her father Hap Hammond's bluegrass unit the Magic City Ramblers. Upon meeting guitarist Grant Boatwright in the early 1970s, whom she would later marry, the two formed a duo and later still with the addition of Dale Whitcomb, the bluegrass group Red White & Blue (Grass). Boatwright recorded both as a solo artist, notably the 1974 single The Lovin's Over, and with the group until the couple's divorce by the end of the decade. From the 1980s onward, Boatwright worked with the short-lived all-female outfit the Bushwhackers, as well as with Doug Dillard, and recorded several well-received solo albums including notably Fertile Ground released in 1991
September 21, 1943 ~ Bassist, trombonist David Hood born in Sheffield, Alabama, USA ~ Session musician praised for his craftsmanship and versatility, with a career spanning four decades. Co-founded the renowned Muscle Shoals Studios, Sheffield, Alabama. Either with or without the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Hood has appeared on albums by Aretha Franklin (I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You), John Hammond Jr, Clarence Carter, Etta James (Tell Mama), Percy Sledge, the Sweet Inspirations, Mavis Staples, Wilson Pickett, Cher, Tony Joe White (Tony Joe), Odetta, Herbie Mann, King Curtis, Albert King (Lovejoy), Linda Ronstadt, Bobby Womack, Jim Capaldi, Boz Scaggs, Paul Simon (There Goes Rhymin' Simon), Traffic, Eddie Floyd, Willie Nelson, Millie Jackson, Rod Stewart (Atlantic Crossing), the Dramatics, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Delbert McClinton (Second Wind), Levon Helm, Eddie Rabbitt, Patti Austin, Jerry Jeff Walker, Glenn Frey, JJ Cale, and Luther Ingram. On occassion, Hood has produced or co-produced for artists such as Bob Seger (Beautiful Loser), Blackfoot, Jackson Highway, and Denise Lasalle
September 21, 1943 ~ Blues, R&B singer Trixie Smith passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Billed as “the Southern Nightingale” Smith started in vaudeville, minstrel shows, and Broadway starting around the mid-1910s. Best remembered for a number of 1920s recordings, at times backed by artists such as James P Johnson, Freddie Keppard, and Louis Armstrong. Well known songs include My Man Rocks Me (With One Steady Roll), regarded as one of the first songs to refer to “rocking” and “rolling” in a secular context, the self-penned Trixie's Blues, Railroad Blues, and The World Is Jazz Crazy (And So Am I). As her career as a blues singer waned by the late 1930, Smith would return to cabaret and musical revues ~ Smith was born ca.1895
September 21, 1942 ~ Ewart Beckford, commonly known as reggae, dancehall, dub singer, toaster U-Roy, born in Jones Town, Jamaica ~ Pioneer toaster. Influenced by Louis Prima, James Brown, Ruth Brown, Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, and especially Louis Jordan. Known for songs such as Wake The Town, Wear You To The Ball, and Runaway Girl. Worked with producers such as Lee Scratch Perry, Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, Sonia Pottinger, Rupie Edwards, Alvin Ranglin, and Lloyd Daley ~ Beckford passed away in 2021September 21, 1940 ~ Drummer, bandleader John Pochée, commonly known as John Kenneth Pochee, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Founded the Last Straw. Played with the Judy Bailey Quartet from 1974 to 197. Also worked with the Engine Room, the Ten Part Invention, Bernie McGann, Dewey Redman, Shirley Bassey, the Four Kinsmen, and Peter Boothman
September 21, 1936 ~ Royden Dickey Lipscomb, commonly known as singer, songwriter Dickey Lee, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his 1960s recording Patches, I Saw Linda Yesterday, and Laurie Strange Things Happen. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by George Jones (She Thinks I Still Care), Elvis Presley, Connie Francis, Leon Russell, Anne Murray, George Strait, Charley Pride, Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris (Someone Like You), Tracy Byrd (Keeper Of The Stars), Jo-El Sonnier (I've Been Around Enough To Know), and John Schneider
September 21, 1936 ~ James Marcellus Arthur Murray, commonly known as jazz drummer Sunny Murray, born in Idabel, Oklahoma, USA ~ Pioneering free jazz drummer. Rose to prominence backing Cecil Taylor on albums such as Air, Nefertiti The Beautiful One Has Come and Live At the Café Montmartre. Also closely associated with Albert Ayler, including on the seminal Spiritual Unity album released in 1964. Over a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for the albums Sunny Murray and Hard Cores. Also present on albums by Dave Burrell, Archie Shepp, Clifford Thornton (Ketchaoua), Jimmy Lyons, and Khan Jamal ~ Murray passed away in 2017
September 21, 1934 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet, novelist Leonard Cohen, full name Leonard Norman Cohen, born in Westmount, Canada ~ Pursued a career as poet and novelist during the 1950s and most of the 1960s. Eventually turned to music, debuting with the critically acclaimed Songs Of Leonard Cohen in 1967. Known for songs such as Suzanne, Bird On A Wire, Famous Blue Raincoat, and Hallelujah ~ Cohen passed away in 2016
September 21, 1932 ~ Jazz, rock keyboardist Don Preston, full name Donald Ward Preston, born in Flint, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Mothers Of Invention, backing Frank Zappa from the mid 1960s through the mid 1970s. Has also worked with Herbie Mann, Tommy Flanagan, Elvin Jones, Yusef Lateef, Nat King Cole, Shorty Rogers, Charlie Haden, Paul Bley, Emil Richards, Paul Beaver, Meredith Monk, Lou Rawls, Al Jarreau, Vaughn Monroe, Carla Bley, Leo Sayer, Flo & Eddie, John Lennon, Bunk Gardner, Captain Beefheart, and the Jefferson Airplane
September 21, 1918 ~ Double bassist Tommy Potter, full name Charlie Thomas Potter, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of Charlie Parker's classic quintet, alongside Miles Davis, Duke Jordan, and Max Roach, from 1947 to 1950. Potter rarely recorded as a leader, though Tommy Potter's Hard Funk album released in 1956 was well-received, and has worked as a sideman through the mid 1960s before semi-retiring from music. Other than Parker, notable collaborations include Gene Ammons, Al Cohn (Cohn's Tones), Bennie Green, Bud Powell (The Amazing Bud Powell Vol.1), Wardell Gray, Sonny Criss, JJ Johnson, Sonny Stitt (Kaleidoscope), Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz, Al Haig, Tommy Flanagan, Willis Jackson, Jimmy Forrest (Out Of The Forrest), and Zoot Sims ~ Potter passed away in 1988September 21, 1914 ~ Leroy Elliott Stewart, commonly known as double bassist Slam Stewart, born in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Played the violin before switching to bass at age 20. Mostly known as a session musician particularly active during the 1940s for artists such as Lester Young, Fats Waller, Coleman Hawkins, Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, Johnny Guarnieri, Red Norvo, Don Byas, Benny Goodman, and Beryl Booker ~ Stewart passed away in 1987
September 21, 1912 ~ Pianist György Sándor born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Best known as interpreter, as well as close friend, of Béla Bartók. One of only ten people who attended Bartok's funeral. Toured as a concert pianist throughout the 1930s, briefly served in the US Army during World War II, and returned to the stage after the war. Has recorded works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and notably the complete solo piano works of Zoltán Kodály and Sergei Prokofiev, and the complete piano works of Bartók ~ Sándor passed away in 2005
September 21, 1912 ~ Thereon Eugene Daffan, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Ted Daffan, born in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, USA ~ Wrote the seminal Truck Driver's Blues originally recorded by Cliff Bruner in 1939 with Moon Mullican singing lead. Daffan also wrote, and was the first to record, both I'm A Fool To Care and Born To Lose. Both would become standards, the former covered by Gene Autry, Jim Reeves, Connie Francis, and Fats Domino, while the latter has been recorded by Porter Wagoner, Ferlin Husky, Don Gibson, and Ray Charles ~ Daffan passed away in 1996September 21, 1905 ~ Sonero singer, bandleader Abelardo Barroso, full name Abelardo Barroso Dargeles, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Arguably the first sonero lead singer to achieve wide acclaim. Lead singer of the Félix Chappottín led the Sexteto Habanero during the mid 1920s. Would go on to work with the Sexteto Boloña, the Septeto Nacional, Salmerón, Prestes Lopez, Andrés Laferté, and the Maravillas del Siglo ~ Barroso passed away in 1972
September 21, 1873 ~ George Vital Laine, commonly known as drummer, bandleader Papa Jack Laine, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Pioneering bandleader often credited for nurturing and mentoring young talent, including future jazz greats such as Chink Martin, Achille Baquet, Abbie Brunies, Merritt Brunies, Emile Christian, Frank Christian, Eddie Edwards, Nick LaRocca, Gussie Mueller, Alcide Yellow Nunez, Alphonse Picou, Larry Shields, Henry Ragas, Tony Sbarbaro, and Ragbaby Stephens ~ Laine passed away in 1966
September 21, 1836 ~ Composer, church organist, musicologist John Stafford Smith passed away in London, UK ~ One of the first serious collectors of manuscripts of works by Johann Sebastian Bach. Membger of the select Anacreontic Society, a popular London gentleman's club, for whom he wrote the music to their constitutional song To Anacreon In Heaven, also known as The Anacreontic Song. The song would serve as the basis for the American patriotic song The Star-Spangled Banner, adopted as the American national anthem in 1931 ~ Smith was born in 1750September 21, 1809 ~ Composer, organist Alexander Reinagle, full name Alexander Robert Reinagle, passed away in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Not to be confused with his nephew Alexander Reinagle, also an organist, composer. Influenced by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Muzio Clementi. Best known for his set of keyboard sonatas, often dubbed The Philadephia Sonatas for being the first sonatas composed in America ~ Reinagle was born in 1756