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 23, 1978 ~ Rock guitarist Benjamin Curtis born in Lawton, Oklahoma, USA ~ Brother of bassist Brandon Curtis. Influenced by Michael Rother, Yoshimi P-We and U2's the Edge. Co-founding member of acts such as Secret Machines, the School of Seven Bells and UFOFU. Curtis was also briefly the drummer for Tripping Daisy from 1997 until their initial disbandement by the end of the decade, notably present on their most acclaimed Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb album. Curtis passed away at age 35 of a rare form of cancer ~ Curtis passed away in 2013
September 23, 1978 ~ New wave, pop rock outfit Blondie release Parallel Lines, the band's third studio album ~ Blondie had two albums under their belt working with producer Richard Gottehrer, which gave them some chart success, especially in the UK. However, it would be Parallel Lines, the first of four consecutive albums with producer Mike Chapman, that elevated them to international pop stars. Gravitating more towards a slicker, fine-tuned pop format, while still maintaining their new wave roots, Parallel Lines would be the band's first to reach top 10 Billboard Hot 200 and top the UK charts. Two of the album's singles, Heart Of Glass and Sunday Girl, reached the No.1 spot in the UK, while the former also topped the American Billboard Hot 100
September 23, 1978 ~ Dominick Antron Wickliffe, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Crooked I, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Best known as a member of hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, alongside Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". Debuted as a solo artist with the album Apex Predator in 2013. Wickliffe has also worked with Statik Selektah, Frost Gamble, Bronze Nazareth, Luniz, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, Ja Rule, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Yukmouth, Chamillionaire, French Montana, Busta Rhymes, Termanology, and Cryptik Soul
September 23, 1977 ~ Pop rock singer, pianist Randy Newman releases Little Criminals, his fifth studio album ~ Warmly received by critics, the New York Times stating the album was his first “with a full complement of musical witticisms to match the verbal ones”. Little Criminals would also be a commercial success, aided by its hit single and Randy Newman's sole Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Short People, which peaked at No.2. The album itself reached No.9 Billboard Hot 200, making it Newman's highest-charting album. Several tracks featured backing vocals from one or more members of the Eagles. Joe Walsh plays guitar on Kathleen (Catholicism Made Easier), which also featured Ry Cooder on mandolin
September 23, 1975 ~ Steven Howse, commonly known as rapper Layzie Bone, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Founding member of hip-hop group Bone Thugs 'n Harmony, which also included Bizzy Bone, his cousin Wish Bone and his brother Flesh-n-Bone. The group would be discovered by NWA's Eazy E and release a debut EP in 1994, spawning the hit Thuggish Ruggish Bone featuring Shatasha Williams. Subsequent hits included 1st Of Da Month, Tha Crossroads, Look Into My Eyes and I Tried, the latter featuring Akon. Layzie alo recorded as a solo artist, teamed up with bandmate Bizzy under the moniker the Bone Brothers, and collaborated with Big Sloan, Poetic Hustla'z, Gerald Levert, Fat Joe, TQ, Konishiki, Outlawz, and Yukmouth
September 23, 1974 ~ Alternative rock, hard rock singer, guitarist, drummer, bassist Franky Perez, full name Frank Xavier Perez, born in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Cuban-tinged rock drawing from blues, roots rock, 80s rock and pop. Best known as a solo artist, debuting in 2003 with the Poor Man's Son album which spawned the modest hit Something Crazy. Has recorded steadily since and is an in-demand collaborator and touring member for the likes of Scars On Broadway, Slash, Dave Kushner, and Apocalyptica
September 23, 1974 ~ Funk, pop rock drummer Robbie McIntosh, full name Robert Broderick James McIntosh, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founding member of funk, R&B, pop outfit the Average White Band, with whom he recorded two albums prior to his untimely death at age 24 of an accidental heroin overdose. McIntosh was present on the band's biggest hit, Pick Up The Pieces, their sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1. Prior to his tenure with the Average White Band, McIntosh had worked with the Senate, Mal & the Primitives, and Brian Auger's jazz fusion unit the Oblivion Express. McIntosh also guested on Herbie Mann's London Underground album, released in 1973 ~ McIntosh was born in 1950
September 23, 1973 ~ Metal bassist, singer Al Cisneros born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Lead singer, bassist of stoner metal outfit Sleep. Also worked with OM, Shrinebuilder, Asbestosdeath, and the Melvins. Has released a number of solo singles, starting with Dismas in 2012
September 23, 1973 ~ Jermaine Dupri Mauldin, commonly known as producer, label founder, singer Jermaine Dupri, born in Asheville, North Carolina, USA ~ Son of Columbia Records executive Michael Mauldin. Discovered the teen duo Kris Kross in 1991, for whom he produced the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 single Jump. The following year, Dupri founded his own So So Def Recordings, and has since produced to commercial success through the mid 2000s, including the Billboard Hot 100 charttoppers Always Be My Baby and Don't Forget About Us for Mariah Carey, Nice & Slow, U Got It Bad and Burn for Usher, and The First Night for Monica. Mauldin has also worked with Xscape, Bow Wow, Da Brat, Destiny's Child, Jagged Edge, and Anthony Hamilton, and has sporadically recorded as a singer himself, starting with the 1998 album Life In 1472 which spawned the hits The Party Continues and Money Ain't A Thang
September 23, 1970 ~ André Robert Raimbourg, commonly known as actor, singer André Bourvil, passed away in Paris, France ~ Best known as an actor closely associated with Louis De Funes. Also known as a singer with some 300 songs to his name, including La Tendresse, Salade De Fruits and La Tactique Du Gendarme ~ Raimbourg was born in 1917
September 23, 1970 ~ Angela Maria Difranco, commonly known as singer, songwriter, activist Ani DiFranco, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Cites Pete Seeger among her mentors. Has released over 20 albums, all on her own label. Plays folk-rock with influences from punk, gunk, hip-hop and jazz. Critically acclaimed. Known as a political activist and committed champion of various causes
September 23, 1968 ~ Folk, rock, pop singer, songwriter Cristina Donà born in Rho, Italy ~ Encouraged by indie rock singer Manuel Agnelli released her Tregua debut album to critical acclaim in 1997. Would soon open for the likes of Ben Harper and David Byrne. Had Canterbury icon Robert Wyatt arrange the track Goccia on her 1999 Nido sophomore album. Has continued to record to critical acclaim and admiration from peers sinceSeptember 23, 1966 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones kick off their British tour at the Royal Albert Hall, London, UK ~ The band played some two dozen shows through early October, starting in the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. The band come in to their own as they focus more on originals rather than covers, the set list including songs such as Paint It Black, Lady Jane, 19th Nervous Breakdown, and (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, although they do still play the occasional cover such as Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away
September 23, 1965 ~ Pop, surf outfit the Beach Boys record Barbara Ann at United Western Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Although the song has become most closely associated with the Beach Boys, it had first been recorded by by doo-wop outfit the Regents in 1961. The cover by the Beach Boys featuring Brian Wilson on lead vocals, would be issued as a single off their Summer Days (And Summer Nights) album, and reached No.2 Billboard Hot 100, surpassing the original which had reached No.13, as well as top 10 in Australia, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Italy, and the UK. Although not credited in the liner notes, singer Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean guested on the Beach Boys recording
September 23, 1965 ~ In its 6th week on the charts, Make It Easy On Yourself by the Walker Brothers hits No.1 UK charts ~ Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song was originally a 1962 Billboard Hot 100 No.20 and Billboard R&B No.18 solo hit for Jerry Butler, formerly of the Impressions. Although Butler's single had failed to make much impact across the pond, John Walker of UK-based trio the Walker Brothers was familiar with the song and suggested they would record the song for their debut album. The cover differed from the R&B-tinged original in that the Walker Brothers gave the tune a Phil Spector feel, included a worldless chorus and ended with a long cadence chord in the orchestra, while the original faded out on the coda. Backed by noted session musicians such Vic Flick on guitar and Ronnie Verrell on drums, the Walker Brothers single would become their first UK No.1 hit. The original demo version of Make It Easy On Yourself, which prompted Butler to record the song, was sung by Dionne Warwick who included her demo version on the Very Dionne album released in 1970
September 23, 1963 ~ Songwriter, music publisher Reg Connelly, full name Reginald John Connelly, passed away in Poole, UK ~ Frequent songwriting, music publishing partner of Jimmy Campbell, the pair at times publishing or writing music under the common moniker Irving King. The pair wrote or co-wrote a number of oft-covered 1920, 1930s songs including Show Me The Way To Go Home (the New Princes Toronto Band, the California Ramblers, Julie London), If I Had You (the Piccadilly Players, Ben Selvin, Art Tatum), Goodnight Sweetheart (the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, Ruth Etting, Dean Martin, the Flamingos, Connie Francis), By The Fireside (Buddy Campbell, Vera Lynn, Jo Stafford), Try A Little Tenderness (Jack Payne, Frank Sinatra, Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding), and Just An Echo In The Valley (Bing Crosby, Ray Noble, Rudy Vallée) ~ Connelly was born in 1895
September 23, 1960 ~ Singer, guitarist Steve Conte born in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid-1980s, serving as musical director, guitarist for Jill Jones, and sessioning for the likes of Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight. Founded blues outfit the Hudson River Rats, which also included his brother John Conte. Would go on to work with Peter Wolf, Maceo Parker, the Company Of Wolves, Yoko Kanno, Crown Jewels, and the New York Dolls
September 23, 1954 ~ Blues, alternative rock, grunge bassist John Baker Saunders, full name John Baker Saunders Jr, born in Montgomery, Alabama, USA ~ Began as a blues bassist, working with traditional artists such as Hubert Sumlin and Sammy Fender. Member of the Walkabouts. Member of grunge rock supergroup Mad Season alongside Layne Staley, Mike McCready and Barrett Martin ~ Saunders passed away in 1999September 23, 1952 ~ Country singer Hank Williams records Take These Chains From My Heart at Castle Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Hy Heath and Fred Rose, the latter also serving as producer. Recorded during Hank Williams' final recording session before his untimely death. Backed by fiddler Tommy Jackson, steel guitarist Don Helms, lead guitarst Chet Atkins, rhythm guitarist Jack Shook and bassist Floyd Chance. Paired with Ramblin' Man on the flip side released as a single the next April. Also recorded Your Cheatin' Heart during the same session
September 23, 1951 ~ Rock, hard rock, glam metal keyboardist Brett Tuggle born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Best known for his association with David Lee Roth, backing Roth on tour and record including on the 1988 Skyscraper album. The album would feature several songs co-written by Tuggle, perhaps most notably the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Just Like Paradise. Tuggle has also worked with Steppenwolf, Rick Springfield, Fleetwood Mac, Steve Lukather, Chris Isaak, and Whitesnake ~ Tuggle passed away in 2022
September 23, 1950 ~ Jazz saxophonist George Garzone born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Fringe, Joe Lovano, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci, Danilo Pérez, Rachel Z, Bob Weir, Ratdog, Don Alias, Kenny Barron, Dennis Chambers, Stanley Crowell, Anton Fig, Danny Gottlieb, Tom Harrell, Dave Holland, Dave Liebman, Cecil McBee, Bob Moses, Gary Peacock, Marvin Smith, Bill Stewart, Harvie Swartz, and Lenny White
September 23, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, harmonica player, songwriter Bruce Springsteen, full name Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen, born in Freehold, New Jersey, USA ~ Blue collar heartland rock, rock & roll singer known for his socially conscious lyrics and energetic, lengthy concerts often backed by the E Street Band. Sold over 150 million records, his commercially most successful albums probably being 1984's Born In The USA album and the 1986 3-album Live 1975-85 box set. Acclaimed for albums such as 1975's Born To Run, 1980's The River and 2002's The Rising. Known for songs such as 4th Of July Asbury Park (Sandy), Born To Run, Tenth Avenue Freeze-out, Hungry Heart, Dancing In The Dark, Born In The USA, Better Days, Streets Of Philadelphia, and The Ghost Of Tom Joad
September 23, 1949 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Kostas Tournas born in Tripoli, Greece ~ Co-founding member of Poll, a pioneering Greek rock outfit known best for Anthrope Agapa (Ti Fotia Stamata) which is considered the first Greek anti-war protest song. As a solo artist acclaimed for his 1973 rock opera Aperanta Horafia, considered a landmark of Greek rock and and an act of resistance against the then-ruling military junta
September 23, 1948 ~ Guitarist Dan Toler, full name Daniel Lee Toler, born in Connersville, Indiana, USA ~ First gained attention as member of Dickey Betts & Great Southern, appearing on the albums Dickey Betts & Great Southern and Atlanta's Burning. Also a member of the Allman Brothers Band from 1979 through 1982, appearing on the albums Enlightened Rogues, Reach For The Sky and Brothers Of The Road. Has also worked with Gregg Allman, Mark Pettey, the Townsend Toler Band, the Renegades Of Southern Rock, and Jason Black ~ Toler passed away in 2013
September 23, 1948 ~ Percussionist Gasper Lawal born in Ijebu Ode, Nigeria ~ Known for merging Nigerian percussion with rock and jazz styles. Released a number of solo albums, starting with Ajomase released in 1980. In-demand session musician, appearing on recordings by the Rolling Stones, Steve Winwood, Joe Cocker, Stephen Stills, Elkie Brooks, the Pogues, Joan Armatrading, Eddy Grant, Vinegar Joe, Hugh Masekela, Elvin Jones, Clancy, Ginger Baker, and Funkadelic