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, 1945 ~ Singer, actor Paul Petersen born in Glendale, California, USA ~ A child actor himself on Disney Channel's Mickey Mouse Club at age 10, Petersen later founded the organization Minor Consideration following the suicide of Rusty Hamer to support child stars and other child laborers through legislation, education, personal intervention and counseling. Also a novelist with 16 books to his name
September 23, 1944 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Eric Bogle born in Peebles, UK ~ Influenced by Lonnie Donegan, Elvis Presley, Ewan MacColl. Best known for penning and first recording And The Band Played Waltzing Mathilda, later notably covered by June Tabor, Johnny McEvoy and the Dubliners, for No Man's Land (Green Fields Of France), covered by Iain Mackintosh and the Fureys, and for Leaving Nancy covered by Danny Doyle and the Clydesiders
September 23, 1943 ~ Rock, folk, world music singer, pianist, trumpeter, songwriter Ariel Zilber born in Tel Aviv. Israel ~ Son of violinist Ben Ami Zilber and singer Bracha Zefira. Founded 1970s rock band Tamouz. Also fronted Brosh. Active as a solo artist since the 1980s
September 23, 1943 ~ Singer Julio Iglesias, full name Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva, born in Madrid, Spain ~ One of the best-selling Spanish artists with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Recording since the late 1960s with well over three dozen albums to his name. Scored international hits working with Diana Ross (All Of You), the Beach Boys (The Air That I Breathe), Willie Nelson (To All The Girls I've Loved Before), and Stevie Wonder (My Love)September 23, 1943 ~ Pop rock bassist Steve Boone, full name John Stephen Boone, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Member of 1960s pop rock outfit Lovin' Spoonful, known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Do You Believe In Magic, You Didn't Have To Be So Nice, Daydream, Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind, Summer In The City and Rain On The Roof
September 23, 1943 ~ Twin brothers Wallace Scott and Walter Scott born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ The siblings would form the nucleus of the Whispers, founded in 1964, with whom they recorded nearly two dozen albums. The band would break through after moving to the SOLAR label in the 1970s, issuing their eponymous The Whispers breakout album in 1979, which spawned their first hit And The Beat Goes On which reached No.1 Billboard R&B, No.19 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and No.2 in the UK. Straddling the line between disco, funk, boogie and R&B, the Whispers would release a string of critically and commercially successful albums over the next decade, over half a dozen of which reached top 10 Billboard R&B. Well known songs include Lady, It's A Love Thing, I Can Make It Better, In The Raw, and Rock Steady, the latter their sole Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit peaking at No.7 in 1987. Rock Steady is particularly noted for being one of the earliest hits for producers Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and LA Reid, who would go on to define new jack swing and reign the R&B charts well into the 1990s. Songs by the Whispers have been sampled by the likes of Will Smith, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, and J Cole ~ Walter passed away in 2025
September 23, 1942 ~ Jazz, jazz-rock flutist Jeremy Steig born in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the earliest jazz-rock flutists, and considered an outstanding soloist on practically the entire flute family. Recorded some two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially noted for Flute Fever, This Is Jeremy Steig, and Mama Kuku. Composed the music for several animated adaptations of books written by his father, cartoonist William Steig. Performed the role of the Pied Piper, exclusively on flute, in the film Shrek Forever After, based on the character created by his father. As a sideman, Steig has worked with the likes of Sandy Hurvitz, Richie Havens, Johnny Winter, Yoko Ono, Eddie Palmieri, Hank Crawford, Urbie Green, Mike Mainieri, and Joe Henderson. For their 1994 single Sure Shot, the Beastie Boys would prominently sample Steig's song Howlin' For Judy ~ Steig passed away in 2016
September 23, 1940 ~ Rock, folk, blues singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Tim Rose, full name Timothy Alan Patrick Rose, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Alongside Cass Elliott of future the Mamas & the Papas-fame and James Hendricks, Rose was a member of the Big 3, with whom he recorded the albums The Big 3 and The Big 3 Live At The Recording Studio. After Elliot and Hendricks secretly married, the trio folded and Rose set out on a promising solo career. Two gigs opening for the Grateful Dead and the Jefferson Airplane would land him a record deal, leading to his eponymous Tim Rose debut album released in 1967. The album contained what would become his best known, early renditions of Morning Dew and Hey Joe as well as his self-penned The Banjo Song. The latter would later serve as the basis for the Shocking Blue Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Venus. Though subsequent albums would be warmly received by critics, they sold poorly and Rose relocated to the UK where he spent a large portion of his career to limited success, aided by sidemen who would eventually become more famous than him including Felix Pappalardi, John Bonham, and John McVie. Rose would continue to record through the late 1970s, followed by stints working as a stockbroker and teacher, and return to music by the mid-1980s ~ Rose passed away in 2002
September 23, 1939 ~ Jerald Edward Kolbrak, commonly known as rock, country guitarist Jerry Cole, born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA ~ In-demand session musician, often uncredited, throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Has appeared on songs such as Mr Tambourine Man and I Knew I'd Want You by the Byrds, These Boots Are Made For Walkin' by Nancy Sinatra, and Kicks by Paul Revere & the Raiders. Appeared on the Beach Boys 1966 landmark album Pet Sounds. Co-founded Happy Tiger Records with Ray Ruff in 1969, best known for signing a post- Van Morrison Them. Cole also played on the band's 1969 eponymous Them album. Other collaborations included Lee Hazlewood, Roger McGuinn, Roger Miller, Gary Usher, and TG Sheppard ~ Kolbrak passed away in 2008
September 23, 1939 ~ Leroy Buchanan, commonly known as guitarist Roy Buchanan, born in Ozark, Kansas, USA ~ Though Buchanan never became a household name, he was held in the highest regard by peers and critics and is considered a pioneer of the Telecaster sound, stretching the limits of the electric guitar. Influential on Jimi Hendrix, Danny Gatton, Jerry Garcia, Nils Lofgren, and Jeff Beck, the latter dedicating his Cause We've Ended As Lovers off his 1975 Blow By Blow album to Buchanan. Playing professionally from an early age, Buchanan has backed Johnny Otis while still in his mid-teens, played on Dale Hawkins's rock and roll classic My Babe, and was a member of Ronnie Hawkins's rock & roll unit the Hawks where he mentored Robbie Robertson. As a solo artist, Buchanan has recorded since the early 1970s, and is noted in particular for his eponymous 1972 Roy Buchanan album and the 1975 Live Stock live album. Buchanan passed away at age 48, found hanging in his jail cell after being arrested for public intoxication. His death was officially ruled a suicide, the finding disputed by his friends and family ~ Buchanan passed away in 1988
September 23, 1935 ~ Jazz, soul jazz pianist, singer, songwriter Les McCann, full name Leslie Coleman McCann, born in Lexington, Kentucky, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Actively recording since the early 1960s. Noted for his 1969 Swiss Movement album, which also featured saxophonist Eddie Harris and trumpeter Benny Bailey. The album spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit Compared To What, later covered by over 250 artists including Roberta Flack. McCann also collaborated with Teddy Edwards, Richard Groove Holmes, Lou Rawls (Stormy Monday), Stanley Turrentine, Cash McCall, and Herbie Mann ~ McCann passed away in 2023
September 23, 1934 ~ Singer, songwriter Gino Paoli born in Monfalcone, Italy ~ An icon of Italian pop music, Paoli would rise to fame in the early 1960s as the leading voice of a generation of musicians inspired by Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens. Alongside artists such as Luigi Tenco, Bruno Lauzi, Umberto Bindi, and Giorgio Calabrese, Paoli is known as a key member of what would become known as “the Genovese school” of Italian songwriting. Numerous songs written or co-written by Paoli have become classics of Italian pop, recorded by dozens of artists, with some also finding their way to audiences outside Italy. Early successes include Paoli's own recordings of La Gatta, Senza Fine and Sapore Di Sale, Mina's rendition of Il Cielo In Una Stanza, and Umberto Bindi's Il Mio Mondo, the latter written by Paoli and Bindi and first recorded by the latter. Il Mio Mondo would also become well known abroad, translated to You're My World, as a career defining hit for Cilla Black and later recorded by dozens of artists including Dionne Warwick and Tom Jones. Artists such as Dean Martin and Connie Francis have recorded Italian-language versions of Paoli's songs. As a singer, Paoli has recorded well over two dozen albums ~ Paoli passed away in 2026September 23, 1934 ~ Joseph Valery Jr, commonly known as electric blues singer, guitarist Little Joe Blue, born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Encourage Me Baby, Don't Start Me Talking, How Could You Do It To Me and Dirty Work Going On. The latter would be covered by Magic Sam, Shakey Jake Harris and by Willie Kent & the Gents ~ Valery passed away in 1990
September 23, 1932 ~ Singer Travis Edmonson born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Considered a folk music pioneer, influential on later artists including notably the Kingston Trio. Member of folk quartet the Gateway Singers. Following his departure from the quartet in 1958 formed the duo Bud & Travis with Bud Dashiell, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums through the mid 1960s. Edmonson has also recorded as a solo artist ~ Edmonson passed away in 2009
September 23, 1931 ~ Recording engineer Joseph Tarsia, full name Joseph Dominick Tarsia, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Helped define the Philly soul sound of the 1970s. Started his career in music in the early 1960s at Cameo Parkway Records, eventually becoming the label's chief engineer working with artists such as Chubby Checker, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, and the Orlons. Founded his own Sigma Sound recording studio in 1968, which would become home to numerous Philly soul artists including Jerry Butler, Harold Melvin, the O'Jays, and the Stylistics. His success led to opening more recording facilities, his client list including Stevie Wonder, BB King, David Bowie, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Billy Joel, Steely Dan, and Paul Simon ~ Tarsia passed away in 2022
September 23, 1930 ~ Jazz singer Irene Reid born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Tried for an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater and won the competition for five straight weeks. This led a a two-year stint at the the Savoy Ballroom under the direction of Dick Vance, from 1948 to 1950. Sang with the Count Basie Orchestra in the early 1960s. Recorded her solo debut album in 1965, Room For One More, with arrangements and conducting by Oliver Nelson and backed by an all-star cast featuring Charlie Mariano, Jerome Richardson, Phil Woods, Jerry Dodgion, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, JJ Johnson, Kenny Burrell, Bob Cranshaw, Roger Kellaway, and Grady Tate. Reid would continue to perform and record well into the 2000s, ranging from a Broadway production of the musical Broadway Wiz to collaborations with Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, and BB King ~ Reid passed away in 2008
September 23, 1930 ~ Ray Charles Robinson, commonly known as pianist, singer, songwriter Ray Charles, born in Albany, Georgia, USA ~ Hugely influential R&B, soul pianist. Influenced by Nat King Cole, Louis Jordan and Charles Brown. Pioneered soul by drawing from blues, jazz, R&B, pop and gospel music. Discovered Betty Carter. Discovered Stevie Wonder. Has recorded over 40 albums, starting with the eponymous Ray Charles in 1957. Especially acclaimed for the albums Ray Charles At Newport, The Genius of Ray Charles, and Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music. Well-known songs include I Got A Woman, What'd I Say, Hallelujah I Love Her So, Georgia On My Mind, Hit The Road Jack, One Mint Julep, and Unchain My Heart ~ Charles passed away in 2004
September 23, 1929 ~ Dorothy Rosalie Glaimo, commonly known as jazz drummer, singer Dottie Dodgion, born in Brea, California, USA ~ Sang with Charles Mingus as a teenager. Would go on to work with Carl Fontana, Benny Goodman, Marian McPartland, Eddie Gomez, Al Grey, Wild Bill Davison, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Ruby Braff, Joe Venuti, her husband Jerry Dodgion, Walter Norris, George Mraz, Melba Liston, George Wein, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Frank Wess, Jimmy Rowles, Carol Sloane, Pepper Adams, Tommy Flanagan, Roland Hanna, Sal Nistico, Herb Ellis, Chris White, Bob Cranshaw, Joe Newman, and Harold Danko ~ Dodgion passed away in 2021September 23, 1928 ~ Tenor, soprano saxophonist, flutist, arranger, composer Frank Foster born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association wth Count Basie. Has also worked with Frank Wess, Jimmy Smith, Pepper Adams, Lorez Alexandria, Elvin Jones, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Earl Coleman, Matthew Gee, Elmo Hope, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Thelonious Monk, Woody Shaw, Cedar Walton, and George Benson ~ Foster passed away in 2011
September 23, 1928 ~ Jazz double bassist Michel Gaudry born in Eu, France ~ Worked with Michel Hausser, Billie Holiday, Quentin Jackson, Carmen McRae, Art Simmons, Elek Bacsik, Kenny Clarke, Sonny Criss, Stéphane Grappelli, Bud Powell, Stuff Smith, Billy Strayhorn, Jack Diéval, Gérard Badini, Jimmy Owens, and Irvin Stokes ~ Gaudry passed away in 2019
September 23, 1927 ~ Joseph Young Jr, commonly known as blues guitarist Mighty Joe Young, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Especially acclaimed for a handful of mid 1970s albums including Chicken Heads (1974) and the eponymous Mighty Joe Young (1976). Worked with Billy Boy Arnold, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Jimmy Rogers, Willie Dixon, Tyrone Davis, and Jimmy Dawkins ~ Young passed away in 1999
September 23, 1926 ~ Jazz bassist Jimmy Woode, full name James Bryant Woode, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Flip Phillips, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Nat Pierce, Sidney Bechet, Billie Holiday, Jaki Byard, Earl Hines, Jimmy Witherspoon, Clark Terry, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Kenny Clarke, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Art Farmer, Svend Asmussen, and Mal Waldron ~ Woode passed away in 2005
September 23, 1926 ~ Bebop, hard bop, free jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, full name John William Coltrane, born in Hamlet, USA ~ Pioneering jazz saxoponist. Present, either as a sideman or as a leader, on several albums considered pivotal to the development of jazz. Especially acclaimed for his 1958 Blue Train album, 1965 A Love Supreme album and 1966 Ascension album. Worked with Johnny Hodges, Elmo Hope, Miles Davis (Milestones, Kind Of Blue), Thelonious Monk (Monk's Music), Art Blakey, Cecil Taylor, and Cannonball Adderley ~ Coltrane passed away in 1967September 23, 1915 ~ Flutist Julius Baker born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ One of the foremost American orchestral flute players. Student of William Kincaid. Baker played with several of America's premier orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony ~ Baker passed away in 2003
September 23, 1912 ~ Jazz trombonist George Matthews born in Dominica, British West Indies ~ Worked with Tiny Bradshaw, Willie Bryant, Louis Armstrong, Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Erskine Hawkins, Lucille Dixon, Clark Terry, Cannonball Adderley, Ray Charles (Genius+Soul=Jazz), Lucky Millinder, and Dicky Wells ~ Matthews passed away in 1982