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 25, 2024 ~ Songwriter, lyricist, author Ken Howard, full name Kenneth Charles Howard, passed away ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Alan Blaikley. Well known songs include the UK No.1 hits Have I The Right for the Honeycombs and The Legend Of Xanadu for Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Howard include the Herd, Lulu, Engelbert Humperdinck, Rolf Harris, Elvis Presley (I've Lost You), the Bay City Rollers, Fiver, and Phil Collins. The duo also wrote for TV and musicals, notably the West End productions Mardi Gras and The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole ~ Howard was born in 1939September 25, 2023 ~ Harpsichordist Anneke Uittenbosch passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Has taught harpsichord at the Maastricht Academy of Music. Well known for recording Leonhardt Consort with Gustav Leonhardt and Ton Koopman. Toured the USA with her husband baritone Lieuwe Visser, performing 17th and 18th century choral compositions. Throughout her career Uittenbosch was primarily devoted to the works of organist Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck ~ Uittenbosch was born in 1930
September 25, 2021 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author, journalist Patricio Manns, full name Iván Patricio Eugenio Manns De Folliot, passed away in Viña del Mar, Chile ~ Wrote Bandido which was recorded by Los Travadores. Wrote El Sueño Americano which he recorded with the group Voces Andina. Reached national fame with Arriba En La Cordillera of his 1966 Entre Mar Y Cordillera solo album. Actively worked with the 1964 and 1970 Salvador Allende presidential campaigns as both a musician and journalist, fled the country after the military coup in 1973 and in exile became a spokesperson of the Chilean resistance ~ Manns was born in 1937
September 25, 2016 ~ Ollie Imogene Shepard, commonly known ass honky-tonk singer, songwriter Jean Shepard, passed away in Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA ~ Paved the way for female country singers. Grand Ole Opry member since 1955. Her 1953 duet with Ferlin Husky, Dear John Letter, was the first post-war single by a female country artist to sell a million copies. Also known for songs such as A Satisfied Mind, Beautiful Lies, I Want To Go Where No One Knows Me, and Have Heart Will Love. Married to Hawkshaw Hawkins, who died in the same plane crash that killed Patsy Cline. She gave birth to their son one month later. Later married singer Benny Birchfield ~ Shepard was born in 1933
September 25, 2016 ~ Michael Jones, commonly known as singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter Kashif, passed away in Playa del Rey, California, USA ~ Member of BT Express through 1978, including on the hits Express and Do It (Till You're Satisfied). As a solo artist known for songs such as I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On), Stone Love, Help Yourself To My Love, Edgartown Groove, and The Mood. As a producer, songwriter and/or musician worked with Stephanie Mills, George Benson (wrote and produced Inside Love), Evelyn Champagne King (wrote and produced I'm In Love), Johnny Kemp, Melba Moore, Dionne Warwick, Howard Johnson (produced So Fine), Giorge Pettus, Stacy Lattisaw, Meli'sa Morgan, Exposé, the Wootens, Freda Payne, then-newcomer Whitney Houston (produced You Give Good Love), and Al Jarreau ~ Jones was born in 1956
September 25, 2016 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter Rod Temperton, full name Rodney Lynn Temperton, passed away in London, UK ~ Early member of funk, disco outfit Heatwave, for whom he wrote a vast amount of the material including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Boogie Nights and The Groove Line. Although he continued to write songs for Heatwave, Temperton departed the band after their Central Heating sophomore album to focus on his career as a songwriter. Temperton's biggest claim to fame is writing several of Michael Jackson's best known including Rock With You and Off The Wall for the 1978 Off The Wall album, and Thriller, The Lady In My Life, and Baby Be Mine for the 1982 Thriller album. Others who have recorded his songs include the Brothers Johnson (Stomp), George Benson (Give Me The Night), Bob James, James Ingram & Patti Austin (Baby Come To Me), Donna Summer, the Manhattan Transfer, Michael McDonald (Sweet Freedom), and Quincy Jones ~ Temperton was born in 1947September 25, 2015 ~ Organist, harpsichordist, conductor Christopher Jackson, full name Christopher Donald Jackson, passed away in Montreal, Canada ~ Closely associated with Studio De Musique Ancienne De Montreal. Noted for conducting the ensemble on the 1998 Heavenly Spheres album, consisting of 15h, 16th century choral compositions ~ Jackson was born in 1958
September 25, 2015 ~ Country drummer Hugh Wright passed away in Great Falls, Montana, USA ~ Co-founding member of Boy Howdy, known for early 1990s recordings such as A Cowboy's Born With A Broken Heart, She'd Give Anything and They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anynmore, all of which reached the top 20 of the country charts both in America and Canada ~ Wright was born in 1951
September 25, 2013 ~ Sebastian Mure, commonly known as guitarist, songwriter Billy Mure passed away in Vero Beach, Florida, USA ~ Recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist. Best known for the Toy Balloons and A String Of Trumpets. In-demand session guitarist during the 1950s and 1960s, appearing on tracks recorded by Paul Anka, Frankie Laine (Rawhide), the Ames Brothers, Eddie Fisher, Don Rondo, Marty Robbins, Bobby Darin (Splish Splash), Eydie Gormé, Connie Francis (Among My Souvenirs), Guy Mitchell, Tony Bennett, Kay Starr, Brian Hyland (Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini), Johnny Mathis, Patti Page, Marcie Blane (Bobby's Girl), Ray Peterson, Johnnie Ray (Cry), and Della Reese ~ Mure was born in 1915September 25, 2013 ~ Choral conductor Hans-Joachim Rotzsch passed away in Leipzig, Germany ~ Best known as conductor of the Thomanerchor, also known as the St Thomas Choir of Leipzig, from 1972 until 1991. The choir is one of the oldest cultural identities in Europe, established in 1212, and once directed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Rotzsch has also served as guest professor at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, Salzburg, Germany, from 1992 until 2000 ~ Rotzsch was born in 1929
September 25, 2005 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Steve Marcus, also known as Steve the Count Marcus, passed away in New Hope, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Well over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically for Count's Rock Album released in 1969. Marcus was considered a pioneering force behind what eventually would become known as fusion. Marcus first gained attention in the early 1960s, initially only temporarily filling in for Charlie Mariano in Stan Kenton's band and later given the gig full-time. Other notable associations include Woody Herman, Gary Burton, Herbie Mann, Larry Coryell, Sonny Sharrock, and drummer Buddy Rich, backing the latter from 1975 until his death over a decade later ~ Marcus was born in 1939
September 25, 1995 ~ Mo Jammil Adenirn, commonly known as R&B, soul singer Mo Jamil, born in Warrington, UK ~ Winner of the 6th series of talent show The Voice UK aired on ITV in 2017, beating fellow finalists Into The Ark, Jamie Miller, and Michelle John. Following his success on the show, Adeniran released his full-length Evolve album in 2018, which reached top 40 on the British album charts
September 25, 1992 ~ Rosalia Vila Tobella, mononymously known as singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Rosalia, born in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Spain ~ Described as an “atypical pop star”, Rosalia is known for her genre-bending repertoire infusing pop music with flamenco, urbano, reggaeton, avant-garde and art-pop. Released her Los Angeles debut album in 2017. Has scored well over a dozen top 10 hits in her native Spain, including the charttoppers Di Mi Nombre, Con Altura, Yo X Ti (Tu X Mi), Despecha, and Beso. To international audiences, she is perhaps best known as an in-demand collaborator, having recorded songs with the likes of J Balvin, Ozuna, Travis Scott (TKN), Bad Bunny, the Weeknd (La Fama), and Wisin & Yandel
September 25, 1989 ~ Singer Jermaine Jackson releases Don't Take It Personal, lead single off the album of the same name ~ Written by David Conley and David Townsend, both members of Surface, and their regular songwriting partner Derrick Culler, Don't Take It Personal is a breakup song with Jermaine Jackson urging his former lover not to blame herself: “don't take it personal, take the bitter with the sweet, some good things come to an end.” The song was inspired by Culler's relationship with his ex-wife. Arista Records had suggested the song to be offered to Milli Vanilli, but Conley couldn't see eye-to-eye with their producer Frank Farian who wanted him to work the song out and have the raw tapes sent to Germany where Milli Vanilli would do their bit. The song was then given to Jermaine Jackson, who took it to the top of the Billboard R&B charts, making it his second and final No.1 on the chart after Let's Get Serious. About half a decade later Monica would sample Jackson's hit in her similarly named Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days) debut single, which reached No.2 Billboard Hot 100 and No.1 Billboard R&B
September 25, 1986 ~ Alternative rock drummer, percussionist, guitarist, singer Steve Forrest born in Modesto, California, USA ~ First gained attention as member of ambient rock outfit Evaline, with whom he had opened for Placebo. Forrest would join the latter in 2008, succeeding Steve Hewitt, and appear on the albums Battle For The Sun, B3, Loud Like Love, and A Place For Us To Dream before departing the band to focus on his own career with the London-based Planes. Shortly after departing Placebo though, Forrest disbanded his own band, as difficulties surrounding his UK visa forced him to return to America
September 25, 1985 ~ Singer Diana Ortiz born in San Fernando Valley, California, USA ~ Original member of teen girl group Dream. The band is best known for their 2001 It Was All A Dream debut album, which peaked at No.6 on the Billboard Hot 200 album charts. The album's lead single He Loves U Not, released prior to the album's release, had reached top 40 in over half a dozen countries, including top 20 in Canada and the UK, and No.2 in their native America. The follow-up single This Is Me would do less, but still reach top 40 Billboard Hot 100. Following conflicts with their record label, the band's 2003 sophomore album Reality did not see a widespread release and failed to make much impact. After being dropped by the label, the group disbanded
September 25, 1985 ~ Willie Jackson, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Willie the Kid, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Baby brother of the Wu-Tang Clan affiliate MC, rapper La The Darkman. Founding member of rap, hip-hop group the Aphilliates, which also included DJ Drama and Don Cannon. Released his Absolute Greatness solo debut album in 2008. Also noted for the 2013 Masterpiece Theatre EP, a collaborative effort with the AlchemistSeptember 25, 1983 ~ Donald McKinley Glover Jr, commonly known as actor, singer, rapper, comedian Childish Gambino, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Released his debut album Camp in 2011. Best known for his 2018 Billboard No.1 hit This Is America. Has collaborated with Josh Osho, Leona Lewis, Jhené Aiko, Lion Babe, Selah Sue, and Lloyd
September 25, 1983 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer Hayden Powell, full name Hayden James Richard Powell, born in UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Terje Rypdal, Kenny Wheeler, Eirik Hegdal, Vigleik Storaas, Nils-Olav Johansen, Ole Morten Vågan, Eyolf Dale, and Stale Storløkken
September 25, 1982 ~ Encarnita Garcia de Jesus, commonly known as singer, guitarist, cellist, songwriter Kany Garcia, born in Toa Baca, Puerto Rico ~ First gained attention as contestant on the talent show Objetivo Fama in 2004. Would release her full-length Cualquier Dia debut album in 2007, which spawned the Puerto Rican No.1 hits Hoy Ya Me Voy, Amigo En El Bano and Esta Soledad. Has recorded to commercial succes sinceSeptember 25, 1981 ~ Michael Alden Hadreas, commonly known as indie pop, chamber pop singer, pianist, songwriter Perfume Genius, born in Des Moines, Iowa, USA ~ Released his Learning debut album in 2010 and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Also well known for his 2014 Too Bright album, co-produced by Portishead's Adrian Utley. Has also worked with Sharon van Etten, Blake Mills, and Shawn Everett
September 25, 1980 ~ Jazz singer Christina Bjordal, full name Christina Elisabeth Nesse Bjordal, born in Haugesund, Norway ~ Debuted with the album Where Dreams Begin in 2003. Worked with Bugge Wesseltoft, Nils Petter Molvær, Mathias Eick, Bendik Hofseth, Nils-Olav Johansen, and Karin Krog
September 25, 1980 ~ Jazz, pop, rock, indie singer, songwriter Jeanne Added born in Reims, France ~ Active since the mid 2000s. Best known for her 2019 Radiate album, which reached top 20 in her native France. Has collaborated with Urban Sax, Christophe, Pierre de Bethmann, and John Greaves
September 25, 1980 ~ Drummer John Bonham, full name John Henry Bonham, passed away in Clewer, UK ~ One of the most important drummers in rock history. Influenced by Max Roach, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich. Member of Led Zeppelin from its inception until his death at 32. Legendary live performer, known for his energetic, lengthy drum solos. Has also worked on Zep side projects and an in-demand guest for other artists. Appears on recordings by the Band Of Joy, the Family Dogg, Screaming Lord Sutch, Lulu, Jimmy Stevens, Roy Wood, and Harry Nilsson ~ Bonham was born in 1948
September 25, 1980 ~ Clifford Joseph Harris Jr, commonly known as rapper, producer, songwriter TI, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ One of the all-time best-selling hip-hop artists. Along with Jeezy and Gucci Mane one of the main pioneers of trap music. Member of PSC. Released his full-length I'm Serious solo debut album in 2001 and has recorded to commercial succes since. Well known songs include Whatever You Like, Live Your Life featuring Rihanna, and Dead And Gone featuring Justin Timberlake. In-demand producer, songwriter, collaborator for the likes of Big Kuntry King, BoB, Iggy Azalea, Bow Wow, Dr Dre, Bun B, and Keyshia Cole