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, 1948 ~ Jazz saxophonist Bill Pierce born in Hampton, Virginia, USA ~ Recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader from the mid-1980s through the late 1990s, especially acclaimed for his 1987 Give And Take sophomore effort. Previously, Pierce had notably recorded several albums with Art Blakey during the early 1980s including Straight Ahead and Album Of The Year. As a sideman, Pierce has also appeared on albums by James Williams (Alter Ego), Wynton Marsalis, Gary Burton, Makoto Ozone (After), Tony Williams, Geoffrey Keezer, Superblue, John Swana, Antonio Hart, Javon Jackson (Burnin'), Bill Mobley, and Jeff Palmer
September 25, 1948 ~ Singer Kathi McDonald, full name Kathryn Marie McDonald, born in Anacortes, Washington, USA ~ Without even trying, McDonald landed a spot in Ike & Tina Turner's backing choir the Ikettes as Turner noticed her singing in the audience. McDonald would subsequently succeed Janis Joplin as lead singer of Big Brother & the Holding Company, with whom she recorded the albums Can't Go Home Again, How Hard It Is, and Be A Brother. McDonald has also recorded as a solo artist, noted particularly for her 1974 Insane Asylum album, and sung backup for Don Nix, Leon Russell (Leon Russell And The Shelter People), Joe Cocker, Freddie King, Dave Mason, the Rolling Stones (Exile On Main St), Betty Davis, Grin, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Nicky Hopkins, and Long John Baldry. Prior to becoming a professional singer, McDonald had never received any formal musical training ~ McDonald passed away in 2012
September 25, 1947 ~ Gospel, R&B singer, keyboardist Cecil Womack, full name Cecil Dale Womack, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Valentinos, known for songs such as Lookin' For A Love, It's All Over Now and I Found A True Love. Their songs would be covered by the Rolling Stones, the J Geils Band, Wilson Pickett, and Solomon Burke. Going by the moniker Womack & Womack, Cecil and his wife Linda Womack would enjoy popularity in the 1980s in Europe. Songs such as Love Wars, Celebrate The World, and their best known Teardrops, would all reach top 20 in the UK ~ Womack passed away in 2013
September 25, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, drummer John Fiddler born in Moxley, UK ~ Founded Medicine Head with guitarist Peter Hope-Evans, initially performing as a duo and later aided by various session musicians. The duo was hailed by radio DJ John Peel, who would sign the band to his Dandelion Records label. The band recorded about half a dozen albums through the end of the 1970s, including the acclaimed Pop History Vol.25 and Thru A Five. Fiddler has also notably worked with the British Lions, which evolved from glamrock outfit Mott The Hoople, founded 1980s group Box Of Frogs, recorded as a solo artist, and on occasion revived the Medicine Head name with varying line-ups
September 25, 1946 ~ Psychedelic rock, folk rock, garage rock, baroque pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Bryan MacLean, full name Bryan Andrew MacLean, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of architect to the stars, MacLean grew up among Hollywood elite. Recognised by neighbour songwriter as a “melodic genius” at a young age. His first girlfriend was Liza Minnelli. Best known as lead singer, primary songwriter of Love, with whom he recorded three critically acclaimed albums during the mid 1960s, Love, Da Capo, and Forever Changes. Following the band's disbandement, MacLean long disappeared from public view releasing a number of solo albums decades later ~ MacLean passed away in 1998September 25, 1945 ~ Owen McIntyre, commonly known as singer, guitarist Onnie McIntyre born in Lennox Town, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Average White Band, remaining with the band through 1983 and rejoining in later years. Present on most of the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Pick Up The Pieces and its follow-up Cut The Cake which also reached top 10
September 25, 1944 ~ Country, bluegrass bassist Charles Leet born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Member of traditional bluegrass outfit Dry Branch Fire Squad, named for the small birthtown of the band's frontman and sole constant member Ron Thomason, the unincorporated community of Dry Branch in Pulaski County, Virginia. Leet has been with the band since the early 1990s and has appeared on critically acclaimed albums such as Long Journey, Memories That Bless And Burn, and Hand Hewn. The band is also known as a regular at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, having performed at every edition of the internationally renowned annually held festival since its start in 1979September 25, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist Gary Jules Alexander born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Founding member, lead guitarist of the Association, a 1960s sunshine pop band known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Along Comes Mary, Cherish, Windy, Never My Love, and Everything That Touches You. The band is also noted for opening the Monterey International Pop Festival, a three-day festival held in Monterey, California, in 1967
September 25, 1943 ~ James Joseph Paulsen, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Joe Sun, born in Rochester, Minnesota, USA ~ About a dozen albums to his name, Sun would enjoy popularity through the mid-1980s. He is perhaps best known for first recording Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You, penned by Hugh Moffatt and Pebe Sebert. Issued as his debut single in 1978, Sun's original reached No.14 on the Billboard Country charts, and became a country classic later covered by Dolly Parton, the Osborne Brothers, and Foster & Allen. Sun scored several more top 30 Billboard Country hits through the early 1980s, most notably High And Dry, I'd Rather Go On Hurtin', and Bombed Boozed & Busted, the latter also a significant country hit in Canada. Sun also played the minor role of Tommy Fratter in the 1985 Marie biographical movie starring Sissy Spacek, Jeff Daniels, and Morgan Freeman, and recorded national radio spots for Budweiser and Timberline Boots ~ Paulsen passed away in 2019September 25, 1943 ~ Hard rock, rock keyboardist John Locke, full name John Tilden Locke, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founded Spirit with guitarist Randy California. Guested on the 1970 Tom Rush album The Wrong End Of The Rainbow. Worked with Nazareth in the early 1980s, appearing on the albums The Fool Circle, Snaz and 2XS. Guested on the Stray Cats album Gonna Ball, released in 1981 ~ Locke passed away in 2006
September 25, 1942 ~ Antonio Salas, commonly known as drummer Billy Mundi, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Former Hells Angel. Timpanist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic before moving into studio work. Worked with Skip Battin's Skip & Flip, Tim Buckley, Frank Zappa and the Mothers Of Invention (Freak Out), Geoff Muldaur, Maria Muldaur, Mastin & Brewer, Earth Opera, and Rhinoceros ~ Mundi passed away in 2014
September 25, 1942 ~ Delia Juanita Warwick, commonly known as singer Dee Dee Warwick, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of the Sweet Inspirations. Member of vocal trio the Gospelaires, along with her sister of Dionne Warwick and aunt Cissy Houston. One of the music industry's first openly lesbian artists. Recorded solo records since the early 1960s, including what is reportedly the earliest version of You're No Good in 1963, a song later notably recorded by Betty Everett as well as by Linda Ronstadt, and for the 1966 single I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (later made famous as a duet between the Supremes and the Temptations). Also known for songs such as I Want To Be With You, Foolish Fool, and She Didn't Know (She Kept On Talking) ~ Warwick passed away in 2008
September 25, 1942 ~ Pianist John Taylor born in Manchester, UK ~ Co-founded Azimuth, teaming up with Norma Winstone and Kenny Wheeler. Also worked with Jan Garbarek, Enrico Rava, Gil Evans, Lee Konitz, Charlie Mariano, Tony Coe, Steve Argüelles, Maria Pia de Vito, Ralph Towner, Joey Baron, Marc Johnson, Stan Sulzmann, John Surman, Chris Pyne, Chris Laurence, Mick Hutton, Palle Danielsson, Martin France, Arild Andersen, Stan Tracey, Tore Brunborg, Hayden Chisholm, Graham Collier, Paolo Fresu, Mike Gibbs, Evan Parker, Cleo Laine, Johnny Dankworth, Frank Ricotti, Ronnie Scott, Alan Skidmore, Joe Lovano, Louis Stewart, Barre Phillips, Steve Swallow, Eric Vloeimans, and Miroslav Vitous ~ Taylor passed away in 2015
September 25, 1941 ~ Percival Davis, commonly known as songwriter, libretist, actor, screenwriter Clifford Grey, passed away in Ipswich, UK ~ Frequent collaborator of composers such as Jerome Kern, Howard Talbot, George Gershwin. Songs co-written by Grey include Sometimes I'm Happy Sometimes I'm Blue (the Six Hottentots, Doris Day, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan), If You Were The Only Girl In The World (Rudy Vallée, Perry Como, Sam Cooke), Date With An Angel (Bobby Howes, the Four Freshmen, Kitty Kallen), and Nobody's Using It Now (Maurice Chevalier, Debroy Somers, Jack Hylton) ~ Davis was born in 1887September 25, 1940 ~ Singer, songwriter Hugo Blanco born in Caracas, Venezuela ~ Best known for songs such as El Burrito Sabanero, Sierra Nevada, Luces De Caracas, Mananita Zuliana, and perhaps most notably Moliendo Cafe. CLosely associated with Simon Diaz and Joselo Diaz. Founded Cuatro Monedas, considered the first Venezuelan ska group. Founded Hijos de na Carmen ~ Blanco passed away in 2015
September 25, 1937 ~ Jazz drummer Horace Arnold, full name Horace Emmanuel Arnold, born in Wayland, Kentucky, USA ~ Worked with David Baker, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Charles Mingus, Cecil McBee, Kirk Lightsey, Hasan Ibn-Ali, Henry Grimes, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Ralph Towner, Sam Rivers, Karl Berger, Joe Farrell, Robin Kenyatta, Return To Forever, Stan Getz, Archie Shepp, Billy Harper, Freddie Waits, Kenny Burrell, David Friedman, and Anthony Cox
September 25, 1937 ~ Jazz conductor, trombonist, keyboardist, composer, arranger Michael Gibbs born in Harare, Rhodesia ~ Best known for his association with vibraphonist Gary Burton. Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with the eponymous Michael Gibbs released in 1970. Musical director for the BBC during the early 1970s. Film composer, conductor. In-demand producer, arranger for artists such as Jaco Pastorius, Michael Mantler, Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Whitney Houston, Peter Gabriel, and John Scofield
September 25, 1935 ~ Post-bop jazz saxophonist Roland Alexander born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with artists such as Sabby Lewis, Preston Sandiford, Richie Lowery, Jaki Byard, Joe Gordon, Wajid Lateef, Gordon Wooly, John Coltrane, Howard McGhee, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Roy Haynes, Philly Joe Jones, Blue Mitchell, Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp, Mal Waldron, and Charlie Persip ~ Alexander passed away in 2006
September 25, 1933 ~ Singer Erik Darling born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Influential figure in the late 1950s, early 1960s folk scene. As a solo artist best known for his 1961 True Religion sophomore album. Founded the Tarriers, known for their 1956 rendition of The Banana Boat Song. Worked with the Kossy Sisters on their 1956 Bowling Green. Joined the Weavers in 1958, replacing Pete Seeger. Member of the Rooftop Singers ~ Darling passed away in 2008
September 25, 1933 ~ Folk, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Ian Tyson, full name Ian Dawson Tyson, born in Victoria, Canada ~ Formed the husband-wife duo Ian & Sylvia with Sylvia Tyson, known for originals such as Four Strong Winds, You Were On My Mind and Someday Soon. The latter would become a country classic recorded by numerous artists including Judy Collins, the Kingston Trio, Lynn Anderson, Glen Campbell, Chris LeDoux, Crystal Gayle, Moe Bandy, and Fred Eaglesmith ~ Tyson passed away in 2022
September 25, 1932 ~ Glenn Herbert Gold, commonly known as classical pianist Glenn Gould, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Praised for his technical proficiency, Gould would become one of the 20th century's most celebrated classical pianists. Especially known as the premier interpreter of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven, Gould rejected most of the Romantic piano literature by Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Gould has recorded prolifically since the mid 1950s, his Bach (The Goldberg Variations) considered the definitive interpretation, has transcribed works by Richard Wagner, Maurice Ravel, Franz Schubert, and Anton Bruckner, served as conductor, and made numerous television and radio programs. In 1997, the Royal Conservatory of Music Professional School in Toronto, Canada, adopted the name the Glenn Gould School in honor of its most famous alumnus ~ Gould passed away in 1982
September 25, 1932 ~ Jesús Arturo Garcia Peña, commonly known as cumbia singer, songwriter Mario Gareña, born in Barranquilla, Colombia ~ Active since the early 1950s. Member of the Orquestra Sonolux. As a solo singer known best for Yo Me Llamo Cumbia and Te Dejo La Ciudad Sin Mi. Has also ventured into acting, notably on the telenovela Oro in the 1980s. Ran in the 1990 Colombian presidential election, receiving only some 2,400 votes, after which he retired from music ~ Peña passed away in 2021
September 25, 1930 ~ Singer, author, poet, cartoonist, playwright, songwriter Shel Silverstein, full name Sheldon Allan Silverstein, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ To music audiences best known for writing or co-writing a number of quintessential pop, rock, country songs including Dr Hook's The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan and The Cover Of The Rolling Stone, Johnny Cash's 25 Minutes To Go, Loretta Lynn's One's On The Way and Hey Loretta, and Tompall Glaser's Put Another Log On The Fire ~ Silverstein passed away in 1999September 25, 1927 ~ Singer Royce Kendall born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Formed the country duo the Kendalls with his daughter Jeannie Kendall, known for a string of late 1970s to mid-1980s recordings including the Billboard Country No.1 hits Heaven's Just A Sin Away, Sweet Desire and Thank God For The Radio ~ Kuykendall passed away in 1998
September 25, 1926 ~ Conductor, arranger, songwriter, producer Joe Sherman, full name Joseph Daniel Sherman, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Ramblin' Rose with his brother Noel Sherman. The song would be first recorded by Nat King Cole in 1962, and has become a standard covered by over a hundred artists including Bobby Vinton, Ferlin Husky, Paul Anka, Pat Boone, Chuck Berry, and Eddy Arnold. Other songs co-written by Sherman have been recorded by the likes of Dolores Hawkins, Denise Lor, Billy May, George Duning, and Georgia Gibbs ~ Sherman passed away in 2017