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 27, 2021 ~ R&B singer, songwriter Andrea Martin, full name Andrea Monica Martin, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best remembered for penning a number of quintessential R&B hits since the 1990s, often with longtime collaborator Ivan Matias, such as I Love Me Some Him (Toni Braxton), Before You Walk Out Of My Life (Monica), Wish I Didn't Miss You (Angie Stone), Don't Let Go (Love) (En Vogue), You're The One (SWV), and Better In Time (Leona Lewis). Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Martin include Paloma Faith, Nelly, RBD, and Jennifer Hudson. Has also recorded as a singer herself though to significantly lesser chart succes. Her 1999 Share The Love single would be a club hit, reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Dance charts ~ Martin was born in 1972
September 27, 2018 ~ Singer Martyn Jerel Buchwald, commonly known as Marty Balin, passed away in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member, co-lead singer of the Jefferson Airplane. Notable co-writing credits include Comin' Back To Me, Today and Volunteers. Co-wrote and guested on Airplane spinoff group Jefferson Starship's power ballad Caroline. Has also worked with the Town Criers, Bodaccious DF, the KBC Band. As a solo artist scored a 1981 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Hearts ~ Balin was born in 1942
September 27, 2017 ~ Delta blues singer, guitarist CeDell Davis, full name Ellis CeDell Davis, passed away in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA ~ Noted for his distinctive style of guitar playing, a case of polio restricting use of his hands leading him to hold a butter knife in his fretting hand in a manner similar to slide guitar playing. Critically acclaimed for his 1994 Feel Like Doin' Something Wrong album. The 2019 Signs album by the Tedeschi-Trucks Band was dedicated to Davis ~ Davis was born in 1926September 27, 2015 ~ Denise Jeanna Briault, commonly known as singer, actress Denise Lor, passed away ~ Best known as a an actress appearing on the Garry Moore Show, Seven At Eleven, and musical comedies such as Gypsy and Annie. As a singer scored a hit with If I Gave My Heart To You in 1954 ~ Briault was born in 1929
September 27, 2015 ~ Bassist Wilton Felder passed away in Whittier, California, USA ~ Founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, later renamed to the Crusaders. Also worked a house bassist for Motown, appearing on records by Grant Green, the Jackson 5 (I Want You Back), and Marvin Gaye. Sessioned for seventies pop-rock artist such as Seals & Crofts, John Cale, Steely Dan, Billy Joel, Randy Newman, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, and Michael Franks ~ Felder was born in 1940
September 27, 2012 ~ Songwriter, producer Frank Wilson passed away in Duarte, California, USA ~ Wrote, co-wrote, produced, co-produced for numerous artists, especially on the Motown label, including Patrice Holloway (Stevie), Chris Clark, Martha & the Vandellas, Brenda Holloway (You've Made Me So Very Happy), Marvin Gaye, the Supremes (Stoned Love, Nathan Jones), the Isley Brothers (All Because I Love You), the Marvelettes, the Miracles, the Four Tops (Still Water Love), the Temptations, Eddie Kendricks (Keep On Truckin'), the Originals, Lakeside, New Birth, Lenny Williams (Cause I Love You), Renée Geyer, Freda Payne (Love Magnet), Mr Cheeks, and John Legend (Each Day Gets Better) ~ Wilson was born in 1940September 27, 2010 ~ Muni Zudekoff, commonly known as swing, R&B trombonist, bandleader Buddy Morrow, passed away in Maitland, Florida, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Sharkey Bonano, Eddy Duchin, Vincent Lopez, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Paul Whiteman, Tony Pastor, Bob Crosby, Billy Butterfield, Red McKenzie, Count Basie, Jackie Gleason, Urbie Green, Enoch Light, Lee Wiley, Gato Barbieri, Van McCoy, Barry Manilow, and Sarah Vaughan ~ Zudekoff was born in 1919
September 27, 2009 ~ Country singer Ruby Wright passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Eldest child of Johnny Wright and Kitty Wells. Also recorded under the moniker Ruby Wells, to avoid confusion with big band singer Ruby Wright. Best known for her 1964 Billboard Country top 20 hit Dern Ya, an answer song to Roger Miller's Dang Me. Her sole full-length album of the same name, Dern Ya, followed in 1966 ~ Wright was born in 1939
September 27, 2004 ~ Trombonist, bassist Louis Satterfield, full name Louis Edward Satterfield, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the Pharaohs. Member of the Phenix Horns. Worked with Earth Wind & Fire, Muddy Waters, Phil Collins, the Emotions, Ramsey Lewis, the Whispers, the Gap Band, Fontella Bass, the Jazzmen, BB King, Rotary Connection, James Cotton, Phil Upchurch, Howlin' Wolf, Donny Hathaway, Odell Brown, Willie Dixon, Terry Callier, the Dells, Clarence Wheeler, Shel Silverstein, Mighty Joe Young, the Chi-lites, the Staple Singers, Valerie Carter, Deniece Williams, Eugene Record, Lamont Johnson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tavares, Stanley Turrentine, Keni Burke, and Ronnie Laws ~ Satterfield was born in 1937September 27, 2003 ~ Guitarist Paul Burlison passed away in Horn Lake, Mississippi, USA ~ Rock & roll pioneer. Founding member of the Johnny Burnette Trio, which also included Dorsey Burnette and Johnny Burnette, known for songs such as Train On A Lonesome Track and Honey Hush. Credited with being one of the first guitarists to intentionally use effects such as distortion and feedback ~ Burlison was born in 1929
September 27, 1997 ~ Violist, violinist Walter Trampler passed away in Port Joli, Canada ~ Played with the Strub Quartet from 1934 through 1938. Principal violist of the Berlin Radio Orchestra before emigrating to America in 1939 where he would serve in the Army during World War II. Founding member of the Chamber Music Society Of Lincoln Center. Member of the Yale Quartet alongside Broadus Erle, Syoko Aki and Aldo Parisot ~ Trampler was born in 1915September 27, 1996 ~ Brian Vaughn Bradley Jr, commonly known as hip-hop rapper, producer, songwriter Astro, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Not to be confused with UB40-toaster Astro. First gained attention as contestant on the first season of talent show The X-Factor USA in 2011. Would released a number of singles and EPs prior to his 2017 full-length Grade A Frequency solo debut album. Also known as an actor for film and TV starting in the early-2010s
September 27, 1993 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, pianist Fraser MacPherson, full name John Fraser MacPherson, passed away in Vancouver, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ray Norris, Dave Robbins, Paul Ruhland. First-call session musician throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Especially acclaimed for the 1979 Live At The Planetarium album, his first album as a leader ~ Macpherosn was born in 1928
September 27, 1991 ~ Bluegrass singer, mandolinist, guitarist, songwriter Sierra Hull born in Byrdstown, Tennessee, USA ~ Child prodigy. Mentored by Alison Krauss. Released her debut album, Angel Mountain, at age 10. Worked with Ron Block, Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Randy Kohrs, Shawn Lane, Ronnie Bowman, James Adkins, Big Virginia Sky, Ethan Jodziewivz, Abigail Washburn, Rhiannon Giddens, the Lovell Sisters, Mac Wiseman, Jon Weisburger, David Nalditch, Bobby Osborne, Missy Werner, and Cindy Morgan
September 27, 1988 ~ James Charles Heard, commonly known as swing, bop, blues drummer JC Heard, passed away in Royal Oak, Michigan, USA ~ Became a protégé of drummer Jo Jones through who Heard would meet and sit in with Count Basie, as well as land his first professional job playing in Teddy Wilson's band. Heard would continue on to work with a wide array of musicians including Benny Carter, Louis Jordan, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Ray Brown, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan, Erroll Garner, Oscar Pettiford, and Cab Calloway. Heard was known for his innovative technique and the hard swing he would bring to both large and small bands ~ Heard was born in 1917
September 27, 1986 ~ Heavy metal bassist Cliff Burton, full name Clifford Lee Burton, passed away in Dörarp, Sweden ~ Member of Metallica from 1982 until his death while on tour in 1986. Appears on the band's first three albums, Kill 'Em All, Ride The Lightning and Master Of Puppets. Had previously worked with Angels Of Misfortune, EZ-Street, Spastik Children, and Trauma ~ Burton was born in 1962
September 27, 1984 ~ Singer, songwriter Avril Lavigne, full name Avril Ramona Lavigne, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Signed a 2 million dollar record deal at age 16. Debuted in 2002 with the album Let Go, spawning the hit singles Complicated and Sk8ter Boi and instantly earning her the title “the Queen of Punk-pop”. Also known for songs such as Don't Tell Me, Nobody's Home, and Girlfriend
September 27, 1984 ~ Bassist, guitarist Dan Briggs, full name Daniel Hanford Briggs, born in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as bassist for progressive metal band Between The Buried And Me, joining the band in 2005 replacing Kevin Falk. First appeared on the Alaska released later the same year. Briggs is also associated with jazz fusion outfit Trioscapes, and with progressive rock groups Nova Collective and the OrbsSeptember 27, 1982 ~ Pop, rock singer, pianist, songwriter Jon McLaughlin, full name Jonathan McLaughlin, born in Anderson, Indiana, USA ~ Made his major label debut in 2007 with the EP Industry shortly followed by the full-length LP Indiana. Best known for his 2008 single Beating My Heart. Has collaborated with Jason Mraz, Van Hunt, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, and closely with Sara Bareilles
September 27, 1982 ~ Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Lil Wayne, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Regarded as one of the most influential rappers of his generation. Recorded over a dozen albums, starting with Tha Block Is Hot in 1999. Especially acclaimed for Tha Carter II released in 2005, the second album in a series of five. Well-known for songs such as Lollipop, Right Above It, How To Love, and She Will, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. As a featured artist present on top 10 hits by Destiny's Child (Soldier), Lloyd (You), T-Pain (Can't Believe It), and Kevin Rudolf (Let It Rock)September 27, 1979 ~ Alternative country, alt folk, folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Andrew Scott, full name Robert Andrew Scott, born in Grande Prairie, Canada ~ Frontman of the Turncoats, with whom he recorded two albums. Has been recording as a solo artist since his 2003 Rattletale debut album. Best known for songs such as River Of Tears, Sweetie Pie, and I'm Gonna Bust Your Head In
September 27, 1979 ~ Grace Stansfield, commonly known as singer, actress Gracie Fields, passed away in La Canzona Del Mare, Italy ~ Star of both cinema and music hall. As a singer best known for Sally, which became a signature song. Other well known songs include Walter Walter and The Biggest Aspidistra In The World ~ Stansfield was born in 1898
September 27, 1979 ~ James McCulloch, commonly known as rock, pop rock guitarist, bassist Jimmy McCulloch, passed away in Maida Vale, UK ~ Mentored by the Who's Pete Townshend. Brother of drummer Jack McCulloch. Best known for his association with Paul McCartney, appearing on McCartney's 1970 McCartney solo album and subsequently serving as lead guitarist and bassist for Wings on the albums Band On The Run, Venus And Mars, Wings At The Speed Of Sound, and Wings Over America, London Town. McCulloch has also recorded with Thunderclap Newman, Stone The Crows, Billy Lawrie, Speedy Keen, Roger Daltrey, and Roy Harper, McCulloch passed away of heart failure at age 26 due to morphine and alcohol poisoning ~ McCulloch was born in 1953
September 27, 1976 ~ Jam band, rock, ambient, jazz bassist, guitarist, cellist, pianist Reed Mathis born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Influenced by Ludwig van Beethoven, the Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, and Jimi Hendrix. Performed Antonio Vivaldi's Mandolin Concerto In D on mandolin at age 15 with members of the Tulsa Philharmonic. Best known as co-leader of progressive jazz band Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey from 1994 through 2008, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums including the acclaimed Welcome Home, Walking With Giants, and Slow Breath Silent Mind. Has also recorded as a solo artist, as well as with Jared Tyler, Marco Benevento, Tea Leaf Green, the 7 Walkers, Bobby Previte, Mickey Hart, and Electric Beethoven
September 27, 1975 ~ Country, bluegrass guitarist, singer Charlie Monroe passed away in Reidsville, North Carolina, USA ~ Older brother of bluegrass icon Bill Monroe, with whom he also worked. Founded Kentucky Pardners which at times included Lester Flatt, Red Rector, Curly Seckler and Ira Louvin ~ Monroe was born in 1903