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, 1953 ~ Reggae, dub bassist, singer, producer Robbie Shakespeare, full name Robert Warren Dale Shakespeare, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Regarded as one of the most influential dub, reggae bassists. Closely associated with Sly Dunbar, forming the duo Sly & Robbie. Has worked with artists such as the Revolutionaries, the Aggrovators, U-Roy, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott, Augustus Pablo, Yellowman, Black Uhuru, the GG All-Stars, Grace Jones, and Mick Jagger ~ Shakespeare passed away in 2021
September 27, 1952 ~ Guitarist, bassist, singer Bob Curiano, full name Robert Paul Curiano, born in New York, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in the late 1970s playing bass for Mink DeVille. Served as producer on early recordings by the Backstreet Boys. Has also worked with Ritchie Blackmore in the early 20001. Joined Rainbow in 2015, going by the new moniker of Bob Nouveau
September 27, 1951 ~ Classical guitarist David Starobin born in New York, New York, USA ~ Hailed as one of the most influential classical guitarists of the late 20th century. Had compositions written for him by Elliott Carter, George Crumb, Poul Ruders, and Gunther Schuller. Well over a dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for New Music With Guitar Vol.4 released in 1990, and Family Album released in 2008. Founded Bridge Records. Teaches at the Curtis Institute Of Music, which he founded, and at the Manhattan School Of Music
September 27, 1950 ~ Linda Ann Fredericks, commonly known as pop, soul, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Linda Lewis, born in West Ham, UK ~ Influenced by Harry Nilsson, Billie Holiday, and Smokey Robinson. As a solo artist best known for the 1970s singles Rock A Doodle Doo and It's In His Kiss, the latter a cover of the Betty Everett classic, both of which reached top 20 in her native England. As a session backing singer Lewis has appeared on albums by Cat Stevens, Chris Spedding, David Bowie (Aladdin Sane), Hummingbird, Cockney Rebel, Rod Stewart (Blondes Have More Fun), Joan Armatrading, and Jamiroquai (Emergency On Planet Earth) ~ Fredericks passed away in 2023September 27, 1949 ~ Allan Curtis Barnes, commonly known as saxophonist, clarinetist Allan Barnes, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Founded and lead Primetime. Worked with Donald Byrd, Gil Scott-Heron, Lyman Woodard David II, Robert Guillaume, Wilson Pickett, Christian Dimaggio, Blackbyrds, Lakeside, Cen Lucas, Prince, the Mizell Brothers, Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney, Bootsy Collins, the Detroit Experiment, Regina Carter, Geri Allen, the Dramatics, Reggie Braxton, Sandy Patton, Dwight Adams, Sunny Wilkinson, Sunny Girl, Martha Reeves, Martha Wilson, Teddy Harris, Roy Brooks, Big John Patton, Milt Hinton, Grant Green, Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Rollins, and Billy Taylor ~ Barnes passed away in 2016
September 27, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Jahn Teigen born in Tønsberg, Norway ~ Member of Popol Vuh and subsequently Popol Ace during the 1970s. Member of the comedy musical trio Prima Vera, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums from 1977 through 1984. Represented his native Norway at the Eurovision Songfestival three times, reaching 20th place in 1978 with Mil Etter Mil, duetting with his future wife Anita Skorgan in 1982 reaching 12th place with Adieu, and in 1983 reaching 9th place with Do-re-mi ~ Teigen passed away in 2020September 27, 1948 ~ Soul, jazz singer Herb McQuay born ~ Perhaps best known for his 1980 Edwin Starr-cover Oh How Happy. Appeared in a number of musicals during the 1980s, notably Porgy & Bess and Bye Bye Birdie. Also known as a member of a latter-day line-up of the Platters, remaining with the group from 1995 until his death in 2005 ~ McQuay passed away in 2005
September 27, 1948 ~ Rock, pop, country drummer, percussionist Russ Kunkel, full name Russell Kunkel, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ In-demand session drummer. Present on seminal 1970s albums such as James Taylor's Sweet Baby James, Joni Mitchell's Blue, and Jackson Browne's For Everyman. Closely associated with David Crosby and Graham Nash, touring with the duo and appearing on all four of their 1970s albums. Also appeared on albums by BB King, Bob Dylan, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jackie DeShannon, Carole King (Tapestry), the Everly Brothers, Seals & Crofts (Summer Breeze), Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Sedaka, Maria Muldaur, Bette Midler (Broken Blossom), Jennifer Warnes, Karla Bonoff (Karla Bonoff), Neil Young, Warren Zevon, and JJ Cale
September 27, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Barbara Dickson, full name Barbara Ruth Dickson, born in Dunfermine, UK ~ Emerged from the late 1960s folk scene, especially working with Archie Fisher and John MacKinnon. Solo since the early 1970s. Eventually gravitated to more mainstream pop. Well over a dozen albums to her name. Best known for songs such as I Know Him So Well, Answer Me and January February
September 27, 1947 ~ Marvin Lee Aday, commonly known as rock singer Meat Loaf, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Praised for his powerful, operatic voice and theatrical stage presence. Best known for his Bat Out Of Hell-trilogy consisting of 1977's Bat Out Of Hell, 1993's Bat Out Of Hell II (Back Into Hell) and 2006's Bat Out Of Hell III (The Monster Is Loose). Compounded the trilogy has sold over an estimated 65 million records ~ Aday passed away in 2022September 27, 1945 ~ Pianist Misha Dichter born in Shanghai, China ~ Rose to fame after winning Silver at the 1966 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Would go on to perform with renowned orchestras such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Concertgebouw Orchestra
September 27, 1944 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Patrick Haggerty born ~ Lead singer, guitarist, sole constant member for country outfit Lavender Country throughout its existence from 1972 through 1976. The band is known for their eponymous 1973 Lavender Country album, the first gay-themed album in country music history. The album was funded and released by the Gay Community Social Services of Seattle, with just 1,000 copies pressed at the time of its original release. Haggerty has also worked with gay country music groups Doug Stevens & the Outband and Pearl River, ran two unsuccessful campaigns for political office in Washington, and would continue to work as a gay rights and anti-racism activist ~ Haggerty passed away in 2022September 27, 1943 ~ Vocal group the Andrews Sisters and singer Bing Crosby record Pistol Packin' Mama ~ Written and originally recorded by Al Dexter earlier the same year. Released as a single, paired with Crosby's Vict'ry Polka on the flip side, in October 1943. The version by the Andrews Sisters and Bing Crosby would quickly rise on the charts, equaling Dexter's original in popularity
September 27, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Randy Bachman, full name Randolph Charles Bachman born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Studied violin as a child but was inspired to take up guitar after seeing Elvis Presley on TV. Has stated that his guitar playing was influenced by his violin studies, his guitar solos tending to be smooth, slow lines. Has cited Lenny Breau, Leslie West, and Wes Montgomery as influences. Co-founded Al & the Silvertones with Chad Allan in 1960, a band that through a number of line-up changes would eventually be renamed to the Guess Who, known for songs such as Shakin' All Over, These Eyes, and American Woman. The latter would be the first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit for a Canadian band. Following his departure from the band in 1970 founded country rock outfit Brave Belt, which would evolve into Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and become known for 1970s hits such as Roll On Down The Highway and You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet. Bachman has also recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Axe released in 1970, and collaborated with Ironhorse, Bachman Cummings, Bachman & Turner, Ringo Starr, Jeff Healey, and Pete TownshendSeptember 27, 1942 ~ Bernard William Jewry, commonly known as singer, actor Alvin Stardust, born in London, UK ~ Best known for his glam-rock era UK hits including Jealous Mind, You You You, Good Love Can Never Die, Pretend and I Feel Like Buddy Holly ~ Jewry passed away in 2014
September 27, 1941 ~ Producer, singer, saxophonist, songwriter Don Nix, full name William Donald Nix, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Cited as “one of the more obscure figures” in Southern soul and rock, yet considered a key figure. Played saxophone for the Mar-keys, which also included the entire future line-up of Booker T & the MG's, best known for their 1961 instrumental single Last Night. Nix would go on to serve as producer, arranger, session musician for the likes of Leon Russell, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, John Mayall, Lonnie Mack, Furry Lewis, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, the Alabama State Troopers, and Eric Clapton. Nix is also an acclaimed songwriter, writing or co-writing songs such as the oft-covered Going Down (Moloch), Palace Of The King (Freddie King), Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven and For The Love Of A Woman (Albert King), and Black Cat Moan (Beck Bogert & Appice)September 27, 1941 ~ Double bassist, bassist Uli Trepte born in Konstanz, Germany ~ Played avantgarde, free jazz in the mid 1960s, working with the likes of Yusef Lateef, Gato Barbieri, Barney Wilen, John McLaughlin, Mal Waldron, and notably with Irène Schweizer. Switched to bass guitar in the late 1960s, forming krautrock outfit Guru Guru with drummer Mani Neumeier in 1968. Formed his own unit Spacebox in 1975, with whom he worked through the early 1980s. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Real Time Music released in 1996 ~ Trepte passed away in 2009
September 27, 1940 ~ Soul, R&B singer, songwriter Harvey Scales born in Osceola, Arkansas, USA ~ Influenced by James Brown. Formed and fronted Harvey Scales & the 7 Sounds, known for their sole hit single Get Down released in 1967. The single's B-side, Love-Itis, would later be notably covered by the J Geils Band. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Scales include the Dells, the Dramatics, Tavares, Jesse James, the O'Jays, and notably Johnnie Taylor, the latter reaching the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with Disco Lady released in 1976 ~ Scales passed away in 2019September 27, 1940 ~ Jazz pianist, keyboardist Mike Nock born in Christchurch, New Zealand ~ Leader and sideman. First gained serious attention backing Yusef Lateef from 1963 through 1965. Fronted the Fourth Way band during the late 1960s. Has collaborated with Bennie Maupin, Charlie Mariano, Michael Brecker, John Abercrombie, Alex Foster, Phil Slater, Tal Farlow, John Klemmer, Eric Kloss, and Jeremy Steig
September 27, 1937 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist Guido Basso born in Montreal, Canada ~ One of Canada's premier jazz trumpeters. Toured with Pearl Bailey and her husband drummer Louie Bellson during the late 1950s. About half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for his 1986 eponymous Guido Basso album. Frequently collaborated with Rob McConnell. Also present on albums by Jean-Pierre Ferland, Peter Appleyard, Stratavarious, the THP Orchestra, the Hi-Lo's, Sammy Nestico, Anne Murray, Raffi, Marc Jordan, Dione Taylor, Chantal Chamberland, and Diana Panton ~ Basso passed away in 2023
September 27, 1927 ~ Blues harpist, singer, songwriter Earring George Mayweather born in Montgomery, Alabama, USA ~ Recorded one album, 1992's Whup It Whup It, as a solo artist. Active since the 1950s. Declined an offer to join Muddy Waters touring band in 1952. Worked with JB Hutto, Eddie Porkchop Hines, the Hawks, Eddie Taylor, and Bo Diddley ~ Mayweather passed away in 1995September 27, 1927 ~ Dobroist Josh Graves born in Monroe County, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for introducing the resonator guitar, commonly known as dobro, in bluegrass music. Member of Flatt & Scruggs' backing unit the Foggy Mountain Boys. Also worked with the Pierce Brothes, Mac Wiseman, Kenny Baker, and the Masters ~ Graves passed away in 2006
September 27, 1927 ~ Robert Roland Chudnik, commonly known as trumpeter Red Rodney, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ A professional musician from age 15 Rodney started in the mid 1940s employed in the big bands of leaders such as Jerry Wald, Jimmy Dorsey, Georgie Auld, Elliot Lawrence, Benny Goodman, and Les Brown. Moved onto bebop playing with Claude Thornhill, Gene Krupa, Woody Herman, and Charlie Parker. Later on Rodney worked as a bandleader, most notably and intensely associated with Ira Sullivan, served under Russ Black, struggled with a heroin addiction, gave music lessons to MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer while incarcerated on drug offences, rejuvenated his career from the early 1970s onwards, reunited with Sullivan and performed with Dizzy Gillespie, appeared on a Charlie Parker tribute album by the Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, and worked as an adviser for Bird, a Parker bio-pic ~ Chudnick passed away in 1994
September 27, 1924 ~ Earl Rudolph Powell, commonly known as pianist Bud Powell, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Pivotal to the development of bebop. Played with Cootie Williams, Oscar Pettiford, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Socolow, Sarah Vaughan, Dexter Gordon, JJ Johnson, Sonny Stitt, Fats Navarro, Kenny Clarke, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Tommy Potter, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Ray Brown, George Duvivier, Percy Heath, Lloyd Trotman, Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Osie Johnson, Buddy Rich, Richie Powell, JJ Johnson, and Clifford Brown ~ Powell passed away in 1966
September 27, 1901 ~ Bandleader, composer Beasley Smith, full name John Beasley Smith, born in McEwen, Tennessee, USA ~ As a bandleader worked with singers such as Snooky Lanson, Dottie Dillard, Kitty Kallen and Dinah Shore. As a songwriter perhaps best known for co-writing That Lucky Old Sun with Haven Gillespie, popularized by Frankie Laine and later covered by numerous artists including Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis, Grant Green, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, and Chris Isaak ~ Smith passed away in 1968