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 28, 2024 ~ Kristoffer Kristofferson, commonly known as country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Kris Kristofferson, passed away in Hana, Hawaii, USA ~ One of the most beloved country singers to emerge from the late 1960s. Regarded as a Renaissance man of country music, known for his poetic, literate, and regularly brutally honest lyrics. Had several of his songs recorded by hundreds of artists each. Wrote For The Good Times, first recorded by Bill Nash and covered by numerous artists including Ray Price, Al Green, and Elvis Presley. Wrote Sunday Morning Coming Down, first recorded by Ray Stevens. Co-wrote Me & Bobby McGee, first recorded by Roger Miller and a posthumous Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit for Janis Joplin, Kristofferson's one-time girlfriend. Wrote and first recorded Help Me Make It Through The Night, later a smash hit for Sammi Smith. Spearheaded the 1970s outlaw country movement. Member of country supergroup the Highwaymen alongside frequent collaborators Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. Over the course of his career, Kristofferson has recorded well over a dozen albums as a solo artist, as well as several with his then-wife Rita Coolidge. Kristofferson is also an accomplished actor, noted for his roles in A Star Is Born opposite Barbra Streisand, Convoy and the Blade trilogy ~ Kristofferson was born in 1936
September 28, 2022 ~ Artis Leon Ivey Jr, commonly known as pop-rap, G-funk, hip-hop rapper, singer, songwriter Coolio passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of gangsta rap outfit WC & the Maad Circle alongside WC and Crazy Toones. Would become a household name as a solo artist, best known for his 1995 hit Gangsta's Paradise, a No.1 hit in over a dozen countries including the USA, the UK and the Netherlands. Stevie Wonder was credited as co-writer as the song drew heavily from Wonder's Pastime Paradise. Other well known songs include Fantastic Voyage, 1-2-3-4 (Sumpin' New) and C U When U Get There ~ Ivey was born in 1963
September 28, 2022 ~ Svavar Pétur Eysteinsson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Prins Póló, passed away ~ Co-founding member of alternative rock outfit Skakkamanage, known best for their 2008 All Over The Face sophomore album. Has also enjoyed a parallel solo career, recording half a dozen albums, starting with Jukk released in 2010 ~ Eysteinsson was born in 1977
September 28, 2021 ~ Lonnie Smith, commonly known as jazz, soul jazz, funk organist Dr Lonnie Smith, passed away in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention teaming up with George Benson in the 1960s including on the albums It's Uptown and Cookbook. Smith would go on to become one of the most acclaimed jazz, soul jazz, funk jazz organists, and record over two dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for the albums Think and Live At Club Mozambique. On stage and on record, Smith would be backed by some of the finest in jazz including Benson, who would become a lifelong collaborator, as well as Lee Morgan, David Fathead Newman, King Curtis, Blue Mitchell, and Joe Lovano. In the early 1970s, Smith added the “Dr” title to his name, however, the moniker's origin is unclear and it was not an academic title. Smith himself has been quoted as saying: “But I'm a doctor of music. I've been playing long enough to operate on it, and I do have a degree, and I ‘will’ operate on you. I'm a neurosurgeon. If you need something done to you, I can do it” ~ Smith was born in 1942
September 28, 2021 ~ Operatic soprano Karan Armstrong passed away in Marbella, Spain ~ Active since the mid 1960s, performing minor roles with the Metropolitan Opera and leading roles with the New York City Opera including in La Traviata and La Fanciualla Del Est. Relocated to Europe by the mid 1970s. Acclaimed for her 1975 performance in Salomé with the Opera Du Rhin. Perhaps most closely associated with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, performing in two dozen roles over four decades. Married to opera, theater director Götz Friedrich from 1979 until his death in 2000 ~ Armstrong was born in 1941September 28, 2020 ~ Producer, label executive Maynard Solomon, full name Maynard Elliott Solomon, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Co-founded Vanguard Records with his brother Seymour Solomon, a label focusing initially on classical music yet soon also expanding their catalogue with folk, jazz and blues. Non-classical artists signed by the label include the Weavers, Joan Baez, the Rooftop Singers, Larry Coryell, Mississippi John Hurt, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy and Country Joe & the Fish ~ Solomon was born in 1930
September 28, 2019 ~ José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, commonly known as singer, guitarist, bassist José José, passed away in Homestead, Florida, USA ~ Jazz, bossa nova, Latin pop, bolero, mariachi balladeer with stunning tenor vocal ability. Rose to international fame, including non-Spanish-speaking countries in the 1980s. Dubbed “the Prince of Song”. Worked with Armando Manzanero, Camilo Sesto, Juan Gabriel, Lani Hall, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Raúl Di Blasio, and Alejandra Avalos ~ Sosa was born in 1948
September 28, 2018 ~ Blues, country blues singer, guitarist Keb' Mo releases Put A Woman In Charge featuring Rosanne Cash, lead single off his Oklahoma album ~ Keb' Mo has stated Put A Woman In Charge is about trying something else: “There have been a lot of great achievements made by men or by the masculine, but maybe, just maybe, we've gotten too comfortable with the imbalance of men in power and have fallen short by not listening and embracing what women have to offer when they lead.” The single would do well on the Billboard Blues charts, where it reached No.10. The parent album, issued in 2019, would win a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album
September 28, 2015 ~ Country singer Thomas Rhett releases Die A Happy Man, lifted off his Tangled Up sophomore album ~ Thomas Rhett had scored several Billboard Country top 10 hits, three of which reached No.2, yet Die A Happy Man would be his first to top the chart, occupying the No.1 spot for seventeen non-consecutive weeks. Rhett had written the tender ballad for his wife Lauren Akins, whom he had known since first grade. Lauren would later recall to Billboard: “We were in the car, and Tim McGraw's Just To See You Smile came on. I was like, Babe, people don't write songs like this anymore. It's so sweet, it just melts your heart. Write a song like that! About something besides whiskey, beer or taking a girl home in a big truck”
September 28, 2012 ~ Edward Joseph Bertoiatus, commonly known as trombonist Eddie Bert, passed away in Danbury, Connecticut, USA ~ An in-demand soloist, Bert enjoyed a lengthy career mostly going unnoticed by all but his fellow musicians despite a handful of albums as a leader, specifically Encore released in 1955. Bert joined Sam Donahue's ensemble in his late teens, to go on to work with Red Norvo, Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, Herbie Fields, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Les Elgart, and Coleman Hawkins. Later on in his career, Bert would back the likes of Charles Mingus (Mingus At The Bohemia), Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Chubby Jackson, Boyd Raeburn, Lionel Hampton, Sal Salvador, Perry Como (Saturday Night With Mr C), Cannonball Adderley, Buddy Rich (Richcraft), Urbie Green, Manny Albam, Thad Jones, Dakota Staton, Bob James, Janis Ian (Between The Lines), Carly Simon, and Marlena Shaw ~ Bert was born in 1922
September 28, 2012 ~ Country, folk singer Larry Cunningham passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Leading figure of the 1960s, 1970s showband scene. First Irish artist to break into the UK charts, his Tribute To Jim Reeves with the Mighty Avons reaching the top 10 in 1965. Their Lovely Leitrim released later the same year would reach No.1. Cunningham would front the Country Blue Boys from 1969 through the mid 1970s, scoring hits with songs such as Slaney Valley and This Time Of The Year ~ Cunningham was born in 1938
September 28, 2010 ~ Coloratura soprano, musical theater singer Dolores Wilson, full name Dolores Mae Wilson passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Opera singer from the 1950s onwards working with the Metropolitan Opera, the Central City Opera, the Teatro Massimo, the Teatro Municipal, and the Opera De Nice. Turned to musical theater in the mid 1960s, starting with the original Broadway production of Fiddler On The Roof in 1965 ~ Wilson was born in 1928
September 28, 2006 ~ Jan Werner Danielsen, commonly known as pop singer Jan Werner, passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Known for his impressive vocal range of four and a half octaves. At the time of his death one of the most popular singers in Norway. Represented Norway twice in the Eurovision Songfestival contest, with Elisabeth Andreassen in 1994 with the song Duet reaching 6th place, and as a solo artist in 2000 performing One More Time reaching 2nd place. Over the course of his career Werner has sung pop, rock and classical songs and collaborated with Karin Krog, Benedicte Adrian, the Secret Garden, Sølvguttene, Tommy Körberg, and Øivind Blunck ~ Danielsen was born in 1976
September 28, 1996 ~ Folk singer, banjoist, guitarist Bob Gibson, full name Samuel Robert Gibson, passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Key figure in late 1950s, early 1960s folk revival. Best known for his 1961 Gibson & Camp At The Gate Of Horn album. Had his songs recorded by Harry Belafonte, the Limeliters, Joan Baez, Bobby Darin, Peter Paul & Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, the Byrds, Smother Brothers, Phil Ochs, and the Kingston Trio ~ Gibson was born in 1931
September 28, 1992 ~ R&B singer Toni Braxton releases Love Shoulda Brought You Home, recorded for the soundtrack of the romantic comedy Boomerang ~ Written by hitmaker team Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and Daryl Simmons with Bo Watson, the former two also serving as producers alongside LA Reid, Love Shoulda Brought You Home was initially intended for quiet storm star Anita Baker, who declined on account of her pregnancy. When given to the then-relatively unknown Toni Braxton, the song first made its way onto the soundtrack for the romantic comedy Boomerang, and would be included on Braxton's eponymous Toni Braxton debut album issued later the same year. The slow-groove R&B song tells a swooping tale of betrayal and infidelity, and helped gain Braxton attention early on in her career. Peaking at No.33 Billboard Hot 100, Love Shoulda Brought You Home would be Braxton's second appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, as Give U My Heart, a duet with Kenneth Babyface Edmonds also used for the same soundtrack, had previously reached No.29. Just a few years later, Braxton would score three consecutive Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits with You're Makin' Me High, Let It Flow, and Un-break My Heart, all lifted off her Secrets sophomore album
September 28, 1991 ~ Trumpeter Miles Davis, full name Miles Dewey Davis III, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ One of the most important and influential jazz musicians. Helped birth if not spearheaded several radical changes in jazz, perhaps most notably jazz fusion merging jazz and rock. Recorded prolifically since the 1950s. Acclaimed for albums such as Kind Of Blue, Sketches Of Spain, Filles de Kilimanjaro and Bitches Brew, many of his albums widely considered pivotal to the developement of jazz ~ Davis was born in 1926
September 28, 1987 ~ Alexandra Leigh Winston, commonly known as singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Alex Winston, born in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA ~ Classically trained as opera singer. Self-taught on guitar and piano. Drew comparisons to Kate Bush, Joanna Newsom, PJ Harvey. First gained serious attention, mainly in the UK, with her 2010 The Basement Covers EP produced by the Kooks. Has also worked with Charlie Hugall, Björn Yttling and the Postelles. Opened for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and GotyeSeptember 28, 1984 ~ Indie rock guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Felix White, full name Felix Andrew Odell White, born in Wandsworth, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Maccabees, remaining with the band through its disbandement in 2016. The band is best known for the singles First Love, About Your Dress and Love You Better, all of which reached the UK top 40. Their fourth and final album, 2015's Marks To Prove It, would top the UK albums chart
September 28, 1982 ~ Pop, blue-eyed soul duo Hall & Oates release Maneater, lifted off their H2O album ~ John Oates has explained that while it is natural to assume the lyrics are about a woman, the song was actually written about New York in the 1980s: “It's about greed, avarice, and spoiled riches. But we have it in the setting of a girl because it's more relatable. It's something that people can understand. That's what we do all of the time.” Maneater would spend four consecutive weeks atop the American Billboard Hot 100, longer than any other of the duo's singles, to be bumped off the top spot by Men At Work's Down UnderSeptember 28, 1982 ~ Indie rock, electronic bassist Iracema Trevisan, full name Iracema Trevisan Carneiro, born in Minas Gerais, Brazil ~ Member of indie-electronic outfit Cansei de Ser Sexy. Present on some of the band's best known including Alala, Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above and Music Is My Hot Hot Sex. Left the band in 2008 to pursue a career as a fashion designer
September 28, 1982 ~ Nolwenn le Magueresse, commonly known as singer, songwriter Nolwenn Leroy, born in St Renan, France ~ Classically trained violinist, opera singer. Rose to fame after winning the second season of the French talent contest Star Academy in 2002. Released her eponymous Nolwenn debut album the following year and has recorded to commercial succes since. Best known for the singles Cassé and Nolwenn Ohwo, both reaching the top of the French charts
September 28, 1982 ~ Singer Prince releases 1999 as lead single off the album of the same name ~ Originally released as the album's lead single, a mid-1983 re-release would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100. The inspiration for the song came from a documentary Prince watched about Nostradamus, predicting a terror would fall upon the world in 1999. The next day at rehearsals, Prince discussed the documentary with his bandmates, where they imagined a huge party would be thrown knowing this was about to happen. The single would re-chart in early 1999, and again following the singer's death in 2016, making it one of the few singles to chart in three different decades
September 28, 1982 ~ Anne Erin Clark, commonly known as art rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter St Vincent, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Early on in her career played with the Polyphonic Spree, Sufjan Stevens, and briefly with noise rock outfit the Skull Fuckers before embarking on a solo career. Released her Marry Me in 2007, drawing comparisons to Kate Bush and David Bowie. Has recorded steadily since to critical acclaim and admiration from peers. Best known for her 2012 Love This Giant album, which featured Talking Heads singer David Byrne, and its 2014 eponymous St Vincent follow-up which spawned the singles Digital Witness and PietaSeptember 28, 1981 ~ Johnny Lynch, commonly known as folk, indie folk, electronic singer the Pictish Trail, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Founder of Lost Map Records. As a performer and recording artist, Lynch has released a number of records characterised as shape-shifting lo-fi, drawing from folk-rock, electronica, psychedelica, and pop, starting with Secret Soundz Vol.1 released in 2008. Lynch has performed at every edition of the Green Man Festival, an annual festival held near Crickhowell, the UK, since 2003