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 4, 2025 ~ Pedal steel guitarist Robby Turner passed awayy ~ Best known for his close association with Waylon Jennings. Also worked with George Jones, Chet Atkins, Loretta Lynn, BB King, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, the Highwaymen, Toy Caldwell, Gin Blossoms, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jeff Foxworthy, Jim Lauderdale, Travis Tritt, Kieran McGee, John Prine, Tanya Tucker, Chely Wright, David Ball, Matt King, Deryl Dodd, Sara Evans, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Robison, Mark Chesnutt, Pam Tillis, the Dixie Chicks, Gary Allan, Rodney Carrington, Claudia Church, Shooter Jennings, Tony Joe White, Steve Forbert, the Wrights, the Oak Ridge Boys, Whiskey Myers, the Burns Sisters, and Colter Wall ~ Turner was born in 1962
September 4, 2023 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Gary Wright, full name Gary Malcolm Wright, passed away in Palos Verdes Estates, California, USA ~ Helped establish the synthesizer as a leading instrument in pop and rock. As a solo artist best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles Dream Weaver and its follow-up Love Is Alive, both taken of his 1976 Dream Weaver album. On-and-off member of Spooky Tooth from its inception in 1967 through the mid 1970s, notably present on albums such as Spooky Two and You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw. Guested on George Harrison's acclaimed 1970 All Things Must Pass album, marking the beginning of a longtime friendship. Also played with Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band ~ Wright was born in 1943
September 4, 2023 ~ Pop rock, alternative rock, ska punk singer, keyboardist, songwriter Steve Harwell, full name Steve Scott Harwell, passed away in Boise, Idaho, USA ~ Lead singer of Smash Mouth, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band is best known for the hit single All Star of their 1999 Astro Lounge album. Other charting songs include Then The Morning Comes and I'm A Believer. Until his retirement from music in 2021 Harwell and bassist Paul De Lisle were the only two constant members since the band's formation in 1994 ~ Harwell was born in 1967
September 4, 2023 ~ James Yancey Jones, commonly known as Chicago blues, electric blues singer Tail Dragger Jones, passed away ~ Given his nickname “tail dragger” by mentor and major influence Howlin' Wolf for regularly showing up late. Also influenced by Sonny Boy Williamson I, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon. Backup singer for artists such as Willie Kent, Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell, Kansas City Red, Little Mack Simmons, Big Leon Brooks, Eddie Shaw, and Bob Corritore. Recorded a number of solo albums, starting with Crawlin' Kingsnake in 1996. Convicted of second-degree murder of another blues musician, shooting and killing Boston Blackie in 1993, claiming self-defense and serving 17 months ~ Jones was born in 1940September 4, 2022 ~ Singer, songwriter Edward Hulewicz passed away in Warsaw, Poland ~ Active since the 1960s. Member of Tarpany, for whom he wrote their biggest hit Siala Baba Mak. Following the band's disbandement would go on to work with Helioso, known for songs such as Obietnice. Active as a solo artist since the early 1970s, scoring hits with Za Zdrowie Pan, Paskuda and Bo Jedno Zycle Mam ~ Hulewicz was born in 1937
September 4, 2022 ~ Guitarist John Till passed away in Stratford, Canada ~ Closely associated with Janis Joplin, serving as member of Joplin's backing unit the Full Tilt Boogie Band and present on the I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama album. Till also backed Joplin at the famed the Woodstock Music and Art Fair concert ~ Till was born in 1945
September 4, 2021 ~ Classical pianist Gerhard Erber passed away in Leipzig, Germany ~ Co-founding member of chamber music ensemble the Gruppe Neue Musik Hanns Eisler, one of the first from East Germany to tour beyond the Iron Curtain. Has also worked with the Aulos Trio and duetted with artists such as Max Rostal, Oleg Kagan, and Raffael Hillyer ~ Erber was born in 1934
September 4, 2020 ~ Leonie Cooreman, commonly known as actress, singer Annie Cordy, passed away in Vallauris, France ~ Active since the 1950s. Known for songs such as Les Trois Bandits De Napoli, Bonbons Caramels Equimaux Chocolats, Fleur De Papillion, Hello Le Soleil Brille, Salade De Fruits, and La Bonne Du Cur´ ~ Cooreman was born in 1928
September 4, 2020 ~ Jazz double bassist Gary Peacock, full name Gary George Peacock, passed away in Olivebridge, New York, USA ~ Active since the early 1950s. Closely associated with Laurindo Almeida, Albert Ayler, Paul Bley, and specifically Keith Jarrett, recording over two dozen albums with the latter starting in the early 1980s. As a leader best known for his 1977 Tales Of Another album. Has also appeared on albums by Terry Gibbs, Wes Montgomery (The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery), Bud Shank, Don Ellis, Ravi Shankar, Tony Williams, Helen Merrill, Chick Corea (Live In Montreux), Leon Redbone, Michel Petrucciani, and John Surman ~ Peacock was born in 1935
September 4, 2019 ~ Pop, rock, soul guitarist, songwriter, producer Dan Warner, full name Daniel Lawrence Warner, passed away in Hollywood, Florida, USA ~ Wrote for Enrique Iglesias, Lil Wayne, Mika. Has also worked in one capacity or another with Michael Jackson, Carlos Rivera, Shakira, Madonna, Céline Dion, Barbra Streisand, Barry Gibb, Alejandro Sanz, and Calle 13 ~ Warner was born in 1970
September 4, 2017 ~ Reggae keyboardist, organist Earl Lindo, full name Earl Wilberforce Lindo, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known for his association with Bob Marley, appearing on albums such as Burnin', Survival, Uprising. Has also worked with Coxsone Dodd, Big Youth, Culture, I-Roy, the Impact All-Stars, and Burning Spear. As a solo artist enjoyed some local succes with the 1970s singles No Soul Today, and Who Done It ~ Lindo was born in 1953
September 4, 2015 ~ Pop rock singer, songwriter Graham Brazier, full name Graham Philip Brazier, passed away in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Claimed to have been offered the spot of lead singer in the Doors following the death of Jim Morrison, though this has been disputed as “somewhat exaggerated” by the band's biographer and former manager Danny Sugerman. Rose to prominence with the band Hello Sailor. The band is known best for their 1977 eponymous Hello Sailor, spawning the singles Gutter Black and Blue Lady which would both reach top 20 in the band's native New Zealand. Following the band's disbandement after two albums Brazier formed the Legionnaires and recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Inside Out released in 1981 ~ Brazier was born in 1952
September 4, 2015 ~ Leonald Francois Gauthier, commonly known as singer Hal Willis, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Half of the rock & roll duo Hal & Ginger, the other half being his wife Ginger Willis, scoring 1950s hits such as My Pink Cadillac and Bop-a-dee Bop-a-dop. Along with Hank Snow the only Canadian artists to tour with Elvis Presley. As a solo artist best known for The Lumberjack, a million-seller in 1965 ~ Gauthier was born in 1933September 4, 2015 ~ Emmanuel Rodriguez, commonly known as ska and reggae trombonist Rico Rodriguez, passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ One of the first ska musicians. Worked with Count Ossie, Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, Lloyd Daley, Dada uari, Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Vincent Chin, Harry Mudie, the Members, the Specials (including on Message To You Rudy and Ghost Town), Jools Holland, and Paul Young ~ Rodriguez was born in 1934
September 4, 2014 ~ Singer, guitarist Gustavo Cerati, full name Gustavo Adrián Cerati, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Formed pioneering Latin rock band Soda Stereo with Charly Alberti and Zeta Bosio. Influenced by the Beatles, the Police, the Cure, Television, Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Pink Floyd and Queen, the band would become the best-selling rock band in Argentina with some 25 million records sold. Well known songs include Zoom, Cuando Pase El Temblor, En La Ciudad De La Furia, Persiana America, and De Musica Ligera ~ Cerati was born in 1959September 4, 2014 ~ Rocksteady, reggae singer, arranger Hopeton Lewis passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Known for a string of late 1960s, early 1970s Jamaican hits such as Cool Collie and Boom Shacka Lacka. Worked with the Regals, Lynn Taitt, the Jets, Duke Reid, Byron Lee, and the Dragonaires ~ Lewis was born in 1947
September 4, 2002 ~ Singer Kelly Clarkson wins American Idol ~ Country, country-pop singer Kelly Clarkson wins the 1st season of talent show American Idol aired on Fox, beating singer, guitarist Justin Guarini. Clarkson's Thankful debut album was released the following year and would reach No.1 on the Billboard Hot 200 album charts. Clarkson has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial success since, scoring over half a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits including Since U Been Gone, Because Of You, My Life Would Suck Without You, and Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
September 4, 1998 ~ Percussionist Jose Mangual Sr passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Father of José Mangual Jr and Luis Mangual, both renowned salsa singer. In-demand sideman during the 1940s and 1950s, credited with setting a standard for bongo playing. Has worked with the likes of Tito Puente, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Machito, Ray Charles (The Genius of Ray Charles), Tito Puente, Miles Davis (Sketches Of Spain), Herbie Mann, Sarah Vaughan, and Cal Tjader ~ Mangual was born in 1924September 4, 1993 ~ John Anthony Pompeo, commonly known as jazz drummer, vibraphonist Johnny Rae, passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Herb Pomeroy, George Shearing, Johnny Smith, Ralph Sharon, Cozy Cole, Herbie Mann, Cal Tjader, Stan Getz, Gábor Szabó, Charlie Byrd, Earl Hines, Art van Damme, Barney Kessel, Mark Levine, Poncho Sanchez, Ernestine Anderson, Charles Kynard, Buddy Collette, Anita O'Day, and Mary Stallings ~ Pompeo was born in 1934
September 4, 1992 ~ Country singer, songwriter Carl Butler, full name Carl Robert Butler, passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Recorded and performed as husband-wife duo Carl Butler & Pearl with Pearl Butler, known for country hits such as Too Late To Try Again, My Tears Don't Show and their biggest hit Don't Let Me Cross Over. Butler also wrote If Tear Drops Were Pennies, a hit for Carl Smith in 1951 and again for Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner in 1971. Also co-wrote Flatt & Scruggs' 1960 song Crying My Heart Out Over You with Flatt, Scruggs and Earl Sherry, also a country hit for Ricky Skaggs in 1982 ~ Butler was born in 1927
September 4, 1991 ~ Bandleader, saxophonist, composer Charlie Barnet, full name Charles Daly Barnet, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Skyliner, Cherokee, The Wrong Idea, Scotch & Soda, In A Mizz and Southland Shuffles. Employed sidemen such as Buddy DeFranco, Roy Eldridge, Neal Hefti, Lena Horne, Barney Kessel, Dodo Marmarosa, Oscar Pettiford, Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Jimmy Knepper, and Clark Terry ~ Barnet was born in 1913
September 4, 1991 ~ Dorothy Marie Marsh, commonly known as ountry singer, guitarist, songwriter, actress Dottie West, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Along with contemporaries Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn regarded as one of the genre's most influential female artists. Known for songs such as Would You Hold It Against Me, Country Sunshine, A Lesson In Love, Are You Happy Baby and Here Comes My Baby Back Again. Also known for a number of 1970s duets with Kenny Rogers, notably Every Time Two Fools Collide, All I Ever Need Is You and What Are We Doin' In Love. Duetted with Jim Reeves (Love Is No Excuse), Don Gibson (Rings Of Gold), and Jimmy Dean (Slowly) ~ Marsh was born in 1932
September 4, 1990 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, country rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Danny Worsnop, full name Danny Robert Worsnop, born in Beverley, UK ~ Lead singer of Asking Alexandria and of We Are Harlot. Has guested on recordings by I See Stars, With One Last Breath, Breathe Carolina, the Memphis May Fire, the Word Alive, All That Remains, and Testarossa
September 4, 1990 ~ Irene Marie Dunn, commonly known as actress, singer Irene Dunne, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as a popular actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Aspired to become an opera singer but rejected by the Metropolitan Opera reverted to singing in musicals, including Broadway productions until scouted by RKO. Made her screen debut in the 1930 musical film Leathernecking. To this day considered one of the finest actresses to have never been awarded an Academy Award ~ Dunn was born in 1898September 4, 1990 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter James Bay, full name James Michael Bay, born in Hitchin, UK ~ Known for his 2014 single Let It Go, which reached top 20 on both sides of the Atlantic, and his debut album Chaos And The Calm, released the next year. Has opened for Kodaline, Hozier, Taylor Swift, the Rolling Stones, and for Ed Sheeran