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 8, 1978 ~ Sibling outfit the Jacksons release Blame It On The Boogie, lead single off their Victory album ~ First recorded by British singer Mick Jackson, no relation to the Jacksons, who has co-written the song in hopes of selling it to Stevie Wonder. However, when producer Bobby Colomby discovered the song he quickly brought it to the attention of the Jacksons, who recorded the song for their upcoming Destiny album. Lead singer Michael Jackson in particular liked the song, stating “it was an uptempo, finger-poppin-time type song that was a good vehicle for the band approach we wanted to cultivate”. Both versions would be released about the same time, however the cover by the Jacksons would become the bigger hit, surpassing Mick Jackson's single on both the American and British charts. Though only a modest hit for the Jacksons on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, stalling at No.54, it did do well on the Billboard R&B charts, where it peaked at No.3 and in Europe. Over time the version by the Jacksons has earned acclaim, and is considered a disco classic to this day. Singer and co-writer, Mick Jackson, has later stated his original version “had 100% of our heart and soul in it, but the Jacksons version had the magic extra 2% that made it incredible”September 8, 1973 ~ Trombonist, keyboardist, singer Gabrial McNair born ~ Perhaps best known for his association with No Doubt, first appearing on the band's 1994 The Beacon Street Collection sophomore album. Also noted for his work with Green Day, present on the band's 1997 Nimrod album. Formed alternative, indie rock outfit Oslo
September 8, 1971 ~ Luis Armando Lozada Cruz, commonly known as rapper, singer, producer, songwriter Vico C, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Regarded as founding father of reggaeton, a style originating from Puerto Rico merging hip-hop, dancehall, bomba and plena. Active since the late 1980s, reportedly the first to rap entirely in Spanish. Known especially for the early 1990s singles Saborealo and Maria. Turning evangelical Christian Cruz semi-retired from music for a while to reemerge in the late 1990s
September 8, 1970 ~ Pop, rock singer, actor Benny Ibarra, full name Benny Ibarra de Llano, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Son of actress, singer Julissa and actor, singer Benny Ibarra Sr, brother of actor, singer Alejandro Ibarra. First gained attention as member of pop unit Timbiriche in the early 1980s, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. Ibarra has been recording as a solo artist since the early 1990s and is known for hits such as Sin Ti, Cielo, Mia, Uno, Si Puedo Vovlerte A Ver featuring Miguel Bosé, and Calavera featuring Lila DownsSeptember 8, 1970 ~ Pianist, conductor Lars Vogt born in Düren, West Germany ~ Best known as musical director for the Royal Northern Sinfonia from 2015 through 2020. Subsequently served as music director for the Orchestre De Chambre De Paris. As a concert pianist Vogt has recorded well over 30 albums consisting of works by Robert Schumann, Ludwig van Beethoven, Maurice Ravel, and Camille Saint-Saëns ~ Vogt passed away in 2022
September 8, 1970 ~ Indie rock, alternative country, folk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Neko Case, full name Neko Richelle Case, born in Alexandria, Virginia, USA ~ Critics' darling acclaimed for her solo albums and for her work as a member of indie rock group the New Pornographers. Has collaborated with artists such as the Sadies, Carolyn Mark, and with kd Lang and Laura Veirs. Voted Sexiest Babe in Indie Rock in a 2003 Playboy poll but decline the offer to pose for the magazine saying she “would be really irritated if after a show someone would ask to sign a naked picture of herself instead of a CD.”September 8, 1969 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, progressive rock drummer Andie Rathbone born in Chester, UK ~ Third and final drummer of Mansun, joining the band shortly before the release of their 1997 Attack Of The Grey Lantern debut album. The band had previously asked Rathbone to join but he declined due to his commitments to the DNA Cowboys and because he thought they played “Britpop shite.”
September 8, 1966 ~ Singer, songwriter Carola, full name Carola Maria Häggkvist, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Sweden's most prominent female singer known for songs such as Framling, Tommy Tycker Om Mig, All The Reasons To Live, and Evighet. Has sung in various languages including Swedish, Dutch, German, English and Japanese. Represented Sweden at Eurovision Songfestival three times, namely in 1983 ranking third, in 1991 winning with Fångad Av En Stormvind, and in 2006 ranking fifthSeptember 8, 1966 ~ Christian pop, Christian rock singer, drummer, guitarist Peter Furler, full name Peter Andrew Furler, born in McLaren Vale, Australia ~ Co-founder, lead singer of Christian rock band the Newsboys, initially departing the band in 2009 and rejoining on occasion in later years. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his On Fire debut album in 2011 which included the Billboard Christian top 20 hits Reach and I'm Alive
September 8, 1965 ~ Actress, singer, dancer Dorothy Dandridge, full name Dorothy Jean Dandridge, passed away in West Hollywood, California, USA ~ First African-American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, namely for her role in the 1954 film Carmen Jones. As a singer performed in classic venues such as the Cotton Club and Apollo Theater. Member of the female trio the Dandridge Sisters active from the mid-1930 until 1940 and known for songs such as Undecided, If I Were Sure Of You, You Ain't Nowhere and That's Your Red Wagon ~ Dandridge was born in 1922September 8, 1965 ~ David Edmund Turin, commonly known as singer, songwriter Emit Bloch, born ~ Best known for co-founding Banyan, an experimental jam band which also included Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins, the Minutemen's bassist Mike Watt, the Beastie Boys keyboardist Money Mark and Wilco guitarist Nels Cline
September 8, 1962 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, You Don't Know Me by Ray Charles peaks at No.2 Billboard Hot 100 ~ First recorded in 1956 by country singer Eddy Arnold, who co-wrote the song with noted songwriter Cindy Walker who had previously written songs for the likes of Bob Wills, Al Dexter, and Gene Autry. Prior to Ray Charles, the song had also been a hit for Jerry Vale, who covered the song shortly after Arnold. The best selling version however would be Ray Charles's, held off the Billboard Hot 100 top spot by Tommy Roe's Sheila. For Charles, it was the second hit off his Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music album, after the No.1 hit I Can't Stop Loving You. Over the years, You Don't Know Me would be recorded by over an estimated 300 artists
September 8, 1962 ~ René Lodweijk Alexander Abdullah, commonly known as singer, model René Klijn, born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Member of boy band Bam To Bam-Bam. Best known as a solo artist, known for his 1992 Yazoo cover Mr Blue. Klijn, diagnosed with terminal HIV/Aids, recorded the single as a duet with Paul de Leeuw after a controversial TV show to raise HIV/Aids awareness. Klijn passed away aged 30 in 1993. The single's proceeds were donated to HIV/Aids charity. The TV show would be awarded a bronze Rose D'Or in Montreux ~ Klijn passed away in 1993
September 8, 1961 ~ Blues harpist, singer Sonny Boy Williamson II records One Way Out in Chicago, Illinois ~ Written by Willie Dixon and Sonny Boy Williamson II. Paired with Nine Below Zero on the flip side the single would be released the following January. Williamson on harmonica and vocals, backed by Otis Spann piano, Robert Lockwood Junior and Luther Tucker guitars, Dixon bass, Fred Below drums
September 8, 1960 ~ Singer Aimee Mann, full name Aimee Elizabeth Mann, born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Influenced by Leonard Cohen, Stephen Sondheim, Fiona Apple, Jimmy Webb, and Michael Penn. Co-founding member of 1980s new wave band Til Tuesday. Formed the duo the Both with Ted Leo. Released her solo-debut, Whatever, in 1993 and has recorded to a devoted fanbase since
September 8, 1960 ~ Jazz, bebop, third stream double bassist, cellist Oscar Pettiford passed away in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Primarily a bassist yet also known as a pioneering cellist. Discovered Cannonball Adderley. One of the earliest, and defining, musicians in bebop. Over a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially noted for a string of critically acclaimed mid 1950s albums including Discoveries, OP's Jazz Men and Deep Passion. As a sideman present on albums by Wynton Kelly, Duke Ellington, Julius Watkins (New Faces New Sounds), Kenny Dorham (Afro-Cuban), Stan Getz, Boyd Raeburn (Boyd Meets Stravinsky), Urbie Green, Lucky Thompson (Tricotism), Zoot Sims, Miles Davis (Round About Midnight), Milt Jackson (Ballads & Blues), Thelonious Monk (Brilliant Corners), Ernie Henry, Ray Charles, Max Roach (Deeds Not Words), Sonny Rollins (Freedom Suite), and Red Garland ~ Pettiford was born in 1922September 8, 1958 ~ R&B singer, guitarist David Lewis born ~ Member of Atlantic Starr which also included siblings Wayne Lewis and Jonathan Lewis. The band is known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles Secret Lovers, Always and Masterpiece, the first two co-written by Lewis, the latter written by Kenny Nolan. Lewis departed the band in 1994 to return to his Christian roots, founding the Light Ministries with his wife Marian traveling the globe spreading the word of God through music and testimony
September 8, 1957 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist Adrian Lee born in UK ~ Best known as a member of Mike + the Mechanics from 1985 to 1995. Also worked with Red Hot (L-l-lazy Days), Toyah [co-wrote Thunder In The Mountains), Space Monkey, Stephen Bishop, Joan Armatrading, Chris De Burgh, and 10cc
September 8, 1956 ~ Jazz accordionist, pianist, bandleader Eivin One Pedersen born in Stavanger, Norway ~ Released his Solo Mio solo debut album in 1984. Perhaps best known as an early member of jazz trio Detail alongside Frode Gjerstad and John Stevens, and for his collaborations with the likes of Katja Medbøe, Calling Signals, Ciwan Haco, and Morten Abel ~ Pedersen passed away in 2012
September 8, 1956 ~ Bandleader Fred Rich, full name Frederic Efrem Rich, passed away in California, USA ~ Active from the 1920s through the 1950s. Known for songs such as I'm Always Chasing Rainbows, So Beats My Heart For You, A Peach Of A Pair, Cheerful Little Earful, and I'm Tickled Pink With A Blue Eyed Baby. Rich has employed sidemen and vocalists such as Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Joe Venuti, Bunny Berigan, Benny Goodman, Elmer Feldkamp, and Eddie Lang ~ Rich was born in 1898September 8, 1954 ~ Folk flutist, songwriter Hans Fredrik Jacobsen born in Risør, Norway ~ Married to singer Tone Hulbækmo, with whom he also worked. The couple's sons Hans Hulbækmo and Alf Hulbækmo are also professional musicians, respectively playing percussion and piano. Jacobsen has also worked with medieval music group Kalenda Maya, the Secret Garden, Halldis Moren Vesaas, Ragnar Bjerkreim, Annbjorg Lien, and Henning Sommerro
September 8, 1953 ~ Contemporary classical composer Akira Nishimura born in Osaka, Japan ~ Best known for his orchestral works. Has also composed chamber music, piano works, choral pieces, and the opera Asters which premiered in 2019. Nishimura's works have been recorded by the likes of Nobuko Imai, the Lotus String Quartet, the Osaka Century Orchestra, Thomas Indermuhle, and Yu Kosuge ~ Nishimura passed away in 2023
September 8, 1952 ~ Singer, banjoist, mandolinist, whistler, songwriter Andy M Stewart, full name Andrew McGregor Stewart, born in Alyth, UK ~ Fronted Silly Wizard for over a decade, with whom he recorded well over half a dozen albums. Considered the premiere Celtic folk act during its day, they are especially acclaimed for 1981's Wild & Beautiful album. Stewart has also recorded as a solo artist, as well as with Manus Lunny, the duo especially noted for their 1987 Dublin Lady collaborative album ~ Stewart passed away in 2015
September 8, 1952 ~ Bassist Will Lee, full name Wlliam Franklin Lee IV, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Has worked with Dreams, Fuse One, the Beatles tribute band Fab Faux, the Mark & Clark Band (notably on the hit Worn Down Piano), Ace Frehley, Patti Austin, Carly Simon, Leo Sayer, Joe Beck, Melissa Manchester, Joan Armatrading, Neil Sedaka, Glenn Medeiros, the CBS Orchestra, Barbra Streisand, George Benson, Sheena Easton, Michael Bolton, Irene Cara, Peabo Bryson, Christopher Cross, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, Michael Franks, Diane Schuur, Liza Minnelli, Phoebe Snow, Steve Lukather, Carole Bayer Sager, Cher, the Brecker Brothers, Hiram Bullock, Cissy Houston, Ringo Starr, Mariah Carey, Linda Clifford, Bette Midler, D'Angelo, Dusty Springfield, Chaka Khan, Art Farmer, Yusef Lateef, Randy Crawford, Don Sebesky, Mike Stern, and Fred Lipsius
September 8, 1950 ~ Singer, accordionist, guitarist, songwriter Zachary Richard, full name Ralph Zachary Richard, born in Scott, Louisiana, USA ~ Well over a dozen studio albums to his name over a career spanning four decades, drawing from Cajun and Zydeco. Noted especially for the albums Mardi Gras Mambo, Women In The Room and perhaps his most acclaimed Cap Enragé released in 1997