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 9, 1978 ~ Avant-garde saxophonist, clarinetist, guitarist Kaoru Abe passed away in Tokyo, Japan ~ Influential alto saxophonist who performed extensively from age 17 onwards though he has released some solo recordings. Has collaborated with Motoharu Yoshizawa, Takehisa Kosugi, Yosuke Yamashita, Derek Bailey, Milford Graves. Portrayed by punk rock singer Ko Machida in the 1997 The Endless Waltz film ~ Abe was born in 1949
September 9, 1977 ~ Maria Rita Camargo Mariano, commonly known as MPB, jazz, samba singer Maria Rita, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Daugher of pianist, arranger Cesar Camargo Mariano and singer Elis Regina, sister of singer Pedro Mariano and producer João Marcelo Boscoli. Debuted in 2003 with the eponymous Maria Rita album, winning three Latin Grammy Awards and has since recorded to commercial succes. Songs such as A Festa, Ta Perdoado, Corçãlo Em Desalinho and Amor E Musica all reached top 20 in her native BrazilSeptember 9, 1977 ~ Saulo Jorge Fernandes Navarro de Oliveira, commonly known as axé singer, guitarist, songwriter Saulo Fernandes, born in Barreiras, Brazil ~ Lead singer of Banda Chica Fe. Subsequently lead singer of Banda Eva joining the band in 2002, present on hits such as Nao Me Conte Seus Problemas, Eu Vou No Eva and Toda Linda. Has focused on his solo career since departing the band in 2013
September 9, 1976 ~ Indie rock, baroque pop, alternative pop singer, songwriter Kevin Drew born in Toronto, Canada ~ Member of late 1990s outfit KC Accidental, with whom he recorded two albums. Perhaps best known for co-founding Toronto-based baroque pop outfit Broken Social Scene with Brendan Canning, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band is best known for the singles Force To Love/All To All and Halfway Home. Drew has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Spirit If released in 2007. Drew is also noted for co-producing the Tragically Hip's 2016 album Man Machine Poem, the last album featuring lead singer Gord Downie, as well as Downie's last two solo albums, 2016's Secret Path and 2017's Introduce Yerself. Downie passed away in 2017
September 9, 1975 ~ Traditional pop, swing, easy listening, jazz singer Michael Bublé born in Burnabyk, Canada ~ Debuted in 2003 with his eponymous Michael Bublé album, which would reach the top 10 in the UK and the singer's native Canada. Would shoot to international stardom with his 2005 sophomore It's Time album, reaching the top 10 of album charts across the globe including America, the UK, Canada and across Europe. Best known for songs such as Home, Everything, Haven't Met You Yet, It's A Beautiful Day, and Baby It's Cold Outside, the latter a duet with Idina MenzelSeptember 9, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist Ana Carolina, full name Ana Carolina Souza, born in Minas Gerais, Brazil ~ Debuted in 1999 with the eponymous Ana Carolina album, which included the Brazilian No.1 hit Garganta. Has recorded steadily since, to critical acclaim and commercial succes. Subsequent singles such as Quem De Nóis (La Mia Storia Tra Le Dita), Encostar Na Tua, Elevador, E Isso Ai (The Blower's Daughter) featuring Seu Jorge and Rosas also reached the top spot in her native Brazil
September 9, 1974 ~ Pop singer Bobby Vinton releases his My Melody Of Love single ~ Based on Herzen Haben Keine Fenster, a schlager song penned by Henry Mayer, a hit in Germany and Austria for Elfi Graf. The song had also been translated by Peters & Lee in 1974, renamed to Don't Stay Away Too Long, which reached top 10 in the duo's native UK. Bobby Vinton's adaptation, which used both English and Polish lyrics, would be his biggest hit since Mr Lonely a decade later, and reach top 10 in both the USA and CanadaSeptember 9, 1972 ~ Rodney Hylton Smith, commonly known as rapper, producer Roots Manuva, born in UK ~ Debuted in 1994. Described as one of the most influential rappers in British music history. Has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Chali 2na, Jamie Cullum, DJ Shadow, Mr Scruff, UNKLE, the Fun Lovin' Criminals, Nightmares On Wax, the Cinematic Orchestra, Beth Orton, Herbaliser, Leftfield, the Salan Supa Crew, Coldcut, and Gorillaz
September 9, 1972 ~ Folk rock, soft rock duo Seals & Crofts release their Summer Breeze album ~ The duo's fourth album would become their major commercial breakthrough, aided by the success of the title track released the previous August. The Summer Breeze single would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, and remains a staple of classic rock radio to this day. A follow-up single, Hummingbird, would reach top 20. The album itself reached top 10 Billboard Hot 200September 9, 1970 ~ André Weston, commonly known as hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop MC Dray, born ~ Formed the hip-hop duo Das EFX with Skoob, praised for their lyrical delivery and socially conscious topics. Well known songs include They Want EFX, Mic Checka, Straight Out The Sewer, Freakit and Microphone Master, the latter featuring Mobb Deep
September 9, 1969 ~ Jazz pianist Cedric Haywood passed away ~ As a teenager, still in high school, played with Arnett Cobb. His first professional gig was with Chester Boone's band in 1934. Went on to play with Milt Larkin, whose line-up at the time included Illinois Jacquet, Tom Archia and Eddie Cleanhead Vinson. Haywood also played with Floyd Ray, Lionel Hampton, Sidney Bechet, Saunders King, Cal Tjader, Kid Ory, Brew Moore, and with Lightnin' Hopkins ~ Haywood was born in 1914
September 9, 1969 ~ Vincent Edwards, commonly known as hip-hop, gangsta rap rapper CPO Boss Hogg, born in Compton, California, USA ~ Influenced by George Clinton, Prince, Barry White, Michael Jackson, Chuck D, KRS One, LL Cool J. Formed Capitol Punishment Organization with DJ Train, known for their sole To Hell And Back album released in 1990. Has since guested on recordings by NWA, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur (Picture Me Rollin'), E-A-Ski, Warren G, and Tha Chill ~ Edwards passed away in 2022
September 9, 1968 ~ Saxophonist David Sánchez born in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday. First gained attention in the early 1990s backing Dizzy Gillespie, who became Sanchez' mentor. Would go on to work with Slide Hampton, Charlie Sepulveda, Roy Hargrove, Kenny Drew Jr, Ryan Kisor, Danilo Pérez, Hilton Ruiz, Miguel Zenón, Ray Barretto, Kenny Barron, Charlie Haden, and Lalo Schifrin
September 9, 1968 ~ Alternative rock singer Edwin Ghazal born in Toronto, Canada ~ Lead singer of I Mother Earth through 1997, present on some of the band's best known including One More Astronaut and Another Sunday both taken of the band's 1996 Scenery And Fish sophomore album. Lead singer of supergroup Crash Karma, which also included Mike Turner, Jeff Burrows and Amir Epstein. Starting with Another Spin Around The Sun released in 1999 has also recorded as a solo artist, generally focusing on more pop-oriented, danceable songsSeptember 9, 1968 ~ Latin, Latin rock singer, guitarist, Lila Downs, full name Ana Lila Downs Sanchez, born in Tiaxiaco, Mexico ~ Debuted with the album Ofrenda in 1994, containing traditional songs as well as originals. Broke through nationally with 1999's La Sandunga, internationally with 2001's Border
September 9, 1965 ~ Actor, singer, comedian Charles Esten, full name Charles Esten Puskar III, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Known for his role as country singer Deacon Claynourne on the ABC/CMT TV drama Nashville from 2012 which kickstarted a moderate musical career. Released a handful of singles from the TV series, two of which reached the Billboard Country top 40 in 2012, Undermine with Hayden Panettiere and No One Will Ever Love You with Connie BrittonSeptember 9, 1964 ~ Pop, jazz, rock singer Cæcilie Norby born in Frederiksberg, Denmark ~ Daughter of classical composer Erik Norby and opera singer Solveig Lumholt. Co-founding member of Street Beat. Member of jazz-rock outfit Frontline. Worked with Nina Forsberg in One-Two. Debuted as a solo artist with the eponymous Cæcilie Norby album in 1995 and has recorded steadily since
September 9, 1962 ~ Lo-fi, indie rock, alt-country, folk, southern gothic singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, percussion, producer, songwriter Mark Linkous, full name Frederick Mark Linkous, born in Arlington, Virginia, USA ~ Fronted Sparklehorse. Also worked with Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Daniel Johnston, Radiohead, Frank Black, Julian Casablancas, Danger Mouse, the Dancing Hoods, and Sage Francis ~ Linkous passed away in 2010
September 9, 1962 ~ Doie Hensley Owens, commonly known as singer, songwriter Tex Owens, passed away in New Baden, Texas, USA ~ Owens wrote over 100 songs, but is best remembered for penning Cattle Call. The song would be recorded by himself in 1934, to little success, and be popularized about a decade later by Eddy Arnold. The song has since gone on to become a country standard, covered by numerous artists. Inspiration for the song came to Owens, while in Kansas City, Oklahoma, watching the snow fall: “Watching the snow, my sympathy went out to cattle everywhere, and I just wished I could call them all around me and break some corn over a wagon wheel and feed them. That's when the words ‘cattle call’ came to my mind. I picked up my guitar, and in thirty minutes I had written the music and four verses to the song” ~ Owens was born in 1892
September 9, 1960 ~ Stefano Righi, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, songwriter Johnson Righeira, born in Turin, Italy ~ Formed the duo Righeira with Michael Righeira, known best for Vamos A La Playa of their 1983 eponymous Righeira debut album. The single would reach top 10 across Europe and to this day is still regarded as one of the classic Italo disco recordings. Both the 1985 non-album single L'Estate Sta Finendo and Innamoratissimo of their 1986 Bambini Forever would also reach top 10 in their native ItalySeptember 9, 1959 ~ Pop, dance, electronic guitarist, percussionist, film composer Eric Serra born in Saint-Mandé, France ~ Son of songwriter Claude Serra. Best known as a film composer, closely associated with director Luc Besson scoring most of the latter's films starting with 1983's Le Dernier Combat. Internationally best known for writing most of the soundtrack for the 1995 GoldenEye Bond soundtrack
September 9, 1958 ~ Bluegrass singer, guitarist James King, full name James Elroy King, born in Martinsville, Virginia, USA ~ Dubbed “the Bluegrass Storyteller” by Tom T Hall for his ability to infuse his story songs with emotion and authenticity. First gained attention working with the Stanley Brothers, appearing on the albums Stanley Brothers Classics and Reunion With George Shuffler. Recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with It's A Cold Cold World released in 1989 ~ King passed away in 2016
September 9, 1953 ~ Punk rock singer, songwriter, author Giovanni Lindo Ferretti born in Cerreto Alpi, Italy ~ Considered one of the founders of Italian punk rock. Known for his radical left political views. Co-founded the highly influential CCCP Fedeli Alla Linea with Massimo Zamboni in 1982, leaving behind the established idea of punk rock, drawing from rock, industrial music, folk, world music, electropop and chamber music. Also fronted Consorzion Suonatori Indipendenti which also included Zamboni, fronted Per Grazia Ricevuta, and recorded as a solo artist
September 9, 1952 ~ Guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer, producer, songwriter Dave Stewart, full name David Allan Stewart, born in Sunderland, UK ~ Rose to fame as half of Eurythmics, the other half being singer Annie Lennox, known for hits such as Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), Love Is A Stranger, Who's That Girl, Here Comes The Rain Again, There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart), Thorn In My Side and I Saved The World Today. After the duo disbanded, Stewart would go on to become an acclaimed solo artist, notably with his backing unit the Spiritual Cowboys, and in-demand collaborator and producer. Has worked with Terry Hall, Candy Dulfer, Paul McCartney, Bono, Stevie Nicks, Martina McBride, Superheavy, and Jon StevensSeptember 9, 1952 ~ Krautrock, electronic, minimalistic, ambient, experimental guitarist, songwriter Manuel Göttsching born in Berlin, West Germany ~ One of the most influential krautrock guitarists. Best known as leader of Ash Ra Tempel, co-founded with Klaus Schulze. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1972 Schwingungen sophomore album. After the group disbanded by the mid 1970s Göttsching recorded as a solo artist and with Ashra ~ Göttsching passed away in 2022