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, 1951 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jerry Doucette, full name Jerry Victor Doucette, born in Montreal, Canada ~ Known for a number of 1970s singles, notably Mama Let Him Play and Nobody. The former, taken of his 1977 album of the same name, would reach Platinum status in Doucette's native Canada and become a minor hit in the USA. Member of the Seeds Of Time. Has also collaborated with Lindsay Mitchell and Rocket Norton, both of whom later members of Prism ~ Doucette passed away in 2022September 9, 1951 ~ Actor, singer Tom Wopat, full name Thomas Steven Wopat, born in Lodi, Wisconsin, USA ~ Best known for the role of Luke in the TV series The Dukes Of Hazzard. Enjoyed moderate success on the country charts in the late 1980s with singles such as The Rock & Roll Of Love, Put Me Out Of My Misery, and A Little Bit Closer
September 9, 1950 ~ Experimental composer Christopher Hobbs born in Hillingdon, UK ~ Pioneering experimental composer. Member of AMM, present on the albums The Crypt and Laminal. Has also worked with the Scratch Orchestra, for whom he wrote Voicepiece which is considered a classic in the genre. Co-founded the Promenade Theater Orchestra, a group specialising in music for toy pianos and reed organs
September 9, 1950 ~ Rock, country, blues, jazz guitarist, dobroist, banjoist, mandolinist, violinist, cellist, singer John McFee born in Santa Cruz, California, USA ~ Founding member of Clover, best known for their 1977 Unavailable album. In-demand session musician from the early 1970s onward, present on albums by Janey & Dennis, Boz Scaggs (Moments), Van Morrison (Tupelo Honey), Norman Greenbaum, the Grateful Dead, the Steve Miller Band (Fly Like An Eagle), Bill Wyman, Norton Buffalo, Elvis Costello (My Aim Is True), Nick Lowe, Nicolette Larson, Emmylou Harris, and Southern Pacific. Joined the Doobie Brothers as a full member by the end of the 1970s, first appearing on their 1980 One Step Closer album for which McFee also co-wrote the title track with Keith Knudsen and Carlene CarterSeptember 9, 1948 ~ Singer, songwriter Jean-Paul Cara born in Montpellier, France ~ Along with Joe Gracy wrote Marie Myriam's L'Oiseau Et L'Enfant, 1977 Eurovision Songfestival winner. Cara also co-wrote Catherine Ferry's Un Deux Trois that came in second place the previous year
September 9, 1947 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Freddy Weller born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Lead guitarist of Paul Revere & the Raiders, also penning the band's 1969 hit We Gotta All Get Together. Also backed Billy Joe Royal and Joe South. As a solo artist best known for Games People Play, Promised Land, and Indian Lake. Co-wrote Dizzy and Jam Up & Jelly Tight, both hits for Tommy Roe
September 9, 1947 ~ Drummer, percussionist, keyboardist, songwriter, composer Morris Pert, full name Morris David Brough Pert, born in Arbroath, UK ~ Worked in jazz-rock, as a session musician, and as a contemporary classical composer composing symphonies, choral music and sonic landscapes. As a composer cites Arne Nordheim, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Iannis Xenakis as influences. Has worked with Stomu Yamashta, Isotope, Brand X, Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Williams, Kate Bush (The Kick Inside), Elkie Brooks, Chris De Burgh, Mike Oldfield (QE2), Marianne Faithfull (Broken English), Peter Gabriel, Jon Anderson, Elvis Costello (Punch The Clock), John Martyn, Bryan Ferry, Talk Talk (It's My Life), Rod Argent, Lucio Battisti, Colin Blunstone, Donovan, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Alexis Korner ~ Pert passed away in 2010
September 9, 1946 ~ Keyboardist, organist, singer Doug Ingle, full name Douglas Lloyd ingle, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Co-founding member, organist, lead singer, primary songwriter of Iron Butterfly. The band is best known for their 1968 hit In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, the title a slurred pronounciation of “in the Garden of Eden”. The 17-minute album version, which became a rock classic, came about by accident. In order to set his levels at the start of the recording session, engineer Don Casale asked the band to jam through a practice run. They kept on jamming for 17 minutes, not knowing that Casale had already hit the “record” button. That first practice run ended up being the master take and made it to the album of the same name. A shortened version would be released as a single, and make it to No.30, their highest-charting of four singles to reach the Billboard Hot 100. The band broke up in 1971, and has been reincarnated with various line-ups since but to considerable lesser success and no new recordings since 1975. The classic line-up will however forever be remembered for their epic 17-minute In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, providing a dramatic sound which helped pave the way for hard rock and heavy metal ~ Ingle passed away in 2024
September 9, 1946 ~ Rock & roll, pop singer, guitarist Jim Keays born in Glasgow, UK ~ Fronted rock, rock & roll outfit Masters Apprentices from 1965 until its disbandement in 1972. The band is best known for songs such as Undecided, 5:10 Man, Think About Tomorrow Today, Turn Up Your Radio and Because I Love You, all of which reached top 20 in their native Australia. The band also launched the career of bassist Glenn Wheatley, who found later succes as a talent manager for the Little River Band and John Farnham ~ Keays passed away in 2014September 9, 1946 ~ Peter Leslie Rowney, commonly known as drummer Pete Gavin, born in Lewisham, UK ~ Member of Bluesology during the mid 1960s. Member of Heads Hands & Feet, best known for their 1971 Tracks sophomore album. Briefly a member of Vinegar Joe in 1973 and 1974
September 9, 1945 ~ Dione LaRue, commonly known as R&B singer Dee Dee Sharp, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the early 1960s. Sang backup for the likes of Lloyd Price, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Jackie Wilson. As a solo artist known for a number of 1960s R&B hits, notably Mashed Potato Time, Gravy For My Mashed Potatoes, Ride and Do The Bird. Enjoyed a brief resurgence during the disco era scoring a moderate hit with her 10cc-cover I'm Not In Love. Member of the Philadelphia International All-Stars, including on their best known Let's Clean Up The Ghetto. Married to producer Kenny Gamble from 1967 to 1980September 9, 1944 ~ Jiri Mraz, commonly known as jazz bassist, saxophonist George Mraz, born in Pisek, Czechoslovakia ~ Leader, co-leader and sideman. Perhaps best known as a member of the New York Jazz Quartet from the mid 1970s through the early 1980s, including on the acclaimed Blues For Sarka album. Also worked extensively with Oscar Peterson, Pepper Adams, Roland Hanna, Tommy Flanagan, John Abercrombie, and with Toshiko Akiyoshi ~ Mraz passed away in 2021
September 9, 1942 ~ Singer Inez Foxx born in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA ~ Half of R&B, soul duo Inez & Charlie Foxx, best known for their hit single Mockingbird which reached the Billboard top 10 in 1963
September 9, 1942 ~ Singer Luther Simmons Jr born in New York, New York, USA ~ Original member of R&B, soul outfit Main Ingredient, remaining with the band through the mid 1970s, reuniting in later years. Present on the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Everybody Plays The Fool and Just Don't Want To Be Lonely. Songs such as I'm So Proud, Black Seeds Keep On Growing, You've Got To Take It (If You Want It), and Happiness Is Just Around The Bend also did well on the Billboard R&B charts ~ Simmons passed away in 2016September 9, 1942 ~ Producer, arranger Raymond Donnez born in Aulnay-sous-Bois, France ~ Cult hero among Eurodisco fans. Played keys on several Cerrone tracks including on Love In C-Minor. Produced Santa Esmeralda's hit cover Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. Served as conductor for Eurovision Songfestival in 1974, 1976 and 1977 ~ Donnez passed away in 2019
September 9, 1942 ~ Pianist, composer William Murdoch, full name William David Murdoch, passed away in Holmbury St Mary, UK ~ Known for his sparkling technique. By the mid-1910s considered one of the finest interpreters of Frédéric Chopin and Claude Debussy. Participated in the premieres of Edward Elgar's Violin Sonata In E Minor and Piano Quintet In A Minor. Formed the Chamber Music Players with Albert Sammons, Lauri Kennedy, and Lionel Tertis ~ Murdoch was born in 1888
September 9, 1941 ~ Raymond Leslie Howard, commonly known as blues, rock & roll singer Duffy Power, born in Fulham, UK ~ Discovered by impresario Larry Parnes in the late 1950s, who also managed artist such as Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, Vince Eager, and Georgie Fame. Power would enjoy moderate success, initially with covers of American pop songs before emerging himself in the growing London blues scene. Noted for teaming up with Graham Bond, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and John McLaughlin, recording a cover of I Saw Her Standing There in 1963, one of the first covers of any song by the Beatles. Especially acclaimed for his 1970 Innovations album ~ Howard passed away in 2014
September 9, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Otis Redding, full name Otis Ray Redding Jr, born in Dawson, Georgia, USA ~ Pivotal R&B, soul singer. Quit school at age 15 to join Little Richard's backing unit the Upsetters. Has also worked as a backup singer and driver with Johnny Jenkins' band the Pinetoppers when an unscheduled improptu session at Stax led to a contract resulting in his 1962 debut single, These Arms Of Mine, and a full-length debut album, Pain In My Heart, two years later. Would record half a dozen albums over the next few years, tour Europe and regularly reach the higher echelons of the R&B charts before his untimely death in a plane crash in 1967. At the time of his death Redding was on the verge of breaking through to mainstream audiences. His post-humously released single, (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay, recorded just days before his death, would earn him his first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 ~ Redding passed away in 1967September 9, 1940 ~ Jose Negroni, commonly known as rock & roll, doo-wop singer Joe Negroni, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Considered a rock & roll, doo-wop pioneer, best known for founding the Teenagers. The band would become most famous as launching pad for Frankie Lymon, scoring Billboard R&B top 10 hits such as Why Do Fools Fall In Love, I Want You To Be My Girl, I Promise To Remember, The ABC's Of Love, and Out In The Cold Again during the mid 1950s. Following Lymon's departure in 1957 to pursue a solo careeer the group would eventually break up ~ Negroni passed away in 1978
September 9, 1929 ~ Singer, songwriter Claude Nougaro born in Toulouse, France ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Marcel Amont (Le Balayeur Du Roi), Philippe Clay (La Sentinelle), Edith Piaf (Mephisto). Debuted as a solo singer in the early 1960s, immediately rising to fame with songs such as Une Petite Fille and Cécile Ma Fille. Would continue to record to critical acclaim and commercial success well into the 1990s ~ Nougaro passed away in 2004
September 9, 1927 ~ Modal jazz, avant-garde, hard bop, post-bop drummer Elvin Jones born in Pontiac, Michigan, USA ~ Brother of pianist Hank Jones and trumpeter Thad Jones. Considered one of the premier jazz drummers of the post-bop era, bridging the gap between hard bop and avant-garde. Influential on rock drummers such as Jimi Hendrix-drummer Mitch Mitchell, Cream's Ginger Baker, the Doors' John Densmore, and Sleater-Kinney's Janet Weiss. As a leader especially acclaimed for the late 1960s albums The Ultimate Elvin Jones and Poly-Currents. As a sideman has backed artists such as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus (Pithecanthropus Erectus), Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Lee Konitz, McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter (Night Dreamer), Grant Green (Talkin' About), John Coltrane (A Love Supreme), Bob Brookmeyer, Freddie Hubbard (Blue Spirits), Jaki Byard, Ornette Coleman, and Chico Freeman (Beyond The Rain) ~ Jones passed away in 2004September 9, 1926 ~ R&B singer Jake Carey born in Pulaski, Virginia, USA ~ Member of the Flamingos, which also included his cousin Zeke Carey. The band is best known for their 1959 single I Only Have Eyes For You b/w Goodnight Sweetheart, a top 20 hit on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. Previously the singles A Kiss From Your Lips and I'll Be Home, both released in 1956, reached top 20 on the Billboard R&B charts ~ Carey passed away in 1997
September 9, 1923 ~ Marcel Zannini, commonly known as jazz clarinetist, bandleader Marcel Zanini, born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Best known for Tu Vuex Ou Tu Veux Pas, an adaptation of Wilson Simonal's Nem Vem Que Não Tem. Worked with Léo Missir, Georges Arvanitas, and Eddy Louiss. Father of writer, painter, jazz guitarist Marc-Edouard Nabe, with whom he occasionally worked ~ Zannini passed away in 2023
September 9, 1906 ~ Blues pianist, composer Hershal Thomas born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Despite dying of food poisoning at a mere 19 years of age, Thomas left a huge imprint nevertheless. Boogie-woogie pianists Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis both cite Thomas as a major influence. His sister was Sippie Wallace and has recorded several of his compositions, including A Jealous Woman Like Me, A Man For Every Day Of The Week, I Feel Good, and Trouble Everywere I Roam. He recorded with King Oliver and Louis Armstrong ~ Thomas passed away in 1926
September 9, 1894 ~ Arthur Grossman, commonly known as lyricist, film producer Arthur Freed, born in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Best known as a film producer, awarded an Academy Award for 1951's An American In Paris and one for 1958's Gigi. Producer and co-lyricist for the 1952 Singing In The Rain musical comedy ~ Grossman passed away in 1973