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.
December 12, 1951 ~ Mildred Eleanor Rinker, commonly known as singer Mildred Bailey passed away in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA ~ Sister of Al Rinker. Married to Red Norvo, with whom she also worked, from 1933 to 1942. Dubbed “the Queen of Swing” and known for songs such as For Sentimental Reasons, It's So Peaceful In The Country, Doin' The Uptown Lowdown, Trust In Me, Where Are You, I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart, Small Fry, Please Be Kind, Darn That Dream, Rockin' Chair, Blame It On My Last Affair, and Says My Heart. Has worked with the Three Ickkies, Bing Crosby, the Rhythm Boys, Paul Whiteman, Eddie Lang, the Dorsey Brothers, Benny Goodman, and Joe Marsala ~ Bailey was born in 1907
December 12, 1950 ~ Accordionist Richard Galliano born in Cannes, France ~ Influenced by Clifford Brown. Has worked with Astor Piazzolla, George Mraz, Brigitte Fontaine, Al Foster, Juliette Gréco, Charles Aznavour, Ron Carter, Chet Baker, Martial Solal, Miroslav Vitous, Trilok Gurtu, Jan Garbarek, Michel Petrucciani, Michel Portal, Eddy Louiss, Biréli Lagrène, Sylvain Luc, Renaud Garcia-Fons, Ivan Paduart, Arnouar Brahem, Wynton Marsalis, Toots Thielemans, Claude Nougaro, Enrico Rava, Charles Aznavour, Pierre Bachelet, Avi Avital, Wynton Marsalis, Louis Sclavis, and Maurice VanderDecember 12, 1950 ~ Stella Zelcer, commonly known as singer Stella Vander, born in Paris, France ~ As a songwriter, singer best known for her work from ages 12 to 17, getting fed up with people misinterpreting her sarcastic lyrics. Known for songs such as Pourquoi Pas Moi, Un Air Du Folklore Auvergnat. Member of Magma, which also features her husband drummer Christian Vander. Has also been releasing solo albums sings the early 1990s
December 12, 1948 ~ Mandolinist, harmonica player Ray Jackson, full name Lindsay Raymond Jackson born in Wallsend, UK ~ Co-founding member and alongside Alan Hull co-lead vocalist of folk-rock group Lindisfarne. Sang lead on Meet Me On The Corner, the band's first hit single. Guested on the Rod Stewart-albums Every Picture Tells A Story, Never A Dull Moment and Smiler, notably present on the song Maggie May for which he wrote the mandolin hook. Released a solo album, In The Night, in 1980December 12, 1947 ~ Singer, clarinetist, saxophonist, percussionist, songwriter Albert Marcœur born in Dijon, France ~ Actively recordings since the mid 1970s. Mixes melodic, rhythmic and sonic experimentations with humorous and offbeat lyrics. Has ventured into composing for film in the 1980s
December 12, 1946 ~ Jazz drummer, percussionist Bruce Ditmas born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Ira Sullivan, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Della Reese, Leslie Uggams, Sheila Jordan, Joe Newman, Gil Evans, Enrico Rava, Atmospheres, Paul Bley, Lee Konitz, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Dino Saluzzi, Rita Marcotulli, Pietro Tonolo, Sam Rivers, John Abercrombie, and Steve Kuhn
December 12, 1945 ~ Drummer Tony Williams, full name Anthony Tillmon Williams, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name as a leader. First gained attention backing Miles Davis from 1963 onwards, including on the acclaimed Filles de Kilimanjaro album released in 1968. Noted for leading Tony Williams Lifetime, a pioneering jazz fusion trio which included guitarist John McLaughlin and organist Larry Young and especially acclaimed for their 1969 Emergency album which is considered one of the landmark albums in jazz-rock and jazz-fusion. Member of VSOP in the mid 1970s alongside Davis alumni Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Wayne Shorter. Other notable collaborations include Hank Jones, Chet Baker, Tommy Flanagan, Sonny Rollins, Eric Dolphy (Out To Lunch), Dexter Gordon, Terumasa Hino, Branford Marsalis, and Marcus Miller ~ Williams passed away in 1997
December 12, 1944 ~ Alejandro Neciosup Acuña, commonly known as drummer, percussionist Alex Acuña, born in Pativilca, Peru ~ Member of the Weather Report from 1975 through 1978, appearing on the albums Black Market and Heavy Weather. As a solo artist best known for his 2000 Acuarela De Tambores album. In-demand session and touring musician, present on albums by Sérgio Mendes, Gilberto Gil, Blondie (Autoamerican), Michael Omartian, the Manhattan Transfer (Mecca For Moderns), Koinonia, Los Lobos (How Will The Wolf Survive), Patrick O'Hearn, Lyle Mays (Lyle Mays), Donna Summer, Richard Marx, the Yellowjackets (Politics), U2 (Rattle & Hum), Bob Florence, Toni Childs, Was (Not Was) (What Up Dog), Tim Finn, Michael Franks, John Patitucci, Crowded House (Woodface), the GRP All-Star Big Band. Plácido Domingo, and Joe Zawinul (My People)
December 12, 1944 ~ Jazz drummer Michael Carvin born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Staff drummer at Motown in the 1960s. Joined Freddie Hubbard's band in 1973. Best known as in-demand drummer on the New York scene. Appears on over 250 albums. Has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Jackie McLean, Hank Jones, McCoy Tyner, Illinois Jacquet, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, James Moody, Hampton Hawes, Ruth Brown, Johnny Hartman, Abbey Lincoln, Jimmy Smith, Hugh Masekela, Alice Coltrane, Cecil Taylor, Charles Brown, Terumasa Hino, Bobby Watson, Billy Bang, and Pat Martino
December 12, 1944 ~ Robert W Derminer, commonly known as proto-punk singer Rob Tyner, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Although Tyner originally auditioned for the bass player spot, he would serve as lead singer for MC5, one of the rawest and most outspoken bands in American rock. They are especially acclaimed for their 1969 Kick Out The Jams debut album, widely regarded as a forerunner to proto-punk and punk nearly a decade later. After two more albums, both of which sold poorly, the band disbanded in 1972. Tyner had taken his stage name in honor of jazz pianist McCoy Tyner ~ Derminer passed away in 1991December 12, 1943 ~ Melvyn Jones, commonly known as Soul, R&B, blues soul, R&B, blues organist Deacon Jones, born in Richmond, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founded Baby Huey & the Babysitters with Johnny Ross and Baby Huey. Jones left the band after Ramey's death in 1970 and would go on to work with Curtis Mayfield, Freddie King, John Lee Hooker, Gregg Allman, Elvin Bishop, Lester Chambers, Albert Collins, and Buddy Miles ~ Jones passed away in 2017
December 12, 1943 ~ Forrest Richard Betts, commonly known as guitarist, singer Dickey Betts, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding and longtime member of pivotal Southern rock outfit the Allman Brothers Band, assuming sole lead guitar duties after the death of Duane Allman in 1971. Wrote and sang lead on one of the band's best known, Ramblin' Man. Betts also penned most of the band's instrumentals, including In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed and Jessica. Betts has also recorded as a solo artist, notably with his backing unit Great Southern, and guested on albums by Derek & the Dominos, Elvin Bishop, Kitty Wells, Bobby Whitlock, Charlie Daniels, Bonnie Bramlett, Buddy Miles, Katy Moffatt, George Jones, Michael Martin Murphey, and Hank Williams Jr ~ Betts passed away in 2024
December 12, 1943 ~ Smooth jazz, jazz-pop saxophonist Grover Washington Jr born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Considered one of the founders of smooth jazz. Known for songs such as Mr Magic, Reed Seed and Black Frost. Especially known for a number of collaborations including duetting with Patti LaBelle on The Best Is Yet To Come, with Phyllis Hyman on A Sacred Kind Of Love, and with Bill Withers on Just The Two Of Us ~ Washington passed away in 1999
December 12, 1940 ~ Singer Dionne Warwick born in East Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of the Sweet Inspirations. As a solo artist debuted in 1962 with the single Don't Make Me Over. Over the course of her career Warwick would sell over 75 million singles, over 25 million albums. Known for songs such as Anyone Who Had A Heart, Do You Know The Way To San Jose, Walk On By, Message To Michael, I Say A Little Prayer, and This Girl's In Love With YouDecember 12, 1939 ~ Singer Steve Trott born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of the Highwaymen, influential on the early 1960s folk scene. The band is best known for songs such as All My Trials, Big Rock Candy Mountain and Cotton Fields
December 12, 1939 ~ Folk rock, sunshine pop percussionist, singer, songwriter Terry Kirkman, full name Terry Robert Kirkman, born in Salina, Kansas, USA ~ Co-founding member, percussionist, singer of the Association, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums and performed at the Monterey International Pop Festival held in Monterey, California, in 1967. Kirkman wrote several of the band's best known including Enter The Young, Everything That Touches You, and perhaps their best known Cherish, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. The latter would be covered by over 40 artists including the Lettermen, the Four Tops, Petula Clark, Nina Simone, and Jodeci. Kirkman departed the band in late 1972, and rejoined by the late 1970s. Growing tired of touring Kirkman retired from music by the mid-1980s to work as an addictions counselor ~ Kirkman passed away in 2023December 12, 1938 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records My Melancholy Baby ~ Written by by Ernie Burnett, Maybelle Watson, George A Norton, published in 1912. First recorded by Walter Scanlan. Recorded by hundreds of artists. Bing Crosby's 1938 recording would reach top 20 on the pop charts. He would again sing it for the 1941 film The Birth Of The Blues. Burnett, who composed the music, suffered memory loss after being injured in battle. While recovering a pianist entertained the patients. When he played Melancholy Baby Burnett regained his memory, reclaiming “that's my song.”
December 12, 1938 ~ Experimental composer Michael Parsons, full name Michael Edward Parsons, born in Bolton, UK ~ Influenced by Anton Webern, John Cage, Morton Feldman, Christian Wolff. Co-founded the Scratch Orchestra, which disbanded in 1970 partly due to politization with Parsons among the members who refused to be associated with Cornelius Cardew's Maoist politics. Parsons would continue to collaborate with bandmate Howard Skempton
December 12, 1937 ~ Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, commonly known as pop, traditional pop, vocal jazz, rock & roll, country pop singer Connie Francis, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Popular 1950s, 1960s pop singer known for songs such as Who's Sorry Now, My Happiness, Lipstick On Your Collar, My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own, Where The Boys Are, Don't Break The Heart That Loves You, and others. In the 1980s, Francis was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to head a task force on violent crime. The singer also served as a spokeswoman for Mental Health America's trauma campaign and was involved with USO and UNICEF ~ Franconero passed away in 2025December 12, 1936 ~ Guitarist Reggie Young born in Caruthersville, Missouri, USA ~ Session man for artists including Elvis Presley, BJ Thomas, the Memphis Boys, John Prine, JJ Cale, Willie Nelson, the Box Tops, Jerry Lee Lewis, and George Strait ~ Young passed away in 2019
December 12, 1935 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist Juhani Aaltonen born in Kouvola, Finland ~ Worked with Heikki Rosendahl, Edward Vesala, Eero Koivistoinen, Tassavallan Presidentti, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Heikki Sarmanto, the New Music Orchesta, the Nordic All-Stars, Arild Andersen, Peter Brötzmann, the UFO Big Band, Jan Garbarek, Charlie Mariano, Olli Ahvenlahti, Heikki Virtanen, and Reino Laine
December 12, 1929 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader, composer Toshiko Akiyoshi born in Liaoyang, China ~ During a 1952 Japan tour pianist Oscar Peterson discovered her playing in a club. Impressed he convinced producer Norman Granz to record her. And so he did. The album Toshiko's Piano, featuring Peterson's rhythm section consisting of guitarist Herb Ellis, double bassist Ray Brown and drummer JC Heard, was released in 1953. Akiyoshi went on to study at Berklee College of Music. Married saxophonist Charlie Mariano with whom she has a daughter, later married Lew Tabackin. Akiyoshi continues to perform and record to this day to critical acclaim and commercial success.
December 12, 1925 ~ Michael Marmarosa, commonly known as jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger Dodo Marmarosa, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the mid 1940s. Started in big bands orchestras under the direction of leaders such as Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, and Artie Shaw. Recorded with smaller groups in the bebop and swing idioms, including with artists such as Howard McGhee, Charlie Parker, and with Lester Young. Led his own bands. By the end of the 1940s Marmarosa had mostly dropped out of the music business due to health reasons. He would however record and perform sporadically throughout the early 1970s ~ Marmarosa passed away in 2002December 12, 1925 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Obadiah Carter, full name Obadiah Hawthorne Carter, born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA ~ Best known as member of the 5 Royales, originating from gospel quintet the Royal Sons. The band changed both their name and music, moving from gospel to secular R&B, and found succes with songs such as You Know I Know and Courage To Love ~ Carter passed away in 1994
December 12, 1918 ~ Joe Goreed, commonly known as jazz, blues singer Joe Williams, born in Cordele, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his association with Count Basie, staying with Basie for most of the 1950s including on songs such as Everyday I Have The Blues and Alright Okay You Win. Williams has also worked with Lionel Hampton, Jimmie Noone, Les Hite, Coleman Hawkins, Red Saunders, Harry Sweets Edison, Junior Mance, Cannonball Adderley, Clark Terry, Thad Jones, Norman Simmons, and Henry Johnson ~ Goreed passed away in 1999