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 16, 1959 ~ Jazz, rock, blues, pop violinist, guitarist Graham Clark, full name Graham Leslie Lionel Clark, born ~ Closely associated with Daevid Allen, working on several projects from the late 1980 through the 2010s. Has also worked with Andy Sheppard, Keith Tippett, Gong, Jah Wobble, and Liz Fletcher
December 16, 1959 ~ Drummer Stephen Irvine born in UK ~ Member of Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, known for mid-1980s songs such as Rattlesnakes and Lost Weekend. After the band disbanded in 1989 Irvine would go on to work with artists such as Del Amitri, Étienne Daho, Sarah Cracknell, and Bloomsday
December 16, 1955 ~ Guitarist Bruce Cameron born ~ Known for his sole album, 1999's Midnight Daydream, featuring appearances by a host of noted rock musicians including Jack Bruce, Mitch Mitchell, Neal Smith, Michael Bruce, and Billy Cox ~ Cameron passed away in 1999
December 16, 1954 ~ Bassist Joe Fonda born in Amsterdam, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Wadada Leo Smith, Anthony Braxton, the Fonda-Stevens Group, the Nu-Band, Barry Altschul, Fab Trio, the Michael Musillami Trio, Satoko Fujii, Remi Alvarez, Karl Berger, Roy Campbell Jr, Charlie Mariano, Conference Call, Archie Shepp, and Mark Whitecage
December 16, 1954 ~ Lena Corinne Taylor, commonly known as singer, guitarist, actress, songwriter Lee Morse, passed away in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Enjoyed her peak as torch singer in the 1920s and early 1930s. Recorded over 200 songs over the course of her career. Best known for songs such as Telling Eyes, Those Daisy Days, An Old-Fashioned Love, Blue Waltz, Shadows On The Wall, Deep Wide Ocean Blues, A Little Love, and Daddy's Girl ~ Taylor was born in 1897
December 16, 1954 ~ Ivana Spagna., commonly known as club, dance, dance-pop singer Spagna, born in Veleggio sul Mincio, Italy ~ Rose to fame with mid to late 1980s dance-pop hits such as Easy Lady, Call Me, Why Me and Every Girl And By. Has also recorded songs by songwriters such as Diane Warren (There's A Love) and Elton John (Il Cercio Della Vita (Circle Of Life)). Had artists such as Brian Auger, Eumir Deodato, Dominic Miller, Lou Marini, Gregg Kofi Brown, Fabrizio Bosso, and Ronnie Jones guest on her albumsDecember 16, 1954 ~ Pianist, singer, songwriter Will Donaldson, full name William John Donaldson, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Married to pianist, organist, songwriter Muriel Pollock. As a songwriter perhaps best known for Oh Sister Ain't That Hot, recorded originally by Gene Rodemich in 1923 and later covered by the Original Memphis Five, Jimmie Noone, Eddie Condon, and Fats Waller ~ Donaldson was born in 1891
December 16, 1953 ~ Jazz clarinetist Allan Vaché born in Rahway, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton, Pete Fountain, Clark Terry, Benny Carter, Milt Hinton, Bob Haggart, Yank Lawson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Gene Krupa, Jake Hanna, Scott Hamilton, Herb Ellis, Bonnie Raitt, and Leon Redbone
December 16, 1952 ~ Punk, rock guitarist Alex Fergusson born in Glasgow, UK ~ Member of the Nobodies. Formed punk band Alternative TV with Mark Perry in 1977. Subsequently a member of Psychic TV from 1981 through 1987. Has also served as producer for Orange Juice, the Go-Betweens, Dorothy Max Prior, and Gaye Bykers On Acid
December 16, 1951 ~ Daniel GP Middlebrook, commonly known as blues, gospel singer, guitarist Danny Brooks born in Toronto, Canada ~ Actively recording both as a member of several as bands and as a solo artist since the early 1970s. Plays in a wide variety of styles including blues, R&B, country and gospel. Has collaborated with the Mighty Jeremiahs, the Taildraggers, and Garth Hudson
December 16, 1951 ~ Folk rock, CCM singer, guitarist Mark Heard, full name John Mark Heard III, born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Acknowledged as a poetic songwriter displaying an honesty to the human condition uncommon in CCM, Heard has recorded over half a dozen albums prior to his death at age 40, following a heart attack on stage. Especially acclaimed for his 1982 Victims Of The Age album and Dry Bones Dance released eight years later. A valued sideman, collaborator, and occasional producer, Heard is also present on albums by Larry Norman, Phil Keaggy, Olivia Newton-John, Randy Stonehill (Return To Paradise), and Pierce Pettis ~ Heard passed away in 1992December 16, 1949 ~ James Joshua Whiting, commonly known as blues harpist Sugar Blue, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for guesting on several of the Rolling Stones's tracks including Miss You, Some Girls, Send It To Me, Down In The Hole. Released his solo debut album, Crossroads, in 1979. Has worked with Louisiana Red, Mike Zwerin, Willie Dixon, and Brownie McGhee
December 16, 1946 ~ Keyboardist, singer, producer Benny Anderson, full name Göran Bror Benny Andersson, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter of ABBA, rising to international stardom with their 1974 Eurovision Songfestival winner Waterloo. Would go on to become the most successful act in Eurovision history scoring international hits well into the 1980s with songs such as SOS, Mamma Mia, Fernando, Dancing Queen, Take A Chance On Me and Thank You For The Music
December 16, 1945 ~ Evelyne Verrechia, commonly known as singer Evelyne Lenton, born in Angers, France ~ Rose to fame as lead singer and sole constant member of Paris-based female vocal trio Belle Epoque, with whom she recorded three albums. The trio are best known for their disco version of Black Is Black, lifted off their 1977 Miss Broadway debut album. Originally the song had been a hit for Spanish outfit Los Bravos a little over a decade earlier, which reached top 10 in over a dozen countries including the UK and America. At least in Europe, Belle Epoque's cover version, their biggest hit, would do equally well and reach top 10 in the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, and the UK. The song would also top the charts in Australia. In their native France, Belle Epoque's hit would fall just short of the top 10, peaking at No.11. In America, the trio enjoyed considerably less success, their sole charting single Miss Broadway only barely making it to the Billboard Hot 100 where it stalled at No.92. Prior to her success with Belle Epoque, Lenton had recorded as a solo artist under the moniker Evy. Lenton's baby brother is keyboardist, songwriter and producer Albert Verrecchia ~ Verrecchia passed away in 2026
December 16, 1945 ~ Guitarist, banjoist, sitarist, mandolinist, singer Tony Hicks, full name Anthony Christopher Hicks, born in Nelson, UK ~ Lead guitarist, constant member of the Hollies, known for a string of 1960s UK hits including the top 10 singles Just One Look, Here I Go Again, I'm Alive, Look Through Any Window, I Can't Let Go, and On A Carousel. The singles Bus Stop, Stop Stop Stop, and Carrie Anne would also reach top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
December 16, 1945 ~ Zelimir Bebek, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, bassist, mandolinist Zeljko Bebek, born in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia ~ Lead singer of rock group Bijelo Dugme from 1974 through 1984. Has previously recorded with Kodeski and Jutro. As a solo artist has over a dozen albums to his name, his biggest solo hit being 2019's Dunavom
December 16, 1944 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, free jazz guitarist John Abercrombie, full name John Laird Abercrombie, born in Portchester, New York, USA ~ Became an in-demand session musician starting in the late 1960s with artists such as Gato Barbieri, Barry Miles, Gil Evans, the Brecker Brothers, Billy Cobham, Dreams. Closely associated with Jack DeJohnette. Over 50 albums to his name as leader or co-leader including 1976's Gateway and 1979's Abercrombie Quartet. Has worked with Jan Hammer, Ralph Towner, Richie Beirach, George Mraz, John Scofield, Tal Farlow, Vince Mendoza, Arild Andersen, Adam Nussbaum, Kenny Wheeler, Peter Erskine, John Patitucci, Marc Copland, Joe Beck, Robert Balzar, Franco Ambrosetti, Rudy Linka, Enrico Rava, Dr Lonnie Smith, Jan Garbarek, and Bob Mintzer ~ Abercrombie passed away in 2017
December 16, 1939 ~ Banjoist, fiddler, mandolinist Barney McKenna, full name Bernard Noel McKenna, born in Donnycarny, Ireland ~ Co-founding member of the Dubliners, one of the most beloved Irish groups enjoying international popularity over a career spanning over five decades. Infusing traditional folk with a rock & roll feel, they are best known for songs such as Seven Drunken Nights, Hand Me Down My Bible and Free The People. McKenna has also guested on recordings by Elvis Costello, the Chieftains, Christy Moore (Whatever Tickles Your Fancy), Melody Gardot, and Damien Dempsey ~ McKenna passed away in 2012
December 16, 1937 ~ Country singer, guitarist Jim Glaser, full name James William Glaser, born in Spalding, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Glaser Brothers, known for songs such as California Girl (And The Tennessee Square), Rings, Ain't It All Worth Living For, and Lovin' Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again), all of which reached top 20 Billboard Country top 20. Glaser has also recorded a handful of solo albums, his most successful being his Man In The Mirror 1983 debut album which spawned the Billboard Country charttopper You're Gettin' To Me Again. Glaser was also the first to record Who Were You Thinkin' Of in 1979, notably covered by the Sir Douglas Quintet, the Texas Tornados, and Billy Bacon & the Forbidden Pigs ~ Glaser passed away in 2019
December 16, 1937 ~ Joseph Carl Firrantello, commonly known as jazz, jazz funk, fusion, hard bop saxophonist, oboist, flutist, hornist Joe Farrell, born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, including the highly acclaimed Outback released in 1972. Member of Chick Corea's pioneering jazz-fusion outfit Return To Forever. To pop and rock audiences perhaps best known for guesting on tracks such as Aretha Franklin's Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do), and Santana's When I Look Into Your Eyes. Other notable credits include work with Stan Getz, Dizzy Reece (Asia Minor), Willie Bobo, Jaki Byard, Stanley Turrentine, Pearls Before Swine, Andrew Hill, Elvin Jones, Janis Ian (Who Really Cares), Hermeto Pascoal, Roberta Flack (Quiet Fire), James Brown, Hall & Oates, the Bee Gees, George Benson (Good King Bad), and Maynard Ferguson ~ Firrantello passed away in 1986
December 16, 1933 ~ John Robert Smith, commonly known as hard bop, soul jazz organist Johnny Hammond Smith, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Active since the late 1950s. Renowned on the Hammond B-3 organ, earning him the nickname Hammond. As a leader best known for his 1971 Breakout album, and for collaborating with the Mizell Brothers on the mid 1970s albums Gambler's Life and Gears. In-demand collaborator, appearing on albums by Gene Ammons, Oliver Nelson, Byrdie Green, Freddie Hubbard (Red Clay), Billy Butler, Stanley Turrentine (Don't Mess With Mr T), and the CTI All-Stars ~ Smith passed away in 1997December 16, 1933 ~ Jazz guitarist Ron Anthony born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Joe Negri. Best known for his association with George Shearing. Has also worked with Tex Beneke, Les Brown, Stan Kenton, Vic Damone, Bob Hope, and extensively with Frank Sinatra from the 1980s until Sinatra's death in 1998 ~ Anthony passed away in 2021
December 16, 1931 ~ Producer, label executive Shelby Singleton born in Waskom, Texas, USA ~ Producer at Mercury Records incremental to the careers of Leroy Van Dyke, Ray Stevens, Joe Dowell, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roger Miller, Charlie Rich, Dave Dudley, and Brook Benton. Started his own label by the early 1960s, scoring with hits such as Hey Paul Hey Paula by Paul & Paula and Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C Riley. Bought Sun Records in 1969 ~ Singleton passed away in 2009December 16, 1930 ~ Jazz flutist, clarinetist, saxophonist Sam Most, full name Samuel Most, born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Tommy Dorsey, Shep Fields, Boyd Raeburn, Don Redman, his brother Abe Most, Chris Connor, Paul Quinichette, Teddy Wilson, Louie Bellson, Clare Fischer, Stan Kenton, and Lalo Schifrin ~ Most passed away in 2013
December 16, 1923 ~ Pianist Menahem Pressler born in Magenburg, Germany ~ Fled Nazi Germany with his family after Kristallnacht. Best known as longtime member of the Beaux Arts Trio, the only member to play with the trio throughout its entire existence. The trio is acknowledged for its precise playing, and is one of the longest-running chamber music trios performing and recording for over six decades starting in the mid 1950s. The trio's repertoire includes the standard piano works ranging from Maurice Ravel and Gabriel Fauré to Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Pressler passed away in 2023