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 18, 1944 ~ Roger Arnold Leonard, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Deke Leonard, born in Llanelli, UK ~ Took his stage name from Deke Rivers, the character played by Elvis Presley in his 1957 Loving You film. Member of the Bystanders. Joined and left progressive rock group Man several times. Formed, fronted, disbanded, reformed his own Iceberg several times ~ Leonard passed away in 2017
December 18, 1943 ~ Saxophonist Bobby Keys, full name Robert Henry Keys, born in Slaton, Texas, USA ~ In-demand touring and session musician. Longtime associate of the Rolling Stones noted for his saxophone solo on the 1971 Stones hit Brown Sugar. Also present on albums such as Let It Bleed, Exile On Main St, Goat's Head Soup, Emotional Rescue, and No Security. Involved with several Stones side projects and solo albums, notably Keith Richards's, including with the New Barbarians and the X-Pensive Winos. Has also worked with Delaney & Bonnie, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, BB King, Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Chuck Berry, Dr John, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and John Hiatt ~ Keys passed away in 2014December 18, 1943 ~ Vaudeville singer, dancer, songwriter George A Whiting passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ As a performer, Whiting toured with singer Sadie Burt, whom he later married. However, Whiting would become best known for co-writing My Blue Heaven with Walter Donaldson. It would be a huge hit for Gene Austin in 1928, selling over 5 million copies, and become a standard recorded by hundreds of artists including Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Fats Domino, the Platters, Marlene Dietrich, Cliff Richard, Pat Boone, and Lena Horne. Other well known songs co-written by Whiting include I'll Be Blue Just Thinking Of You (From Now On) first recorded by Isham Jones, Believe It (Beloved) recorded by Fats Waller, and Who Told You I Cared recorded by Sammy Kaye ~ Whiting was born in 1884
December 18, 1943 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Joseph McCarthy, full name Thomas Joseph McCarthy, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It) with songwriter James Monaco, performed originally by Al Jolson in 1913 and recorded by numerous artists including Doris Day, Perry Como, Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin, and Patsy Cline. McCarthy also frequently collaborated with composers such as Harry Tierney, Fred Fisher, and Cy Coleman, and served as director of ASCAP from 1921 to 1929 ~ McCarthy was born in 1885
December 18, 1943 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Keith Richards born in Dartford, UK ~ Longtime member, guitarist and along with Mick Jagger primary songwriter of the Rolling Stones. Also active in several side-projects, notably the X-Pensive Winos and the New Barbarians. In-demand collaborator, has worked with the Beatles, Ronnie Wood, Tom Waits (Rain Dogs), Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, George Jones, Hubert Sumlin, Toots Hibbert, Gram Parsons, and Jack White
December 18, 1941 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, classical trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, full name Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith, born in Leland, Mississippi, USA ~ Leader and sideman. As a leader or co-leader recorded extensively since the early 1970s with well over 50 albums to his name, especially acclaimed for the albums Mass On The World, Go In Numbers, Procession Of The Great Ancestry, Prataxis, and Luminous Axis. Closely associated with Anthony Braxton, Derek Bailey, Henry Kaiser, Jack DeJohnette, Matthew Shipp, and John ZornDecember 18, 1940 ~ Violinist, composer John Dunn passed away in Harrogate, UK ~ Gave his first public performance at age 9. Considered the premier British violinist of his day, especially acclaimed for his interpretation of works by Niccolò Paganini. Also known for premiering Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in the UK in 1902. ~ Dunn was born in 1866
December 18, 1937 ~ Songwriter Joel Hirschhorn born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with songwriting partner Al Kasha, with whom he won an Academy Award for Best Original Song twice, namely with The Morning After from The Poseidon Adventure in 1972 and We May Never Love Like This Again from The Towering Inferno in 1975. Has also written for artists such Elvis Presley (Your Time Hasn't Come Yet Baby), Roy Orbison, and Helen Reddy (Candle On The Water) ~ Hirschhorn passed away in 2005
December 18, 1936 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Dale McBride born in Lampasas, Texas, USA ~ Played rockabilly in the 1950s, to venture into country by the 1960s. Discovered by Dean Martin, who helped him land a record deal with Reprise Records, though initially to little success as the label was not focused on country music. McBride found moderate success from the mid 1970s onwards, with singles such as Ordinary Man, Always Lovin' Her Man, and I Don't Like Cheatin' Songs reaching the top 50 on the Billboard Country charts. McBride's son, bassist and singer Terry McBride, started in his father's backing band, and would later front 1990s country unit McBride & the Ride, and write for Brooks & Dunn ~ McBride passed away in 1992
December 18, 1934 ~ James Mavin Parker, commonly known as composer Jim Parker, born in Hartlepool, UK ~ Member of the Barrow Poets. Rose to fame with a series of 1970s recordings of John Betjeman poems set to music, notably Banana Blush and Sir John Betjeman's Britain. Prolific film and TV composer, credits including Midsomer Murders, Foyles War, To Play The King, and The Final Cut. Concert works written by Parker have been performed by the Nash Ensemble, the Hilliard Ensemble, and the Albion Ensemble ~ Parker passed away in 2023
December 18, 1933 ~ Lee Baker Jr, commonly known as guitarist, singer Lonnie Brooks, born in Dubhuisson, Louisiana, USA ~ Inspired to pursue a career in music after hearing the sounds of Clarence Gatemouth Brown, T-Bone Walker, and BB King. Critically described as “the embodiment of a good-time bluesman” by the New York Times, while Rolling Stone once stated “his music is witty, soulful and ferociosuly energetic, brimming with novel harmonic turnaround, committed vocals and simply astonishing guitar work”. Backed Clifton Chenier early on in his career. Enjoyed regional popularity in the South in the 1950s, before relocating to Chicago where he became a fixture known for his charisma, showmanship and distinctive hybrid of Louisiana and Chicago blues. Brooks would gain wider attention after being picked up by the Alligator Records label in the 1970s, and is especially acclaimed for his Bayou Lightning album released in 1979. His sons Ronnie Baker Brooks and Wayne Baker Brooks are both also professional blues singers ~ Brooks passed away in 2017
December 18, 1931 ~ Music agent, label executive Allen Klein born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Became one of the most powerful individuals of his day in the music industry. Started representing 1950s rockabilly artists such as Buddy Knox and Jimmy Bowen. Would go on to negotiate contracts for Sam Cooke, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Also worked with Ersel Hickey, Dimitri Tiomkin, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gormé, Lloyd Price, Neil Sedaka, Bobby Darin, the Animals, Herman's Hermits, the Kinks, Lulu, Donovan, Pete Townshend, and Phil Spector ~ Klein passed away in 2009
December 18, 1930 ~ Operatic baritone singer Barry McDaniel born in Lyndon, Kansas, USA ~ American opera singer spent his career almost excusively in Germany, notable well over three decades at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Has also worked with the Staatsoper Stuttgart, the Staatstheater Karlsruhe, and the Staatsoper Mainz ~ McDaniel passed away in 2018December 18, 1929 ~ Jazz drummer Nick Stabulas born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked extensively as a sideman starting in the mid 1950s including with Phil Woods, Jon Eardley, Jimmy Raney, Eddie Costa, Friedrich Gulda, George Wallington, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Gil Evans, Mose Allison, Carmen McRae, Don Elliott, Chet Baker, Kenny Drew, Bill Evans, Lee Konitz, and with Lennie Tristano ~ Stabulas passed away in 1973
December 18, 1928 ~ Musical theatre, jazz, funk, classical, film composer Galt MacDermot, full name Arthur Terence Galt MacDermot, born in Montreal, Canada ~ Wrote African Waltz, an unexpected hit for Cannonball Adderley in 1960 earning MacDermot a Grammy Award. Perhaps best known for writing the music for the 1967 rock musical Hair, which spawned the hits Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In, Good Morning Starshine and the title track Hair. Earned a Tony Award for Best Musical for his Two Gentlemen Of Verona, premiered in 1971. Composed the soundtracks for Cotton Comes To Harlem, and Rhinoceros. Formed the New Pulse Jazz Band in 1979, a jazz band noted for their use of the synthesizer ~ MacDermot passed away in 2018
December 18, 1928 ~ Hard bop, post bop saxophonist Harold Land, full name Harold De Vance Land, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by John Coltrane. Worked with Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Curtis Counce, Bobby Hutcherson, Blue Mitchell, Red Mitchell, Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, Billy Higgins, Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Bond, Roy Ayers, Dolo Coker, Victor Feldman, Herb Geller, Chico Hamilton, Hampton Hawes, Al Hibbler, Elmo Hope, Freddie Hubbard, Carmell Jones, Thelonious Monk, Donald Byrd, Dinah Washington, and Gerald Wilson ~ Land passed away in 2001December 18, 1927 ~ Singer, songwriter Fred Tomlinson born in Lancashire, UK ~ Best known for his association with Monty Python, writing and singing, along with his backing unit the Fred Tomlinson Singers, several of their songs including The Lumberjack Song and Spam ~ Tomlinson passed away in 2016
December 18, 1922 ~ Clarence Horatius Miller, commonly known as jazz, blues singer, bassist Big Miller, born in Sioux City, Iowa, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Jay McShann, Fletcher Henderson, the Five Pennies, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hendricks, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Tommy Banks, and Rex Stewart ~ Miller passed away in 1992December 18, 1920 ~ Edmond Bacri, commonly known as songwriter Eddy Marnay, born in Algiers, Algeria ~ Reportedly wrote more than 4,000 songs during his lifetime. Artists who have recorded his songs include Edith Piaf, Frida Boccara (Un Jour Un Enfant), and Céline Dion ~ Bacri passed away in 2003
December 18, 1919 ~ Jazz guitarist Barry Galbraith, full name Joseph Barry Galbraith, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Recorded a handful of albums as a leader, notably The Rhythm Section released in 1956. Had worked with the likes of Babe Russin, Art Tatum, and Claude Thornhill prior to a stint in the US Army. Best known as an in-demand session musician, mostly active during the 1950s and 1960s appearing on albums by Joe Puma, Milt Hinton (Basses Loaded), Charlie Shavers, Don Elliott, Clark Terry, Tito Puente, Joe Newman, Dinah Washington (The Swingin' Miss D), Mildred Bailey, George Russell (The Jazz Workshop), Coleman Hawkins (The Hawk Flies High), Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday (Lady In Satin), Creed Taylor, Urbie Green, Jack Teagarden (Think Well Of Me), Sheila Jordan (Portrait Of Sheila), Stanley Turrentine, Sarah Vaughan, Illinois Jacquet, John Lee Hooker, and Manny Albam ~ Galbraith passed away in 1983
December 18, 1917 ~ Edward L Vinson Jr, commonly known as jump blues, R&B, bebop saxophonist Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. As a leader known for Old Maid Boogie and Kidney Stew Blues. Worked with Milt Larkin, Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, Tom Archia, Big Bill Broonzy, Cootie Williams, John Coltrane, Jay McShann, Johnny Otis, Paul Quinichette, Cannonball Adderley, Mike Bloomfield, Joe Pass, Buddy Tate, Roomful Of Blues, and Harry Sweets Edison ~ Vinson passed away in 1988
December 18, 1916 ~ Actress, dancer, singer Betty Grable, full name Elizabeth Ruth Grable, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Child actress starting her film career at age 12. Came to prominence in the 1939 Broadway musical Du Barry Was A Lady. Made her major Hollywood film debut debut replacing Alice Faye in Down Argentine Way the following year and would go on to become become one of the biggest stars of the decade, starring in over 40 films ~ Grable passed away in 1973December 18, 1907 ~ Jazz guitarist Lawrence Lucie born in Emporia, Virginia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Lucky Millinder, Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong, Red Allen, Putney Dandridge, Billie Holiday, Spike Hughes, Jelly Roll Morton, Big Joe Turner, Teddy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, Spike Hughes, and Marion Williams ~ Lucie passed away in 2009
December 18, 1906 ~ Jeanette Salvant, commonly known as pianist Jeanette Kimball, born in Pass Christian, Mississippi, USA ~ Classically trained jazz pianist, with a career spanning seven decades starting in her teens. Took up the piano at age 7, was playing professionally by her mid-teens, initially in classical string ensembles. Well known for her association with Papa Celestin, backing Celestin for about a decade starting in 1926 as a member of the trumpeter's backing unit the Original Tuxedo Orchestra. Kimball married her bandmate banjoist, guitarist Narvin Kimball. After divorcing Narvin, she restarted her career in the mid 1940s. Notable associations include Buddy Charles, Herb Leary, Sidney Desvigne, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Alvin Alcorn, Paul Barbarin, Punch Miller, and Johnny St Cyr ~ Salvant passed away in 2001
December 18, 1904 ~ Country singer, guitarist, yodeller, songwriter Wilf Carter, full name Wilfred Arthur Charles Carter, nicknamed Montana Slim, born in Port Hilford, Canada ~ Regarded as the father of Canadian country music. Inspired future country musician with a simple, honest sound. Active since the early 1930s. Injured his back in a 1940 car crash and would be unable to perform for much of the decade, but would continue to record periodically ~ Carter passed away in 1996