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 24, 1929 ~ Frenchie Edwards, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Stoney Edwards, born in Oklahoma, USA ~ One of the few African-American singers of significance in country music, recording about half a dozen albums through the early 1980s. Best known for first recording She's My Rock, a Billboard Country top 20 hit in 1972. The song would later be notably covered by Olivia Newton-John, Brenda Lee, and George Jones, the latter two both reaching top 10 Billboard Country surpassing the original ~ Edwards passed away in 1997
December 24, 1925 ~ Claus Johannes Frank, commonly known as pianist Claude Frank, born in Nuremberg, Germany ~ Of Jewish descent as a child fled Germany with his family, first settling in Paris and by 1940 relocating to America. Married to pianist Lilian Kallir, with whom he regularly collaborated. Also worked extensively with their daughter violinist Pamela Frank, notably recording the complete Ludwig van Beethoven sonatas for violin and piano. Member of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players. Has also worked with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Berliner Philharmoniker ~ Frank passed away in 2014
December 24, 1918 ~ Bandleader, songwriter, producer Dave Bartholomew born in Edgard, Louisiana, USA ~ Iconic New Orleans R&B all-hatter. Originally a trumpeter. Best known for his long and productive association with Fats Domino. Other artists who have collaborated with Bartholomew or recorded his songs include Papa Celestin, Jimmie Lunceford, Cosimo Matassa, Alvin Tyler, Herbert Hardesty, Clarence Hall, Frank Fields, Ernest McLean, Salvador Doucette, Earl Palmer, Lee Allen, Jewel King, Lloyd Price, Smiley Lewis, the Spiders, Chris Kenner, Earl King, Robert Parker, T-Bone Walker, Roy Brown, Frankie Ford, Shirley & Lee, Tommy Ridgley, and Faye Adams ~ Bartholomew passed away in 2019December 24, 1918 ~ Piper, flutist Willie Clancy born in Miltown, Ireland ~ Influenced by Leo Rowsome, Séamus Ennis, John Potts, Andy Conroy. Best known for a number of mid 1950s recordings, perhaps most notably The Old Bush/The Ravelled Hank Of Yarn ~ Clancy passed away in 1973
December 24, 1914 ~ Big band bandleader Ralph Marterie born in Acerra, Italy ~ His first job as a bandleader was for the US Navy during World War II. Would go on to work as bandleader with ABC Radio and regularly reach the higher echelons of the charts during the early 1950s, including a number of covers of traditional pop and rock & roll songs such as Crazy Man Crazy, Pretend, Caravan. As a composer best known for Dancing Trumpet, Dry Marterie and Carla ~ Marterie passed away in 1978December 24, 1913 ~ Myrtle Eleanor Cooper, commonly known as country singer Lulu Belle, born in Boone, North Carolina, USA ~ Formed the duo Lulu Belle & Scotty with her husband Scotty Wiseman, one of the most popular country acts of the 1930s and 1940s. The duo lovingly dubbed “the Sweethearts of Country Music” are best known for Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, written by Wiseman and recorded by well over 150 artists including Tex Ritter, Bing Crosby, Eddie Cochran, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, Patti Page, Willie Nelson, Ringo Starr, and Roger Whittaker ~ Cooper passed away in 1999
December 24, 1912 ~ Natale Codognotto, commonly known as swing singer Natalino Otto, born in Cogoleto, Italy ~ Active since the 1930s. Picked up swing and jazz influences while working the transatlantic liners. Boycotted by Italian radiostations as anything sounding foreign was banned by the fascist Italian regime, yet became one of the most popular singers of the day. Recorded over 2,000 songs over the course of his career. Best known for songs such as Ho Un Sassolino Nella Scarpa, Polvere Di Stelle, Op Op Trotta Cavallino and La Classe Deli Asini ~ Codognotto passed away in 1969December 24, 1910 ~ Dixieland, bebop trumpeter Fumio Nanri born in Osaka City, Japan ~ Enjoyed popularity in the 1930s and 1940s with his ensemble the Hot Peppers. One of the first Japanese jazz musicians to become known outside Japan. Nicknamed “the Satchmo of Japan” by Louis Armstrong ~ Nanri passed away in 1975
December 24, 1905 ~ Henri Emile Mossel, commonly known as clarinetist, saxophonist Hans Mossel, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Son of cellist Isaac Mossel and pianist Jeanette Belinfante. Worked with de Larensche Jazz Band, the Indian Jazz Band, and Marek Weber. Targeted by the Nazis Mossel passed away of starvation and exhaustion in Monowitz concentration camp, a part of Auschwitz concentration camp ~ Mossel passed away in 1944
December 24, 1898 ~ Warren Dodds, commonly known as jazz drummer Baby Dodds, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Brother of clarinetist Johnny Dodds. Regarded as one of the premier pre-big band era drummers. Influenced by Louis Cottrell Sr, Harry Zeno, Henry Martin, Tubby Hall. Worked with Bunk Johnson, Buddy Bolden, John Robichaux, Jelly Roll Morton, the Kentucky Jazz Band, Frankie Duson, Papa Celestin, Fate Marable, Louis Armstrong, Joe Oliver, Johnny St Cyr, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Pete Briggs, and Kid Ory ~ Dodds passed away in 1959