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 25, 1973 ~ Alternative rock drummer, singer Dalia Shusterman, full name Dalia Garih Shusterman, born in Montreal, Canada ~ Best known as member of psychedelic rock band Hopewell, known for their 1998 Contact and its acclaimed 1999 follow-up The Curved Glass. Following the band's dissolution in 2001 retired from music, focusing on her marriage and family life. Reemerged after the death of her husband, forming the alternative rock group Bulletproof Stockings. Formed jazz, klezmer group the New Moon All-Stars Party Band in 2017 with Bulletproof bandmate Dana Pestun
December 25, 1972 ~ Wilbur Odell Bascomb, commonly known as trumpeter Dud Bascomb, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Erskine Hawkins. Has also worked with Duke Ellington, Lou Donaldson, Buddy Tate, James Brown (including on the 1969 Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud album), and Freddie McCoy ~ Bascomb was born in 1916December 25, 1972 ~ Christian rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Mac Powell, full name Johnny Mac Powell, born in Clanton, USA ~ Best known for founding Christian rock outfit Third Day with Mark Lee. Has also recorded as a solo artist and is an in-demand collaborator working with artists such as Carolyn Arends, Jennifer Knapp, Fernando Ortega, Max Lucado, Jeff Deyo, Randy Travis, Michael W Smith, Jason Wade, Brooks & Dunn, and Andy Mineo
December 25, 1971 ~ Dido Florian Cloud de Bounvialle O'Malley Armstrong, commonly known as singer, songwriter Dido, born in Kensington, UK ~ Plays piano, guitar and percussion. Gained immediate international succes with her 1999 debut album No Angel, spawning the hit singles Here With Me and Thank You. Along with her sophomore album, 2003's Life For Rent, it ranks among the best-selling albums in UK chart history
December 25, 1971 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, Brand New Key by Melanie hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 for the first of three consecutive weeks ~ Also known as “the Rollerskate song” due to its chorus, the self-penned Brand New Key would be the folk, folk-pop singer's biggest hit, reaching top 10 in over half a dozen countries, and her sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. The “key” Melanie sings about is a skate key, an adjustment tool to fit roller skates, at the time metal contraceptions, to the foot. After she wrote the song, she figured it would make a nice interlude on her album, a lighthearted novelty between her more earnest material. Husband and producer Peter Schekeryk had other ideas though, and put doo-wop backing vocals on the track, making it super catchy. The singer would later comment: “I'm sure if Brand New Key had lived its life before my husband recorded it, it would have come out as a blues, swampy thing and nobody would have ever heard it. That would have been that. But he'd say, ‘Melanie, that's a hit.’ I'd say, ‘No, it can't be.’”December 25, 1971 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Noel Hogan born in Limerick, Ireland ~ Founding member, lead guitarist of the Cranberries, known for mid 1990s hits such as Linger, Salvation and their best known Zombie, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native Ireland
December 25, 1971 ~ Keyboardist, producer, songwriter Tjeerd Oosterhuis born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Formed the core of Total Touch, along with his sister lead singer Trijntje Oosterhuis, known for 1990s hits such as Touch Me There and Somebody Else's Lover. Would venture into producing and songwriting working with artists such as Candy Dulfer, Mathilde Santing, K-otic, Gordon, Re-play, Di-rect, Alain Clark, Petra Berger, Hind, Doe Maar singer Henny Vrienten, Gerard Joling, Madcon (Freaky Like Me), his wife Edsilia Rombley (On Top Of The World), Glennis Grace, Berget Lewis, Kinderen Voor Kinderen and Dutch girl supergroup the Ladies Of SoulDecember 25, 1970 ~ Punk rock guitarist Ai Ishigaki born in Yokohama, Japan ~ Started as a roadie joining punk rockers the Mad Capsule Markets as full-time guitarist in 1990, first appearing on the 1991 POP sophomore album. After his departure from the band in 1996 Ishigaki has recorded solo material and teamed up with the likes of Tomoyasu Hotei
December 25, 1969 ~ Andrea Rosenbaum, commonly known as singer AnNa R, born in Berlin, East Germany ~ Formed the pop duo Rosenstolz with Peter Plate, with whom she recorded a dozen albums through the early 2010s, half of which reached the top spot on the German album charts. The duo enjoyed popularity in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with singles such as Liebe Ist Alles, Ich Bin Ich (Wir Sind Wir), Ich Geh In Flammen Auf, and Gib Mir Sonne all reaching top 10 in Germany. Following the duo's hiatus, Rosenbaum would form the pop group Gleis 8, with whom she recorded the albums Bleibt Das Immer So and Endlich, both of which reached top 10 in Germany. Rosenbaum passed away unexpectedly at age 55. An oficial cause of death was not disclosed, however, it was communicated that a crime or suicide had been ruled out ~ Rosenbaum passed away in 2025
December 25, 1967 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, lo-fi, hardcore punk drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Eric Gaffney born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-founding member of Grey Matter. Joined No Preservatives as lead singer in 1984. Co-founded the Gracefully Aging Hippy Soloists with Charlie Ondras. Perhaps best known as co-founding member indie rock band Sebadoh, known for songs such as Ocean and Flame, remaining with the band through 2008
December 25, 1967 ~ Bassist Jason Thirsk, full name Jason Matthew Thirsk, born in California, USA ~ Founding member of punk rock outfit Pennywise, remaining with the band from its inception in 1988 until his death by suicide in 1996. Present on the band's 1995 breakthrough About Time album. The band recruited One Hit Wonder bassist Randy Bradbury and continue to record. Their next album, 1997's Full Circle, would be dedicated to Thirsk and contain several songs carrying an anti-suicide message ~ Thirsk passed away in 1996
December 25, 1965 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, Over And Over by the Dave Clark Five hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Robert James Byrd and first recorded in 1958 by Bobby Day, who featured the song as the flip side to Rockin' Robin. The most successful version, however, was recorded in 1965 by British beat group the Dave Clark Five, the single at the time described by Cashbox as a “lively, hard-driving rendition (with) a danceable, pulsating beat”. Despite the song's popularity in both America and across Europe, the single would fail to make to top 40 in the band's native UK, where it stalled at No.45. The band was one of the most successful British Invasion acts in America, charting well over a dozen top 40 hits including several that did not chart as highly in their native UK, where they were best known for their 1964 Glad All Over charttopper. The band continued to record throughout the remainder of the decade, and disbanded in 1970
December 25, 1965 ~ Jazz flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with the True Color Big Band, the New Voice Jazz Sextet, Mark Gross, Antonio Hart, Peter Herbert, Hans Schuman, Art Farmer, Larry Coryell, Nathan Davis, Amina Figarova, Tommy Flanagan, Wycliffe Gordon, Larry Grenadier, John Handy, Billy Higgins, Red Holloway, Denise Jannah, James Moody, Tony Reedus, Martha Reeves, Sam Rivers, Max Roach, Dennis Rowland, the Rosenberg Trio, Bobby Rydell, Bud Shank, Shea Marshall, Sonny Simmons, Mary Stallings, Bobby Watson, Paula West, Janice Jarrett, Dave Ellis, and Ken Schaphorst
December 25, 1964 ~ Robert Andrew Shukman, commonly known as synth-pop, indie dance, indie pop DJ, keyboardist Bob Stanley, born in Horsham, UK ~ Member of indie dance trio Saint Etienne, alongside Pete Wiggs and Sarah Cracknell, known for songs such as 7 Ways To Love, You're In A Bad Way, He's On The Phone, SylvieDecember 25, 1962 ~ Dean Eikleberry, commonly known as actor, bassist Dean Cameron, born in Morrison, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as an actor. As a musician known as a member of the Thornbirds. Also co-penned Girl From Oklahoma and Supersonic Sex Machine for Steel Panther
December 25, 1962 ~ Christian Fennesz, mononymously known as ambient, electronica, noise guitarist, composer Fennesz, born in Austria ~ Critically acclaimed for his 2001 Endless Summer album. Has collaborated with artists such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Jim O'Rourke, Ulver, David Sylvian, and King Midas Sound
December 25, 1962 ~ Singer, songwriter Francis Dunnery born in Egremont, UK ~ Fronted progressive rock outfit It Bites from 1982 to 1990, known for the UK top 10 single Calling All The Heroes. Has backed Robert Plant on tour. Recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, noted especially for Let's Go Do What Happens released in 1998. Guested on albums by the Mad Bats, Lauryn Hill (The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill), Santana, Paul Oakenfold, and the Syn
December 25, 1959 ~ Jazzz saxophonist, flutist, composer Dale Barlow born in Sydney, Australia ~ Worked with Cedar Walton, the Jazz Messengers, Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker, Gil Evans, Jackie McLean, Billy Cobham, Dizzy Gillespie, Curtis Fuller, Eddie Palmieri, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz, Helen Merrill, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, Dave Kikowski, Richie Cole, Billy Higgins, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Cindy Blackman, Ernie Watts, Eddie Henderson, Jeff Tain-Watts, Essiet Essiet, Bennie Green, Mike Nock, Bruce Cale, the Benders, Roger Frampton, Vince Jones, Margaret Urlich, Kate Ceberano, Indra Lesmana, Dwiki Dharmawan, Paul Grabowsky, Lloyd Swanton, Tony Buck, Daryl Pratt, Peter O'Mara, and Steve BrienDecember 25, 1959 ~ Violinist, pianist, accordionist, songwriter, film composer Paul Cantelon born in Glendale, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Wild Colonials. Has also worked with Yo-Yo Ma, Joe Cocker, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Clinton, Everclear, Ry Cooder, Perla Betalla, Lil Haydn, Loup Garou, and Sara Sant'Ambrogio
December 25, 1958 ~ Singer, songwriter Alannah Myles born in Toronto, Canada ~ Internationally best known for Black Velvet of her eponymous 1989 Alannah Myles debut album. The single would be a smash hit in America and throughout Europe. She would continue to have moderate success with subsequent recordings, notably 1992's Song Instead Of A Kiss, in the UK and the Netherlands but never repeated the success of Black Velvet. She would however regularly hit the Canadian charts with songs such as 1993's Sonny Say You Will and 1995's Family SecretDecember 25, 1958 ~ Music director, conductor Doc Cook passed away in Wurtsboro, New York, USA ~ Best known for leading Doc Cook's Dreamland Orchestra, which at times included musicians such as Freddie Keppard, Jimmie Noone, Johnny St Cyr, Zutty Singleton, Joe Poston, Andrew Hilaire, and Luis Russell. Also frequently collaborated with Eubie Blake, including arranging the 1952 revival of Shuffle Along musical ~ Cook was born in 1891
December 25, 1958 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Joe Jewell born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Lead guitarist for Irish rock band Aslan, enjoying success since the late 1980s. Co-wrote a vast amount of the band's best known including Crazy World, This Is, Where's The Sun, and Hurt Sometimes
December 25, 1957 ~ Percussionist, dancer, singer Dudu Ndlovu, full name Dudu Mntowaziwayo Ndlovu, born in South Africa ~ Member of Juluka. Member of Savuka. Fatally shot at age 34 while walking home. The following year Johnny Clegg and Savuka recorded their Heat Dust & Dreams album, the track The Crossing (Osiyeza) dedicated to Ndlovu ~ Ndlovu passed away in 1992
December 25, 1957 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Jan Rot born in Makassar, Indonesia ~ Member of Streetbeats. Member of Ratata. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Single released in 1982. To pop audiences perhaps best known for the singles Counting Sheep, Op Een Mooie Pinksterdag with Rick de Leeuw, and Naast Jou with Boudewijn de Groot. Earned critical acclaim and peer admiration from the 2000s onwards for Dutch translations of pop, rock songs originally by the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel and Bob Dylan, as well as translations of musicals and classical works, notably Johann Sebastian Bach's Matteus Passion ~ Rot passed away in 2022
December 25, 1957 ~ Punk rock singer Shane MacGowan, full name Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan, born in Pembury, UK ~ Lead singer of the Pogues from its inception in 1982 through 1991, rejoined in 2001. Merging the raw energy and anger of punk with Irish folk and instrumentation the band rose to fame in the 1980s, and would become especially acclaimed for the albums Rum Sodomy & The Lash and If I Should Fall From Grace With God. MacGowan was also a member of the Nipple Erectors and of the Popes, and has collaborated with Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Steve Earle, the Jesus & Mary Chain, the Dropkick Murphys, Sinéad O'Connor, and Ronnie Drew ~ MacGowan passed away in 2023