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.
March 1, 1945 ~ Country singer Arlene Harden born in England, Arkansas, USA ~ Member of sibling trio the Harden Trio, alongside her brother Bobby Harden and sister Robbie Harden. As a solo artist known for a string of mid 1960s to 1970s singles, most notably a 1970 cover of Roy Orbison's Oh Pretty Woman reworked to Lovin' Man (Oh Pretty Woman)
March 1, 1945 ~ Sven Ove Hedlund, commonly known as pop singer Svenne Hedlund, born in Solna, Sweden ~ Member of the Clifftones and perhaps most notably the Hep Stars, the latter propelling Hedlund to national fame. The band is known for 1960s hits such as Farmer John, Cadillac, Bald Headed Woman, Sunny Girl, Wedding, Consolation, and Malaika. Hedlund was married to bandmate Lotta Hedlund from 1969 through 2014, the couple also forming the musical duo Svenne & Lotta ~ Hedlund passed away in 2022
March 1, 1944 ~ Singer Michael d'Abo, full name Michael David d'Abo, born in Betchworth, UK ~ Lead singer of Manfred Mann from 1966 through 1969, present on UK top 10 hits such as Semi-detached Suburban Mr James, Ha Ha Said The Clown, and The Mighty Quinn. Wrote Handbags And Gladrags, first recorded by Chris Farlowe and notably covered by Rod Stewart. Co-wrote Build Me Up Buttercup, a hit for the Foundations. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with his eponymous d'Abo album released in 1970
March 1, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Piet Veerman born in Volendam, the Netherlands ~ Member of the Cats, known for songs such as Times Were When, Be My Day, The End Of The Show, and perhaps their best known Sure He's A Cat. Sang lead on al the band's singles since 1968. As a solo artist known for Walking Together and his biggest hit Sailing Home released in 1987
March 1, 1943 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Roger Daltrey, full name Roger Harry Daltrey, born in Hammersmith, UK ~ Lead singer of the Who, noted for songs such as My Generation, Pinball Wizard, Won't Get Fooled Again, and Baba O'Riley. Has enjoyed a parallel solo career, starting with the eponymous Daltrey released in 1973
March 1, 1941 ~ Jazz, blues drummer Michel Dennis born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France ~ Started in swing and Dixieland, backing artists such as Don Byas, Bill Coleman, Michel de Villers, Earl Hines, and Stuff Smith. After Memphis Slim relocated to Paris, Denis joined Slim's backing unit and remained with the pianist for nearly two decades including on the acclaimed Boogie Woogie album. Concurrently, Denis has served as sideman for the likes of Johnny Griffin, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Claude Guilhot, John Lee Hooker, Michel Sardaby, T-Bone Walker, and Big Joe Williams
March 1, 1940 ~ Guitarist, pianist Ralph Towner born in Chehalis, Washington, USA ~ Classically trained. Served as pianist with world music pioneer Paul Winter, prior to moving towards jazz, eventually establishing himself as one of the few jazz guitarists to focus primarily on the acoustic guitar. Recorded over two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, noted specifically for his 1975 Solstice album, demonstrating his versatility. Recorded over two dozen albums with Oregon, which he founded. An in-demand collaborator, Towner has guested on albums by Duke Pearson, Cyrus Faryar, Tim Hardin (Bird On A Wire), the Weather Report (I Sing The Body Electric), Larry Coryell, John Abercrombie, Jan Garbarek, Kenny Wheeler, Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, Norma Winstone (Somewhere Called Home), Gary Burton, Nick Brignola (Raincheck), Vince Mendoza, Gary Peacock, Pino Daniele, Robben Ford, Bill Bruford, and Trilok Gurtu ~ Towner passed away in 2026
March 1, 1930 ~ Trombonist Benny Powell, full name Benjamin Gordon Powell Jr, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Bridged swing and bebop. Playing professionally since age 14, moving on to back Lionel Hampton four years later. Well-known for his nearly decade-long stint backing Count Basie, including on albums such as April In Paris, The Atomic Mr Basie, and Chairman Of The Board. Powell, an in-demand sideman, has also appeared on albums by Randy Weston, Thad Jones (The Magnificent Thad Jones), JC Heard, Sarah Vaughan, Melba Liston, Ernestine Anderson, Ray Charles (Genius+Soul=Jazz), Al Grey, Nat Adderley, Johnny Hodges, Sammy Davis Jr, Eddie Harris, Duke Pearson (Now Hear This), Stanley Turrentine, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones, Maria Muldaur, Ry Cooder (Chicken Skin Music), Earth Wind & Fire, Zoot Sims, and Webster Lewis ~ Powell passed away in 2010
March 1, 1929 ~ Jazz double bassist Eddie Jones born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his association with Count Basie, joining the Count Basie Orchestra in 1953 and backing Basie in several ensembles through 1962. Has also worked with Dorothy Ashby, Bob Brookmeyer, Kenny Clarke, Jimmy Cleveland, Al Grey, Coleman Hawkins, Milt Jackson, Joe Newman, Paul Quinichette, Buddy Tate, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, and with the Jones Boys, the latter a one-off put together by Quincy Jones of musicians named Jones but all unrelated ~ Jones passed away in 1997
March 1, 1929 ~ Clifton Howard Vandevender, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Van Howard, born in Grady, New Mexico, USA ~ Best known for fronting Ray Price's backing unit the Cherokee Cowboys from 1954 through 1958. Also worked with Jim Reeves, Johnny & Jack, Slim Whitman, Faron Young, Webb Pierce, Red Sovine, Hank Williams, and Lefty Frizzell ~ Vandevender passed away in 2012March 1, 1928 ~ Singer Paul Robeson, backed by Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra, records Ol' Man River at Liederkranz Hall, New York, New York ~ Written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1927 musical Show Boat, introduced by Jules Bledsoe. The song would become the most famous song of the musical and remain popular to this day. Whiteman had recorded a previous version in early 1928 featuring Bing Crosby and cornetist Bix Beiderbecke. The second version, featuring Paul Robeson, sung in a dance tempo would also be a hit, and eventually be inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006
March 1, 1928 ~ Singer, producer, label exective Willie Mitchell, full name William Lawrence Mitchell, born in Ashland, Mississippi, USA ~ A popular bandleader Mitchell signed to Hi-Records as both a producer and as a recording artist best known for he 1968 single Soul Serenade. His greatest claim to fame came however by taking over the reins at the label in 1970 and establishing the “Hi Sound”. As a label executive and producer Mitchell was pivotal to the careers of OV Wright, Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, Quiet Elegance and especially Al Green. Mitchell produced or co-produced albums such as Peebles' 1974 I Can't Stand The Rain album, noted for the title track I Can't Stand The Rain and I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down, as well as just about every single one of Green's 1970s albums containing hits such as Tired Of Being Alone, Let's Stay Together, I'm Still In Love With You, and Call Me (Come Back Home) ~ Mitchell passed away in 2010
March 1, 1927 ~ Harold George Bellanfanti Jr, commonly known as singer Harry Belafonte, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Paul Robeson. Close friend and confidant of Martin Luther King Jr. Though he also sang blues, folk, pop, gospel and show tunes, Belafonte is dubbed “the King of Calypso” for his role in popularizing calypso. Critically acclaimed for the 1956 million-seller album Calypso, which spawned his biggest hit and signature song Day-O (Banana Boat Song), and his 1959 Belafonte At Carnegie Hall live album. Advocate for several political and humanitarian causes, including serving as the ACLU celebrity ambassador for juvenile justice issues. Starred in over two dozen films, notably Carmen Jones, Island In The Sun, and Odds Against Tomorrow ~ Bellanfanti passed away in 2023
March 1, 1917 ~ Jazz trumpeter, singer, bandleader Aimé Barelli born in Lantosque, France ~ Leader and sideman. Fixture on the French jazz scene from the 1940s onward, initially backing the likes of Django Reinhardt, Fred Adison, Alix Combelle, André Ekyan, Maceo Jefferson, Raymond Legrand, Hubert Rostaing, and Raymond Wraskoff. Would go to play with visiting American musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sidney Bechet, and Charlie Parker. Starting in the mid 1960s, he would lead his own ensemble in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Barelli's daughter, Minouche Barelli, would follow in her father's footsteps and become a professional singer ~ Barelli passed away in 1995March 1, 1917 ~ Clifford Gilpin Snyder, commonly known as country singer, producer, publisher, radio and TV personality Cliffie Stone, born in Stockton, California, USA ~ A&R executive for Capitol Records in the 1940s. Discovered and managed Tennessee Ernie Ford. Host several radio and TV shows. As a singer, Stone recorded about half a dozen albums and is best known for the 1955 hit The Popcorn Song ~ Snyder passed away in 1998
March 1, 1917 ~ Western swing guitarist, steel guitarist Leon McAuliffe, full name William Leon McAuliffe, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known as a member of Bob Wills' pivotal the Texas Playboys backing unit during the 1930s. Co-wrote San Antonio Rose. Also wrote Steel Guitar Rag, a hit for Robert Lee Dunn. Also worked with the Light Crust Doughboys and the Cimarron Boys ~ McAuliffe passed away in 1988
March 1, 1911 ~ Pianist, singer Walter Davis born ~ Influenced by Leroy Carr. Recorded from the early 1930s through the early 1950s. Frequently backed by Big Joe Williams on guitar. Known for songs such as Come Back Baby, Ashes In My Whiskey, Blue Blues and perhaps his best known the 1931 rendition of Sunnyland Blues ~ Davis passed away in 1963
March 1, 1907 ~ Boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Chicago pianists Hershal Thomas and Jimmy Yancey. Ammons, along with other high-energy boogie-woogie, blues, jazz, and jump-blues musicians, helped create a hybrid which predated and paved the way for rock & roll. Ammons worked with artists such as Meade Lux Lewis, Guy Kelly, Dalbert Bright, Jimmy Hoskins, Israel Crosby, Pete Johnson, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Lena Horne, and Lionel Hampton. Ammons would be a major influence on generations of piano players to come including Jerry Lee Lewis, Dr John, Erroll Garner, Ray Bryant, Johnnie Johnson, and Axel Zwingenberger ~ Ammons passed away in 1949
March 1, 1904 ~ Swing, big band trombonist, bandleader Glenn Miller, full name Alton Glenn Miller, born in Clarinda, Iowa, USA ~ One of the best-selling artists of the swing era, known for songs such as In The Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo Choo, A String Of Pearls, At Last, I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo, American Patrol, Tuxedo Junction, Elmer's Tune and Little Brown Jug. While at the time one of the best-earning entertainers, Miller had volunteered for the US Army during World War II. He would be rejected for active duty on account of his eye sight, yet Miller persisted and eventually was allowed to entertain the troops as a musician. His plane would go missing on a December night over the English Channel ~ Miller passed away in 1944March 1, 1880 ~ Organist, composer Albert Alain, full name Albert Paul Alain, born in St-Germain-en-Laye, France ~ Prolific composer of religious music, having composed over 450 pieces for organ, harmonium and voices. Father of Jehan Alain, Olivier Alain, and Marie-Claire Alain, all renowned organists in their own right ~ Alain passed away in 1971