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 12, 1951 ~ Violinist, pianist Harold Bauer, full name Harold Victor Bauer, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Child prodigy mentored by Adolf Pollitzer. Studied piano under Ignacy Jan Paderewski. Premiered Frederick Delius's Violin Sonata In B Major with Achille Rivarde in 1893. As a pianist premiered Johannes Brahms's Piano Concerto No.1 In D Minor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1900, and Claude Debussy's Children's Corner in 1908 ~ Bauer was born in 1873
March 12, 1951 ~ Bassist, guitarist Jack Green born in Glasgow, UK ~ Briefly played with T.Rex in 1973 and 1974. Subsequently worked with the Pretty Things through 1976, appearing on the albums Silk Torpedo and Savage Eye. Was a member of Rainbow for three weeks in 1978. Released his solo debut album, Humanesque, in 1980 which spawned the Australian hit This Is Japan
March 12, 1949 ~ Pianist, keyboardist Bill Payne born in Waco, Texas, USA ~ Member of Little Feat, which he co-founded with Lowell George, known for songs such as Rock & Roll Doctor, Let It Roll, One Clear Moment and Texas Twister. Has also worked with JJ Cale, the Doobie Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Bryan Adams, Bob Seger, Toto, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, and Stevie Nicks
March 12, 1949 ~ Rock drummer, percussionist, singer Mike Gibbins, full name Michael George Gibbins, born in Swansea, UK ~ Original member of Iveys, which evolved into Badfinger. Gibbins remained with the band until its initial disbandement in 1975 and is present on the band's best known including Come And Get It, No Matter What and Day After Day all of which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. After the band dissolved Gibbins would work as a session musician, notably on Bonnie Tyler's It's A Heartache, briefly rejoined a Badfinger reincarnation, and recorded as a solo artist starting with the album A Place In Time released in 1998 ~ Gibbins passed away in 2005
March 12, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter James Taylor born in Belmont, Massachusetts, USA ~ Quintessential 1970s singer, songwriter. One of all-time best-selling artists with over 100 million records sold. Best known for originals such as Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Fire And Rain and Sweet Baby James. Taylor's songs would be covered by numerous artists including the Everly Brothers, the Carpenters, Bobby Womack, the Isley Brothers, Harry Belafonte, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Chet Atkins, and Jimmy BuffettMarch 12, 1947 ~ Ruby Stackhouse, commonly known as R&B, deep soul, soul blues singer Ruby Andrews born in Hollendale, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for a number of 1960s, 1970s songs including Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over), You Made A Believer Out Of Me and Everybody Saw You
March 12, 1946 ~ Singer, songwriter Andrew Rose, full name Andrew Colin Campbell Rose, born ~ Formed the harmony duo Twice As Much with Dave Skinner. They are known for their 1966 rendition of Sittin' On A Fence, penned by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
March 12, 1946 ~ Singer, actress Liza Minnelli born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Daughter of director Vincent Minnelli and singer Judy Garland. Known for her stage presence and powerful alto voice. Starred in musicals and stage shows such as Best Foot Forward, Flora The Red Menace, The Act, winning Tony Awards for the last two. Known for songs such as New York New York, Cabaret and Maybe This Time
March 12, 1945 ~ Singer, songwriter George Jackson, full name George Henry Jackson, born in Indianola, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of the Ovations, including on their best known song It's Wonderful To Be In Love. Recorded well over a dozen northern soul singles as a solo artist, with some success. Best known as a songwriter for other artists. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Too Weak To Fight (Clarence Carter), I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart Than A Young Man's Fool (Candi Staton), Down Home Blues (ZZ Hill), One Bad Apple (the Osmonds), Old Time Rock & Roll (Bob Seger), and The Only Way Is Up (Otis Clay). Other artists who have recorded his songs include the Staple Singers, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland, Latimore, and Denise Lasalle ~ Jackson passed away in 2013
March 12, 1941 ~ Rock, country, rockabilly singer, pianist, songwriter, producer Earl Poole Ball born in Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for touring and recording with Johnny Cash from 1977 through 1997. Also played with Buck Owens, Gram Parsons, Carl Perkins, Merle Haggard, Freddie Hart, Marty Stuart, Phil Ochs, Michael Nesmith, the Fraternity Of Man (including on Don't Bogart That Joint), Marty Robbins, Wynn Stewart, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Byrds. Wrote Glen Campbell's Try A Little Kindness and Waylon Jennings' The Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line
March 12, 1940 ~ Singer Al Jarreau born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Studied psychology. Sang nightclubs from the late 1960s onwards. Appeared on Saturday Night Live on Valentine's Day 1976. His debut album, We Got By, followed shortly thereafter and catapulted him to international fame. Over the years Jarreau has won seven Grammys and was nominated a dozen times more. Dubbed the “Acrobat of Skat” for his unique vocal technique, showcased on songs such as Roof Garden. Jarreau has performed with artists such as Joe Sample, Chick Corea, Gregor Praecht, Miles Davis, George Duke, David Sanborn, Rick Braun, and George Benson ~ Jarreau passed away in 2017
March 12, 1938 ~ Lewis Calvin DeWitt Jr, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Lew DeWitt, born in Roanoke County, Virginia, USA ~ Founding member of the Statler Brothers, with whom he recorded some two dozen albums including the highly acclaimed Bed Of Rose's, Holy Bible (Old Testament), Holy Bible (New Testament), and Short Stories. DeWitt wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best known including Flowers On The Wall, Things, Since Then, Thank You World and The Movies. DeWitt left the band in 1982 for medical reasons, succeeded by Jimmy Fortune. After his departure from the band, DeWitt has issued two solo albums, Here To Stay and On My Own, the latter spawning the minor hit You'll Never Know ~ DeWitt passed away in 1990
March 12, 1938 ~ Rock, country drummer Ron Tutt, full name Ronald Ellis Tutt, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ In-demand session and touring drummer. Best known as member of Elvis Presley's backing band the TCB Band from 1969 until Presley's death in 1977. Also appeared on Billy Joel's 1973 breakthrough album Piano Man and it's 1974 follow-up album Streetlife Serenade. Toured with several of Jerry Garcia's side projects, including the Jerry Garcia Band and Legion Of Mary. Has also worked with Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, the Carpenters, Roy Orbison, and Silverado ~ Tutt passed away in 2021March 12, 1935 ~ Jazz pianist Hugh Lawson born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Bud Powell, Hampton Hawes, and Bill Evans. Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with Yusef Lateef. Also worked with Harry Sweets Edison, Roy Brooks, Stanley Cowell, Harold Mabern, Charles Mingus, Charlie Rouse, George Adams, Kenny Burrell, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, and Doug Watkins ~ Lawson passed away in 1997
March 12, 1928 ~ Pianist, composer, arranger, conductor Aldemaro Romero born in Valencia, Venezuela ~ Worked with Dean Martin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Stan Kenton, René Touzent, Machito, Tito Puente, the London Symphony Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ~ Romero passed away in 2007
March 12, 1928 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader Philip Jones born in Bath, UK ~ Led the Philip Jones Ensemble, one of the first brass ensembles founded in 1951. Also worked with the Royal Philharmonic, the BBC Sympony Orchestra, Elgar Howarth, Ifor James, Ray Premru, and John Fletcher ~ Jones passed away in 2000
March 12, 1926 ~ Gospel singer DeLois Barrett, also known as Delois Barrett Campbell, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Started her career while still in high school, joining the renowned the Roberta Martin Singers as lead singer, remaining with the group from the 1940s through the early 1960s and present on key recordings such as Only A Look. Barrett would go on to form the gospel trio the Barrett Sisters with younger sisters Billie Barrett and Rodessa Barrett. The sibling outfit would go on to perform and record for some seven decades, making them one of the longest-lasting gospel outfits, and record well over a dozen albums. The trio would especially gain attention after being notably featured in the 1982 critically acclaimed documentary Say Amen Somebody, which prompted The New Yorker to comment the siblings “brought the film an emotional pitch, and we in the audience want to go on soaring”. Singer Roberta Martin guested on the trio's 1963 Jesus Loves Me debut album ~ Barrett passed away in 2011
March 12, 1924 ~ Etienne Stephen Jean Gustave Combe, commonly known as jazz drummer Stuff Combe, born in Bern, Switzerland ~ Worked with Philippe Brun, Eddie Brunner, Ernest Hollerhagen, Hazy Osterwald, Paul Kuhn, Fats Sadi, Kurt Edelhagen, Lucky Thompson, Francy Boland, Benny Bailey, and the Groupe Instrumental Romand ~ Combe passed away in 1986
March 12, 1921 ~ Singer, actor Gordon Macrae, full name Albert Gordon Macrae born in East Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for appearing in the film versions of Oklahoma and Carousel, both musicals composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Has also worked with Harry James, Jo Stafford, Archie Bleyer, and Doris Day on stage including and Broadway and in radio and TV shows ~ MacRae passed away in 1984
March 12, 1917 ~ Lejzor Szmuel Czyz, commonly known as producer, label executive Leonard Chess born in Motal, Poland ~ Co-founded Chess Records with his brother Phil Chess. The label, once described by music critic Cub Koda as “America's greatest blues label”, would become pivotal to the development of blues, electric blues and rock & roll with landmark recordings by Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Gene Ammons, Jimmy Rogers, Rufus Thomas, Doctor Ross, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, Etta James, Fontella Bass, Koko Taylor, and Little Milton. One of the Chicago-based label's studios was immortalized in the Rolling Stones-instrumental 2120 South Michigan Avenue recorded for their 1964 Five By Five EP ~ Czyz passed away in 1969March 12, 1904 ~ Jazz pianist, singer Freddy Johnson born in New York, New York, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity especially in the 1930s playing mostly swing style. Previously Johnson had served as Florence Mills' accompanist in the mid 1920s before seeking out collaborations with the likes of Elmer Snowden, Billy Fowler, Henri Saparo, Noble Sissle, and Sam Wooding. Johnson spent a significant portion of his career touring and recording in Europe, including notably recording with the Quintette du Hot Club and performing with Coleman Hawkins in the Netherlands. While residing in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Johnson would be arrested in 1941 by the Nazis, who banned black music, and be interned till near the end of the war when he was repatriated to America. After the war, Johnson would most notably work with Garvin Bushell, before focusing primarily on his work as a piano and vocal coach ~ Johnson passed away in 1961
March 12, 1896 ~ Blues harpist, guitarist, percussionist, singer Jesse Fuller born in Jonesboro, Georgia, USA ~ Worked in a variety of day jobs prior to first recording in the late 1950s. As a busker developed himself as a one-man band including playing the harmonica mounted on a neck brace. Influenced artists such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead, Hot Tuna, Janis Joplin, and Richie Havens. Best known for San Francisco Bay Blues ~ Fuller passed away in 1976
March 12, 1890 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, author Evert Taube, full name Axel Evert Taube, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Considered Sweden's premier troubadour carrying the torch of the Swedish ballad tradition in the 20th century. Known for songs such as Calle Schewens Vals, Brevet Från Lillan, Änglamark, Sjösala Vals and Så Långe Skutan Kan Gå. Artists such as Roger Whittaker, Sven-Bertil Taube, Martin Best and Emily Melcher have recorded English versions of his songs ~ Taube passed away in 1976March 12, 1888 ~ Conductor Hans Knappertsbusch born in Elberfeld, Germany ~ Best known for his performances of works composed by Richard Wagner, Anton Bruckner and Richard Strauss. Worked with the Bavarian State Opera until his dismissal by the nazis in 1936. Other notable associations include the London Philharmonic, the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, and the Suisse Romande Orchestra ~ Knappertsbusch passed away in 1965
March 12, 1710 ~ Composer Thomas Arne, full name Thomas Augustine Arne, born in London, UK ~ Leading British theater composer of the 18th century. Perhaps best remembered for his patriotic song Rule Britannia and A-Hunting We Will Go, the latter taken from his 1777 The Beggar's Opera ballad opera ~ Arne passed in 1778