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.
November 19, 1932 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Kelly Gordon, full name Kelly Lee Gordon, born in Frankfurt, Kentucky, USA ~ Recorded some unsuccessful singles as a solo artist prior to being hired by Capitol Records as a staff producer. Would rise to fame producing Bobbie Gentry's Ode To Billie Joe, which would win three Grammy Awards and become a signature song for Gentry. Gordon also co-wrote That's Life, first recorded by Marian Montgomery in 1964 and covered by over 150 artists including Frank Sinatra ~ Gordon passed away in 1981November 19, 1927 ~ Jazz pianist Andre Persiany born in Paris, France ~ Father of double bassist Stephane Persiany. Worked with the Be-Bop Minstrels, Michel Attenoux, Eddie Benard, Bill Coleman, Buck Clayton, Raymond Fonseque, Lionel Hampton, Guy Lafitte, Mezz Mezzrow, Tony Proteau, Jonah Jones, Cat Anderson, Milt Buckner, Eddie Chamblee, Arnett Cobb, Al Grey, Budd Johnson, and Charlie Shavers ~ Persiany passed away in 2004
November 19, 1927 ~ Pianist Joe Hunter, full name Joseph Edward Hunter, born in Jackson, Tennessee, USA ~ Original member, pianist, band director of Motown house band the Funk Brothers from 1959 through 1964, replaced by Earl Van Dyke. Influenced by Art Tatum, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Nat King Cole. Appears on records such as Shop Around (the Miracles), Do You Love Me (the Contours), Heat Wave and Come And Get These Memories (Martha & the Vandellas) ~ Hunter passed away in 2007
November 19, 1920 ~ Singer José Salvador Peréz, also known as Tinoco, born ~ Formed the sertanejo sibling duo Tonico & Tinoco with Tonico. The duo enjoyed a career spanning six decades, recorded over 1,400 songs, sold over 50 million albums despite never performing outside their native Brazil. Well known songs include Chici Mineiro, Canta Moçada, Arraste Pe Na Tuia, Moreninha Linda, Estrada Da Vida, and No Mouão Da Porteira ~ Peréz passed away in 2012
November 19, 1906 ~ Classical violinist, conductor Henri Temianka born in Greenock, UK ~ Influenced by Eugène Ysaÿe, Jacques Thibaud, Bronislaw Huberman. Has played througout the 1940s with renowned orchestras in Europe and the USA and conductors such as Pierre Monteux, John Barbirolli, Fritz Reiner, Otto Klemperer and William Steinberg. Also noted for his longtime association with the Paganini Quartet and the California Chamber Symphony ~ Temianka passed away in 1992
November 19, 1905 ~ Trombonist, bandleader, composer Tommy Dorsey, full name Thomas Francis Dorsey Jr, born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey. Dubbed “the Sentimental Gentleman of Swing”. Known for songs such as Opus One, Song Of India, Marie, On Treasure Island, I'll Never Smile Again and I'm Getting Sentimental Over You ~ Dorsey passed away in 1956
November 19, 1897 ~ Moses David Green, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Bud Green, born in Austria ~ Collaborated with songwriters, composers such as Ray Henderson, Buddy DeSylva, Harry Warren and Slim Gaillard. Co-wrote songs such as Alabamy Bound (Paul Whiteman, Dean Martin, Ray Charles), Ya Gotta Known How To Love (Gene Austin), Sentimental Journey (Les Brown, the Chordettes, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra), and Once In A While (Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Guy Lombardo) ~ Green passed away in 1981
November 19, 1889 ~ Webb Parmalee Hollenbeck, commonly known as actor, dancer, singer Clifton Webb, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Best remembered for his roles in Laura, The Razor's Edge and Sitting Pretty, all of which earned him an Academy Award-nomination. Appeared in 23 Broadway shows, most of them musicals, including Treasure Girl in which he introduced Irving Berlin's Easter Parade and George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin's I've Got A Crush On You and Flying Colors in which he introduced Irving Berlin's Not For All The Rice In China ~ Hollenbeck passed away in 1966