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 26, 1976 ~ Tsidi Ibrahim, commonly known as MC, actress, producer Jean Grae, born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Daughter of Sathima Bea Benjamin and Abdullah Ibrahim. Worked with Ground Zero, Natural Resource, Pumpkinhead, Atmosphere, the Roots, Talib Kweli, Herbaliser, Royce da 5'9", Phonte, Masta Ace, Yordul Mega, Mos Def, Styles P, Pharoahe Monch, Immortal Technique, Cannibal Ox, Wale, and DJ Jazzy Jeff
November 26, 1976 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Joe Nichols, full name Joseph Edward Nichols, born in Rogers, Kansas, USA ~ Known for songs such as Brokenheartsville, She Only Smokes When She Drinks, What's A Guy Gotta Do, Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, I'll Wait For You, Gimmie That Girl, and Sunny And 75. Has collaborated with Jasmine Rae, Meghan Patrick, Dolly Parton, Gene Watson, Col Ford, the Grascals, Randy Travis, and Lucy Hale
November 26, 1975 ~ Khaled Mohamed Khaled, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ Khaled, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Member of Terror Squad. Released his solo debut album, Listennn (The Album), in 2006 and has recorded consistenly since. Known for songs such as I'm So Hood, I'm The One, Wild Thoughts, No Brainer, Greece, and Popstar. Has collaborated with Shawty Lo, Kanye West, Fat Joe, Meek Mill, Jennifer Lopez, T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, Plies, Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne, and DrakeNovember 26, 1973 ~ Bassist, songwriter John Rostill, full name John Henry Rostill, passed away in Radlett, UK ~ Best known as bassist of the Shadows from 1963 through 1970, present on songs such as The Rise And Fall Of Fingel Bunt, Mary Anne and Don't Make My Baby Blue ~ Rostill was born in 1942
November 26, 1968 ~ Jazz trombonist Floyd O'Brien passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Started in the 1920 playing with Earl Fuller, Floyd Town, Charles Pierce, Thelma Terry, Husk O'Hare. The 1930s saw him teaming up with artists such as Mal Hallett, Joe Venuti, Smith Ballew, Mike Durso, Phil Harris, and with Gene Krupa. During the 1940s O'Brien played with Eddie Miller, Bunk Johnson, Shorty Sherock, Jack Teagarden, Wingy Manone, Fats Waller, Mezz Mezzrow, George Wettling, Charles Lavere. After 1948 he returned to Bud Freeman, with whom he had played as early as 1928, as well as play with Art Hodes, Danny Alvin, and Albert Nicholas ~ O'Brien was born in 1904
November 26, 1965 ~ Blues, electric blues, blues-rock guitarist, singer Bernard Allison born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of blues guitarist Luther Allison. Has worked with Koko Taylor, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Toby Lee Marshall, Larry McCray, Carl Weathersby and and Lucky Peterson. Has been releasing solo records since the early 1990s
November 26, 1962 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record Please Please Me at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Produced by George Martin. Released early January 1963, b/w Ask Me Why, during one of the worst winters in British history. With the public generally snowed in their performance on the TV show Thank Your Lucky Stars would generate a lot of attention. The single would top both the New Musical Express and Melody Maker charts, but reach only No.2 on the Record Retailer chart which subsequently evolved into the official UK Singles OCC chart. Because of this the single is not officially counted as the band's first UK No.1November 26, 1962 ~ Country singer Linda Davis, full name Linda Kaye Davis, born in Dodson, Texas, USA ~ Known best for Some Things Are Meant To Be and the Reba McEntire-duet Does He Love You. Wife of country singer Lang Scott. Mother of country singer Hillary Scott
November 26, 1958 ~ Pop, rock & roll singer Billy Fury records Maybe Tomorrow at Decca Studios, London, UK ~ Debut single. Written by Billy Fury, produced by Jack Good. Paired with Gonna Type A Letter on the flip side, the single would reach the UK top 20
November 26, 1958 ~ Myron Carlton Bradshaw, commonly known as singer, pianist, drummer, bandleader, songwriter Tiny Bradshaw, passed away in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for hits such as 1950s Well Oh Well and 1951's Train Kept A-Rolling, both important to the later development of rock & roll. The latter would be covered by the Johnny Burnette Trio, the Yardbirds, Aerosmith, and Motörhead. Also known for R&B songs such as Soft and Heavy Juice. As a bandleader Bradshaw nurtured the talents of then lesser known artists such as Sil Austin, Happy Caldwell, Shad Collins, Wild Bill Davis, Talib Dawud, Gil Fuller, Gigi Gryce, Big Nick Nicholas, Russell Procope, Red Prysock, Curly Russell, Calvin Shields, Sonny Stitt, Noble Watts, and Shadow Wilson ~ Bradshaw was born in 1907
November 26, 1956 ~ Trombonist, bandleader, composer Tommy Dorsey, full name Thomas Francis Dorsey Jr, passed away in Greenwich, Connecticut, 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 was born in 1905
November 26, 1946 ~ Actor, singer Brian Hibbard born in Ebbw Vale, UK ~ Co-founding member of a capella ensemble the Flying Pickets, present on the band's 1984 Lost Boys debut album which included the hit Only You. Originally recorded by Yazoo, the Pickets cover would be more successful than the original and reach top 10 across Europe including the No.1 spot in Germany, Ireland, and their native UK. Ruling prime minister Margaret Thatcher would proclaim the song to be her favorite. The band itself was known for its socialist views. Hibbard would depart the band in 1986 to focus on his acting career ~ Hibbard passed away in 2012
November 26, 1946 ~ Martin Barnes, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Martin Lee, born in London, UK ~ Initially hired as a staff writer by music publisher Tony Hiller, yet when it turned out Lee could also sing Hiller asked him to join Brotherhood Of Man, a group managed by Hiller. The group would become best known for Save Your Kisses For Me, a delightfully cheerful ditty co-written by and featuring Lee on lead vocals chosen to represent the UK at the 1976 Eurovision Songfestival. Following their win at the contest, leaving France's Catherine Ferry and Monaco's Mary Christy respectively in second and third place, the song would reach No.1 in over half a dozen countries including the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK. Over the next few years, Brotherhood Of Man scored several more hits at home, notably Angelo and Figaro, before their popularity waned. Despite not recording since the early 1980s, the band continued to perform to enthousiastic crowds until retiring in 2020 ~ Barnes passed away in 2024
November 26, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Ray Kennedy, full name Raymond Louis Kennedy, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Prolifent in numerous genres including R&B, pop, rock, jazz and country. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Sail On Sailor for the Beach Boys and Everytime I Think Of You and Isn't It Time for the Babys. As a recording artist recorded his first single, 1965's Number 5 Gemini, with a then-unknown Kenny Gamble. Has worked with Gerry Mulligan, Jay David, Dizzy Gillespie, JJ Johnson, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Brenda Lee, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Wilson Pickett, Traffic's Dave Mason, Sly & the Family Stone, the Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson, Jeff Beck, Barry Goldberg, Maurice White, Aerosmith, Michael Schenker, Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton, Tanya Tucker, Bill Champlin, Willie Nelson, Mick Fleetwood, KGB, Group Therapy, and Jon & Ray ~ Kennedy passed away in 2014
November 26, 1945 ~ Jazz guitarist Jim Mullen born in Glasgow, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Known for his distinctive style, picking with the thumb rather than a plectrum. Guested on two pivotal albums by Pete Brown & Piblokto, namely Things May Come And Things May Go But The Art School Dance Goes On Forever and Thousands On A Raft. Member of Brian Auger's the Oblivion Express. Member of Kokomo. Toured with the Average White Band. Critically acclaimed as co-leader of jazzz funk outfit Morrissey-Mullen alongside Dick Morrisey, known for their call-and-response interaction between saxophone and guitar. Has also collaborated with Mose Allison, Hamish Stuart, Joanna Eden, Tam White, Jimmy Witherspoon, Terry Callier, Frank Holder, and Chris Rea
November 26, 1945 ~ Bassist John McVie born in London, UK ~ Member of John Mayall's John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers from 1964 through 1967 including on the acclaimed The Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton album. Longtime member of Fleetwood Mac, joining the band shortly after its formation in 1967, and along with drummer Mick Fleetwood one of only two members to appear on every album since. Married to Christine McVie from 1968 to 1977, who would also join the bandNovember 26, 1944 ~ Bassist Alan Henderson born in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Original member of Them, present on songs such as Baby Please Don't Go and Here Comes The Night. The band is best known for launching the career of Van Morrison, and despite a brief recording career they are considered influential on a wide array of acts including the Doors ~ Henderson passed away in 2017
November 26, 1944 ~ Singer Jean Terrell born in Belzoni, Mississippi, USA ~ Joined the Supremes in 1970, taking over for Diana Ross who left to pursue a solo career. Remained with the band through 1973. Present on songs such as Up The Ladder To The Roof, Everybody's Got The Right To Love, Stoned Love, Nathan Jones and Floy Joy
November 26, 1944 ~ Pianist, composer Terry Waldo born in Ironton, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his role in reviving interest in ragtime, starting in the 1970s. Has worked with Gene Mayl, Kid Thomas Valentine, Johnny Wiggs, Turk Murphy, Pops Foster, Lu Watters, Wally Rose, Clancy Hayes, Edith Wilson, Leon Redbone, and especially mentor Eubie Blake
November 26, 1944 ~ Dansband, pop, schlager songwriter Torgny Söderberg, full name Sten Torgny Söderberg, born in Varberg, Sweden ~ Best known as co-writer of 1984 Eurovision Songfestival winner Diggi-loo Diggi-ley by Herrey's, lyrics written by Britt Lindeborg ~ Söderberg passed away in 2022
November 26, 1942 ~ Researcher, author Olof Björner born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Known to Bob Dylan aficionados for meticulously documenting over four decades of Dylan's history of live performances and studio recordings in thirteen volumes of Olof's Files (A Bob Dylan Performance Guide) published by Hardinge Simpole ~ Björner passed away in 2023
November 26, 1940 ~ David Michael Gordon Graham, commonly known as folk guitarist Davey Graham or Davy Graham, born in Hinckley, UK ~ Although he never became a household name and faded into obscurity by the 1970s, Graham was one of the most influential guitarists pre-dating the British folk boom, and some have understandably even argued acts such as Fairport Convention or Pentangle would have never been without Graham. Anji, which the fingerstyle guitarist wrote while still a teen, included on his The Guitar Player debut album, would become a seminal guitar instrumental to be learned and mastered by any self-respecting guitarist of the era. Graham, who drew from folk, blues, jazz, and world music including Middle Eastern rhythms, drew acclaim and admiration for his superior technique and compositional style, and influence a wide array of artists, many of whom would later become guitar icons in their own right. Pentangle guitarist John Renbourn has stated Graham was so far ahead of just about any would-be picker that it was practically miraculous, while Bert Jansch has called him “my absolute hero, always will be.” Others who have cited Graham as a profound influence include Richard Thompson, Martin Carthy, Paul Simon, Jimmy Page, Neil Young, Tim Buckley, and Nick Drake. Graham is especially noted for his first five albums, released between 1963 and 1968, and would record several more through the turn of the 1970s before slowing down. He recorded and performed sporadically after the 1970s, though many have tried to persuade him to return to the stage, as Graham preferred to devote the main thrust of his time to travel, charity work, and studying guitar and languages in private. Graham resurfaced in the mid 2000s after a BBC radio interview prompted renewed interest in his catalogue, and released his Broken Biscuits final album in 2007, the year before his death ~ Graham passed away in 2008November 26, 1940 ~ Folk singer Ray Fisher, full name Ray Galbraith Fisher born in Glasgow, UK ~ Critically acclaimed folk singer, hailed by the Scotsman as “perhaps the best known Scots folksinger of her generation” and by the Guardian as “one of Britain's great interpreters of traditional song” ~ Fisher passed away in 2011
November 26, 1939 ~ Jazz saxophonist Art Themen, full name Arthur Edward George Themen, born in Manchester, UK ~ Former surgeon turned jazz professional. Influenced by Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, Evan Parker, and by John Coltrane. Has worked with Lionel Grigson, Dave Gelly, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jack Bruce, Alexis Korner, the Peter Stuyvesant Jazz Orchestra, Al Haig, Jamil Nasser, Peter King, Howard Riley, Mornington Lockett, Don Weller, Spike Wells, Michael Garrick, Ian Carr, Graham Collier, Stan Tracey, Nat Adderley, Red Rodney, George Coleman, and John CritchinsonNovember 26, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter David White, full name David Ernest White, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of Danny & the Juniors, known for hits such as Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay and At The Hop. Member of Spokesmen. Member of Crystal Mansion. Closely associated with John Madara, White and Madara writing and producing numerous record since the early 1960s, including The Fly (Chubby Checker), You Don't Own Me (Lesley Gore), 1-2-3 (Len Barry), Birthday Party, 442 Glenwood Avenue and Cold Cold Winter (the Pixies Three), Pop Pop Pop Pie (the Sherrys), and The Boy Next Door (the Secrets) ~ White passed away in 2019
November 26, 1939 ~ Jazz, schlager singer Greetje Kauffeld born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ Represented the Netherlands in the 1961 edition of Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 10th place with Wat Een Dag. As a schlager singer especially popular in Germany. As a jazz singer has collaborated with Joey Bishop, Herb Ellis, and Ray Brown
November 26, 1939 ~ Anna Mae Bullock, commonly known as singer Tina Turner, born in Brownsville, Tennessee, USA ~ Rose to fame with her then-husband Ike Turner. The duo would score a string of hits from the early 1960s forward including A Fool In Love, It's Gonna Work Out Fine, Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits and River Deep Mountain High. After her break from Ike in the mid 1970s Tina would launch one of the most impressive comebacks in rock history with her 1984 Private Dancer album spawning the hit What's Love Got To Do With It, her first and only Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. Subsequent solo hits include We Don't Need Another Hero, Typical Male, I Don't Wanna Fight and the James Bond-theme GoldenEye. Has also acted in the Who's rock opera Tommy, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and The Last Action Hero. Retired from music after completing her 2009 Tina! (50th Anniversary Tour), one of the highest-grossing tours of all time ~ Bullock passed away in 2023