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 28, 1947 ~ Folk, jazz, classical singer, activist Maria Farantouri born in Athens, Greece ~ Dubbed “a peoples Maria Callas” and “the Joan Baez of the Mediterranean” by critics. Contralto singer with a two-octave range, performing in Greek, Spanish, Italian, English. Best known as a protest singer, especially during the Greek military junta which lasted from 1967 to 1974, noted for her 1971 Songs And Guitar Pieces By Theodorakis album consisting of compositions by noted composer Mikis Theodorakis. Has also recorded works composed by Manos Hatzidakis, Eleni Karaindrou, Vangelis and George Gershwin. Served as member of parliament for the socialist PASOK party from 1989 to 1993November 28, 1947 ~ Keyboardist Reese Wynans born in Sarasota, Florida, USA ~ Member of the Second Coming. Member of Captain Beyond, appearing on the album Sufficiently Breathless. Member of Stevie Ray Vaughan's backing unit Double Trouble. Also worked with Joe Ely, Lee Roy Parnell, Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Hank Williams Jr, Buddy Guy, John Mayall, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Colin James, Ana Popovic, Dudley Taft, Eli Cook, and the Lonely Boys
November 28, 1946 ~ William Ellis Kinsley, commonly known as pop, beat singer, guitarist, bassist Billy Kinsley, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Merseybeats. After the band disbanded in 1966 would continue with Tony Crane as a duo under the moniker the Merseys, immediately scoring a UK top 10 hit with Sorrow. The song had been originally recorded by the McCoys and would later be notably covered by David Bowie on his 1973 Pin Ups album
November 28, 1944 ~ Jon Terryl Plumeri, commonly known as bassist, pianist, flutist, composer Terry Plumeri, born in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA ~ Worked with John Abercrombie, Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Hancock, Woody Herman, Quincy Jones, Yusef Lateef, Les McCann, Wayne Shorter, Frank Sinatra, Ralph Towner, Joe Williams, Roberta Flack, and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Also a film composer with over 50 films to his name ~ Plumeri passed away in 2016
November 28, 1943 ~ Richard Enos Thompson, commonly known as jazz pianist, clarinetist Butch Thompson, born in Marine-on-St-Croix, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known for his ragtime and stride piano performances. Member of the Hall Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band for two decades starting in 1962. Would gain considerable popularity in Europe in the 1970s and 1980s due to extentsive touring both as a band member and solo artist ~ Thompson passed away in 2022
November 28, 1943 ~ Singer, pianist Randy Newman, full name Randall Stuart Newman, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Revered singer, pianist beloved for his dry wit and numerous film scores. As a solo artist best known for Short People, I Love LA and You've Got A Friend In Me. Has penned songs recorded by the Fleetwoods, Julias La Rosa (I Think It's Going To Rain Today), Cilla Black, Three Dog Night (Mama Told Me (Not To Come)), Gene Pitney, the Alan Price Set, Joe Cocker (You Can Leave Your Hat On), Gene Pitney, Jerry Butler, Petula Clark, Barbra Streisand, Helen Reddy, the Everly Brothers, Tom Odell, Nina Simone, Lynn Anderson, Wilson Pickett, and Harry Nilsson
November 28, 1941 ~ Jazz and ECM bassist, composer Adelhard Roidinger born in Windischgarsten, Austria ~ Played with Joachim Kühn, Eje Thelin, Karl Berger, Alan Skidmore, Gerd Dudek, Branislav Lala Kovacev, Allan Praskin, Harry Pepl, Werner Pirchner, Herbert Joos, Albert Mangelsdorff, Yosuke Yamashita, George Russell, Maria João, Anthony Braxton, Tone Jansa, and Melanie Bong
November 28, 1941 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Jesper Thilo born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Classically trained on the clarinet, yet persuaded by Arnved Meyer to switch to saxophone. Critically compared to Zoot Sims. Considered one of the premier European straight-ahead jazz musicians from 1970 onward. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, including the acclaimed Tribute To Frog, the Harry Sweets Edison collaboration Featuring Harry Edison, and A Little Bit Of Duke. Closely associated with Arnved Meyer, with whom he played for most of the 1960s, the DR Big Band, and Ernie Wilkins. As a sideman, Thilo has appeared on albums by the likes of Ben Webster (Plays Ballads), Oliver Nelson, Wild Bill Davison, Richard Boone, Miles Davis (Aurra), Roland Hanna (This Time It's Real), Finn Savery, Tommy Flanagan, Sigurd Barrett, Ib Glindemann, Cirkeline, Clark Terry, Randy Reinhardts, Niels Jørgen Steen, Ken Peplowski (Happy Together), Gunhild Carling, Ralph Sutton, and Scott Hamilton ~ Thilo passed away in 2026November 28, 1941 ~ R&B singer Jessie Smith born ~ Best known as original member of the Ikettes during the mid 1960s, backing the duo of Ike Turner & Tina Turner. As a solo artist known for her 1961 My Baby Has Gone single. Has also sang backup for artists such as Al Kooper, Bryan Ferry, Dr John (In The Right Place), Gloria Jones, José Feliciano, Johnny Bristol, and Leon Ware ~ Smith passed away in 2021
November 28, 1940 ~ Bruce McMeans, commonly known as singer, songwriter Bruce Channel, born in Jacksonville, Texas, USA ~ Best known for Hey Baby, a Billboard No.1 hit in 1962. Channel also wrote or co-wrote several country hits for others including As Long As I'm Rockin' With You (John Conlee), Don't Worry 'Bout Me Baby (Janie Fricke), Party Time (TG Sheppard), You're The Best (Kieran Kane), and Stand Up (Mel McDaniel)November 28, 1940 ~ Curtis Clemens, commonly known as singer Clem Curtis, born in Trinidad, West Indies ~ Singer, founding member of the Foundations, known for songs such as Baby Now That I've Found You, Build Me Up Buttercup, Back On My Feet Again, and Any Old Time (You're Lonely & Sad) ~ Curtis passed away in 2017
November 28, 1939 ~ Singer, trumpeter, songwriter Gary Troxel born in Centralis, Washington, USA ~ Member of the Fleetwoods known for a number of late 1950s, early 1960s recordings, notably Come Softly To Me, Graduation's Here, Mr Blue and Tragedy
November 28, 1938 ~ Western swing bandleader Bob Wills and his regular backing unit the Texas Playboys record Steel Guitar Rag ~ Wills's regular guitarist Leon McAuliffe claimed it as his own, yet the song has most likely been adapted from the 1927 Guitar Rag song recorded by Sylvester Weaver. Nevertheless, the Bob Wills version would become widely known and is considered instrumental in popularizing the steel guitar in Western swing. Over the years the song would be recorded by numerous artists including Spade Cooley, Hank Garland, Jerry Byrd, George Jones, Buck Owens, and Doc Watson
November 28, 1936 ~ Drummer Roy McCurdy born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Louie Bellson, Shelly Manne, Buddy Rich, Philly Joe Jones, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Lionel Hampton. Best known for backing Cannonball Adderley from 1965 until Adderley's death in 1975, including on the 1967 album Mercy Mercy Mercy (Live At The Club) which is generally regarded as one of Adderley's best. Has also worked with Nat Adderley, Gene Ammons, Count Basie, Benny Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Kenny Rankin, Sonny Rollins (Sonny Meets Hawk), Bobby Timmons, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock, Blood Sweat & Tears, and the Modern Jazz DisciplesNovember 28, 1932 ~ Jazz singer Ethel Ennis, full name Ethel Llewellyn Ennis, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Prior to her seven-decade career as a jazz singer, played piano in church from a young age. Has recorded about a dozen albums, most warmly received, starting with Lullabies For Losers released in 1955. Toured Europe with Benny Goodman. Lovingly dubbed “the First Lady of Jazz” in her homestate of Maryland ~ Ennis passed away in 2019
November 28, 1932 ~ Leandro Barbieri, commonly known as jazz clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, bandleader Gato Barbieri, born in Rosario, Argentina ~ Rose to fame during the free jazz movement in the 1960s. Known for his latin jazz recordings of the 1970s. Influenced by John Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders. Mixed Latin rhythms, free jazz, avant-garde, soul jazz, jazz-pop and smooth jazz. Film composer, awarded a Grammy for his Last Tango In Paris soundtrack. Worked with Lalo Schifrin, Don Cherry, Charlie Haden (Music Liberation Orchestra), Oliver Nelson, Alan Shorter, Antonello Venditti, and Carla Bley. Recorded as a leader from the late 1960s well into the 1980s ~ Barbieri passed away in 2016
November 28, 1930 ~ Arthur Leo Owens, commonly known as country songwriter, singer AL Doodle Owens, born in Waco, Texas, USA ~ In-demand songwriter, frequent collaborator of Dallas Frazier. Songs written or co-written by Owens have been recorded by artists such as Lefty Frizzell, George Morgan, Charley Pride, Brenda Lee (Johnny One Time), Willie Nelson, Duane Dee, Elvis Presley (True Love Travels On A Gravel Road), Charlie Louvin, Bob Luman, Hank Locklin, Nat Stuckey, Jerry Lee Lewis, Connie Smith, Stoney Edwards (Hank And Lefty Raised My Country Soul), Henson Cargill, Charlie Rich (Raggedy Ann), Arlene Harden, Ferlin Husky, Moe Bandy (I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today), Gene Watson, Tammy Wynette, George Jones (Wine Colored Roses), and Doug Stone ~ Owens passed away in 1999
November 28, 1929 ~ Producer, label executive Berry Gordy Jr born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Founded the renowned Motown label and subsidiaries. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Lonely Teardrops (Jackie Wilson), Shop Around (the Miracles), Do You Love Me (the Contours), I Want You Back and ABC (the Jackson 5). Discovered, signed, molded stars such as the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder
November 28, 1929 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Giorgio Calabrese born in Genoa, Italy ~ Many of the songs he co-write have become Italian pop classics. As a translator considered a key figure in the popularization of bossa nova and French chanson in his native Italy. Perhaps best known for co-penning Arrivederci for Umberto Bindi, and E Se Domani popularized by Gene Pitney. Others who recorded songs co-written or adapted by Calabrese include Charles Aznavour, Adriano Celentano, Mina, Nana Moskouri, Caterina Valente, and Andrea Bocelli ~ Calabrese passed away in 2016November 28, 1915 ~ Jazz trumpeter, arranger Dick Vance, full name Richard Thomas Vance, born in Mayfield, Kentucky, USA ~ Active since the mid-1930, playing with J Frank Terry and subsequently Lil' Armstrong. Would go on to work in ensembles led by Willie Bryant, Kaiser Marshall, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Barnet, Don Redman, Eddie Heywood Jr, Ben Webster. Worked with Duke Ellington in the 1950s, including arranging most of the Ellington '55 album and co-writing Jazz Festival Suite for Duke's performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958 ~ Vance passed away in 1985
November 28, 1907 ~ Mezzo-soprano, soprano opera singer Rose Bampton born in Lakewood, Ohio, USA ~ Enjoyed an international career during the 1930s and 1940s. Sang with the Metropolitan Opera from 1932 to 1950. Known for roles in operas composed by Richard Wagner as well her performances of works by Alban Berg, Arnold Schoenberg and Samuel Barber ~ Bampton passed away in 2007
November 28, 1829 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Anton Rubinstein, full name Anton Grigoryevich Rubinstein, born in Vikhvatinets, Russian Empire ~ Brother of pianist, composer Nikolai Rubinstein. Considered one of the foremost 19th-century piano virtuosos, best known for his series of historical recitals covering the history of piano music. Has written piano concertos, symphonies, chamber music and opera, most notably The Demon published in 1871 ~ Rubinstein passed away in 1894