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 6, 1970 ~ Drummer Matt Johnson born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his association with singer Jeff Buckley, including on the album Grace. Co-wrote Buckley's Dream Brother. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 2009 Cagefighter, and collaborated with the likes of Starflyer '59, Duncan Sheik, Elysian Fields, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Gabriel Kahane, Dean Wareham, Britta Phillips, and Beth Orton
November 6, 1967 ~ Singer Bob Dylan records All Along The Watchtower at Columbia Studio A, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Penned by Bob Dylan. Produced by Bob Johnston. Included on the 1967 John Wesley Harding album. Covered by numerous artists, yet most closely associated with Jimi Hendrix who covered the track for his Electric Ladyland album. Dylan's live performances have been influenced by the Hendrix-version to the point that some have called them covers of a cover
November 6, 1966 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, singer Brad Laner born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founder and frontman of noise pop, shoegaze outfit Medicine, known best for their cameo appearance in the 1994 film The Crow performing Time Baby II. The soundtrack album would feature another version of the song, the Cocteau Twins singer Elizabeth Fraser providing guest vocals. Previously Laner had worked with acts such as Debt of Nature, the Steaming Coils and perhaps most notably post-punk outfit Savage Republic. Laner has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with a host of acts including Earth Dies Burning, Electric Company, Lusk, North Valley Subconscious Orchestra, and Internal Tulips
November 6, 1966 ~ Rock, hard rock, blues rock, power pop guitarist, songwriter Paul Gilbert, full name Paul Brandon Gilbert, born in Carbondale, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick, the Beatles. Co-founding member of Racer X. Co-founding member of Mr Big, best known for the Billboard Hot 100 charttopper To Be With You of their 1991 Lean Into It sophomore album. Well over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with King Of Clubs released in 1998. Has also worked with Black Sheep, Darrell Mansfield, Jeff Berlin, Joey Tafolla, Carmine Appice, Pat Torpey, and Neal Morse
November 6, 1966 ~ Robert Clifford Brown, commonly known as blues singer, washboard player Washboard Sam, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Rumored to be the half-brother of Big Bill Broonzy, with whom he has also collaborated. Has also worked with Sleepy John Estes, Hammie Nixon, Memphis Slim, Tampa Red, Bukka White, Willie Lacey, and Jazz Gillum. Ventured out on his own by the mid 1930s, recording some 160 tracks through the 1940s becoming one of the most popular Chicago musicians. Well known recordings include Diggin' my Potatoes, Morning Dove Blues, Jumpin' Rooster and Bucket's Got A Hole In It ~ Brown was born ca.1910
November 6, 1965 ~ Composer Edgard Varèse, full name Edgard Victor Achille Charles Varèse, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Dubbed by some as “the Father of Electronic Music” with a relatively small catalogue yet recognised as a major influence by major late 20th century composers including Milton Babbitt, Olivier Messiaen, John Cage, Morton Feldman, Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Iannis Xenakis, Frank Zappa, and John Zorn. Varese founded the International Composers Guild in 1921 and Pan-American Association Of Composers in 1926 ~ Varèse was born in 1883November 6, 1964 ~ Harry Sisk, commonly known as bluegrass singer, guitarist Junior Sisk, born in Arlington, Virginia, USA ~ Influenced by the Stanley Brothers. First gained attention in the early 1990s writing A Game I Can't Win, My Heart Belongs To You and Tears Are Blinding Me, all recorded by the Lonesome River Band. Best known for co-founding Rambler's Choice in the late 1990s. Has also worked with Wyatt Rice, Santa Cruz, Joe Mullins, and Mac Wiseman
November 6, 1961 ~ Rock, hard rock guitarist Craig Goldy born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Best known as member of Dio and of Giuffria, including on the band's biggest hit Call To The Heart. Co-write Lady Luck of David Lee Roth's 1991 A Little Ain't Enough album. Has recorded as a solo artist, starting with Insufficient Therapy released in 1993, and collaborated with acts such as Rough Cutt, Budgie, Mark Huff, Uli Jon Roth, Vinnie Moore, Ressurection Kings, and Dream ChildNovember 6, 1961 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Florent Pagny born in Chalon-sur-Saône, France ~ First gained attention as an actor for film and TV. Well over a dozen albums to his name as a singer, starting with Merci released in 1990. Known best for songs such as N'Importe Quoi, Savoir Aimer and Ma Liberté De Penser, all of which would top the charts in his native France
November 6, 1961 ~ In its 6th week on the charts, Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Penned and first recorded by Jimmy Dean, the mostly spoken-word song tells of a quiet miner nicknamed “Big John” for his imposing physique, who one day becomes a folk hero when his action saves the lives of 20 men. Reportedly, John had fled New Orleans after killing a man in a fight over a Cajun queen. As a miner though, he saves the lives of his co-workers when a support timber cracks and by pure physical strength he holds up the mine giving his co-workers the chance to escape. Just as his co-workers are about to re-enter with the tools necessary to save him, the mine fully collapses. The mine is never reopened but a marble stand is placed in front, honoring the man who “lies at the bottom of this mine”. Big Bad John would hold the No.1 spot on the pop charts for five weeks, win Dean a Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording, and has since regularly been cited as one of the best country songs of the 1960s. Within a month of it's original release, singer Dottie West issued her answer song My Big John, which is told from the perspective of the Cajun queen that drove John away, her search for him, and discovering about his death
November 6, 1961 ~ Richard James Reginald Steven Smith, commonly known as singer, songwriter Ricky Wilde, born in London, UK ~ Brother of singer Kim Wilde, son of singer, actor Marty Wilde. Mentored by producer Jonathan King, who aimed to launch Wilde in the early 1970s as a teen idol and the UK's answer to Donny Osmond. Perhaps best known for his 1972 debut single I Am An Astronaut, notably covered by Snow Patrol in 2006
November 6, 1958 ~ Singer Connie Francis records My Happiness at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Betty Peterson Blasco and Borney Bergantine. Produced by Morton Craft and Jesse Kaye. Previously a hit for Jon & Sondra Steele, the Pied Pipers and for Ella Fitzgerald. One of Francis' favorite songs as a child, Connie Francis' cover version would be released as a single b/w Never Before it would reach No.2 on the pop charts, trailing behind the Platters' Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
November 6, 1949 ~ Trumpeter, pianist, composer Arturo Sandoval born in Artemisa, Cuba ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, the latter at some point becoming a collaborator and mentor of Sandoval's. Has also worked with Paquito d'Rivera, Tito Puente, Chico O'Farrill, GRP All-Star Band, Zane Musa, Dave Siegel, Teymour Phel, Johnny Friday, Armando Ance, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony, Gloria Estefan, Dave Grusin, Ed Calle, Dave Valentin, Regina Belle, Frank Sinatra, James Moody, Irakere, Candy Dulfer, Beenie Man, Tony Bennett, Dr John, and Kurt Elling
November 6, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Glenn Frey, full name Glenn Lewis Frey, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Formed the duo Longbranch Pennywhistle with JD Souther, known for their sole eponymous 1969 Longbranch Pennywhistle album. Frey would rise to fame as co-lead singer of the Eagles alongside Don Henley. Frey co-wrote a vast amount of the band's best known, at times with old pal Souther, and sang lead on songs such as Take It Easy, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Tequila Sunrise, Already Gone, Lyin' Eyes, New Kid In Town, and Heartache Tonight. After the band disbanded in 1980, Frey ventured out on his own, starting with his No Fun Aloud solo debut album in 1982. As a solo artist, Frey is known for hits such as The One You Love, The Heat Is On, and You Belong To The City, the latter two both peaking at No.2 Billboard Hot 100. Frey has also occasionally acted in films and TV series ~ Frey passed away in 2016
November 6, 1947 ~ Rock guitarist, songwriter, producer George Young, full name George Redburn Young, born in Bridgeton, UK ~ Founding member of the Easybeats, known for the 1967 hit Friday On My Mind. Founding member of Flash & the Pan, known for the 1976 hit Hey St Peter. As a producer and songwriter regularly collaborated with Harry Vanda, working with acts such as the Malcolm Hook Roll Band, John Paul Young (Love Is In The Air), Rose Tattoo and notably producing a vast amount of AC/DC's early work, the band including Young's brothers Angus Young and Malcolm Young ~ Young passed away in 2017
November 6, 1947 ~ Country singer Hank Williams records I'm A Long Gone Daddy at Castle Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Penned by Hank Williams. Produced by Fred Rose. Released as a single the following February paired with Blues Come Around on the flip side. Recorded during the same session: I Can't Get You Off Of My Mind and Rootie Tootie
November 6, 1943 ~ Benjamin Joe Houston, commonly known as Chicago blues guitarist, singer Boston Blackie, born in Panola, Alabama, USA ~ Known for his raw, hard-edged style. Influenced by Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Elmore James, Little Milton, Bobby Blue Bland. Worked with Sweetman & the Sugar Boys, Johnny B Moore, Lee Shot Williams, Freddie King, Kansas City Red, Hubert Sumlin, Homesick James, Jimmy Dawkins, Little Walter, Eddie Shaw. Shot and killed by blues singer Tail Dragger Jones in a heated dispute over payment, Jones claimed self-defense but would be convicted for second-degree murder and served 17 months in prison ~ Houston passed away in 1993
November 6, 1941 ~ Rock, country, blues, tejano singer, guitarist, mandolinist, dobroist, keyboardist, percussionist Doug Sahm, full name Douglas Wayne Sahm, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Leading figure in Tex-mex music. Fronted the critically acclaimed the Sir Douglas Quintet, known for the 1965 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit She's About A Mover. The band would open for the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Sahm would record throughout the 1970s to mixed reviews and commercial disappointment yet remain popular in the Texas scene. Co-founded the Texas Tornados in the late 1980s with Augie Meyers, Freddy Fender and Flaco Jiménez ~ Sahm passed away in 1999
November 6, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Guy Clark born in Monahans, Texas, USA ~ Singer, songwriter with over 20 albums to his name. Helped define Americana. Highly admired by peers. Known for songs such as LA Freeway, Waiting For A Train, and Homegrown Tomatoes. Had his songs recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffett, Lyle Lovett, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Bobby Bare, Ricky Skaggs (Heartbroke), John Conlee, Asleep At The Wheel, Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, and by Willie Nelson. ~ Clark passed away in 2016November 6, 1932 ~ Country singer, guitarist Stonewall Jackson born in Tabor City, North Carolina, USA ~ Popular 1950s honky-tonk, country singer. Broke through in 1958 with Life To Go, penned by George Jones. Also known for songs such as Waterloo, Why I'm Walkin', A Wound Time Can't Erase, Leona, BJ The DJ, Don't Be Angry and Stamp Out Loneliness, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Country ~ Jackson passed away in 2021
November 6, 1925 ~ Operatic tenor singer Gerald English, full name Gerald Alfred English, born in Kingston-upon-Hull, UK ~ Premiered works by Igor Stravinsky, Hans Werner Henze, Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett, and Andrew Ford. Worked with Ernest Ansermet, Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Barbirolli, Thomas Beecham, the Royal Opera, La Scala, the Deller Consort, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra ~ English passed away in 2019
November 6, 1916 ~ Bandleader, composer, arranger Ray Conniff, full name Joseph Raymond Conniff, born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA ~ Formed and led the Ray Conniff Singers best known for their 1966 hit Somewhere My Love. Also worked with Rosemary Clooney, Marty Robbins (hanging tree), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis (Chances Are), Guy Mitchell, Johnnie Ray (Just Walking In The Rain), Tony Bennett, Eileen Rodgers, Don Cherry, and Billy Butterfield ~ Conniff passed away in 2002
November 6, 1912 ~ William Little, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, bandleader King Kolax born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Active from the 1930s onwards. Played with Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Parker, JT Brown, Joe Williams, Danny Overbea, Mabel Scott, Rudy Greene, Earl Pugh, Brooks & Brown, Clyde Williams, Harvey Ellington, Wilbur White, the Chanteurs, Jerry Butler, McKinley Mitchell, Otis Rush, and the Vondells ~ Little passed away in 1991
November 6, 1908 ~ Country bassist Ernie Newton, full name Ernest F Newton, born in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Orphaned at age 5. Started working in minstrel shows and radio orchestras in his teens. Closely associated with Fred Waring, Les Paul and Red Foley early on in his career. Would go on to become an in-demand session musician appearing on numerous classic country tracks including I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Lost Highway (Hank Williams), Making Believe (Kitty Wells), There Stands The Glass (Webb Pierce), i Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know (the Davis Sisters), Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Bill Monroe), and Man Of Constant Sorrow (the Stanley Brothers) ~ Newton passed away in 1976
November 6, 1886 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Gus Kahn, full name Gustave Gerson Kahn, born in Koblenz, Germany ~ Songwriting partner of Richard Whiting, Walter Donaldson, Ira Gershwin, Ted Fio Rito, George Gershwin, and Nacio Herb Brown. Songs co-written by Kahn include Who Wants Love (Billie Holiday), Dream A Little Dream Of Me (Ozzie Nelson, Dinah Shore, Patti Page, the Mamas & the Papas), Love Me Or Leave Me (Ruth Etting, Perry Como, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone), I'll See You In My Dreams (Isham Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Pat Boone, the Platters), and It Had To Be You (the Ambassadors, Betty Hutton, Eddy Arnold, Ray Charles) ~ Kahn passed away in 1941