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 8, 1974 ~ Singer, pianist Billy Joel releases The Entertainer, the sole single of his Streetlife Serenade album ~ A cynical look at the fleeting fame of a musician, as worded in the lyrics “Today I am your champion, I may have won your hearts. But I know the game, you'll forget my name. And I won't be here, in another year. If I don't stay on the charts.” Warmly received by critics, Record World calling it a clever record and remarking “Billy Joel returns with a glint in his eye and sarcasm on his lips”, it would generally be considered the strongest track of the album. Despite positive reviews, The Entertainer stalled at No.34 Billboard Hot 100. A later single exploring the same theme of fleeting fame, 1980's It's Still Rock & Roll To Me, did considerably better, and reached the No.1 spot
November 8, 1974 ~ R&B, blues, boogie-woogie pianist, singer, songwriter Ivory Joe Hunter, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Billed as “the Baron of the Boogie”, Hunter would enjoy popularity especially in the 1940s and 1950s, merging a velvety voice, smooth delivery and a rebellious nature drawing from R&B, blues, boogie-woogie, gospel, pop, and country music. It is estimated that by the mid 1950s, Hunter had recorded over a 100 songs, many of which have become classics. Well known tracks include Blues At Sunrise, Pretty Mama Blues, Don't Fall In Love With Me, What Did You Do To Me, Waiting In Vain, Jealous Heart, and Empty Arms, all of which reached top 10 Billboard R&B. Hunter is perhaps best remembered for penning and first recording the tracks I Almost Lost My Mind and Since I Met You Baby, the former covered by among others Nat King Cole, Connie Francis, Bill Haley, Solomon Burke, and Albert King, the latter among others by Sam Cooke, Brook Benton, Jerry Lee Lewis, BB King, and Lou Rawls. Several of his songs have also been recorded by Elvis Presley, including I Need You So, My Wish Came True, and Ain't That Lovin' You ~ Hunter was born in 1914
November 8, 1973 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records On A Night Like This ~ Penned by Bob Dylan. Produced by Rob Fraboni. Used as the opening track of the 1974 Planet Waves album. Released as a single, b/w You Angel You, the following March. Dylan is backed by his then-regular backing unit of Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko and Levon Helm
November 8, 1971 ~ Aaron Dontez Yates, commonly known as rapper, singer, producer Tech N9ne, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Member of Black Mafia, the 57th Street Rogue Dog Villians (Let's Get Fucked Up), Nnutthowze and the Regime. Active as a solo artist since the late 1990s with well over a dozen albums to his name. Though never achieving mainstream succes himself, his highest charting single Hood Go Crazy barely scratching the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015, has had numerous major rappers guest on his recordings including E-40, Ice Cube, Three 6 Mafia, Busta Rhymes, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Cee Lo Green, and Eminem
November 8, 1968 ~ Pop, blue-eyed soul singer Dusty Springfield releases Son Of A Preacher Man, lead single off her Dusty In Memphis album ~ Written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, initially with Aretha Franklin in mind. Producer Jerry Wexler, however, passed the song to Dusty Springfield who scored an international hit with it, reaching top 10 in the Netherlands, America, and her native UK. Franklin subsequently recorded the song the following year for her This Girl's In Love With You album, and used it as the B-side to the Call Me Billboard R&B No.1, Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit single. Springfield's original version found a new audience in the mid 1990s after it was included on the soundtrack to the Pulp Fiction feature filmNovember 8, 1968 ~ James Arnold, commonly known as blues slide guitarist Kokomo Arnold, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Got his nickname “Kokomo” after recording The Old Original Kokomo Blues, a cover of a Scrapper Blackwell song about the city of Kokomo, Indiana. Also known for recordings such as Rainy Night Blues, Sissy Man Blues, and Milk Cow Blues. The latter would later be covered by Elvis Presley ~ Arnold was born ca.1901
November 8, 1966 ~ Harold Baker, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Shorty Baker passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid 1930s. Played the riverboats. Moved to work with Don Redman, Teddy Wilson, Andy Kirk, Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, and Billy Strayhorn. He was with Duke from 1942 through 1962 ~ Baker was born in 1914
November 8, 1963 ~ Jazz guitarist Russell Malone born in Albany, New York, USA ~ Began playing at age four on a toy guitar his mother bought him. Influenced by BB King, the Dixie Hummingbirds, and George Benson. Spent the late 1980s and 1990s backing artists such as Jimmy Smith, Harry Connick Jr, and Diana Krall, including on the latter's acclaimed and Grammy Award-winning When I Look In Your Eyes album. As a leader or co-leader, Malone has recorded some dozen albums since the early 1990s, specifically noted for the 2003 collaborative album Jazz At The Bistro with pianist Benny Green, as well as 2004's Playground, and 2017's Time For The Dancers. As a sideman and collaborator, Malone has appeared on albums by Branford Marsalis, Don Braden, Johnny O'Neal (On The Montreal Scene), Stephen Scott (The Beautiful Thing), Gary Bartz, Dave Grusin, Mose Allison (Gimcracks And Gewgaws), Marian McPartland, Ray Brown, Janis Siegel, the Chieftains, Houston Person, Wynton Marsalis, Regina Carter (Motor City Moments), Gary Burton, Will Downing, Natalie Cole, Kenny Rankin, David Sanborn, Jon Faddis (Teranga), Gladys Knight, Alvin Batiste, Jeff Lorber (He Had A Hat), the CTI All-Stars, Jimmy Cobb, Joss Stone (Colour Me Feel), Sonny Rollins, Christian McBride, Macy Gray (Stripped), Jimmy Heath (Love Letter), Eric Bibb, and Rickie Lee Jones ~ Malone passed away in 2024
November 8, 1958 ~ Avant-garde jazz, klesmer clarinetist, saxophonist Don Byron born in New York, New York, USA ~ Took up the clarinet as a child, following doctor's advice to improve his breathing. Influenced by Joe Henderson, Artie Shaw, Jimmy Hamilton and Tony Scott About a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 1996 Bug Music album. In-demand sideman, has worked with the likes of Bobby Previte, Gerry Hemingway, Uri Caine, Bill Frisell, David Murray, Anthony Braxton, Living Colour, Vernon Reid, Marc Ribot, Lalo Schifrin, Allen Toussaint, Suzanne Vega, and Cassandra WilsonNovember 8, 1958 ~ Drummer Terry Lee Miall born in London, UK ~ Member of short-lived UK punk group Models, known for their sole single Freeze. Subsequently worked with Adam & the Ants from 1980, replacing Dave Barbarossa, through 1982. Present on the 1981 Prince Charming album which spawned the hits Stand And Deliver, Ant Rap, and the title track Prince Charming
November 8, 1957 ~ Country singer Susie McEntire, full name Martha Susan McEntire, born in Chokie, Oklahoma, USA ~ Sister of country singer Reba McEntire, with whom she has also worked appearing on the albums Heart To Heart and Unlimited. As a recording artist herself has about a dozen albums to her name starting with 1993's Real Love which included the Paul Overstreet-duet I Don't Like I Do
November 8, 1956 ~ Yolk, folk, folk rock singer Mari Boine born in Karrasjok, Norway ~ Actively recording since the 1990s. Known for her yodeling folk, dubbed yolk. Invited to perform at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, but declined perceiving the invitation as an attempt to bring a token minority to the ceremonies
November 8, 1956 ~ Country singer Patsy Cline records Walkin' After Midnight at Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Alan Block and Donn Hecht. Originally given to pop singer Kay Starr, but her label rejected it. Patsy Cline too initially rejected the song, but settled for having the song she favored, A Poor Man's Roses Or A Rich Man's Gold, recorded during the same session, on the flip side. The first time she performed Walkin' After Midnight, late January on the CBS talent show Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, the applause meter froze and caused technical difficulties. Released in February 1957, the single would reach No.12 Billboard pop, No.2 Billboard CountryNovember 8, 1955 ~ Jazz, blues singer, pianist, bandleader, songwriter Patricia Barber born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Has been releasing solo albums since the late 1980s. Worked with musicians such as Michael Arnopol, Mark Walker, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Marc Johnson, Adam Nussbaum, Carla White, John McLean, Dave Douglas, Jason Narducy, Adam Cruz, Neal Elger, Joey Baron, Chris Potter, and Kenny Werner
November 8, 1954 ~ Jazz bassist Kåre Garnes born in Bergen, Norway ~ Worked with Dag Arnesen, Knut Kristiansen, Per Jorgensen, Olav Dale, Ole Thomsen, Odd Riisnæs, Bjarne Nerem, Laila Dalseth, Per Husby, Svein Christiansen, Tom Olstad, Rune Klakegg, Nora Brockstedt, and Totti Bergh
November 8, 1954 ~ Pop rock singer, guitarist, pianist Rickie Lee Jones born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Released her debut album, the eponymous Rickie Lee Jones, in 1979 and has recorded steadily since. Known for songs such as Young Blood, A Lucky Guy, The Real End and perhaps her best known Chuck E's In Love, the latter reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 in 1979
November 8, 1953 ~ Calypso, gospel, pop singer Denyse Plummer, full name Denyse Burnadette Kirline Plummer, born in Saint James, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Has recorded half a dozen albums, starting with Natural in 1978. Quit her day job in 1977 to pursue a career in music, singing pop songs through the early 1980s. An invite by Phase II Pan Groove's Lennox Sharpe to sing two songs would set her on a career in calypso music, eventually being recognised as one of the leading calypso performers of her day. Well-known for songs such as Heroes and Nah Leaving ~ Plummer passed away in 2023November 8, 1952 ~ Jazz drummer Carl Haakon Waadeland born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Worked with Dadafon, the DumDum Boys, Sambandet, Halvdan Sivertsen, Warne Marsh, Kenny Wheeler, Annbjorg Lien, Henning Sommerro, Bjørn Alterhaug, John Pål Inderberg, Knutsen & Ludvigsen, Miss Theodorakis, and Arja Saijormaa
November 8, 1951 ~ Singer, songwriter Gerald Alston born in Henderson, North Carolina, USA ~ Lead singer of the Manhattans, known for hits such as Kiss And Say Goodbye. As a solo artist known for songs such as Take Me Where You Want To, Slow Motion and Getting Back Into Love
November 8, 1950 ~ Rock, pop drummer Ab Tamboer born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Perhaps best known as member of Earth & Fire from 1978 until the band folded in 1983, present on the band's biggest hit Weekend. Subsequently a member of het Goede Doel through 1988, present on the band's Tempo Doeloe, Mooi En Onverslijtbaar en Iedereen Is Anders. Has also worked with Galaxis, Geo Dijkhuis, Jan Akkerman, Dennie Christian, Circus Custers, Polle Eduard, Henk Temming, and Kinderen Voor Kinderen ~ Tamboer passed away in 2016
November 8, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bonnie Raitt, full name Bonnie Lynn Raitt, born in Burbank, California, USA ~ Critics' darling. Known for songs such as Something To Talk About, I Can't Make You Love Me, and Love Sneakin' Up On You, all of which reached the Billboard top 20
November 8, 1948 ~ Rosalie L Edmondson, commonly known as pop, pop rock singer Sandy Edmonds, born in Ormskirk, UK ~ At the height of her fame, during the mid 1960s, New Zealand's most recognizable teen idol. Well known songs include Oh No Not My Baby, I Love Onions, and Daylight Saving Time. Offered a spot in the Seekers in 1968, as replacement for Judith Durham, but declined ~ Edmondson passed away in 2022November 8, 1947 ~ Drummer, singer Jack Jones, full name Jack Llewleyn Jones, born in Northampton, UK ~ Member of the Creation, remaining with the band from 1966 through 1968 and rejoining in later reincarnations. Present on early recordings such as Making Time, Painter Man and Cool Jerk
November 8, 1947 ~ Soul, R&B singer Minnie Riperton, full name Minnie Julia Riperton, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Riperton released about half a dozen solo albums, starting with Come To My Garden in 1970, prior to an untimely death at age 31 by cancer. Lead singer of psychedelic soul outfit Rotary Connection. Backup singer for the likes of Etta James, Fontella Bass, Ramsey Lewis, Muddy Waters, and notably Stevie Wonder, including on the albums Fulfillingness' First Finale and Songs In The Key Of Life. Wonder would also co-produce Riperton's 1974 Perfect Angel sophomore album, which spawned her biggest hit and Billboard Hot 100 charttopper Lovin' You ~ Riperton passed away in 1979November 8, 1946 ~ Michael Lau Siu-Tin, commonly known as cantopop producer, songwriter Michael Lai, born in Hong Kong ~ Son of composer Lai Cho-Tin. First gained attention working as music director for Rediffusion Television, co-hosting and composing a number of TV themes. Would move to Capitol Artists by the early 1980s, where he would be a key figure in Cantopop. Noted especially for producing Leslie Cheung's 1983 Wind Blows On album ~ Lai passed away in 2019