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.
October 30, 1912 ~ Leland James Gillette, commonly known as producer, label executive, A&R director Lee Gillette, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Headed the country division for Capitol Records starting in 1942, signing and producing acts such as Tex Ritter, Jack Guthrie, Jimmy Wakely, Merle Travis, Tex Williams, Tennessee Ernie Ford. Moved to the label's pop division in 1950, where he would produce Georgia Gibbs, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Stan Kenton, Vic Damone. Especially closely associated with Nat King Cole, producing all of Cole's recordings from 1950 onwards. Following Cole's death in 1965 Gillette suffered from depression and retired shortly afterwards, only occasionally producing thereafter ~ Gillette passed away in 1981