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 8, 1968 ~ Corey Brent Penn Sr, commonly known as rapper CL Smooth, born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Half of the hip-hop duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth known for their 1992 hit They Reminisce Over You (TROY), which became a staple of classic golden age hip-hop, and for collaborations with artists such as Johnny Gill, Heavy D & the Boyz and Run-DMC (on the 1993 track Down With The King)
October 8, 1968 ~ DJ, keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill born in Barking, UK ~ Dancer and occasional keyboardist for the Prodigy, leaving the band in 2000. Has recorded a number of unnoticed solo EPs under various monikers. Would go on to play DJ sets at larger venues, work as a remixer for artists including Subsonica, and found the nu-skool breaks Electric Tastebuds record label
October 8, 1967 ~ House, R&B, dance-pop singer, pianist, violinist Joi Cardwell, full name Joi Bernadette Cardwell, born in New York, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in the early 1990s as guest vocalist on Lil Louis' dance hits Club Lonely and Saved My Life. Debuted as a solo artist in 1995 with the album The World Is Full Of Trouble, spawning hits such as Jump For Joi and Love & Devotion. Would go on to score with singles such as Soul To Bare, Run To You, Found Love, Freedom, and It's OverOctober 8, 1965 ~ Christopher Joseph Ward, commonly known as punk rock, rock basssist CJ Ramone, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Best known as latter-day member of the Ramones, with whom he recorded three studio albums. Ward joined the band in 1989, succeeding original bassist Dee Dee Ramone, and remained with the band until its disbandement about half a decade later. Ward has also worked with Guitar Pete's Axe Attack, Los Gusanos, and Bad Chopper, and recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Reconquista released in 2012
October 8, 1964 ~ Priscilla Marie Winans, commonly known as gospel, R&B singer CeCe Winans, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Half of Bebe & CeCe Winans, the other half being her brother BeBe Winans, known for songs such as Heaven, Addictive Love, and It's OK. As a solo artist recording since the mid 1990s, won a dozen Grammy Awards, sold over 17 millions records, making her the all-time best-selling female gospel artist. Known for singles such as Well Alright, the Lauryn Hill-penned On That Day and Anybody Wanna Pray. Close friend of Whitney Houston, with whom she also duetted on Count On Me from the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack, and Godmother to Houston's daughter. Also collaborated with Barbara Mandrell, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Patti LaBelle, and Mary Mary
October 8, 1962 ~ Singer, songwriter Jon Stevens born in Upper Hut, New Zealand ~ Released a number of overlooked solo albums before finding succes as frontman of Noiseworks in the late 1980s, scoring hits with Take Me Back, Touch and Hot Chilli Woman. Has also fronted INXS for a number of years in the early 2000s after the death of Michael Hutchence, notably present on the 2003 single I Get Up. Has also starred as Judas in an Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and collaborated with the Dead Daisies, Dave Stewart, and Kate Ceberano
October 8, 1961 ~ Trumpeter, slide trumpeter, bandleader Steven Bernstein born in Washington DC, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader. Perhaps best known for his work with Sexmob. Also closely associated with the Lounge Lizards, Spanish Fly and the Millennial Territory Orchestra. Collaborated with Roswell Rudd, Don Byron, Aretha Franklin, Lou Reed, Linda Ronstadt, Digable Planets, Sting, Levon Helm, Rufus Wainwright, Nels Cline, Mario Pavone, the Baby Loves Jazz Band, and Elton John
October 8, 1959 ~ Fionan Martin Hanvey, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor, painter Gavin Friday, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Founded and fronted post-punk group the Virgin Prunes. After the band broke up devoted himself to painting, sharing a studio with Charlie Whisker, Prunes bandmate Guggi and childhood friend U2's Bono. Has also musically collaborated with the latter on several occasions, notably on the soundtracks for In The Name Of The Father and In America. Songs from both films, respectively You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart sung by Sinéad O'Connor and In America sung by Andrea Corr, would be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Friday has released several solo albums, notably the acclaimed Adam 'n' Eve in 1992, and collaborated with artists such as Maurice Seezer, Quincy Jones, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Fall, Dave Ball, Shannon McNally, and with Talking Heads members Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth
October 8, 1957 ~ Singer, pianist Jerry Lee Lewis records Great Balls Of Fire at Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee ~ Written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer. Produced by Sam Phillips. Raw, wild, explosive, it would become one of Jerry Lee Lewis' signature songs and one of the tunes that defined rock & roll. Lewis is backed by Sidney Stokes on bass, Roland Janes on guitar and Jimmy Van Eaton on drums. Released the next month, paired with You Win Again featured on the flip sideOctober 8, 1956 ~ Singer Tony Bennett releases his Just In Time single, originally from the 1956 Bells Are Ringing musical ~ Originally introduced by Judy Holliday & Sydney Chaplin in the Bells Are Ringing musical, penned by Jule Styne with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden. Tony Bennett's version would be released as a single, paired with The Autumn Waltz on the flip side, and would peak in the mid-40s on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Bennett would continue to perform the song throughout his career, and re-record it as a duet with Michael Bublé for his 2006 Duets (An American Classic) album. Others who have recorded the song include Peggy Lee, Blossom Dearie, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Rickie Lee Jones
October 8, 1955 ~ Bassist, composer, producer James Singleton, full name James Evan Singleton, born ~ Worked with John Scofield, Stanton Moore, John Medeski, John Abercrombie, the Astral Project, Art Baron, Ellis Marsalis Jr, Earl Tubinton, Eddie Harris, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Lionel Hampton, Arnett Cobb, Banu Gibson, Chet Baker, Alvin Tyler, James Booker, Johnny Adams, Charlie Rich, Zachary Richard, Robert Walter, Rob Wagner, Oliver Bou, and Steve Masakowski
October 8, 1953 ~ Country singer, guitarist Ricky Lee Phelps born in Edmonton, Kentucky, USA ~ Formed the duo Brother Phelps with his brother guitarist, singer Doug Phelps. The duo would score a number a early 1990s country hits, their highest charting being Let Go reaching top 10 Billboard Country in 1993. Prior both brothers had played with the Kentucky Headhunters, leaving the band after the successful 1989 Pickin' On Nashville debut album
October 8, 1952 ~ Trombonist Clifford Adams, full name Clifford Alanza Adams Jr, born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of Kool & the Gang, joining the band in 1977. Present on some of the band's best known, notably the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Ladies Night and Too Hot ~ Adams passed away in 2015October 8, 1951 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Caroline Peyton born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for a number of 1970s albums, notably Mock Up and Intuition. Would go on to appear in theatrical productions, including on Broadway, and work as a voice actress in Disney animated films. Released a self-penned album, Homeseeker's Paradise, in 2014 ~ Peyton passed away in 2021
October 8, 1950 ~ Robert Earl Bell, commonly known as jazz, R&B, funk, soul, disco singer, bassist Robert Kool Bell born in Youngstown, Ohio, USA ~ Founding and longtime member of Kool & the Gang, known for hits such Ladies Night, Celebrate, Something Special and Emergency, all of which reached the Billboard top 20October 8, 1950 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, mandolinist Russ Barenberg born ~ Influenced by Clarence White. Worked with Heartlands, Fiddle Fever, the Laughing Hands, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Maura O'Connell, Béla Fleck, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Ray Repp, Peter Wernick, Hazel Dickens, Andy Statman, Bill Keith, Rodney Miller, Tony Trischka, Alison Krauss, Hugh Moffatt, Roy Book Binder, Mark O'Connor, Jesse Winchester, Laurie Lewis, Rhonda Vincent, Darol Anger, Chris Thile, Bryan Sutton, Charlie Haden, Steve Martin, and Craig Duncan
October 8, 1949 ~ Guitarist, bassist, singer Hamish Stuart, full name James Hamish Stuart, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as a member of the Average White Band from 1972 to 1982, including on the acclaimed albums AWB which spawned the hit Pick Up The Pieces and Cut The Cake. Has also worked with Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and David Sanborn. Wrote or co-wrote songs for Smokey Robinson, Jeffrey Osborne, George Benson, Diana Ross, and for Atlantic Starr, notably the 1986 hit If Your Heart Isn't In It for the latter
October 8, 1948 ~ John William Cummings, commonly known as guitarist, singer Johnny Ramone, born in Forest Hills, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member and rhythm guitarist of the Ramones. Known within the punk community as one of the few conservatives and a staunch supporter of the GOP. The UK single Bonzo Goes To Bitburg would be retitled My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) on American releases as Cummings found the title insulting to Reagan, at the time US President ~ Cummings passed away in 2004October 8, 1948 ~ Bluegrass banjoist Lynn Morris born in Texas, USA ~ Won the 1974 National Banjo Championship, making her the first female to achieve this feat. Member of City Limits and Whetstone Run. Founded her own group, the Lynn Morris Band, in the late 1980s whose members over time included Jesse Brock, Tad Marks, David McLaughlin, Audie Blaylock, and her husband Marshall Wilborn
October 8, 1944 ~ Josephine Armstead, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jo Armstead in Yazoo, Mississippi, USA ~ Sang backup for Bobby Blue Bland. Member of the Ikettes, backing Ike Turner & Tina Turner. As a songwriter teamed with Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson writing hits for Ray Charles (Let's Go Get Stoned), Chuck Jackson, Maxine Brown, Aretha Franklin (Cry Like A Baby), Ruby Andrews, Garland Green, Tina Britt, Ronnie Milsap, Syl Johnson (Come On Sock It To Me), and Carl Carlton. Also sang backup for Esther Phillips, Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones, BB King, David Bromberg, Randall Bramblett, Burt Bacharach, Taj Mahal, Nina Simone, Stephanie Mills, Luther Vandross and was cast in the 1972 Broadway production of Don't Play Us Cheap in the role of Mrs WashingtonOctober 8, 1941 ~ Rock & roll, country guitarist George Bellamy born in Sunderland, UK ~ Father of Muse frontman Matt Bellamy. Active since the late 1950s. Best known as member of the Tornados, present on their instrumental hit Telstar and co-writer of Ridin' The Wind. Also worked with Don Charles, Rough Terrain, and the Lyrics
October 8, 1941 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Gus Kahn, full name Gustave Gerson Kahn, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ 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 was born in 1886October 8, 1941 ~ Gospel quartet the Selah Jubilee Singers record Just A Closer Walk With Thee ~ Released in 1941 as the B-side of A-Walking In The Light Of God. Lead vocals by Thurman Ruth and John Ford. Arguably the definitive version of this traditional gospel song, Sister Rosetta Tharpe's 1941 version a close runner-up
October 8, 1930 ~ Park Frederick Adams III, commonly known as jazz, hard bop, post-bop saxophonist Pepper Adams, born in Highland Park, Michigan, USA ~ Unlike his contemporaries who favored cool jazz, Adams is praised for bringing the baritone sax into the fast speeds of hard bop. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for 10 To 4 At The Five Spot released in 1958. An in-demand sideman, Adams has appeared on over an estimated 600 sessions including albums by Chet Baker, Teddy Charles (The Teddy Charles Tentet), Kenny Clarke, Quincy Jones (This Is How I Feel About Jazz), Lee Morgan, John Coltrane (Dakar), Gene Ammons, Philly Joe Jones, Donald Byrd (Byrd In Hand), Charles Mingus (Blues & Roots), Maynard Ferguson, Blue Mitchell (Boss Horn), Lou Donaldson (Lush Life), Jimmy Smith, Duke Pearson (Now Hear This), Rahsaan Roland Kirk, George Benson, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Elvin Jones (Poly-Currents), Carmen McRae, and Dakota Staton ~ Adams passed away in 1986October 8, 1930 ~ Composer Toru Takemitsu born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Founding member Jikken Kobo, considered a highly influential experimental, avant-garde collective. Influenced by Olivier Messiaen, Claude Debussy and traditional Japanese music. Wrote several hundreds compositions, scored over 90 films, authored twenty books on aesthetics and music theory. Best known for his 1957 Requiem For String Orchestra ~ Takemitsu passed away in 1996