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.
September 12, 1954 ~ Zouk singer Jocelyne Béroard born in Fort-de-France, Martinique ~ Lead singer of Kassav, joining the band in 1983, with whom she has recorded over a dozen albums. The band enjoyed popularity in France especially from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, most of their albums from the period reaching Gold or Platinum certification. The band would score a top 20 hit in 1988 with Sye Bwa. Béroard has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Siwo released in 1986, and ventured into acting for film and TVSeptember 12, 1954 ~ Swing, mainstream jazz saxophonist Scott Hamilton born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Known for his close association with Rosemary Clooney, recording and touring with Clooney for about a decade. Has also worked with artists such as Benny Goodman, Buddy Tate, Ruby Braff, Ken Peplowski, Spike Robinson, Gerald Wiggins, Andy Simpkins, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Tate, Howard Alden, and Dusko Gojkovic
September 12, 1952 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Gerry Beckley born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Member of 1960s surf group the Vanguards. Rose to fame as founding member of America alongside Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek, best known for their 1972 hit A Horse With No Name. Other well known songs include I Need You, Sister Golden Hair and Daisy Jane, all written by Beckley. Has also guested on recordings by Dan Fogelberg, David Cassidy, Rick Danko, Dan Peek, Carl Wilson, Brian Wilson's One World Project, Chicago's Robert Lamm, and Al Jardine
September 12, 1952 ~ Drummer Neil Peart, full name Neil Ellwood Peart, born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Influenced by Keith Moon, John Bonham, Gene Krupa, and Buddy Rich. Longtime drummer, primary lyricist for rock, symphonic rock outfit Rush, joining the band in 1974 as replacement for original drummer John Rutsey. Peart has also authored about half a dozen books on his travels and personal stories, and co-authored three steampunk fantasy novels based on the band's final album, 2012's Clockwork Angels. Retired from music in 2015 for health reasons. Peart was widely revered for his technical proficiency, The New Yorker once commenting: “Watching Peart play the drums gave the impression that he might possess several phantom limbs” ~ Peart passed away in 2020
September 12, 1951 ~ Ollie Creggett, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, drummer Ali Ollie Woodson born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Joined the Temptations in 1984 replacing Dennis Wilson as the lead singer. Except for a year-long hiatus Woodson remained with the band through 1996. Had also worked with Aretha Franklin, Jean Carn, and with Bill Pinkney ~ Woodson passed away in 2010September 12, 1951 ~ Contemporary classical, free improvisation bassist, double bassist, singer Joëlle Léandre born in Aix-en-Provence, France ~ Leader and in-demand collaborator. Appears on well over a hundred albums since the early 1980s. Member of Quartet Noir, alongside Marilyn Crispell, Urs Leimgruber and Fritz Hauser. Has worked with Lol Coxhill, Canvas Trio, Jon Rose, Anthony Braxton, Diaboliques, Carlos Zingaro, Francois Houle, Derek Bailey, Kazue Sawai, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Barre Phillips, and Kevin Norton
September 12, 1949 ~ Bassist, singer Tony Stevens born in London, UK ~ Member of Savoy Brown from 1968 through 1971, present on the albums Shake Down, Getting To The Point, Blue Matter, A Step Further, Raw Sienna, and Looking In. Subsequently a member of Foghat, with whom he recorded four albums until his departure in 1974. Stevens has also appeared on albums by Joe Jammer, Kaz Lux, Jimmy Dawkins, Andy Mackay, Midnight Flyer, and Roger Chapman
September 12, 1948 ~ Trombonist Steve Turre born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Leader with over 20 albums to his name, renowned sideman. Member of the Saturday Night Live Band. Has worked with artists such as Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Carlos Santana, Ray Charles, Monty Alexander, Carl Allen, Laurie Anderson, the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Andy Bey, Art Blakey, Terence Blanchard, Lester Bowie, TK Blue, Don Braden, Cecil Bridgewater, Kenny Burrell, Henry Butler, Mariah Carey, Regina Carter, Celia Cruz and Willie Nelson, Deadline, Charles Fambrough, Larry Gales, Dizzy Gillespie, Chico Hamilton, Antonio Hart, Marion Hayden, Terumasa Hino, JJ Johnson, Etta Jones, Harold Mabern, John Santos, Chico Mendoza, Jann Parker, Tito Puente, Lou Rawls, Gabrielle Roth, Vanessa Rubin, Hilton Ruiz, Woody Shaw, Horace Silver, Archie Shepp, Bob Stewart, McCoy Tyner, and Cedar Walton
September 12, 1948 ~ Drummer, songwriter, producer, music journalist Will Birch born in Southend-on-Sea, UK ~ Co-founded pub rock band the Kursaal Flyers, for whom he co-wrote their biggest hit Little Does She Know with bandmates guitarist Graeme Douglas and singer Paul Shuttleworth. Following the band's disbandement in 1977 Birch formed power pop outfit the Records, known for the minor hit Starry Eyes. Co-wrote A1 On The Jukebox with Dave Edmunds, recorded by the latter. Served as producer for the like of Yachts, Billy Bremner, Desmond Dekker, Dr Feelgood. Wrote No Sleep Till Canvey Island documenting the 1970s pub rock scene and the Ian Dury biography Ian Dury (The Definitive Biography)September 12, 1946 ~ Freddie Pool, commonly known as singer Freddi Poole, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of Wild Honey, which also included Vesta Williams and Mary Flowers. Has also worked with Lola Falana, Jean Terrell, Lisa Stansfield, Phyllis Hyman, Patti LaBelle, Ron Townson, Sammy Davis Jr, Liza Minnelli, Lou Rawls, Jermaine Jackson, and Gladys Knight. Joined the Three Degrees in 2011 replacing Cynthia Garrison who retired from music for health reasons
September 12, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Barry White, full name Barry Eugene White, born in Galveston, Texas, USA ~ Over 100 gold records worldwide. Influenced by James Cleveland, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, the Supremes, the Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye. Known for a bass-baritone smooth voice, his association with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, and for songs such as I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby, Never Never Going To Give You Up, Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe, and It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me ~ White passed away in 2003September 12, 1944 ~ Bassist, singer Colin Young born in Barbados, West Indies ~ Lead singer of the Foundations, joining the band in 1968 replacing Clem Curtis and remaining with the band until its initial disbandement in 1970. Present on some of the band's best known including Build Me Up Buttercup and In The Bad Bad Old Days (Before You Loved Me)
September 12, 1944 ~ Guitarist, singer Steve Lalor born in Glens Falls, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Daily Flash, known for their blend of folk, jazz and rock setting them apart from the usual garage bands of the era making them a major force in the Seattle underground scene by the mid 1960s. The band is best known for their 1967 single French Girl ~ Lalor passed away in 2018
September 12, 1943 ~ Maria Grazia Rosa Domenica D'Amato, commonly known as folk, blues, country singer Maria Muldaur born in New York, New York, USA ~ Well known for the 1973 hit Midnight At The Oasis, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit of her 1973 eponymous Maria Muldaur debut album. Cites country artists such as Kitty Wells, Hank Williams and Bob Wills, R&B artists such as Ruth Brown, Fats Domino and Chuck Willis, and doo-wop acts such as the Platters as influences. Member of the Even Dozen Jug Band alongside future Lovin' Spoonful singer John Sebastian. Member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, which also included Geoff Muldaur whom she would later marry. Has also worked with the Jerry Garcia Band, Linda Ronstadt, the Doobie Brothers, Elvin Bishop, and the Woodstock Mountain RevueSeptember 12, 1942 ~ Jazz, pop, rock, country pianist Jane Getz born ~ Leader, solo artist and in-demand sidewoman, session pianist in a variety of genres. As a solo artist has about half a dozen albums to her name, starting with the county-tinged Mother Hen released in 1971. Wrote The Original Tap Dancing Kid, featured on 1973 Jimmie Spheeris album of the same name. Present on recordings by Charles Mingus, Pharoah Sanders, George Braith, Gene McDaniels, Rick Roberts, the Bee Gees (Life In A Tin Can), Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr, and Geoff Muldaur
September 12, 1940 ~ Digby George Richards, commonly known as rock & roll singer, songwriter, TV personality Dig Richards, born in Dunedoo, Australia ~ Fronted the R'Jays during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Arguably the first Australian rock & roll artists to record a full-length album, namely his eponymous Dig Richards solo debut album in 1959. Would venture into country later on. Best known for songs such as My Little Lover, A Little Piece Of Peace, People Call Me Country, and Do The Spunky Monkey ~ Richards passed away in 1983September 12, 1940 ~ Jazz organist, singer John DeFrancesco, full name John Jasper DeFrancesco, born in Niagara Falls, New York, USA ~ Father of jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco and blues guitarist Johnny DeFrancesco. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for Coming Home released in 1994 ~ DeFrancesco passed away in 2024
September 12, 1938 ~ Judith Grace Guions, commonly known as singer Judy Clay, born in St Paul's, North Carolina, USA ~ Member of family gospel outfit the Drinkard Singers, which later became the Sweet Inspirations and at times included Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick. Clay also notably teamed with singer Billy Vera for a number of duets, including Storybook Children and Country Girl City Man. Also teamed with singer William Bell for the duets Private Number and My Baby Specializes. Would go on to session for artists such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Donny Hathaway, and Wilson Pickett ~ Guion passed away in 2001September 12, 1935 ~ Geraldo Pedrosa de Araujo Dias, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Geraldo Vandré, born in Paraiba, Brazil ~ Active since the mid 1960s. Frontman of the Quarteto Novo. Known for penning Disparada recorded by Jair Rodrigues, and Caminhando recorded by Simone
September 12, 1931 ~ Singer George Jones, full name George Glenn Jones, born in Saratoga, Texas, USA ~ Iconic country singer active since the 1950s. Known for songs such as Why Baby Why, White Lightning, The Window Up Above, Seasons Of My Heart, Just One More, The Love Bug, The Race Is On, A Good Year For The Roses, He Stopped Loving Her Today, The Grand Tour, as well as for several duets with his then-wife Tammy Wynette such as Golden Ring ~ Jones passed away in 2013September 12, 1930 ~ Claude Vasori, commonly known as orchestra leader, composer, arranger Caravelli born in Paris, France ~ Actively recording since the late 1950s. Has worked with Maurice Chevalier and Charles Trenet. Known for composing several soundtracks, notably El Satan Conduit Le Bal. Also co-wrote Laisse Moi Le Temps, translated to English by Paul Anka and recorded by Frank Sinatra as Let Me Try Again ~ Vasori passed away in 2019
September 12, 1927 ~ Country singer, accordionist, autoharpist, guitarist, pianist, mandolinist Helen Carter, full name Helen Myrl Carter, born in Maces Springs, Virginia, USA ~ Member of pioneering all-female country grouip the Carter Sisters alongside matriarch Mother Maybelle Carter and younger sisters June Carter and Anita Carter ~ Carter passed away in 1998September 12, 1924 ~ Pop, R&B, jazz singer Ella Mae Morse born in Mansfield, Texas, USA ~ Hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was just 14 years old. Predated rock & roll. Would go on to score hits such as Cow Cow Boogie, Mister Five By Five and House Of The Blue Lights with Freddie Slack, and Shoo Shoo Baby and Love Me Or Leave Me as a solo artist ~ Morse passed away in 1999
September 12, 1919 ~ Soul jazz, R&B guitarist Bill Jennings born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Widely regarded as leading figure in soul jazz. Cited by BB King as influence. Has worked with Willis Jackson, Brother Jack McDuff, Leo Parker, Bill Doggett, Little Willie John (Fever), Louis Jordan, the Tympany Five, King Curtis, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald ~ Jennings passed away in 1978September 12, 1918 ~ Waldren Joseph, commonly known as trombonist Frog Joseph, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Plays piano, double-bass and trombone. Toured with artists such as Joe Robichaux, Sidney Desvignew, and Lee Allen. Recorded with Big Joe Turner, Earl King, Smiley Lewis, Dave Bartholomew. Has also worked with Paul Barbarin, Louis Cottrell Jr, Papa French, and the Original Camelia Band. Two of Joseph's sons would go on to become professional jazz musicians, sousaphonist Kirk Joseph and trombonist Charles Joseph ~ Joseph passed away in 2004