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, 1916 ~ William Alonzo Anderson, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Cat Anderson, born in Greenville, South Carolina, USA ~ Best known for his extensive tenure in Duke Ellington's orchestra. Also played with Hartley Toots, Claude Hopkins, Doc Wheeler, Lucky Millinder, Erskine Hawkins, Sabby Lewis, Lionel Hampton, Gene Ammons, Louie Bellson, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hodges, Quincy Jones, Rosemary Clooney, Earl Hines, Bill Berry, and with Claude Bolling ~ Anderson passed away in 1981
September 12, 1914 ~ Singer, bandleader Eddy Howard, full name Edward Evan Duncan Howard, born in Woodland, California, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity during the 1940s and 1950s. Started his career singing in the bands of Ben Bernie and Dick Jurgens. Would venture out on his own, leading his own orchestra by the mid 1940s. Known for songs such as To Each His Own, My Adobe Hacienda, Kate (Have I Come Too Early Too Late), Room Full Of Roses, It's No Sin, Be Anything But Be Mine ~ Howard passed away in 1963
September 12, 1914 ~ Swing, big band violinist, bandleader Johnny Long born ~ Known for a number of 1940s hits such as My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time, Poor Butterfly and the million-seller In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town. Also accompanied Ella Fitzgerald on Confessin' That I Love You ~ Long passed away in 1972September 12, 1910 ~ Saul Feldman, commonly known as bandleader, clarinetist, saxophonist Shep Fields, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Popular 1930s bandleader. Known for songs such as Cathedral In The Pines, Did I Remember, Thanks For The Memory. Has worked with artists such as Sal Gioa, Lou Halmy, Gene Merlino, Dorothy Allen, Toni Arden, and Sid Caesar ~ Feldman passed away in 1981
September 12, 1908 ~ Harold Holiday, commonly known as Texas blues pianist, singer, songwriter Black Boy Shine, born in Fort Bend County, Texas, USA ~ Drew from dance music, ragtime, boogie-woogie, blues. Remembered by blues aficionados for a number of 1930s recordings, notably Hobo Blues and Ice Pick And Pistol Woman Blues. Formed the duo Moonshine with the more famous blues pianist Moon Mullican. Has also worked with Bernice Edwards, JT Smith, and Robert Shaw ~ Holiday passed away in 1952
September 12, 1883 ~ Banjoist, guitarist Gus Cannon, full name Gustavus Cannon, born in Red Banks, Mississippi, USA ~ Helped popularize jug bands, including his own Cannon's Jug Stompers, of the 1920s and 1930s. Also recorded under the moniker Banjo Joe. Best known for songs such as Minglewood Blues, Pig Ankle Strut, Wolf River Blues, and Walk Right In, the latter later covered by the Rooftop Singers in the 1960s and by Dr Hook in the 1970s. Worked with Blind Blake, Furry Lewis, Bukka White, Will Shade, and Milton Roby ~ Cannon passed away in 1979
September 12, 1768 ~ Music publisher, conductor, composer Benjamin Carr born in London, UK ~ Regarded as the most important music publisher in America during the 1790s, as well as distinguished composer and conductor. Co-founded Musical Fund Society in 1820, one of the oldest musical societies in America. As a composer best known for his 1794 Federal Overture work for piano. Dubbed “the Father of Philadelphia Music” ~ Carr passed away in 1831September 12, 1764 ~ Composer, harpsichordist Jean-Philippe Rameau passed away in Paris, France ~ Considered one of the most important French composers of the 18th century and leading composer of the harpsichord alongside François Couperin. Best known for his Hippolyte Et Aricie opera premiered in 1733 ~ Rameau was born in 1683