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 14, 1930 ~ William Richard Berry, commonly known as bandleader, trumpeter, cornetist Bill Berry born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA ~ As a leader especially acclaimed for Hello Rev released in 1976 and its follow-up Shortcake two years later. Active since the late 1950s, present on albums by Woody Herman, Herb Pomeroy (Band In Boston), Duke Ellington, Trini López, Ruth Brown, Jake Hanna (Live At The Concord), Ray Charles, Jimmy Rowles (Plus 2 Plus 3 Plus 4), and Johnny Hodges ~ Berry passed away in 2002September 14, 1928 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Jay Cameron born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Fronted the International Sax Band and the Third Herdsmen. Spent most of the 1940s backing Ike Carpenter. Would go on to work with Rex Stewart, Bill Coleman, Roy Haynes, Henri Renaud, Bobby Jaspar, Barney Wilen, Jean-Louis Chautemps, Woody Herman, Slide Hampton, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Freddie Hubbard, Candido Camero, Bill Barron, André Hodeir, Hal McKusick, Les Elgart, Larry Elgart, and Paul Winter ~ Cameron passed away in 2001
September 14, 1927 ~ Jazz, vocal pop singer Gene Austin records My Melancholy Baby at Victor Studios, New York ~ Written by by Ernie Burnett, Maybelle Watson, George A Norton, published in 1912. First recorded by Walter Scanlan. Recorded by hundreds of artists, including notably Gene Austin. Burnett, who composed the music, suffered memory loss after being injured in battle. While recovering a pianist entertained the patients. When he played Melancholy Baby Burnett regained his memory, reclaiming “that's my song.”
September 14, 1918 ~ Israel Lopez Valdes, commonly known as double bassist, composer Cachao, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Influential on Cuban music from the 1930s to 1950s. Credited as co-creator of the mambo. Faded into obscurity in the 1970s. Career revival in the 1990s. Worked with the All Stars Cubano, Joe Cain, Kako, Carlos Montiel, Patato, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Rodriguez, the Salsa All-Stars, and Bebo Valdes ~ Valdés passed away in 2008
September 14, 1914 ~ Songwriter Mae Boren Axton born in Bardwell, Texas, USA ~ Known in the music industry as “the Queen Mother of Nashville” and best remembered for co-writing Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel with Tommy Durden. Has also worked with Mel Tillis, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Eddy Arnold, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Tillotson, and Blake Shelton ~ Axton passed away in 1997
September 14, 1908 ~ Everette Ishmael Hughes, commonly known as Western swing bandleader, fiddler, guitarist, singer Billy Hughes, born in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for penning Tennessee Saturday Night, a 1949 hit for Red Foley. The song has also been recorded by Johnny Bond, Pat Boone, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charley Pride. As a singer, Hughes is best known for co-penning and first recording I'm Tellin' You, later notably covered by Hank Williams ~ Hughes passed away in 1995