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 16, 1952 ~ Jazz trumpeter Frank Szabo born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Toured with Ray Charles in the early 1970s, with Count Basie in 1975 and 1983. Member of the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut, including on albums such as The Live At The Century Plaza and Juggernaut Strikes Again. Also present on albums by Louie Bellson, Tom Talbert, Grover Mitchell, Pat Longo (Billy May For President), Toni Tennille, Diane Schuur, and Natalie Cole
September 16, 1952 ~ Rock, heartland rock bassist Ron Blair, full name Ronald Edward Blair, born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Member of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers from 1976 through 1981. Returned to the band in 2002, taking over for Howie Epstein who had replaced him twenty years earlier. Present on the band's first four albums, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, You're Gonna Get It, Damn The Torpedoes and Hard Promises. Towards the end of his first tenure with the band Blair regularly considered leaving and was occasionally replaced in the studio by session bassists including Donald Duck DunnSeptember 16, 1952 ~ Rock guitarist, bassist, songwriter Tom Leadon born in Rosemount, Minnesota, USA ~ Co-founding member of Mudcrutch, which also included a then-unknown Tom Petty, remaining with the band through 1972. Leadon also backed Johnny Rivers and Linda Ronstadt, and was a member of 1970s country-rock outfit Silver. In 1975 the Eagles, which included his brother guitarist Bernie Leadon, recorded Tom's original composition Hollywood Waltz for their One Of These Nights album ~ Leadon passed away in 2023
September 16, 1950 ~ Singer David Bellamy, full name David Milton Bellamy, born in Darby, Florida, USA ~ Half of sibling duo the Bellamy Brothers, the other half being his baby brother Howard Bellamy, known for country-pop songs such as Let Your Love Flow and If I Said You Have A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me
September 16, 1948 ~ Guitarist, percussionist, singer José Sébéloue born in Ounary, French Guyana ~ Member of pop unit La Compagnie Créole, founded in 1975. The band originally sang in Creole but quickly adopted French as their main language. Known for their feel-good, happy-go-lucky vibe they have recorded about two dozen albums and would enjoy popularity in the Francophone world and beyond especially in the 1980s, reportedly selling over 60 million records over the course of their career. Well-known songs include Vive Le Douanier Rousseau, C'est Bon Pour Le Moral, Le Bal Masqué, Ça Fait Rire Les Oiseaux, and Ma Première Biguine-Partie ~ Sébéloue passed away in 2023
September 16, 1948 ~ Drummer Kenney Jones, full name Kenneth Thomas Jones, born in London, UK ~ Best known for his association with the Small Faces, its successor the Faces and the Who, replacing the late Keith Moon in 1978. Co-founded the Law with singer Paul Rodgers in the 1990s and the Jones Gang with Rick Wills and Robert Hart in the 2000s. In-demand collaborator, has worked with Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones, Roger Daltrey, Andy Fairweather Low, Marsha Hunt, David Essex, and WingsSeptember 16, 1948 ~ Percussionist, composer Madeleine Yayodele Nelson born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Founder, director of the Women Of The Calabash, who performed with the Temptations, Richie Havens, Philip Glass, Odetta, Max Roach, and Ashford & Simpson. As a solo artist Nelson has collaborated with Paul Simon, Edie Brickell, and with Billy Harper ~ Nelson passed away in 2018
September 16, 1946 ~ Camilo Blanes Cortés, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Camilo Sesto, born in Alcoy, Spain ~ Member of Los Dayson and of Los Botines in the 1960s. Went solo in 1970, known for songs such as Algo De Mi, Yo Soy Asi, Isabel, and Mienteme. Has written songs for Angela Carrasco, Miguel Bosé, Lucía Méndez, Charytin Goyco and José José ~ Cortés passed away in 2019
September 16, 1946 ~ Mamie Robinson, commonly known as vaudeville, jazz, blues singer, pianist, dancer, actress Mamie Smith, passed away in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Made blues history in 1920 recording That Thing Called Love and You Can't Keep A Good Man Down, making her the first African-American singer to be recorded and her success prompting record companies to seek other female singers ushering in the era of classic female blues ~ Robinson was born in 1891
September 16, 1946 ~ Songwriter Wood Newton, full name Wood Arnold Newton, born in Hampton, Arkansas, USA ~ Co-wrote songs recorded by Kenny Dale, Rita Coolidge, Janie Fricke, Steve Wariner, Martin Delray, and perhaps most notably the Oak Ridge Boys, the latter reaching the top of the Billboard Country charts with Bobbie Sue co-written with Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Dan Tyler and Adele Tyler
September 16, 1945 ~ John Peter Robinson, commonly known as keyboardist J Peter Robinson, born in Fulmer, UK ~ In-demand session keyboardist starting in the 1970s. Has worked with Brand X, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Quatermass, Carly Simon, Bryan Ferry, David Bowie, Stealers Wheel, Eric Clapton, the Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau, Melissa Etheridge. Would turn to a career as a film and TV composer in the mid-1980s, scoring films such as Cocktail, Highlander III (The Sorcerer), Vampire In Brooklyn, and The Bank Job
September 16, 1945 ~ José Alberto Iglesias, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist Tanguito, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Leading Buenos Aires underground countercultural figure by the late 1960s. Helped birth Argentine rock. Reportedly co-wrote Los Gatos' La Balsa hit. Struggled with amphetamine addiction and the law, received electroshock therapy and was declared legally insane and imprisoned by early 1972 before escaping and losing his life under the San Martin train. His sole sole album, Tango, would be released posthumously and is regarded as one of the most important albums in Argentine rock ~ Iglesias passed away in 1972
September 16, 1944 ~ R&B, pop singer Betty Kelly born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of Martha & the Vandellas from 1961 replacing Annette Beard through 1967, present on most of the band's best known including I'm Ready For Love, Nowhere To Run and My Baby Loves Me. Also sang with the Velvelettes
September 16, 1944 ~ Winston Richards, commonly known as drummer, pianist, singer Winston Grennan, born in Duckenfield, Jamaica ~ Noted session drummer active in Jamaica in the 1960s, in New York throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Worked with Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Leslie Kong, Sonia Pottinger, Clive Chin, Byron Lee, Winston Riley, Toots & the Maytals, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Paul Simon, Eddie Kendricks, Peter Paul & Mary, Booker T & the MG's, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Garland Jeffreys, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, the O'Jays, Minnie Riperton, Herbie Mann, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Pat Kelly, the Clarendonians, Yellowman, and the Skatalites ~ Richards passed away in 2000
September 16, 1942 ~ Rock, blues guitarist, singer Don Preston, full name Donald Jack Preston, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Influenced by BB King, Lowell Fulson, Johnny Guitar Watson, and Wes Montgomery. Active since the late 1950s. Appears on classic albums such as Leon Russell's Leon Russell And The Shelter People, Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen and George Harrison's all-star The Concert For Bangladesh. Over the course of his career Preston has also worked with artists as diverse as the Penguins, the Coasters, the Olympics, the Righteous Brothers, Ritchie Valens, Gene Vincent, Delaney Bramlett, JJ Cale, Canned Heat, Klaus Voormann, Freddie King, and Eric Clapton
September 16, 1940 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer Hamiet Bluiett born in Brooklyn, Illinois, USA ~ Considered one of the finest baritone saxophonists of his day. Co-founded the World Saxophone Quartet, which also included Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, and David Murray. Has worked with Charles Mingus, Sam Rivers, Babatunde Olatunji, Abdullah Ibrahim, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, 360 Degree Music Experience, Anthony Braxton, James Carter, Gil Evans, the Music Revelation Ensemble, and Craig Harris ~ Bluiett passed away in 2018
September 16, 1940 ~ Jazz double bassist Lisle Atkinson, full name Lisle Arthur Atkinson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Learned to play the violin as a child, switching to bass in his early teens. First gained attention backing Nina Simone through the mid 1960s, following his graduation fromr the Manhattan School of Music, New York. Present on several of Simone's best known albums including the 1964 live album Nina Simone In Concert and Pastel Blues issued the next year. Subsequently worked with Betty Carter through the mid 1970s, including on At The Village Vanguard. Atkinson is also well known for leading the Neo Bass Ensemble, formed in 1983 and noted for simultaneously featuring five bassists in its line-up. An in-demand session bassist throughout his career, Atkinson has appeared on albums by Walt Dickerson, Mary Lou Williams, Frank Strozier (Remember Me), Howard McGhee (Here Comes Freddy), Junior Cook, Horace Parlan, Richard Wyands (Then Here And Now), Roni Ben-Hur, Andrew Cyrille, Norman Simmons, Benny Carter (More Cookin'), Jeanne Lee (Natural Affinities), Hilton Ruiz, and Joshua Breakstone ~ Atkinson passed away in 2019
September 16, 1939 ~ Songwriter Bettye Crutcher, full name Bettye Jean Crutcher, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing Who's Making Love, originally a hit for Johnnie Taylor in 1968 and covered by Tony Joe White, Elkie Brooks, the SOS Band, and the Blues Brothers. Songs written or co-written by Crutcher have also been recorded by the Staple Singers (The Ghetto), William Bell, Ann Peebles (How Strong Is A Woman), Little Sonny (It's Hard Going Up But Twice As Hard Coming Down), the Sweet Inspirations, Shirley Brown (It's Worth A Whipping), Ben E King, Marlena Shaw, and BB King (Take Off Your Shoes) ~ Crutcher passed away in 2022
September 16, 1936 ~ Pianist, composer Gordon Beck, full name Gordon James Beck, born in London, UK ~ Worked with Don Byas, was in Gyroscope with Tubby Hayes and Jeff Clyne, played with Tony Oxley, Helen Merrill, Phil Woods, played as house pianist at the famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, played funk with George Gruntz's six-keyboard outfit the Piano Conclavo, free jazz with drummer John Stevens, was briefly a member of Nucleus, and also played with Allan Holdsworth, Henri Texier, and Didier Lockwood ~ Beck passed away in 2011
September 16, 1931 ~ Willie Littlefield, commonly known as R&B, jump blues, boogie-woogie pianist, singer Little Willie Littlefield, born in El Campo, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Albert Ammons, Charles Brown, Amos Milburn. Served as the bridge between boogie-woogie and rock & roll. Noted for his early 1950s recording especially It's Midnight and Little Willie's Boogie. Worked with Don Wilkerson, Maxwell Davis, Buddy Floyd, Chuck Norris, Johnny Moore, Al Wichard, Jesse Price, and Little Lora Wiggins ~ Littlefield passed away in 2013September 16, 1928 ~ Steel guitarist, songwriter Ralph Mooney, full name Ralph Eugene Mooney, born in Duncan, Oklahoma, USA ~ Key player on the Bakersfield country scene. Has worked with Wynn Stewart, Buck Owens, and with Merle Haggard. Member of Waylon Jennings' backing band for two decades. Co-wrote Crazy Arms, Ray Price's first major hit topping the country chart in 1956. Especially known for his instrumental work, notably showcased on Corn Pickin' & Slick Slidin', a 1968 collaborative album with guitarist James Burton ~ Mooney passed away in 2011
September 16, 1925 ~ Riley B King, commonly nown as blues guitarist, singer BB King, born in Indianola, Mississippi, USA ~ Given the nickname “Beale Street Blues Boy” while working as a singer and radio DJ at WDIA, later shortened to “Blues Boy” and eventually to “BB”. Member of the Beale Streeters in the late 1940s, alongside Bobby Blue Bland, Johnny Ace and Earl Forest. Debuted in 1949 as a solo singer with the single Miss Martha King, which charted poorly, backed by Phineas Newborn Jr, Calvin Newborn, Tuff Green, Ben Branch and Thomas Branch. Would score his first major success in 1952 with the single 3 O'Clock Blues, reaching the top 5 of the R&B charts. An impressive string of hits soon followed including You Know I Love You, Woke Up This Morning, Everyday I Have The Blues, Sneaking Around, Sweet Little Angel, and Please Accept My Love. Would go on to become widely seen as one of the most influential and important blues musicians ~ King passed away in 2015
September 16, 1924 ~ Bandleader, saxophonist, clarinetist, producer, arranger Joe Reisman born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ As a saxophonist and clarinetist Reisman played with the Casa Loma Orchestra, Louis Prima, Bob Crosby, Frankie Masters, and Jack Teagarden. As an arranger and producer worked for Ray Bauduc, Gene Williams, Patti Page (including on The Tennessee Waltz and How Much Is That Doggie In The Window), Eartha Kitt, Sarah Vaughan, June Valli, Georgia Gibbs, and the Ames Brothers. Reisman was also closely associated with Henry Mancini, serving as producer for about thirty years starting with 1964's Our Man In Hollywood ~ Reisman passed away in 1987September 16, 1919 ~ Andrés Rábago, commonly known as Latin, traditional pop, easy listening singer, actor Andy Russell, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Popular 1940s balladeer known for songs such as Bésame Mucho, Amor and What A Diff'rence A Day Makes ~ Rábago passed away in 1992
September 16, 1903 ~ Giuseppe Venuti, commonly known as jazz violinist Joe Venuti, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the late 1920s, often in partnership with childhood friend virtuoso guitarist Eddie Lang. Venuti is considered “the Godfather of jazz violin”, pioneering the use of the violin in jazz. Venuti was also influential on early western swing players, including notably Cecil Brower. As a duo Venuti and Lang are especially known for songs such as Stringing The Blues, Goin' Places, and Jig Saw Puzzle Blues. Venuti has also worked with Benny Goodman, Adrian Rollini, the Dorsey Brothers, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, and the Boswell Sisters. With the unexpected death of Lang in 1933, Venuti's career began to wane, only to resurge in the mid 1960s, collaborating with the likes of Zoot Sims, Earl Hines, Marian McPartland, Dave McKenna, and Bucky Pizzarelli ~ Venuti passed away in 1978