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 19, 1924 ~ Composer Ernest Tomlinson born in Rawtenstall, UK ~ Brother of Fred Tomlinson. Staff arranger at Arcadia and Mills Music Publishers. Led the Ernest Tomlinson Light Orchestra. Musical director of the Rossendale Male Voice Choir, a post he took over from his father Fred Tomlinson Sr. Founded the the Library Of Light Orchestral Music, housed in his family's farmhouse, containing some 50,000 pieces ~ Tomlinson passed away in 2015
September 19, 1921 ~ Robert L Williams, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter Billy Ward, born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Fronted Billy Ward & the Dominoes, known for 1950s hits such as Do Something For Me, Sixty Minute Man, Have Mercy Baby, Rags To Riches, and Star Dust. The band also served as a launching pad for singers Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson ~ Ward passed away in 2002
September 19, 1915 ~ String player, singer Clyde Moody born in Cherokee, North Carolina, USA ~ Dubbed “the Hillbilly Waltz King” and generally regarded as one of the pioneers of Bluegrass. Active since the late 1930s, starting out as a member of JE Mainer's Mountaineers. Has also worked with Bill Monroe's the Blue Grass Boys, notably present on songs such as Cryin' Holy Unto My Lord, Mule Skinner Blues and Dog House Blues. Has also worked with Brown's Ferry Four and sang with Elvis Presley on a 1955 six-week tour ~ Moody passed away in 1989September 19, 1913 ~ Jazz singer Helen Ward born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Hal McIntyre, Harry James, Teddy Wilson, Hoagy Carmichael, Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, Gene Krupa, Joe Sullivan, Roy Eldridge, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, and Peanuts Hucko ~ Ward passed away in 1998
September 19, 1908 ~ Jazz flutist Alberto Socarrás, full name Alberto Socarrás Estacio, born in Manzanillo, Cuba ~ Leader and sideman. Noted for his 1927 recording Shooting The Pistol with Clarence Williams' orchestra, named by some as the first recorded jazz flute solo. Has also worked with Arquimedes Pous, Benny Carter, Anacaona, Sam Wooding, Mongo Santamaria, Cab Calloway, and Erskine Hawkins ~ Socarrás passed away in 1987
September 19, 1902 ~ Orchestra leader, pianist, accordionist, songwriter Billy Reid, full name William Gordon Reid born ~ Popular from the 1930s through the 1950s. Wrote a number of songs for singer Dorothy Squires, including The Gypsy, A Tree In The Meadow and I'm Walking Behind You, all of which would become US hits for other vocalists ~ Reid passed away in 1974September 19, 1892 ~ Songwriter Fred E Ahlert born in New York, New York, USA ~ Noted songwriter, often partnering up with lyricist Roy Turk, whose songs were recorded by Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, Frank Sinatra, Moon Mullican, Dean Martin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Stanley Moldawski, and Fats Waller ~ Ahlert passed away in 1953
September 19, 1887 ~ Cora Taylor, commonly known as bandleader, pianist, singer, songwriter Lovie Austin, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Along with Lil' Armstrong regarded as one of the best female jazz blues pianists of the classic blues era. Cited by Mary Lou Williams as her greatest influence. As a pianist a highly in-demand accompaniest, present on pivotal recordings such as Ma Rainey's Moonshine Blues, Ida Cox' Wild Women Don't Have The Blues, Ethel Waters' Craving Blues. Co-wrote Alberta Hunter's Down Hearted Blues. Led the Blues Serenaders which at times included Tommy Ladnier, Bob Shoffner, and Kid Ory, Johnny Dodds ~ Taylor passed away in 1972