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 24, 1963 ~ Rock, pop rock drummer Norman Bonink, full name Norman Johannes Stephanus Bonink, born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ~ Worked with acts such as Excalibur, Rapalje, Marcus, Bananafish and notably Frank Boeijen Groep before joining BLØF in 2001 as replacement for Chris Götte after the latter's death. First appeared on the 2002 Blauwe Ruis album
September 24, 1961 ~ Jazz saxophonist Art Christmas passed away in Blind River, Canada ~ Plays trumpet, piano, percussion, xylophone. Regarded as one of the leading and most influential saxophonists in the Britain jazz and dance band scenes from the 1920 through the 1940s. Has worked with Paul Specht, the Savoy Orpheans, Billy Mason, Roy Fox, and Jack Payne ~ Christmas was born in 1905
September 24, 1961 ~ Hard rock, melodic hard rock guitarist Helge Engelke born in Hanover, West Germany ~ Influenced by Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker. Member of Fair Warning, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting in the early 1990s. Following the band's initial disbandement in 2000 formed Dreamtide. Engelke has also guested on albums by Zeno, Mind Odyssey, and Thomsen ~ Engelke passed away in 2023
September 24, 1959 ~ Angus Gaye, commonly known as reggae singer, drummer Drummie Zeb, born in London, UK ~ Lead singer, co-founding, sole constant member of Aswad, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums. The band is best known for their 1988 single Don't Turn Around, originally written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren and first recorded by Tina Turner. The Aswad cover would reach top 10 across Europe including Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the UK, where it became their sole No.1 hit. Two subsequent singles, Give A Little Love and Shine, would also reach top 20 in the band's native UK. Gaye has also served as producer for the likes of Sweetie Irie, Joe, Vanessa-Mae, Janet Kay, and Carroll Thompson ~ Gaye passed away in 2022
September 24, 1959 ~ Christian baritone singer Steve French born in Mascot, Tennessee, USA ~ Founded Southern gospel quartet the Kingdom Heirs with his brother Kreis French. Committed suicide with his girlfriend by jumping of the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County, West Virginia. Both had outstanding capias warrants for their arrests ~ French passed away in 2016
September 24, 1957 ~ Classical, opera, jazz, traditional singer Sibongile Khumalo born in Soweto, South Africa ~ Active since the early 1990s until her death, about half a dozen albums to her name. Noted for singing at the 75th birthday of Nelson Mandela in 1993 and his Presidential inauguration the following year. Has worked with the Bach Choir, Jack DeJohnette, and Hugh Masekela ~ Khumalo passed away in 2021
September 24, 1957 ~ José Abelardo Gutiérrez Alanya, commonly known as cumbia, chicha, parody singer Tongo, born in El Tambo, Peru ~ Active since the 1980s as a cumbia singer. Would rise to fame in the 2000s on the surprise succes of La Pituca, featuring purposely goofy English. Its succes would mark a shift for Gutiérrez, going on to score a string of hits with intentionally comedic cover versions of well known pop rock songs originally by Justin Bieber, Psy, System Of A Down, the Beatles (Lady Bi), Eminem, Michael Jackson (Bili Yin), and the Eagles ~ Gutiérrez passed away in 2023
September 24, 1954 ~ Dave Pat Arthur, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, mandolinist Davey Arthur, born in County Donegal, Ireland ~ Best known for his association with the Fureys, joining the sibling outfit in 1977 and remaining through 1992. Present on the band's best known, When You Were Sweet Sixteen which reached UK top 20 in 1981September 24, 1954 ~ Jazz vibraphonist Jay Hoggard born in Washington DC, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Anthony Davis, Wadada Leo Smith, Chico Freeman, Sam Rivers, Cecil Taylor, James Newton, Kenny Burrell, Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, Tito Puente, Bobby Hutcherson, Billy Taylor, Hilton Ruiz, and Oliver Lake
September 24, 1954 ~ Jazz singer Lisa Sokolov born in Manhassett, New York, USA ~ Praised for her improvisatonial style and wide vocal range. Influenced by Betty Carter and Meredith Monk. Closely associated with William Parker, John Zorn, Wayne Horvitz, Robin Holcomb, Elliott Sharp, Dave Sewelson. Released her critically acclaimed Angel Rodeo debut album in 1993
September 24, 1952 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, jazz rock, experimental rock singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Mark Sandman born in Newton, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of 1980s blues-rock outfit Treat Her Right, and its successor alternative rock outfit Morphine. Especially through his role as lead singer, bassist with the latter, Sandman became an icon of the indie rock movement, beloved by critics and peers. Due to his distinctive style on the bass, described by some as “slow and murky”, he would be cited as a major influence by artists such as Les Claypool of Primus, Mike Watt of the Minutemen, and Josh Homme of the Queens Of The Stone Age. Morphine infused alternative rock with elements from blues and jazz, and is especially known for the albums Cure For Pain released in 1993 and its follow-up Yes two years later. Sandman passed away at age 46, after suffering a heart attack on stage ~ Sandman passed away in 1999
September 24, 1949 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion guitarist Bill Connors born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Rose to fame playing the electric guitar in Chick Corea's jazz fusion outfit Return To Forever, with whom he recorded the landmark album Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy released in 1973. Despite Corea being his musical hero, Connors was put off by Corea's Scientology-influenced leadership and departed the group the following year to return to the acoustic guitar. Connors has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, notably 1979's Swimming With A Hole In My Body, and has appeared on albums by Paul Bley, Lee Konitz, Jan Garbarek, Jimmy Giuffre, and Stanley ClarkeSeptember 24, 1949 ~ Jazz singer Rebecca Kilgore born in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA ~ Worked with Dave Frishberg, Dan Barrett, Harry Allen, Tom Grant, Lyle Ritz, NIcki Parrot, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Sheridan, Lars Estrand, and others ~ Kilgore passed away in 2026
September 24, 1946 ~ Pianist César Pedroso, full name César de las Mercedes Pedroso Fernández, born in Havana, Cuba ~ First gained attention as member of the Orquesta Revé. Founding member of Los Van Van, for whom he wrote several of the band's best known including Calla Calla, Tranquillo Mota, Seis Semanas and El Bueagente. Subsequently founded Pupy y Lo Que Son Son
September 24, 1946 ~ Guitarist Jerry Donahue born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of big band saxophonist Sam Donahue. After relocating to the UK, Donahue became a respected member of the burgeoning British folk rock scene. Perhaps best known as a member of the short-lived Fotheringay, known for their sole eponymous Fotheringay album released in 1970, and subsequently of Fairport Convention. Donahue has also recorded as a solo artist, and guested on albums by a wide array of artists including Stefan Grossman, Mick Softley, Sandy Denny, Mick Greenwood, Heads Hands & Feet, Françoise Hardy, Ralph McTell (Streets), Joan Armatrading, Gerry Rafferty (City To City), Chris Rea, Eliza Gilkyson, the Proclaimers, and Linda Thompson. In the 1990s, Donahue was a member of the Hellecasters with whom he recorded several instrumental albums and toured frequently throughout the early 2000s. Donahue remained active until suffering a paralyzing stroke in the mid-2010s, which left him unable to play the guitar
September 24, 1942 ~ Gerard Marsden, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Gerry Marsden born in Liverpool, UK ~ Lead singer, frontman of Merseybeat outfit Gerry & the Pacemakers, alongside Les Chadwick, Arthur McMahon and his brother Freddie Marsden, known for a string of 1960s UK hits such as How Do You Do It, I Like It, You'll Never Walk Alone, I'm The One, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying and Ferry Cross The Mersey ~ Marsden passed away in 2021September 24, 1942 ~ Michael Hubert Bourne, commonly known as singer, actor Mike Berry, born in Northampton, UK ~ Although he recorded consistently throughout the 1970s, putting out over half a dozen albums, Berry is best known as an actor, notably portraying the role of Mr Spooner in the sitcom Are You Being Served. As a singer best known for two UK top 10 hits nearly 20 years apart, 1963's Don't You Think It's Time and 1980's The Sunshine Of Your Smile ~ Bourne passed away in 2025
September 24, 1941 ~ Leroy Calliste, commonly known as calypso singer Black Stalin, born in San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Given his stage name by fellow Calypso singer Lord Blakie. Known for his lyrics against European colonial oppression. Well known songs include Caribbean Man, Play One, Ism Schism, and Mr Panmaker ~ Calliste passed away in 2022September 24, 1939 ~ R&B singer Sonny Turner born in Fairmont, West Virginia, USA ~ Mentored by Jackie Wilson. Member of the Metrotones. Lead singer of the Platters from 1960, replacing Tony Williams, through 1970. Present on songs such as I Love You 1,000 Times, With This Ring and Washed Ashore ~ Turner passed away in 2022
September 24, 1939 ~ Soul jazz, hard bop trombonist Wayne Henderson born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Co-founded soul jazz group the Jazz Crusaders, remaining with the band through its name change to the Crusaders and departing the band in 1976. Has also served as producer for Wilton Felder (Bullitt), Monk Montgomery (It's Never Too Late), Ronnie Laws (Pressure Sensitive), Caldera (Caldera), Pleasure (Accept No Substitutes), and Gábor Szabó (Faces) ~ Henderson passed away in 2014
September 24, 1938 ~ Steven Douglas Kreisman, commonly known as saxophonist Steve Douglas, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader. In-demand session musician, present on recordings by Duane Eddy (Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel), the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan (Street Legal), the Ramones, and Leonard Cohen. Douglas has also served as producer, notably producing the acclaimed Willy DeVille-album Le Chat Bleu released in 1980 ~ Kreisman passed away in 1993
September 24, 1933 ~ Drummer Mel Taylor born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Backed Bobby Pickett and Herb Alpert prior to joining the Ventures in 1962, initially as a temporary fill-in for an injured Howie Johnson. Taylor harder-edged rock style so impressed the rest of the band they asked him to become a permanent member. Taylor remained with the group until his death over three decades later. The band is known for songs such as Walk Don't Run, Slaughter On Tenth Avenue, Secret Agent Man, and Hawaii Five-O. Taylor's baby brother is Canned Heat-bassist Larry Taylor ~ Taylor passed away in 1996
September 24, 1931 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Anthony Newley born in London, UK ~ Co-authored Feelin' Good with songwriting partner Leslie Bricusse, made famous by Nina Simone and covered by many others. Also with Bricusse, Newley scored the soundtrack to Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory which earned them an Oscar nomination. Newley also wrote or co-wrote songs such as Goldfinger recorded by John Barry for the James Bond film of the same name, and The Candy Man recorded by Sammy Davis Jr ~ Newley passed away in 1999
September 24, 1930 ~ Singer Carl Feaster born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Member of the Chords, best known for their 1954 doo-wop classic Sh-boom, co-written by Feaster. Canadian vocal quartet the Crew Cuts would successfuly cover the song the same year ~ Feaster passed away in 1981
September 24, 1929 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist John Carter, full name John Wallace Carter, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Early on in his career Carter backed artists such as Bobby Bradford, Hampton Hawes, and Harold Land. Recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, co-leader or solo artist. Especially acclaimed for Roots And Folklores (Episodes In The Development Of American Folk Music), a suite of albums heralded as some of the best 1980s jazz releases. Also well known for his work with the Clarinet Summit ~ Carter passed away in 1991