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 29, 1947 ~ Blues, blues-rock harpist, guitarist Peter Hope-Evans born in Brecon, UK ~ Member of blues rock band Medicine Head, known for their 1973 UK top 10 hit One And One Is One. Other well known songs include And The Pictures In The Sky, Rising Sun and Slip And Slide. Hope-Evans would go on to become an in-demand collaborator, notably with Pete Townshend, Deep End, and with Noah Francis
September 29, 1946 ~ Drummer, percussionist Ian Wallace, full name Ian Russell Wallace, born in Lancashire, UK ~ Perhaps best known for his associations with progressive rock band King Crimson, David Lindley and Don Henley. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the Warriors, Snape, the Quireboys, Johnny Hallyday, Billy Burnette, Alexis Korner, Alvin Lee, Labi Siffre, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Wood, Stevie Nicks, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, the Traveling Wilburys, and Rodney Crowell ~ Wallace passed away in 2007
September 29, 1944 ~ José Carlos González, commonly known as pop rock, sertanejo singer, songwriter Dave Maclean, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Member of Os Botões, later renamed to the Buttons. Best known as a solo artist, enjoying popularity in the 1970s with songs such as Me And You, We Said Goodbye, Tears, and Feelings. Formed the trio the Dollar Company in the 1980s. As a songwriter González had his songs recorded by the likes of Sergio Reis, Sula Miranda, and Sandy & Junior ~ González passed away in 2023
September 29, 1942 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion violinist, electric violinist, composer Jean-Luc Ponty born in Avranches, France ~ Leader and sideman. Reinstated the violin as a viable jazz instrument. Worked with Stuff Smith, Stéphane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen, John Lewis, George Duke, Frank Zappa (including on Hot Rats), Elton John, John McLaughlin's the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Billy Cobham, Stanley Clarke, Al di Meola, Béla Fleck, Biréli Lagrène, Chick Corea, Sam Bush, Michel Colombier, Serge Gainsbourg, Jeff Lorber, Lalo Schifrin, and his daughter pianist Clara Ponty
September 29, 1939 ~ Guitarist, singer Dan Crary born in Kansas City, Kentucky, USA ~ Credited as an innovator for his flatpicking style of guitar playing. Best known as co-founding member of the Bluegrass Alliance, remaining with the band through 1970 suceeded by Sam Bush. Has also recorded as a solo artist, notably 1970's Bluegrass Guitar and 1977's Lady's Fancy, and collaborated with Byron Berline, John Hickman, BCH, and CaliforniaSeptember 29, 1939 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Isabel Parra, full name Violeta Isabel Cereceda Parra, born in Santiago, Chile ~ Daughter of singer Violeta Parra, sister of singer Angel Parra. Leading figure in Chilean folk music actively recording since the mid 1960s. Lived in exile for a number of years after the 1973 coup d'etat, returning to Chile after democracy returned
September 29, 1939 ~ Songwriter, singer Tommy Boyce, full name Sidney Thomas Boyce, born in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA ~ First gained attention in the late 1950s penning Be My Guest, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Fats Domino. Also co-wrote Curtis Lee's Pretty Little Angel and Under The Moon Of Love. Best known for teaming up with Bobby Hart, notably known for penning several of the Monkees' best known including Theme From The Monkees and Last Train To Clarksville. Others who have recorded the duo's songs include Chubby Checker (Lazy Elsie Molly), Jay & the Americans (Come A Little Bit Closer), Paul Revere & the Raiders (I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone), the Leaves (Words), and Little Anthony & the Imperials (Hurt So Bad) ~ Boyce passed away in 1994September 29, 1938 ~ TV producer, composer Don Battye born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Best known as a TV producer, script writer, script editor for a variety of Australian shows. As a composer known for co-writing a number of musicals, including several specifically for children from the early 1970s onwards, usually in partnership with Peter Pinne ~ Battye passed away in 2016
September 29, 1937 ~ Maurice Hughes, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist Joe Guitar Hughes, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Clarence Gatemouth Brown and Johnny Guitar Watson. Member of the Dukes Of Rhythm in the 1950s alongside close friend Johnny Copeland. Backed Little Richard and Bobby Blue Bland during the 1960s. As a solo artist earned acclaim during the 1980s especially in Europe, at times touring intensely and signed to the Dutch Double Trouble Records label. Noted for the albums Texas Guitar Master and If You Want To See The Blues ~ Hughes passed away in 2003
September 29, 1935 ~ Pianist, singer Jerry Lee Lewis born in Ferriday, Louisiana, USA ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly pioneer. Dubbed “the Killer”. Rose to fame with his 1957 recording Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin' On. Also known for songs such as Great Balls Of Fire, Breathless, and High School Confidential. His career waned in the 1960s following his marriage to his underage cousin but would be acclaimed for his 1964 live album Live At The Star Club, generally acnowledged as one of the greatest live albums in rock history. Would venture into country through much of the 1960s and 1970s, eventually overcoming scandals, regaining his stature as one of the founders of rock & roll ~ Lewis passed away in 2022
September 29, 1934 ~ Country singer, songwriter Hal Bynum, full name Harold Lynn Bynum, born in Ralls, Texas, USA ~ Revered singer, songwriter, admired by peers. Over an estimated 200 songs to his name, including his best known Lucille, co-written with Roger Bowling. The song would become an international hit for Kenny Rogers in 1977 topping the Billboard Country charts and reaching top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. It would also become Rogers' first UK charttopper and over time be covered by over 80 artists. Other songs written or co-written by Bynum would be recorded by George Jones (The Old Old House), Ray Price (You Can't Take It With You), Jim Reeves (Nobody's Fool), Johnny Cash (Papa Was A Good Man), Jeanne Pruett (I've Been So Wrong For So Long), Diahann Carroll (Easy To Love), and Patty Loveless (Chains), to name just a few ~ Bynum passed away in 2022
September 29, 1930 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Billy Strange, full name William Everett Strange, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Teamed up with singer, songwriter Mac Davis, co-writing several songs recorded by Elvis Presley including A Little Less Conversation and Memories. In-demand session musician, member of the Wrecking Crew, and present on recordings by the Ventures, the Beach Boys (Sloop John B), Jan & Dean, Willie Nelson, the Everly Brothers, Wanda Jackson, Randy Newman, Nat King Cole. Arranged and conducted for Frank Sinatra, Duane Eddy, and notably Nancy Sinatra, including all of the latter's Reprise albums as well as the hit These Boots Are Made For Walkin' ~ Strange passed away in 2012September 29, 1929 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist Rolf Kühn born in Cologne, Germany ~ Brother of pianist Joachim Kühn, with whom he also regularly worked. Leader and sideman. Critically compared to Benny Goodman. Worked with Horst Jankowski, Buddy DeFranco, Urbie Green, Eartha Kitt, Oscar Pettiford, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Eddie Costa, and Julia Hülsmann ~ Kühn passed away in 2022
September 29, 1924 ~ Tango bandleader, bandoneon player, composer Eduardo Arolas passed away in Paris, France ~ First played guitar before mastering the bandoneon, eventually earning the nickname “the Tiger of the Bandoneon.” Regarded as one on the early masters, helping define tango, known best for compositions such as Lagrimas, La Cachila, El Marne and Viborita ~ Arolas was born in 1892
September 29, 1921 ~ Francis Eugene Beecher, commonly known as guitarist Franny Beecher, born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as member of the Comets, backing Bill Haley. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Blue Comet Blues, Goofing Around, Week-End, and Shaky. Also worked with Benny Goodman, and Buddy Greco ~ Beecher passed away in 2014
September 29, 1920 ~ Ella Lucille Dinning, commonly known as singer Lou Dinning, born ~ Member of sibling outfit the Dinning Sisters, alongside Jean Dinning and Ginger Dinning, known for late 1940s top 20 hits such as My Adobe Hacienda, I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now, I Beg Your Pardon and Buttons And Bows ~ Dinning passed away in 2000
September 29, 1910 ~ Western style singer, guitarist Bill Boyd, full name William Lemuel Boyd, born in Fannin County, Texas, USA ~ Founded and fronted renowned western swing outfit the Cowboy Ramblers, known for 1930s, 1940s hits such as Under The Double Eagles, I've Got Those Oklahoma Blues, Fan It and Beaumont Rag ~ Boyd passed away in 1977
September 29, 1909 ~ Composer, conductor Charles Wolcott, full name Charles Frederick Wolcott, born in Flint, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as a composer, musical director for Disney. Wrote music for cartoon shorts and feature films such as Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio and Bambi. Served as musical director on films including Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, Song Of The South and Fun And Fancy Free ~ Wolcott passed away in 1987
September 29, 1907 ~ Orven Grover Autry, commonly known as singer, actor Gene Autry born in Tioga, Texas, USA ~ Nicknamed “the Singing Cowboy” Autry appeared in over 90 movies from the mid 1930s throught the mid 1950s. Known for songs such as Back In The Saddle Again, At Mail Call Today, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, and Don't Fence Me In ~ Autry passed away in 1998
September 29, 1901 ~ Richard Bernhard Smith, commonly known as lyricist Dick Smith, born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for co-writing Winter Wonderland with composer Felix Bernard. The song was first recorded by Richard Himber's orchestra featuring lead vocals by Joey Nash in 1934, and would become a Christmas classic recorded by over 1,500 artists including the Andrews Sisters, Johnny Mercer, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, Dean Martin, Paul Anka, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, the Platters, Aretha Franklin, Peggy Lee, Merle Haggard, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Willie Nelson. Other well known songs co-written by Smith include The Breeze (That's Bringing My Baby Back To Me), first recorded by Henry King, and When A Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry, first recorded by Jane Pickens. Smith passed away of tuberculosis one day short of his 34th birthday ~ Smith passed away in 1935
September 29, 1895 ~ Clarence Earl McCurry, commonly known as folk banjoist, guitarist Clarence Ashley, born in Bristol, Tennessee, USA ~ Actively recording in the 1920s and 1930s, notably with the Carolina Tar Heels. Rediscovered during the late 1950s, early 1960s folk revival. Influenced Roy Acuff, Jerry Garcia, Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Jean Ritchie. Best known for the 1961 Old Time Music At Clarence Ashley's album which also featured Doc Watson, Clint Howard, Fred Price, Gaither Carlton and Tommy Moore. Also known for his 1933 recording of The House Of The Rising Sun, reportedly the first recorded version of the song ~ McCurry passed away in 1967