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.
April 30, 1951 ~ Bassoonist, trombonist, hornist, keyboardist, singer Brian Gulland born in Maidstone, UK ~ Co-founding member of progressive rock, medieval folk rock group Gryphon, remaining with the band from 1973 untill its initial disbandement in 1977. Gulland has also been involved in several reunion gigs and incarnations in later years. All original band members were classically trained and the band enjoyed popularity in the boom of progressive rock, drawing from folk, rock, medieval and Rennaissance music, described by their publicist as “imagine Henry VIII in a rock & roll band”
April 30, 1951 ~ Progressive rock, rock, protest singer, guitarist, violinist, songwriter Marko Brecelj born in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia ~ Influenced by Frank Zappa. Known for his political activism, satire and black humor. Best known as co-founder, frontman of pioneering progressive rock outfit Buldozer, acclaimed for their 1975 Pljuni Istini U Oci album, which sold out fast but would not be reissued as the record company deemed it “inappropriate and controversial” material. The band is considered one of the first avant-prog rock outfits in communist Yugoslavia, forefathers of Yugoslav new wave. Brecelj would appear on the band's first two albums and one soundtrack, Zivi Bili Pa Vidi, before departing the band. Outside of Buldozer, Brecelj has recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with a wide array of artists, and is perhaps most noted for the 1974 Cocktail collaborative album with composer Bojan Adamic ~ Brecelj passed away in 2022
April 30, 1948 ~ Wayne Kambes, commonly known as punk rock, proto-punk guitarist, singer Wayne Kramer, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Co-founding member of MC5, one of the rawest and most outspoken bands in American rock. They are especially acclaimed for their 1969 Kick Out The Jams debut album, widely regarded as a forerunner to proto-punk and punk nearly a decade later. After two more albums, both of which sold poorly, the band disbanded in 1972. Kramer struggled through the remainder of the decade, before reemerging in the 1980s and 1990s. Kramer has also worked with Johnny Thunders, Was (Not Was), Bad Religion, and Dodge Main, recorded as a solo artist, and reignited MC5 in the 1990s with a rotating line-up. Upon hearing of his death, Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello commented: “His band the MC5 basically invented punk rock music. Wayne came through personal trials of fire with drugs and jail time and emerged a transformed soul who went on to save countless lives through his tireless acts of service.” ~ Kambes passed away in 2024
April 30, 1947 ~ Ronald Earsall DeVaughn, commonly known as jazz. avant-garde jazz, classical cellist Abdul Wadud, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Focused solely on the cello since age 9, Wadud would grow to become regarded as one of the finest cellists of his generation, equally at home in jazz and classical settings. Formed the Black Unity Trio with saxophonist Yusuf Mumin and drummer Hasan Shahid, known for their 1971 Al-Fatihah album at the time considered among the most focused and spiritual free jazz. Closely associated with Julius Hemphill, with whom he regularly collaborated throughout his career including on the highly acclaimed Oakland Duets collaborative album released in 1993. To classical audiences, Wadud is perhaps best known for his association with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in the 1970s. Over the course of his career, Wadud has guested on albums by Frank Lowe (Fresh), Charles Bobo Shaw, Arthur Blythe (Metamorphosis), Oliver Lake, James Newton, Michael Franks, Anthony Davis (Variations In Dreamtime), the Black Swan Quartet, David Murray, and Marty Ehrlich (Emergency Peace). Wadud's son is the R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn ~ DeVaughn passed away in 2022
April 30, 1947 ~ Gustav Valentine Berglund III, commonly known as guitarist, singer Bruce Hampton, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Key figure in the Atlanta, Georgia music scene drawing from jazz, fusion, southern rock and jam band music. Founded and fronted bands such as the Hampton Grease Band, Late Bronze Age, the Aquarium Rescue Unit, the Fiji Mariners, the Codetalkers, Quark Alliance, Pharaoh Gummitt, and the Madrid Express. Has guested on recordings by Frank Zappa (Lumpy Gravy), David Earle Johnson, Kevin Kinney, Susan Tedeschi (Wait For Me, and Widespread Panic ~ Berglund passed away in 2017
April 30, 1946 ~ Folk singer, songwriter James Lee Stanley born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Debuted with the eponymous James Lee Stanley in 1973. Best known for his third album, 1974's Three's The Charm, hailed by critics but still little commercial succes mostly due to lack of promotion. Has recorded steadily since with over two dozen mostly self-released albums to his name, earning him admiration from peers and a select yet devoted fanbase acquired through his extensive touring, at times playing 300 dates per year. Has collaborated with artists such as Peter Tork, Michael Peter Smith, John Batdorf and Cliff Eberhardt
April 30, 1945 ~ Silvana Savorelli, commonly known as singer, impresario, producer Lara St Paul born in Asmara, Eritrea ~ Worked with Pino Presti, Angel Pocho Gatti, Victor Bacchetta, Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, Roberta Flack, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Leon Ware, the Pointer Sisters, Ray Parker Jr, Chuck Rainey, and Bill Conti ~ Savorelli passed away in 2018
April 30, 1944 ~ Flautist, bassist Andy Kulberg born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Played with local polka bands before emerging as a member of the Blues Project, alongside Al Kooper, Danny Kalb, Steve Katz, and Roy Blumenfeld. With their eclectic mix of blues, folk, and rock & roll, they are arguably the first rock band to come out of New York, and especially noted for their 1966 Projections album. Following the band's disbandement in 1969, Kulberg co-founded Seatrain, with whom he recorded four albums through the early 1970s including the acclaimed Seatrain (Second Album) album ~ Kulberg passed away in 2002
April 30, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Dave Cartwright born in Haslemere, UK ~ Member of rock and roll outfit the Crossfires and subsequently the Clippers, prior to venturing out on his own as a folk singer. Has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with A Little Bit Of Glory released in 1972. Well known songs include Song For Susan, My Delicate Skin, and Spoken Word Extract From Bittersweet. Cartwright also co-wrote A Letter To Syracuse, recorded by Christy Moore for his 1972 Prosperous album ~ Cartwright passed away in 2015
April 30, 1942 ~ Beat, pop, new wave, electronic, synth-pop singer, keyboardist Maurizio Arcieri born in Milan, Italy ~ Member of 1960s beat band the New Dada, known for opening for the Beatles at their Milan concert. Has recorded a number of solo albums throughout the 1970s. Formed the duo Chrisma with wife husband Christina Moser, perhaps best known for collaborating with producer Nico Papathanassiou and Vangelis on the singles U and Amore as well as on their 1978 Chinese Restaurant album ~ Arcieri passed away in 2015
April 30, 1941 ~ Joseph Thomas Escovedo, commonly known as percussionist, singer Coke Escovedo, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Has worked with jazz vibraphonist Cal Tjader, notably present on the 1971 Agua Dulce album. Member of Santana during the early 1970, including on the 1971 Santana III album. Formed Azteca with his brother percussionist Pete Escovedo. Recorded a handful of solo albums in the mid 1970s, and collaborated with the likes of Boz Scaggs, Cold Blood, It's A Beautiful Day, and Malo ~ Escovedo passed away in 1986April 30, 1941 ~ Guitarist Johnny Farina born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo Santo & Johnny with Santo Farina, best known for their 1959 instrumental Sleep-Walk which is considered one of the biggest instrumental hits of the golden age of rock & roll. The record would top the Billboard Hot 100 and prove influential on future surf guitarists
April 30, 1940 ~ Guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer Billy Nichols, full name William Lee Nichols, born in Carrrollton, Mississippi, USA ~ Best remembered for penning the BT Express classic Do It ('Til You're Satisfied), which reached No.2 Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. Inspired by his father, who played guitar in his spare time, and the blues musicians he heard on the radio, Nichols taught himself guitar at a young age. By his mid teens he was playing professionally. Nichols has worked as a session musician with Martha & the Vandellas, served as musical director for Marvin Gaye, led the house band at The Crystal Ballroom in New York, co-wrote Millie Jackson's Ask Me What You Want, recorded a number of albums with Bernard Pretty Purdie including the highly acclaimed Soul Is Pretty Purdie, and produced the late 1970s rap singles The Adventures Of Super Rhymes by Jimmy Spicer, arguably the first true storytelling rap, and Rhythm Rap Rock by Count Coolout. Despite his extensive resume, Nichols remains most closely with BT Express, penning and at times producing several of their best known including Can't Stop Groovin', Shout It Out, and most notably Do It (Till You're Satisfied). The latter stands as one of the classic dance tracks of the era and has been sampled numerous times including by NWA (Alwayz Into Somethin'), Tevin Campbell, MC Lyte, Beyoncé (Déjà Vu), Snoop Dogg, and Faith Evans ~ Nichols passed away in 2025
April 30, 1940 ~ Country, honky-tonk, outlaw country singer, songwriter Darrell McCall born in New Jasper, Ohio, USA ~ Teamed up with childhood friend Johnny Paycheck in the late 1950s, but the duo failed to reach success. Would go on to work as a background singer for the likes of Faron Young, George Jones, and Ray Price. Member of Little Dippers, known for their 1960 single Forever. Subsequently recorded as a solo artist, best known for A Stranger Was Here which reached top 20 Billboard Country in 1963. Ventured into acting by the mid 1960s. Also known for writing Eleven Roses, a 1971 hit for Hank Williams Jr. Duetted with Willie Nelson on Lily Dale in 1977April 30, 1939 ~ Margaret Ann Lewis, commonly known as singer, songwriter Margaret Lewis, born in Snyder, Texas, USA ~ Co-wrote songs for artists such as Dale Hawkins (La-Do-Dada), David Houston (Mountain Of Love), Margaret Whiting (I Almost Called Your Name), Jeannie C Riley (The Girl Most Likely), Dee Mullins (I Am The Grass), Johnny Adams (Reconsider Me), Connie Francis (Wedding Cake), and Peggy Scott (Soulshake) ~ Lewis passed away in 2019
April 30, 1936 ~ Singer, songwriter Robert Bateman born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Founding member of 1950s R&B outfit the Satintones. Best known as a songwriter, co-writing and producing the Marvelettes' Please Mr Postman which would become Motown's first Billboard No.1 hit. Also co-wrote If You Need Me, first recorded by Wilson Pickett and notably covered by Solomon Burke as well as by the Rolling Stones ~ Bateman passed away in 2016
April 30, 1931 ~ Oliver Albee La Farge, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist Peter La Farge, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Emerged from New York's Greenwich Village folk scene, alongside the likes of Bob Dylan, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Dave Van Ronk, and Pete Seeger. Mentored by Cisco Houston. Best known for The Ballad Of Ira Hayes. The song would later be notably covered by Johnny Cash on his 1964 Bitter Tears (Ballads Of The American Indian) album. Cash credited La Farge with inspiring the entire album, which also included the La Farge-penned As Long As The Grass Shall Grow, Custer, Drums, and White Girl ~ La Farge passed away in 1965
April 30, 1930 ~ Oscar James Gibson, commonly known as R&B singer Bobby Marchan, born in Youngstown, Ohio, USA ~ Toured with Huey Piano Smith's unit the Clowns, sometimes taking over as lead singer and bandleader in place of Smith. Also recorded with Smith, including on The Rocking Pneumonia & The Boogie-Woogie Flu, Don't You Just Know It and Sea Cruise. As a solo artist Marchan is best known for 1960's There's Something On Your Mind and 1965's Get Down With It. The latter would be covered by Little Richard and reworked by glam rockers Slade to Get Down & Get With It, their first UK top 20 hit ~ Gibson passed away in 1999
April 30, 1923 ~ Jazz, cool jazz bassist, double bassist Percy Heath born in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist Jimmy Heath and drummer Albert Heath, with whom he formed the Heath Brothers. Best known as key member of the Modern Jazz Quartet for over four decades starting in the 1950s, an all-star ensemble especially acclaimed for albums such as Fontessa, Odds Against Tomorrow, Pyramid and Third Stream Music. Heath is also present on albums by Milt Jackson, Clifford Brown (Brownie Eyes), Sonny Rollins, Elmo Hope, Horace Silver, JJ Johnson, Thelonious Monk (Monk), Art Farmer (Evening In Casablanca), Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis (Round About Midnight), Jim Hall, Ray Charles (Ray Charles), Benny Golson, Gigi Gryce, Wes Montgomery (The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery), and Bud Powell ~ Heath passed away in 2005
April 30, 1917 ~ Beatrice Ruth Wain, commonly known as singer Bea Wain born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Big band era singer who recorded with Artie Shaw, Fred Waring, and Ted Straetter. Wain enjoyed her biggest commercial succes with Larry Clinton's Orchestra in the late 1930s. Especially notable is their 1938 rendition of My Reverie, a swing adaptation of Claude Debussy's Reverie with added pop vocals which occupied the No.1 spot on the pop charts for eight weeks. After her recording career Wain and her husband hosted a radio show called Mr & Mrs Music. After 1939 Wain would only sporadically record and sing, focusing on her radio work instead ~ Wain passed away in 2017
April 30, 1916 ~ Conductor Robert Shaw, full name Robert Lawson Shaw, born in Red Bluff, California, USA ~ Best known for leading his own orchestra, the Robert Shaw Chorale, as well as the Cleveland Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Also worked with the Collegiate Chorale, the San Diego Symphony, and George Szell. Firm supporter of racial integration in orchestras. Dubbed “the Dean of American choral conductors,” mentoring younger conductors including Jameson Marvin, Margaret Hills, Maurice Casey, Ken Clinton, Donald Neuen, Ann Howard Jones, and Norman MacKenzie ~ Shaw passed away in 1999April 30, 1915 ~ Gospel, R&B singer Mabel Scott, full name Mabel Bernice Scott, born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Best remembered for her 1948 hits Elevator Boogie and Boogie Woogie Santa Claus. Married to pianist Charles Brown from 1949 through 1951. Disillusioned with the music industry Scott retired from music by the early 1950s, and would only sing gospel in church for the rest of her life ~ Scott passed away in 2000
April 30, 1914 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor, painter Dorival Caymmi born in Salvador, Brazil ~ Father of singers Nana Caymmi, Dori Caymmi, Danilo Caymmi. Helped birth Brazil's bossa nova movement. Best known for songs such as Samba Da Minha Terra, Dorlice, Saudade Da Bahia, Promessa De Pescador and Milagre, considered staples of modern Brazilian music and popular to this day ~ Caymmi passed away in 2008April 30, 1910 ~ Songwriter Al Lewis born in New York, New York, USA ~ Not to be confused with either the Welch singer Al Lewis or the banjoist Al Lewis. Songwriter most active from the 1920s through the 1950s. Primarily a lyricist, working in partnership with songwriters such as Al Sherman and Abner Silver. Known, among others, for co-writing Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill, Rudy Vallée's 99 Out Of A 100 and Little Anthony & the Imperials's Tears On My Pillow ~ Lewis passed away in 1967
April 30, 1910 ~ John William Henderson, commonly known as blues guitarist, slide guitarist Homesick James, born in Somerville, Tennessee, USA ~ Claimed to be the older cousin of Elmore James, to have bought James his first guitar, and to have taught him how to play slide guitar. Present on pivotal James recordings including Dust My Broom, The Sky Is Crying, and Roll & Tumble. Also said to have worked with Yank Rachell, Sleepy John Estes, Blind Boy Fuller, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Big Joe Williams. As a solo artist known for songs such as Lonesome Ole Train and Homesick, the latter giving him his nickname ~ Henderson passed away in 2006