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 6, 1944 ~ Schlager, easy listening singer Bernd Spier born in Mecklenburg, Germany ~ Son of conductor Robby Spier. Enjoyed succes in the early 1960s prior to the rise of the Beatles. Briefly returned in the late 1960s, early 1970s scoring hits in Germany with Pretty Belinda and Knock Three Times, covers of respectively Chris Andrews and Tony Orlando & Dawn ~ Spier passed away in 2017April 6, 1944 ~ John Edward Lee Fullagar, commonly known as rock bassist John Stax born in Crayford, UK ~ Original guitarist of the Pretty Things, remaining with the band through 1967. Chose the stage name “Stax” for the love of music produced by the Stax/Volt record label. Present on the Things' first three albums which included some of their best known such as Rosalyn, Don't Bring Me Down, Road Runner and Cry To Me. Has also played with R&B supergroup Blues Hangover alongside Dave Hogan, and Peter Wells
April 6, 1943 ~ Julie Rolls, commonly known as pop, easy listening singer Julie Rogers born in London, UK ~ Best known for The Wedding, which reached top 10 in Australia, America and her native England in 1964. Other well known songs include Like A Child and Hawaiian Wedding Song
April 6, 1942 ~ Blake Baker Cunnningham Jr, commonly known as garage rock singer, organist BB Cunningham Jr, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Lead singer, organist of 1960s garage rock one-hit wonder the Hombres, known for Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out). The song would reach the Billboard top 20 and later be covered by John Mellencamp on the 1989 Big Daddy album as well as by David Lee Roth on the 2003 Diamond Dave album. Cunningham would go on to back several artists, perhaps most notably Jerry Lee Lewis ~ Cunningham passed away in 2012
April 6, 1941 ~ Flutist Gheorghe Zamfir born in Gaesti, Romania ~ Dubbed “the Master of the Pan Flute” and best known for his contributions to soundtracks, first gaining attention in 1972 as the soloist in Vladimir Cosma's soundtrack for Le Grand Blond Avec Une Chaussure Noire. Other notable credits include Childhood Memories and Cockeye's Song of the 1984 Ennio Morricone-composed soundtrack for Once Upon A Time In America, and The Lonely Shepherd written by and recorded with James Last
April 6, 1941 ~ Harry Haley McClaskey, commonly known as singer, radio personality, producer Henry Burr, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity from the early-1900s onwards. Known for songs such as Just A Baby's Prayer At Twilight, I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now, When I Lost You, and In The Shade Of The Apple Tree. McClaskey also formed the duo Campbell & Burr, the pair known for songs such as The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine, Somebody's Waiting For Someone, and I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles ~ McClaskey was born in 1882April 6, 1940 ~ Blues, soul, jazz, pop rock, R&B, funk saxophonist, singer Don Myrick born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of jazz-funk outfit the Pharaohs. Co-founding member of the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians. Best known as member of the Phenix Horns, the original horn section of Earth Wind & Fire, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. Especially noted for his sax solos on After The Love Has Gone and Reasons. Myrick also regularly backed Phil Collins, including on the tracks If Leaving Me Is Easy and One More Night. An in-demand session saxophonist, Myrick has also appeared on albums by Howlin' Wolf, Donny Hathaway (Everything Is Everything), Jack McDuff, Ramsey Lewis, Terry Callier (I Just Can't Help Myself), the Gap Band, Deniece Williams, Valerie Carter (Just A Stones Throw Away), Lamont Johnson, the Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Leroy Hutson, Deniece Williams, Bobby Blue Bland, the Pointer Sisters (Special Things), Stanley Turrentine, David Byrne, Anita Baker (Rapture), and Regina Belle. Myrick passed away at age 53 following a shooting where a police officer mistook a butane lighter he was holding in his hand for a weapon. The song For A Friend by Phil Collins released later the same year was a tribute to Myrick ~ Myrick passed away in 1993
April 6, 1938 ~ Singer Barbara Pittman born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the few female singers at Sun Records. Known for a handful of mid- to late 1950s singles such as I Need A Man, Two Young Fools In Love, Everlasting Love and Handsome Man ~ Pittman passed away in 2005April 6, 1938 ~ Hedwig Grace West, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Hedy West, born in Cartersville, Georgia, USA ~ Actively performing since her teens. Best known for 500 Miles, patched together from older fragments and credited to West. The song would later be covered by a host of artists, perhaps most notably Bobby Bare ~ West passed away in 2005
April 6, 1937 ~ Actor, singer, author Billy Dee Williams, full name William December Williams Jr, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as an actor with a career spanning six decades, appearing in numerous films. Made his Broadway stage debut at age seven in The Firebrand Of Florence. Notable acting credits include appearing in the Star Wars franchise as Lando Calrissian, and starring alongside Diana Ross in the critically acclaimed films Lady Sings The Blues and Mahogany. As a singer Williams recorded the jazz album Let's Misbehave in 1961, consisting of swing standards. The album also featured the first-ever vocal recording of A Taste Of Honey, later notably covered by the Beatles on their 1963 Please Please Me album
April 6, 1937 ~ Jazz guitarist Gene Bertoncini born in New York, New York, USA ~ Recorded some two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially noted for his Bridges album released in 1977. Known for the sensitivity of his playing, and for using a nylon-string guitar as Charlie Byrd had done previously. An in-demand sideman, Bertoncini has guested on albums by Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry (Tread Ye Lightly), Duke Pearson, Earl Coleman (Love Songs), Toots Thielemans, Nancy Wilson, Paul Desmond, Luiz Bonfá, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws (Afro-Classic), Joe Farrell, Grover Washington Jr, Ronnie Foster (The Two-Headed Freap), Paul Desmond, Tasha Thomas, Michal Urbaniak, and Susannah McCorkleApril 6, 1937 ~ Keiji Otsuka, commonly known as jazz drummer George Otsuka, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ First began playing professionally with Sadao Watanabe in the late 1950s. Member of the Four Drums, alongside Roy Haynes, Jack DeJohnette, and Mel Lewis. Formed the trio We 3 with Hiroyuki Takamoto and Hideaki Kanazawa. During the 1970s and 1980s, Otsuka worked as touring musician for the Japanese legs of tours by international artists including Elvin Jones, Kenny Kirkland, John Scofield, Naná Vasconcelos, Miroslav Vitous, and Reggie Workman ~ Otsuka passed away in 2020
April 6, 1937 ~ Country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Merle Haggard, full name Merle Ronald Haggard, born in Oildale, California, USA ~ Influenced by Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, and Hank Williams. Known for songs such as My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers, The Fugitive, Branded Man, and The Fightin' Side Of Me. Has collaborated with the Strangers, Bonnie Owens, Johnnie Lee Willis, Eldon Shamblin, Tiny Moore, Joe Holly, Johnny Gimble, Alex Brashear, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Paycheck, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Clint Eastwood, Gram Parsons, Ray Price, Leona Williams, and Albert E Brumley ~ Haggard passed away in 2016April 6, 1936 ~ Classical, jazz, free jazz trumpeter, hornist Manfred Schoof born in Magdeburg, Germany ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Alexander von Schlippenbach, Gerd Dudek, George Russell, Jasper van 't Hof, the Globe Unity Orchestra, the European Jazz Ensemble, George Gruntz, Gunter Hampel, Peter Brötzmann, Don Cherry, Albert Mangelsdorff, and Mal Waldron
April 6, 1935 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Horace Tapscott, full name Horace Elva Tapscott, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Played trombone before making piano his primary instrument. While still in his teens backed artists such as Frank Morgan, Don Cherry, and Billy Higgins. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, including with the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra which he founded. Critically compared to Thelonious Monk and Herbie Nichols. Especially acclaimed for the late 1960s albums West Coast Hot and The Giant Is Awakened, and for a string of 1990s albums including Thoughts Of Dar Es Salaam. Over the course of his career, Tapscott has also notably appeared on recordings by Lou Blackburn, Lou Rawls (Black And Blue), Sonny Criss (Up Up And Away), Elaine Brown, and John Carter ~ Tapscott passed away in 1999
April 6, 1933 ~ Trumpeter, flugelhornist Bill Hardman, full name William Franklin Hardman Jr, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Never a household name, yet an influential crackling hard bop player nevertheless, known for his blazing technique, crisp articulations, and no-frills sound. Over half a dozen albums as a leader since the mid 1950s, acclaimed especially for Politely, one of his latter-day albums released in 1981. Sideman on albums by Jackie McLean, Mal Waldron (Wheelin'), Hank Mobley, Art Blakey (A Night In Tunisia), Tiny Bradshaw, Lou Donaldson, Dave Bailey (Two Feet In The Gutter), Charles Mingus (Tijuana Moods), Benny Golson, Howard McGhee, Reuben Wilson (The Sweet Life), Curtis Fuller, Charles Earland, and Junior Cook (Good Cookin') ~ Hardman passed away in 1990
April 6, 1929 ~ Andreas Ludwig Priwin, commonly known as pianist, composer, arranger, conductor André Previn, born in Berlin, Germany ~ As an arranger and composer for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer involved in the music for over 50 films. Won four Oscars for best music scoring or adaptation on the films Gigi, Porgy & Bess, Irma La Douce and My Fair Lady. Also a music director and conductor closely associated with leading classical orchestras including the Houston Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Oslo Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Worked in smaller ensembles such as jazz trios and accompanied jazz singers, mostly focusing on the American Songbook idiom ~ Previn passed away in 2019
April 6, 1929 ~ Arthur S Taylor Jr, commonly known as drummer Art Taylor, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Helped define the sound of modern jazz drumming. Active since the late 1940s. Led Taylor's Wailers in the mid 1950s. Closely associated with Bud Powell, including on the acclaimed early 1950s albums The Bud Powell Trio, The Bud Powell Trio Plays and Jazz At Massey Hall Vol.2. Other notable album appearances include Art Farmer, George Wallington, Elmo Hope, Thad Jones, Lennie Tristano (Tristano), Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Gene Ammons, Lee Morgan, Ernie Henry, Lou Donaldson, Art Blakey, Ray Charles (Ray Charles), Georges Arvanitas, Dizzy Reece (Blues In Trinity), Wilbur Harden, John Coltrane (Lush Life), Donald Byrd, Oliver Nelson, Duke Jordan (Flight To Jordan), Arnett Cobb, Miles Davis (Sketches Of Spain), Buddy Tate, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Sonny Stitt, and Dexter Gordon ~ Taylor passed away in 1995April 6, 1929 ~ Composer Edison Denisov, full name Edison Vasilievich Denisov, born in Tomsk, Russia ~ Mentored by Dmitri Shostakovich. Admired by Igor Stravinsky. Gained recognition with Le Soleil Des Incas for soprano and chamber ensemble published in 1964. Other well known works include the operas Lécume Des Jours and Quatre Filles, and the ballet Confession. Had many of his compositions criticized and banned by the Russian authorities for its “Western influences” ~ Denisov passed away in 1996
April 6, 1927 ~ Jazz, cool jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, arranger Gerry Mulligan, full name Gerald Joseph Mulligan, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Praised for his fluidity on the baritone sax. Recorded over 50 albums as a leader or co-leader, starting in the early 1950s. Best known for compositions such as Venus De Milo, Jeru, Walkin' Shoes, and Five Brothers. Especially acclaimed for the albums Konitz Meets Mulligan with Lee Konitz, Songbook, and What Is There To Say. Other notable collaborations include Chubby Jackson, George Wallington, Chet Baker, JJ Johnson, Teddy Wilson, Manny Albam, Billy Taylor (My Fair Lady Loves Jazz), Miles Davis (Birth Of The Cool), Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mandel, Zoot Sims (Choice), Jack Teagarden (100 Years From Today), Dave Brubeck, and T-Bone Walker ~ Mulligan passed away in 1996April 6, 1926 ~ Margaret Hoffler, commonly known as R&B singer Margie Day, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Recorded as a solo artist as well as with the Four Bars & a Melody (Near You), the Griffin Brothers (Street Walking Daddy, Sadie Green, Pretty Baby), and Paul Williams ~ Hoffler passed away in 2014
April 6, 1926 ~ Jazz, world fusion pianist Randy Weston, full name Randolph Edward Weston, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ A disciple of Thelonious Monk, also influenced by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, and Earl Hines. Closely associated with trombonist Melba Liston, a regular collaborator. Weston recorded some 50 albums as a leader or co-leader, and is particularly noted for Jazz A La Bohemia, Uhuru Afrika, and Tanjah. As a composer, Weston is perhaps best known for Hi-Fly, first recorded by Weston in 1958 and covered by numerous artists including Art Blakey, Cannonball Adderley, Eric Dolphy, and Dexter Gordon. Once described as America's African Musical Ambassador, Weston has been quoted as saying: “What I do I do because it's about teaching and informing everyone about our most natural cultural phenomenon. It's really about Africa and her music” ~ Weston passed away in 2018
April 6, 1926 ~ Sergio Franci Galli, commonly known as tenor singer, actor Sergio Franchi, born in Codogno, Italy ~ Initially aimed for a career in opera, yet would find succes with romantic traditional pop, showtunes and operatic cross-over pop in the UK in the early 1960s and subsequently in America eventually headlining in Las Vegas. Well known songs include Core 'Ngrato, Volare, Torna A Surriento, A Man Without Love, Passione, and A Vucchella ~ Galli passed away in 1990
April 6, 1924 ~ Bebop, hard bop saxophonist Charlie Rouse born in Washington DC, USA ~ Closely associated with Thelonious Monk, backing the pianist for over a decade starting in 1959, including on albums such as At The Blackhawk, Criss-Cross, and Monk In Tokyo. Rouse has recorded over a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially noted for 1957's The Chase Is On, a collaborative album with Paul Quinichette. Other notable associations include Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Tadd Dameron, Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson, Oscar Pettiford, Art Farmer, Les Jazz Modes (Jazzville), Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Herbie Mann, Fats Navarro (Nostalgia), Donald Byrd, Art Blakey, Duke Jordan (Duke's Delight), and Sphere. The latter was co-founded by Rouse in 1977, starting out as a tribute band to Monk, the pianist with whom Rouse truly rose to fame. The group also included another Monk-alumnus, drummer Ben Riley, and recorded their first album on the day that Monk died ~ Rouse passed away in 1988
April 6, 1921 ~ Blues harpist Big Walter Horton born in Horn Lake, Mississippi, USA ~ One of the premier modern blues harpists, alongside Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson II. Among the first to be recorded by Sun Records founder Sam Phillips. Has worked with the Memphis Jug Band, Little Buddy Doyle, Phineas Newborn Jr, Eddie Taylor, Johnny Shines, Sunnyland Slim, Willie Dixon, Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Winter, Homesick James, and Muddy Waters ~ Horton passed away in 1981