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 7, 2025 ~ Musical composer, lyricist William Finn, full name William Alan Finn, passed away in Bennington, Vermont, USA ~ Best known for a trilogy of short musicals consisting of the parts In Trousers, March Of The Falsettos, and Falsettoland. The latter two would be merged into the 1992 Broadway musical Falsettos which earned Finn Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score. Finn is also known for writing the music and lyrics to the 2004 Broadway musical 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, book by Rachel Sheinkin, which would be nominated for six Tony Awards and won the Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score. Finn was a heavily autobiographical writer, drawing from his personal experience as a gay Jewish man in contemporary America addressing subjects such as family, belonging, sickness, healing, and loss. In a 2006 article, the Washington Post dubbed him “the composer laureate of loss” ~ Finn was born in 1952
April 7, 2024 ~ Clarence Henry II, commonly known as R&B singer Clarence Frogman Henry passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Started learning piano as a child, with Fats Domino and Professor Longhair as main influences. Known for his trademark croak, earning him the nickname “frogman”. Scored several late 1950s, early 1960s R&B hits, notably Ain't Got No Home, You Always Hurt The One You Love and perhaps his best known (I Don't Know Why I Love You) But I Do, the latter reaching top 10 on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts ~ Henry was born in 1937
April 7, 2023 ~ John Bairnson, commonly known as bassist, guitarist Ian Bairnson, passed away ~ Member of 1970s outfit Pilot, known for their 1974 Magic single. Also closely associated with the Alan Parsons Project, working with Alan Parsons for over two decades starting in the mid 1970s and noted for his guitar solo on I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You. Appeared on Kate Bush's first four albums including the guitar solo on Wuthering Heights of Bush's The Kick Inside debut album. Co-wrote If You Can't Stand The Heat and Run For Your Life both recorded by Bucks Fizz. Has also worked with Yvonne Keeley, Joe Cocker, Jon Anderson, Chris De Burgh, Mick Fleetwood, and Neil Diamond ~ Bairnson was born in 1953
April 7, 2023 ~ Bassist John Regan passed away in Wappingers Falls, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Ace Frehley, notably on the 1987 Frehley's Comet album, and for backing Peter Frampton from 1979 through 2011. Also present on albums by the likes of Chip Taylor, Billy Idol (Whiplash Smile), John Waite, David Bowie, Robin Trower, and Jamie Oldaker ~ Regan was born in 1951
April 7, 2023 ~ Edward Jordan, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Kidd Jordan, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since the mid 1950s, backing blues and R&B artists such as Guitar Slim, Ray Charles, Big Maybelle, and Choker Campbell. Would go on to work with a wide array of artists in genres ranging from avant-garde to pop and rock, including William Parker, Archie Shepp, Ornette Coleman, Stevie Wonder, and Cecil Taylor. Later on in his career has also recorded as a leader or co-leader, noted for his 2006 Palm Of Soul album. To rock audiences perhaps best known for appearing on the REM-album Out Of Time released in 1991 ~ Jordan was born in 1935
April 7, 2023 ~ Lars-Ove Wellander, commonly known as pop rock guitarist Lasse Wellander, passed away in Overgrans, Sweden ~ In-demand session and touring musician active since the late 1960s. Internationally best known for his longtime association with ABBA, present on over half a dozen of the band's albums. Especially noted for his guitar play on the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Does Your Mother Know of their 1979 Voulez-Vous album. Wellander has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with the likes of Nature, Pugh Rogefeldt, Zkiffz, the Stockholm All-Stars, and the Low Budget Blues Band ~ Wellander was born in 1952April 7, 2022 ~ Conductor, clarinetist, arranger, composer Christopher Ball passed away in Denville Hall, UK ~ Started his career as clarinetist for the Hallé Orchestra. As a conductor associated with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Ballet. Founded and directed the early music ensemble the Praetorius Consort, known for Medieval Paris (Music Of The City). Ball is also known for forming the London Baroque Trio with harpsichordist Mary Verney and bass violist Peter Vell ~ Ball was born in 1936
April 7, 2020 ~ Traditional jazz banjoist, bandleader Eddy Davis, full name Eddy Ray Davis, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with filmmaker, comedian, clarinetist Woody Allen, who played in Davis's the New Orleans Jazz Band starting in the 1960s. Davis has also appeared in several of Allen's movies. Admired by peers, Davis appears on dozens of albums starting in the late 1950s, including recordings by Leon Redbone, Turk Murphy, Doc Cheatham, and Frank Vignola ~ Davis was born in 1940
April 7, 2020 ~ Country-folk, progressive country singer, guitarist, songwriter John Prine, full name John Edward Prine, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Discovered by Kris Kristofferson. Prine became an important figure in the Chicago folk revival, with well over a dozen album to his name, and is generally regarded as one of the most influentual songwriters of his generation, known for his dry wit and social commentary. . Well-known songs include Illegal Smile, The Great Compromise, Dear Abby, Saigon, and The 20th Century Is Almost Over. Prine is held in the highest regards by artists such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Kacey Musgraves, and Bonnie Raitt, the latter notably covering his Angel From Montgomery ~ Prine was born in 1946
April 7, 2018 ~ Singer Ruti Olajugbagbe wins The Voice UK ~ Olajugbagbe wins the 7th season of talent show The Voice UK aired on ITV, beating fellow finalists Donel Mangena, Belle Voci and Lauren Bannon. Following her success on the show, Olajubagbe released her Dreams debut single which reached top 20 in the UK. Several singles and EP's followed, yet despite some encouraging critical reception she would be unable to repeat her earlier successApril 7, 2016 ~ Country singer Trent Harmon wins the 15th season of American Idol, the last season aired on Fox ~ Country singer Trent Harmon beats singer, songwriter La'Porsha Renae in the finale of talent show American Idol. Harmon's eponymous Trent Harmon debut EP released later the same year, spawned the Billboard Country top 30 singles Falling and There's A Girl. A full-length album, You Got 'Em All, followed in 2018 and reached top 40 Billboard Country
April 7, 2014 ~ Pop, folk pop, soft rock singer, guitarist Ed Sheeran releases Sing, lifted off his × (Multiply) sophomore album ~ Written by Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams, the latter also serving as producer. The single would reach No.1 in Ireland and his native UK, a first in both countries. Upon its release the song received universal acclaim, several noting a shift in style fitting in with the times, while the Guardian stated that “while Pharrell's influence is writ large, there's enough of Sheeran to prevent it coming across as horrible pastiche”
April 7, 2014 ~ Operatic bass-baritone John Shirley-Quirk, full name John Stanton Shirley-Quirk, passed away in Bath, UK ~ Member of the Purcell Singers. Closely associated with composer Benjamin Britten, who wrote several roles especially for him. Notable performances include roles in Britten's Curlew River, Canticle IV (Journey Of The Magi), and Death In Venice. Has worked with the English Opera Group, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Scottish Opera ~ Shirley-Quirk was born in 1931
April 7, 2002 ~ Jacoba Adriana Hollestelle, commonly known as pop singer Conny Vandenbos, passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Best known for songs such as Ik Ben Gelukkig Zonder Jou, Paleis Met De Gouden Muren, Sjakie Van De Hoek and perhaps her best known Een Roosje Mijn Roosje ~ Hollestelle was born in 1937
April 7, 2000 ~ Alexander Woods, commonly known as rapper Big Scarr, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Kodak Black and Boosie Badazz. Best known for Solcy Boyz and its follow-up Solcy Boyz 2, both songs featuring Pooh Shiesty and Foogiano with the latter also featuring Tay Keith. Released his Big Grim Reaper debut mixtape in 2021 ~ Woods passed away in 2022April 7, 2000 ~ Heinz Burt, mononymously known as bassist, singer Heinz, passed away in Eastleigh, UK ~ Protégé of producer, engineer Joe Meek who would style his image. Member of the Tornados, known for their instrumental hit Telstar. As a solo artist best known for Just Like Eddie, a tribute to Heinz's biggest influence Eddie Cochran produced by Meek ~ Burt was born in 1942
April 7, 1994 ~ Lee John Collinson, commonly known as rock, pub rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Lee Brilleaux passed away in London, UK ~ Helped found Stiff Records in 1976 with a loan of £500. Co-founded Dr Feelgood with Wilko Johnson in 1971, known best for their 1979 UK top 10 hit Milk And Alcohol, serving as the band's lead singer, occasional guitarist and sole constant member, his last performance just months before his death ~ Collinson was born in 1952
April 7, 1992 ~ Singer, actress Alexis Jordan born in Columbia, South Carolina, USA ~ Contestant on the 1st season of talent show America's Got Talent in 2006 at age 14. Even though she was eliminated from the show subsequent Youtube uploads would garner enough views to draw attention form the production team Stargate and rapper Jay-Z who would sign her to their StarRoc label. Jordan's 2010 debut single Happiness would reach top 10 across Europe, including No.1 positions in the Netherlands and Norway. A full-length eponymous Alexis Jordan debut album would be released the next yearApril 7, 1991 ~ Singer Anne-Marie Nicholson, mononymously known simply as Anne-Marie, born in Essex, UK ~ First gained attention appearing as featured vocalist on songs such as Clean Bandit's 2016 hit Rockabye. Released her full-length Speak Your Mind in 2018, spawning the UK top 20 hits Alarm and Ciao Adios. Also known for subsequent hit recordings such as Friends featuring Marshmello, 2002, Rewrite The Stars featuring James Arthur, and Don't Play featuring KSI and Digital Farm Animals
April 7, 1989 ~ String player, singer Clyde Moody passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, 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 was born in 1915April 7, 1985 ~ British pop group Wham become the first Western pop group to play in China when they perform at the Worker's Gymnasium, Beijing, China ~ In 1981, Jean-Michel Jarre had already played in China. Four years later, the pop duo Wham become the first Western pop group to play the country, embarking on a 10-day tour starting in Beijing. Footage from the trip would be used for their video to Freedom. It would be nearly a decade before the next Western pop act visited the country, Roxette playing in Beijing in early 1995 during the country's New Year's celebrations
April 7, 1984 ~ R&B, pop singer Yonah Higgins, full name Yonah Mawusi Higgins, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Formed the sibling outfit Cleopatra with Zainam Higgins and lead singer Cleo Higgins. The band's 1998 debut album Comin' Atcha would include the UK top 10 singles Cleopatra's Theme, Life Ain't Easy, and the the Jackson 5-cover I Want You Back. They would release their follow-up album, Steppin' Out, in 2000 but fail to repeat their earlier succes
April 7, 1982 ~ Pop, R&B singer Kelli Young born in Derby, UK ~ Lead singer of pop group Liberty X from 2001 until its disbandement in 2007. The band was comprised of the five finalists of ITV talent show Popstars and scored the UK top 10 hits Thinking It Over, Just A Little, Got To Have Your Love, Holding On For You, Being Nobody featuring Richard X, Song 4 Lovers, and A Night To RememberApril 7, 1981 ~ Zydeco accordionist, singer Chris Ardoin born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA ~ Helped shape nouveau zydeco, injecting elements of hip-hop, reggae and R&B into traditional zydeco. Formed Double Clutchin' with his elder brother drummer Sean Ardoin, debuting with the That's Da Lick album in 1994. The band was renamed to NuStep in the early 2000s and is still fronted by Chris
April 7, 1978 ~ Singer, songwriter Duncan James born in Salisbury, UK ~ Member of boy band Blue, known best for a string of early 2000s hits. The band's first three albums all topped the UK albums charts. Well known songs include Too Close, If You Come Back and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word featuring Elton John. The band disbanded in 2005 but has reunited since and represented England at the 2011 Eurovision Songfestival with the song I Can which reached 11th place