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, 1976 ~ James Emory Garrison, commonly known as jazz bassist Jimmy Garrison, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for backing John Coltrane from the early 1960s until Coltrane's death in 1967, including on seminal albums such as My Favorite Things, Impressions, Live At Birdland, and A Love Supreme. Has also appeared on albums by the likes of Kenny Dorham, Philly Joe Jones, Tony Scott (Golden Moments), Lee Konitz (Live At The Half Note), JR Monterose, Eric Dolphy (Outward Bound), Cal Massey, Ted Curson, Ornette Coleman (The Art Of The Improvisers), Sonny Rollins, Alice Coltrane, Elvin Jones, Archie Shepp (Attica Blues), and Beaver Harris ~ Garrison was born in 1934
April 7, 1975 ~ Electropop, ambient, trip hop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Karin Dreijer born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Formed the duo the Knife with her brother Olof Dreijer, best known for Heartbeats of their sophomore Deep Cuts album released in 2003. Recorded as a solo artist, going by the moniker Fever Ray, noted for her 2008 If I Had A Heart single which was used in TV series such as Person Of Interest, Breaking Bad and Wentworth. Dreijer also guested on Röyksopp's What Else Is There of their 2005 The Understanding album
April 7, 1973 ~ Singer Anne-Marie David wins the 18th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Luxembourg, Luxembourg ~ Representing Luxembourg, Anne-Marie David wins with the song Tu Te Reconnaîtres written by Claude Morgan and Vline Buggy. Runner-ups were Spain's Mocedades in 2nd place with Eres Tu and the UK's Cliff Richard in 3rd place with Power To All Our FriendsApril 7, 1972 ~ Nelson Diaz Martinez, commonly known as reggaeton DJ, producer DJ Nelson, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Member of loose club-centered collective the Noise. Helpful in developing and popularizing reggaeton. Has worked with Don Chezina, Ivy Queen, Francisco Saldaña, Victor Cabrera, Noriega. Released his solo debut album, The Flow, in 2007. Perhaps best known for producing Pasarela featuring Dálmata, released in 2007
April 7, 1971 ~ Pop rock sibling outfit the Bee Gees record Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself at IBC Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Barry Gibb. Produced by the band and manager Robert Stigwood. Included on the Trafalgar album. Released as a single in October 1971, b/w Walking Back To Waterloo. Despite a warm critical reception the single would chart poorly, especially compared to their previous single How Can You Mend A Broken Heart which was a smash hit in several countries
April 7, 1965 ~ Gypsy jazz, swing, jazz fusion guitarist Sylvain Luc born in Bayonne, France ~ Praised for his fingerstyle playing technique. About a dozen albums to his name as a leader or solo artist since the early 1990s, especially noted for the 2002 album Trio Sud featuring regular collaborators bassist Jean-Marc Jafet and drummer André Ceccarelli, and Solo Ambre released in 2005. An in-demand sideman, Luc has guested on albums by Patrick Bruel, Françoise Hardy, Charles Aznavour, Lokua Kanza, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, Richard Bona, Vincent Peirani, and Juan Carmona ~ Luc passed away in 2024
April 7, 1965 ~ Guitarist, bassist Victor Krummenacher born in Riverside, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Camper Van Beethoven, as well as offshoots Monks of Doom and Third Mind. Has recorded close to a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Out In The Heat released in 1995. Recorded half a dozen albums with Eugene Chadbourne and appears on recordings by the Wrestling Worms, Jonathan Segel, Dent, and Greg LisherApril 7, 1964 ~ Singer Mark Kibble born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of a capella gospel quartet Take 6, known for integrating jazz with spiritual and inspirational music. The band has collaborated with Ray Charles, Gordon Goodwin, Don Henley, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones, Queen Latifah, the Manhattan Transfer, Johnny Mathis, CeCe Winans, and Stevie Wonder
April 7, 1962 ~ Pedal steel guitarist Robby Turner born ~ Best known for his close association with Waylon Jennings. Also worked with George Jones, Chet Atkins, Loretta Lynn, BB King, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, the Highwaymen, Toy Caldwell, Gin Blossoms, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jeff Foxworthy, Jim Lauderdale, Travis Tritt, Kieran McGee, John Prine, Tanya Tucker, Chely Wright, David Ball, Matt King, Deryl Dodd, Sara Evans, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Robison, Mark Chesnutt, Pam Tillis, the Dixie Chicks, Gary Allan, Rodney Carrington, Claudia Church, Shooter Jennings, Tony Joe White, Steve Forbert, the Wrights, the Oak Ridge Boys, Whiskey Myers, the Burns Sisters, and Colter Wall ~ Turner passed away in 2025April 7, 1960 ~ Violinist, electric violinist Tracy Silverman born in Peekskill, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in the mid 1990s as a member of the Turtle Island String Quartet. As a leader or co-leader recorded over half a dozen albums, notably Trip To The Sun released in 1999. Has appeared on albums by Tony Trischka, Sunita Staneslow, Marc Puricelli, Bobby Vega, David Tanenbaum, Jim Brickman, Darol Anger, Garrison Keillor, and Eclectica
April 7, 1958 ~ Singer Wanda Jackson records Let's Have A Party in Hollywood, California ~ Written by Jessie Mae Robinson. Produced by Ken Nelson. Wanda Jackson released the song as a single, paired with Cool Love on the flip side, in June 1960. Previously recorded by Elvis Presley for the movie Loving You. Later performed by Led Zeppelin and T.Rex during their live sets, and included on their albums by glam rockers Mud and rock & rollers Dr Feelgood
April 7, 1951 ~ Rock, blues rock, soul singer Alison MacCallum born in Sydney, Australia ~ Known for her 1972 Fresh Water debut album, which spawned the modest hit single Superman, and her sophomore album Excuse Me released in 1975
April 7, 1951 ~ Jazz, hard bop saxophonist Bob Berg, full name Robert Berg, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with Horace Silver and Cedar Walton in the 1970s, and Miles Davis for most of the 1980s. Recorded about a dozen albums as a leader, notably New Birth released in 1978. An in-demand sideman, valued for his expressive style, Berg has guested on albums by Idris Muhammad (House Of The Rising Sun), Tom Harrell, Sam Jones (Something In Common), Kenny Drew, Billy Higgins (Soweto), the Players Association (We Got The Groove), Mike Wofford, Tom Harrell, Randy Brecker (Live At Sweet Basil), Doug Munro, Chroma, Barbara Dennerlein, Joe Chambers (Phantom Of The City), Chick Corea, Marc Copland (Stompin' With Savoy), and Larry Coryell ~ Berg passed away in 2002
April 7, 1951 ~ Drummer Bruce Gary born in Burbank, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known as member of the Knack, including on the hit My Sharona. Has also workled with Albert Collins, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Stephen Stills, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Bang, Harry Nilsson, Sheryl Crow, Albert King, and John Lee Hooker ~ Gary passed away in 2006
April 7, 1951 ~ Janis Eddy Fink, commonly known as folk-pop, soft rock singer, songwriter Janis Ian born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by folk pioneers such as Joan Baez and Odetta. Wrote and first recorded her debut single, Society's Child (Baby I've Been Thinking), at age 14. It became a Billboard top 20 hit in 1967 upon its second re-release in 1967. Best known for her single At Seventeen, a Billboard top 10 hit in 1975
April 7, 1951 ~ Country drummer, singer John Dittrich born in Union, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding and constant member of Restless Heart, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band enjoyed popularity especially during the mid to late 1980s, their country pop arrangements and vocal harmony earning them critical comparison to the Eagles. They have charted over two dozen singles on the Billboard Country charts, of which That Rock Won't Roll, I'll Still Be Loving You, Why Does It Have To Be (Wrong Or Right), Wheels, The Bluest Eyes In Texas, and A Tender Lie all reached the top spot. Dittrich also formed the Buffalo Club with guitarist Charlie Kelley and lead singer Ron Hemby in 1996, with whom he recorded a sole eponymous album which spawned the Billboard Country No.9 hit If She Don't Love You
April 7, 1949 ~ Eddie Wilbur Rich, commonly known as rock, blues, R&B bassist, guitarist, singer Billy Rich, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Best known for backing Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles, and especially Taj Mahal. Also worked with 7 Wonders Combo, the Whispers, John McLaughlin, Paul Butterfield's 1970s band Better Days, and with Geoff Muldaur
April 7, 1949 ~ Tyrone Garfield Kersey, commonly known as keyboardist, arranger, producer, songwriter Ron Kersey, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Trammps, co-wrote their smash hit Disco Inferno. Also worked with MFSB, the Salsoul Orchestra, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, and the O'Jays. Produced Stephanie Mills's I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love. Kersey is also specifically noted for co-writing Every Drop Of Your Love for Stacy Lattisaw, and Send For Me for Evelyn Champagne King ~ Kersey passed away in 2005April 7, 1948 ~ Carol Strickland, commonly known as disco singer Carol Douglas, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for her recording Doctor's Orders, a pioneering disco hit which reached the Billboard top 20 in 1974. Subsequent singles throughout the 1970s, such as Midnight Love Affair, Night Fever and Burnin', would reach the higher echelons of the dance charts
April 7, 1948 ~ Drummer Dallas Taylor, full name Dallas Woodrow Taylor Jr, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Member of late 1960s psychedelic rock band Clear Light. Best known for appearing on Crosby Stills & Nash's 1969 eponymous Crosby Stills & Nash debut album and its follow-up acclaimed 1970 landmark Déjà Vu album. Has also worked with Stephen Stills, including in Manassas, guested on the Byrds' 1973 The Byrds reunion album, played with Van Morrison at the 1974 Montreux Festival, and toured with Paul Butterfield ~ Taylor passed away in 2015
April 7, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist John Oates, full name John William Oates, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Formed Hall & Oates with Daryl Hall, the duo recording over a dozen albums since the early 1970s. The pair had first met in the mid 1960s while both were enrolled at Temple University, Pennsylvania, and found out they had similar tastes in music. Hall was sessioning for Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell, future architects of Philly soul, and Oates led his own soul band. Over the next few years the pair would work together in a string of local R&B and doo wop bands. However, Hall transferred to another school and Oates formed the soft rock unit Gulliver, with whom he recorded one album before the band disbanded. At the end of the decade, Oates returned to Philadelphia and the pair teamed up again, this time writing and performing their own songs as a duo. Initially, their sound was strongly influenced by folk, and it took them a while to find their trademark blend of pop, soul and a touch of rock. Their breakout hit, the tender ballad Sara Smile written for Hall's then-girlfriend Sara Allen, would reach No.4 Billboard Hot 100 in 1976 quickly followed by the re-release of She's Gone also making the top 10. The duo would score about a dozen more top 10 hits over the next decade, including the No.1 hits Rich Girl, Kiss On My List, Private Eyes, I Can't Go For That (No Can Do), Out Of Touch, and Maneater. Their well constructed sound made Hall & Oates one of the most popular acts during the first half of the 1980s, and in 1984 RIAA announced they had earned a total of 19 gold and platinum awards, making them the most successful duo since the Everly Brothers. The hits dried up by the late 1980s, however, the pair would continue to record, albeit it to lesser success, and regularly tour well into the next millenium. Hall & Oates are fondly remembered for defining 1980s blue-eyed soul, or as AllMusic described it “strong hooks and melodies that adhered to soul traditions without being a slave to them”, with many of their hits popular radio staples to this day. In 2014, the duo were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame for their “at times infectious, at times poignant, and nearly always wildly popular” music. Questlove of the Roots has been quoted as saying “Hall & Oates will cure any known ailment”
April 7, 1948 ~ R&B, soul, disco singer, trumpeter, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Ronnie Wilson born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Gap Band, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums. The band, formed in 1967, is centered around brothers Ronnie, Charlie Wilson and Robert Wilson, and known for their infectuous bass-heavy sound. Even though their earlier efforts did not catch on, they would be pivotal to developing the funk sound of the 1970s and 1980s with Billboard R&B top 10 hits such as Shake, Oops Upside Your Head, Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me), Yearning For Your Love, Early In The Morning, You Dropped A Bomb On Me and Beep-a-freak. Nirvana-drummer Dave Grohl credits the band for inspiring the drum intro on Smells Like Teen Spirit ~ Wilson passed away in 2021
April 7, 1947 ~ Florian Schneider-Esleben, commonly known as krautrock, synth-pop, electropop, art pop keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, saxophonist, singer Florian Schneider, born in Badem-Württemberg, Germany ~ Co-founded pivotal electronic outfit Kraftwerk in 1970 with Ralf Hutter. The band is widely considered innovators and pioneers of electronic music and among the first successful acts to popularize the genre. Key albums include Autobahn, Trans-Europe Express, Man Machine, and Computer World. Schneider departed the band in 2008 ~ Schneider passed away in 2020April 7, 1947 ~ Michele Cléberte Tort, commonly known as pop singer Michèle Torr, born in Pertuis, France ~ Internationally best known for representing Luxembourg in the 1966 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 10th place with Ce Soir J T'Attendais, and representing Monaco in the 1977 edition, reaching 4th place with Une Petite Française. Has recorded well over two dozen albums, starting with Dans Mes Bras Oublie Ta Peine released in 1964
April 7, 1946 ~ Drummer Bill Kreutzmann born in Palo Alto, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Grateful Dead, remaining with the pivotal jam band throughout its entire three decade existence. The band is best known for a string of acclaimed albums throughout the mid 1970s, including Anthem Of The Sun, Workingman's Dead, and American Beauty, earning them a devoted following dubbed “Deadheads”