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.
August 1, 2025 ~ Marilyn Jeanne Seely, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Jeannie Seely, passed away in Hermitage, Tennessee, USA ~ Initially pursued a career in the banking industry to turn to songwriting by the mid 1960s, and later singing and acting. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Seely include Irma Thomas, Dottie West, Connie Smith, Ray Price, and Faron Young. As a singer, Seely recorded over a dozen albums, including two duet albums with Jack Greene. She is best known for her Grammy Award-winner Don't Touch Me, which peaked at No.2 Billboard Country in 1966. Seely would be the first to record the Hank Cochran-penned song, which became a country classic later recorded by dozens of artists including Eddy Arnold, Don Gibson, Tammy Wynette, Ella Fitzgerald, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Alan Jackson. Other well known songs recorded by Seely include I'll Love You More (Than You Need), the Jack Greene-duet Wish I Didn't Have To Miss You, and Can I Sleep In Your Arms, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Country. Seely has also appeared in the 1980 Honeysuckle Rose romantic drama western, which starred Willie Nelson, acted in several stage plays, and was the first female to host the the Grand Ole Opry. Seely was married to songwriter Hank Cochran from 1969 through 1979 ~ Seely was born in 1940
August 1, 2022 ~ Maria Victoria Ledesma Cuevas, commonly known as actress, singer Rosa de Castilla, passed away in Mexico City, Mexico ~ One of the leading ladies of the golden age of Mexican cinema, appearing in over four dozen films starting in the early 1950s. Sang ranchera songs in most of her films. As a recording artist perhaps best known for The Sounds Of Old Mexico album released in 1956, featuring backing from Antonio Aguilar, Luis Pérez Meza, and Rosita Quintana ~ Ledesma Cuevas was born in 1931
August 1, 2017 ~ John Raymond Goadsby, commonly known as keyboardist Goldy McJohn, passed away ~ Classically trained pianist. Pioneered the use of the electronic organ in rock. Best known as original member of Steppenwolf remaining with the group from its inception in 1967 through 1975 and present on the band's best known including Born To Be Wild. Previously a member of the Mynah Birds which at the time also included Rick James and Bruce Palmer ~ Goadsby was born in 1945
August 1, 2015 ~ Priscilla Marie Veronica White, commonly known as singer Cilla Black, passed away in Estepona, Spain ~ Active since the early 1960s. Championed by the Beatles. Introduced to Brian Epstein by John Lennon. Epstein signed her. Producer George Martin produced Cilla's debut Love Of The Loved, written by Lennon and Paul McCartney. Black is known for songs such as Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Something Tells Me Something's Gonna Happen Tonight ~ White was born in 1943August 1, 2007 ~ Folk singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter Tommy Makem passed away in Dover, New Hampshire, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for songs such as Four Green Fields, Gentle Annie, The Rambles Of Spring, and The Town Of Ballybay. Worked with the Clancy Brothers, Makem & Clancy, the Flying Fish, Red Biddy, and Roger McGuinn ~ Makem was born in 1932
August 1, 2006 ~ Rock, jazz bassist John Mole passed away ~ Member of Colosseum II. Member of jazz-funk outfit Morrissey-Mullen, known for the call-and-response interaction between saxophonist Dick Morrisey and guitarist Jim Mullen. Has also worked with Gary Moore, Don Airey, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Dankworth, and was first-call bassist for Andrew Lloyd Webber, the latter employing him for musicals such as Cats and Starlight Express during the 1980s and 1990s ~ Mole was born in 1949August 1, 2000 ~ Jazz pianist Stan Seltzer, full name Stanley Wilson Seltzer, passed away in Pima, Arizona, USA ~ Child prodigy. Student of Vladimir Horowitz. Ibluenced by Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker, Herbie Hancock. Best known as a concert and backing pianist in Chicago, Hollywood and Las Vegas and notably as the house pianist in Ricky's Lounge, Alhambra. As a recording artist known for a sole album, Excitement released in 1960 ~ Seltzer was born in 1927
August 1, 1997 ~ Pop singer Céline Dion records The Reason ~ Written by Carole King, Mark Hudson and Gregg Wells, reportedly intended for rockers Aerosmith yet given to Céline Dion instead. Produced by George Martin, renowned producer best known for his work with the Beatles. Included on her 1997 Let's Talk About Love album. Released as a single, b/w Be The Man (On This Night) in most markets, faring reasonably well across Europe. Released as a double A-side single paired with My Heart Will Go On from the Titanic soundtrack in France, where it would top the charts
August 1, 1997 ~ Pianist Sviatoslav Richter, full name Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Praised for the depth of his interpretations and virtuoso technique and generally regarded as one of the all-time greatest pianists. Frequent accompaniest of soprano singer Nina Dorliak. As a conductor premiered Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony Concerto For Cello And Orchestra in 1952. Critically acclaimed for his 1960 performance of Johannes Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra ~ Richter was born in 1915
August 1, 1996 ~ Singer Frida Boccara, full name Danielle Frida Hélène Boccara, passed away in Paris, France ~ Representing France Boccara tied for the No.1 spot with Un Jour Un Enfant at the 1969 Eurovision Songfestival held in Madrid. Allegations were made of foul play, Spanish dictator Franco aiming to have Spain win. The other “winners” were Lenny Kuhr with De Troubadour for the Netherlands, Lulu with Boom Bang-a-bang for the UK and Salomé with Vivo Cantando for Spain ~ Baccaro was born in 1940August 1, 1994 ~ Country singer Garth Brooks releases Callin' Baton Rouge, lifted off his In Pieces album ~ Written by Dennis Linde, who had also penned Elvis Presley's Burning Love, Callin' Baton Rouge would first be recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys in 1978, and subsequently by Billie Jo Spears and the New Grass Revival. When Garth Brooks covered the song, adding a rock twist, it would reach No.2 Billboard Country, held off the top spot by Brooks & Dunn's She's Not The Cheatin' Kind. Brooks would later comment on why he invited the New Grass Revival to back him on his 1994 recording: “I was, still am, and always will be a fan of the members of the New Grass Revival, four guys well ahead of their time. Callin' Baton Rouge was a single for them about the time my first album was released. This song did not even break the top thirty, and I believe it did not get a fair shot. When we recorded it, it seemed only natural to bring in the guys from the New Grass Revival, Pat Flynn, Béla Fleck, John Cowan, and Sam Bush, teamed with Jerry Douglas”
August 1, 1994 ~ Trumpeter George Dixon passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Played with Sammy Stewart starting in the late 1920s. With Earl Hines in the 1930s. Led a Navy band in Memphis during World War II. Moved to Chicago to play with Floyd Campbell, Ted Eggleston, and Rozelle Claxton, as well as lead his own band. From about the mid 1950s Dixon stopped playing full-time ~ Dixon was born in 1909
August 1, 1994 ~ Folk singer, guitarist Rolf Cahn passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA ~ As a child fled Nazi-led Germany with his family. As a singer known for a number of 1950s recordings, notably the album California Folk Concert With Rolf Cahn released in 1959. Also known as co-founder of The Cabale, an early 1960s folk club in Berkeley noted for featuring performers such as Mississippi John Hurt, Jesse Fuller, Lightnin' Hopkins, and the Chamber Brothers ~ Cahn was born in 1924August 1, 1993 ~ Robert Kahakalau, commonly known as bassist, arranger Bob Carter, passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Son of a vaudeville performer, Carter played in local orchestras and led his own trio from the mid 1930s through the mid 1940s before moving to New York around the end of World War II. Here he played in various groups with artists such as Tony Scott, Dizzy Gillespie. Charlie Parker, Stuff Smith, and Charlie Shavers. He would continue with stints backing Allen Eager, Max Roach, Charlie Ventura, Benny Goodman, Johnny Smith (including on Jazz At NBC and The Johnny Smith Quintet featuring Stan Getz), and Bobby Hackett. In the 1960s he worked in Germany in Kurt Edelhagen's orchestra. Carter did little playing after the 1960s ~ Kahakalau was born in 1922
August 1, 1993 ~ Sammy Renders, commonly known as DJ, producer Sam Feldt, born in Boxtel, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention with a remake of Robin S's Show Me Love which would reach No.4 UK, No.21 in the Netherlands, in 2015. The next year a follow-up single, Summer On You would reach the Dutch top 10, peaking at No.4, and be awarded Platinum status. Feldt released his full-length debut album, Sunrise, in 2017
August 1, 1987 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, Shakedown by Bob Seger hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written for the soundtrack to Beverly Hill Cop II by Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey, who had also teamed up for the soundtrack to the first movie. Initially, Glenn Frey was tapped to record the song, but as he contracted laryngitis he had to drop out and Bob Seger was asked to replace him. Seger rewrote the lyrics, earning him co-writing credit and took the song to the top of the charts. Shakedown would be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, but lost out to Carly Simon's Let The River Run from Working Girl. Even though it would be Seger's biggest hit, his sole No.1, he felt it wasn't his greatest and left it off his first Greatest Hits albumAugust 1, 1985 ~ José Ángel Hernández, commonly known as producer Flow La Movie, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Perhaps best known for producing Te Boté, a collaborative hit for Casper Magico, Nio Garcia & Darell. Has also notably worked with Bad Bunny and Ozuna. Hernández passed away at age 36 in a plane crash, which also killed his wife and their 4-year-old son ~ Hernández passed away in 2021
August 1, 1985 ~ Pianist, bandleader Sam Wooding, full name Samuel David Wooding, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Contemporary of Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington. Best known for bringing jazz, and big band ensembles to European audiences. In 1926 Wooding became one of the first jazz artists to perform in Russia ~ Wooding was born in 1895
August 1, 1983 ~ William M Moore, commonly known as R&B, jazz saxophonist Wild Bill Moore, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ As a solo artist scored a moderate R&B hit with We're Gonna Rock We're Gonna Roll in 1948, the single later regarded by some as one of the earliest rock and roll recordings. In-demand sideman in blues, R&B, and jazz, working with the likes of Slim Gaillard, Jack McVea, Big Joe Turner, Dexter Gordon, and Helen Humes, including on the latter's 1945 Be-Baba-Leba hit. To later audiences perhaps best known for backing Marvin Gaye on the 1971 masterpiece album What's Going On, notably present on the track Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) ~ Moore was born in 1918August 1, 1982 ~ Violinist, singer, composer Caroline Shaw, full name Caroline Adelaide Shaw, born in Greenville, North Carolina, USA ~ At 30 became the youngest recipient of Pullitzer Prize for Music, awarded for her composition Partita For 8 Voices recorded with the vocal ensemble Roomful Of Teeth. Others who recorded her works include So Percussion, the Brentano String Quartet, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus
August 1, 1981 ~ Singer, guitarist Ashley Parker Angel born in Redding, California, USA ~ Best known as member of boy band O-Town from 2000 through 2003, present on the band's first two albums including on the 2001 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit All Or Nothing. Released his The Soundtrack To Your Life in 2006 and has ventured into acting
August 1, 1981 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Kelly Gordon, full name Kelly Lee Gordon, passed away ~ Recorded some unsuccessful singles as a solo artist prior to being hired by Capitol Records as a staff producer. Would rise to fame producing Bobbie Gentry's Ode To Billie Joe, which would win three Grammy Awards and become a signature song for Gentry. Gordon also co-wrote That's Life, first recorded by Marian Montgomery in 1964 and covered by over 150 artists including Frank Sinatra ~ Gordon was born in 1932
August 1, 1981 ~ In its 19th week on the charts, Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Singer-actor Rick Springfield had been recording for an entire decade to little success, apart from the early 1970s hits Speak To The Sky, which reached No.6 in his native Australia and No.14 in America, and its follow-up Hooky Jo, which peaked at No.16 in Australia. However, despite four albums receiving praise from critics, it would take until the early 1980s for American audiences to take notice. Springfield landed an acting role on the popular soap series General Hospital, and boosted by his popularity on the show, Jessie's Girl off his fifth studio album would rise to the top of the American charts. Springfield would later tell Songfacts Jessie's Girl was based on a real-life experience: “I met this guy and his girlfriend. I was completely turned on to his girlfriend, but she was just not interested. So I had a lot of sexual angst, and I went home and wrote a song about it. (…) The only thing I remember is his name was Gary, so I changed the name, because ‘Gary’ didn't sing very well. But the whole thing is absolutely what I was feeling. He was getting it and I wasn't, and it was really tearing me up.” Over the next few years, Springfield would score four more Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, I've Done Everything For You, Don't Talk To Strangers, Affair Of The Heart, and Love Somebody, yet his break-out hit Jessie's Girl would remain his biggest hit and a radio staple to this day. Jessie's Girl featured Pat Benatar's producer, guitarist and husband Neil Giraldo on both guitar and bass
August 1, 1980 ~ Singer David Bowie releases Ashes To Ashes, lifted off his Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) album ~ In this sequel to his 1969 Space Oddity hit, David Bowie revisits the fictional Major Tom who has regained communication with Ground Control and tells them he is happy. The songs are believed to be autobiographical as Space Oddity may have been a reference to a drug trip, while Ashes To Ashes seems to imply one must not dwell on the past, but is better off kicking their drug habit and move on. Space Oddity was Bowie's first UK charttopper, and its sequel Ashes To Ashes a little over a decade later his second. The singer would score three more UK No.1 hits, the Queen-collaboration Under Pressure, the dance-rock track Let's Dance, and the duet with Mick Jagger Dancing In The StreetAugust 1, 1977 ~ Robert Zemichiel, commonly known as rapper, actor Afrob, born in Venice, Italy ~ Active since the mid 1990s, initially working with acts such as Massive Töne, Freundeskreis, and the Spezializtz. Released his Rolle Mit Hip Hop (Rolle Mit Hip Hop) solo debut album in 1999, which would reach top 20 in his adopted homeland Germany, and has recorded over half a dozen albums since frequently collaborating with the likes of Ferris MC, Samy Deluxe, and D-Flame
August 1, 1977 ~ Country, pop, soft rock singer Kenny Rogers releases Daytime Friends, lead single of the album off the same name ~ Written by veteran songwriter Ben Peters, well known for penning Charley Pride's 1971 smash hit Kiss An Angel Good Mornin', Daytime Friends tells of a man and woman having to keep up the pretence of just being friends during the daytime while secretly being nighttime lovers as both are in a relationship with someone else. The single would be the second Billboard Country No.1 hit for Kenny Rogers, preceded by Lucille earlier the same year. Songwriter Peters claimed he got the idea for the title watching a weather report where the weatherman talked about “daytime trends and nighttime showers”