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 15, 1973 ~ Adam David Willard, commonly known as drummer Atom Willard, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of Rocket From The Crypt from 1990 through 2000. Also well known as founding member of Angels & Airwaves. Has also worked with Melissa Auf Der Maur, the Special Goodness, the Offspring, Social Distortion, Danko Jones, and Against Me
August 15, 1972 ~ Singer Michael Graham, full name Michael Christopher Charles Graham, born in Rahemy, Ireland ~ Rose to fame as member of 1990s boy band Boyzone, one of the all-time best-selling boy bands with over 25 million records sold. They are known especially for songs such as Love Me For A Reason, Key To My Life, Father And Son, Words, Isn't It A Wonder, Baby Can I Hold You, All That I Need, I Love The Way You Love Me, You Needed Me and Every Day I Love You, all of which reached top 10 in both the UK and their native Ireland. After three albums, all of which reached the top spot in the UK, the band disbanded in 2000, reuniting some half a dozen years later. Graham has also recorded as a solo artist, his 2001 album Meet Me Halfway spawning the hit You're My Angel, and has ventured into actingAugust 15, 1971 ~ Thomas Wayne Perkins, commonly known as singer Thomas Wayne, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Brother of Johnny Cash guitarist Luther Perkins. Released a number of singles starting in 1958, including This Time which would later be a hit for Troy Shondell. Best known for his sole Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, 1959's Tragedy produced by Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore reaching the No.5 spot, released under the moniker Thomas Wayne with the DeLons. Perkins has also worked as a sound engineer before passing away at age 31 in a car crash ~ Perkins was born in 1940
August 15, 1969 ~ Guitarist, producer, singer Justin Broadrick, full name Justin Karl Michael Broadrick, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Godflesh, one of the first bands to infuse extreme metal with elements of industrial music. The band is acclaimed for albums such as Love And Hate In Dub, Us And Them, and Hymns. Following their initial disbandement in the early 2000s, Broadrick formed Jesu, further expanding his sound to include influences from pop, rock, and electronica. Broadrick has also recorded with Napalm Death, Techno Animal, Ice, Blood Of Heroes, and prolifically as a solo artist. Parallel to his career as a singer, Broadrick has served as producer and remixer for a wide range of acts including in electronic music and hip hopAugust 15, 1963 ~ Anthony Hayes, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Stevie Plunder, born in Canberra, Australia ~ Co-founding member of the Plunderers, known for songs such as Strange Affection, I Don't Mind, I Didn't Even See Them All, and Christo. Plunder also teamed up with bandmate bassist Andy Lewis in the Whitlams, with whom he recorded the albums Introducing The Whitlams and Undeniably The Whitlams, until his untimely death at age 32 of an apparent suicide ~ Hayes passed away in 1996
August 15, 1961 ~ Luiz José da Costa, commonly known as sertanejo singer Leandro, born in Goianápolis, Brazil ~ Formed the sibling duo Leandro & Leonardo with his brother Leonardo. Coming from a poor background the duo would relentlessly play bars while holding day jobs. After self-releasing their first two albums, the brothers would first gain attention with their 1989 Leandro & Leonardo Vol.3 album. By the early 1990s the brothers would have their own weekly TV show, aired nationally, and sell million of records. The siblings have sold over 17 million records, their 1990 Leandro & Leonardo Vol.3 album marked as the all-time best-selling Brazilian sertanejo album. Following Leandro's death of cancer at age 36, Leonardo continued to record as a solo artist starting with the album Tempo released in 1999 ~ Da Costa passed away in 1998August 15, 1961 ~ Vaudeville singer Morton Harvey passed away in Los Gatos, USA ~ Best known for I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier, which became a hit in 1915 as the majority of the Americans wanted the United States to stay out of World War I. Shortly thereafter, however, the USA joined the war effort and the antiwar song fell out of favor, the changing sentiment now regarding it as unpatriotic ~ Harvey was born ca.1886
August 15, 1961 ~ Granville Henry McGhee, commonly known as jump blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Sticks McGhee, passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known for first recording Drinkin' Wine Spo-dee-o-dee, which he co-wrote with J Mayo Williams, one of the songs pre-dating and pivotal to development of rock & roll. It would be covered by Wynonie Harris, Johnny Burnette, and Jerry Lee Lewis ~ McGhee was born in 1918
August 15, 1955 ~ Rock, blues guitarist Asim Can Gunduz born ~ Outside of his native Turkey also known as Awesome John. Member of Zacharia, which also included Harry Zaverdas and Robert Gottfried. Best known for his 1998 Bir Sevgi (A Work Of Love) album, consisting of Turkish language version of blues singles ~ Gunduz passed away in 2016
August 15, 1954 ~ Avant-garde jazz, free jazz trumpeter Dennis González born in Abilene, Texas, USA ~ Well over two dozen albums as a leader, starting in the late 1970s. Hosted Miles Out on Dallas radio station KERA-FM for over two decades. To younger audiences perhaps best known for forming the trio Yells At Eels with his sons bassist Aaron González and drummer, vibraphonist Stefan González. The trio has backed Ariel Pink in the early-2010s on the albums Before Today and Ariel Pink With Added Pizzazz ~ González passed away in 2022
August 15, 1953 ~ Pop rock, folk rock, country rock guitarist, singer Brendan Croker born in Bradford, UK ~ Close to a dozen albums to his name since the mid-1980s, either fronting the 5 O'Clock Shadows or as a solo artist. Especially acclaimed for his 1991 The Great Indoors album. Member of the Notting Hillbillies, a country-rock infused band which also included the Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler and known for their sole 1990 Missing (Presumed Having A Good Time) album. In-demand session guitarist and collaborator, present on recordings by the Mekons, Tanita Tikaram (Ancient Heart), Rory Block (Ain't I A Woman), Sally Timms, Kevin Coyne, Chet Atkins, and Guy Fletcher ~ Croker passed away in 2023August 15, 1951 ~ Classical pianist, composer Artur Schnabel passed away in Axenstein, Switzerland ~ Considered one of the most important pianists of the early 20th century. As a performer especially acclaimed as an interpreter of Ludwig van Beethoven and a champion of Franz Schubert. Founded the Schnabel Trio which also included Alfred Wittenberg and Anton Hekking ~ Schnabel was born in 1882
August 15, 1951 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist Bobby Caldwell, full name Robert Hunter Caldwell, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his 1978 What You Won't Do For Love hit single. It would reach Billboard Hot 100 top 10 and be covered by Go West, Phyllis Hyman, and Boyz II Men. Caldwell is also known for co-penning The Next Time I Fall, recorded as a duet by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant. Other who recorded songs co-written by Caldwell include Roberta Flack, Boz Scaggs, and Glenn Medeiros ~ Caldwell passed away in 2023August 15, 1951 ~ Conductor Grzegorz Nowak born in Poznán, Poland ~ Music director of the Polish National Opera, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Sinfonia Helvetica. Has conducted numerous internationally renowned orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, and the San Diego Symphony
August 15, 1950 ~ William L Griffin, commonly known as R&B, soul, pop, disco singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer Billy Griffin born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Miracles, taking over a lead singer for Smokey Robinson in 1972. Present on songs such as Do It Baby, Love Machine, and Don't Cha Love It. Released his Be With Me solo debut album in 1982, spawning the UK top 20 hit Hold Me Tighter In The Rain. Co-produced Take That's 1992 Take That & Party debut album. Griffin has also worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, the O'Jays, Ronald Isley, Evelyn Champagne King, and Martine McCutcheon
August 15, 1950 ~ Drummer Tommy Aldridge born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ One of the most respected drummers in hard rock, self-taught and known for his double bass drum set-up. Influenced by Joe Morello, Ginger Baker, John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, Louie Bellson, and Sam Woodyard. Member of Black Oak Arkansas from 1972 through 1976, first appearing on the If An Angel Came To See You (Would You Make Her Feel At Home) album. Member of the Pat Travers Band from 1978 through 1981, with whom he recorded five albums. Backed Gary Moore, including on the 1983 Dirty Fingers album. Has also worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Manic Eden, Motörhead, the House Of Lords, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Sykes, and Whitesnake
August 15, 1948 ~ Bertram McLean, commonly known as reggae bassist, guitarist Bertram Ranchie McLean, born ~ Noted Jamaican studio, session musician active from the 1970s through the 1990s. Released an occasional solo recording from time to time, most notably the single Toy. Wrote Rub-a-dub Partner, recorded by Jimmy Cliff. Has also worked with Ansel Collins, Lloyd Parks, Sly Dunbar, the Impact All-Stars, the Revolutionaries, Skin Flesh & Bone, Earth & Stone, Culture, the Clarendonians, the GG All-Stars, Sadao Watanabe, Burning Spear, I-Roy, and the Meditations ~ McLean passed away in 2012
August 15, 1948 ~ Rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Tom Johnston, full name Charles Thomas Johnston, born in Visalia, California, USA ~ Best known as on-and-off member of the Doobie Brothers, remaining with the band from 1970 through 1977 and rejoining in 1987. Present on most of the band's best known including acclaimed albums such as Toulouse Street, The Captain And Me, Stampede, and Takin' It To The Streets. Johnston has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 1987 recording Where Are You Tonight used for the soundtrack to the 1987 Dirty Dancing film
August 15, 1946 ~ Songwriter, singer, pianist Jimmy Webb, full name Jimmy Layne Webb, born in Elk City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known as a songwriter, responsible for songs such as By The Time I Get To Phoenix (Johnny Rivers, Eddy Arnold, Isaac Hayes), Up Up And Away (the Sunshine Company, Nancy Sinatra, the Supremes), MacArthur Park (Richard Harris, Donna Summer), and Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell, Tony Joe White, Joe Simon). Others who recorded his songs include Brenda Holloway, Billy Eckstine, the Everly Brothers, the 5th Dimension, Frank Sinatra, Thelma Houston, BJ Thomas, Joe Cocker, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Wariner, and John DenverAugust 15, 1946 ~ Percussionist, songwriter Yves Lacomblez, full name Yves Maurice Lacomblez, born in Elsene, Belgium ~ Member of Two Man Sound, actually a trio with Lou Deprijck and Sylvain Vanholme merging Latin rhythms with disco. The band is known for their 1975 million-seller Charlie Brown, written and recorded by Benito di Paula the previous year, and Disco Samba. Laclombez also co-wrote the 1978 pastiche Ça Plane Pour Moi with Deprijck for the latter's Plastic Bertrand outfit. Originally a B-side the single would be re-released with sides flipped, reach top 10 across Europe and later be covered by dozens of artists including Sonic Youth, Leila K, and the Presidents of the United States. Laclombez has also recorded as a solo artist under the moniker Pipou
August 15, 1945 ~ Guitarist, singer Eddie Phillips, full name Edwin Michael Phillips, born in Leyton, UK ~ Member of the Creation, remaining with the band from 1966 through 1968 and rejoining in later reincarnations. Present on early recordings such as Making Time, Painter Man and Cool Jerk. Also a member of the British Invasion All-StarsAugust 15, 1945 ~ Actress, singer Jill Haworth, full name Valerie Jill Haworth, born in Hove, UK ~ Popular actress for film and TV from the late 1950s forward. To musical audiences perhaps best known for starring in the 1966 Broadway musical Cabaret, portraying the role of Sally Bowles ~ Haworth passed away in 2011
August 15, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Pamela Polland, full name Pamela Anna Polland, born in California, USA ~ Member of Gentle Soul which also included a then-unknown Jackson Browne. Had her songs covered by numerous artists including Helen Reddy (Music Music, Linda Ronstadt (I'd Like To Know), the Byrds, Bobby Bare, Anita Carter, Jesse Ed Davis, Son Volt (Tulsa County), and Alela Diane (See My Love)
August 15, 1942 ~ Pop, bubblegum pop singer Patience McIntyre, full name Patience Ann McIntyre, born ~ Formed the duo Patience & Prudence with her sister Prudence McIntyre. Daughters of orchestra leader Mark McIntyre, they scored two hits in 1956, Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now and Tonight You Belong To Me. Both singles would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, both would reach top 20 UK. The siblings continued to record through 1964 but were unable to repeat their earlier surprise succes. Later the duo explained their succes was “just an accident” and the siblings, both in their early teens back when they hit the charts, never intended to become performers
August 15, 1942 ~ Drummer Pete York born in Middlesbrough, UK ~ Original member of the Spencer Davis Group, present on some of the band's best known inlcuding Gimme Some Lovin' and I'm A Man. Formed the duo Hardin & York with Eddie Hardin. Member of short-lived blues band Powerhouse, which also included Eric Clapton. Has also worked with jazz fusion band Passport, Cousin Joe, Jon Lord, Brian Auger, Cozy Powell, Dave Mattacks, Zak Starkey, Nicko McBrain, Jon Hiseman, and Steve Ferrone