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 3, 1983 ~ Christophe Durier, commonly known as singer Christophe Willem, born in Enghien-les-Bains, France ~ First gained serious attention as winner of the fourth edition of the talent show Nouvelle Star in 2006. Released his Inventaire debut album the following year. Known best for songs such as Sunny, Double Je, Jacques A Dit and Quelle Chance, all of which reached top 10 in his native France
August 3, 1983 ~ Jazz, pop singer Kat Edmonson born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Released her eponymous Kat Edmonson debut album in 2009. Has gone on to open for Lyle Lovett, who also guested on Long Way Home of her Way Down Low sophomore album, as well as open for Jamie Cullum, Michael Kiwanuka, Chris Isaak, and Gary Clark Jr. Edmonson has also guested on albums by Miles Zuniga, Walter Martin, and Asleep At The WheelAugust 3, 1983 ~ Travis Ryan Collins, commonly known as CCM singer, guitarist, songwriter Travis Ryan, born in San Clemente, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing We Believe, recorded by the Newsboys for their 2013 Restart album. Collins has been recording independently since the late 2000s, and released his major-label Fearless debut album in 2012
August 3, 1980 ~ Hardcore punk, metalcore, punk rock guitarist, singer Brandan Schieppati, full name Brandan Sebastian Schieppati, born in Newport Beach, California, USA ~ Member of bands such as Eighteen Visions, Throwdown, Bleeding Through, the Mistake and the Misfits-cover band Die Die My Darling. Also served as manager for several punk acts including Letlive, Stray From The Path, For The Fallen Dreams, and the Ghost Inside
August 3, 1973 ~ Dingilizwe Dumile, commonly known as hip-hop, alternative hip-hop DJ, rapper, producer DJ Subroc, born in East Meadow, New York, USA ~ Member of KMD, co-founded with his brother MF Doom, known for their 1991 Mr Hood album. The group would also serve as producing team for the likes of 3rd Bass, MF Grimm, and Kurious. Dumile's 1993 death in a traffic accident effectively halted the group's production of Black Bastards, although the album would be released posthumously in 2000. Dumile's brother Doom would dedicate his 2004 track Kon Karne to his late brother referencing him in the lyrics as “the hip-hop Jimi Hendrix” ~ Dumile passed away in 1993
August 3, 1968 ~ In its 5th week on the charts, Hello I Love You by the Doors hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ At the time, most 45rpm recordings were in the mono format. Hello I Love You was one of the first rock singles in stereo, helping set a new industry standard. The band had originally first recorded the song for a demo in 1965, prior to their namechange to the Doors, and at the insistence of their label dug it up to be included on their Waiting For The Sun album. Issued as the album's second single, it would become their second and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1. In a 1968 interview lead singer Jim Morrison remarked: “Sure, Hello I Love You isn't one of our best songs, but I am not ashamed of it. Really, I like the other side (Love Street) better. I was hoping they would flip it and play that, but they haven't”August 3, 1965 ~ Darryl O Barnes, commonly known as rapper Smooth B, born ~ Formed the duo Nice & Smooth with Smooth B, aided by DJ Teddy Tedd and best known for a number of 1990s underground rap songs notably Funky For You, Hip-Hop Junkies, Sometimes I Rhyme Slow and Old To The New
August 3, 1964 ~ Reggae, mbaqanga guitarist, keyboardist, singer Lucky Dube, full name Lucky Philip Dube, born in Ermelo, South Africa ~ Initially a mbaqanga singer, Dube would switch to reggae in the mid-1980s, inspired by Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh. His earliest reggae releases would prove commercially unsuccessful, and the apartheid regime would ban him for his socio-political lyrics, yet Dube would soldier on and find his breakthrough with the 1985 Think About The Children album, which reached Platinum status. Dube would continue to record to critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming Africa's best selling reggae artist, well into the 2000s ~ Dube passed away in 2007
August 3, 1963 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Ed Roland, full name Edgar Eugene Roland Jr, born in Stockbridge, Georgia, USA ~ Lead singer and primary songwriter of Collective Soul, which also included his brother guitarist Dean Roland, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums including Collective Soul and Disciplined Breakdown. The post-grunge band enjoyed popularity especially during the 1990s, the singles Shine, December, and The World I Know all reaching top 20 Billboard Hot 100. The band's best known single, Shine written by Roland, has been covered by Dolly Parton, the Holmes Brothers, and Phish
August 3, 1963 ~ Singer, guitarist James Hetfield, full name James Alan Hetfield, born in Downey, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, rhythm and occasional lead guitarist, and primary songwriter of Metallica, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums starting with Kill 'Em All released in 1983. Hetfield was influenced by the likes of AC/DC, Black Sabbath, the Ramones, and particularly Aerosmith, Hetfield citing the latter as the main reason he wanted to play guitar, while Metallica themselves would become one of the most influential metal bands of all time, alongside Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth regarded as one of “the Great Four” of thrash metal. The band has had about half a dozen of their albums debut atop the Billboard Hot 200 chart, garnered over two dozen Grammy Award nominations, and has sold over 125 million records. Well known songs include Master Of Puppets, One, Enter Sandman, Nothing Else Matters, and Until It SleepsAugust 3, 1963 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, So Much In Love by the Tymes hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The band evolved from the Latineers formed in 1956, changing their name to the Tymes in 1960 after recruiting George Williams as their new lead vocalist. The band's So Much In Love debut single tells of a guy so much in love he can't wait to get married to the object of his affection, the couple strolling along the sea. The strolling by the sea theme is enhanced by its intro of sound effects of singing birds and waves, accompanied by finger snaps as the lead instrument. Later, Billy Joel would remark So Much In Love inspired his 1984 single The Longest Time, a doo-wop-tinged song also featuring characteristic finger snaps. A follow-up to So Much In Love, Wonderful Wonderful would also reach top 10, peaking at No.7 Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the band is best known for Ms Grace released in 1974, which topped the British charts but bombed in their native America
August 3, 1962 ~ Jazz, neo-bop, post-bop bassist Ben Wolfe, full name Benjamin Jonah Wolfe, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Praised by critics for his wit and cool intelligence and his signature blending of jazz and classical influences, his music once described by the New York Times as where “Charles Mingus and Miles Davis meet Béla Bartók and Bernard Herrmann”. Well over half a dozen albums to his name as a leader, starting in the late 1990s, especially noted for the 2008 No Strangers Here album. As a sideman and collaborator, Wolfe has appeared on albums by Frank Kimbrough, Wessell Anderson, Eric Reed, Carl Allen, Buckshot LeFonque (Music Evolution), Kevin Mahogany, Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis (Live At The Village Vanguard), Harry Connick Jr (30), Cristina Branco, Brad Leali, Orrin Evans, Michael Bublé (Nobody But Me), and Julius Rodriguez
August 3, 1961 ~ Leon Drucker, commonly known as bassist, double bassist Lee Rocker born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Son of clarinetists Naomi Drucker and Stanley Drucker. Rose to fame as a member of 1980s rockabilly revival band the Stray Cats, known for songs such as Runaway Boys, Rock This Town and Stray Cat Strut. Has also worked with Phantom Rocker & Slick, Carl Perkins, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, John Fogerty and with Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty MooreAugust 3, 1960 ~ Country keyboardist, pianist Dean Sams born in Garland, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of Lonestar, known for hits such as No News, Come Cryin' To Me, Amazed, Smile, What About Now, Tell Her, I'm Already There, My Front Porch Looking On and Mr Mom. The band is also known for once including John Rich, who would later rise to fame as half of country-rock duo Big & Rich
August 3, 1960 ~ Saxophonist Greg Osby born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Active since the early 1980s. Co-founding member of M-Base Collective. Some two dozen albums to his name as a leader, some of his earlier recordings attempts to merge jazz with hip-hop influences. Most acclaimed for albums such as Banned In New York, Inner Circle, and St Louis Shoes. Has collaborated with the likes of Franco Ambrosetti, Uri Caine, Andrew Hill, Steve Coleman, Andrew Cyrille, Robin Eubanks, Herbie Hancock, and Strata InstituteAugust 3, 1960 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Richard Shindell born in Lakehurst, New Jersey, USA ~ About a dozen albums to his name, starting with Sparrows Point released in 1992. Received wider attention when Joan Baez recorded his Fishing, Reunion Hill and Money For Floods for her Gone From Danger album. Formed the group Cry Cry Cry with Dar Williams and Lucy Kaplansky, known for their 1998 eponymous Cry Cry Cry album
August 3, 1959 ~ Rock, pop drummer Kors Eijkelboom born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Worked with the Scene, Blue Murder, the Jack Of Hearts, Eton Crop. The song Niet Alle Meisjes Zijn Verliefd Op Kors, recorded by de Tröckener Kecks, is about Eijkelboom
August 3, 1958 ~ Actor, TV personality, singer, songwriter Wim Rijken born in Kinderdijk, the Netherlands ~ Best known as an actor for TV, film, theater. As a singer debuted in 1988 with the single Wie Weet Wat Liefde Is duetting with Conny Vandenbos and later rerecorded as a duet with Marga Bult. As a solo artist known for songs such as Voor Mij Is Er Maar Eén, Jij Bent Mijn Zomer and Zo Zijn We Samen ~ Rijken passed away in 2022
August 3, 1953 ~ John Bairnson, commonly known as bassist, guitarist Ian Bairnson, born in Shetland, UK ~ 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 passed away in 2023August 3, 1948 ~ Classical, jazz, pop, R&B, gospel pianist, guitarist, singer, composer, producer Ray Reach, full name Raymond Everett Reach Jr, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Perhaps best known as longtime director of the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, which he founded. Has also worked with the Night Flight Band, Cleveland Eaton, the Alabama Allstars, the Superjazz Big Band, and Ellis Marsalis
August 3, 1947 ~ Singer, songwriter Sally Oldfield born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Sister of Mike Oldfield and Terry Oldfield. Sally recorded with her brother Mike as Sallyangle, releasing the album Children Of The Sun in 1968. Oldfield would also work with Pekka Pohjola, Steve Hackett, with both her brothers including on Mike's critically acclaimed Tubular Bells, and record as a solo artist
August 3, 1947 ~ John Michael Kenneth Tyler, commonly known as singer, guitarist Sean Tyla, born in Barlow, UK ~ Best known as founding member of Ducks Deluxe, formed 1972. Also formed its successor Tyla Gang in 1975. Formed the Force in 1981. Also worked with Help Yourself, Joan Jett, Deke Leonard, Martin Belmont, the Trouble Boys, and with Little Bob Story
August 3, 1946 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Jack Wilson born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Eddie Harris, Al Hibbler, Richard Evans, Gerald Wilson, Lou Donaldson, Herbie Mann, Jackie McLean, Johnny Griffin, Sammy Davis Jr, Sarah Vaughan, Lou Rawls, Eartha Kitt, Julie London, Sonny & Cher, Lorez Alexandria, Tutti Camarata, Curtis Amy, Earl Anderza, Roy Ayers, and Clark Terry ~ Wilson passed away in 2007
August 3, 1946 ~ John York Foley, commonly known as rock, country rock bassist, guitarist, oud player, singer John York, born in White Plains, New York, USA ~ Worked with Doug Sahm in the Sir Douglas Quintet and sessioned for the Mamas & the Papas and Johnny Rivers. Briefly a member of the Byrds replacing original bassist Chris Hillman, present on the 1969 Dr Byrds And Mr Hyde album. Wrote the band's Fido and co-wrote Candy. Following his departure from the band has worked with Gene Clark, Chris Darrow, Katie Trickett, Carla Olson, and recorded as a solo artist
August 3, 1946 ~ Singer Syreeta Wright born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Started out at Motown as demo and backup singer including for the Supremes, the Spinners, and Stevie Wonder whom she eventually married. The couple would work on Wonder's Where I'm Coming From album, with Wright doing arranging, composing, notably If You Really Love Me, and backing vocals. As a solo artist Wright has been releasing albums since the early 1970s. Perhaps best known for her duet With You I'm Born Again with Billy Preston ~ Wright passed away in 2004