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 6, 2025 ~ Pianist, bandleader, composer Eddie Palmieri passed away in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA ~ Active since the early 1960s, merging jazz with salsa. Influenced by Thelonious Monk and McCoy Tyner. Founded and led La Perfecta, La Perfecta II, and Harlem River Drive. Best known for the 1975 collaborative album The Sun Of Latin Music with Lalo Rodríguez, the first record to earn a Grammy Award for Best Latin Recording. Palmieri has also worked with artists such as Tito Rodriguez, Ismael Quintana, Barry Rogers, Manny Oquendo, Cheo Feliciano, and Cal Tjader ~ Palmieri was born in 1936August 6, 2023 ~ Violinist, singer David LaFlamme passed away in Santa Rosa, California, USA ~ Worked with the Orkustra and Dan Hicks & his Hot Licks. Best known for founding and fronting It's A Beautiful Day, which also included his wife Linda LaFlamme. The band is best known for White Bird of their eponymous 1969 It's A Beautiful Day debut album. After the group disbanded in 1972 LaFlamme has recorded as a solo artist ~ LaFlamme was born in 1941
August 6, 2022 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Daniel Lévi passed away in Bouches-du-Rhône, France ~ Active since the early 1980s, releasing his full-length Cocktail debut album in 1983. Duetted with Karine Costa on Ce Rêve Blue, used for the French-language version of the Disney animated feature film Aladdin. The original English-language version of the song, A Whole New World, would win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. As a solo artist Lévi is best known for his 2000 L'Envie D'Aimer hit single ~ Lévi was born in 1961
August 6, 2022 ~ Jazz, pop, rock, country rock flutist, saxophonist, keyboardist David Muse passed away ~ Best known as member of Firefall, joining the band just prior to recording their eponymous Firefall debut album. The band would score hits such as You Are The Woman, Just Remember I Love You and Strange Way. Subsequently recorded as a solo artist, worked with the Marshall Tucker Band, replacing original member Jerry Eubanks in 1996, and founded the Boulder County Conspiracy in 2012 ~ Muse was born in 1949August 6, 2022 ~ Dansband, pop, schlager songwriter Torgny Söderberg, full name Sten Torgny Söderberg, passed away ~ Best known as co-writer of 1984 Eurovision Songfestival winner Diggi-loo Diggi-ley by Herrey's, lyrics written by Britt Lindeborg ~ Söderberg was born in 1944
August 6, 2021 ~ John Worsley, commonly known as singer, songwriter Les Vandyke, passed awa in Consett, UK ~ First gained attention as a songwriter in the late 1950s, penning the UK No.1 hits What Do You Want and Poor Me for Adam Faith. Would go on to become an in-demand songwriter especially successful throughout the 1960s. His songs have been recorded by the Raindrops, Marty Wilde, Al Saxon, Craig Douglas, John Barry, Bobby Vee, Eden Kane, the Viscounts, Jet Harris, Petula Clark, the Roulettes, Tommy Steele, Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, Freddie & the Dreamers, Maureen Evans, Herman's Hermits, Scott McKenzie, the Foundations, Shirley Bassey, Jackie Trent, Barbra Streisand, and Jimmy Helms ~ Worsley was born in 1931
August 6, 2020 ~ Glyn Geoffrey Ellis, commonly known as pop, beat singer Wayne Fontana, passed away in Stockport, UK ~ Named himself “Fontana” after Elvis Presley's backing drummer DJ Fontana. Best known for his 1965 hit The Game Of Love backed by the Mindbenders, which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic ~ Ellis was born in 1945August 6, 2019 ~ Jazz saxophonist Maurice Simon, full name Maurice James Simon, passed away ~ Worked with Russell Jacquet, Teddy Edwards, Charles Mingus, Wild Bill Davis, Chico Hamilton, Sonny Stitt, Leo Parker, Charles Thompson, Al Lucas, Shadow Wilson, Gerald Wilson, Snooky Young, Red Kelly, Melba Liston, Dexter Gordon, Ernie Freeman, Red Callender, JC Heard, Fats Domino, Papa John Creach, Big Maybelle, Faye Adams, Bumble Bee Slim, Percy Mayfield, and BB King ~ Simon was born in 1929
August 6, 2016 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Larry Johnson, full name Larry Alonzo Johnson, passed away in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Worked with Big Joe Williams, Alec Seward, Reverend Gary Davis. Debuted as a solo artist in 1962 with the eponymous Larry Johnson album. Recorded a number of low-key albums throughout the 1980s before finding acclaim and becoming an in-demand concert performer in the 1990s, especially in Europe, with albums such as Railroad Man and Blues For Harlem ~ Johnson was born in 1938August 6, 2016 ~ Pierre Dewey Lafontaine Jr, commonly known as clarinetist Pete Fountain passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Recorded over 100 albums under his ow name. Founder of the Fast Walking Club, one of the best known marching bands in New Orleans Mardi Grass parade. Co-founded the Basin Street Six with trumpeter George Girard. Also played with Lawrence Welk, Monk Hazel, the Dukes Of Dixieland, and Al Hirt ~ LaFontaine was born in 1930
August 6, 2009 ~ William Paul Borsey Jr, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, dobroist, flutist, songwriter Willy DeVille, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Fronted rock band Mink DeVille from 1974 through 1986, the house band at the famed CBGB New York nightclub, often regarded as birth place of punk rock. The band is acclaimed especially for their 1977 Cabretta debut album and 1980 Le Chat Blue album. Has subsequently recorded as a solo artist. In-demand guest and collaborator, has worked with the likes of Jack Nitzsche, Doc Pomus, Dr John, Mark Knopfler, and Allen Toussaint ~ Borsey was born in 1950August 6, 2005 ~ Son, guracha, bolero singer Ibrahim Ferrer passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Closely associated with Los Bocucos for nearly four decades. Has also worked with Conjunto Sorpresa, the Orquesta Oriental and Mario Patterson. Would gain international attention in the 1990s as member of the Afro-Cuban All Stars and especially the Buena Vista Social Club, touring internationally both with the revival bands and as a solo artist until his death ~ Ferrer was born in 1927
August 6, 2005 ~ William Thomas Betts, commonly known as jazz, R&B double bassist Keter Betts, passed away in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Charlie Byrd, notably on the Stan Getz & Byrd album Jazz Samba, and with Ella Fitzgerald. Also worked with Earl Bostic, Dinah Washington, Bobby Timmons, Roberta Flack, Johnny Hartman, Kenny Burrell, Herbie Mann, Billy Eckstine, Clifford Brown, Tommy Flanagan, Etta Jones, Junior Mance, Louie Bellson, and Red Holloway ~ Betts was born in 1928
August 6, 2004 ~ James Ambrose Johnson Jr, commonly known as singer, producer Rick James, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Went AWOL in the 1960s, fleeing to Canada where he founded the Mynah Birds, which also included Neil Young in its line-up. As a solo artist best known for mixing funk, disco, rock and new wave, starting in the late 1970s. Became a household name with his 1981 Street Songs album, which spawned hits such as Give It To Me Baby and Super Freak. Took Teena Marie under his wing, producing her 1979 Wild & Peaceful debut album ~ James was born in 1948
August 6, 2003 ~ Trombonist, bandleader Grover Mitchell, full name Grover Curry Mitchell, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Count Basie, staying with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1962 through 1970. Also worked with Earl Hines, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Gene Ammons, Joey DeFrancesco, Al Grey, Eddie Harris, and Oliver Nelson ~ Mitchell was born in 1930August 6, 2003 ~ Flutist Julius Baker passed away in Danbury, Connecticut, USA ~ One of the foremost American orchestral flute players. Student of William Kincaid. Baker played with several of America's premier orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony ~ Baker was born in 1915
August 6, 2001 ~ Harmonica player Larry Adler, full name Lawrence Cecil Adler, passed away in London, UK ~ Worked in theatre, film, orchestras collaborating with Flo Ziegfield, Lew Leslie, Charles B Cochran, Paul Draper, and George Martin. Later in his career Adler also worked with pop stars such as Peter Gabriel, Oleta Adams, Elton John, Sting, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Meat Loaf, Sinéad O'Connor, Robert Palmer, Cher, Kate Bush, Elvis Costello, Courtney Pine, Issy van Randwyck, Lisa Stansfield, and Carly Simon ~ Adler was born in 1914August 6, 1998 ~ Trumpeter, mellophonist, singer, bandleader Nat Gonella, full name Nathaniel Charles Gonella, passed away in Hampshire, UK ~ Best known as founder of dance band the Georgians. Also worked with Archie Pitt, Rob Brydon, Archie Alexander, Billy Cotton, Roy Fox, Lew Stone, and Al Bowlly ~ Gonella was born in 1908
August 6, 1994 ~ Pop, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Domenico Modugno passed away in Lampedusa, Italy ~ First to record Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) in 1958, which he co-wrote with Franco Migliacci. The song would win the 1958 edition of the Sanremo Music Festival, sell over 20 million copies worldwide, and over the years be covered by over an estimated 350 artists. It stands as one of the all-time best known Italian songs, perhaps topped only by O Sole Mio first recorded in 1901. Other well known Modugno songs include Lazzarella, Piove, Libero, Io, Addio Addio, and Dio Come Ti Amo. Modugno has also worked as an actor, appearing in over three dozen films, and served as Congressman in the Italian parliament ~ Modugno was born in 1928August 6, 1991 ~ Violinist, violist Max Rostal passed away in Bern, Switzerland ~ Played a wide variety of music, yet best known as a champion of contemporary works such as Béla Bartók's Violin Concerto No.2, Alan Bush's Violin Concerto, and Benjamin Frankel's 1942 Violin Sonata, the latter dedicated to Rostal himself. Also well known as a teacher, associated with the Musikhochschule Köln and the Conservatory Bern ~ Rostal was born in 1905
August 6, 1990 ~ Pianist, keyboardist, bandleader Aubrey Adams, full name Aubrey Wellington Adams, passed away in St Andrew Parish, Jamaica ~ Worked with the Dewdroppers, Clue J & the Blues Blasters, Tommy McCook, Sonny Bradshaw, Roland Alphonso, Clancy Eccles, Pat Kelly, the Soul Defenders, Coxsone Dodd, Sonia Pottinger, Lynn Taitt, and Rico Rodriguez ~ Adams was born in 1920
August 6, 1990 ~ Country singer Garth Brooks releases Friends In Low Places, lifted off his No Fences sophomore album ~ Earl Bud Lee has said the idea of the song originated when he and some friends gathered for lunch at a Nashville eatery, only to realize he had forgotten his wallet when the check came. When asked how he was going to pay for his meal, he replied: “Don't worry, I have friends in low places, I know the cook.” Lee and his songwriting partner Dewayne Blackwell remembered the line and came up with Friends In Low Places, a working man's anthem recorded by Garth Brooks for his sophomore album. Issued as its lead single, it reached No.1 Billboard Country, his third charttopper preceded by If Tomorrow Never Comes and The Dance, and won Brooks both the ACM and CMA Single of the Year. Both David Chamberlain and Mark Chesnutt would record the song around the same time, yet the definitive version remains Brooks' hit single. Brooks has credited the back to back success of The Dance and Friends In Low Places for effectively starting his rise to fame in the 1990sAugust 6, 1988 ~ The American edition of Yo MTV Raps premiers on MTV, rap group Run-DMC hosting the pilot episode ~ The first hip-hop show on MTV, previously aired on MTV Europe, airs on MTV America, its pilot episode hosted by Run-DMC. The show would offer a mixture of rap videos, interviews, live in-studio performances and comedy
August 6, 1984 ~ Swing, jazz trumpeter Joe Thomas, full name Joseph Lewis Thomas, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most in-demand trumpeters of the 1930s and 1940s. Worked with Cecil Scott, Fletcher Henderson, Fats Waller, Benny Carter, Joe Sullivan, Teddy Wilson, Claude Hopkins, Buck Clayton, Vic Dickenson, Coleman Hawkins, and Rex Stewart ~ Thomas was born in 1909
August 6, 1984 ~ Glenn De Randamie, commonly known as MC, rapper Typhoon, born in 't Harde, the Netherlands ~ Member of Rudeteenz. Collaborated with Opgezwolle. Released his solo debut Tussen Licht En Lucht. Known for the philosophical nature of his lyrics