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 7, 1965 ~ DJ, remixer Angel Moraes born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Resident DJ at various New York nightclubs during the 1980s, notably Paradise Garage. Best known for releases such as Release Yourself, Heaven Knows and Burnin' Up. Has remixed tracks for the Pet Shop Boys, kd Lang, Jaydee, and Funky Green Dogs ~ Moraes passed away in 2021
August 7, 1965 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, alternative rock singer, songwriter Johnny Solinger, full name John Preston Solinger, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of Skid Row from 1999, replacing Sebastian Bach, through 2015. Also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 2008 eponymous Johnny Solinger country-rock album, initially only released regionally ~ Solinger passed away in 2021August 7, 1965 ~ Raul Franciscoc Martinez-Malo Jr, commonly known as singer, guitarist Raul Malo, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of the Mavericks, also having co-written many of their best known songs. Also a member of Tex-mex supergroup Los Super Seven as well as an acclaimed solo artist, steadily releasing solo albums since the breakup of the Mavericks ~ Malo passed away in 2025
August 7, 1964 ~ Rock, pop rock bassist, guitarist, pianist, singer Aslak Dørum born in Oslo, Norway ~ Best known as a member of the DumDum Boys since 1993. Released his Lonesome Means Happy solo debut album in 2005. Has also worked with Follow That Dream, Racer, and Blister
August 7, 1963 ~ Marthaniel Roberts, commonly known as jazz, swing, classical pianist, arranger, composer Marcus Roberts, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Influenced by Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller. Founded the Modern Jazz Generation. Has worked extensively with Wynton Marsalis. Also worked with Marin Alsop, Seiji Ozawa, Mark Whitfield, Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Printup, Jason Marsalis, and Chick Corea
August 7, 1962 ~ Banjoist Alison Brown born in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Banjoist who blends jazz, bluegrass, rock, blues, and other styles. Spent three years with Union Station, the band best known for frequently backing Alison Krauss. Member of New Grange. Co-founded Small World Records with her husband bassist Garry West, which eventually led to launch of Compass Records. Also works as a producer for artists such as Dale Ann Bradley, Peter Rowan, Quiles & Cloud, and Claire Lynch
August 7, 1961 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Carlos Vives born in Santa Maria, Columbia ~ Started his career acting in telenovelas, first gaining serious attention in 1986 playing the title role in Gallito Ramirez. As a singer released his Por Fuera Y Por Dentro debut album the same year, to little succes. Would continue to release albums consisting mostly of ballads. Broke through as a singer in the 1990s merging traditional Colombian music with rock, pop and funk. Known for songs such Matilde Lina, Gota Fria, Vives Tu Amor Eterno, Dejame Entrar, Luna Nueva, Como Tu, and Deciams De Paracido
August 7, 1961 ~ Bassist, actor, songwriter Zander Schloss born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Closely associated with Joe Strummer. Best known as an actor, appearing in over a dozen films starting with the 1984 film Repo Man in the role of Kevin. Has also regularly contributed to the soundtracks of films he played in. Well-known for his collaborative albums with Sean Wheeler, Walk Thee Invisible and Other Desert Cities released respectively in 2010 and 2014. Has also appeared on albums by the Circle Jerks, Thelonious Monster (A Beautiful Mess), Mike Watt, the Magnificent Bastards fronted by Scott Weiland, the Weirdos, and the Low & Sweet Orchestra
August 7, 1959 ~ Blues singer Jimmy Reed records Baby What Do You Want Me To Do ~ Written by Jimmy Reed. Released as a single the following November, b/w Caress Me Baby, it would reach top 10 Billboard R&B in 1960 and become one of Reed's most popular, covered by well over a hundred artists. Notable renditions include Etta James on her 1963 Etta James Rocks The House live album, and Elvis Presley on his Elvis '68 Comeback Special TV special and accompanying album. Others who would cover the song include Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Lou Rawls, John Mayall, and Neil Young
August 7, 1959 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Michael Peterson, full name Michael James Peterson, born in Tucson, Arizona, USA ~ Released an overlooked eponymous Michael Peterson debut album in 1986, consisting of contemporary Christian songs prior to establishing himself as a country singer a decade later with another eponymous Michael Peterson album. The album would spawn the Billboard Country top 10 hits Drink Swear Steal & Lie, From Here To Eternity, and Too Good To Be True. Peterson would continue to record, releasing over half a dozen more country albums through the 2010s
August 7, 1958 ~ Singer Bruce Dickinson born in Nottinghamshire, UK ~ Joined heavy metal band Samson in 1979 and recorded two albums with them. Replaced Paul di'Anno as Iron Maiden's lead singer in 1981, stayed with the band till 1993, rejoined in 1999. Has been releasing solo records since the late 1980s. Is also a commercial airline pilot and has captained Iron Maiden on world toursAugust 7, 1955 ~ Desmond D'Andrea Dickerson, commonly known as guitarist, singer Dez Dickerson, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Member of Prince's backing unit the Revolution. Noted for his guitar solo on Little Red Corvette. Has also written or co-written for several side projects including He's So Dull for Vanity 6 and Wild And Loose, After Hi School and Cool for the Time
August 7, 1953 ~ Rock, alternative country bassist, guitarist JD Foster born in Indiana, USA ~ Closely associated with the likes of Patty Griffin and Dwight Yoakam, notably present on the latter's Guitars Cadillacs Etc Etc and Hillbilly Deluxe. Other collaborations include Marc Ribot, the True Believers, Richard Buckner, Lucinda Williams, Vinicio Capossela, Anna Coogan, and T-Bone Burnett
August 7, 1950 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Rodney Crowell born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Was with Emmylou Harris's backing band the Emmylou Harris Hot Band for three years. Formed the side project the Notorious Cherry Bombs which also included Vince Gill and Tony Brown. Has been recording solo albums since the late 1970s, the first few initially only to cult following. Starting in the early 1980s though both critical acclaim and commercial succes followed suit. Married to Johnny Cash's daughter Rosanne Cash from 1979 to 1992. As a songwriter saw his songs recorded by Waylon Jennings (Ain't Living Long Like This), the Oak Ridge Boys (Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight), Jerry Reed, Bob Seger (Shame On The Moon), Crystal Gayle (Till I Gain Control Again), Alan Jackson (Song For The Life), Lee Ann Womack (Ashes By Now), and Tim McGraw (Please Remember)
August 7, 1949 ~ Guitarist Tim Renwick born in Cambridge, UK ~ Best known for his association with Al Stewart in his early career and for leading the Sutherland Brothers. Renowned session and backing musician. Has worked with Elton John, Procol Harum, Andy Gibb, Bridget St John, Shirley Collins, David Bowie, Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd (touring with them on their 1987 and 1994 tours), Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, David Byron, Richard Wright, Jonathan Kelly, Sally Oldfield, Maggie Reilly, China Crisis, and Brian Joseph Friel
August 7, 1948 ~ Jazz, rock pianist, organist Neil Larsen born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Has recorded close to a half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Jungle Fever in 1978, and a number of collaborative jazz-fusion albums with guitarist Howard Buzz Feiten under the common moniker the Larsen-Feiten Band. In-demand session musician in jazz, pop and rock, present on albums by Don McLean, George Harrison (Dark Horse), Roy Buchanan, Don Covay, Sea Level (Cats On The Coast), Doug Kershaw, Dusty Springfield, Dr John, Jim Messina, Randy Crawford, Rickie Lee Jones, Randy Newman (Trouble In Paradise), George Benson, Billy Joe Shaver, and Al JarreauAugust 7, 1948 ~ Guitarist Pau Riba, full name Pau Riba i Romeva, born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain ~ Has recorded extensively since the late 1960s, starting in counterculture scene. Especially influential for his early work, fusing folk with psychedelia. Has collaborated with the likes of Maria Del Mar Bonet, Grup de Folk, Jaume Sisa, and Pascal Comelade. Also a well-published author, having written poems, novels, and essays ~ Riba passed away in 2022
August 7, 1945 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records I Can't Begin To Tell You ~ Written by James V Monaco and Mack Gordon. Recorded by several artists in 1945, the biggest hit being Bing Crosby's, with Carmen Cavallaro notably present on the ivories, reaching the No.1 spot on the pop charts
August 7, 1944 ~ Guitarist Arty McGlynn born in Omagh, Northern Ireland ~ Perhaps best known for backing Van Morrison, including on the acclaimed 1989 Avalon Sunset album. Released his McGlynn's Fancy solo album in 1979. Has also worked with Enya, Patrick Street, Planxty, Four Men & a Dog, Liam O'Flynn, Frankie Gavin, and his wife Nollaig Casey ~ McGlynn passed away in 2019
August 7, 1944 ~ Electric blues guitarist, keyboardist, organist, songwriter Denny Freeman, full name Dennis Edward Freeman, born in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Worked with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Bob Dylan, Angela Strehli, Lou Ann Barton, James Cotton, Taj Mahal, Percy Sledge, Otis Rush, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Lazy Lester, Tony Garnier, Stu Kimball, Clem Burke, Donnie Herron, and Doyle Bramhall
August 7, 1942 ~ Billy Joe Thomas, commonly known as singer BJ Thomas, born in Hugo, California, USA ~ Popular country-pop singer from the 1960s and 1970s best known for hits such as Hooked On A Feeling, the smash hit Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song and As Long As We Got Each Other, the latter a duet with Dusty Springfield ~ Thomas passed away in 2021August 7, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Caetano Veloso born in Santo Amaro da Purificao, Brazil ~ Alongside artists such as his sister Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Tom Zé and Os Mutantes, one of the founders of Tropicalismo in the 1960s, an artistic movement that encompassed music, film, poetry and other art forms. Political activist under Brazilian military dictatorship who, along with Gil, would eventually be exiled by the regime
August 7, 1942 ~ Engineer, producer David Rubinson born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid 1960s. Has served as engineer or producer for a wide array of artists including Moby Grape, Taj Mahal (The Natch'i Blues), the Chamber Brothers, Santana (Santana), Tower Of Power, Elvin Bishop, Herbie Hancock (Mwandishi), the Pointer Sisters, Bobby Womack, Labelle, Phoebe Snow (It Looks Like Snow), the Meters, VSOP (Tempest In The Colosseum), Salt-n-Pepa, and Gato Barbieri
August 7, 1941 ~ R&B singer Ben Moore, full name Benjamin Moore Jr, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Sang with Otis Redding and James Brown. Member of Jimmy Tig & the Rounders. Teamed up with James Purify in the mid 1970s adopting the moniker Bobby Purify previously held by Robert Lee Dickey. The reformed James & Bobby Purify would re-record I'm Your Puppet reaching top 20 in the UK in 1976. Subsequently Moore would also record as a solo artist, keeping the Purify moniker, retiring from music by the 1990s. By the end of the decade returned to music, encouraged by Ray Charles, and later joined gospel outfit the Blind Boys Of Alabama ~ Moore passed away in 2022
August 7, 1941 ~ Tubist, saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter Howard Johnson, full name Howard Lewis Johnson, born in Montgomery, Alabama, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Father of blues singer Nedra Johnson. Best known for his associations with George Gruntz, Hank Crawford, Gil Evans. Has also worked with Gravity, Charles Mingus, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Archie Shepp, Hank Mobley, Taj Mahal, the Band, Tomasz Stańko, Carla Bley, John Lennon, Gato Barbieri, David Fathead Newman, George Gruntz, John Scofield, and Jack DeJohnette ~ Johnson passed away in 2021