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.
July 15, 1976 ~ Joseph Guillermo Jones III, commonly known as rapper, label executive, music video director Jim Jones, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Original member of hip-hop collective the Diplomats. As a solo artist best known for Pop Champagne featuring Ron Browz and Juelz Santana, and for his hit We Fly High
July 15, 1975 ~ George Folunsho Johnson, commonly known as percussionist, bandleader Ginger Johnson, passed away in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Nicknamed “Ginger” for his reddish hair and freckles. Enjoyed popularity in the UK from the 1950s through the 1970s. Counter-culture figure in 1960s London. Influenced by both classical and traditional African music. Best known for his associations with Edmundo Ros, the Rolling Stones, Ronnie Scott, Quincy Jones. Has alo worked with Paul Adam, Harry Parry, Georgie Fame, Brian Auger, Long John Baldry, Graham Bond, Hawkwind, Genesis, and Elton John ~ Johnson was born ca.1916
July 15, 1973 ~ Mark Anthony Myrie, commonly known as dancehall, reggae singer Buju Banton, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Best known for his seminal albums Til Shiloh and Inna Heights and for his many collaborations with international stars as diverse as American punk rockers Rancid and Haitian producer Wyclef Jean, as well as a host of Jamaican musicians and producers including Donovan Germain, Steven Lanky Marsden, Luciano, Morgan Heritage, close friend Garnett Silk, and Stephen Marley
July 15, 1973 ~ Alternative metal, nu metal, hard rock drummer John Dolmayan born in Beirut, Lebanon ~ Best known as member of System Of A Down, joining the band in 1997 as replacement for original drummer Ontronik Khachaturian. The band is known for songs such as Chop Suey, Toxicity, Aerials, BYOB and Hypnotize. Also worked with Scars On Broadway
July 15, 1971 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Jacob Holm-Lupo born ~ Best known as guitarist and main songwriter in both White Willow and the Opium Cartel. Also known as an engineer and producer associated with Termo Records, having worked on recordings by Sinthorne, In Lingua Morta, the Glutton, Mathilda Gressberg, Three Winters, Anders Brørby, Frequency Drift, the Nerve Institute, and Eivind Johansen
July 15, 1970 ~ Keyboardist, singer, producer Frank McComb born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Worked with Buckshot LeFonque, Rude Boys, Gerald Levert, Prince, Chaka Khan, Will Smith, Najee, Branford Marsalis, George Duke, Frankie Beverly, Maze, Phyllis Hyman, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Patrice Rushen, Lalah Hathaway, John P Kee, Teena Marie, Billy Preston, and Paulinho Da Costa
July 15, 1970 ~ Heavy metal, jazz, rock bassist, producer Tarkan Gözübüyük born in Erzurum, Turkey ~ Best known as member of hard rock outfit Mezarkabul since 1987. Has also served as producer working with artists such as Sebnem Ferah, Özlem Tekin, Teoman, Demir Demirkan, Ogün Sanlisoy, Knight Errant, Mor Ve Otesi, and Athena
July 15, 1966 ~ Drummer, singer Jason Bonham, full name Jason John Bonham, born in Dudley, UK ~ Son of Led Zeppelin-drummer John Bonham. Eponym of Bonham, known for the 1989 Wait For You single. Has worked with Paul Rodgers, Slash, UFO, Joe Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, Glenn Hughes, Sammy Hagar, and California Breed
July 15, 1965 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Bobby Gustafson, full name Robert Wayne Gustafson, born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Longtime member of Overkill, remaining with the band from 1982 through 1990 appearing on albums from their 1985 Feel The Fire through the band's best known album 1989's The Years Of Decay. When Gustafson joined the band was playing only covers, Gustafson convincing the band to write their own material and serving as main songwriter. Has also worked with Grip Inc, Satan's Taint, Skrew and with Vio-lence
July 15, 1962 ~ Engineer, remixer, producer Howard Gray born in Sydney, Australia ~ Founding member of Apollo 440. Worked with his brother Trevor Gray, Public Image Ltd, Orchestral Manouevres In The Dark, Kirsty MacColl, the Armoury Show, the Pale Fountains, Japan, the Stranglers, the Simple Minds, the Pretenders, XTC, UB40, Scritti Politti, Cherubs, Terence Trent d'Arby, Jean-Michel Jarre, the Cure, the Manic Street Preachers, U2, Sean Combs, Jimmy Page, Tom Jones, Van Morrison, Steve Lillywhite, Rip Rig & Panic, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Head, Sceraming Blue Messiahs, Hugh Cornwell, Red Guitars, Age Of Chance, and Trevor HerlonJuly 15, 1960 ~ Upright bassist Stig Hvalryg born in Oslo, Norway ~ Worked with Bodil Niska, Richard Badendyck, Frode Thingnæs, Michael Block, Tore Sandnaes, Per Hogland, Fire Bassister, David Arthur Skinner, Anne Lander, Per Husby, and Nora Brockstedt
July 15, 1959 ~ Composer Ernest Bloch passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Regarded as on the all-time greatest Swiss composers. Composed for orchestra, piano, strings, cello, flute, chamber music. Especially noted for his Concerto Grosso No.1 for string orchestra with piano premiered in 1925 ~ Bloch was born in 1880
July 15, 1959 ~ Lyman Corbitt McAnally Jr, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Mac McAnally, born in Belmont, Mississippi, USA ~ Actively recording since the mid 1970s. Known for songs such as It's A Crazy World, Minimum Love, Back Where I'm From. In-demand songwriter. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by McAnally include Kenny Chesney (Down The Road), Ricky Van Shelton, David Allan Coe, Charley Pride, Jimmy Buffett, Alabama (Old Flame), TG Sheppard, Steve Wariner, Ronnie Dunn, Sammy Kershaw, Sawyer Brown (Thank God For You), and Shenandoah
July 15, 1956 ~ Singer Ian Curtis, full name Ian Kevin Curtis, born in Stretford, UK ~ Lead singer, primary songwriter of post-punk band Joy Division, who recorded the quintessential albums Unknown Pleasures and Closer. Best known for their 1980 Love Will Tear Us Apart hit single. Despite recording only two albums before Ian's suicide at age 23 the band would prove to be hugely influential on bands such as U2, the Cure, Interpol, Bloc Party, and the Editors. The band was on the verge of an American breakthrough but would disband shortly after Curtis' death, the remaining members continuing as New Order ~ Curtis passed away in 1980
July 15, 1956 ~ Guitarist Joe Satriani born in Westbury, New York, USA ~ Guitar virtuoso known for his speed and technical prowess. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Brian May, Eric Clapton, and by jazz guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Studied under Lennie Tristano. Mentored guitarists such as Metallica's Kirk Hammett, the Counting Crows' David Bryson, Primus' Larry Lalonde. Released his Not Of This Earth solo debut album in 1986. Broke through to mainstream with his Surfing With The Alien sophomore album. Backed Mick Jagger on Jagger's first solo tour. Toured with Deep Purple as replacement for Ritchie Blackmore but turned down the subsequent offer to join the band as a permanent member. Co-founded guitar supergroup G3. Has also worked with the Greg Kihn Band, Chickenfoot, Glenn Hughes, Chad Smith, Alice Cooper, and Dream TheaterJuly 15, 1955 ~ Jazz drummer Pal Thowsen born in Lillestrom, Norway ~ Worked with Arild Andersen, Moose Loose, Jon Eberson, Ketil Bjørnstad, Radka Toneff, Terje Rypdal, Palle Mikkelborg, Odd Riisnæs, Ole Paus, Finn Kalvik, Dag Arnes, the Jazzponkensemblet, Sinikka Langeland, and Jon Christensen
July 15, 1954 ~ Deirdre Elaine Cozier, commonly known as singer Dee D Jackson, born in Oxford, UK ~ Worked as a film producer in the 1970s before moving into music, working with Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey. She debuted in 1978 with Cosmic Curves, aptly described as a science-fiction disco album. She is also known for a number of classic Italo disco singles in the 1980s, including Talk Me Down, Shotgun, Carillon, Heat Of The Night, and Automatic Lover, the latter later being remixed by Enigma's Michael Cretu. Currently Cozier owns a record label and writes and produces for other artistsJuly 15, 1953 ~ R&B, soul, disco singer Alicia Bridges born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for her hit single I Love The Nightlife (Disco Round), co-penned by Bridges it would reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 in 1978 and remains a disco favorite to this day
July 15, 1952 ~ Rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist David Pack born in Huntington Park, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of 1970s outfit Ambrosia, known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits How Much I Feel and The Biggest Part Of Me. Has recorded as a solo artist starting with Anywhere You Go released in 1985. In-demand producer for a wide array of artists including Chet Atkins, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Natalie Cole, Chick Corea, Andráe Crouch, DC Talk, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, James Ingram, Branford Marsalis, Bette Midler, Brian McKnight, Olivia Newton-John, Linda Ronstadt, Brian Setzer, CeCe Winans, Phil Collins, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Loggins, and Wynonna Judd
July 15, 1952 ~ John Anthony Genzale, commonly known as rock, punk rock, glam rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Johnny Thunders, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Rose to fame as guitarist of pivotal 1970s punk rock outfit the New York Dolls, remaining with the band from 1971 through 1975. After his departure formed and fronted the Heartbreakers, which also included Dolls-bandmate drummer Jerry Nolan and Television-bassist Richard Hell. Recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1978's So Alone working closely with Phil Lynott and Paul Cook with guest appearances from Chrissie Hynde and Steve Marriott ~ Genzale passed away in [artist-johnny-thunders]
July 15, 1951 ~ Singer Gregory Isaacs, full name Gregory Anthony Isaacs, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ By the late 1970s one of the biggest internationally known reggae artists, rivaled only by Dennis Brown and Bob Marley. Known for songs such as My Only Lover, All I Have Is Love, Slavemaster, Lonely Soldier, Love Is Overdue, Permanent Lover, Wailing Ruby, Night Nurse, Rumour, and Too Good To Be True. Worked with Jamaica's biggest producers including Byron Lee, Errol Dunkley, Winston Holness, Gussie Clarke, Lloyd Campbell, Glen Brown, Harry Muddie, Roy Cousins, Sydney Crooks, Lee Scratch Perry, Prince Jammy, Bobby Digital, Tad Hawkins, and Steely & Clevie ~ Isaacs passed away in 2010July 15, 1950 ~ Viola player Geoffrey Richardson, full name Peter Geoffrey Richardson, born ~ Best known as member of Caravan. Released a solo album, Viola Mon Amour, in 1993. Has collaborated with Spirogyra, Kevin Ayers, Café Jacques, the Penguin Café Orchestra, the Buzzcocks, Murray Head, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, John Glover, Julien Clerc, Bob Geldof, Chris De Burgh, Bruno Maman, Justin Hayward, and Mostly Autumn
July 15, 1950 ~ Drummer, percussionist Tony Esposito, full name Antonio Esposito, born in Naples, Italy ~ As a solo artist known for his 1984 hit Kalimba De Lune, later covered by Boney M, as well as for his 1987 single Papa Chico. Worked with Alan Sorrenti, Don Cherry, Famoudou Don Moye, Gato Barbieri, Eumir Deodato, Brian Auger, Gilberto Gil, Pino Daniele, Roberto Vecchioni, Francesco Guccini, Edoardo Bennato, Francesco de Gregori, Perigeo, and Lucio Dalla
July 15, 1949 ~ Edgar DeLange Moss, commonly known as bandleader, lyricist Eddie DeLange, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Frequent songwriting collaborator of Irving Mills, Will Hudson and Jimmy van Heusen. Songs written or co-written by DeLange include Solitude (Louis Armstrong, Etta Jones), Shake Down The Stars (Bob Crosby, Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald), The Man With The Horn (Boyd Raeburn, Anita O'Day, Nina Simone), The Blues Are Brewin' (Billie Holiday), Whatever Happened To You (Xavier Cugat), Lost April (Nat King Cole, Frankie Carle), Just As Though You Were (Tommy Dorsey, the Ink Spots) ~ Moss was born in 1904
July 15, 1949 ~ Pop, synth-pop, pop rock, progressive rock singer, bassist, songwriter Trevor Horn, full name Trevor Charles Horn, born in Hertfordshire, UK ~ Rose to fame in the late 1970s as half of Buggles, the other half being Geoff Downes, known for their international hit Video Killed The Radio Star. Would go on to work with Yes, Art Of Noise, the Producers. Has served as producer for artists such as Dollar, ABC, Malcolm McLaren, and Frankie Goes To Hollywood