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 17, 2025 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Alan Bergman passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Married to Marilyn Bergman since 1958. Together the Bergmans wrote lyrics to some of the best known songs of American pop, stage, film and musicals, including Dean Martin's Sleep Warm, Frank Sinatra's Nice And Easy, Ray Charles's In The Heat Of The Night, and Noel Harrison's The Windmills Of Your Mind as featured in The Thomas Crown Affair, the latter earning the pair an Academy Award for Best Song ~ Bergman was born in 1925
July 17, 2024 ~ Harry Peter Traum, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Happy Traum, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Traum began playing guitar and banjo in his teens, including taking lessons from noted blues musician Brownie McGhee. Though Traum never became a household name like his contemporaries Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, and longtime friend and collaborator Bob Dylan, Traum is considered a key figure on the Greenwich Village scene pivotal to the development of folk and one of the most gifted musicians to keep the genre alive past its heyday. Reportedly, Traum with his early 1960s group the New World Singers was the first to release a version of Bob Dylan's Don't Think Twice It's Allright. Traum also regularly recorded with his brother guitarist Artie Traum, the siblings perhaps best remembered for their highly acclaimed 1970 Happy & Artie Traum album. Over the course of his lengthy career, Traum has recorded as a solo artist starting with Relax Your Mind released in 1975, played with several groups, notably the Woodstock Mountain Revue, and served as contributing writer for magazines such as Rolling Stone, Acoustic Guitar, and Guitar Player ~ Traum was born in 1938July 17, 2024 ~ Folk singer Heather Wood, full name Arielle Heather Wood, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Young Tradition alongside Peter Bellamy and Royston Wood, no relation. The trio recorded three albums through the late 1960s, The Young Tradition, So Cheerfully Round, and Galleries, and unlike other British folk outfits of the era are known for their traditional material and stripped down sound. The group would split in 1969 over artistic differences, with Bellamy wanting to pursue pure traditional music. Heather and Royston continued to work together, the duo especially known for their aptly titled 1977 No Relation album ~ Wood was born in 1945
July 17, 2023 ~ João Donato de Oliveira Neto, commonly known as pianist, accordionist, composer João Donato, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Leader and sideman. Helped shape Brazilian jazz and bossa nova. Active since the early 1950s. Well-known songs include Sambou Sambou, Vento Do Canavial (Sugarcane Breeze), Amazonas (Amazon), and Até Quem Sabe. Especially acclaimed for his 1965 The New Sound Of Brazil album. Has guested on albums by Mongo Santamaria, Astrud Gilberto (The Astrud Gilberto Album), Sérgio Mendes, Nana Caymmi, Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Eddie Palmieri (Eddie's Concerto), and Milton Nascimento ~ De Oliveira was born in 1934July 17, 2023 ~ Marc Holtz, commonly known as musical director, bandleader, singer, songwriter Marc Herrand, passed away in Strasbourg, France ~ Adopted the pseudonym Herrand to escape enlistment in the Hitler Youth. Co-founder and musical director of vocal harmony group Les Compagnons De La Chanson, a group best known for backing Edith Piaf on her 1946 recording Les Trois Cloches. The group have also backed Piaf on songs such as Celine, Dans Les Prison De Nantes, and C'Est Pour Ca. Herrand would depart the group in the early 1950s to become conductor, pianist, arranger for Yvette Giraud, whom he would later marry. The couple would publish their autobiography, La Route Enchantée, in 2005 ~ Holtz was born in 1925
July 17, 2021 ~ Pianist, composer Dolores Claman, full name Dolores Olga Claman, passed away in Spain ~ Best known for composing The Hockey Theme, long used as the theme song for CBC's A Hockey Night In Canada TV show, and for A Place To Stand, initially used for the film of the same name that accompanied Montreal Expo '67 and over time regarded as Ontario's unofficial provincial anthem ~ Claman was born in 1927July 17, 2021 ~ Rock, progressive violinist, tambourinist, singer Robby Steinhardt, full name Robert Eugene Steinhardt, passed away in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Co-lead singer of Kansas from 1973 to 1982, rejoining in 1997. Present on the band's best known including Carry On Wayward Son, Point Of Know Return and Dust In The Wind. Also worked with Steinhardt-Moon and with the Stormbringer Band ~ Steinhardt was born in 1950
July 17, 2016 ~ Singer, songwriter Fred Tomlinson passed away ~ Best known for his association with Monty Python, writing and singing, along with his backing unit the Fred Tomlinson Singers, several of their songs including The Lumberjack Song and Spam ~ Tomlinson was born in 1927
July 17, 2016 ~ Larry Wayne Stevens, commonly known as producer, songwriter Gary S Paxton, passed away in Branson, Missouri, USA ~ First gained attention as the “Flip” in the duo Skip & Flip, the other being Clyde Battin, scoring the hits It Was I and Cherry Pie before splitting up. Would go on to work with the Association, Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Four Freshmen and with Tommy Roe. Perhaps best remembered for producing two unexpected hits, namely Alley Oop for the Hollywood Argyles in 1960 and Monster Mash for Bobby Pickett in 1962 ~ Stevens was born in 1939
July 17, 2015 ~ Pianist John Taylor passed away in Segre, France ~ Co-founded Azimuth, teaming up with Norma Winstone and Kenny Wheeler. Also worked with Jan Garbarek, Enrico Rava, Gil Evans, Lee Konitz, Charlie Mariano, Tony Coe, Steve Argüelles, Maria Pia de Vito, Ralph Towner, Joey Baron, Marc Johnson, Stan Sulzmann, John Surman, Chris Pyne, Chris Laurence, Mick Hutton, Palle Danielsson, Martin France, Arild Andersen, Stan Tracey, Tore Brunborg, Hayden Chisholm, Graham Collier, Paolo Fresu, Mike Gibbs, Evan Parker, Cleo Laine, Johnny Dankworth, Frank Ricotti, Ronnie Scott, Alan Skidmore, Joe Lovano, Louis Stewart, Barre Phillips, Steve Swallow, Eric Vloeimans, and Miroslav Vitous ~ Taylor was born in 1942July 17, 2013 ~ Jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, composer Peter Appleyard passed away in Eden Mills, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Toured with Benny Goodman in the 1970s. Has also worked with Duke Ellington, Skitch Henderson, Peanuts Hucko, Sherrie Maricle, Bucky Pizzarelli, Lenny Solomon, Slam Stewart, and Mel Tormé ~ Appleyard was born in 1928
July 17, 2012 ~ Contemporary, electronic composer, producer Ilhan Mimaroglu, full name Ilhan Kemaleddin Mimaroglu, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Staff producer for Atlantic Records. Notably worked with Freddie Hubbard, produced Charles Mingus's Changes One and Changes Two, and contributed to the soundtrack of Fellini's Fellini Satyricon ~ Mimaroglu was born in 1926
July 17, 2011 ~ Rock & roll, R&B, pop saxophonist, singer Gil Bernal passed away in Glendale, California, USA ~ In-demand session and touring saxophonist. First gained attention backing Lionel Hampton in the 1950s, alongside Quincy Jones and Jimmy Scott. Notable credits include the Coasters' 1957 hit single Searchin', the Robins' Riot In Cell Block No.9, and Duane Eddy's Rebel Rouser. Has also recorded a number of 1950s singles as a solo artist, notably The Eyes Of Love, It Sure Is Groovy and This Is Worth Fighting For ~ Bernal was born in 1931
July 17, 2010 ~ Guitarist, mandolinist, bassist Fred Carter Jr passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Performing with local bands, Carter would be snatched up by Conway Twitty in the late 1950s, to become a first call Nashville session musician from the 1960s onward. Notable credits include playing on songs such as Simon & Garfunkel's The Boxer, Waylon Jennings' I've Always Been Crazy, and John Anderson's I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal. Over the course of his lengthy career, Carter has appeared on albums by Bob Luman, Roy Orbison, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Joan Baez (Any Day Now), Steve Young, John Stewart, Willie Nelson (Phases And Stages), Paul Butterfield, and Vern Gosdin. Later on in his career, Carter has occasionally served as producer, perhaps most memorably for American Son, the highly acclaimed 1980 solo album by drummer Levon Helm of the Band ~ Carter was born in 1933
July 17, 2007 ~ Singer, rapper Akon releases Sorry Blame It On Me, lifted of his Konvicted sophomore album ~ Co-written and produced by Clinton Sparks, Sorry Blame It On Me was Akon's apology for his recent behavior doing a sexual dance with an underage girl on stage at one of his performances. After a video of the incident made its way to the internet, it sparked outrage eventually leading to telecommunications company Verizon pulling out of a sponsor deal. The single would be a hit, and reached top 10 in over half a dozen countries including on the Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked at No.7, making it his sixth American top 10 hit as a solo artist
July 17, 2006 ~ Swing drummer Johnny Blowers, fuill name John G Blowers Jr, passed away ~ Worked with Bunny Berigan, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Sidney Bechet, Eddie Fisher, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, and Mel Tormé ~ Blowers was born 1911
July 17, 2006 ~ Blues harpist, singer Sam Myers, full name Samuel Joseph Myers, passed away in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Worked with Jimmy Rogers, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Hound Dog Taylor, Robert Lockwood Junior, Elmore James. Wrote Sleeping In The Ground, which was covered by Blind Faith, Eric Clapton, and Robert Cray. Myers resurged in the mid-1980s, joining Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets and staying with the band for the two decades until his death ~ Myers was born in 1936
July 17, 2003 ~ Trumpeter Alvin Alcorn passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with the Sunny Side Syncopators, Don Albert, Paul Barbarin, Sidney Desvigne, Papa Celestin, Octave Crosby, Kid Ory, Chris Barber, Louis Cottrell Jr, and with the Olympia Brass Band on the Bond Live & Let Die soundtrack. Alcorn would also play a minor part in the film as a killer. ~ Alcorn was born in 1912July 17, 2002 ~ Otis Leavill Cobb, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter, producer, label executive Otis Leavill passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Known for a handful of reasonably successful songs such as Rise Sally Rise, the Curtis Mayfield-penned Gotta Right To Cry, Let Her Love Me and perhaps his best known I Love You. Also known as a songwriter for Major Lance, Tyrone Davis, and Gene Chandler ~ Cobb was born in 1937
July 17, 1996 ~ Blues pianist Roosevelt Williams, also known as Grey Ghost, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Enjoyed a career spanning seven decades, ranging from the 1920 through the 1990s though most of it was spent in obscurity. Would be tracked down by archivist Tary Owens in the mid-1960 resulting in several of his old recordings being reissued and again in the late 1980s, this time leading to his full-length eponymous Roosevelt Williams debut album introducing Williams to a new generation of listeners. Williams would continue to perform until his death at 92 ~ Williams was born in 1903
July 17, 1992 ~ Jazz trumpeter Johnny Letman passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Jerry Valentine, Scatman Crothers, Jimmy Raschelle, Delbert Bright, Bob Tinsley, Nat King Cole, Horace Henderson, Red Saunders, Teddy Buckner, John Kirby, Lucky Millinder, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Stuff Smith, Chubby Jackson, Panama Francis, Dick Wellstood, Hal Cornbread Singer, Sam Taylor, Eddie Condon, Wilbur de Paris, Claude Hopkins, Tiny Grimes, Lionel Hampton, Cozy Cole, and Earl Hines ~ Letman was born in 1917July 17, 1989 ~ Jazz, rock & roll pianist, arranger, composer Dudley Brooks passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ In-house pianist for Paramount Studios, for whom he worked closely with Elvis Presley on a number of albums and films including GI Blues, Blue Hawaii, and Girls Girls Girls. Brooks, one of several African Americans who worked with Presley, downplayed allegations that Presley was racist. Brooks is also well known for co-writing the Christmas classic (Everybody's Waiting For) The Man With The Bag, first recorded by Kay Starr in 1950 and covered by over 70 artists ~ Brooks was born in 1913
July 17, 1988 ~ Michael Cameron Anderson, commonly known as R&B singer Anderson East, born in Athens, Georgia, USA ~ Released his major-label Delilah in 2016. Draws from R&B, country, soul. Known best for songs such as Satisfy Me, All On My Mind and Girlfriend
July 17, 1987 ~ Trumpeter Howard McGhee passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the first bebop trumpeter. Influenced Fats Navarro. Leader and sideman. Worked with Lionel Hampton, Andy Kirk, Count Basie, Charlie Barnet, Charlie Parker, Milt Jackson, Illinois Jacquet, Horace Parlan, Kenny Clarke, Benny Bailey, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman, Coleman Hawkins, Chubby Jackson, James Moody, André Previn, Mel Tormé, Wardell Gray, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Gerry Mulligan, Eddie Jefferson, Sonny Criss, Slim Gaillard, Gene Ammons, Woody Herman, and Wynonie Harris ~ McGhee was born in 1918
July 17, 1987 ~ Jeremy Phillip Felton, mononymously known as R&B, hip-hop singer, rapper, songwriter Jeremih, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ First gained attention in 2009 with his Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Birthday Sex of his eponymous Jeremih debut album. Would also reach the top 10 with his 2010 single Down On Me featuring 50 Cent and again in 2014 with Don't Tell 'Em featuring YG. Has also collaborated with Ludacris, Lil Wayne, J Cole, Zaytoven, Ty Dolla $ign, Chance the Rapper, Fabolous, Lloyd Banks, Wale, DJ Drama, DJ Khaled, French Montana, and NellyJuly 17, 1987 ~ Pianist, composer Tigran Hamasyan born in Leninakan, Armenian SSR ~ Revered pianist active in jazz, classical, and indie pop, active since the mid 2000s. Over a dozen albums to his name including the acclaimed Red Hail album released in 2009. Has collaborated with the likes of Dhafer Youssef, Ari Hoenig, Lars Danielsson, Stephane Galland, and Serj Tarkian