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, 1985 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Tom Fletcher born in Harrow, UK ~ Co-founding member, co-lead singer, rhythm guitarist of McFly, known for UK charttoppers such as 5 Colours In Her Hair, Obviously, All About You, You've Got A Friend, I'll Be OK and Star Girl
July 17, 1985 ~ Winford Lindsey Stewart, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Wynn Stewart, passed away in Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA ~ Though never a household name important to what would later become known as the Bakersfield sound and major influence on artists such as Merle Haggard and Buck Owens as well as on rockers such as Nick Lowe. Known for songs such as The Waltz Of The Angels, Wishful Thinking, Big Big Love, It's Such A Pretty World Today, Cause I Have You, Love's Gonna Happen To Me and Something Pretty ~ Stewart was born in 1934
July 17, 1983 ~ Blues, boogie-woogie pianist, singer, songwriter Roosevelt Sykes passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for songs such as Driving Wheel, Night Time Is The Right Time and perhaps his best known 44 Blues, the latter becoming a signature song and a blues standard. Worked with Big Joe Williams, St Louis Jimmy Oden, Homesick James, and Charlie Specks McFadden ~ Sykes was born in 1906July 17, 1981 ~ Metalcore, noise rock, Christian hardcore guitarist, singer Josh Scogin born in Douglasville, Georgia, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist of 68. Previously co-founding member and frontman of the Chariot. Has also worked with Luti Kriss, Norma Jean, the Showdown, As Cities Burn and with Bring Me The Horizon
July 17, 1978 ~ Electronic, trip hop, experimental singer, songwriter Emilie Simon born in Montpellier, France ~ Released her eponymous Emilie Simon debut album in 2003 to critical acclaim. Best known for songs such as Désert and Flowers. Also known for composing the soundtrack for the 2005 La Marche De L'Empereur documentary film
July 17, 1978 ~ Noah Benjamin Lennox, commonly known as experimental pop, neo-psychedelia, indie rock, bedroom pop singer, songwriter Panda Bear, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Co-founding member of Animal Collective, known for songs such as Peacebone, Summertime Clothes, Honeycomb and Applesauce. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Pannda Bear released in 1999
July 17, 1976 ~ Thomas Luther Bryan, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Luke Bryan, born in Leesburg, Georgia, USA ~ Started as a songwriter for artists such as Travis Tritt and Billy Currington. Released his I'll Stay Me debut album in 2007 and has recorded to commercial success since, racking up numerous Billboard Country top 10 hits. Known for songs such as Rain Is A Good Thing, I Don't Want This Night To End, Drunk On You, That's My Kind Of Night, Roller Coaster, Kick The Dust Up, Sunrise Sunburn Sunset, and One MargaritaJuly 17, 1974 ~ Donald Eugene Ulrich, commonly known as country guitarist, fiddler Don Rich, passed away in San Luis Obispo, California, USA ~ As a member of Buck Owens' backing unit Buckaroos helpful in developing the Bakersfield sound. Present on songs such as Above And Beyond, Foolin' Around, Act Naturally, Love's Gonna Live Here, Waitin' In Your Welfare Line, Think Of Me, and Tall Dark Stranger, many of which were co-written by Rich ~ Ulrich was born in 1941
July 17, 1973 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Amy Steinberg born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Folk- and pop-oriented singer with a bent toward female empowerment and spiritualism. Influenced by Bette Midler, Ani DiFranco, and Christy Snow. Over half a dozen albums to her name, especially noted for her Fall Down To Fly album released in 2007July 17, 1972 ~ Country, Americana, honky-tonk singer Elizabeth Cook born in Wildwood, Florida, USA ~ Actively recording since the early 2000s. Had her 2007 Balls produced by Rodney Crowell. Crowell, as well as Dwight Yoakam and Buddy Miller, guested on her 2010 Welder. Cook has also worked with Carlene Carter, Aaron Watson, Todd Snider, Asleep At The Wheel, and Doug Seegers
July 17, 1971 ~ Jazz guitarist Liberty Ellman born in London, UK ~ Worked with Vijay Iyer, Miya Masaoka, Ledisi, Steve Coleman, Omar Sosa, the Coup, Midnight Voices, Ben Goldberg, Steve Lehman, Joe Lovano, Barney McAll, Butch Morris, Greg Osby, Matana Roberts, Michele Rosewoman, Wadada Leo Smith, Henry Threadgill, Groove Collective, Chico Hamilton, and Joel Harrison
July 17, 1971 ~ Clifton Avon Edwards, commonly known as singer, ukulele player, actor Ukulele Ike, passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Singer, popular in the 1920s and 1930s with jazzy renditions of pop standards. Scored a No.1 hit in 1929 with Singing In The Rain. Also known as a voice actor in several Walt Disney films including Pinocchio, Dumbo and Fun And Fancy Free ~ Edwards was born in 1895
July 17, 1967 ~ Bebop, hard bop, free jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, full name John William Coltrane, passed away in Huntington, New York, USA ~ Pioneering jazz saxoponist. Present, either as a sideman or as a leader, on several albums considered pivotal to the development of jazz. Especially acclaimed for his 1958 Blue Train album, 1965 A Love Supreme album and 1966 Ascension album. Worked with Johnny Hodges, Elmo Hope, Miles Davis (Milestones, Kind Of Blue), Thelonious Monk (Monk's Music), Art Blakey, Cecil Taylor, and Cannonball Adderley ~ Coltrane was born in 1926
July 17, 1967 ~ Hardcore punk drummer, guitarist Paul Birnbaum born in Boise, Idaho, USA ~ Member of 1980s punk band Septic Death, obscure during their existence but in hindsight recognized as pioneers of the thrashcore subgenre. Has subsequently played wth Attitude Adjustment, Gordie Howe, Little Miss & the No-names and RAID, the latter two also featuring Septic-bandmate Jon Taylor
July 17, 1967 ~ R&B singer, drummer Stokley Williams born in St Paul, Minnesota, USA ~ Influenced by Cliff Alexis Sr, Prince, Maurice White. Lead singer, drummer of Mint Condition, one of the last major funk bands to chart before the rise of hip-hop and new jack swing in the 1990s. The band is best known for their 1992 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes). Williams has also worked with the Boys, Karyn White, Janet Jackson, Johnny Gill, Color Me Badd, Soultry, New Edition, Jon Secada, Jordan Knight, Yolanda Adams, Usher, Blu Cantrell, Deborah Cox, Toni Braxton, Kelly Price, Brian Culbertson, Wale, Boney James, and PJ MortonJuly 17, 1967 ~ Susan Rae Hill, commonly known as Christian, country singer Susan Ashton, born in Irving, Texas, USA ~ Debuted in 1991 with her Wakened By The Wind album. Has since scored over a dozen No.1 hits on the Christian charts. To country audiences best known for her 1999 single You're Lucky I Love You
July 17, 1966 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Lou Barlow, full name Louis Knox Barlow, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Helped pioneer the lo-fi sound of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Founding member of Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, and of the Folk Implosion. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Emoh album in 2005. Has collaborated with Sentridoh, Rudy Trouvé, Sharon Stoned, the 6ths, the Supreme Dicks, and Deep Wound
July 17, 1965 ~ Country singer, guitarist Craig Morgan born in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, USA ~ Released his eponymous Craig Morgan in 2000 and has recorded to commercial succes since. Best known for songs such as Almost Home, That's What I Love About Sunday, Redneck Yacht Club, Little Bit Of Life, International Harvester, Love Remembers and Bonfire, all of which reached top 10 on the Billboard Country charts
July 17, 1963 ~ R&B, soul, pop, jazz, gospel singer Regina Belle, full name Regina Elaine Belle, born in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Phyllis Hyman, Billie Holiday, Shirley Caesar, Patti LaBelle, Nancy Wilson. Best known for a number of 1980s songs such as Baby Come To Me, Make It Like It Was and Without You, the latter a duet with Peabo Bryson. Has also collaborated with Johnny Mathis, the Manhattans, and Jeffrey Osborne. Married to saxophonist Horace Alexander Young from 1985 through 1990, with whom she has one daughter
July 17, 1961 ~ Keith Edward Elam, commonly known as MC, rapper Guru, born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA ~ Founding member of the Gang Starr collective. As a solo artist best known for his Jazzmatazz series, collaborating with artists such as Donald Byrd, N'dea Davenport, MC Solaar, Roy Ayers, Chaka Khan, Branford Marsalis, Jamiroquai, Freddie Hubbard, Courtney Pine, and Ronny Jordan. Especially the first two of eventually four volumes, 1993's Jazzmatazz (Volume 1) and 1995's Jazzmatazz (Volume 2 A New Reality), would receive critical acclaim for fusing jazz, hip-hop and rap and later prove to be hugely influential ~ Elam passed away in 2010
July 17, 1959 ~ Eleanora Fagan, commonly known as jazz, swing singer Billie Holiday, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Iconic singer pioneered jazz singing. Active from the mid 1930s until her death at age 44. Known for her emotive voice, tragic lifestory and struggles with men and substance abuse. Well known songs include What A Little Moonlight Can Do, A Fine Romance, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Carelessly, Mean To Me, I'm Gonna Lock My Heart, Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be) and perhaps her best known Strange Fruit ~ Fagan was born in 1915July 17, 1959 ~ Christian rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Margaret Becker born in Bay Shore, New York, USA ~ Sang backup for Rick Cua and Steve Camp. Released her Never For Nothing solo debut album in 1987. Has also worked with Susan Ashton, Christine Denté, Moya Brennan, Joanne Hogg, Kristyn Getty, and Jennifer Knapp
July 17, 1957 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Julián Infante, full name Julián Infante Martin-Nieto, born in Fuente el Fresno, Spain ~ Rose to fame as member of Tequila, Spanish-Argentine rock group influenced by Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones. They were active from the late 1970s through the early 1990s and are best known for songs such as Quiero Besarte, Me Vuelvo Loco and Rock And Roll En La Plaza Del Pueblo. Member of Los Rodriguez in the 1990s, which also included Tequila bandmate Ariel Rot, known for merging flamenco, rumba, bolero, ranchera, milonga, funk and blues and credited with revitalizing Spanish-language rock ~ Infante passed away in 2000July 17, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Hugh Macdonald born ~ Not to be confused with American bassist Hugh MacDonald. Best known as guitarist for Redgum from 1981 through 1990. He also took the role of lead singer after John Schumann in 1986. McDonald also played with the Bushwhackers, the Sundowners, Banshee, Des Animal McKenna, Moving Clouds, and with the Colonials ~ McDonald passed away in 2016
July 17, 1952 ~ Drummer, percussionist, vibraphonist Chet McCracken, full name Chet Eugene McCracken, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Member of the Doobie Brothers during the late 1970s and early 1980s replacing original drummer John Hartman. Present on albums such as One Step Closer, Can't Let It Get Away, and Olana. In-demand session musician, appearing on albums by America (Hat Trick), Nick Gilder, TG Sheppard, Stevie Nicks (The Wild Heart), Joe Walsh, and Warriors Path. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Flight To Moscow, released in 1990 ~ McCracken passed away in 2022
July 17, 1952 ~ Actor, singer David Hasselhoff, full name David Michael Hasselhoff, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as an actor with long-running roles on The Young & The Restless, Knight Rider, and Baywatch. As a singer enjoyed popularity in Europe, especially Germany, with over a dozen albums to his name starting with Night Rocker released in 1985
July 17, 1952 ~ Rock bassist, producer Fran Smith Jr born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Father of singer Graham Alexander. Best known as a member of the Hooters since 1987, first appearing on the 1989 Zig Zag album. Has also worked with Blake Thompson, Glen Burtnik, David Uosikkinen, and TJ Tindall
July 17, 1952 ~ Pop, rock, country singer, guitarist Nicolette Larson born in Helena, Montana, USA ~ Member of Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen. As a solo artist best known for her 1978 hit Lotta Love. In-demand backing vocalist. Worked with Neil Young, Steve Wariner, Guy Clark, Hoyt Axton, Mary Kay Place, Rodney Crowell, Billy Joe Shaver, Jesse Colin Young, Jesse Winchester, Gary Stewart, Emmylou Harris (notably on Hello Stranger from the 1977 album Luxury Liner), Linda Ronstadt, Norton Buffalo, the Doobie Brothers, Christopher Cross, Dirt Band, Tom Johnston, Graham Nash, Albert Hammond, Rita Coolidge, and Van Halen ~ Larson passed away in 1997July 17, 1952 ~ Matheus Josephus Lau, commonly known as singer, guitarist Thé Lau, born in Bergen, the Netherlands ~ Became a household name as the Scene frontman in the early 1990s scoring hits such as Blauw and Iedereen Is Van De Wereld. Debuted as an author in 2000 with Sterren Van De Hemel, a collection of short stories, publishing his first novel, Hemelrijk, in 2004 ~ Lau passed away in 2015