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 18, 2025 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Hal Galper passed away ~ Worked with Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Joe Williams, Anita O'Day, Chris Connor, Cannonball Adderley, Phil Woods, Randy Brecker, Victor Gaskin, Terumasa Hino, Cecil McBee, Reggie Workman, Jerry Bergonzi, Franco Ambrosetti, John Scofield, and others ~ Galper was born in 1938
July 18, 2025 ~ Helen Lorene Johnson, commonly known as country singer, songwriter, actress Helen Cornelius, passed away ~ Has recorded as a solo artist but is best known for a string of 1970s duets with Jim Ed Brown, including the Billboard Country top 10 hits I Don't Want To Have To Marry You, Say Hello Saying I Love You Saying Goodbye, If The World Ran Out Of Love Tonight, Lying In Love With You, Fools and Morning Comes Too Early ~ Johnson was born in 1941
July 18, 2024 ~ Songwriter, producer Jerry Fuller passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Scored a minor hit as a solo artist with a rockabilly rendition of the country classic Tennessee Waltz in 1959. However, Fuller would become best known as a songwriter and producer, scoring his first major hit when Ricky Nelson took Travelin' Man to the top of the American charts in 1961. Fuller had originally written the song with Sam Cooke in mind, but Cooke passed, and the song would become one of Nelson's earliest and best known songs. Subsequently, Nelson recorded some two dozen more songs written by Fuller, including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits A Wonder Like You, Young World, and It's Up To You. Following a stint in the Army, and touring with the Champs, Fuller relocated to New York, where he discovered the Knickerbockers, for whom he produced the 1965 Billboard Hot 100 No.20 single Lies. Fuller is also known writing and producing several hits for Gary Puckett, notably Young Girl, Lady Willpower, and Over You, and for his work with Mark Lindsay, the Peanut Butter Conspiracy, and OC Smith, producing the hits The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp and Little Green Apples for the latter ~ Fuller was born in 1938
July 18, 2023 ~ Deeon Boyd, commonly known as house, ghetto house DJ DJ Deeon, passed away ~ Influenced by John Rocca, Afrika Bambaataa, and Kraftwerk, first becoming interested on electronic music after listening to the latter's 1981 Computer World album. Regarded as one of the pioneers of ghetto house. Best known for his 1996 recording Freak Like Me. Other well known songs include Funk City, Bomb 96, Wicked, House-O-Matic, and The Freaks. Boyd was name mentioned in the Daft Punk track Teachers of the duo's 1997 Homework album ~ Boyd was born in 1966
July 18, 2022 ~ Hornist Vincent DeRosa, full name Vincent Ned DeRosa, passed away in La Cañada Flintridge, California, USA ~ Reportedly the all-time most recorded brass player. Especially acclaimed for his work in Hollywood, serving as first horn for film composers such as Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin and John Williams, the latter describing DeRosa as one of the greatest instrumentalists of his generation. Notable soundtracks include My Fair Lady, The Sound Of Music, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and Rocky. In-demand studio, session musician for artists such as Frank Sinatra (In The Wee Small Hours), June Christy, Ella Fitzgerald, the Monkees, Frank Zappa (Lumpy Gravy), Harry Nilsson (Son Of Schmilsson), Rita Coolidge, John Denver, Sonny Criss, Minnie Riperton, Earth Wind & Fire (Faces), Glen Campbell, and Miles Davis ~ DeRosa was born in 1920
July 18, 2019 ~ Robert Landis Frank, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Frank passed away ~ Cult singer, songwriter debuted with his critically acclaimed 1972 eponymous album, Bob Frank. Has worked extensively with John Murry and shared stages with Tim Buckley, Townes Van Zandt, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jimmy Driftwood, and Gus Cannon. Staff songwriter for Tree Publishing. Dubbed “the greatest songwriter you never heard” by noted producer, pianist, singer Jim Dickinson. Also had his songs recorded by Chris LeDoux, and Gary Momahan ~ Frank was born in 1944
July 18, 2015 ~ Perry Carlton Buie, commonly known as songwriter, music promotor, manager Buddy Buie, passed away in Dothan, Alabama, USA ~ Closely associated with Roy Orbison, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, and perhaps most notably with Classics IV for whom he wrote or co-wrote songs such as Spooky, Stormy and Traces, all considered classics of the era. Other artists who recorded his songs include Tommy Roe (Party Girl), Gloria Estefan, Wynonna Judd, Garth Brooks (Mr Midnight), Travis Tritt, David Sanborn, Santana, and John Legend ~ Buie was born in 1941July 18, 2014 ~ Alternative rock outfits Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden kick off their co-headlining tour ~ Despite an uneasy history together the two kick off a joint tour, playing some two dozen shows in America, and one in Toronto over the course of less than two months, playing their last date in late August in Los Angeles, California
July 18, 2013 ~ Jazz, swing singer, guitarist Carline Ray passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Member of all-female ensemble the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, regarded as one of the hottest swing and jazz acts of the 1940s and once labeled “the most prominent and probably best female aggregation of the Big Band era”. The ensemble is also believed to be the first racially-integrated all-female band in America. After its disbandement, Ray would go on to work with Erskine Hawkins, Patti Page, Mary Lou Williams, Skitch Henderson, Marian McPartland, and Sy Oliver ~ Ray was born in 1925
July 18, 2013 ~ Pop, rock bassist Fons Sijmons passed away in Ghent, Belgium ~ Best known as member of the Scabs, joining the band in 1989 as replacement for Berre Bergen and remaining until the band folded in 1996. Has also worked with K13, Kadril, Marco Cassiman, Luk Bral, Luna Twist, Starvin' Marvin, the Big Noise, and Tom Wolf. As a songwriter, Sijmons had his songs recorded by Guy Swinnen, Mozaik, Walter Grootaers, Bart van den Bossche, Tiny Mp, and Tex ~ Sijmons was born in 1955
July 18, 2011 ~ Singer Taylor Swift releases Sparks Fly, lifted off her Speak Now album ~ Taylor Swift had written Sparks Fly at age 16, around the time she was working on her debut album. The singer would occasionally perform the song live, and recorded it for her third album after it became a fan favorite. The lyrics evoke fairy-tale imagery, something Swift would regularly do, while musically it draws from country, pop, and arena rock featuring dynamic electric guitars and subtle fiddles. Sparks Fly would reach No.1 Billboard Country, making it her fifth to top the tally, and peaked at No.17 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
July 18, 2005 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter John Herald passed away in West Hurley, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger. Co-founding member of the Greenbriar Boys, with whom he backed Joan Baez before landing their own record deal. The band is also known for (Up To My Neck In) High Muddy Water, co-written by Herald, and notably covered by Linda Ronstadt. Herald has also worked with the Woodstock Mountain Revue ~ Herald was born in 1939July 18, 2002 ~ Producer, label executive Seymour Solomon passed away ~ Co-founded Vanguard Records with his brother Maynard Solomon, a label focusing initially on classical music yet soon also expanding their catalogue with folk, jazz and blues. Non-classical artists signed by the label include the Weavers, Joan Baez, the Rooftop Singers, Larry Coryell, Mississippi John Hurt, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy and Country Joe & the Fish ~ Solomon was born in 1922
July 18, 1997 ~ Songwriter Harold Spina passed away ~ Composer, frequently collaborated with lyricists such as Johnny Burke, Joe Young, John Elliott and Bob Russell, responsible for songs such as Fats Waller's You're Not The Only Oyster In The Stew and My Very Good Friend The Milkman, Dinah Shore's It's So Nice To Have A Man Around The House and Patti Page's 1951 Billboard No.4 hit Would I Love You (Love You Love You), the latter also notably recorded by Doris Day, Tony Martin and Helen O'Connell ~ Spina was born in 1906
July 18, 1991 ~ R&B, pop singer, pianist, songwriter Karina Pasian born in New York, New York, USA ~ First gained attention as a contestant on the 2003 Star Search talen show. Released her full-length First Love debut album in 2008, spawning the modest hit Can't Find The Words, the album earning her a Grammy Award-nomination. Has collaborated with Quincy Jones, Lil' Mama, Trey Songz, Sammie, Sky Townsend
July 18, 1991 ~ Singer Vanessa Williams releases Running Back To You, lead single off her The Comfort Zone sophomore album ~ The singer's The Right Stuff debut album had spawned two Billboard R&B top 10 hits and earned Vanessa Williams three Grammy Award nominations, including for Best New Artist, and helped her overcome the scandal of having the Miss America title taken away when nude photos of her surfaced. Her sophomore effort did even better, starting with the infectuous dance-pop ditty Running Back To You. The song is noted for sampling both The Grunt, an instrumental recorded by James Brown's backing unit the JB's, as well as I Can't Stop by John Davis & the Monster Orchestra, a mid 1970s underground disco track also sampled in hip hop classics such as Peter Piper by Run-DMC, Parents Just Don't Understand by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, and You Gots To Chill by EPMD. Running Back To You would earn Williams a Grammy Award nomination, reached top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No.18, and topped the Billboard R&B chart for two consecutive weeks
July 18, 1990 ~ Joseph Gaétan Robert Gérald Boulet, commonly known as rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, trumpeter Gerry Boulet, passed away in Longeuil, Canada ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Quebec-based progressive rock band Offenbach, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums including the acclaimed Never Too Tender and Caricatures. Boulet has also recorded two albums as a solo artist, Preque 40 Ans De Blues released in 1985 and its follow-up Rendez-Vous Doux released a year before his death ~ Boulet was born in 1946July 18, 1989 ~ Art pop, indie pop, indie rock singer, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Angel Deradoorian born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Dirty Projectors from 2007 through 2012. Released her full-length The Expanding Flower Planet debut album in 2015. Has collaborated with Discovery, the Roots, U2, Flying Lotus, Brandon Flowers, Avey Tare, and Rostam Batmanglij
July 18, 1988 ~ Christa Päffgen, commonly known as avant-garde, gothic rock, art rock, folk kock singer, actress Nico, passed away on Ibiza, Spain ~ Rose to prominence acting in films such as Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Andy Warhol's Chelsea Girls. Sang with the Velvet Underground on the band's Velvet Underground & Nico debut album. As a solo artist known for her 1965 I'm Not Sayin' single produced by Jimmy Page and the Bob Dylan-penned I'll Keep It With Mine of her 1967 Chelsea Girl debut album ~ Päffgen was born in 1938July 18, 1983 ~ Metalcore singer, drummer, guitarist Aaron Gillespie, full name Aaron Roderick Gillespie, born in Clearwater, Florida, USA ~ Drummer, co-founding member of Underoath. Lead singer, rhythm guitarist of the Almost. Drummer of the Dangerous Summer. Touring drummer for Paramore from 2013 through 2016. Has released a number of solo recordings, starting with 2015's Grace Through The Wandering album
July 18, 1982 ~ Mandla Maphumulo, commonly known as kwaito singer Mampintsha, born in Umlazi, South Africa ~ Member of Big Nuz, which he co-founded in 2002. The band is known best for songs such as Ubala of their sophomore 2nd Round Knockout breakout album, as well as later hits such as Umlilo, Newlands West, Sting Ray, and Inazo ~ Maphumulo passed away in 2022
July 18, 1982 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, drummer Ryan Cabrera, full name Ryan Frank Cabrera, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Member of Rubix Groove. As a solo artist debuted in 2001 with the independently released album Elm St. Known for singles such as On The Way Down, True and 40 Kinds Of Sadness
July 18, 1982 ~ Shadrach Kabango, commonly known as rapper, guitarist Shad born in Kenya ~ Known for his witty lyrics and socially conscious subject matters. Influenced by Common, Lauryn Hill, the Roots, the Notorious BIG, OutKast. Self-released his full-length When This Is Over debut album in 2005. Has guested on recordings by Promise, the Blue Scholars, Grand Analog, Wax Romeo, Mike Tompkins, Blitz the Ambassador, K-OS, the Procussions, Said the Whale, and Tobi
July 18, 1981 ~ Jazz drummer, composer Matt Slocum born in New Richmond, Wisconsin, USA ~ Worked with Sara Gazarek, Seamus Blake, Alan Broadbent, Steve Cardenas, Gerald Clayton, Danny Grisett, Larry Koonse, Lage Lund, Wynton Marsalis, Linda Poh, Alan Pasqua, Jerome Sabbagh, Jaleel Shaw, Walter Smith II, Dayna Stephens, Ben Wendel, Gerald Wiggins, Anthony Wilson, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
July 18, 1979 ~ Richard Morales Jr, commonly known as hip-hop rapper Gunplay, born in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Member of hip hop group the Triple C's, known for their 2009 Custom Cars & Cycles debut album. Released his full-length Living Legend solo debut album in 2015. Has collaborated with Mozzy, Waka Flocka Flame, A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Bow Wow, Kendrick Lamar, NORE, and Cormega
July 18, 1979 ~ Bebop trombonist, actor Matthew Gee passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Played with Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Morris, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Count Basie, Illinois Jacquet, Lou Donaldson, Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington, Paul Quinichette, Brooks Kerr, Johnny Griffin, and Erskine Hawkins ~ Gee was born in 1925