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 19, 2024 ~ Pop, world music kora player Toumani Diabaté passed away in Bamako, Mali ~ One of the internationally most recognised African artists. Son of Sidiki Diabaté, brother of Mamadou Sidiki Diabaté, both renowned kora players. Diabaté is strongly rooted in Malian traditional music, yet is also known for numerous cross-cultural collaborations including with flamenco group Ketama, blues guitarist Taj Mahal, jazz trombonist Roswell Rudd, Icelandic rock singer Björk, banjoist Béla Fleck, and jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock ~ Diabaté was born in 1965July 19, 2023 ~ Violinist, film composer Mark Thomas passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Served as violinist for the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Royal Ballet Orchestra. Would venture into composing for TV and film by the early 1990s, with over two dozen soundtracks to his name including Twin Town, The Final Curtain and Agent Cody Banks 2 (Destination London) ~ Thomas was born in 1956
July 19, 2022 ~ Henk Leeuwis, commonly known as singer Henkie, passed away ~ Known for the novelty, surprise hits Lief Klein Konijntje and Mijn Goudvis, the former reaching top of the charts in Belgium in 2006 ~ Leeuwis was born in 1945
July 19, 2022 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, funk, soul, pop singer, bassist, saxophonist, producer Michael Henderson passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced by Motown house bass guitarist James Jamerson. First gained attention backing Stevie Wonder on tours. Made his name playing on a number of pivotal 1970s Miles Davis jazz fusion albums, notably Live/Evil and Agharta. Would go on to work with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, the Dramatics, and Dr John. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing over half a dozen albums starting with Solid in 1976 ~ Henderson was born in 1951
July 19, 2022 ~ Diane Luckey, commonly known as singer Q Lazzarus, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ The singer had been repeatedly turned down by record companies, unable to categorize and market her. A chance encounter with director Jonathan Demme led to him using her songs in several of her films, starting with Candle Goes Away in the 1986 Something Wild action comedy. She is most noted for her 1988 recording of Goodbye Horses, first used by Demme in the crime romantic comedy Married To The Mob and again in his Academy Award-winning psychological horror thriller The Silence Of The Lambs. The song would become a cult hit after inclusion in the latter. Despite the exposure of her music to a wide audience, Luckey never really got her music career off the ground ~ Luckey was born in 1960July 19, 2021 ~ Jazz drummer Frank Gant passed away ~ Worked with Donald Byrd, Sonny Stitt, Yusef Lateef, Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, Billy Mitchell, Pepper Adams, Little John Wilson, Billie Holiday, Alvin Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Rouse, Jamil Nasser, and Harold Mabern ~ Gant was born in 1931
July 19, 2021 ~ Apostolos Voskopoulos, commonly known as laika singer, songwriter, actor Tolis Voskopoulos, passed away in Athens, Greece ~ Considered one of the legends of modern Greek music with over 40 albums to his name. Known for songs such as My Lonely Heart, I Drink To Her Health, I'm Beginning To Suspect and Out Of The Question ~ Voskopoulos was born in 1940
July 19, 2020 ~ Singer, drummer, guitarist, pianist, bassist, songwriter Emitt Rhodes, full name Emitt Lynn Rhodes, passed away in Hawthorne, California, USA ~ Drummer in Palace Guard. Multi-instrumentalist in the Merry-Go-Round. Critically acclaimed for his 1970 eponymous Emitt Rhodes album. Semi-retired from music in 1973, would no longer perform, would continue to record in the studio but would not release any material. Returned in 2016 with the album Rainbow Ends, featuring contributions from Jason Falkner, Aimee Mann, Jon Brion, Susanna Hoffs, and Nels Cline ~ Rhodes was born in 1950July 19, 2019 ~ Singer Inger Berggren passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Best known for her renditions of Elisabeth Serenad and Sol Och Var. Berggren represented Sweden in the 1962 Eurovision Songfestival with the latter, reaching 7th place. She has also sung with Thore Ehrling, Simon Brehm and Gote Wilhelmsson ~ Berggren was born in 1934
July 19, 2019 ~ Anna Jean Harris, commonly known as jazz, R&B singer, actress Jean DuShon, passed away in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced by Dinah Washington. Best known for the first version of For Once In My Life in 1966, later recorded by Connie Haines, Barbara McNair, and perhaps most notably by Stevie Wonder. Worked with Cootie Williams, Phil Spector, Lou Donaldson, Ramsey Lewis (including on More (Theme From Mondo Cane)), Herman Foster, Oliver Nelson, Ray Charles, and Count Basie ~ Harris was born in 1935
July 19, 2015 ~ Alexander Van Vliet Feldman, commonly known as bandleader, arranger, composer Van Alexander, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-wrote A-Tisket A-Tasket with Ella Fitzgerald, a 1938 hit for the latter based on a 19th century nursery rhyme, later covered by numerous artists including Teddy Wilson, the Platters, and Bing Crosby. Alexander has led his own band into the 1940s, conducted orchestras for the likes of Kay Starr, Dolores Gray, and Dakota Staton, and authored First Arrangement which is considered a textbook on composing and arranging for film as well as his autobiography From Harlem To Hollywood. Alexander is perhaps best known for his work for TV and film, working as an arranger and composer for shows such as Bewitched, I Dream Of Jeannie, and The Dean Martin Show, and scoring numerous soundtracks including The Atomic Kid, Baby Face Nelson, and the cult classic Strait-Jacket. Alexander served as a mentor to Johnny Mandel, who at Alexander's 100th birthday bash commented: “He threw me in the water and yelled ‘swim’. If it wasn't for Van, I don't know what I'd be doing” ~ Feldman was born in 1915July 19, 2013 ~ Rock band Pearl Jam kick off their Lightning Bolt American tour at Wrigley Field, Chicago, USA ~ A sold out show, the concert is stopped and delayed after only seven songs in due to, ironically, lightning. After midnight the band returns to complete the show, the place still packed
July 19, 2010 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Andy Hummel, full name John Andrew Hummel, passed away in Weatherford, Texas, USA ~ Best known as original drummer of Big Star, appearing on two of their three albums, No.1 Record and Radio City. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs including The India Song, Way Out West, Life's White, What's Going Ahm, The Back Of A Car, and Daisy Glaze ~ Hummel was born in 1951
July 19, 2010 ~ Country singer Reba McEntire releases Turn On The Radio, lifted off her All The Women I Am album ~ Based around the idea of a woman done wrong telling her former lover that if he wants to hear from her he should turn on the radio for their favorite song. Turn On The Radio received mixed reviews, with Country Universe stating until Reba McEntire put out a better song they would keep listening to Consider Me Gone while Roughstock was more positive declaring that “in the hands of a less-seasoned vocalist this song could've been somehting horrbibly lacking but in Reba's hands it's a remarkable success.” Despite mixed reception, the kiss-off anthem reached the top of the Billboard Country charts, making it her 35th charttopper. When it hit No.1, Reba McEntire became the first female country singer to have topped the charts in four straight decades. McEntire's first Billboard Country No.1 hit was Can't Even Get The Blues back in 1983July 19, 2002 ~ The jukebox musical Movin' Out, inked around songs of Billy Joel, premieres in Chicago, Illinois ~ A thin plot inked around Billy Joel songs with dancers having no dialogue and the songs performed by band and a sole pianist, modelled after Joel named the Piano man, the show would perhaps be more aptly characterised as a rock ballet. The show would be nominated for 10 Tony Awards and win the awards for Best Choreography and for Best Orchestrations
July 19, 2002 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist, pianist Dave Carter, full name David Robert Carter, passed away in Hadley, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for his association with Tracy Grammer, recording three critically albums as a duo from the late 1990s until his death in 2002. The duo were hailed as “the new voice of folk music” and were admired by peers. A revered songwriter, Carter had his songs recorded by Joan Baez (The Mountain), Darryl Purpose, Chris Smither (Crocodile Man), Rani Arbo, Ellis Paul, Full Frontal Folk, Lucy Kaplanski (Cowboy Singer), Diane Zeigler, Bryan Bowers, the Kennedys, Pat Wictor, Sense Of Wonder, Ronny Cox, Richard Shindell, Julia Ecklar, and Judy Collins ~ Carter was born in 1952
July 19, 2001 ~ Judith Grace Guions, commonly known as singer Judy Clay, passed away in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA ~ Member of family gospel outfit the Drinkard Singers, which later became the Sweet Inspirations and at times included Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick. Clay also notably teamed with singer Billy Vera for a number of duets, including Storybook Children and Country Girl City Man. Also teamed with singer William Bell for the duets Private Number and My Baby Specializes. Would go on to session for artists such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Donny Hathaway, and Wilson Pickett ~ Guion was born in 1938
July 19, 1986 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, Hyperactive by Robert Palmer peaks at No.33 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as the follow-up to his Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Addicted To Love, it would mark the first time Robert Palmer would have two consecutive singles off the same album reach the American top 40. His next single off the Riptide album, I Didn't Mean To Turn You On, would also do well and peak at No.2. Retrospectively, AllMusic would characterize the album of “mostly rocking songs,” with Hyperactive “adding a bit of a pop veneer to the formula, with its bright keyboards dating the song to the Miami Vice era; that's not to say it doesn't hold nostalgic charm.”
July 19, 1975 ~ William Orville Frizzell, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lefty Frizzell, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Iconic country singer. Hugely popular during the 1950s. Closely associated with Hank Williams. Smoothed out the rough edges of honky-tonk with a softer vocal phrasing without losing the genre's attitude. Influential on George Jones, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard, and John Fogerty. Best known for songs such as If You've Got The Money (I've Got The Time), I Want To Be With You Always, Always Late (With Your Kisses), Saginaw Michigan, and Give Me More More More (Of Your Kisses) ~ Frizzell was born in 1928July 19, 1975 ~ Jazz pianist Matt Mitchell born ~ Influenced by Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock, Cecil Taylor, Bud Powell. Member of jazz trio Kaktus alongside Aaron Meicht and Lars Halle. Also worked with Central Chain, John Hollenbeck, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Brendan Dougherty, Ches Smith, Thinking Plague, Ralph Alessi, Tim Berne, Darius Jones, Mario Pavone, Tineke Postma, and Steve Coleman
July 19, 1974 ~ Rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Marco Roelofs born in Horst, the Netherlands ~ Key member of de Heideroosjes, known for songs such as Klapvee, Würst & Kase, Damclub Hooligan, Lekker Belangrijk, Sjonnie & Anita, Ze Smelten De Paashaas, and the Doe Maar-cover Liever Dan Lief
July 19, 1972 ~ Pop rock outfit the Doobie Brothers release Listen To The Music, lifted off their Toulouse Street sophomore album ~ Peaking at No.11 Billboard Hot 100, it would be the band's first major hit. Writer Tom Johnston would later describe the motivation for the song as a call for world peace: “The chord structure of it made me think of something positive, so the lyrics that came out of that were based on this utopian idea that if the leaders of the world got together on some grassy hill somewhere and either smoked enough dope or just sat down and just listened to the music and forgot about all this other bullshit, the world would be a much better place. It was very utopian and very unrealistic. It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
July 19, 1971 ~ Classical crossover tenor singer Urs Bühler, full name Urs Toni Bühler, born in Willisau, Switzerland ~ Best known as member of classical crossover group Il Divo, with whom he has sold over 30 million records. The ensemble was the brainchild of American Idol's Simon Cowell and has recorded about a dozen albums, starting with the eponymous Il Divo released in 2005. Musically trained from a young age Bühler sang in a choir and masters violin, clarinet, piano, guitar, and drums. Before his rise to fame Bühler sang in a cover band, a heavy metal group, and sang oratorios with the Netherlands Opera GezelschapJuly 19, 1969 ~ Garage rock, hard rock, alternative rock keyboardist, percussionist, guitarist, singer Anders Lindström born ~ Best known as organist of the Hellacopters. Co-founded the Diamond Dogs. Also worked with Gluecifer, the Bitter Twins, the Soundtrack Of Our Lives, and Imperial State Electric
July 19, 1969 ~ Chylow Parker, commonly known as producer, DJ, rapper Chyskillz, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of multi-platinum rap group Onyx, discovered by Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay and noted for their 1993 debut album Bacdafucup. Parker has collaborated, often as a producer, with rap, hip-hop, pop and rock artists including the Large Professor, Biohazard, Queen, Ice Cube, Shaquille O'Neal, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Mic Geronimo, the Royal Flush, and Sticky Fingaz ~ Parker passed away in 2018July 19, 1969 ~ Louisa Gabrielle Bobb, mononymously known as pop, rock singer, songwriter Gabrielle, born in London, UK ~ Released her Find Your Way debut album in 1993. Known for UK top 10 hits such as Dreams, Give Me A Little More Time, Walk On By, Sunshine, When A Woman, Out Of Reach and Don't Need The Sun To Shine (To Make Me Smile)
July 19, 1969 ~ Singer Jimmy Buffett marries Margie Washichek ~ Jimmy Buffett marries beauty queen Margie Washichek, who was crowned Miss Alabama in 1967. The marriage would last just two years. Buffett remarried in 1977 to Jane Slagsvol, with whom he would have three children including an adopted child
July 19, 1969 ~ British pop rock group the Spencer Davis Group breaks up ~ Two years after the departure of Steve Winwood and Muff Winwood, enjoying considerably less succes since, the band calls it quits and breaks up. The band had recorded four albums, and is known best for the UK top 10 hits Keep On Running, Somebody Help Me, Gimme Some Lovin', and I'm A Man, the latter two also reaching top 10 on the American Billboard Hot 100