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 2, 2024 ~ Bassist, violinist, pianist Tom Fowler passed away ~ Best known for his association with Frank Zappa, appearing on well over a dozen of Zappa's albums since the mid 1970s including the acclaimed Over-Nite Sensation, Apostrophe, and One Size Fits All. Fowler also played with Air Pocket, which among others included several of his siblings, and has appeared on recordings by a wide array of artists in jazz, rock, R&B, and experimental music including It's A Beautiful Day, George Duke, Jean-Luc Ponty (Imaginary Voyage), Steve Hackett (Please Don't Touch), Kim Angelis, Don Preston, and Ray Charles. As a solo artist, Fowler is best known for his Heartscapes album released in 1992. Upon hearing of his death, fellow Zappa alumnus Arthur Barrow commented: “He was a hero to me, (…) he was an inspiration for me to buy a bass and start practising” ~ Fowler was born in 1951
July 2, 2022 ~ Blues, roots rock guitarist, banjoist Tristan Goodall passed away ~ Co-founding and constant member of roots rock outfit the Audreys, especially acclaimed for their 2005 You And Steve McQueen debut EP and their full-length Between Last Night And Us debut album released the following year. Several of the band's songs have been used in TV shows including Neighbours, One Tree Hill and the ABC series Rain Shadow ~ Goodall was born ca.1974
July 2, 2020 ~ Pianist, composer Nikolai Kapustin, full name Nikolai Girshevich Kapustin, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Active since the 1950s. First gained attention working with artists such as Yury Saulsky and Oleg Lundstrem. Known for fusing jazz and classical. As a composer best known for works such as Suite In The Old Style Op.28 premiered in 1977, characterised by its jazz improvisation feel yet modeled after Baroque suites in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach. Kapustin's works have been recorded by leading pianists including Marc-André Hamelin, Nikolai Petrov, Steven Osborne, Yeol Eum Son and Vadim Rudenko ~ Kapustin was born in 1937
July 2, 2019 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, bandleader Duncan Lamont passed away in London, UK ~ Worked with Kenny Graham, Johnny Keating, Johnny Scott. Backed visiting American musicians including Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Benny Goodman. Led his own band for over a decade. Perhaps best known for penning I Told You So, first recorded by Blossom Dearie and covered by Cleo Laine, Trudy Kerr, and Natalie Cole ~ Lamont was born in 1931
July 2, 2018 ~ Singer, bassist, keyboardist Alan Longmuir passed away in Larbert, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member the Bay City Rollers. His younger brother drummer Derek Longmuir also played with the band. Longmuir would leave the band in 1976 but return in 1978 following the departure of Pat McGlynn ~ Longmuir was born in 1948
July 2, 2018 ~ Trombonist Bill Watrous passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Quincy Jones, Johnny Richards, Kai Winding, fusion band Ten Wheel Drive, Eumir Deodato, Kenny Burrell, Paul Desmond, Odonel Levy, Milton Nascimento, Jimmy Witherspoon, Red Rodney, and Arturo Sandoval ~ Watrous was born in 1939
July 2, 2015 ~ Israel Brodsky, commonly known as songwriter Roy C Bennett, passed away in Queens, New York, USA ~ Well known for his association with Sid Tepper, the pair writing over three dozen songs for Elvis Presley including For The Millionth And The Last Time, A Boy Like Me A Girl Like You, The Lady Loves Me, Kismet, and perhaps most notably GI Blues. Bennett and Tepper also wrote over a dozen songs for Cliff Richard, including The Young Ones which became Richard's best-selling single. Others who recorded songs co-written by Bennett include Louis Prima, Vaughn Monroe (Red Roses For A Blue Lady), Rosemary Clooney, Perry Como, Art Mooney (Nuttin' For Christmas), Carl Perkins (Glad All Over), Marty Robbins, and Conway Twitty ~ Brodsky was born in 1918
July 2, 2014 ~ Singer Ariana Grande releases Break Free featuring Zedd, lifted off her My Everything sophomore album ~ Produced by Zedd, then known for his EDM hits Clarity featuring Foxes and Stay The Night featuring Hayley Williams, who had overheard Ariana Grande performing at a label showcase. The Russian-German producer was immediately struck by Grande's voice, as he later told Billboard: “(Her voice is) super-recognizable, it has a unique texture, and really, that's all I'm looking for in a singer, is to have a voice that is really special and different from other voices you hear everyday.” The pair would team up for Break Free, written by Savan Kotecha, Zedd and Max Martin, with the latter two also serving as producers. Issued as a single off Grande's sophomore album, it became a major international hit and reached top 10 across the globe, including in Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, and America, where it peaked at No.4 Billboard Hot 100
July 2, 2013 ~ Operatic tenor Gregory Carroll passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Described as an extremely promising heldentenor his career was cut short, dying at age 35 of a heart attack. Known for roles in Giuseppe Verdi's Luisa Miller with the Chautauqua Opera, Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci with the Opera Lyric Ottawa, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Magic Flute with the Canadian Opera Company. Carroll has also performed with the Seattle Opera, the Puget Sound Opera, the Opera Cleveland, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Norwegian National Opera ~ Carroll was born in 1977
July 2, 2008 ~ Natalia Mikhailovna Schneiderman, commonly known as actress, keyboardist, singer Natasha Shneider, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as member of Eleven, which also included the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam-drummer Jack Irons. Shneider also appeared on Chris Cornell's 1999 Euphoria Morning solo album, worked with the Queens Of The Stone Age, and has worked as an actress for TV and film from time to time ~ Schneiderman was born in 1956
July 2, 2007 ~ Belle Miriam Silverman, commonly known as opera singer Beverly Sills, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Popular from the 1950s through the 1970s. Sang a wide repertoire but best known for signature roles in Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia Di Lammermoor portraying the title role and La Fille Du Regiment portraying Maria. After retiring from singing in 1980 became the general manager of the New York City Opera ~ Sills was born in 1929
July 2, 2007 ~ Songwriter Hy Zaret, full name Hyman Harry Zaritsky, passed away in Westport, Connecticut, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-authoring Unchained Melody with Alex North, originally sung by Todd Duncan for the 1955 film Unchained. It would be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Three versions of the song would hit the charts the same year, Les Baxter, Al Hibbler and Roy Hamilton. It would be covered by numerous artist throughout the years including Jimmy Young, Liberace, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Cliff Richard, Roy Orbison, Donny Osmond and perhaps most notably by the Righteous Brothers in 1965 with lush production by Phil Spector ~ Zaret was born in 1907
July 2, 2005 ~ Jazz pianist Tom Talbert, full name Thomas Robert Talbert, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Especially acclaimed for his Bix Fats Duke album released in 1956, consisting of reworkings of originals by Bix Beiderbecke, Fats Waller, and Duke Ellington. Regarded as one of the finest arrangers of the second half of the 20th century, yet remained largely unknown due to having only recorded a handful of albums as a leader. Has served as arranger for the likes of Claude Thornhill, Tony Pastor, Johnny Smith, Oscar Pettiford, and Don Elliott ~ Talbert was born in 1924
July 2, 2002 ~ Composer Earle Brown passed away in Rye, New York, USA ~ Established his own formal and notational systems. Creator of “open form” a style of musical construction that has influenced numerous composers including John Zorn. Among his best known compositions are December 1952, Available Forms I & II (Centering), and Cross Sections And Color Fields ~ Brown was born in 1926
July 2, 2002 ~ Jazz double bassist Ray Brown, full name Raymond Matthews Brown, passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Influenced by Jimmy Blanton. Best known for his association with pianist Oscar Peterson, backing the pianist from the early 1950s through the mid 1960s. Also well known for his work with Ella Fitzgerald, with whom he was married from 1947 to 1953. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, Billie Holiday (Solitude), Joe Venuti, Buddy DeFranco, Charlie Parker (Giants Of Modern Jazz), Ben Webster, Hank Jones (Urbanity), Anita O'Day (Anita Sings The Most), Sonny Stitt, Coleman Hawkins, Herb Ellis (Nothing But The Blues), Jimmy Witherspoon, the Modern Jazz Quartet, André Previn, and Benny Carter ~ Brown was born in 1926
July 2, 1994 ~ Singer, mandolinist Ralph Rinzler, full name Ralph Carter Rinzler, passed away in Washington DC, USA ~ Key figure in the folk revival of the late 1950s and early 1960s, helpful in introducing a wide array of musicians to a wider audience. Best known as a member of bluegrass outfit the Greenbriar Boys, for whom he co-wrote Stewball. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Rinzler has appeared on albums by Shirley Collins, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Doc Watson, Patrick Sky (Patrick Sky), and Joan Baez. Rinzler is also known as a curator for the Smithsonian Museum, and as co-founder of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival held annually in Washington DC since 1967 ~ Rinzler was born in 1934
July 2, 1993 ~ Rapper, singer, songwriter Vince Staples, full name Vincent Jamal Staples, born in Compton, California, USA ~ Member of hip-hop trio the Cutthroat Boyz alongside Aston Matthews and Joey Fatts. Critically acclaimed for his 2015 Summertime '06 debut album. Best known for his 2017 Big Fish single
July 2, 1992 ~ Vernon Harrison, commonly known as country blues, boogie woogie, jazz singer, pianist, songwriter Boogie Woogie Red, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Has worked with Sonny Boy Williamson I, Washboard Willie, Baby Boy Warren, Lonnie Johnson, Tampa Red, John Lee Hooker, and Memphis Slim. Perhaps best known for his 1974 Live At The Blind Pig album, earning him critical praise and interest in Europe ~ Harrison was born in 1925
July 2, 1991 ~ Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Burna Boy, born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria ~ Rose to fame in 2012 on the strength of his Like To Party debut single, followed by the full-length LIFE released the following year. Has recorded to commercial succes since and guested on recordings by Fall Out Boy and Ed Sheeran
July 2, 1990 ~ Roy Landman, commonly known as singer Snooky Lanson, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as a singing star on the NBC series Your Hit Parade, hired by bandleader Ray Noble. Had previously worked with Francis Craig's dance band. Also known as a singer in several radio orchestras, including for shows such as Appointment With Music, Saturday Showcase and Sunday Night Serenade ~ Landman was born in 1914
July 2, 1989 ~ Devin Star Tailes, commonly known as singer, rapper, songwriter, model, radio host Dev, born in Tracy, California, USA ~ Discovered by the Cataracs, who guested on her 2010 Bass Down Low debut single. Featured vocalist on Far East Movement's Like A G6 hit single the same year. Would release her The Night When The Sun Came Up the next year. Has worked with 2 Chainz, Sage The Gemini, JLS, Enrique Iglesias, Eric Saade, Demi Lovato, and NERVO
July 2, 1988 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Amelia Meath, full name Amelia Randall Meath, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Known for her secretive, intimate songwriting. Formed the trio Mountain Men with Molly Sarlé and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig, known for their self-released 2010 Made The Harbor album. Formed the duo Sylvan Esso with Nick Sanborn, releasing their eponymous Sylvan Esso in 2014
July 2, 1988 ~ Edward L Vinson Jr, commonly known as jump blues, R&B, bebop saxophonist Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. As a leader known for Old Maid Boogie and Kidney Stew Blues. Worked with Milt Larkin, Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, Tom Archia, Big Bill Broonzy, Cootie Williams, John Coltrane, Jay McShann, Johnny Otis, Paul Quinichette, Cannonball Adderley, Mike Bloomfield, Joe Pass, Buddy Tate, Roomful Of Blues, and Harry Sweets Edison ~ Vinson was born in 1917
July 2, 1985 ~ Actress, singer Ashley Tisdale, full name Ashley Michelle Tisdale, born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as an actress, starring in the Disney TV show The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody and all three films of the High School Musical series. As a singer known for her 2007 Headstrong debut album, awarded gold certification in the USA, its singles He Said She Said and its follow-up Not Like That particularly well-received in Germany
July 2, 1984 ~ Pop singer Cyndi Lauper releases She Bop, lifted off her She's So Unusual album ~ The song was considered controversial, as it dealt with masturbation. Due to its lyrics it was included on the Parent Music Resource Center's “filthy fifteen” list, which eventually led to the creation of the Parental Advisory sticker. Peaking at No.3 Billboard Hot 100, She Bop was Lauper's third consecutive top 5 hit off the same album, after the No.2 hit Girls Just Want To Have Fun and the charttopping ballad Time After Time. The album, Lauper's debut, would spawn one more hit, All Through The Night peaking at No.5, making Cyndi Lauper the first female to have four top 5 singles off the same album. The album also earned Lauper no less than six Grammy Award nominations, and won her the award for Best New Artist