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, 1983 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Michelle Branch, full name Michelle Jaquet DeSevren Branch, born in Sedona, Arizona, USA ~ Best known for two critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums from the early 2000s, 2001's The Spirit Room and 2003's Hotel Paper, reaching the charts with singles such as All You Wanted and Are You Happy Now. Collaborated with Carlos Santana, with Jessica Harp as a country-pop duo the Wreckers, and guested on records by Timbaland, Chris Isaak, Dwight Yoakam, and Patrick Carney
July 2, 1979 ~ Conductor, pianist, composer Brett Mitchell born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Closely associated with the Houston Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony. Has guest conducted renowned orchestras such as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the St Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles PhilharmonicJuly 2, 1979 ~ Jazz trumpeter Henry Goodwin, full name Henry Clay Goodwin, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Claude Hopkins, Cliff Jackson, Elmer Snowden, Lucky Millinder, Willie Bryant, Charlie Johnson, Cab Calloway, Kenny Clarke, Edgar Hayes, Sidney Bechet, Cecil Scott, Art Hodes, Mezz Mezzrow, Bob Wilber, Jimmy Archey, and Earl Hines ~ Goodwin was born in 1910
July 2, 1979 ~ Composer, producer Nick Lloyd Webber, full name Nicholas Lloyd Webber, born in London, UK ~ Son of musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Best known for scoring the BBC drama Love Lies & Records. Other well known compositions include a theatrical and symphonic production of The Little Prince based on the book of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and the 2017 musical Fat Friends The Musical ~ Webber passed away in 2023
July 2, 1978 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock, hard rock drummer Frank Zummo born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Street Drum Corps, with whom he recorded four albums through the early-2010s. Joined Sum 41 in 2015, taking over for original drummer Steve Jocz, and first appearing on the 2016 13 Voices album. Zummo has also guested on recordings by TheStart, Dead By Sunrise, Krewella, and Ray Volpe, and filled in for Tommy Lee in 2009 for a string of Mötley Crüe shows
July 2, 1977 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, Gonna Fly Now by Bill Conti hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Bill Conti was asked to score the first Rocky film featuring Sylvester Stallone. Its main theme, Gonna Fly Now, also known as Theme From Rocky, was initially intended as an instrumental, a sparse set of lyrics counting only 30 words were added by Carol Connors, formerly of the Teddybears, and Ayn Robbins. The rest of Conti's soundtrack, leading up to Gonna Fly Now is much more somber, reflecting Rocky's struggles throughout the movie. For the training montage scene, director John Avildsen had played Conti Ludwig van Beethoven's Eroica symphony to give him an idea of what he wanted for a heroic theme. However, Conti had other ideas: “When I think of heroic music, I hear brass, and I hear loud when it's time to go to battle.” The song would spend twenty weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including one week at the top spot, earn Conti an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, and become one of the most well known movie themes regularly used or parodied in popular culture whenever the situation calls for a heroic themeJuly 2, 1977 ~ Pop singer Erin Anttila, full name Erin Helena Maureen Anttila, born inHelsinki, Finland ~ Formed the pop outfit Nylon Beat with Jonna Kosonen, gaining attention through the TV show Kiitorata. They are known for a string of top 10 hits in their native Finland during the late 1990s and early 2000s including Viimeinen, Viha Ja Rakkaus, and Anna Mulle. Anttila has subsequently recorded as a solo artist, releasing her Hunningolla debut album in 2011
July 2, 1975 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen kicks off his Born To Run Tour at the Palace Concert Theater, Providence, Rhode Island ~ Bruce Springsteen kicks off his Born To Run Tour. The tour would encompass 76 dates through the end of the year, including two in London, one in Sweden, and one in the Netherlands. The recording of Thunder Road at the Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, on October 18th would be included on Springsteen's Live 1975-85 live box set released in 1986
July 2, 1975 ~ Punk rock guitarist, singer Erik Ohlsson, full name Erik Hans Ohlsson, born in Örebro, Sweden ~ Co-founding member of punk rock outfit Millencolin, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Tiny Tunes released in 1998. Ohlsson, who also works as a freelance graphic designer, has designed all of the band's artwork such as albums covers and band merchandize. The band is best known for the singles The Story Of My Life and Move Your Car, both taken of their Life On A Plate sophomore album and both singles reaching top 10 in the band's native Sweden
July 2, 1974 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Jimmy Ricks, full name James Thomas Ricks, passed away in Albany, New York, USA ~ Co-founded the Ravens with Warren Suttles and remained with the band through 1956. The doo-wop group would become one of the the most influential vocal quartets of the 1940s and early 1950s, known for songs such as Honey, Ole Man River, Write Me A Letter and Rock Me All Night Long ~ Ricks was born in 1924
July 2, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Tim Christensen born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Influenced by the Beatles, Nick Drake, Neil Young, Cheap Trick, XTC, and Crowded House. Lead singer, guitarist for power rock trio Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, with whom he enjoyed success especially during the 1990s. Both the band's eponymous Dizzy Mizz Lizzy debut album and its Rotator follow-up would receive multiple Danish Grammy Awardsm both would receive multiple Platinum certifications. The band initially split up by the end of the decade but has since reunited. As a solo artist Christensen is perhaps best known for the singles Superior and Wonder Of Wonders, both of which reached top 20 in his native Denmark in the late 2000s
July 2, 1973 ~ Actress, dancer, singer Betty Grable, full name Elizabeth Ruth Grable, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Child actress starting her film career at age 12. Came to prominence in the 1939 Broadway musical Du Barry Was A Lady. Made her major Hollywood film debut debut replacing Alice Faye in Down Argentine Way the following year and would go on to become become one of the biggest stars of the decade, starring in over 40 films ~ Grable was born in 1916July 2, 1970 ~ Progressive rock, neo-psychedelia, art rock bassist Colin Edwin born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Best known as member of Porcupine Tree from 1993 through 2011. Has also worked with the Ex-Wise Heads, Random Noise Generator, Lorenzo Feliciati, Obake, Jon Durant, Gaudi and Metallic Taste Of Blood
July 2, 1970 ~ Simone Johnson, commonly known as singer, rapper Monie Love born in London, UK ~ Released her debut album, Down To Earth, spawning the singles Monie In The Middle and It's A Shame (My Sister), the latter sampling the Spinners' It's A Shame, written by Stevie Wonder and featuring Ultra Naté. Love subsequently collaborated with LA Reid, Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, Whitney Houston, Marley Marl, Prince, Inner City, Ras Kass, Adeva, Native Tongues, and Queen LatifahJuly 2, 1968 ~ Singer, guitar, pianist, songwriter Andi Almqvist born ~ Known for his dark, cinematic sound and haunting lyrics. Has recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Can't Stop Laughing released in 2005. Collaborated with the likes of the Lancaster Orchestra, Svante Sjoblöm, and Richard Lindgren
July 2, 1968 ~ Heavy metal, groove metal drummer Tony Costanza born ~ Influenced by Dave Lombardo, Gene Hoglan, Terry Bozzio. Best known as original drummer of Machine Head, playing with the band in 1992 and 1993. Has also worked with Papsmear, Debris Inc, Crowbar, Area 51, and Crisis ~ Costanza passed away in 2020
July 2, 1967 ~ Producer, engineer Christoph H Muller born in Stuttgart, Germany ~ Best known as co-founder of the Gotan Project, teaming up with Eduardo Makaroff and Philippe Solai. Also collaborated with Gabriela Arnon, Ten Mother Tongues, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Catherine Ringer, and Roy Dubb
July 2, 1966 ~ Bassist, singer Dave Parsons, full name David Guy Parsons, born in Hillingdon, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member, bassist for grunge outfit Bush, with whom he recorded four albums remaining with the band through 2002. Present on most of the band's best known including the UK top 10 hit Swallowed of their Razorblade Suitcase sophomore album. Previously Parsons had worked with punk group the Partisans and alternative rock band Transvision Vamp
July 2, 1964 ~ Country, country-pop singer Jim Reeves records Make The World Go Away during his last session ~ Reeves records Make The World Go Away, Misssing You and Is It Really Over during his last studio session for RCA-Victor. Jim Reeves would die later the same month in a plane crash
July 2, 1963 ~ Jangle pop, indie pop singer, guitarist Martin Phillipps born in Wellington, New Zealand ~ Frontman, sole constant member of the Chills, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Brave Words released in 1987. Acknowledged as one of the earliest proponents of the Dunedin sound, their distinctive hybrid drawing from punk rock, pop and psychedelic-infused jangle pop, they enjoyed popularity in their native New Zealand, with a cult following elsewhere, especially during the late 1980s and 1990s. They are particularly known for the 1990 album Submarine Bells which spawned their biggest hit Heavenly Pop Hit. Other well known songs include Pink Frost, Doledrums, I Love My Leather Jacket, and Male Monster From The Id ~ Phillipps passed away in 2024July 2, 1958 ~ Singer Martha Boswell passed away in Peekskill, New York, USA ~ One third of close harmony trio the Boswell Sisters, alongside siblings Connee Boswell and Helvetia Boswell, known for 1930s hits such as I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five An Ten Cent Store, Rock & Roll, The Object Of My Affection, Dinah, and Alexander's Ragtime Band ~ Boswell was born in 1905
July 2, 1956 ~ Margaretha Hendrika Maria Groeneveld, commonly known as pop singer Marga Bult, born in Lattrop, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of girl group Babe, joining the band in 1981 as replacement for Gemma van Eck. The band would be known for a string of Dutch top 40 hits through the mid-1980s including I'm A Rocking Machine, Together In Love and Dolly The Doll. As a solo artist best known for her 1987 single Rechtop In De Wind. Bult would draw heavy criticism during the COVID pandemic for actively spreading numerous conspiracy theoriesJuly 2, 1954 ~ Patrick Martin Cusack, commmonly known as bassist, songwriter Pete Briquette born in Ballyjamesduff, Ireland ~ Constant member of the Boomtown Rats, notably present on and co-writing Banana Republic and Like Clockwork. The only Rats member to frequently work on frontman Bob Geldof's solo albums after the band disbanded
July 2, 1952 ~ Boogie rock, boogie woogie pianist Gene Taylor born in Norwalk, California, USA ~ Briefly a member of Canned Heat from 1974 through 1976. Has also worked with Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, James Harman, the Blasters, the Downchild Blues Band, the Fabulous Thunderbirds (Roll Of The Dice), the Red Devils, Kim Wilson (That's Life, Tiger Man), Charlie Musselwhite, Jackson Delta, Amos Garrett, Dwight Yoakam (Guitars Cadillacs Etc Etc), and John Hammond Jr ~ Taylor passed away in 2021July 2, 1952 ~ Percussionist Jamey Haddad, full name Jamey George Haddad, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Worked with Paul Simon, Dave Liebman, Paul Winter, Joe Lovano, Allen Farnham, Carly Simon, Betty Buckley, Rabih Abou Khalil, Simon Shaheen, Marbin, Trichy Sankaran, Osvaldo Golijov, Nguyên Lê, Badi Assad, Steve Shehan, Esperanza Spalding, Elliot Goldenthal, Nancy Wilson, the Wayfaring Strangers, Steve Gadd, Laszlo Gardony, and Joanne Brackeen