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 23, 1973 ~ Country singer Barbara Mandrell releases The Midnight Oil, lifted off her sophomore album of the same name ~ Considered one of the first “cheating songs” sung by a female, The Midnight Oil tells of a woman lying to her husband about having to work late, hence the title, a reference to “burning the midnight oil”, so he won't find out she's having an affair. In a retrospective review, AllMusic would praise the song's glossy production, courtesy of the then-immensely successful producer Billy Sherrill, further stating the song, firmly rooted in the 1970s, is “among the best recordings Barbara Mandrell ever made”. At the time of its release, The Midnight Oil reached No.7 Billboard Country
July 23, 1973 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Fran Healy, full name Francis Healy, born in Statford, UK ~ Lead singer, frontman, primary lyricist of Travis, best known for their 1999 album The Man Who and its follow-up The Invisible Band released in 2001. Well known songs include More Than Us, Driftwood, Why Does It Always Rain On Me, Coming Around, Sing, Re-offender and Closer. Has also worked with BNQT. Released his Wreckorder solo debut album in 2010, whch featured Paul McCartney on bass. Co-wrote the Killers' Here With Me of their 2012 Battle Born album
July 23, 1971 ~ Singer, fiddler Alison Krauss, full name Alison Maria Krauss, born in Decatur, Illinois, USA ~ Child prodigy. First recorded at age 14, backing her brother Viktor Kraus on the album Different Strokes. Singer and virtuoso bluegrass fiddler. Member of Union Station. Debuted as a solo artist with the 1987 album Too Late To Cy. Collaborated with Swamp Weiss, Jim Hoiles, John Pennell, the Cox Family, Shenandoah (earning Krauss her first Country top 10 hit on the collaboration Somewhere In The Vicinity Of The Heart), Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tommy Shaw, Jerry Douglas, Brad Paisley (Whiskey Lullabye), Robert Plant, Chris Vallillo, Dan Tyminski, John Waite, James Taylor, Natalie Macmaster, Silver Rail, T-Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, Sting, and Nickel Creek
July 23, 1971 ~ Singer Dalvin Degrate born in Hampton, Virginia, USA ~ Member of R&B boy band Jodeci, alongside Joel JoJo Hailey, Cedric K-Ci Hailey and his brother DeVante Swing, known for 1990s songs such as Forever My Lady, Stay, Come & Talk To Me, Cry For U, Feenin', Freek'n You, Love U 4 Life and Get On Up. Would release his Met A Mor Phic solo album in 2000
July 23, 1969 ~ Kim Lamont Owens, commonly known as R&B, soul, jazz, neo soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter Kem, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Overcame addiction and homelessness to emerge as one of the finest R&B singers from the early 2000s, continuing in the tradition of quiet storm singers such as Smokey Robinson and Anita Baker. Self-financed his 2003 Kemistry debut album, and has recorded to critical acclaim and a growing fanbase since. Well known songs include Love Calls, I Can't Stop Loving You, Find Your Way (Back In My Life), Why Would You Stay, It's You, and Stuck On You. Had Stevie Wonder guest on his Album II sophomore album, Wonder playing the harmonica on You Might Win. Also notably collaborated with Ronald Isley, serving as featured vocalist on My Favorite Thing off of Isley's 2013 This Song Is For You album. Other notable associations include Chrisette Michele, Ledisi, Patti LaBelle, and Toni BraxtonJuly 23, 1967 ~ Punk rock, pop punk drummer Joe Haggerty born ~ Known for his dense, energetic, and relentless drumming style. First gained attention as a member of Chicago punk outfit Bloodsport, known for their I Am The Game album released in 1985. Two years later, Haggerty would join a reformed version of the Effigies. When the band folded at the end of the decade, Haggerty co-founded Pegboy, with whom he record the albums Strong Reaction, Earwig, and Cha Cha Damore. Haggerty was also a member of punk rock supergroup the Nefarious Fat Cats, alongside his brother guitarist John Haggerty and Stiff Little Fingers frontman Jake Burn
July 23, 1965 ~ Saul Hudson, commonly known as guitarist Slash, born in Lafayette, Indiana, USA ~ Rose to fame as lead guitarist of rock, hard rock band Guns 'n Roses, remaining with the band through 1996 and especially acclaimed for his guitar play on Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine and Welcome To The Jungle. Fronted the side project Slash's Snakepit. Founded the rock supergroup Velvet Revolver, which also included Dave Kushner and Scott Weiland. Has released a number of solo albums, starting with the eponymous Slash in 2010. In-demand collaborator, notably appearing on Michael Jackson's Give In To Me and on Lenny Kravitz' Always On The Run. Has also worked with Band Of Gypsys, Carole King, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Alice Cooper, Derek Sherinian, and Rihanna
July 23, 1964 ~ Trumpeter, keyboardist Tim Kellett born in Knaresborough, UK ~ First gained attention as member of post-punk band Durutti Column, present on the 1984 Without Mercy album. Member of Simply Red from 1985 through 1991, present on some of the band's best known. Founded Olive with Robin Taylor Firth, known for the 1997 You're Not Alone hit single. Has also worked with Nate James, Ella Chi, Emma Bunton, Gareth Gates, Girls Aloud, Taio Cruz, and James Morrison
July 23, 1963 ~ Hip-hop, experimental rock, drum and bass drummer Yuval Gabay born in Jerusalem, Israel ~ Best known as a member of Soul Coughing. Also drummed on Firewater's 1998 debut album Get Off The Cross, and worked with UV Ray, Suzanne Vega, Krust, Roni Size, Reprazent, John Scofield, Neil Finn, Action Figure Party, Boo Trundle, Mark de Gil Antoni, and with Mono PuffJuly 23, 1960 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Prince Robinson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with the Blue Rhythm Orchestra, June Clark, Duke Ellington, Billy Fowler, Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Howard, Clara Smith, Elmer Snowden, Leon Abbey, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Lil' Armstrong, Willie Bryant, Blanche Calloway, Roy Eldridge, Teddy Wilson, Billie Holiday, Lucky Millinder, Benny Morton, Claude Hopkins, Red Allen, and Freddie Washington ~ Robinson was born in 1902
July 23, 1959 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Alan Barnes born in Altrincham, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Tommy Chase, the Jazz Renegades, Gerard Presencer, Brian Lemon, Warren Vaché Jr, Ken Peplowski, Tony Coe, Clark Tracey, Charlie Watts, Selma Jones, Björk, Van Morrison, Bryan Ferry, and Jamie Cullum
July 23, 1959 ~ Rock, jazz, folk singer, bassist, guitarist Pedro Aznar born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Influenced by Jaco Pastorius. Member of influential rock supergroup Serú Girán alongside Charly García, David Lebón, Oscar Moro. Also known for his association with Pat Metheny, appearing on among others the acclaimed 1984 First Circle album. Has recorded as a solo artist with over a dozen albums to his name starting with the eponymous Pedro Aznar album released in 1982. Has also worked with Madre Atomica, ALAS, Enrique Pinti, and Billy Bond & the JetsJuly 23, 1954 ~ Philip Burrell, commonly known as producer, label founder, label executive Philip Fatis Burrell, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Produced Sugar Minott's More Dogs To The Bone in 1984, founding his first label later the same year. Would go on to manage and produce some of the hottest reggae acts of the 1980s and 1990s, churning out records by Yellowman, Sanchez, Gregory Isaacs, Dean Fraser, Glen Ricks, Sly & Robbie, Luciano, Beres Hammond, Ninjaman, Ini Kamoze, Sizzla, and Tony Rebel ~ Burrell passed away in 2011
July 23, 1952 ~ Jazz, a cappella, pop singer Janis Siegel born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of the Manhattan Transfer, awarded a Grammy Award for her vocal arrangement on the Birdland track of their 1979 Extensions album. Siegel has also recorded as a solo artist starting in the early 1980s and guested on recordings by Jay McShann, Ilhan Mimaroglu, Richie Cole, Robert Kraft, Jeff Lorber, Jon Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin, Frank Colón, Lorraine Feather, Erich Kunzel, Spyro Gyra, Steve Hass, Nils Landgren, Cheryl Bentyne, and Renee Rosnes
July 23, 1950 ~ Guitarist, singer Blair Thornton, full name Blair Montgomery Thornton, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Best known as member of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, joining the band in 1974 as replacement for Tim Bachman and remaining through 1979. First appeared on the Not Fragile album. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best known songs including Givin' It All Away, Four Wheel Drive, Take It Like A Man, It's Over, Wild SpiritJuly 23, 1949 ~ Pop, progressive rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Flavio Venturini born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil ~ Emerged in the 1970s along with artists such as Milton Nascimento, Lô Borges, Beto Guedes. Member of O Terco. Co-founding member of 14 Bis. Active as a solo artist since the early 1980s, known best for songs such as Princesa, Besame and Ceu De Santo Marco
July 23, 1946 ~ Rock, art rock, R&B, classical saxophonist, oboist Andy Mackay born in London, UK ~ Classically trained. Best known as member of Roxy Music, joining the band in 1971 only months after its inception. Co-wrote several of the band's best known songs including A Song For Europe, While My Heart Is Still Beating, Tara, Love Is The Drug and Angel Eyes. Has also recorded as a solo artist and sessioned for acts such as Duran Duran, Mott The Hoople, Paul McCartney, Godley & Creme, Tomoyasu Hotei, Arcadia, and notably with Brian Eno including on the 1974 Here Come The Warm Jets album
July 23, 1946 ~ Rock, blues rock, folk rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Edoardo Bennato born in Naples, Italy ~ Brother of singer Eugenio Bennato. Widely regarded as one of the most important Italian rockers. Actively recording since the early 1970s with some 30 albums to his name. Broke through to mainstream with his 1977 Burattino Sensa Fill album, a concept album based on the Pinocchio fairy tale. The album would become one of the most influential albums in Italian pop and rock. First Italian singer to perform at Montreux Jazz Festival in 1976. First Italian singer to fill the San Siro Stadium, Milan, performing for a crowd of 60,000 in 1980
July 23, 1946 ~ Blues, blues-rock, rock & roll, R&B bassist, guitarist, singer Keith Ferguson born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known as member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds from 1976 through 1985, present on the band's first four albums. Subsequently a member of the Tailgators. Has also worked with Sunnyland Special, Black Kangaroo, the Nightcrawlers alongside Stevie Ray Vaughan, with Rocky Hill, Carlos Santana (Havana Moon), the LeRoi Brothers, Mike Morgan, and Jim Suhler ~ Ferguson passed away in 1997
July 23, 1944 ~ Drummer Dino Danelli born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of Joey Dee & the Starliters. Best known as original drummer for the Young Rascals, later renamed the Rascals, remaining with the band through its initial disbandement. The band is known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Groovin', A Girl Like You, How Can I Be Sure, A Beautiful Morning, and People Got To Be Free. After the band disbanded in 1972 Danelli formed Bulldog with bandmate Gene Cornish, recording two albums through 1975. Subsequently worked with Leslie West, Fotomaker, and Little Steven & the Disciples Of Soul ~ Danelli passed away in 2022
July 23, 1944 ~ Gerard Blondiot, commonly known as singer Lucky Blondo, born in Paris, France ~ Enjoyed popularity in his native France during the 1960s in the heyday of French rock. Well known songs include Sheila, Baby Face, Dix Petits Indiens, Sur Ton Visage Une Larme, and Des Roses Rouges Pour Un Ange. Blondo is one of the few French singers to have toured with the Jordanaires, a vocal group known for their association with Elvis Presley, performing on over two dozen dates with the vocal group in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1977. Bondo would subsequently record the Ce Vieux Cow Boy in Nashville before semi-retiring from music to pursue a career in advertising
July 23, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Tony Joe White born in Goodwill, Louisiana, USA ~ Critically acclaimed. Highly admired by peers. Wrote and first recorded Polk Salad Annie, a song perhaps most closely associated with Elvis Presley who would adopt it as a live favorite. Wrote and first recorded Rainy Night In Georgia, covered by over a hundred artists including Brook Benton, Ray Charles, and Randy Crawford. Wrote Undercover Agent For The Blues and Steamy Windows, both first recorded by and hits for Tina Turner in her comeback period in the mid-1980s ~ White passed away in 2018July 23, 1942 ~ Soul singer Madeline Bell born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Sessioned for Dusty Springfield, Donna Summer, Joe Cocker and notably the Rolling Stones, providing backing vocals on the latter's You Can't Always Get What You Want. As a solo artist best known for a number of late 1960s singles, notably I'm Gonna Make You Love Me, Picture Me Gone and What Am I Supposed To Do. Member of the Bradford Singers, Blue Mink, Sphinx, and of French disco outfit Space
July 23, 1940 ~ Eddie Ray White, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Johnny Darrell, born in Hopewell, Alabama, USA ~ Perhaps best known for first recording the Curly Putman-penned Green Green Grass Of Home, which did not chart but would later notably be covered by over an estimated 250 artists including Porter Wagoner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley. Darrell did reach the Billboard Country top 10 with the Mel Tillis-penned single Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town in 1967, later notably recorded by Kenny Rogers, and with the Bobby Goldsboro-penned With Pen In Hand in 1968 ~ Darrell passed away in 1997July 23, 1934 ~ Saxophonist, composer Steve Lacy born in New York, New York, USA ~ Not to be confused with producer, instrumentalist Steve Lacy. Regarded as one of the most important soprano saxophonists. Lacy began his career working with much older musicians including Red Allen, Pee Wee Russell, Pops Foster, Zutty Singleton. He has also played and recorded with Buck Clayton, Dicky Wells, Jimmy Rushing, Cecil Taylor, Gil Evans, Kenny Drew, Enrico Rava, Johnny Dyani, Louis Moholo, his wife singer and violinist Irene Aebi, Steve Potts, Bobby Few, Jean Jacques Avenel, Oliver Johnson, Eric Watson, Cecil Taylor, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Carla Bley, the Jazz Composers Orchestra, Gary Burton, and Alan Silva ~ Lacy passed away in 2004
July 23, 1934 ~ Jazz pianist Tony Lee, full name Anthony Leedham Lee, born in Whitechapel, UK ~ Worked with Tommy Whittle, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Barney Kessel, Sonny Stitt, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Terry Smith, Tubby Hayes, Dick Morrisey, Phil Seamen, Eddie Gomez, Tony Archer, Jack Parnell, Kenny Baker, Don Lusher, and Betty Smith ~ Lee passed away in 2004