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 26, 1970 ~ Singer, violinist, guitarist, bassist, pianist, songwriter Joan Wasser born in Biddeford, Maine, USA ~ Worked with the Dambuilder, Black Beetle, Antony & the Johnsons, and Those Bastard Souls prior to venturing out on her own. Has released over half a dozen albums as a solo artist merging classic soul with experimental influences, usually going by the moniker Joan as Police Woman, starting with Real Life released in 2006. In-demand sidewoman, present on albums by Guillemots, Paul Englishby, Placebo (MTV Unplugged), Gorillaz, and Eliades OchoaJuly 26, 1970 ~ Fernando Corona, commonly known as electronica, ambient, conntemporary classical composer, pianist, cellist, keyboardist Murcof, born in Tijuana, Mexico ~ Draws from classical, ambient, minimalism, drone, and experimental. Has recorded over half a dozen albums since the early 2000s, especially acclaimed for his 2004 Utopia album. Has collaborated with Erik Truffaz, Vanessa Wagner, Jean-Michel Jarre, and the Nortec Collective
July 26, 1969 ~ Songwriter Frank Loesser passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Has written or co-written over an estimated 700 songs, many of which have become standards. Won a Tony Award for his 1950 Guys And Dolls musical. Shared a Pullitzer Prize for Drama for his 1961 How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying musical. Perhaps best remembered for penning Baby It's Cold Outside, recorded by over 400 artists including Dinah Shore & Buddy Clark, Louis Armstrong, Jo Stafford, and Ray Charles & Betty Carter. Other well known songs written or co-written by Loesser include What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (Margaret Whiting, Nancy Wilson, Patti LaBelle), On A Slow Boat To China (Benny Goodman, the Platters, Gene Pitney, Jimmy Buffett), I Hear Music (Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald), The Lady's In Love With You (Gene Krupa, Sammy Davis Jr, Doris Day), and Luck Be A Lady (Robert Alda, Frank Sinatra) ~ Loesser was born in 1910
July 26, 1969 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, Crystal Blue Persuasion by Tommy James & the Shondells peaks at No.2 Billboard Hot 100 ~ A reference to the Book of Revelation, many listeners missed how Crystal Blue Persuasion was the band's admission of becoming Christian. Lead singer Tommy James would later explain: “Of course, everybody thinks if they don't understand what you're talking about it must be about drugs. But it wasn't. We were going through a real interesting time back then, and a very wonderful time. Everybody in the band, by the way, became Christian. And we're very proud of it. And Crystal Blue Persuasion was sort of our way of saying that in a kind of pop record way.“The single would be the band's sixth and final Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, held off the top spot by In The Year 2525 by one-hit wonder Zager & EvansJuly 26, 1966 ~ Vocal duo Simon & Garfunkel record Scarborough Fair (Canticle) ~ Incorporating the traditional song Scarbrough Fair with Canticle written by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Produced by Bob Johnston. Released as a single in February 1968 after the song was included on The Graduate soundtrack, paired with April Come She Will on the B-side. Previously included on the duo's 1966 Parsley Sage Rosemary And Thyme album
July 26, 1965 ~ Singer, songwriter Fay Victor born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Originally a jazz singer, Victor has also worked in blues, opera, free improvisation, avant-garde, and modern classical music. Coined the term “freesong” to describe her vocal approach. Regarded as one of the finest vocal interpreters of the music of Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, and Herbie Nichols. About a dozen albums as a solo artist, noted specifically for her 1998 In My Own Room sophomore album. Over the course of her career, Victor has collaborated with the likes of Gregor Hilden, Robert Veen, David Anthony, Ab Baars, Misha Mengelberg, Reggie Workman, Anthony Braxton, Other Dimensions In Music, Todd Perry, Roswell Rudd, Marc Ribot, and Nicole Mitchell
July 26, 1963 ~ Rock, hard rock, glam metal, jazz fusion guitarist Andy Timmons born in Evansville, Indiana, USA ~ Trained in classical and jazz guitar. First gained attention as a member of glam metal outfit Danger Danger, with whom he recorded and toured for close to four years including opening for the likes of Kiss. Timmons would go on to become an in-demand session musician, a guitar virtuoso proficient in a wide range of styles, and an acclaimed solo artist with well over half a dozen albums to his name starting with Ear X-Tacy released in 1994. Timmons has appeared on albums by Vanilla Ice, Paula Abdul, Bugs Henderson, Kip Winger, Maylee Thomas, Cindy Thomas, Seventh Day Slumber, Olivia Newton-John, Sara Hickman, Alfonso Marra Bax, Tony Hernando, Joe Lynn Turner, Brian Houser, Pink (I'm Not Dead), Manny Trevin, and Kirk Covington
July 26, 1963 ~ R&B group the Miracles release Mickey's Monkey, lifted off their The Miracles Doin' Mickey's Monkey album ~ Lead singer Smokey Robinson has been quoted as saying Mickey's Monkey was “one of our biggest records ever in life”. While most of the band's songs were written by the band members themselves, Mickey's Monkey was written by Motown staff songwriters Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland Jr, with the former two also serving as producers. It became the group's third million-seller, preceded by Shop Around and You've Really Got A Hold On Me, and reached No.8 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and No.3 on the Billboard R&B charts. Over the years, the song would be covered dozens of times including by Martha & the Vandellas, the Hollies, Lou Christie, and Mother's FinestJuly 26, 1961 ~ Andrew John Connell, commonly known as keyboardist, songwriter Andy Connell, born in Manchester, UK ~ Best known as member and main songwriter of Swing Out Sister, known for their 1986 hit Breakout. Also worked with the Immediates, A Certain Ratio and with Kalima
July 26, 1961 ~ Keiko Doi, commonly known as smooth jazz, new age keyboardist, composer Keiko Matsui, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Member of Cosmos. Some two dozen albums to her name as a solo artist starting with A Drop Of Water released in 1987. Has also worked with Kazu Matsui, Mariko Tone, Akira Asakura, Bob James, and Jason MilesJuly 26, 1959 ~ Steven Murphy, commonly known as singer, bassist, actor, poet Steve Evets, born in Salford, UK ~ Member of the Fall, initially reciting his poetry at some of the band's gigs becoming a full-fledged member in 2000 taking over bass duties from Jim Watts. After his departure in 2002 formed his own Dr Freak's Padded Cell. As an actor noted for his roles in the 2008 film Summer and Looking For Eric the next year
July 26, 1956 ~ Country producer Scott Hendricks born in Clinton, Oklahoma, USA ~ Has produced artists such as Restless Heart, John Michael Montgomery, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, Jana Kramer, Dan & Shay, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan, and Tegan Marie
July 26, 1956 ~ Jazz rock guitarist Wayne Krantz born in Corvallis, Oregon, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name since the early 1990s, especially acclaimed for 2 Drink Minimum recorded live at 55 Bar featuring backing from bassist Lincoln Goines and drummer Zach Danziger. Frequent collaborator of Leni Stern. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Victor Bailey, Michael Formanek (Wide Open Spaces), Harvie Swartz, Jasper van 't Hof, Steps Ahead, Nguyên Lê, Victor Bailey, David Binney, Donald Fagen (Morph The Cat), and Chris PotterJuly 26, 1955 ~ Contemporary Christian singer Michele Pillar, full name Michele Diane Pillar, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist since the early 1980s. Best known for the moderate hit single What A Wonder, a collaborative effort with Phil Keaggy. Has also worked with Larry Carlton, the Maranatha Singers, and 4play
July 26, 1955 ~ Punk, rock, alternative rock singer, songwriter Ron Peno, full name Ronald Stephen Valentino Peno, born in Gosford, Australia ~ Member of a number of short-lived punk groups through the early 1980s including the Hellcats, the 31st, and the Screaming Tribesmen. Best known as lead singer, constant member of Died Pretty, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Free Dirt released in 1986. The band is perhaps best known for the single Harness Up which reached top 40 in their native Australia in 1993 ~ Peno passed away in 2023
July 26, 1952 ~ Robert John Starkie, commonly known as guitarist, singer Bob Bongo Starkie, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Member of the classic line-up of Skyhooks, joining the band as a replacement for his older brother Peter Starkie less than six months after the band was formed. Starkie has recorded about half a dozen albums with the band including their Living In The 70's debut album, which spent over three months atop the Australian album charts, and their 1975 masterpiece Ego Is Not A Dirty Word. Wildly popular in their native Australia, Skyhooks have scored over half a dozen top 20 hits, including the No.1 hits Horror Movie and Jukebox In Siberia, and are considered one of the most successful and influential Australian rock acts from the 1970s. The band initially disbanded by the early 1980s, and have reconvened from time to time for reunion tours. Skyhooks were inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1992. Upon hearing of his passing, the band issued a statement which among others read: “(Bob was) the youngest in the band and embraced the theatrics from striking facial makeup to unique stage costumes. The music always came first and touring and playing onstage was his absolute joy” ~ Starkie passed away in 2025
July 26, 1949 ~ Soukous guitarist Bopol Mansiamina born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo ~ Actively recording since the late 1960s. Best known internationally for his work in the 1980s and early 1990s, both as a solo artist and as member of supergroup Les Quatre Etoiles. Has also worked with the Orchestre Bamboula, the Orchestre Rock-a-mambo, Nico Kasanda's African Fiesta Sukisa, the Orchestre Continental, Afrisa, TPOK Jazz, Ya Toupas, and the African All-Stars ~ Mansiamina passed away in 2021July 26, 1949 ~ Jazz saxophonist Larry Schneider born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Billy Cobham, Horace Silver, Jim McNeely, Mike Richmond, Bill Evans, Hein van de Geyn, John Abercrombie, François Jeanneau, the Orchestra National de Jazz, Marc Ducret, Francois Mechali, Alain Soler, André Jaume, Eric Barrett, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Jody Watley, and Chris Potter
July 26, 1949 ~ Drummer, guitarist Roger Taylor, full name Roger Meddows Taylor, born in Kingslynn, UK ~ Best known as core member of Queen. Co-wrote songs such as These Are The Days Of Our Lives, Innuendo, Under Pressure, Radio Ga Ga, The Invisible Man, One Vision. Has also worked with Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, Phil Collins, Kansas, Elton John, Gary Numan, Shakin' Stevens, the Foo Fighters, Steve Vai, Cyndi Almouzni, Bon Jovi. Has served as producer for Virginia Wolf, Jimmy Nail, Magnum. Also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1977's Fun In Space
July 26, 1948 ~ Blues rock, jazz rock, rock guitarist Luboš Andršt born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Influential guitarist best known as key figure in the 1990s, 2000s Czech blues, electric blues and blues-rock scenes. Has also played jazz, acoustic jazz, jazz fusion dating back to the 1960s as a member of acts such as Framus Five, Jazz Q and Energit. Also collaborated with Emil Viklický, Marta Kubisová, Collegium Musicum (Divergencie), Jan Hruby, and Michal Prokop ~ Andrst passed away in 2021
July 26, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Al Anderson, full name Alan Gordon Anderson, born in Windsor, Connecticut, USA ~ Fronted Wildweeds, known for No Good To Cry. Lead guitarist of NRBQ. In-demand songwriter who wrote for artists such as Carlene Carter, Alabama, Vince Gill, Diamond Rio, Tim McGraw (The Cowboy In Me), Linda Davis, Jimmy Buffett (License To hill), Joe Diffie, Ty England, the Farm, Hot Apple Pie, Hal Ketchum, Patty Loveless, the Mavericks, Delbert McClinton, the Oak Ridge Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Bonnie Raitt, LeAnn Rimes, and Lari WhiteJuly 26, 1944 ~ Ann-Christine Nyström, commonly known as singer Ann-Christine, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Internationally best known for representing Finland in the 1966 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 10th place with Playboy written and conducted by Ossi Runne ~ Nyström passed away in 2022
July 26, 1944 ~ Betty Mabry, commonly known as funk, R&B, soul, rock singer, songwriter Betty Davis, born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Recognised as one of the most influential voices in funk. Raised on BB King, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James. Befriended Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone. Married to Miles Davis from 1967 to 1969. Briefly dated Eric Clapton but refused to collaborate with him because his work was too banal ~ Mabry passed away in 2022July 26, 1943 ~ Andrea Marie Truder, commoly known as singer Andrea True, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for her 1976 disco hit More More More (Part 1). Other notable songs include NY (You Got Me Dancing) and What's Your Name (What's Your Number). Truder worked an adult film actress before turning to singing ~ Truder passed away in 2011
July 26, 1943 ~ Singer Mick Jagger born in Dartford, UK ~ Quintessential rock & roll frontman, co-founded the Rolling Stones with classmate Keith Richards. Ventured into acting, starting with 1970's Performance and Ned Kelly. Member of Superheavy