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 29, 1983 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Ashley McBryde born in Waldron, Arkansas, USA ~ Self-released two albums, 2006's Ashley McBryde and 2011's Elsebound, before gaining major attention in 2017, 2018 with both the New York Times and Rolling Stone including her single A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega on their lists of best songs of 2017 and a major label debut, 2018's Girl Going Nowhere on Warner Music NashvilleJuly 29, 1981 ~ Folk violinist, composer Gjermund Larsen born in Verdal, Norway ~ Debuted in 2004 with the album Sottenpassingen and has recorded steadily since. Has also worked with Frigg, Christian Wallumrød, Odd Nordstoga, Maj Britt Andersen, Reidar Larsen, Majorstuen, Maria Arredondo, Christel Alsos, Moddi, and Arve Henriksen
July 29, 1980 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader, composer Logan Richardson born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Member of the Next Collective. Member of Equality. Fronts the Shift. Also worked with Pat Metheny, Jason Moran, Harish Raghavan, Nasheet Waits, Jay McShann, Bill McGlaughin, Christian Scott, Gerald Clayton, Tony Tixler, Billy Hart, Jesse Elder, Ambrose Akinmusire, Gregory Tardy, and Joe Chambers
July 29, 1978 ~ Guitarist Glenn Goins, full name Glenn Lamonte Goins, passed away in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Closely associated with George Clinton as a member of funk outfits Parliament and Funkadelic. Notably present on albums such as Mothership Connection and The Clones Of Dr Funkenstein. Sang lead vocals on Bop Gun (Endangered Species). After leaving Clinton in 1977 formed funk outfit Quazar which also included his brother Kevin Goins and drummer Jerome Brailey ~ Goins was born in 1954
July 29, 1978 ~ Singer, songwriter Jean-François Breau born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Studied medicine to become a cardiologist. However, after a winning a series of talent contests in the 1990s, emerged in the early 2000s as a Francophone singer, starting with his eponymous Jean-François Breau debut album. Well known for portraying the title role in the musical comedy Don Juan written by Félix Gray, opposite his girlfriend Marie-Ève Janvier. Breau and Janvier would also record several albums as a duo, and are noted for their 2011 hit rendition of J'Ai Un Problème, originally recorded by Johnny Hallyday and Sylvia Vartan in 1973. Breau also co-wrote On S'Est Aimé À Cause, recorded by Céline Dion for her 2007 D'Elles album, and co-wrote Te Revoir for Greek singer George Perris's 2012 Un Souhait albumJuly 29, 1978 ~ Singer, songwriter Nicole Scherzinger born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ First gained attention as member of Eden's Crush. Rose to prominence as lead singer of girl group the Pussycat Dolls, known for the albums PCD and Doll Domination. Debuted as a solo singer with the Killer Love album released in 2011
July 29, 1977 ~ Brian Burton, commonly known as rapper Danger Mouse, born in White Plains, New York, USA ~ First drew crtitical attention in 2004 with The Grey Album, which combined vocals from Jay-Z's The Black Album with instrumentals from the Beatles' The Beatles (The White Album). Formed Gnarls Barkley with Cee Lo Green, known for the hit Crazy. Also worked with Danger Doom, DM & Jemini, and with Broken Bells. Produced Gorillaz' sophomore album Demon Days. As a producer and songwriter Burton has also worked on albums by Beck (Modern Guilt), the Black Keys, the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Guilt), Norah Jones, Electric Guest, Portugal The Man, Adele (25), and A$AP Rocky
July 29, 1977 ~ Rodney Roy Jerkins, commonly known as producer Darkchild, born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA ~ Highly successful prolific producer, rapper, songwriter who collaborated with artists such as Sam Smith (Stay With Me), Janet Jackson, Brandy (The Boy Is Mine, What About Us), Jennifer Lopez, Mary J Blige (I Can Love You, Enough Crying), Tatyana Ali (Daydreaming), Monica (Angel Of Mine), Britney Spears, Ludacris, Whitney Houston (It's Not Right But It's Okay), Destiny's Child (Say My Name), Toni Braxton (He Wasn't Man Enough), Michael Jackson (You Rock My World), Ciara, Beyoncé (Déjà Vu), Lady Gaga (Telephone), and Justin Bieber (As Long As You Love Me)
July 29, 1974 ~ Ellen Naomi Cohen, commonly known as singer Cass Elliott, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as member of 1960s vocal group the Mamas & the Papas. Has gone on to release solo albums and singles, notably Dream A Little Dream Of Me. Prior to the Mamas & the Papas Cohen was a member of the Big 3 alongside Tim Rose and then-husband James Hendricks ~ Cohen was born in 1941July 29, 1974 ~ Actor, author, singer, songwriter Josh Radnor, full name Joshua Thomas Radnor, born in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for portraying the role of Ted Mosby in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. As a musician known as half of the duo Radnor & Lee, the other half being the Australian singer Ben Lee. The duo released their debut album, Radnor & Lee, in 2017
July 29, 1973 ~ R&B, new jack swing singer Wanya Morris, full name Wanya Jermaine Morris, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Constant member of Boyz II Men, one of the prime 1990s R&B outfits known for their vocal harmonies and a capella singing. The band has recorded well over a dozen albums, and scored over half a dozen top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 through the late 1990s, including the No.1 hits End Of The Road, I'll Make Love To You, and On Bended Knee. The band also notably collaborated with Mariah Carey's on her No.1 hit One Sweet Day, which though tapped as a favorite for the Grammy Award for Record of the Year lost out to Seal's Kiss From A Rose, much to the surprise of critics
July 29, 1972 ~ Jazz drummer Roger Johansen born in Bodø, Norway ~ Active on the local music scene from an early age, including in the school corps and the grunge rock unit Fresh Fruit. Johansen's interest in jazz was awakened in his mid-teens after meeting Jan Gunnar Hoff, Terje Venaas and Finn Sletten. A few years later, Johansen would join the local jazz outfit the Bodø Jazz Quintet and subsequently join his younger brother trumpeter Tore Johansen's band. Johansen would go on to work with a wide array of Scandinavian as well as international jazz artists, including Knut Kristiansen, Frode Alnæs, Ole Paus, Kenny Wheeler, Hal Galper, George Garzone, and Herb Geller. The Johansen brothers would found their own Inner Ear record label in 2007, on which they released several of their own recordings as well as albums by Vigleik Storaas, Elin Rosseland, and Eva Trones
July 29, 1972 ~ Alternative rock bassist Simon Jones, full name Simon Robin David Jones, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Bassist for the Verve, best known for Bitter Sweet Symphony taken of their 1997 Urban Hymns album. The single would reach top 10 in the UK, top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following the band's initial disbandement in 1999 Jones formed the short-lived the Shining with bandmate guitarist, keyboardist Simon Tong. Jones has also guested on Howie Day's Stop All The World sophomore album, backed Cathy Davey, and performed live with Damon Albarn's Gorillaz
July 29, 1971 ~ DJ, producer Jonathan Toubin born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Active on the New York scene since the early-2010s, particularly known for his New York Night Train events, Toubin has been hailed as “the most-liked man in the soul music scene” by Rolling Stone, and as “New York's best DJ” by VICE. Toubin's distinctive sound is characterised by his use of obscure vinyl 45s, producing a richer sound than fellow DJs, or as he told The Wall Street Journal: “I used to DJ records, CDs, mp3s and it never sounded good. And then I found a box of great 45s on the street, so I started playing more of them. And I loved the way the 45s sounded. They were so much louder, like a punch in the face”
July 29, 1966 ~ Singer Martina McBride born in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, USA ~ Debuted in 1991 with the neo-traditionalist single Time Has Come. Developed into country-pop crosover over the years. Dubbed “the Céline Dion of Country” for her soprano range. Known for songs such as Safe In The Arms Of Love, Concrete Angel, God's Wull, and I'm Gonna Love You Through It. Duetted with Clint Black on Still Holding On. Teamed up with Linda Davis, Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood on On My Own
July 29, 1965 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records Positively 4th Street ~ Penned by Bob Dylan. Produced by Bob Johnston. Released as a non-album single, b/w From A Buick 6, following the hit Like A Rolling Stone
July 29, 1963 ~ Girl group the Ronettes record Be My Baby at Gold Star, Hollywood, California ~ Widely regarded as one of the greatest songs of the 1960s. It was the first time producer Phil Spector recorded with a full orchestra, the song regarded as the quintessential example of his “Wall of Sound” recording technique. The song would influence numerous artists, perhaps most notably Brian Wilson who wrote Don't Worry Baby, a hit for the Beach Boys in 1964, as a response to Be My Baby. The future Ronnie Spector, then known as Veronica Bennett, was the only one of the Ronettes present on the songJuly 29, 1962 ~ Hideaki Ishi, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ Krush, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Considered a pioneer of Japanese hip-hop. Known for his atmospheric instrumental production incorporating sound element from nature and extensive use of jazz and soul samples. Has done notable remixes of songs by kd Lang (Sexuality), DJ Vadim, Roy Hargrove, Sugizo, Dragon Ash, Herbie Hancock (The Essence), Tetsuya Komuro, and Akira Sakata
July 29, 1960 ~ R&B outfit the Coasters record Shoppin' For Clothes at Atlantic Studios, New York, USA ~ Written and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Partly based on Kent Harris' Clothes Lines (Wrap It Up) recorded previously under the moniker Boogaloo & his Galliant Crew, Harris later receiving co-writing credit. Released later the same year, b/w The Snake And The Book Wurm, it would become only a modest hit stalling in the 80s on the Billboard Hot 100
July 29, 1959 ~ R&B outfit the Isley Brothers record their self-penned Shout single at RCA-Victor, New York, New York ~ Produced by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. The first charting single for the siblings, peaking in the low 40s on the Billboard Hot 100, and later the group's first gold single on the basis of its longevity. Reportedly Ronald Isley later said that church groups wrote to radio stations asking them to stop playing the secular record, because of its use of a traditional black gospel sound. Singer Lulu, pop group the Shangri-Las, Tommy James & the Shondells, and perhaps most notably the Beatles all covered the song, the latter for a 1964 TV special called Around The Beatles. The success of the original single prompted RCA-Victor to rush the Isley Brothers into a recording studio to record their debut album, Shout, which was released later the same year
July 29, 1959 ~ Heavy metal, glam metal guitarist, bassist, singer John Sykes, full name John James Sykes, born in Reading, UK ~ Influenced by Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, and Gary Moore. Member of Tygers Of Pan Tang. Member of Thin Lizzy, present on their 1983 Thunder And Lightning album. Member of Whitesnake, present on the band's 1987 eponymous Whitesnake. Formed and fronted Blue Murder and has recorded as a solo artist since the late 1980s ~ Sykes passed away in 2025
July 29, 1954 ~ Christian rock keyboardist, trombonist, songwriter Mark Gershmehl born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA ~ Alongside Billy Smiley, the only other constant member of White Heart, widely regarded as one of the premier Christian rock bands. Though the band was nominated for a Dove Award, they never won one. Smiley and Gershmel were also bandmates in the Gaither Vocal Band. Gersmehl has also written for artists such as Kathy Troccoli, Sandi Patty, and Geoff Moore. Gershmel is married to Rachel Rachel-keyboardist Brynn Beltran since 1993
July 29, 1953 ~ Gary Lee Weinrib, commonly known as bassist, keyboardist, singer Geddy Lee born in Willowdale, Canada ~ Serves as lead vocalist, bassist, keyboardist of Rush since 1968. Influenced by Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, Jeff Beck, Procol Harum, Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, and James Jamerson. In turn influenced Cliff Burton, Steve Harris, John Myung, Les Claypool, and Tim Commerford
July 29, 1948 ~ Christian singer, guitarist, songwriter Bryn Haworth borrn in Darwen, UK ~ Some two dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Let The Days Go By released in 1974. Member of Les Fleur De Lys, the house band for the UK division of Atlantic Records backing artists such as Isaac Hayes, Barney Kessel, Sharon Tandy. As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Lulu, Sandy Denny, Mary Black. Has also worked with Jackie Lomax, Chris De Burgh, Joan Armatrading, Iain Matthews, Gerry Rafferty and with Cliff RichardJuly 29, 1948 ~ Salvator Maida, commonly known as bassist Sal Maida, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Played with New York-based bands the Ouija and the Five Toes prior to receiving a BA in economics. Briefly relocated to the UK in the early 1970s, where he befriended drummer Paul Thompson and toured and recorded with Roxy Music, including on the album Viva. After returning to the USA, Maida joined short-lived yet influential power pop outfit Milk 'n Cookies known for their sole eponymous Milk 'n Cookies released in 1977. Over the course of his career, Maida has also appeared on albums by Robert Calvert, Sparks (Big Beat), Cherie Currie, Gary Private, Velveteen, Golden Carillo, Van Duren, Bob Hillman, Cracker (Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey), Edward Rogers, and the Miamis ~ Maida passed away in 2025