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 3, 2025 ~ Guitarist Dany Lademacher, full name Daniel Germain Jean Lademacher, passed away in Zaandam, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention as a member of late 1960s cult rock outfit Kleptomania, a Belgian band best known for the singles Kept Woman and I've Got A Woman By My Side. To Dutch rock audiences, Lademacher would become best known for his association with Herman Brood, serving in the latter's backing unit the Wild Romance. Lademacher was present on Brood's most acclaimed albums, such as Shpritz, Cha Cha, and Yada Yada, and co-wrote several of their best known songs including Saturday Night, regarded one of the all-time quintessential Dutch rock songs especially for Lademacher's guitar riff, as well as Never Be Clever, and I Don't Need You. Following his first split from Brood, Lademacher was offered a spot in the Dire Straits but declined as he would be demoted to rhythm guitarist. While away from Brood, Lademacher produced Machiavel's New Lines album which spawned the hit Fly, founded and fronted Innersleeve, and briefly played with Vitesse before returning to Brood in 1986. Following his second split from Herman Brood at the turn of the 1990s, Lademacher joined the Radios, a Belgian pop band centered around singer Bart Peeters, with whom he scored hits such as Gimme Love, She Goes Nana, and Non Non Rien N'a Changé. In later years, Lademacher has founded the Paris Dandies, and worked with Xander de Buisonjé, JVB, Busted, Mark Ritsema, and Jules Mescaline. Lademacher documented his first stint with Herman Brood in Wild Romance (Een Fijne Hel), published in 2006 ~ Lademacher was born in 1950
July 3, 2024 ~ Folk rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Mark Germino passed away ~ Initially a poet, yet as publishers kept telling him his poets read like songs Germino deciced it would be easier to become a singer than to recite poetry. After relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, in the mid 1970s Germino became a popular nightclub performer while still holding down a day job as a truck driver. Signed as a songwriter, his songs would be recorded by the likes of Paul Craft (Lean On Jesus (Before He Leans On You)), Loretta Lynn, Kathy Mattea, and Johnny Cash (God Ain't No Stained Glass Window). As a recording artist, Germino has recorded half a dozen albums since the mid-1980s, though despite critical acclaim and peer admiration he never achieved much commercial success. Germino is best known for songs such as Caught In The Act Of Being Ourselves and Rex Bob Lowenstein. Artists who have recorded his songs include Bobby Bare, Claire Lynch, Vern Gosdin, the Seldom Scene, Confederate Railroad (Bill's Laundromat Bar & Grill), Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, and Emmylou Harris (Broken Man's Lament) ~ Germino was born in 1950
July 3, 2023 ~ Pop, ragtime, classical, film pianist, conductor, arranger, composer Lincoln Mayorga passed away ~ Though best known for his work in classical music, Mayorga has played in a wide variety of genres including pop. Mayorga contributed piano to Big Man, a 1958 Billboard Hot 100 top 5 hit for the Four Preps. Subsequently, teaming up with the group's bassist Ed Cobb, Mayorga formed the Piltdown Men, known for the minor American hit Brontosaurus Stomp, and for the UK top 20 singles McDonald's Cave, Piltdown Rides Again, and Goodnight Mrs Flintstone. Mayorga has also served as staff pianist at Walt Disney Studios, and contributed to the soundtracks of films and TV shows. In the classical world, he is known for guesting with the Moscow Philharmonic, and for collaborating with the likes of Itzhak Perlman, Josef Suk, and Richard Stoltzman. In one capacity or another, Mayorga has also worked on albums by Dick Dale, Sam Cooke (Ain't That Good News), Glenn Yarbrough, Phil Ochs, Frank Zappa (Lumpy Gravy), Barbra Streisand, and Ringo Starr (Goodnight Vienna) ~ Mayorga was born in 1937
July 3, 2023 ~ Michael Ralph Foster, commonly known as rock, pop, jazz fusion, funk bassist, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist, percussionist, producer Mo Foster, passed away in London, UK ~ As a solo artist acclaimed for his 1991 Southern Reunion album. Authored Seventeen Watts, a semi-autobiographical and anecdotal book published in 1997 about the birth and rise of rock guitar in the UK. Member of Affinity. Member of RMS. In-demand session musician with a career spanning five decades, appearing on over an estimated 300 albums. Notable credits include Olivia Newton-John, Roger Glover (The Butterfly Ball And The Grasshopper's Feast), Fancy, Cerrone (Love In C Minor), Eddie Hardin, Albert Hammond, Gerry Rafferty (Night Owl), Kevin Ayers, Peter Green, Cliff Richard, Gary Moore, Eros Ramazzotti (Musica E), Jeff Beck (Beckology), Luka Bloom, Michael Schenker, and Michael d'Abo ~ Foster was born in 1944
July 3, 2023 ~ Myra Barnes, commonly known as R&B, soul, funk singer Vicki Anderson, passed away in Rex, Georgia, USA ~ Closely associated with James Brown, serving as Brown's main female singer from 1965 replacing Anna King through 1968 succeeded by Marva Whitney. Anderson would rejoin Brown's band in 1972 and remain for another three years. As a solo artist best known for her 1970 The Message From The Soul Sisters feminist anthem. Anderson was the widow of Brown-sideman Bobby Byrd, and mother of singer Carleen Anderson from her previous marriage ~ Barnes was born in 1939
July 3, 2022 ~ Pianist, author Joseph Banowetz, full name Joseph Murray Banowetz, passed away ~ Concert pianist. Some two dozen albums to his name, perhaps best known for his recordings of orchestra and piano series composed by Anton Rubinstein. As a recitalist and concert pianist, he has worked with renowned orchestras such as the St Petersburg Symphony, the Moscow State Symphony, the New Zealand Symphony, and the Beijing Central Philharmonic, Banowetz is also known as an author, noted for The Pianist's Guide To Pedaling, and educator, teaching at the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, until his death at age 87 ~ Banowetz was born in 1934July 3, 2018 ~ Singer, drummer, keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, producer, songwriter Richard Swift passed away in Tacoma, Washington, USA ~ In-demand collaborator, producer for artists such as the Shins, Damien Jurado, David Bazan, Foxygen, Jessie Baylin, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucius, Lonnie Holley, the Mynabirds, Wake Owl, Laetitia Sadier, Gardens & Villa, Cayucas, Guster, the Arcs, and the Black Keys ~ Swift was born in 1977
July 3, 2013 ~ Trumpeter, composer Bernard Vitet passed away ~ Considered a pioneer of free jazz in his native France. Closely associated with François Tusques, Michel Portal, Jean-Jacques Birge, and Francis Gorge. To more mainstream pop audiences, Vitet is known as a superb accompanist for the likes of Serge Gainsbourg, Barbara, Yves Montand, and Colette Magny. Vitet has also collaborated with a host of international jazz artists including Lester Young, Archie Shepp, Anthony Braxton, Don Cherry, the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Gato Barbieri, Martial Solal, and early on in his career with Django Reinhardt, Eric Dolphy, and Albert Ayler. Has recorded prolifically, most notably well over a dozen albums with Un Drame Musical Instantané, and has invented several instruments such as the reed trumpet, a multiphonic French horn, a variable tension double-bass, and the dragoon. Besides trumpet, Vitet also sang and played flugelhorn, piano, and violin ~ Vitet was born in 1934
July 3, 2012 ~ Actor, comedian, gospel singer, writer, TV personality Andy Griffith, full name Andy Samuel Griffith, passed away in Manteo, California, USA ~ Rose to fame as an actor, notably featured in the mid- to late 1950s films A Face In The Crowd and No Time For Sergeants, and the TV sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. Griffiths sang in some of his acting roles and has recorded a number of standalone albums including country, gospel, and hymns ~ Griffith was born in 1926July 3, 2008 ~ Actor, comedian, singer Harald Heide-Steen Jr passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of actor Harald Heide-Steen. Best known as an actor, noted for his role as Dynamitt Harry in the Olsenbanden film series. As a singer known for a handful of albums, starting with Harald Synger Griseviser released in 1970, and for frequently collaborating with Rolv Wesenlund ~ Heide-Steen was born in 1939
July 3, 2007 ~ Homer Louis Randolph III, commonly known as saxophonist Boots Randolph, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Session musician. Member of the Mighty Handful. As a solo artist best known for his 1963 hit single Yakety Sax, which would become Benny Hill's signature tune. Has backed Elvis Presley on recording sessions and soundtracks, perhaps most notably on Return To Sender. Also present on Roy Orbison's Mean Woman Blues, Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Jerry Lee Lewis' Turn On Your Lovelight, Al Hirt's Java, several of Chet Atkins recordings, and numerous other recordings from a wide array of pop, jazz and country artists ~ Randolph was born in 1927July 3, 2005 ~ Hedwig Grace West, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Hedy West, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Actively performing since her teens. Best known for 500 Miles, patched together from older fragments and credited to West. The song would later be covered by a host of artists, perhaps most notably Bobby Bare ~ West was born in 1938
July 3, 2005 ~ Hard-bop double bassist, arranger Pierre Michelot passed away in Paris, France ~ Studied piano. Switched to bass at ge 16. Worked with Rex Stewart, Kenny Clarke, Coleman Hawkins, Sidney Bechet, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli, Don Byas, Thelonious Monk, Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Bud Powell, Zoot Sims, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, Miles Davis (Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud), and Jacques Loussier ~ Michelot was born in 1928July 3, 2004 ~ Blues harpist, singer John Witmer, full name John Douglas Witmer, passed away in Vancouver, Canada ~ Co-founded Whiskey Howl. Lead singer for the Downchild Blues Band from 1982 through 1986, present on the But I'm On The Guest List album. Member of the Fabricators ~ Witmer was born ca.1951
July 3, 2001 ~ John Bright Russell, commonly known as singer, songwriter, comedian Johnny Russell, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for co-writing Act Naturally, made famous by Buck Owens, later one of the few covers ever done by the Beatles. Other artists who have recorded Russell's songs include Burl Ives, Jim Reeves, Jerry Garcia, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and George Strait. As a singer Russell is mostly known for songs such as Rednecks White Socks & Blue Ribbon, The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor, Catfish John, and Hello I Love You ~ Russell was born in 1940
July 3, 1999 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, jazz rock, experimental rock singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Mark Sandman passed away in Palestrina, Italy ~ Member of 1980s blues-rock outfit Treat Her Right, and its successor alternative rock outfit Morphine. Especially through his role as lead singer, bassist with the latter, Sandman became an icon of the indie rock movement, beloved by critics and peers. Due to his distinctive style on the bass, described by some as “slow and murky”, he would be cited as a major influence by artists such as Les Claypool of Primus, Mike Watt of the Minutemen, and Josh Homme of the Queens Of The Stone Age. Morphine infused alternative rock with elements from blues and jazz, and is especially known for the albums Cure For Pain released in 1993 and its follow-up Yes two years later. Sandman passed away at age 46, after suffering a heart attack on stage ~ Sandman was born in 1952July 3, 1989 ~ Tanner Elle Schneider, commonly known as singer, actress, songwriter Elle King, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Has opened for Dashboard Confessional, the Dropkick Murphys, Dry The River, James Bay and Ed Sheeran. Debuted in 2012 with the EP The Elle King EP, its lead track Playing For Keeps later chosen as the theme song to VH1's TV show Mob Wives Chicago. Released her full-length debut album, Love Stuff, in 2015
July 3, 1988 ~ Metalcore, post-hardcore singer, keyboardist, songwriter Matty Mullins born in Spokane, Washington, USA ~ Influenced by acts such as Every Time I Die, Bring Me The Horizon, Asking Alexandria. Best known as lead singer and main songwriter of the Memphis May Fire. Has also worked with Hands Like Houses, Sleeping With Sirens, For Today, and with Nowhere To Be Found
July 3, 1988 ~ Radio DJ Steve Walsh passed away in Ibiza, Spain ~ Key figure in London's soul scene. As a radio DJ known for his shows on pirate stations such as Radio Invicta and JFM, as well as on prominent regional stations such as BBC Radio Kent and BBC London. Perhaps best known for his live work in nightclubs, and notably known for his 1987 remix version of the Fatback Band's I Found Lovin' which would reach top 10 on the UK singles charts ~ Walsh was born in 1958
July 3, 1986 ~ Dillon Russell, commonly known as jazz double bassist Curley Russell, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Though largely forgotten today, Russell was an important figure in the early years of bebop, appearing on several key recordings. Nicknamed “Curley” for his curly hair. Hardly a soloist, but a fine accompanist able to keep up with the rapid tempoes. Russell has worked with Don Redman, Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Tadd Dameron, George Wallington, Al Cohn (Cohn's Tones), Bud Powell, Stan Getz, Buddy DeFranco, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk (We See), Dexter Gordon, Horace Silver, Coleman Hawkins, Miles Davis, Johnny Griffin (A Blowin' Session), and Sonny Stitt. Parker's composition Donna Lee is named for Russell's daughter. In the latter half of the 1950s, Russell drifted away from jazz into R&B, retiring from music altogether by the end of the decade ~ Russell was born in 1917
July 3, 1986 ~ Hubert Prior Vallée, commonly known as singer, actor, saxophonist Rudy Vallée, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Started in the mid 1920s playing with the Savoy Havana Band. Became one of the first crooners. Became one of the first teen idol pop stars. Founded the Connecticut Yankees. Vallée's vocal phrasing would inspire artists such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Perry Como, to model their voices on jazz instruments. Best known for songs such as Stein Song, Vieni Vieni and 99 Out Of A 100 ~ Vallée was born in 1901July 3, 1983 ~ Leo Edward Donald Jr, commonly known as R&B, rock & roll singer Larry Darnell, passed away in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Dubbed “Mr Heart & Soul”, known for a string of late 1940s, early 1950s hits including I'll Get Along Somehow, For You My Love, I Love My Baby, and Oh Babe ~ Donald was born in 1928
July 3, 1981 ~ Indie rock, alternative rock, post-hardcore singer, guitarist, drummer Colin Frangicetto born in Langthorne, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of This Day Forward, with whom he recorded four albums. Following the band's disbandement co-founded Circa Survive, known best for their 2007 On Letting Go sophomore album
July 3, 1980 ~ James Joseph Bennett, commonly known as blues shouter, saxophonist Buster Bennett, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Worked with Lester Melrose, Big Bill Broonzy, Yas Yas Girl, Monkey Joe, Washboard Sam, Jimmie Gordon, Sammy Price, Arrington Thornton, Duke Groner, Wild Bill Davis, Israel Crosby, Pee Wee Jackson, and Tom Archia ~ Bennett was born in 1914
July 3, 1980 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Sarah Buxton, full name Sarh Jane Buxton, born in Lawrence, Kansas, USA ~ Married to guitarist Tom Bukovac since 2009. Released her full-length eponymous Sarah Buxton debut album in 2010. Best known for songs such as Innocence, That Kind Of Day, Space, Outside My Window, and Stupid Boy. The latter would be notably covered by Keith Urban, whose version reached No.3 Billboard Country. An in-demand songwriter, Buxton has also written or co-written songs such as Big & Rich's That's Why I Pray, Gary Allan's Piece, the Band Perry's Don't Let Me Be Lonely and Florida Georgia Line's Sun DazeJuly 3, 1980 ~ Frazier Othel Thompson III, commonly known as rapper Trae tha Truth, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Released his full-length Losing Composure solo debut album in 2003. Best known for his 2005 single In The Hood featuring Yung Joc. Has collaborated with Guerilla Maab, Fat Pat, Rich Boy, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Young Thug, and TI