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 31, 2025 ~ Leonardo Jiménez, commonly known as accordionist, singer Flaco Jiménez, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Son of conjunto pioneer Santiago Jiménez Sr. Influenced by Clifton Chenier. Vibrant accordion virtuoso drawing from norteño, tex mex and tejano music, with some two dozen albums to his name starting in the early 1970s. Especially acclaimed for the 1988 Arriba El Norte album. Member of Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados. Guested on Ry Cooder's Chicken Skin Music and on the Rolling Stones's Voodoo Lounge. Has also collaborated with the likes of Doug Sahm, Dr John, David Lindley, Peter Rowan, Bob Dylan, and Dwight Yoakam ~ Jiménez was born in 1939
July 31, 2022 ~ Morris Meyer Ostrofsky, commonly known as producer, label executive Mo Ostin, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Got his start in the music business in the 1950s at Verve. Hired by Frank Sinatra in 1960 to run Sinatra's Reprise Records. Best known for his longtime association with Warner Bros, and considered one of a select few who helped shape modern pop and rock music. Inducted in the the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2003. Over the course of his career, Ostin has signed and worked with acts such as the Kinks, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, REM, Randy Newman, and Prince ~ Ostrofsky was born in 1927
July 31, 2021 ~ Stage, film, cabaret, TV singer, actor Alvin Ing passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Closely associated with the musical Flower Drum Song, composed by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, performing the role of Wang Ta in numerous tours. Has also appeared in Chu Chem, Pacific Overtures, City Of Angels, and other musicals ~ Ing was born in 1932
July 31, 2021 ~ R&B, rock & roll drummer Charles Connor passed away in Glendale, California, USA ~ Best known for backing Little Richard on iconic rock & roll recordings such as Lucille, She's Got It and Keep A-Knockin'. Described as “the first to put the funk into the rhythm” by James Brown, with whom he also worked. Has worked with Professor Longhair, Smiley Lewis, Guitar Slim, Champion Jack Dupree, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, the Coasters, Big Joe Turner, and Don Covay ~ Connor was born in 1935July 31, 2021 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Jerzy Matuszkiewicz passed away in Warsaw, Poland ~ Dubbed “the Father of Polish Jazz” for his pioneering role in post-World War II jazz. Best known as leader of Melomani. After the band disbanded in 1958 Matuszkiewicz would perform as a solo artist and from the mid 1960s forward focus on composing for film ~ Matuszkiewicz was born in 1928
July 31, 2021 ~ Rock, country rock, country guitarist, singer Paul Cotton, full name Norman Paul Cotton, passed away near Eugene, Oregon, USA ~ Member of the Illinois Speed Press. Perhaps best known as member of country-rock outfit Poco, joining the band in 1970 as replacement for Jim Messina. Penned several of the band's best known including Barbados, Indian Summer, Ride The Country, Bad Weather and Heart Of The Night, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit of the 1979 Legend album ~ Cotton was born in 1943
July 31, 2020 ~ Bill Mack Smith Jr, commonly known as country singer, songwriter, radio host Bill Mack, passed away ~ Perhaps best known as a songwriter, responsible for songs such as Drinking Champagne recorded by Cal Smith, George Strait and by others, and Blue, LeAnn Rimes' breakout hit. Others who have recorded his songs include Dean Martin, Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones ~ Smith was born in 1929
July 31, 2017 ~ Charles Samuel Loeb, commonly known as guitarist Chuck Loeb, passed away in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, USA ~ As a child listened to Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Cream, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. Discovered jazz at age 16, listening to guitarists such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, John McLaughlin, and Pat Martino. Loeb worked with Chico Hamilton, Ray Barretto, Hubert Laws, Stan Getz, and Michael Brecker. Loeb was also a member of Steps Ahead, 4play, Jazz-Funk-Soul, and of Metro ~ Loeb was born in 1955July 31, 2016 ~ Jazz saxophonist Jon Klette passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Fronted the Jazzmob, known for the albums Truth and Pathfinder. Also worked with Paal Nilssen-Love, Ingebrigt Håker Flatan, Vidar Johansen, Bugge Wesseltoft, Per Zanussi, Sjur Miljeteig, and Kjetil Moster ~ Klette was born in 1962
July 31, 2014 ~ Country guitarist Velma Williams, also known as Velma Smith, passed away ~ Lone female member of a select group of Nashville sessions musicians. Present on classics such as Eddy Arnold's Make The World Go Away, Jim Reeves' I Love You Because, and Hank Locklin's Please Help Me I'm Falling ~ Williams was born in 1927
July 31, 2012 ~ Robert Edward Moncrief, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Bobby Edwards, passed away in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for a string of country hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s including Long Gone Daddy, Jealous Heart, You're The Reason and Don't Pretend ~ Moncrief was born in 1926July 31, 2012 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen, known for his marathon concerts, plays his longest ever concert at the Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland ~ The last date of the European leg of his Wrecking Ball World Tour, playing in Helsinki to a crowd of some 43,000 visitors, becomes the longest concert Bruce Springsteen has ever given, with a total time of four hours and six minutes
July 31, 2010 ~ Oboist, producer, conductor Mitch Miller passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most influential people in music during the 1950s and early 1960s, especially as conductor and A&R executive at Columbia Records. Host and bandleader of the NBC TV series Sing Along With Mitch. As a producer known for his cheery arrangements and knack for comic novelty as evidenced in Rosemary Clooney's Come On-a My House and Frank Sinatra's Mama Will Bark. As a recording artist known for songs such as The Children's Marching Song, Tzena Tzena Tzena and The Yellow Rose Of Texas, the latter a No.1 hit and million-seller in 1955 ~ Miller was born in 1911
July 31, 2008 ~ Leonidas Raymond Young, commonly known as drummer Lee Young, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Baby brother of saxophonist Lester Young. Worked with Les Paul, JJ Johnson, Jean Baptiste, Mutt Carey, Fats Waller, Les Hite, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, Oscar Moore, André Previn, and Dinah Washington ~ Young was born in 1914
July 31, 2007 ~ R&B singer Oliver Morgan passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his 1964 single Who Shot The La La which tells of the mysterious circumstances of singer Prince La La's death, reportedly of a drug overdose the previous year at age 27. Morgan would not have another national hit, and settled on performing locally in the New Orleans area to enthusiastic crowds. Morgan recorded his sole album, I'm Home, as late as 1998 ~ Morgan was born in 1933
July 31, 1995 ~ Country singer Tim McGraw releases I Like It (I Love It), lead single off his All I Want album ~ Recorded at the famed Muscle Shoals Studios, Sheffield, Alabama. The single would be Tim McGraw's third Billboard Country No.1 hit, following Don't Take The Girl and Not A Moment Too Soon, and peaking at No.25 his third to reach top 30 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. The song would also be adopted by Nashville ice hockey team the Nashville Predators to be used as their goal song, slightly altering the lyrics from “Don't know what it is about that girl's lovin'” to “Don't know what it is about the Predators scorin'”, in a medley along with Gold On The Ceiling by the Black KeysJuly 31, 1994 ~ Patricia Jacqueline Sibley, commonly known as singer Anne Shelton, passed away in Herstmonceux, UK ~ Perhaps best known as an inspirational singer for the British troops during World War II. Original singer of the English version of the Lale Andersen-penned Lili Marlene ~ Sibley was born in 1923
July 31, 1994 ~ Symere Woods, commonly known as rapper Lil' Uzi Vert, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Merges emo's dark subject matters with trap. Released his full-length Luv Is Rage 2 album in 2017. Known for songs such as Money Longer, You Was Right, New Patek. The singles XO Tour Lif3 and Futsal Shuffle 2020 would reach top 10 of the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Has collaborated with Future, Quavo, Travis Scott, Oh Wonder, Wiz Khalifa, Fabolous, A$AP Mob, and Juice WRLD
July 31, 1989 ~ Benjamin Joseph Jackson, commonly known as saxophonist Bull Moose Jackson passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Popular dirty blues singer most successful in the late 1940s. Known for songs such as I Want A Bow Legged Woman, Big Ten Inch Record, I Love You (Yes I Do), and I Can't Go On Without You ~ Jackson was born in 1919
July 31, 1987 ~ Pianist, songwriter Joe Liggins passed away in Lynwood, California, USA ~ Architect, along with artists such as Roy Milton, of the small-band jump blues. Co-founded and fronted Honeydrippers, best known for their 1945 smash hit Honeydripper. Other notable recordings include Got A Right To Cry, Tanya, Blow Mr Jackson, Little Joe's Boogie, and Pink Champagne. ~ Liggins was born in 1916
July 31, 1987 ~ Country guitarist Kenneth Carllile, also known as Thumbs Carllile, passed away in Decatur, Georgia, USA ~ Discovered by Little Jimmy Dickens, who gave him the nickname “Thumbs” for his innovative fingerstyle playing. Has collaborated with Bill Wimberley, Les Paul, and Roger Miller, serving in the latter's backing unit from 1964 through 1972, notably providing the signature guitar parts for Dang Me and King Of The Road. As a solo artist, Carllile is known for songs such as Caravan, Theme From Picnic, Stranger On The Shore, and Hold It ~ Carllile was born in 1931
July 31, 1986 ~ Pianist Teddy Wilson passed away in New Britain, Connecticut, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Described as “the definitive swing pianist” by noted jazz critic Scott Yanow, Wilson has backed some of the biggest names in jazz in concert and on record including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter, Gene Krupa, Helen Ward, Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Red Norvo, Sarah Vaughan, Ben Webster, Mildred Bailey, and Buck Clayton ~ Wilson was born in 1912July 31, 1985 ~ Heavy metal, melodic death metal singer Alissa White-Gluz born in Montreal, Canada ~ Best known as lead singer of Arch Enemy and lead singer, co-founding member of the Agonist. Has also guested on recordings by Kamelot, Delain, Carnifex, and Powerwolf
July 31, 1985 ~ Jazz trumpeter, arranger Dick Vance, full name Richard Thomas Vance, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid-1930, playing with J Frank Terry and subsequently Lil' Armstrong. Would go on to work in ensembles led by Willie Bryant, Kaiser Marshall, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Barnet, Don Redman, Eddie Heywood Jr, Ben Webster. Worked with Duke Ellington in the 1950s, including arranging most of the Ellington '55 album and co-writing Jazz Festival Suite for Duke's performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958 ~ Vance was born in 1915
July 31, 1985 ~ Blues-rock guitarist, singer Shannon Curfman, full name Shannon Marie Curfman, born in Fargo, North Dakota, USA ~ Released her Loud Guitars Big Suspicion debut album in 1999, at age 14. Has been a member of Kid Rock's backing unit Twisted Brown Trucker since 2010