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 7, 2025 ~ Gospel singer Mosie Burks, also known as Mosie Mama Burks, passed away ~ Lead singer of quintessential contemporary gospel outfit the Mississippi Mass Choir, with whom she toured internationally and recorded over half a dozen albums from the mid 1990s until her retirement from music in 2020. The ensemble is especially acclaimed for their Emmanuel (God With Us) album, released in 1999. Burks released her sole sole album, Mama Burks, in 2005. Upon hearing off her lifelong friend's passing, Lannie Spann McBride, who had sung in church with Burks during their childhood, commented: “She wasn't just a woman who had a voice, but she had a spirit, and she had a heart. And when you put that heart and that spirit together, you get purpose” ~ Burks was born in 1933
July 7, 2024 ~ Jazz trumpeter, conductor Jim Rotondi, full name James Robert Rotondi, passed away in Le Crest, France ~ Co-founding member of One For All, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums since the late 1990s including the acclaimed What's Going On released in 2008. Also closely associated with Eric Alexander, Charles Earland, and Irene Reid, recording several albums with each. Rotondi has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically for 1000 Rainbows released in 2010. As a sideman and collaborator, Rotondi has appeared on albums by Ann Hampton Callaway, Susan Tobocman, Bill Mobley, David Hazeltine (How It Is), Giacomo Gates, Dena DeRose, Mike DiRubbo (Keep Steppin'), Cecil Payne, Ned Otter, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Joe Farnsworth, Kyle Eastwood, Peter Lerner, Bob Mintzer (Swing Out), Jon Regen, and Craig Wuepper ~ Rotondi was born in 1962
July 7, 2023 ~ Jazz trumpeter, hornist, trombonist Oscar Brashear passed away ~ In-demand sideman influenced by Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, and Freddie Hubbard. Present on albums by John Lee Hooker, Count Basie (Standing Ovation), Oliver Nelson, Donny Hathaway (Everything Is Everything), Bobby Hutcherson, Moacir Santos, Hampton Hawes, Bonnie Raitt (Takin' My Time), Gene Harris, Harold Land, Nat Adderley, Willie Hutch, Ry Cooder (Paradise & Lunch), Patrice Rushen, Tom Waits (The Heart Of Saturday Night), Horace Silver, Oliver Nelson, Earth Wind & Fire (That's The Way Of The World), Neil Diamond, Carmen McRae, Alice Coltrane, Marvin Gaye (I Want You), Maria Muldaur, BB King, Patti LaBelle, Sadao Watanabe, Rodney Franklin, Rick James (Bustin' Out Of L Seven), Tavares, the Crusaders (Street Life), Randy Crawford, Con Funk Shun, Was (Not Was) (What Up Dog), Zoot Sims, and Natalie Cole ~ Brashear was born in 1944
July 7, 2021 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Angélique Ionatos passed away in Les Lilas, France ~ In her early teens fled with her family from Greece after the military coup, resettling in France. Rooted in Greek culture yet drew from classical, jazz, chanson, oriental and tango. Well over a dozen albums to her name since the 1970s, the first few collaborating with her brother Photis Ionatos. Sang in both Greek and French. Known for setting both classic and contemporary text and poetry to music, frequent collaborator of poet Odysseas Elytis ~ Ionatis was born in 1954
July 7, 2021 ~ Tenor saxophonist Sam Reed passed away ~ A mainstay on the Philadelphia scene, internationally perhaps best known as musical director for Teddy Pendergrass during the 1970s. Reed had been working as a sideman and session musician since the late 1950s, backing jazz greats such as Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Dizzy Gillespie early on in his career. In Philadelphia, Reed is especially renowned for his early 1960s stint leading the house band at the Uptown Theatre, a legendary venue where Reed and his band backed visiting musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown. Reed also became closely associated with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, helping the famed duo shape the Philly sound working with the likes of Archie Bell & the Drells, Labelle, Billy Paul, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Upon hearing of his death, Lovett Hines, artistic director of the Philadelphia Clef Club described Reed as among the very top of the Philly saxophonists, distinguished by his versatility, adding: “the only thing that kept him from getting world-class fame was that he elected to stay in Philadelphia” ~ Reed was born in 1935
July 7, 2010 ~ Rock, jazz saxophonist Robbie Jansen, full name Robert Edward Jansen, passed away in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Member of the Pacific Express. Would go on to work with Dollar Brand and saxophonist Basil Coetzee. Would become a leading figure by the 1970s in Cape Jazz. Has also worked with Johnny Clegg, Sipho Mchunu, and Juluka (Universal Men). Especially acclaimed for his 2006 solo album Nomad Jez. His international career suffered a blowback in 2007 when on doctor's orders he could no longer travel due to a respitory condition, and forced to cancel a European tour ~ Jansen was born in 1949
July 7, 2006 ~ Roger Keith Barrett, commonly known as guitarist, singer Syd Barrett passed away in Cambridge, UK ~ Co-founding member, frontman, primary songwriter of Pink Floyd. Regarded as a troubled genius. Fully present on the band's debut Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, contributed partly on their sophomore album A Saucerful Of Secrets. Ousted from the band in 1968. Fully retired from music in 1972, devoting himself to painting and gardening. The band would later record several tributes to Barrett, among which most famously the 1975 song Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Barrett would be cited as an influence by artists such as Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, Blur, Tangerine Dream, Paul Weller, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, David Bowie, Jimmy Page, Brian Eno, and the Sex Pistols ~ Barrett was born in 1946
July 7, 2001 ~ Frederick Neil, commonly known as folk, folk-pop singer, songwriter Fred Neil, passed away in Summerland Key, Florida, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording Everybody's Talkin', notably covered by Harry Nilsson. Though Neil never became a household name, and actually quickly faded into obscurity past the 1960s folk-rock, folk-pop boom, he was revered by peers and is seen as a pioneer of the folk-rock movement, influencing artists such as Tim Buckley, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Tim Hardin, John Sebastian, Gram Parsons, and Paul Kantner. Neil has recorded over a dozen albums starting in the mid 1960s, and is especially noted for Bleecker & MacDougal released in 1965 and its eponymous Fred Neil follow-up album released the next year ~ Neil was born in 1936
July 7, 1997 ~ Country singer Tim McGraw releases Everywhere, the second single off his album of the same name ~ Written by Mike Reid and Craig Wiseman, the song tells of a former girlfriend wishing to stay in the small town they both grew up in, while the narrator had hoped for a travelling life with her and sees her everywhere he goes. In 2007, songwriter James Martinez sued Tim McGraw and the songwriters for copyright infringement claiming they lifted the song off his demo tape containing Anytime Anywhere Amanda. Eventually, a court would rule in favor of McGraw, a decision upheld by an appelate court in 2014. Everywhere would be McGraw's sixth Billboard Country charttopper and the second off his Everywhere album after It's Your Love. In 2010, looking back on the song, McGraw would comment the story of Everywhere is “the love of your life that you can't get out of your head, no matter where you go”July 7, 1993 ~ Courtney Everald Dewar Junior, commonly known as rapper Capital Steez, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Worked with CJ Fly, Chuck Strangers, Joey Badass, Dirty Sanchez, Jakk The Rhyner, Madlib, MF Doom, Free The Robots, DJ Premier, Knxwledge, Ant, J Rawls, Tommy Mas, the Entreproducers, Kirk Knight, Bruce Leekiz, and Pro-Era ~ Dewar passed away in 2012
July 7, 1991 ~ Alessandro Renato Rodolfo Lindblad, commonly known as DJ, producer Alesso born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Released his full-length Forever solo debut album in 2015. Has worked with artists such as Tove Lo, Theo Hutchcraft, Ryan Tedder, Hailee Steinfeld, Calvin Harris, Anitta, Usher, David Guetta, Sebastian Ingrosso, Liam Payne, Tini, and the Stray Kids
July 7, 1986 ~ Amber Denise Streeter, commonly known as singer, songwriter Sevyn Streeter, born in Haines City, Florida, USA ~ Best known as member of girl groups TG4 and Richgirl. Released her fuill-length Disrupted solo album in 2017. Known for songs such as It Won't Stop featuring Chris Brown and, Next. In-demand songwriter. Artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Streeter include Usher, Kelly Rowland, Ariana Grande, Trey Songz, Alicia Keys, Fantasia, Brandy, and Tamar Braxton
July 7, 1982 ~ Jazz drummer Ferit Odman born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Has worked with Brian Lynch, Peter Washington, Vincent Herring, Benny Golson, Jacky Terrasson, Mike Moreno, Sean Jones, Ernie Watts, Stefano di Battista, Bertha Hope, Jim Rotondi, Alan Broadbent, Alex Sipiagin, David Berkman, Kenan Dogulu, Ozan Musluoglo, and Danielle Eva. Singers backed by Odman include Sheila Jordan, Kevin Mahogany, Allan Harris, Mark Murphy, Deborah Davis, Ive Mendes, and Hilary Kole. Released his debut as a leader, Nommo, in 2010
July 7, 1981 ~ Brian Elwin Haner Jr, commonly known as heavy metal guitarist, singer, songwriter Synyster Gates, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Influenced by metal as well as jazz, gypsy jazz, classical music, and avant-garde, Gates citing influences as diverse as Dimebag Darrell, Slash, Django Reinhardt, Allan Holdsworth, and Frank Gambale. Best known as lead guitarist for Avenged Sevenfold, with whom he has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with the band's 2003 Waking The Fallen sophomore album. Prior to joining the band, Gates and future bandmate the Rev formed the side project Pinkly Smooth, known for their sole Unfortunate Snort album released in 2001. Gates has also guested on recordings by Bleeding Through, Good Charlotte, Burn Halo, Machine Gun Kelly, Linkin Park, and his father Brian Haner, who has also sessioned for Avenged Sevenfold. Gates is married to Michelle DiBenedetto, whose twin sister Valary DiBenedetto is married to Avenged Sevenfold lead singer M Shadows, making Gates and Shadows not only bandmates but also brothers-in-law
July 7, 1980 ~ Fyfe Antony Dangerfield Hutchins. commonly known as indie rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Fyfe Dangerfield, born in Moseley, UK ~ Member of Senseless Prayer. Rose to prominence as founding and key member of Guillemots, known best for a number of 2000s singles including Made-up Lovesong No.43, Annie Let's Not Wait and Get Over It. Dangerfield also composed a number of choral and orchestral pieces, notably In Wait, performed by the City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 2007 to celebrate the re-opening of Birmingham Town Hall
July 7, 1979 ~ Country singer, songwriter Shane Yellowbird born in Hobbema, Canada ~ Began singing while in speech therapy to treat his severe stuttering. Has released two albums before dying at age 42. His 2006 Life Is Calling My Name debut album would spawn the hits Pickup Truck and I Remember The Music, both of which would reach top 10 country in his native Canada. Bare Feet On The Blacktop, the lead single of his 2009 It's About Time sophomore album would also reach the top 10 ~ Yellowbird passed away in 2022July 7, 1978 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen plays the Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, California ~ As part of his 1978 Darkness Tour, generally considered his best tour, Bruce Springsteen plays the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood. A considerable portion of tonight's concert, the recordings of Adam Raised A Cain, Spirit In The Night, Paradise By The C, Growin' Up, It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City, Backstreets, Rosalita (Come Out Tonight), and Raise Your Hand, make it to the Live 1975-85 live box set released in 1986
July 7, 1977 ~ Pop rock group the Steve Miller Band release Jungle Love, lifted off their Book Of Dreams album ~ Written by Miller's longtime bassist Lonnie Turner and Greg Douglass, who had played with Hot Tuna and the Greg Kihn Band. The song was initially intended for Dave Mason, but when Miller was offered a demo, the Steve Miller Band recorded the song on the last day of the sessions for their Book Of Dreams album. Various jungle sounds were added for effect. The single would reach No.23 Billboard Hot 100. Miller would later recall: “Lonnie came into the studio and said he'd written this little tune which he and Greg had recorded in a garage, and gave me a tape of it. That was the first time I'd ever heard Greg Douglass play guitar, and I asked Lonnie who he was and whether he was in town. They came to the studio the next day and we recorded the song in 45 minutes. I sang it, and that was it, all on the record, and then Greg joined the band for a couple of years. He's a really good guitar player”
July 7, 1976 ~ Roy Morgan, commonly known as singer, producer, label executive Gramps Morgan, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Son of reggae singer Denroy Morgan. Member of sibling outfit Morgan Heritage, best known for their 1999 Don't Haffi Dread album. Morgan has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album 2 Sides Of My Heart Vol.1 released in 2009. Guested on India Arie's Therapy of Arie's Testimony Vol.2 (Love & Politics) released the same year
July 7, 1975 ~ Country singer, guitarist George Morgan, full name George Thomas Morgan, passed away in Madison, Tennessee, USA ~ Father of country singer Lorrie Morgan. Though Morgan is the lesser known of the three, alongside contemporaries Eddy Arnold and Jim Reeves Morgan is considered one of the few, and finest “country crooners”, sometimes dubbed “the Candy Kid” for his first hit Candy Kisses. Morgan has recorded over a dozen albums until his death in the mid 1970s. Other than Candy Kisses, his sole Billboard Country No.1 hit, he is known for songs such as Please Don't Let Me Love You, Rainbow In My Heart, Room Full Of Roses, I Love Everything About You, Almost, I'm In Love Again, and You're The Only Good Thing (That Happened To Me). In 1974, Morgan was the last person to perform on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium before the Grand Ole Opry moved to the Grand Ole Opry. A week later, he would be the first to sing on the stage of the new venue, also located in country music capitol Nashville, Tennessee ~ Morgan was born in 1924July 7, 1974 ~ Terje Vik Schei, commonly known as progressive metal, progressive rock bassist, guitarist, singer Tchort, born in Kristiansand, Norway ~ Schei's stage name, Tchort, is a Slavonic word meaning “devil”. As a solo artist, he is known for the album Heavens Are Showing released in 2001. Tchort served as bassist for Emperor, known for their 1994 In The Nightside Eclipse album, and is the frontman of progressive metal outfit Green Carnation, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums since the early 1990s including the acclaimed Blessing In Disguise. He has also appeared on albums by Carpathian Forest, Blood Red Throne, and Wind Of The Black Mountains, and co-founded the Sublife Productions record label with Green Carnation bandmate Kjetil Nordhus
July 7, 1974 ~ Classical, neoclassical metal, progressive metal pianist, composer Vitalij Kuprij born in Kyiv, Ukraine ~ Regarded a keyboard virtuoso by both classical and heavy metal, progressive metal critics. Received numerous awards in the classical world, notably winning prestigious competitions such as the All-Union Chopin Competition, the Kiev Conservatory Competition and the Cleveland Piano Competition. To metal audiences known for founding progressive metal band Atlantis Rising, which evolved into Artension, as a member of Yngwie Malmsteen's neoclassical, power metal unit Ring Of Fire, as a regular collaborator of the highly influential Finnish metal outfit the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and as a solo artist. Kuprij has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, both classical music and neoclassical metal ~ Kuprij passed away in 2024
July 7, 1973 ~ In its 15th week on the charts, Will It Go Round In Circles by Billy Preston hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The previous year, Billy Preston's instrumental Outa-space almost made it to the top of the American charts, peaking at No.2 Billboard Hot 100. It would be Will It Go Round In Circles, however, that gave Preston his first solo No.1 hit, the song originated from a jokingly remark Preston had made to his regular songwriting partner Bruce Fisher about having a song but no melody, inspiring the opening line: “I got a song that ain't got no melody, I'm gonna sing it to my friends”. Guitarist George Johnson and bassist Louis Johnson, who would later rise to fame as the Brothers Johnson, backed Preston on Will It Go Round In Circles. The single's success allowed Fisher to quit his day job in the NBC mail room to focus on his music career. Fisher would also co-write several more of Preston's songs including You Are So Beautiful, which would be covered by over 200 artists including notably Joe Cocker, and Nothing From Nothing, Preston's second and final Billboard Hot 100 charttopper
July 7, 1972 ~ Singer David Bowie releases Changes, lifted off his Hunky Dory album ~ Although the initial single failed to chart in Bowie's native UK, and stalled at No.66 Billboard Hot 100 in America, Changes became a concert favorite and one of his best known songs. Alongside the Who's My Generation (“My g-g-generation”) and Elton John's Bennie And The Jets (“B-B-B-ennie and the Jets”), Bowie's “Ch-ch-changes” is one of the most famous stutters in rock, once dubbed a “st-st-st-st-stuttering rock anthem” by Rolling Stone. The song is one of four Bowie songs included on the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll. Retrospectively, Changes has been described by biographers as a manifesto of his entire career as David Bowie, who would later prove to be musical chameleon, frequently changed styles. Besides taking the lead vocal, Bowie also played the saxophone on the original recording of Changes. Guitarist Mick Ronson arranged the strings, while Rick Wakeman who would later rise to fame with prog-rock outfit Yes, played the piano parts at the beginning and end of the song, instructed by Bowie to play the song like it was a piano piece
July 7, 1970 ~ Songwriter Charles Tobias passed away in Manhasset, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Comes Love, first recorded by Harry James in 1939 and covered by over 200 artists including Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey, Billie Holiday, and Sam Cooke. Other notable songs co-written by Tobias include Just Another Day Wasted Away (Waiting For You) (the Golden Gate Dance Orchestra, Frank Farrell, Rosemary Squires), After My Laughter Came Tears (the Harmony Trio, Johnnie Ray, Ray Charles), Miss You (Rudy Vallée, Bing Crosby, Bill Haley), I Lost My Gal From Memphis (Roy Evans, Billy Cotton, Tex Williams), The Old Lamp-Lighter (Kay Kyser, Hal McIntyre, Mac Wiseman), and The Wonderful World Of Christmas (Robert Goulet, Elvis Presley) ~ Tobias was born in 1898