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.
June 1, 1905 ~ Delta blues singer, guitarist Boyd Gilmore born in Inverness, Mississippi, USA ~ Though Gilmore's recording career was brief, he is remembered by blues aficionados for two early 1950s recordings, 1952's Ramblin' On My Mind and Believe I'll Settle Down recorded the following year. The former, a cover of the classic Robert Johnson song, features a young Ike Turner on piano, whereas the latter featured pianist Pinetop Perkins, guitarist Earl Hooker, and drummer Willie Nix. Though Gilmore never achieved much fame during his lifetime, he did enjoy some regional popularity touring Delta juke joints, before settling down in California ~ Gilmore passed away in 1976
June 1, 1898 ~ Jazz trombonist Harry White, full name Harry Alexander White, born ~ Played drums as a teenager before switching to trombone by the late-1910s. As a songwriter known for co-penning Oh Sister Ain't That Hot, first recorded by Gene Rodemich and covered by the Original Memphis Five, Jimmie Noone, and Fats Waller, and Evenin', first recorded by Cab Calloway and covered by T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Rushing, and Jimmy Witherspoon. Led the family outfit the White Brothers Orchestra, with whom he enjoyed popularity in the late 1920s. Member of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, and notably of Calloway's ensemble, serving as trombonist, arranger, and composer. White has also worked with Duke Ellington, Elmer Snowden, Claude Hopkins, Luis Russell, Manzie Johnson, Hot Lips Page, Edgar Hayes, and Bud Freeman ~ White passed away in 1962
June 1, 1894 ~ Pianist, bandleader, composer Percival Mackey, full name Thomas Percival Montague Mackey, born in London, UK ~ Popular 1920s dance band bandleader. Also known for scoring soundtracks in the 1930s. Worked with Jack Hylton, the Broadway Five, Al Bowlly, Art Christmas, Jack Jackson, and Ivor Mairants ~ Mackey passed away in 1950June 1, 1879 ~ Writer, composer, lyricist Raymond Hubbell, full name John Raymond Hubbell, born in Urbana, Ohio, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing Poor Butterfly with John Golden. The song was inspired by the Giacomo Puccini-opera Madame Butterfly and written for the Broadway show The Big Show, in which it was introduced by Sophie Bernard. Over time it would be recorded by well over 300 artists, including early versions in the mid-1910s by Elizabeth Spencer and Edna Brown, as well as later versions by Paul Whiteman, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Tony Bennett, and Johnny Mathis ~ Hubbell passed away in 1954
June 1, 1873 ~ Singer Ada Jones, full name Ada Jane Jones, born in Lancashire, UK ~ Lacking the ability to read music or play an instrument Jones learned songs by ear. Among the first female singers to be recorded. Sang ballads, ragtime, vaudeville and comedy. Known for songs such as Sweet Marie, The Volunteer Organist, The Yama Yama Man and especially for a number of hit duets with Billy Murray including Blue Feather, Shine On Harvest Moon, Some Sunday Morning and Cuddle Up A Little Closer ~ Jones passed away in 1922