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 11, 2025 ~ Singer, songwriter Brian Wilson, full name Brian Douglas Wilson, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Beach Boys. Widely considered one of the greatest American pop composers of the 20th century, especially acclaimed for the masterpiece Pet Sounds album ~ Wilson was born in 1942
June 11, 2024 ~ Arthur Hendrickson, commonly known as ska revival, 2 tone singer Arthur Gaps Hendrickson, passed away in Coventry, UK ~ Co-founding and key member of the Selecter. Though their success was brief, they are considered one of the most influential early 1980s bands helpful in ushering in the ska revival in their native UK. The band recorded two albums, Too Much Pressure and its follow-up Celebrate The Bullet, before disbanding in 1982. They are best known for their 1979 UK top 10 hit On My Radio, and the subsequent top 30 hits Three Minute Hero and Missing Words. The band has reformed several times in various incarnations, and continued to record well into the 2000s but failed to repeat their earlier success. Hendrickson sang with the band until diagnosed with cancer in 2023. Following his death, Hendrickson's family issued a statement: “Gaps was known the world over for singing the title track on the Selecter's debut album Too Much Pressure, he brought a captivating angst and frustration to the track as he described the trials and tribulations of daily life for the working man” ~ Hendrickson was born in 1951
June 11, 2024 ~ Singer, actress, songwriter Françoise Hardy, full name Françoise Madeleine Hardy, passed away in Paris, France ~ Shot to fame at age 18 with the surprise hit Tous Les Garçons Et Les Filles to become one of the leading figures in the yé-yé genre, blending the chanteuse tradition with folk, rock, jazz, and blues. Critically regarded as the finest pop rock singer to emerge from France in the 1960s, and one of the all-time best-selling French artists, Hardy would remain popular well beyond her heyday and is considered a cultural icon. Hardy's musical influence is mostly found in the work of Francophone acts such as Coralie Clément and Carla Bruni, yet she would also influence a wide range of international acts including Stereolab, Charli XCX, Zooey Deschanel, and Goldfrapp. Hardy has recorded well into the 2000s, and is especially acclaimed for her eponymous 1962 Françoise Hardy debut album and 1971's La Question. Weezer lead singer Rivers Cuomo has also named Hardy one of his “sonic ideals”, especially citing Hardy's 1973 Message Personnel album. Hardy has also ventured into acting, was a muse for fashion designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne, and amassed a large and devoted fanbase in the gay community, Hardy declaring on several occasions that “her most devoted friends and fans are gay” ~ Hardy was born in 1944
June 11, 2023 ~ Violinist Suna Kan passed away in Ankara, Turkey ~ Gave her first public performance at age 9, playing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Violin Concerto In A Major and Giovanni Battista Viotti's Violin Concerto In A Minor with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Would go on to study in Paris and work with renowned orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Moscow Symphony. Co-founded the TRT Ankara Chamber Orchestra with conductor Gürer Aykal, and served as the orchestra's principal violinist ~ Kan was born in 1936June 11, 2020 ~ Singer Elly Stone passed away in Ecuador ~ Barbra Streisand's understudy for the 1962 I Can Get It For You Wholesale Broadway musical. Best known as an interpreter of Jacques Brel, notably in the revue Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris in 1968, on Broadway in 1972, and in the 1975 film version ~ Stone was born in 1927
June 11, 2016 ~ The 47th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw some 116,750 visitors in total. Included on today's, Saturday the 11th's bil would be Walk Off The Earth, James Morrison, Lianne La Havas, Doe Maar, Rammstein, Imelda May, Halestorm, Skillet, de Staat, Puscifer, Miamigo, Lucas Hamming, Matt Simons, Nothing But Thieves, Robin Schulz, the Sore Losers, Parquet Courts, Lucky Fonz III, Bazart, Noisia, and Madi Hermens
June 11, 2015 ~ Singer, songwriter Jim Ed Brown passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ Rose to fame in the 1950s as member of sibling outfit the Browns, known for hits such as The Three Bells, Scarlet Ribbons, and The Old Lamplighter. As a solo artist active since the 1970s, scoring hits with Morning, Sunday, Southern Loving, It's That Time Of The Night, as well as a streak of hit duets with Helen Cornelius including I Don't Want To Have To Marry You, I'll Never Be Free, If The World Ran Out Of Love Tonight, and Morning Comes Too Early ~ Brown was born in 1934June 11, 2011 ~ The 42nd edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 1 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm with just a splash of rain, this year's edition would draw close to some 92,000 visitors. Included on today's, Saturday the 11th's bill would be de Staat, Lifehouse, Elbow, Coldplay, the Manic Street Preachers, Simple Plan, Alter Bridge, Madi Hermens, Ash, and Selah Sue
June 11, 2007 ~ Salsa singer Tito Gómez, full name Humberto Luis Gómez Rivera, passed away in Cali, Colombia ~ Co-lead singer of Sonora Poncena from 1967 through 1973, rejoining later in the 1970s. Co-founding member of La Terrifica. As a solo artist known for a string of popular 1990s albums and the hit Dejala. Gómez has also notably worked with Ray Barretto and Grupo Niche ~ Gómez was born in 1948
June 11, 2005 ~ R&B group Destiny's Child announce their disbandement at a show at the Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain ~ While on a world tour in support of their fifth album, Destiny Fulfilled released in late 2004, the immensely popular girl group announce their disbandement. Since their inception in the 1990s, Destiny's Child had scored ten Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits of which Bills Bills Bills, Say My Name, Independent Women (Part I), and Bootylicious had all reached the top spot. The group would reunite for a farewell performance at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston, Texas, at which singer Beyoncé commented: “It's the last album, but it's not the last show.” A few days later, the group would perform at the Fashion Rocks benefit concert in New York, New York. Following the band's disbandement, all members resumed their solo careers, to varying levels of success. Beyoncé would be the most successful of the bunch, establishing herself as one of the most influential cultural figures of the 21st century and at one point named “the greatest living entertainer (and) one of the greatest vocalists of all time” by Rolling Stone
June 11, 2000 ~ The 31st edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. Extremely sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw a crowd of in total 66,300 visitors. Included on today's, Sunday the 11th's bill would be Andreas Jonnson, Tracy Bonham, Novastar, Krezip, Guano Apes, 16 Horsepower, Laís, Green Lizard, de Spookrijders, Def Rhymz, Laurent Garnier, and Junkie XL
June 11, 1999 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Henri Chaix passed away in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Worked with Loys Choquart, Claude Albert, Sidney Bechet, Bill Coleman, Albert Nicholas, Roger Zufferey, Michel Pilet, Milt Buckner, Buck Clayton, Guy Lafitte, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Ben Webster, Alan du Bois, Romano Cavicchiolo, the Tremble Kids, Hot Malletts, Oscar Klein, Buddy Tate, Clark Terry, the European Jazz Giants, Bob Barnard, Doc Cheatham, Jesper Thilo, and Roy Williams ~ Chaix was born in 1925
June 11, 1997 ~ Dieuson Octave, commonly known as rapper Kodak Black, born in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention with his 2014 No Flockin' single. Released his full-length Painting PIctures debut album in 2017, which included the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Tunnel Vision. Other well known songs include Wake Up In The Sky featuring Gucci Mane and Bruno Mars and Zeze featuring Travis Scott and Offset. Has also collaborated with French Montana, Yo Gotti, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Lil' Yachty
June 11, 1993 ~ R&B singer Toni Braxton releases Another Sad Love Song, lead single off her eponymous Toni Braxton debut album ~ Toni Braxton had worked with the family outfit the Braxtons, but quickly gained attention when she went solo. Prior to Another Sad Love Song, she had scored two Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hits, both songs recorded for the soundtrack of the romantic comedy Boomerang. Give U My Heart, a duet with Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, had reached No.29, while her own Love Shoulda Brought You Home peaked at No.33. Another Sad Love Song, which tells of how every song on the radio is a reminder of an ex-boyfriend, was issued as the lead single off her full-length debut album, received wide critical acclaim, and would make it to the top 10 on both the Billboard R&B charts and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.7 on the latter. The song also earned Braxton her first Grammy Award, as she beat Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Patti LaBelle in the category Best R&B Female Vocal Performance. The parent album would also do well, as it spawned two more Billboard Hot 100 top hits with Breathe Again and You Mean The World To Me, with the former winning Braxton her second Grammy Award the following yearJune 11, 1988 ~ Roman René Ramirez, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Rome Ramirez, born in Fremont, California, USA ~ Influenced by Muse, Jimi Hendrix, Bad Brains, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Public Enemy, the Beastie Boys, Primus. Best known for his association with Sublime's Eric Wilson, recording under the group moniker Sublime with Rome. Has also collaborated with the Dirty Heads, including co-writing their song Lay Me Down. Guested on the Blues Traveler's 2015 Blow Up The Moon album
June 11, 1988 ~ Natalie Laurie Mering, commonly known as psychedelic folk, noise, experimental rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Weyes Blood, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Cites church music, figured prominently in her upbringing, as a major influence on her songwriting. Had her music labeled as chamber pop, psychedelic folk, and experimental rock. Has been recording to critical acclaim since the early 2000s using various variants of the moniker Weyes Blood. Especially acclaimed for the albums The Innocents and Titanic Rising, released respectively in 2014 and 2019
June 11, 1986 ~ Singer Madonna releases Papa Don't Preach, the second single off her True Blue album ~ Praised by critics, noting the singer for her artistic growth, and in retrospect marking the song as a milestone in her career. The song's main storyline had Madonna trying to tell her father about her pregnancy. Shortly after its release, the song would spark controversy, the singer criticized by women's organizations for encouraging teen pregnancy, while groups opposed to abortion saw the song as having a positive anti-abortion message. The single would reach No.1 in over half a dozen countries, including Canada, the UK, and the USA
June 11, 1985 ~ Christopher Ryan Pask, commonly known as singer, actor Chris Trousdale, born in New Port Richey, Florida, USA ~ Made his Broadway debut at age 8, touring with a production of Les Miserables, starring alongside Ashley Tisdale. Member of the Broadway Kids, a concert group consisting of a rotating company of children, all of whom have performed in at least one Broadway, off-broadway, or major national touring production. Member of pop boy band Dream Street, with whom he recorded the albums Dream Street and The Biggest Fan. Has also ventured into acting for film and TV ~ Pask passed away in 2020June 11, 1984 ~ The 15th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ Cloudy, some 20,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Jimmy Cliff, Big Country, John Hiatt, Marillion, Dio, the Pretenders, Wang Chung, Billy Bragg, and the Rick Nolov Band
June 11, 1983 ~ Soul, rock, blues, funk keyboardist, singer Alex Veley born in Eugene, Oregon, USA ~ Co-founding member of neo-soul outfit Maktub, notably present on the band's 2000 Subtle Ways album, which he co-produced. Has toured with acts such as Tuatara and Minus 5, and recorded with CeDell Davis and Dave Matthews, appearing on the latter's 2003 Grammy award-winning solo album Some Devil. Relocated to Brazil in 2003, where he releasing his jazz-funk solo album Maconha Baiana the same year, and went on to back musicians such as Nando Reis, and Erasmo CarlosJune 11, 1983 ~ Benjamin Stanford, commonly known as dub, dubstep, hip hop, drum and bass, jungle, reggae, ska, dancehall singer, beatboxer, guitarist Dub FX, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Member of local alternative rock, rapcore unit NON, known for their sole Exeunt Omnes album released in 2004. Starting with Live In The Street released in 2007, Stanford has completely independently released over half a dozen solo albums using only live performance, word of mouth, and internet social networking
June 11, 1982 ~ Singer, songwriter Al Rinker passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Began in the early 1920s as a teen performing with Bing Crosby. By the mid 1920s the pair moved to LA, eventually forming the Rhythm Boys with Harry Barris. The vocal threesome sang with Paul Whiteman's big band for three years and on their own for about a year until Crosby went solo, effectively disbanding the group ~ Rinker was born in 1907
June 11, 1982 ~ British pop group Wham release Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do), lead single off their Fantastic debut album ~ Issued as the band's debut single, initially Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do) failed to make the UK singles charts, peaking at No.105. However, reissued after the success of their Young Guns (Go For It) sophomore single, it would reach top 10. Lead singer George Michael got the idea for Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do) after listening to Level 42: “I thought it'd be really good to take a funk formula riff and put a really un-disco lyric to it and do a rap. So I made up this lyric about unemployment, played it to Andrew Ridgeley and we took it from there”
June 11, 1977 ~ In its 16th week on the charts, I'm Your Boogie Man by KC & the Sunshine Band hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The “boogieman” refers to someone who boogies, as in dancing, shaking your booty, getting down, rather than the scary character “boogeyman” often found in horror tales and films. Lead singer Harry Wayne Casey, who co-wrote the song with Richard Finch, initially wrote the tune with “I'll be a son of a gun”, but decided to go with I'm Your Boogie Man because he was thinking of radio DJ's taking listener requests for happy songs at all hours of the day, as evidenced in the lyrics: “early morning, late afternoon, or at midnight, it's never too soon, I'm your Boogie Man.” Preceded by Get Down Tonight, That's The Way (I Like It), and (Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty, I'm Your Boogie Man would be the band's fourth Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, all of which followed the same formula, highly danceable infectuous tracks with simple and usualy repetitive lyrics. Their final Billboard Hot 100 charttopper would differ from the formula, the ballad Please Don't Go reaching No.1 in 1979June 11, 1977 ~ Bassist Ozan Musluoglo born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Best known as former member of Turkish ska-punk outfit Athena. Has since collaborated with artists such as Kerem Gorsev, Vanessa Rubin, Danny Grissett, Dena DeRose, Allan Harris, Tune Otenel, Donovan Mixon, Marcus Miller, Roy Hargrove, Mike Stern, Willy Jone, Eric Reed, Katy Roberts, Leslie Harrison, Erik Smith, Bebel Gilberto, Ilhan Ersahin, EJ Strickland, George Colligan, and Bernard Maury