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 13, 1979 ~ Efstratios Dimitriou, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, accordionist, percussionist, songwriter Demetrio Stratos, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founder, lead singer of progressive rock band Area. Has also worked with I Rebelli, Lucio Battisti, Juan Hidalgo, John Cage, Paul Zukofsky, and toured and recorded as a solo artist ~ Dimitriou was born in 1945June 13, 1978 ~ Jason Paul Brown, commonly known as singer, rapper Jason J Brown, born in Aldershot, UK ~ Member of boy band 5ive, known for a string of UK top 10 hits including Slam Dunk Da Funk, When The Lights Go Out, Got The Feelin', Everybody Get Up, Until The Time Is Through and Keep On Movin'. The band was formed by the same management team that was behind the Spice Girls.
June 13, 1976 ~ Kimberley Gail Marsh, commonly known as actress, singer, TV personality, songwriter Kym Marsh, born in Merseyside, UK ~ Sang backing vocals for Matt Darey, Freaky Realistic and Hemstock & Jennings prior to auditioning for the reality show Popstars in 2000. Selected as one of five singers for the girl group Hear'say, who would score the UK No.1 hits Pure & Simple and The Way To Your Love. After Marsh left the group in early 2002 auditions would be held but the group split up later the same year before adding a replacement singer. Marsh would release her Standing Tall solo album in 2003, reaching the UK top 10 with Cry and Come On Over. Has ventured into an acting career since, most notably on the soap opera Coronation Street from 2006 through 2019
June 13, 1972 ~ R&B singer Clyde McPhatter, full name Clyde Lensley McPhatter, passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Iconic 1950s, 1960s singer pivotal to development of doo-wop and R&B. Lead singer of Billy Ward & the Dominoes. Formed and fronted the Drifters from 1953 through 1955, singing lead on songs such as Money Honey, Lucille, Such A Night and Honey Love. Subsequently recorded as a solo artist, scoring Billboard R&B top 10 hits with singles such as Love Has Joined Us Together, Seven Days, Treasure Of Love, Long Lonely Nights and perhaps his best known A Lover's Question ~ McPhatter was born in 1932June 13, 1972 ~ Fiddler, pianist, singer Natalie Macmaster, full name Natalie Ann Macmaster, born in Troy, Canada ~ Married to fiddler Donnell Leahy. Released her Four On The Floor debut album in 1989 at age 16. Has collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma, Bruce Guthro, Cookie Rankin, and Alison Krauss
June 13, 1970 ~ Singer Cheryl Gamble born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known as a member of R&B trio SWV, which recorded five albums and disbanded in 1998. Gamble would go on to pursue a solo career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut album, Hot Coko, in 1999. Gamble has also collaborated with LSG, Johnny Gill, Tevin Campbell, Onitsha, Jon B, Jay-Z, Keith Sweat (My Valentine), Jeff Bradshaw, Donald Lawrence, MC Lyte, Will Smith (Men In Black), Kirk Franklin, Eve, Fantasia, Faith Evans, Lil' Mo, and with Youthful Praise
June 13, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Rivers Cuomo born in New York, New York, USA ~ Lead vocalist, songwriter of Weezer. Influenced by the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Kiss, Nirvana, Giacomo Puccini, Green Day, Jane's Addiction, Cat Stevens, Lou Barlow, the Who, the Pixies, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Sonic Youth. Dropped out of Harvard University to release the band's sophomore album. The album, 1996's Pinkerton, would be poorly received but is now seen as hallmark of the 1990s. Cuomo would re-enroll, and graduate, Harvard in 2008
June 13, 1968 ~ Rock, alternative rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter David Gray, full name David Peter Gray, born in Sale, UK ~ Released his Century Ends debut album in 1993. Broke through with his fourth album, White Ladder, which upon its initial 1998 release failed to chart but would gain global attention upon its 2000 re-release. The album would eventually reach top 40 in America and top the UK charts. Gray is best known for songs such a Babylon, Please Forgive Me and The One I LoveJune 13, 1963 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Paul De Lisle, full name Paul Gerald De Lisle, born in Exeter, Canada ~ Bassist of Smash Mouth, known for their 1999 single All Star. He and singer Steve Harwell are the band's only two constant members since its inception in 1994
June 13, 1963 ~ Heavy metal, post-grunge, nu metal, alternative metal bassist, guitarist Robbie Merrill born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-founding member of Godsmack, critically compared to grunge icons Alice In Chains and heavy metal band Metallica. The band has recorded well over half a dozen albums, starting with All Wound Up released in 1998 and is best known for their 2003 release Faceless which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart. Member of supergroup Another Animal, a side project recycling left-over songs from the sessions for IV. Although Merrill is righthanded he plays lefthanded due to a birth defect that renders him unable to move the middle finger of his left handJune 13, 1959 ~ Pop, rock guitarist, bassist Paul van Bruystegem born in Leuven, Belgium ~ Has recorded about half a dozen albums with the Wolf Banes prior to joining Triggerfinger in 2003 as replacement for Wladimir Geels. Van Bruystegem would enjoy his biggest commercial success with the latter, scoring a No.1 hit in both the Netherlands and Belgium with the Lykke Li cover I Follow Rivers, and departed the band in 2023. Van Bruystegem has also worked with Beverly Jo Scott, the Popgun, Big Bill, and Neeka, and served as producer for the likes of Horses On Fire, Guy Swinnen, Psycho 44, Troubleman, and the DeVilles. Following his departure from Triggerfinger, Van Bruystegem founded Mr Paul & the Lowriders, with whom he recorded the album Unguarded Thoughts released in 2023 ~ Van Bruystegem passed away in 2025
June 13, 1958 ~ R&B, soul, funk, disco, hip-hop singer Val Young, full name Valaria Marie Young, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as a touring and session back-up singer. Discovered by George Clinton. Sang with the Brides Of Funkenstein, Roy Ayers, the Gap Band (I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops Upside Your Head)), Rick James, Mary Jane Girls, Bobby Brown, Bobby Womack, Kurtis Blow, Dr Dre, Glenn Medeiros, Snap (The World In My Hands), Wayman Tisdale, Snoop Dogg (Change Gone Come), Evelyn Champagne King, El DeBarge, Miki Howard, Gerald Levert, Teena Marie, Tupac Shakur (To Live & Die In LA), MC Eiht, Eddie Murphy, Teddy Riley, Michael Bivins, Jay Tee, Nate Dogg (Never Leave Me Alone), and Warren G. Released two albums as a solo artist on Motown label, 1985's Seduction containing the modest R&B charts hit If You Should Ever Be Lonely and Private Conversations released in 1987
June 13, 1955 ~ Barry White, commonly known as soul, R&B singer Barrence Whitfield born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Chose his stagename, taking on the moniker of famed Motown producer Norman Whitfield, in order not to be confused with superstar Barry White. Debuted in 1984 with the Barrence Whitfield & The Savages album and has recorded consistently since. Has built a reputation as an energetic live performer opening for artists including Bo Diddley, Tina Turner, George Thorogood, Robert Cray, and Solomon Burke
June 13, 1951 ~ Guillermo Santana, commonly known as Latin rock, rock, blues rock guitarist Jorge Santana born in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico ~ Brother of renowned guitarist Carlos Santana, with whom he also toured appearing on Santana's 1993 Sacred Fire (Live In South America) live album. Has also worked with Malo, with the Fania All-Stars, and has released a number of solo albums starting with the eponymous Jorge Santana album released in 1978 ~ Santana passed away in 2020June 13, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist Dennis Locorriere, full name Dennis Michael Locorriere, born in Union City, New Jersey, USA ~ Lead singer of Dr Hook & the Medicine Show, known for songs such as Sylvia's Mother, The Cover Of The Rolling Stone, Only Sixteen, A Little Bit More, Sharing The Night Together, When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman, Better Love Next Time, Sexy Eyes and Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk
June 13, 1949 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Red Symons, full name Redmond Symons, born in Brighton, UK ~ Member of Skyhooks from 1970 through 1977, present on some of the band's best known including Horror Movie and Ego Is Not A Dirty Word
June 13, 1947 ~ Bassist John Kahn born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand session musician from the mid 1960s onwards. Has worked with Mike Bloomfield, Nick Gravenites, John Lee Hooker, Tom Fogerty, Al Kooper, Jackie DeShannon, Otis Rush, Brewer & Shipley including on the 1971 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit One Toke Over The Line, and with once-girlfriend Maria Muldaur. Perhaps best known as regulator collaborator of Jerry Garcia in the bands the Jerry Garcia Band, Old & In The Way, Legion Of Mary, and Reconstruction ~ Kahn passed away in 1996
June 13, 1947 ~ Country singer Mary Lou Turner born in Hazard, Kentucky, USA ~ First gained attention in the early 1970s as a regular appearance on Wheeling Jamboree radio show. Became the “girl singer” alongside Bill Anderson on The Bill Anderson Show TV show in 1974 taking over for Jan Howard. Would record two duet albums with Anderson, the 1976 single Sometimes reaching the No.1 spot on the Billboard Country charts. As a solo singer charted with songs such as It's Different With You and Love It AwayJune 13, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist Henk Wijngaard born in Stadskanaal, the Netherlands ~ Active since the mid 1970s with over 40 albums to his name. A former trucker himself he is best known for his trucking-themed repertoire. Well known songs include Met De Vlam In De Pijp, Container-song, Hé Suzie and Ik Moet Nog Wat Jaren Mee
June 13, 1946 ~ Conductor, arranger, composer Paul Buckmaster born in London, UK ~ Best known for his orchestral collaborations with a wide array of jazz, pop and rock musicians including David Bowie, Elton John, Harry Nilsson, the Rolling Stones, Carly Simon, Shawn Phillips, Miles Davis, Stevie Nicks, Lionel Richie, Céline Dion, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Rogers, Guns 'n Roses, Taylor Swift, Train, and Heart ~ Buckmaster passed away in 2017
June 13, 1943 ~ R&B, funk singer, songwriter Arlester Dyke Christian born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Fronted Dyke & the Blazers, best known for the 1969 singles We Got More Soul and Let A Woman Be A Woman. At the time of his death, killed in a reportedly drug-related shooting at 27, Christian was preparing for a tour with superstar Barry White ~ Christian passed away in 1971
June 13, 1942 ~ Singer James Carr born in Coahoma, Mississippi, USA ~ Protégé of Otis Redding. Turned down by Stax/Volt. Forever remembered among R&B and soul aficionados for his 1967 original recording of The Dark End Of The Street, penned by Chips Moman and Dan Penn, and considered one of the greatest soul songs of all time. Also revered for his lesser known work such as various earlier Goldwax singles and the critically acclaimed LP You Got My Mind Messed Up. Carr suffered from bipolar disorder for most of his life which would seriously hinder his career ~ Carr passed away in 2001June 13, 1941 ~ Esther Zaied, commonly known as Esther Ofarim, born in Zafed, Israel ~ Came in second at the 1963 edition of Eurovision Songfestival, representing Switzerland with the song T En Va Pas. Also known as half of husband-wife duo Esther & Abi Ofarim, known for 1960s hits such as Noch Einem Tanz, Cinderella Rockafella and Morning Of My Life, the latter written by the Bee Gees
June 13, 1941 ~ Marvin Tarplin, commonly known as R&B, soul guitarist Marv Tarplin, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Member of the Miracles from the 1950s through 1973. Co-wrote several of the band's best known, notably The Tracks Of My Tears, My Girl Has Gone, I Like It Like That, Going To A Go-Go and The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage. Also co-wrote a number of well known R&B songs for others including Marvin Gaye's Ain't That Peculiar and I'll Be Doggone ~ Tarplin passed away in 2011
June 13, 1940 ~ Robert William Woodman, commonly known as pop rock, rock & roll drummer Bobbie Clarke, born ~ Important figure in early British rock & roll active since the late 1950s. Has drummed with Eric Delaney, Vince Eager, Marty Wilde, Johnny Hallyday, and briefly Deep Purple, serving as the latter's first drummer. Perhaps best known for several stints with Vince Taylor. Clarke's autobiography, Bobbie Clarke Playboy & Showman, would be published posthumously in 2017 ~ Woodman passed away in 2014
June 13, 1940 ~ R&B singer, songwriter, producer Bobby Freeman, full name Robert Thomas Freeman, born in Alameda County, California, USA ~ Member of doo-wop outfit the Romancers. As a solo singer best known for two top 10 hits, 1958's Do You Want To Dance and 1964's Come On And Swim. Both songs would reach No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The former, Dance, would later be covered by a wide array of artists including Del Shannon, the Beach Boys, Johnny Rivers, Bette Midler, John Lennon, Cliff Richard, T.Rex, the Mamas & the Papas, Bobby Vee, and the Ramones ~ Freeman passed away in 2017