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 15, 1947 ~ Hans Joachim Boenke, commonly known as singer, songwriter Joe Hall, born in Wuppertal, Germany ~ About a dozen albums to his name, starting with Joe Hall & the Eyeball Wine Company released in 1972. Especially known for his eccentric and often comedic stage appearance, performing in daring apparel such as a kilt with workboots and flowing bow tie and Frank Zappa-esque stage monologues. Boenke has collaborated with the likes of Daniel Lanois, the Continental Drift, and Willie P Bennett ~ Boenke passed away in 2019June 15, 1946 ~ Artemios Ventouris-Roussos, commonly known as singer Demis Roussos, born in Alexandria, Egypt ~ Known for songs such as Goodbye My Love Goodbye, From Souvenirs To Souvenirs, Forever And Ever, We Shall Dance, Velvet Mornings, Lovely Lady Of Arcadia, and Someday Somewhere. Member of progressive rock group Aphrodite's Child, alongside Vangelis, Lucas Sideras, and Silver Koulouris. ~ Roussos passed away in 2015
June 15, 1946 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Leo Nocentelli born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by jazz guitarists since Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel, and Kenny Burrell. Active since his early teens, backing artists such as Otis Redding, Clyde McPhatter, and sessioning for Motown on recordings by the Supremes and the Temptations. Best known as key member of funk outfit the Meters, for whom he wrote their breakout hit Cissy Strut and Sophisticated Sissy. Nocentelli has also recorded as a solo artist, and appeared on albums by Allen Toussaint, Dr John (In The Right Place), Labelle, Boz Scaggs, Rick James (Come Get It), Albert King, Herbie Mann, Etta James, the Neville Brothers, Ramsey Lewis, Joe Cocker (Sheffield Steel), and the Winans
June 15, 1946 ~ Neville John Holder, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Noddy Holder, born in Walsall, UK ~ Lead singer, rhythm guitarist and along with bassist Jim Lea main songwriter of 1970s rock, glam rock outfit Slade from 1966 through 1992, known for songs such as Coz I Love You, Look Wot You Dun, Take Me Bak 'Ome, Mama Weer All Crazee Now, Cum On Feel The Noize, My Friend Stan, Merry Xmas Everybody, and Far Far Away. After the death of singer Bon Scott offered the lead vocal position in AC/DC but declined. After his departure from the band has acted on numerous TV shows, notably as the classical music teacher Neville Holder on the ITV comedy-drama series The GrimleysJune 15, 1945 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Mike Rudd, full name Michael David Rudd, born in Christchurch, New Zealand ~ Formed and fronted Spectrum in 1969. The band is regarded as one of Australia's premier, and first, progressive rock outfits. They are best known for their I'll Be Gone debut single, a No.1 hit in their native Australia. Following the band's disbandement in 1973 Rudd and bandmate Bill Putt formed Ariel, with whom they recorded three albums
June 15, 1944 ~ Jose Pastor Lopez Pineda, commonly known as cumbia singer, songwriter Pastor Lopez born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela ~ First gained serious attention teaming up with Nelson Henriquez in the early 1970s. Set out on his own shortly thereafter and has since recorded well over two dozen albums. Best known for interpretations of Peruvian cumbia traditionals including Carinito Sin Mi, Bonita Y Mentirosa and Traicionera ~ Pineda passed away in 2019June 15, 1943 ~ Jazz, rock pianist Colin Wood, full name Colin Arthur Wood, born in Camberwell, UK ~ In jazz best known for his associations with Monty Sunshine, Lol Coxhill, the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, and Suns Of Arqa. Has also sessioned for rock acts including the Yardbirds, David Bowie, Cat Stevens, Kevin Coyne, and notably on Uriah Heep's debut album
June 15, 1943 ~ Jean Philippe Leo Smet, commonly known as rock & roll, rock singer Johnny Hallyday, born in Paris, France ~ Credited with having brought rock & roll to France, earning him the nickname “the French Elvis Presley.” Reportedly once had the Jimi Hendrix Experience open for him. Well over two dozen albums to his name starting in the 1950s. Known for songs such as Tous Ensemble, Marie and Mon Plus Beau Noel ~ Smet passed away in 2017
June 15, 1943 ~ David Raskin, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Kal David, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Got his stage name fronting the neighborhood band Kal David & the Exceptions in the early 1960s. The band also included Peter Cetera of future Chicago-fame and Marty Grebb who would later play for the Buckinghams. Formed the duo the Rovin' Kind with future Poco guitarist Paul Cotton. Fronted the 1970s outfit the Fabulous Rhinestones, known for the acclaimed albums The Fabulous Rhinestones, Freewheelin' and Rhinestones. Would go on to back artists such as Etta James, Johnny Rivers and John Mayall, and record as a solo artist, often accompanied by his wife singer Lauri Bono ~ Raskin passed away in 2022
June 15, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Harry Nilsson, full name Harry Edward Nilsson III, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for songs such as I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City, Me And My Arrow, Jump Into The Fire, Coconut, and Spaceman. Though a respected songwriter in his own right, admired by peers, his two biggest hits were written by others, namely Fred Neil's Everybody's Talking and Badfinger's Without You both reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 ~ Nilsson passed away in 1994
June 15, 1938 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, fusion drummer Tony Oxley born in Sheffield, UK ~ One of the most prominent figures of British free improvisation. Well over two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader. Co-founded the Incus Records label. Closely associated with the Joseph Holbrooke Trio, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, and Cecil Taylor. Especially noted for the 1988 collaborative Leaf Palm Hand album with the latter. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Gordon Beck, John McLaughlin (Extrapolation), Howard Riley, Kenny Wheeler (Song For Someone), Vangelis, Peter Brötzmann, Norma Winstone, Paul Bley, and Bill Dixon ~ Oxley passed away in 2023June 15, 1937 ~ Oboist, composer Rolf Riehm born in Saarbrücken, Germany ~ Member of the Sogenanntes Linksradikales Blasorchester from 1976 through 1981, a political wind band for which Riehm also wrote arrangements. Riehm is also known as a music teacher and composer for stage and orchestral works, most noted for his 2014 opera Sirenen which drew from the major Greek epic poem Odyssey ~ Riehm passed away in 2026
June 15, 1937 ~ Rockabilly, country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Waylon Jennings, full name Waylon Arnold Jennings, born in Littlefield, Texas, USA ~ Hired by Buddy Holly to play bass. Gave up his seat on the flight in 1959 that killed Holly, JP Richardson and Ritchie Valens. First achieved major chart success in the mid 1960s with songs such as Anita You're Dreaming, Time To Bum Again, Green River and Just To Satisfy You. Especially acclaimed for a string of 1970s albums, notably Lonesome On'ry & Mean and Honky Tonk Heroes. Collaborated with Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser and his wife Jessi Colter on the 1976 Wanted The Outlaws landmark album. Member of country supergroup Old Dogs alongside Bobby Bare, Jerry Reed and Mel Tillis. Member of country supergroup the Highwaymen with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson ~ Jennings passed away in 2002June 15, 1934 ~ R&B singer Ruby Nash born in New York, New York, USA ~ Joined an all-male vocal group in 1961 with whom she toured under the moniker the Supremes. After the band got a recording contract they changed their name to Ruby & the Romantics to avoid confusion with the Motown girl group of the same name starring Diana Ross. The group is best known for their 1963 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Our Day Will Come, and their follow-up My Summer Love which reached top 20. The group would disband in 1971, still with all five original members
June 15, 1933 ~ Singer, songwriter Sergio Endrigo born in Pola, Italy ~ Well over two dozen albums to his name starting in the early 1960s. Internationally best known for representing his native Italy at the 1968 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 10th place with Marianne. Other well known songs include L'Arca Di Noè, Lo Che Amo Solo Te and Adesso Si ~ Endrigo passed away in 2005
June 15, 1929 ~ Rhythm guitarist, singer Nigel Pickering born in Pontiac, Michigan, USA ~ Rhythm guitarist of sunshine pop outfit Spanky & Our Gang, best known for their 1967 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Sunday Will Never Be The Same. Subsequent hits would include Making Every Minute Count and Lazy Day. The band would disband shortly after lead guitarist Hale's death in 1968, though their remained popularity propelled the record label to reissue compilations and shelved recordings ~ Pickering passed away in 2011
June 15, 1922 ~ John Arthur Byard, commonly known as jazz pianist, saxophonist Jaki Byard, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Known for his eclectic style, drawing from everything from ragtime to free jazz. Worked with Maynard Ferguson and Charles Mingus before venturing out on his own. His initial early 1960s recordings as a leader would not sell particularly well but would be widely acclaimed by critics and peers. In-demand sideman, appearing on albums by Charlie Mariano, Serge Chaloff, Herb Pomeroy, Eric Dolphy (Outward Bound), Herb Ellis, Honi Gordon (Honi Gordon Sings), Charles Mingus (The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady), Booker Ervin, Sam Rivers, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Quincy Jones (Smackwater Jack), and Archie Shepp ~ Byard passed away in 1999
June 15, 1921 ~ Pianist Erroll Garner, full name Erroll Louis Garner, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Earl Hines, James P Johnson, and Fats Waller. Considered one of the most brilliant jazz pianists, Garner has recorded prolifically since the 1940s, and is particularly acclaimed for a string of 1950s albums, including Mambo Moves Garner, Gone Garner Gonest, and Concert By The Sea. As a composer, Garner is especially known for penning and first recording Misty, which would become a jazz standard covered by hundreds of artists including Toots Thielemans, Count Basie, Henry Mancini, King Curtis, Buddy Rich, Sonny Stitt, and Wynton Kelly ~ Garner passed away in 1977June 15, 1913 ~ Lyricist, screenwriter Tom Adair, full name Thomas Montgomery Adair, born in Newton, Kansas, USA ~ Songwriting partner of Hal Hopper, Gordon Jenkins, and most successfully Matt Dennis. With the latter Adair wrote songs such as Everything Happens To Me first recorded by Kay Kyser, Let's Get Away From It All, Will You Still Be Mine, and Violets For Your Furs all recorded by Tommy Dorsey, and In The Blue Of The Evening recorded by Johnny Long ~ Adair passed away in 1988
June 15, 1912 ~ Swing saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader Alix Combelle born in Paris, France ~ Son of classical saxophonist François Combelle. Started on drums before taking up wind instruments. Though somewhat overlooked, especially in comparison to contemporaries such as Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, Combelle nevertheless was a vital figure in the development of European jazz through the 1940s. Combelle has accompanied French musicians such as Guy Paquinet, Philippe Brun, André Ekyan, Jean Sablon, and Charles Trenet, as well as visiting Americans such as Bill Coleman, Buck Clayton, Lionel Hampton, and Jonah Jones. When visiting America, Tommy Dorsey was so impressed with Combelle he offered him a position, yet he opted to return to his native France instead. Combelle continued to lead a series of bands through World War II, camouflaging the titles of jazz standards to evade a ban by the Nazis, who deemed the music inappropriate. Combelle performed throughout the 1950s, before opening a jazz nightclub in a Paris suburb ~ Combelle passed away in 1978
June 15, 1892 ~ Doie Hensley Owens, commonly known as singer, songwriter Tex Owens, born in Killeen, Texas, USA ~ Owens wrote over 100 songs, but is best remembered for penning Cattle Call. The song would be recorded by himself in 1934, to little success, and be popularized about a decade later by Eddy Arnold. The song has since gone on to become a country standard, covered by numerous artists. Inspiration for the song came to Owens, while in Kansas City, Oklahoma, watching the snow fall: “Watching the snow, my sympathy went out to cattle everywhere, and I just wished I could call them all around me and break some corn over a wagon wheel and feed them. That's when the words ‘cattle call’ came to my mind. I picked up my guitar, and in thirty minutes I had written the music and four verses to the song” ~ Owens passed away in 1962