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 18, 2025 ~ Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco, commonly known as soft rock, pop rock singer, songwriter Lou Christie, passed away in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Known particularly for his distinctive falsetto vocal delivery, Christie enjoyed a good run from the early to the late 1960s, interrupted by a stint in the Army. Christie co-wrote a vast amount of his material with Twyla Herbert, a classically trained musician some twenty years his senior, including his sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Lightnin' Strikes. Other well known songs include The Gypsy Cried, Two Faces Have I, Rhapsody In The Rain, and I'm Gonna Make You Mine. Beyond his heyday, Christie would continue to record albeit it to lesser commercial success. However, he continued to perform well into his 70s, making him a popular act on the oldies circuit ~ Sacco was born in 1943
June 18, 2024 ~ James Siegfried, commonly known as no wave, avant-funk, punk jazz saxophonist, singer James Chance or James White, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Key figure on the New York no wave scene, rejecting the gloss of new wave and the traditionalism of punk while drawing from funk, jazz and post-punk, Chance enjoyed a cult following from the mid 1970s onwards. Frontman of the short-lived Teenage Jesus & the Jerks, and subsequently the Contortions, recording over half a dozen albums with the latter including the acclaimed Buy released in 1979. Chance has also fronted several side projects, mostly with the same basic set of musicians, including the bizarre disco-influenced James White & the Blacks. Chance had moved to New York in the mid 1970s with the intent of becoming a jazz musician, yet as he would later explain: “I just didn't fit into the jazz scene at all. My whole attitude, my own personal style and everything was more out of rock and roll” ~ Siegfried was born in [artist-james-chance]
June 18, 2023 ~ Milton Powell, commonly known as rapper Big Pokey, passed away in Beaumont, Texas, USA ~ Member of DJ Screw's Screwed Up Click, a pioneering collective considered pivotal to Southern rap and best known for their distinctive “chopped and screwed” technique. Has recorded half a dozen solo albums, starting with The Hardest Pit in The Litter released in 1999. Perhaps best known for Who Dat Talking Down, used in the pilot episode of the HBO comedy-drama series Entourage ~ Powell was born in 1977
June 18, 2023 ~ Punk drummer Teresa Taylor, also known as Teresa Nervosa, passed away ~ Member of the Butthole Surfers from 1983 through 1989 alongside King Coffey, the band at the time featuring two drummers playing in unison. Taylor appeared on over half a dozen of the band's albums including the acclaimed Locust Abortion Technician and Hairway To Steven ~ Taylor was born in 1962
June 18, 2021 ~ Timothy Jerome Parker, commonly known as alternative hip-hop rapper Gift Of Gab, passed away ~ Regarded as one of the best underground rappers to come out of the Bay Area. Formed the duo Blackalicious with DJ Chief Xcel. As a solo artist acclaimed for his 2004 4th Dimension Rocketships Going Up and 2009's Escape 2 Mars albums. Has collaborated with Galactic, DJ Z-Trip, Del The Funky Homosapien, Chali 2na, and Watsky ~ Parker was born in 1970
June 18, 2020 ~ Lynford Brown, commonly known as rocksteady, reggae guitarist Hux Brown, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ In-demand session guitarist appearing on key recordings such as Girl I've Got A Date (Alton Ellis), Ba Ba Boom (the Jamaicans), Bangarang (Lester Sterling), Rivers Of Babylon (the Melodians), and The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff). Outside Jamaican music played lead guitar on Paul Simon's Mother And Child Reunion. Touring member of Toots & the Maytals for over three decades ~ Brown was born in 1944
June 18, 2020 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Vera Lynn, full name Vera Margaret Lynn, passed away in Ditchling, UK ~ Widely known for her concerts for the troops during World War II. Best known for songs such as We'll Meet Again, The White Cliffs Of Dover, A Nightingale Sang In Berkely Square, There'll Always Be An England, Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart, and My Son My Son. Became the oldest person, at age 97, to top the English album charts, with the compilation album We'll Meet Again (The Very Best Of Vera Lynn) in 2014 ~ Lynn was born in 1917
June 18, 2018 ~ Operatic baritone singer Barry McDaniel passed away in Berlin, Germany ~ American opera singer spent his career almost excusively in Germany, notable well over three decades at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Has also worked with the Staatsoper Stuttgart, the Staatstheater Karlsruhe, and the Staatsoper Mainz ~ McDaniel was born in 1930
June 18, 2018 ~ Jahsen Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, commonly known as rapper XXXTentacion, passed away in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Falling Down, Look At Me, Changes, Arms Around You, Jovelyn Flores, and Sad. Had his debut album, 2017's 17, enter the Billboard Hot 200 chart at No.2 and his sophomore album, 2018's Question Mark enter at No.1. Collaborated with artists such as Cracka Paul, Kodak Black, Noah Cyrus, Sizzla, and Skye Edwards. Onfroy was shot to death as victim in a robbery at age 20 ~ Onfroy was born in 1998
June 18, 2017 ~ Jazz, gospel singer Chris Murrell, full name Byron Christopher Murrell, passed away in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA ~ While in his teens fronted gospel outfit the Christian Disciples. Best known for his association with the Count Basie Orchestra, touring with the ensemble from the mid-1980s through the early 2000s. Released his Reprise solo album in 2002 to critical acclaim ~ Murrell was born in 1956
June 18, 2014 ~ Folk, punk rock, punk-pop bassist Alastair Donaldson passed away in Edinburgh, UK ~ Co-founding member of folk outfit Silly Wizard, departing the band in late 1976 after appearing on the band's eponymous debut album to be succeeded by Martin Hadden. Perhaps best known as an early member of punk rock outfit the Rezillos, where he assumed the moniker William Mysterious. Donaldson appeared on songs such as My Baby Does Good Sculptures and Flying Saucer Attack, before departing the Rezillos to resume his architecture studies at the University Of Hull. For most of his adult life, Donaldson has worked as an architect, though on occasion he guested with the Rezillos and issued the solo single Security Of Noise in 1982 ~ Donaldson was born in 1955
June 18, 2014 ~ Jazz, hard bop pianist Horace Silver, full name Horace Ward Martin Tavares Silver, passed away in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Hard bop pioneer. Influenced by Nat King Cole, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Art Tatum, and Teddy Wilson. Critically acclaimed for a number of 1960s albums, especially Song For My Father and Serenade To A Soul Sister. Known for recordings such as Doodlin', Peace, and Sister Sadie. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Clifford Brown, JJ Johnson, Art Blakey, Miles Davis (Miles Davis Quartet), Kenny Dorham (Afro-Cuban), Art Farmer, Milt Jackson, JR Monterose (JR Monterose), Gerry Mulligan, Ray Charles, Tina Brooks (Minor Move), Wes Montgomery, and Gigi Gryce ~ Silver was born in 1928
June 18, 2013 ~ Progressive rock singer, songwriter Claudio Rocchi passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Bassist of Stormy Six from 1968 through 1970, present on the band's debut album Le Idee Di Oggi Par La Musica Di Domani. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Viaggo. Rose to fame with his 1971 sophomore Volo Magico Numero 1 album and has recorded steadily until semi-retiring from music in the 1980s. Resurged in the 1990s ~ Rocchi was born in 1951
June 18, 2013 ~ Country singer Danielle Bradbery wins NBC's The Voice ~ Danielle Bradbery wins the 4th season of NBC's talent show The Voice, runner-up would be singer, songwriter Michelle Chamuel. Following her win on the show, Bradberry released her eponymous debut album later the same year which spawned the Billboard Country No.16 hit single The Heart Of Dixie. She has continued to record since, but failed to repeat her earlier success
June 18, 2011 ~ Saxophonist, actor Clarence Clemons passsed away in Palm Beach, Florida, USA ~ Best known as longtime saxophonist of Bruce Springsteen's backing unit the E Street Band. Scored a 1985 hit, You're A Friend Of Mine, with Jackson Browne. In-demand guest and collaborator also worked with Aretha Franklin, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Alvin Lee, Alan Niven, Lady Gaga, the Grateful Dead, Gary US Bonds, Zucchero, Dan Hartman, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, the Pezband, Ronnie Spector, Scarlet Rivera, Carlene Carter, Janis Ian, Michael Stanley, Joan Armatrading, Greg Lake, Schwarts, Little Steven, the Hawks, Ian Hunter, Steel Breeze, Silver Condor, Twisted Sister, Gloria Estefan, Narada Michael Walden, the Four Tops, Todd Rundgren, Herman Brood, Lisa Stansfield, Joe Cocker, Peter Maffay, Nils Lofgren, Roy Orbison, Jim Carroll, Great White, Luther Vandross, Nick Clemons, the Creation, and Bruce Benson ~ Clemons was born in 1942
June 18, 2007 ~ Indie rock band Arctic Monkeys release a limited edition single containing the songs Matador and Da Frame 2R in the UK ~ The British indie rockers issue a 1,000 copies of the single containing two tracks that were included as bonustracks on the Japanese version of the band's Favourite Worst Nightmare sophomore album. The reason given is to prevent their fans from having to buy the more expensive Japanese full-length album to attain these extra tracksJune 18, 2007 ~ Swing, jazz tubist Bill Barber, full name John William Barber, passed away in Bronxville, New York, USA ~ Worked with the Kansas City Philharmonic and various ballet and theatre orchestras prior to a stint in the US Army, playing in Patton's 7th army band during World War II. Would spent the 1950s throughout the mid 1960s playing jazz. Best known for his association with Miles Davis, appearing on albums such as Birth Of The Cool, Porgy & Bess, and Sketches Of Spain. Other notable credits include Urbie Green, Bob Brookmeyer, Slide Hampton, John Coltrane (Africa/Brass), and Gil Evans. Barber would semi-retire from music to work as an elementary school teacher, yet continued to record from time to time ~ Barber was born in 1920
June 18, 2007 ~ Henry Medress, commonly known as producer, songwriter Hank Medress, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of doo-wop group the Linc-Tones, which also included a young and unknown Neil Sedaka. After Sedaka's departure the Tones would rename themselves the Tokens, known best for their 1961 hit The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh). Medress also worked on a producer including for the Chiffons (He's So Fine), Tony Orlando & Dawn, Melissa Manchester, David Johansen, Rick Springfield, Dan Hill (Never Though (That I Could Love)), and Richard Simmons ~ Medress was born in 1938
June 18, 2005 ~ Basil Philip Kirchinsky, commonly known as drummer, composer Basil Kirchin, passed away in Kingston-upon-Hull, UK ~ Son of bandleader Ivor Kirchin. Drummed in his father's big band starting at age 13. A number of early 1950s recordings by the Kirchin Band would be produced by George Martin who would later go on to work extensively with the Beatles. Kirchin would go on to score films and experiment with electronic music through use of tape manipulation with sounds of birds, insects and other animals. Has worked with Harry Roy, Teddy Foster, Jack Nathan, Ted Heath, Keith Herd, Big Jim Sullivan, Tubby Hayes. His electronic music influenced later stars such as Brian Eno and David Byrne ~ Kirchin was born in 1927
June 18, 2005 ~ Jazz trumpeter Chris Griffin, full name Gordon Claude Griffin, passed away ~ Started out in dance bands working with Charlie Barnet, Rudy Vallée, Miff Mole, Mildred Bailey, Teddy Wilson, and Joe Haymes through-out the 1930s. Joined Benny Goodman's big band in 1936, remaining until 1939. Later played with artists such as Jimmy Dorsey, Tex Beneke, Pee Wee Erwin, Warren Covington, Bud Freeman, and Warren Vaché Sr. Led an ensemble of his own in 1980s which included Marty Napoleon, Sonny Igoe, Jane Jarvis, and Major Holley ~ Griffin was born in 1915
June 18, 1999 ~ Michael Lamar White, commonly known as rapper Trippie Redd, born in Canton, Ohio, USA ~ First gained attention with his 2017 A Love Letter To You mixtape, which spawned the single Love Scars. Has recorded consistently to commercial succes and critical acclaim since. Well-known songs include Taking A Walk, Topanga, Who Needs Love, and Miss The Rage. The latter, featuring Playboi Carti and taken of his 2021 Trip At Knight album, would reach top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
June 18, 1998 ~ Lyricist, playwright, songwriter, actor Edward Eliscu passed away in Newtown, Connecticut, USA ~ Active on Broadway and in Hollywood until the 1950s when allegations made by the House Committee on Un-American Activities led by Senator Joseph McCarthy effectively ended his career. Best remembered for co-penning songs such as Orchids In The Moonlight (Raul Roulien, Rudy Vallée, Dinah Shore), Carioca (Etta Moten, Les Baxter, Fred Astaire), Great Day (Paul Whiteman, Sam Lanin, Nelson Eddy), and More Than You Know (Mayo Methot, Ruth Etting, Billie Holiday) ~ Eliscu was born in 1902
June 18, 1998 ~ Soprano singer Patricia Janecková, full name Patricia Burda Janecková, born in Munchberg, Germany ~ Rose to fame winning the Czech-Slovak talent show Talentmania in 2010, and subsequently released her eponymous Patricia Janecková debut album the following year at age 13. Known for her passionate and emotive performances, Janecková continued to perform in public while studying privately with soprano Eva Drizgova-Jirusova. Diagnosed with breast cancer, Janecková announced a career hiatus in 2022. Despite early signs of a successful treatment, she passed away the following year at age 25 ~ Janecková passed away in 2023
June 18, 1994 ~ Kirshnik Khari Ball, commonly known as hip-hop, trap rapper, songwriter Takeoff, born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA ~ Formed the trio Migos with Quavo and Offset. The hip hop act is best known for songs such as Bad And Boujee featuring Lil' Uzi Vert, Motorsport with Nicki Minaj & Cardi B, Stir Fry, and Walk It Talk It featuring Drake. Takeoff released his The Last Rocket solo debut album in 2018 ~ Ball passed away in 2022
June 18, 1993 ~ Blues guitarist Luther Tucker passed away in Greenbrae, California, USA ~ Though he never acieved much fame considered one of the most prominent Chicago blues rhythm guitarists on par with Eddie Taylor, Jody Williams, Freddie Robinson. Has worked with BB King, Mel Brown, Pat Hare, Elmore James, Little Walter, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, and Elvin Bishop ~ Tucker was born in 1936