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, 1953 ~ R&B, disco, funk guitarist Jerome Smith born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Best known as member KC & the Sunshine Band from its inception until his death in 2000. The band is known for classic 1970s dance material such as That's The Way (I Like It), (Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty, I'm Your Boogie Man and Keep It Comin' Love. Smith also guested on Rock Your Baby, a 1974 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 for George McCrae ~ Smith passed away in 2000
June 18, 1952 ~ Lars-Ove Wellander, commonly known as pop rock guitarist Lasse Wellander, born in Vikers, Sweden ~ In-demand session and touring musician active since the late 1960s. Internationally best known for his longtime association with ABBA, present on over half a dozen of the band's albums. Especially noted for his guitar play on the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Does Your Mother Know of their 1979 Voulez-Vous album. Wellander has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with the likes of Nature, Pugh Rogefeldt, Zkiffz, the Stockholm All-Stars, and the Low Budget Blues Band ~ Wellander passed away in 2023
June 18, 1952 ~ Giuseppa Marcella Bella, commonly known as singer Marcella Bella, born in Catania, Italy ~ Sister of singer Gianni Bella, who has also written songs for her. Active since the early 1970s. Known for songs such as Montagne Verdi and Nessuno Mai, the latter notably covered by Boney M as Tkae The Heat Off Me on their eponymous Boney M debut album
June 18, 1951 ~ Actress, singer Kerry Butler born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for her work in the musical theatre, performing in productions of Beetlejuice, Hairspray, and a 2007 Broadway production of Xanadu, the latter earning her a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. Aside from appearing on several cast recordings Kerry has also released a solo album, Faith Trust & Pixie Dust, in 2008
June 18, 1950 ~ Alan Moffatt, commonly known as folk, rock, Celtic blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Jackie Leven, born in Kirkcaldy, UK ~ Co-founding, sole constant member of psychedelic-tinged rock, new wave outfit Doll By Doll, with whom he has recorded four albums round the turn of the 1980s. After the band disbanded, the singer would take a sabbatical before emerging as a solo artist gravitating towards folk yet drawing from a wide array of influences with well over a dozen albums to his name. He is perhaps best known for his 1994 The Mystery Of Love Is Greater Than The Mystery Of Death album, which drew critical comparison to the enigmatic art-rock icon Scott Walker of the Walker Brothers. Leven continued to record and perform until his death at age 61 of cancer, passing away just days prior to a scheduled performance in Kinross, the UK. His final studio album, Wayside Shrines And The Code Of The Traveling Man, was released only two months earlier. Leven's obituary in the Guardian stated he was “a brilliant outsider, a remarkably prolific Scottish singer-songwriter who built up a devoted cult following during his lengthy, wildly varied and often turbulent career, but never achieved the level of success that he deserved” ~ Moffatt passed away in 2011
June 18, 1949 ~ Raffaella Maria Roberta Pelloni, commonly known as singer, dancer, TV personality, actress Raffaella Carrà, born in Bologna, Italy ~ Active as an actress since the early 1960s, making her name in Italian peplum films. Moved to Hollywood in 1965, pursuiing an international career aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow Italian actresses such as Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren yet feeling homesick she returned to Italy the following year. Has recorded about two dozen albums as a singer, starting with Raffaella released in 1970 ~ Pelloni passed away in 2021
June 18, 1946 ~ Ulla Agneta Andersson, commonly known as model, actress, singer, songwriter, photographer Ulla Jones, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Married to renowned producer Quincy Jones from 1967 through 1974, with whom she has two children including film and music producer QDIII. Ulla is best known as a former fashion model and actress and occasionally worked as a singer, releasing her sole No Time No Space No Age No Race That's Nifty album in 1979
June 18, 1944 ~ Sandra Lou Posey, commonly known as pop singer Sandy Posey, born in Jasper, Alabama, USA ~ Working as a receptionist at a recording studio, Posey regularly sang back-up including on sessions for Joe Tex, Bobby Goldsboro, Tommy Roe, Elvis Presley, and Percy Sledge, including on the latter's When A Man Loves A Woman hit. As a solo artist, Posey would enjoy a brief spell of success in the mid 1960s, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 with the singles Born A Woman, Single Girl, and I Take It Back. Posey continued to record into the 1980s, but was unable to repeat the success of her earliest releases. From the early 1970s onwards, however, she did enjoy some minor success on the Billboard Country charts, where Bring Him Safely Home To Me and Born To Be With You both reached top 30, respectively in 1971 and 1978 ~ Posey passed away in 2024
June 18, 1942 ~ Bassist Carl Radle, full name Carl Dean Radle, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ In-demand touring and session bassist, mostly associated with a number of influential 1960s, 1970s artists notably Delaney & Bonnie and Eric Clapton, present on over half a dozen of the latter's albums including 461 Ocean Boulevard, Slowhand and on Clapton's Derek & the Dominos' Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs. Backed Joe Cocker on the 1970 Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour. Played George Harrison's 1971 The Concert For Bangladesh charity concert, released as a double LP the next year. Has also worked with Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Mason, JJ Cale, and Leon Russell ~ Radle passed away in 1980
June 18, 1942 ~ Folk, pop rock singer, songwriter, photographer, painter, sculptor Jill Gibson born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Dated Jan Berry for a number of years during through the mid 1960s. Sang backup on a number of songs by Berry's surf duo Jan & Dean, and co-lead on It's As Easy As 1-2-3 which she co-wrote. As a solo artist scored a modest hit with You Really Know How To Hurt A Guy in 1965, the single reaching top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. Briefly a member of the Mamas & the Papas during the late 1960s, filling in for Michelle Phillips who was fired from the band by her husband John Phillips for having an affair with Gene Clark
June 18, 1942 ~ Singer, bassist, songwriter Paul McCartney born in Liverpool, UK ~ Member of the Quarrymen, which would evolve into the Beatles. The band would be considered one of the most influential and successful in pop history. McCartney co-wrote the majority of the band's material with John Lennon. Specific McCartney compositions such as And I Love Her, Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby and Blackbird rank among the most covered songs in history. McCartney recorded as a solo artist since the band's disbandement, leading Wings throughout most of the 1970s. Though hugely commercially successful he would be less critically acclaimed than other Beatles. Well known post-Beatles hits include Uncle Albert (Admiral Halsey), My Love, Band On The Run, Listen To What The Man Said, Silly Love Songs, With A Little Luck, Coming Up, Ebony And Ivory with Stevie Wonder, and Say Say Say with Michael Jackson
June 18, 1941 ~ Charles Newby, commonly known as pop rock bassist Chas Newby, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Best known for briefly playing bass for the Beatles in late 1960, filling in for Stuart Sutcliffe on four gigs in the UK. After John Lennon asked Newby to accompany them on their 2nd Germany trip Newby declined, preferring to return to university after the holidays. As both Lennon and George Harrison declined to switch to bass, Paul McCartney reluctantly became the band's bass player ~ Newby passed away in 2023
June 18, 1941 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Jim Pepper, full name Jim Gilbert Pepper II, born in Salem, Oregon, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Rose to fame in the late 1960s as member of the Free Spirits, a pioneering jazz-rock outfit that also included Larry Coryell and Bob Moses. Pepper would go on to merge jazz and Native American influences. Has collaborated with Don Cherry, Naná Vasconcelos, Collin Walcott, Kenner Erner, John Scofield, Ed Schuller, Hamid Drake, the Liberation Music Orchestra, Paul Motian, Marty Cook, Mal Waldron, David Friesen, Tony Hymas, and Amina Claudine Myers ~ Pepper passed away in 1992
June 18, 1938 ~ Don Francis Bowman Harris, commonly known as guitarist, violinist Don Sugarcane Harris, born in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Given the stagename “Sugarcane” by Johnny Otis for being a ladies man. Started in the doo-wop group the Squires, which also included pianist Dewey Terry. Would form the duo Don & Dewey with Terry. After the duo disbanded Harris switched to electric violin, eventually establishing himself as a pioneer on the then-unusual instrument. Harris has appeared on albums by John Mayall, Frank Zappa (Hot Rats), Harvey Mandel, the Pure Food & Drug Act, John Lee Hooker (Born In Mississippi Raised In Tennessee), and Billy Bang. As a solo artist Harris is especially acclaimed for his 1971 Fiddler On The Rock album ~ Harris passed away in 1999
June 18, 1934 ~ Pianist, organist, keyboardist, singer Gladstone Anderson, also known as Gladdy Anderson, born in Jones Town, Jamaica ~ Helped define the ska sound and rocksteady beat. Said to have coined the term “rock steady.” As a solo artist perhaps best known for his 1972 It May Sound Silly album, considered a landmark album in Jamaican music. In-demand session musician from the 1950s onwards, working with producers such as Duke Reid, Coxsone Dodd and Leslie Kong. Appeared on key recordings including Take It Easy by Hopeton Lewis, Hold Them by Roy Shirley, and Girl I've Got A Date by Alton Ellis. Leader of Gladdy's All-Stars, best known for their 1969 instrumental hit The Liquidator. The All-Stars have also been known under a variety of pseudonyms including the Aggrovators, Rupies All-Stars, the Crystallites and the Upsetters, served as backing band for numerous artists, and at times included the likes of Jackie Jackson, Winston Grennan, Hux Brown, and Winston Wright ~ Anderson passed away in 2015
June 18, 1933 ~ Colin James Brumby, commonly known as composer, conductor Colin Brumby born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Closely associated with the Queensland Opera Company, serving as its musical director from 1968 through 1971 and touring with the company performing a number of children's operettas penned by Brumby, including The Wise Shoemaker and The Prince Who Couldn't Laugh. Also remembered for penning ballets, sonates, orchestral, choral and chamber works, notably Fibonacci Variations and A Ballade For St Cecilia ~ Brumby passed away in 2018
June 18, 1933 ~ Singer Tommy Hunt, full name Thomas James Hunt, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed R&B outfit the Five Echoes. Member of doo-wop, R&B outfit the Flamingos, best known for their 1959 hit I Only Have Eyes For You which remains popular to this day through its frequent use in film soundtracks and on compilation albums. After departing the group in 1961 Hunt has recorded as a solo artist, notably Human and first recording the Burt Bacharach/Hal David-penned I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself, the latter later a hit for Dusty Springfield ~ Hunt passed away in 2025
June 18, 1924 ~ Mathieu Huberts Wijnandts Schwarts, commonly known as jazz accordionist Mat Mathews, born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Inspired to play jazz after hearing Joe Mooney on the radio. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a leader. In-demand sideman and co-leader, working with the likes of Herbie Mann, Kenny Clarke, Art Farmer, Percy Heath, Carmen McRae, Oscar Pettiford, Joe Puma, Milt Jackson, Julius Watkins, and the New York Jazz Ensemble ~ Schwarts passed away in 2009
June 18, 1922 ~ Pianist, composer Claude Helffer born in Paris, France ~ Member of the French Resistance during World War II. Revered classical, contemporary classical pianist. Premiered works by Iannis Xenakis, André Boucourechliev, Betsy Jolas, and Luis de Pablo. Also noted for his renditions of Arnold Schoenberg, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Pierre Boulez, Alban Berg, and Jean Barraqué ~ Helffer passed away in 2004
June 18, 1916 ~ Violist David Schwartz born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Principal violist with the Cleveland Orchestra by age 23. Best known for his recordings with the Yale Quartet and the Paganini Quartet. Present on the soundtracks of The Godfather, Jaws, ET (The Extra-Terrestrial), Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Raiders Of The Lost Ark. Has alo worked with the Detroit Symphony, the NBC Symphony Orchestra, John Williams, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, the Supremes, Sérgio Mendes, Lionel Richie, and John Hiatt ~ Schwartz passed away in 2013
June 18, 1913 ~ Samuel Cohen, commonly known as lyricist, pianist, violinist, songwriter Sammy Cahn, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Mostly a lyricist, frequently partnered up with composers such as Saul Chaplin, Jimmy van Heusen and Jule Styne, co-wrote numerous hits including Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow (Vaughn Monroe), Three Coins In The Fountain (Dinah Shore), Ain't That A Kick In The Head, Day By Day, Saturday Night Is The Loneliest Night Of The Week and Love & Marriage (Frank Sinatra), Because You're Mine (Mario Lanza), It's Magic and It's A Great Feeling (Doris Day), I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (Kitty Kallen) and Teach Me Tonight (Dinah Washington) ~ Cohen passed away in 1993
June 18, 1911 ~ Irving Russin, commonly known as saxophonist Babe Russin, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Played with a number of the best known jazz bands during the 1930s and 1940s including Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller. Noted for his solo on the latter's 1941 recording of A String Of Pearls. Co-wrote Jimmy Dorsey's All The Things You Ain't, recorded by Dorsey in 1945 ~ Russin passed away in 1984
June 18, 1910 ~ Jazz drummer, singer, bandleader Ray McKinley born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Vocalist and co-writer on Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar, a 1940 hit recorded with Will Bradley's orchestra. As a leader known for first recording You Came A Long Way (From St Louis) in 1948, later covered by numerous artists including Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, and Perry Como. Has also worked with the Dorsey Brothers, Smith Ballew, Jerry Gray, Sam Butera, and Freddie Slack ~ McKinley passed away in 1995
June 18, 1906 ~ Drummer Ray Bauduc born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of cornetist Jules Bauduc. Best known for his association with Bob Crosby and as a member of the Bobcats, the latter consisting of a subset of Crosby's orchestra. Co-wrote Big Noise From Winnetka, first recorded by the Bobcats it would become a jazz standard recorded by Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, Kenny Ball, Cozy Cole, Chico Hamilton, and Bette Midler. Bauduc has also worked with the Riverboat Five, Johnny Bayersdorffer, Joe Venuti, and the Original Memphis Five ~ Bauduc passed away in 1988
June 18, 1905 ~ James Kern Kyser, commonly known as big band, swing, jazz bandleader, singer Kay Kyser, born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity during the 1930 and 1940s as a big band bandleader and radio, TV, film personality including on his own NBC radio show Kay Kyser's Kollege Of Musical Knowledge which ran from 1939 through 1949. Known for songs such as Strip Polka, Three Little Fishies and It's All Up To You. Kyser and his band also featured in several films, usually as themselves, starting with 1949 That's Right You're Wrong. Kyser employed sidemen such as Harry Babbitt, Ish Kabibble, Ginny Simms, and singer Georgia Carroll whom Kyser would marry in 1945 ~ Kyser passed away in 1985