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 20, 2023 ~ Post-punk guitarist, bassist John Waddington passed away ~ Founded short-lived punk band the Boyfriends at age 17, serving as the band's singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter. Rose to fame as a member of the Pop Group, known for the albums Y and For How Much Longer Do We Tolerate Mass Murder. Following the band's initial disbandement joined post-punk outfit Maximum Joy, appearing on the 1982 Station MXJY album. Waddington has also worked with the New Age Steppers, Playgroup, Judy Nylon, Perfume, and Lily Allen ~ Waddington was born in 1960
June 20, 2023 ~ Paolo Zavalloni, commonly known as pop, funk, soul, disco pianist, singer, songwriter Paolo Zavallone, passed away in Bologna, Italy ~ Active since the 1950s. Member of Henghel Gualdi's orchestra. Rose to fame in the 1970s as bandleader in several TV shows and composer and singer of their theme songs. Best known for his 1977 disco hit Amada Mia Amore Mio with El Pasador. Other well known songs include Non-Stop, Kilimangiaro, and Papa Ha La Bua, Has also composed for others, notably Le Notti Lunghi for Adriano Celentano ~ Zavalloni was born in 1932
June 20, 2022 ~ Guitarist Dennis Cahill passed away ~ Formed Midnight Court with fiddler Martin Hayes, merging traditional Irish music with rock & roll. After the band folded in the early 1990s the duo would continue to work together, drawing critical acclaim. Both would also be involved with the Celtic supergroup the Gloaming, best known for their eponymous The Gloaming released in 2014 ~ Cahill was born in 1954
June 20, 2021 ~ Keyboardist, organist, songwriter, producer Ike Stubblefield, full name Isaac Larry Stubblefield, passed away in Conyers, Georgia, USA ~ In-demand studio and touring Hammond B3 organist, starting his career with Motown in the late 1960s. Has worked with the Four Tops, Martha Reeves, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Rare Earth, George Benson, BB King, Ike & Tina Turner, Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Bobby Caldwell, Boz Scaggs, Quincy Jones, and Phil Spector ~ Stubblefield was born in 1952
June 20, 2020 ~ Rock, dub, funk, folk-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Aaron Tokona, full name Aaron Arana Tokona, passed away ~ Of Maori descent and influenced by artists such as Billy T James and Prince Tui Teka. Member of acts such as Weta, Cairo Knife Fight, Bongmaster, Fly My Pretties, and the Superjesus ~ Tokona was born in 1975
June 20, 2018 ~ Producer David Bianco passed away ~ Worked with Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Fleetwood Mac, Ozzy Osbourne, Danzig, AC/DC, Cathedral, Primal Scream, Teenage Fanclub, Buffalo Tom, the Posies, the Caulfields, Black Lab, the Damned, Buckcherry, the Dropkick Murphys, Mick Jagger, the Rollins Band, and John Mellencamp ~ Bianco was born ca.1954
June 20, 2009 ~ Jazz trombonist Joel Helleny passed away in Herrin, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Mel Lewis, Roy Eldridge, Benny Goodman, the Memphis Nighthawks, Buck Clayton, Jimmy McGriff, George Wein, Frank Wess, Randy Sandke, Warren Vaché Jr, Kenny Davern, Scott Hamilton, Greg Cohen, Keith Ingham, and Marty Grosz ~ Helleny was born in 1956
June 20, 2008 ~ Folk singer Tom Hunter passed away in Bellingham, Washington, USA ~ Best known for his children's songs, notably tracks such as My Washing Machine Eats Socks, The Shirt Song, and There's A Monster In My Closet. In 2013 the Children's Music Network posthumously awarded Hunter the Magic Penny Award. In addition to his work as a singer Hunter has worked in radio, hosting the God Talk radio show on label San Franciscan KGO Radio station ~ Hunter was born in 1946
June 20, 2006 ~ Funk, R&B, pop guitarist Claydes Smith, full name Claydes Charles Smith, passed away in Maplewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founder, lead guitarist, longtime member of Kool & the Gang, active since the late 1960s and known for hits such as Jungle Boogie, Celebration, Fresh, and Cherish. Stopped touring in 2006 for health reasons ~ Smith was born in 1948
June 20, 2000 ~ R&B singer Donell Jones releases Where I Wanna Be, lifted off his sophomore album of the same name ~ Written and produced by Donell Jones and Kyle West, Where I Wanna Be would peak at No.29 Billboard Hot 100, making it his second-biggest hit after U Know What's Up, which reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.2 in the UK, off the same album. Where I Wanna Be would prove influential on later R&B acts, and has been regularly sampled including by J Cole, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and perhaps most notably Mariah Carey in 2017's I Don't. In 2002, Jones recorded a sequel to Where I Wanna Be, titled Where You Are (Is Where I Wanna Be Part 2) for his Life Goes On album
June 20, 2000 ~ R&B singer Toni Braxton releases Just Be A Man About It, lifted off her The Heat album ~ Produced by Teddy Bishop, who co-wrote the song with Toni Braxton, Johnta Austin, and Bryan-Michael Cox, the break-up song Just Be A Man About It shows a boldness similar to its direct predecessor He Wasn't Man Enough lifted off the same album. Actor, comedian Martin Lawrence and Will Smith were both considered for the counterparts vocals, yet both had to decline on account of scheduling conflicts, so Dr Dre who happened to be in the studio next door portrayed the part of Braxton's wayward lover. Just Be A Man About It would receive warm reviews, with many critics considering it a highlight of the album. AllMusic dubbed the song “an instantc classic” by AllMusic, while CD Universe felt that “Dr Dre's guest performance (…) nods to the sensual recitatives and bedside manners of 1970s love men such as Barry White.” Just Be A Man About It would reach No.32 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, making it the singer's final top 40 hit, and No.6 on the Billboard R&B chart
June 20, 1999 ~ In its 1st week on the charts, Boom Boom Boom Boom by Vengaboys hits No.1 UK charts ~ Dutch producer duo Danski & Delmundo struck gold when they created the quartet Vengaboys. Up And Down and We Like To Party (The Vengaboys) had both reached top 10 in the quartet's native Netherlands, yet it would be Boom Boom Boom Boom that became the first international smash for the Eurodance group. The single, which interpolated ABBA's Lay All Your Love On Me, would reach top 10 in well over a dozen countries, including the No.1 spot in the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK. The band would go on to become the commercially most successful Eurodance act, and at the time the all-time best selling Dutch act. Despite warm critical reception in America, both contemporary and retrospectively, neither the band nor the genre ever really caught on in America
June 20, 1997 ~ Singer Lawrence Payton, full name Lawrence Albert Payton, passed away in Soutfield, Michigan, USA ~ Key member of the Four Tops, credited with most of the band's vocal arrangements. Sang lead on songs such Until You Love Someone and Feel Free. The group stayed together in its original line-up, consisting of Payton, Levi Stubbs, Duke Fakir and Renaldo Benson, for well over three decades from the mid 1960s until Payton's death. Well known songs include Baby I Need Your Lovin', I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch), Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever, Reach Out I'll Be There, Bernadette, and Ain't No Woman Like The One I've Got ~ Payton was born in 1938
June 20, 1992 ~ Dominic Wynn Woods, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Sage The Gemini, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Released his full-length Remember Me debut album in 2014. Best known for his 2013 single Gas Pedal featuring iamsu. Appears on Flo Rida's 2014 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit GDFR
June 20, 1987 ~ Gospel singer, actress, songwriter Kierra Sheard, full name Kierra Valencia Sheard, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard. Portrayed the role of her mother in the bio-pic The Clark Sisters (First Ladies Of Gospel). As a singer debuted with the album I Owe You in 2004. Best known for songs such as You Don't Know, Why Me, Praise Him Now and It Keeps Happening
June 20, 1987 ~ In its 11th week on the charts, Head To Toe by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Paul Anthony, a member of the Full Force production collective that discovered Lisa Lisa, came up with the idea when his girlfriend told him she “loved him from head to toe”. With some help from his fellow producers it became Head To Toe. The Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam trio had previously scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, the ballad All Cried Out having peaked at No.8, but Head To Toe would become their first charttopper. Some six months later, the follow-up single Lost In Emotion off the same album, would become the trio's second and final No.1 hit
June 20, 1986 ~ Latin pop, pop drummer, guitarist, singer Joy Huerta, full name Tirzah Joy Huerta Uecke, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Forms the sibling duo Jesse & Joy with pianist, guitarist Jesse Huerta, known for songs such as Corre, La De La Mala Suerte, Quien Se Queda El Perro, Llorar featuring Mario Domm, Ecos De Amor, No Soy Una De Esas featuring Alejandro Sanz, 3AM featuring Gente De Zona, Te Esperé, Mañana Es Too Late featuring J Balvin, all of which reached the No.1 spot in their native Mexico
June 20, 1986 ~ Singer Steve Winwood releases Higher Love, lead single off his Back In The High Life Again album ~ On his previous two albums, Arc Of A Diver and Talking Back To The Night, Steve Winwood played all the instruments himself. For Back In The High Life Again, however, he opted to hire several of the era's best session musicians instead. The album would be warmly received by critics, and spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit with Higher Love. The song would also earn him a Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year, and two wins for Record of the Year and Best Male Vocal Performance. Higher Love was co-written by Winwood and Will Jennings, and featured in-demand drummer John JR Robinson as well as Nile Rodgers, formerly of Chic, on rhythm guitar. Chaka Khan's backing vocals gave the song a gospel-tinged edge
June 20, 1985 ~ Indie pop, alternative pop singer Caroline Polachek, full name Caroline Elizabeth Polachek, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded indie pop outfit Chairlift, known for the sleeper hit Bruises. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with her Arcadia album released in 2014. In-demand collaborator, has worked with Blood Orange, Fischerspooner, Christine & the Queens, Charli XCX, Grimes, and PC Music
June 20, 1983 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, actress Grace Potter, full name Grace Evelyn Potter born in Waitsfield, Vermont, USA ~ Released her Red Shoe Rebel debut album in 2002. Best known for her association with country singer Kenny Chesney, recording several successful duets including You & Tequila and Wild Child. Has also notably collaborated with the Flaming Lips. As a solo artist pehaps best known for her Stealers Wheel-cover Stuck In The Middle With You, used as the theme song for the Netflix series Grace & Frankie
June 20, 1982 ~ Elliot John Gleave, commonly known as singer, producer, songwriter Example, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention with his 2010 Won't Go Quietly sophomore album, which included the UK top 10 hit Won't Go Quietly and Kickstarts. Would subsequently reach the higher echelons of the charts with songs such as Changed The Way You Kiss Me, Stay Awake, Say Nothing and One More Day (Stay With Me)
June 20, 1981 ~ Singer, actress Alisan Porter, full name Alisan Leigh Porter, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Winner of the 10th season of NBC's talent show The Voice, aired in 2016
June 20, 1980 ~ Erik Vincent Stephens, commonly known as producer Apollo Brown, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Member of hip-hop group the Ugly Heroes, teaming up with Red Pill and Verbal Kent. Has collaborated with Guilty Simpson, OC, Ras Jass, Skyzoo, Planet Asia, Ghostface Killah, Big Pooh, and Joell Ortiz
June 20, 1980 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release Emotional Rescue, lead single off their album of the same name ~ Fans hated Emotional Rescue but it became a hit nevertheless, reaching top 10 in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, and America, where it peaked at No.3 Billboard Hot 100. The song has Mick Jagger singing falsetto, a la the Bee Gees, which gave it a disco vibe. Unlike their previous “disco” hit, 1978's Miss You which has remained a radio staple to this day, Emotional Rescue would have less staying power, largely forgotten once it fell off the charts
June 20, 1979 ~ Guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, full name Charlotte Franklin Hatherley, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention as member of alternative rock band Ash. After leaving the band in 2006 has worked with Bryan Ferry, KT Tunstall, Bat For Lashes, Cold Specks, Rosie Lowe, Birdy, NZCA Lines, and NakhaneJune 20, 1979 ~ Country singer Waylon Jennings records I Ain't Living Long Like This at American Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Although Waylon Jennings was not the first to record the song, which had been previously recorded by Gary Stewart, Emmylou Harris, and its songwriter Rodney Crowell, the song may have been most convincingly sung by Jennings. Although the song may not have been written specifically with a potentially fatal drug habit in mind, at the time of its release Jennings seemed to be living out the lyrics, struggling with a cocaine addiction that nearly killed him. In his performance, Jennings seems to have resigned to the inevitable, either he's going to kick the habit, or he's going to die but either way he “ain't living long like this”