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 21, 1969 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Pat Sansone, full name Patrick Anthony Sansone, born in Meridian, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced by the Beatles, and the Who. Founded Autumn Defense in 1999, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums since. Best known perhaps for his association with Wilco, joining the band on their 2004 A Ghost Is Born tour following the departure of Leroy Bach. Sansone would also work with the band on the albums Sky Blue Sky, Wilco, and The Whole Love, also co-producing the latter. As an in-demand session musician, collaborator, and ocassional producer Sansone has also worked with Garrison Starr, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Ryan Adams (Heartbreaker), Swan Dive (June), Josh Rouse, Andrew Bird, Will Kimbrough, Richard Swift, Mavis Staples (You Are Not Alone), Kim Richey, and Jamie Lidell
June 21, 1968 ~ George Spivey, commonly known as hip-hop DJ, producer DJ Scratch, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ One third of pivotal early hip-hop trio EPMD alongside Erick Sermon and PMD, known for their 1988 acclaimed and highly influential Strictly Business debut album. Spivey would go on to become an in-demand producer, working with artists such as Das EFX, Busta Rhymes, Rampage, Method Man, Redman, Pharoahe Monch, Funkmaster Flex, LL Cool J, Guru (Jazzmatazz Vol.3 Streetsoul), the Roots, Talib Kweli, Snoop Dogg, Fabolous, Beanie Sigel, and the Wu-Tang Clan
June 21, 1968 ~ Sonia Marina Clarke, commonly known as singer Sonique born in London, UK ~ First gained attention as member of S'Express, present on the band's 1991 Intercourse sophomore album. Rose to fame as a solo artist in the early 2000s, known for songs such as It Feels So Good, Sky, I Put A Spell On You and Can't Make Up My Mind
June 21, 1964 ~ Bluegrass fiddler, guitarist James Price, full name James Dean Price, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Closely associated with Ralph Stanley, playing with Stanley's backing unit the Clinch Mountain Boys from 1995 through 2003. Rooted in old-time mountain style, known for his clarity and precision on the fiddle. Member of the Blues Busters. Member of the Goin Brothers. Toured with Jim Lauderdale and Johnny Paycheck. Has also recorded as a solo artist, most notably the album Fiddlin' The Old Time Way released in 2003 ~ Price passed away in 2022
June 21, 1964 ~ Jazz double bassist Philippe Aerts born in Brussels, Belgium ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ivan Paduart, Tony Levin, Bert Joris, Charles Loos, Diederik Wissels, Nathalie Loriers, Michel Herr, Jacques Pelzer, Steve Houben, Philip Catherine, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Richard Galliano, and Gary Burton
June 21, 1964 ~ Guitarist Porter Howell born in Longview, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist of country outfit Little Texas remaining with the band from 1988 through 1997 and rejoining in later years. The band is known for a number of 1990s country hits including You And Forever And Me, What Might Have Been, God Blessed Texas, Kick A Little, Amy's Back In Austin, Life Goes On and perhaps their best known My Love, the latter topping the Billboard Country charts in 1994
June 21, 1962 ~ Jazz guitarist Andrew Cheshire born in Arverne, New York, USA ~ As a leader over a dozen albums to his name starting in the mid 1990s, especially acclaimed for Another View released in 1997 and its follow-up Water Street Revival released the following year. Has guested on albums by Don Friedman, Eric Wood, and Gonad Jones
June 21, 1961 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Kip Winger, full name Charles Frederick Kip Winger, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Studied classical music after hearing the music of composers such as Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Igor Stravinsky. First gained serious attention co-writing Bang Bang for KIX's 1985 Midnite Dynamite album. Backed Alice Cooper on the albums Constrictor and Raise Your Fist And Yell. Frontman and eponym of Winger, with whom he recorded three albums. Has also worked with Fiona, the Mob, and Blackwood Creek, has recorded as a solo artist, wrote the classical symphonic work Ghosts which was premiered by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and composed the musical thriller Get Jack. Winger dated supermodel Rachel Hunter during the late 1980s, who would marry Rod Stewart after breaking up with Winger
June 21, 1961 ~ José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao, commonly known as worldbeat, ska singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Manu Chao, born in Paris, France ~ Rose to fame as co-founding member, frontman of Mano Negra, known for songs such as Pa Essez De Toi, Sidi H'Bibi and perhaps their best known King Of Bongo. Released his Clandestino solo debut album in 1998June 21, 1960 ~ Singer Connie Francis records Die Liebe Ist Ein Seltsames Spiel ~ German version of her USA hit Everybody's Somebody's Fool. Music by Jack Keller with German lyrics by Ralph Siegel. Produced by Arnold Maxin, Bobby Schmidt and Gerhard Mendelsohn. Connie Francis released the single later the same year. It would top the German charts and become the best-selling single in Germany of that year
June 21, 1959 ~ Progressive rock keyboardist, singer Andy Tillison born ~ Formed Parallel Or 90 Degrees with guitarist, singer Guy Manning. Best known for forming the Tangent. The band's 2003 The Music That Died Alone debut album was originally intended as a Tillison solo project yet the band has continued to record to critical acclaim since, and is especially acclaimed for their 2006 A Place In The Queue album
June 21, 1959 ~ Country singer Kathy Mattea born in South Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Discovered by noted country producer Byron Hill. Started out as a songwriter and demo singer, signed to Mercury Records in 1983. Released her eponymous debut LP in 1984. Musicians who have guested on her albums include Béla Fleck, Don Williams, Tim O'Brien, Mark O'Connor, Charlie McCoy, Jerry Douglas, Ray Flacke, Trisha Yearwood, Emmylou Harris, Karla Bonoff, Hal Ketchum, Abe Laboriel Jr, Jim Keltner, Duke Levine, Kim Richey, Michael McDonald, Suzy Bogguss. Mattea is married to songwriter Jon Vezner. She is also known for her roles in AIDS activism
June 21, 1959 ~ Marcella Levy, commonly known as pop, rock, R&B, soul singer, guitarist, songwriter Marcella Detroit, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Co-wrote Eric Clapton's 1977 hit Lay Down Sally. Released her Marcella solo debut album in 1982. Formed Shakespears Sister with former Bananarama singer Siobhan Fahey, known for their 1992 hit Stay which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic
June 21, 1957 ~ Drummer Mark Brzezicki born in London, UK ~ Brother of bassist Steve Brzezicki. Best known as a member of Big Country from 1982 through 1989, rejoining in later years. Present on most of the band's best known including the UK top 10 hits Wonderland and Look Away. Has also guested on albums by Pete Townshend (Empty Glass), Frida, Simon Townshend, the Cult (Love), Midge Ure, Tom Cochrane, Joan Armatrading, and Fish
June 21, 1956 ~ Elnora Jean Wallace, commonly known as blues singer, songwriter Nora Jean Bruso, born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Active since her late teens, performing with Scottie & the Oasis and notably Jimmy Dawkins including on the 1991 Kant Sheck Deez Bluze album. Retired from music by 1992 to raise her two sons, yet reemerged a decade later to record a number of solo albums, starting with her Nora Jean Bruso Sings The Blues album released in 2003
June 21, 1955 ~ Pop, folk, soft rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist Henry Priestman, full name Henry Christian Priestman, born in Kingston-upon-Hull, UK ~ Member of late 1970s power pop outfit Yachts, with whom he opened for the Who on their 1979 European tour. Co-founded It's Immaterial. Co-founded the Christians, known for the 1988 UK No.1 hit Harvest For The World. Priestman would go on to work as a session musician, notably with Bette Bright and Badger, produce Mark Owen's 2003 In Your Own Time album, and record as a solo artist
June 21, 1954 ~ Horace Swaby, commonly known as roots reggae, dub producer, pianist, keyboardist Augustus Pablo born in St Andrew, Jamaica ~ Popularised the use of the melodica in reggae. Best known for his 1976 King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown, a landmark album in dub music. Has worked with Mikey Chung, Clive Chin (Java), Lee Scratch Perry, Fred Locks, Dillinger, I-Roy, the Impact All-Stars, Paul Blackman, the Heptones, Bob Marley, Delroy Wilson, Junior Delgado, and Horace Andy. Also played to melodica on Primal Scream's 1997 Star single ~ Swaby passed away in 1999
June 21, 1951 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Nils Lofgren born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Well-known for his association with Bruce Springsteen as a member of Springsteen's backing unit the E Street Band since 1984 and appearing on over a dozen of the band's albums. Also a member of Neil Young's backing unit Crazy Horse, present on pivotal albums such as After The Gold Rush and Tonight's The Night. Formed and fronted Grin, known for a number of highly acclaimed early 1970s albums, notably 1+1 released in 1972. Has also worked with Lou Reed, appearing on the 1979 The Bells album for which Lofgren co-wrote Stupid Man, With You, and City Lights, and with Lou Gramm, appearing on the singer's 1987 Ready Or Not solo debut album
June 21, 1950 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Dave Bass born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Worked with Brenda Lee, Bobby McFerrin, Jackie Ryan, Babatunde Lea, Ad Infinitum, Ernie Watts, Gary Brown, Mary Stallings, Phil Woods, Ignacio Berroa, Conrad Herwig, Harvie S, and Karrin Allyson
June 21, 1950 ~ Joseph Michael Kramer, commonly known as rock drummer Joey Kramer, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Aerosmith, known for songs such as Dream On, Walk This Way, Angel, Rag Doll, Love In An Elevator, Janie's Got A Gun, Cryin', I Don't Want To Miss A Thing and Jaded
June 21, 1950 ~ Rock, folk rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Vasilis Papakonstantinou born in Vastas, Greece ~ Influenced by Mikis Theodorakis. Early on in his career lived abroad, performing for Greek students and immigrants protesting the ruling military junta in his native Greece. Following the fall of the dictatorship in 1974 returned to Greece and embarked on a successful singing career, recording prolifically starting with his 1974 Ta Agrotika debut album.
June 21, 1947 ~ Guitarist Joey Molland, full name Joseph Charles Molland, born in Edge Hill, UK ~ Best known as a member of Badfinger from 1969 through 1974, present on the band's best known albums including the acclaimed No Dice and its follow-up Straight Up. Molland has also also guested on pivotal 1970s albums such as George Harrison's All Things Must Pass and John Lennon's Imagine, and formed Natural Gas with Jerry Shirley in late 1974 ~ Molland passed away in 2025
June 21, 1947 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist Nicky Moore, full name Nicholas Charles Moore, born in Devon, UK ~ Best known as a member of Samson, joining the band in 1982 replacing Bruce Dickinson and first appearing on the Before The Storm album. Member of Mammoth. Has also worked with Hackensack, Mister Big Stuff, and From Behind. Would gravitate towards a more bluesy sound with his own bands the Nicky Moore Band and especially Nicky Moore's Blues Corporation ~ Moore passed away in 2022
June 21, 1945 ~ Punk rock producer, music promoter, label executive Marc Zermati born in Algiers ~ Co-founded Skydog label. Organised tours for the Clash, Dr Feelgood, Eddie & the Hot Rods. Has produced artists such as Motörhead, Wayne Kramer, Bebe Buell, Iggy Pop, the Flamin' Groovies, Flambeurs, the CFM Band, and 54 Nude Honeys ~ Zermati passed away in 2020June 21, 1945 ~ Bandleader, pianist Mike Jackson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Accompanist on early jazz and blues recordings by Clara Smith, Alberta Hunter, Laura Smith, Thomas Morris, Perry Bradford, and Buddy Christian. Also remembered for writing or co-writing songs such as The Louisville Blues (WC Handy), Slender Tender & Tall (Jimmie Lunceford) and Hey Knock Me A Kiss (Louis Jordan) ~ Jackson was born in 1888