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 26, 2025 ~ Boris Claudio Schifrin, commonly known as pianist, conductor, composer, arranger Lalo Schifrin, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his work for TV and film soundtracks, notably for Mission Impossible, Bullitt, Enter The Dragon, and the Dirty Harry series of films. Has also worked with Cannonball Adderley, Maurice André, Count Basie, Louie Bellson, Luiz Bonfá, Candido Camero, the Three Tenors, Stan Getz, Eddie Harris, Al Hirt, Astor Piazzolla, Sarah Vaughan, Cal Tjader, and extensively with Dizzy Gillespie ~ Schifrin was born in 1932June 26, 2025 ~ R&B singer Walter Scott passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founded the Whispers with identical twin brother Wallace Scott in 1964, with whom he has recorded nearly two dozen albums. The band would break through after moving to the SOLAR label in the 1970s, issuing their eponymous The Whispers breakout album in 1979, which spawned their first hit And The Beat Goes On which reached No.1 Billboard R&B, No.19 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and No.2 in the UK. Straddling the line between disco, funk, boogie and R&B, the Whispers would release a string of critically and commercially successful albums over the next decade, over half a dozen of which reached top 10 Billboard R&B. Well known songs include Lady, It's A Love Thing, I Can Make It Better, In The Raw, and Rock Steady, the latter their sole Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit peaking at No.7 in 1987. Rock Steady is particularly noted for being one of the earliest hits for producers Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and LA Reid, who would go on to define new jack swing and reign the R&B charts well into the 1990s. Upon hearing of Scott's passing, drummer Questlove of the Roots eulogized Scott calling him “one of the most trusted voices in 70s soul music.” Songs by the Whispers have been sampled by the likes of Will Smith, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, and J Cole ~ Scott was born in 1943
June 26, 2024 ~ Trumpeter Gary Grant passed away ~ First gained attention in the late 1960s, touring and recording with Woody Herman. Grant would go on to become an in-demand session musician, appearing on hundreds of albums over the course of his career including most notably Neil Diamond's Beautiful Noise, the Brothers Johnson's Blam, and several of Michael Jackson's albums including Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Other credits include José Feliciano, Alphonso Johnson, Stanley Clarke (School Days), Frank Capp (Juggernaut), Patti LaBelle, Bill Champlin, Gladys Knight, Dirk Hamilton (Meet Me At The Crux), Cheryl Lynn, Ben Sidran (The Cat And The Hat), the Marshall Tucker Band, Chaka Khan, Paulinho Da Costa, the Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Donna Summer (Bad Girls), the Pointer Sisters, Teena Marie, Toto (Toto IV), Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton, Earth Wind & Fire, Al Jarreau, Michael Sembello, Patti Austin, Chicago (Chicago 17), Richard Marx, Larry Carlton, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, and George Duke ~ Grant was born in 1945June 26, 2021 ~ Composer, pianist Frederic Rzewski, full name Frederic Anthony Rzewski, passed away in Montiano, Italy ~ Considered one of the most admired composers of his day, best known for the minimalist Coming Together and The People United Will Never Be Defeated, the latter regarded as a modern classic ~ Rzewski was born in 1938
June 26, 2021 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, alternative rock singer, songwriter Johnny Solinger, full name John Preston Solinger, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of Skid Row from 1999, replacing Sebastian Bach, through 2015. Also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 2008 eponymous Johnny Solinger country-rock album, initially only released regionally ~ Solinger was born in 1965
June 26, 2021 ~ Trumpeter, composer Jon Hassell passed away ~ Best known for his Fourth World Concept series, starting with the 1980 release of Fourth World (Vol.1 Possible Music), combining minimal music, world music and electronic manipulation of the trumpet. Has collaborated with Brian Eno, the theater Of Eternal Music, Talking Heads, Farafina, Peter Gabriel, Ani DiFranco, Techno Animal, Ry Cooder, Terry Riley, David Sylvian, Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, kd Lang, Mandalay, and Jon Balke ~ Hassell was born in 1937June 26, 2020 ~ At age 79, singer Bob Dylan becomes the oldest person to top the UK album charts with an album of originals ~ Dylan's Rough and Rowdy Ways hits the top spot on the UK album charts, making Bob Dylan the oldest artist to achieve this feat with an album of originals. In 2014, Vera Lynn, then aged 97, topped the charts with a compilation album
June 26, 2020 ~ Gloria Jean Brown, commonly known as soul singer Tami Lynn, passed away in New Port Richey, Florida, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for her 1971 single I'm Gonna Run Away From You, penned by Jerry Wexler and Bert Berns. Sang backup for the Rolling Stones on the acclaimed Exile On Main St and on all of Dr John's albums. Opened for John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald ~ Lynn was born in 1939
June 26, 2018 ~ Trombonist, drummer, producer Big Bill Bissonnette passed away ~ Formed the Easy Riders Jazz Band. Founded his own Jazz Crusade label. Over the course of his career Bissonnette worked with artists such as Alvin Alcorn, Red Allen, Jimmy Archey, Polo Barnes, Albert Burbank, Alex Bigard, Don Ewell, Pops Foster, George Guesnon, Edmond Hall, Bob Helm, Tuba Fats Lacen, George Lewis, Fred Lonzo, Alcide Pavageau, George Probert, Kid Sheik, Zutty Singleton, Victoria Spivey, Greg Stafford, Michael White, and Kid Thomas Valentine ~ Bissonnette was born in 1937
June 26, 2018 ~ Violinist, conductor Ed Simons passed away ~ Once the oldest active conductor in America with a career starting in the 1940s and continuing to conduct until his death aged 101. As a violinist he played with the American Ballet Theatre where he secretly studied the orchestral scores. Despite lack of conducting experience Max Goberman, the orchestra's conductor, gave him a chance. Simons would soon conduct musicals, including eight Broadway shows between 1948 and 1964, and would be hailed by the New York Times as “the best conductor in jazz.” ~ Simons was born in 1917June 26, 2018 ~ Bassist Fedor Freso passed away in Bratislava, Slovakia ~ Son of composer, conductor Tibor Freso. Worked with the Soulmen, Dezo Ursiny, Prudy, Pavol Hammel, Marián Varga, Collegium Musicum, Fermata, Fero Grigiak, the T&R Band, Peter Lipa, the Traditional Club, Jan Lehotsky, Blue Effect, and Radim Hladik ~ Freso was born in 1947
June 26, 2010 ~ Trombonist Benny Powell, full name Benjamin Gordon Powell Jr, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Bridged swing and bebop. Playing professionally since age 14, moving on to back Lionel Hampton four years later. Well-known for his nearly decade-long stint backing Count Basie, including on albums such as April In Paris, The Atomic Mr Basie, and Chairman Of The Board. Powell, an in-demand sideman, has also appeared on albums by Randy Weston, Thad Jones (The Magnificent Thad Jones), JC Heard, Sarah Vaughan, Melba Liston, Ernestine Anderson, Ray Charles (Genius+Soul=Jazz), Al Grey, Nat Adderley, Johnny Hodges, Sammy Davis Jr, Eddie Harris, Duke Pearson (Now Hear This), Stanley Turrentine, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones, Maria Muldaur, Ry Cooder (Chicken Skin Music), Earth Wind & Fire, Zoot Sims, and Webster Lewis ~ Powell was born in 1930June 26, 2005 ~ Pop singer Pink proposed to her boyfriend ~ Singer Pink proposes to her boyfriend, motocross rider Carey Hart, by holding up a sign while he is racing in Mammoth, California. Hart pulls out of the race to say “Yes.”. The couple get married the following year
June 26, 2002 ~ Sylvia Dolores Finkelstein, commonly known as actress, singer Dolores Gray, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Rudy Vallée. Won a Tony Award for her lead role in the 1953 Broadway musical Carnival In Flanders even though the show only ran six nights. Sang the musical parts of Marilyn Monroe in the 1954 There's No Business Like Show Business film ~ Finkelstein was born in 1924
June 26, 1996 ~ Girl group the Spice Girls release Wannabe, lead single off their Spice debut album ~ After a well-orchestrated promotion campaign to launch the girl group, including several high profile media performances, Wannabe would be released as the group's debut single. The single would top the charts in well over two dozen countries, including America, making it their sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, and became an anthem of female empowerment and the most emblematic song of the group's girl power philosophy. Reportedly, the single has become the best-selling debut single by any female group, selling some 7 million copies worldwide by late 1997. A 2014 study conducted by the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in association with the Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester, found the song to be the most recognisable song since the 1940s, people on average only needing 2.3 seconds to recognise the Spice Girls smash hitJune 26, 1994 ~ Guitarist Mick Wayne, full name Michael David Wayne, passed away in Michigan, USA ~ Fronted short-lived late 1960s rock outfit Junior's Eyes, known for their sole Battersea Power Station album and for backing David Bowie during 1969. Wayne has also worked with Hullaballoos, Bunch Of Fives, and the Tickle ~ Wayne was born in 1943
June 26, 1993 ~ Ariana Grande-Butera, commonly known as pop singer Ariana Grande, born in Boca Raton, Florida, USA ~ Debuted on Broadway at age 15 in the musical 13. Would rise to fame as actres in the Nickelodeon series Victorious and am & Cat. Released her full-length Yours Truly in 2013, which included the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit The Way featuring Mac Miller. Has recorded to commercial succes since. Well known songs include Problem featuring Iggy Azalea, Break Free featuring Zedd, Love Me Harder with the Weeknd, Focus, Dangerous Woman, No Tears Left To Cry, God Is A Woman, Thank U (Next), 7 Rings, Boyfriend with Social House, and PositionsJune 26, 1993 ~ Preston Oshita, commonly known as hip hop rapper Towkio, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the Savemoney collective. Active as a solo artist since the early-2010s, releasing a number of EPs leading up to his full-length WWW debut album in 2018. Perhaps best known for guesting on Chance the Rapper's 2016 Juke Jam single which also featured Justin Bieber
June 26, 1993 ~ Actor, songwriter Willy van Hemert, full name Willem Catharinus van Hemert, passed away in Hechtel, Belgium ~ Co-wrote two of the Dutch winning Eurovision Songfestival entries. 1957's Net Als Toen performed by Corry Brokken, co-written with Guus Jansen, and 1959's Een Beetje performed by Teddy Scholten, co-written with Dick Schallies ~ Van Hemert was born in 1912June 26, 1990 ~ Martrel Reeves, commonly known as rapper Fat Trel, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Known for 2010s singles such as Make It Clap, She Fell In Love and Broccoli Freestyle. Collaborated with Wale, Red Cafe, Chief Keef, Smoke DZA, Master P, Fredo Santana, Young Chop, Rick Ross, Young Thug, Juicy J, and French Montana
June 26, 1987 ~ Classical cellist Gabor Rejto passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Studied with Pablo Casals. Best known as co-founding member of the Alma Trio, remaining with the ensemble from 1942 until its disbandement in 1976. Has also worked with Yaltah Menuhin, the Paganini Quartet, and the Hungarian Quartet ~ Rejto was born in 1916
June 26, 1984 ~ Jazz pianist Albert Dailey, full name Albert Preston Dailey, passed away in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Dexter Gordon, Roy Haynes, Sarah Vaughan, Charles Mingus, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Herman, the Jazz Messengers, Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Elvin Jones, Archie Shepp, Charlie Rouse, Benny Bailey, Buster Williams, Gary Bartz, Larry Coryell, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, and Harold Vick ~ Dailey was born in 1939
June 26, 1983 ~ Andrew Heissler, commonly known as blues, folk, country, swing, jazz singer, guitarist, mandolinist, songwriter Pokey LaFarge, born in Bloomington, Illinois, USA ~ Given the nickname “Pokey” by his mother who who scold him to hurry as a child. Influenced by blues artists such as Skip James, Robert Wilkins, and Sleepy John Estes. After hearing country icon Bill Monroe at age 16 traded in his guitar for a mandolin. Released his Marmalade debut album in 2006 and has recorded steadily since
June 26, 1981 ~ Cornetist, trumpeter James F Burke, full name James Francis Burke, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Though he only had the use of one arm considered among the premier cornet virtuosos of his day. Principal cornetist of the Goldman Band from 1943 through 1974. Principal trumpeter with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 1943 through 1949. Co-founded the All-Star Concert Band with tubist Harvey Phillips, known for the albums The All-Star Concert Band released in 1960 and The Burke-Phillips All-Star Concert Band the following year ~ Burke was born in 1923June 26, 1977 ~ Singer Elvis Presley performs in Indianapolis, Indiana ~ Elvis Presley performs at Market Square Garden in Indianapolis, his 55th show that year. Passing away the following August it would become his final concert. Bootleg copies of the performance would be available on the collector's circuit for years. A CBS TV special aired in October would at times erroneous be billed as his last concert, but was compiled from two earlier shows June 19th and June 21st the same year