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 3, 1967 ~ In its 15th week on the charts, It's Such A Pretty World Today by Wynn Stewart hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Although Wynn Stewart was held in the highest regards by peers and critics, and retrospectively has been acknowledged as one of the progenitors of the Bakersfield sound, he only scored one No.1 hit over his three decade recording career. It's Such A Pretty World Today spent two consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Country chart, succeeded by Jack Greene's All The Time. Stewart's sole No.1 hit would be covered by numerous artists, including Nancy Sinatra, Eddy Arnold, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Paycheck, Marie Osmond, and Del Reeves
June 3, 1966 ~ Lo-fi, alternative country, underground rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bill Callahan, full name William Rahr Callahan, born in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA ~ Recorded over a dozen albums under the moniker Smog, starting with Sewn To The Sky released in 1990. Dropped the moniker by the mid 2000s, recording over half a dozen albums under his given name since. Singer Cat Power has notably covered Callahan's Bathysphere and Red Apples
June 3, 1966 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bill Janovitz born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Lead singer for indie rock trio Buffalo Tom, with whom he has recorded over half a dozen albums since the late 1980s. The band is best known for their 1992 Let Me Come Over album and its follow-up Big Red Letter Day released the following year. The band would score a UK top 10 in 1999 with Going Underground, a cover of the Jam classic. Janovitz has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Lonesome Billy released in 1997. Janovitz has three younger brothers who are all musicians, Paul Janovitz of Cold Water Flat, Scott Janovitz of the Russians, and Tom Janovitz of SodafrogJune 3, 1965 ~ Jazz trumpeter Derrick Gardner born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Count Basie, Frank Foster, Harry Connick Jr, Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Jon Faddis, Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Rufus Reid, Vincent Gardner, Clark Terry, Kenny Barron, Stefon Harris, James Moody, Lizz Wright, and Craig Bailey
June 3, 1965 ~ Rock, folk, bluegrass bassist, guitarist, banjoist, pianist, singer Mike Gordon born in Sudbury, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as founding member of Phish. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs including Mound, Train Song, Yarmouth Road and Say Something. Has also worked with Leo Kottke, Jamie Masefield, the Chieftains, the Rhythm Devils, and released several solo albums starting with Inside In in 2003
June 3, 1964 ~ Dorothee Pesch, commonly known as heavy metal, hard rock singer, songwriter Doro, born in Düsseldorf, West Germany ~ Dubbed “the Metal Queen” for her leading role in heavy metal. Fronted the short-lived Snakebite in the early 1980s. Fronted Warlock. Well known as a solo artist with over two dozen albums to her name, starting with Force Majeure released in 1989
June 3, 1962 ~ Dance, house producer David Cole, full name David Byron Cole, born in Johnson, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for forming C+C Music Factory with regular collaborator Robert Clivilles, scoring a string of early 1990s hits including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now), Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll), and Things That Make You Go Hmmm. The duo also produced hit records for Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, and Deborah Cooper ~ Cole passed away in 1995June 3, 1961 ~ Singer Connie Francis records Together ~ Written by Ray Henderson, Buddy DeSylva and Lew Brown. Well known as a 1928 hit for Paul Whiteman featuring Bix Beiderbecke on cornet. Also recorded as a duet by Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest in 1944. Connie Francis would release her version as a single, b/w Too Many Rules, and reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100
June 3, 1961 ~ Edward Wynne, commonly known as psychedelic rock, progressive rock, space rock, jazz fusion guitarist, keyboardist Ed Wynne, born in Wandsworth, UK ~ Best known as principal songwriter and sole constant member of psychedelic rock outfit Ozric Tentacles. The band is noted for merging rock with a wide array of idioms including jazz fusion, ambient dub, and electronic music. Wynne has also worked with Nodens Ictus, Jordan Rudess, Eat Static, and Invisible System, and recorded as a solo artist starting with Shimmer Into Nature released in 2019June 3, 1959 ~ Twin brothers mandolinist, banjoist Cary Park and guitarist Larry Park born in Stockton, California, USA ~ Members of country band Boy Howdy, known for a string of 1990s singles notably A Cowboy's Born With A Broken Heart, She'd Give Anything and They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anynmore
June 3, 1956 ~ Daniel Thomas, commonly known as singer, guitarist, harmonica player Danny Wilde, born in Houlton, Maine, USA ~ Co-founded power-pop unit the Quick, and subsequently Great Buildings. Has released a number of moderately successful solo recordings, notably the singles Isn't It Enough and Time Runs Wild, before teaming up with Phil Solem to form the Rembrandts, known for Just The Way It Is and the Friends theme I'll Be There For YouJune 3, 1953 ~ Michele Alphonso Mosiello, commonly known as trumpeter, composer Mike Mosiello, passed away in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA ~ Enlisted in the US Marine Corps as a military musician during World War I and started a musical career after his service. Worked as a studio musician, in big bands, radio orchestras, and in theatres. Worked with Vincent Lopez, Nathaniel Shilkret, Victor Borge, Andy Sannella, and Charles Magnante ~ Mosiello was born in 1896
June 3, 1953 ~ Blues, country blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Terry Garland born in Johnson, Tennessee, USA ~ Guitarist, steel guitarist, slide guitarist. Drew comparisons to Bukka White and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Released his Trouble In Mind debut album in 1991, which also featured the Nighthawks' blues harpist Mark Wenner
June 3, 1952 ~ Keyboardist Billy Powell, full name William Norris Powell, born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Best known as member of Southern rock outfit Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2009. Present on the band's best known starting with the acclaimed 1973 Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd debut album. Has also worked with Vision, 38 Special and the Rossington-Collins Band ~ Powell passed away in 2009
June 3, 1951 ~ June Deniece Chandler, commonly known as R&B, pop singer Deniece Williams, born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Four-octave soprano best known for the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Let's Hear It For The Boy and Too Much Too Little Too Late, the latter a duet with Johnny Mathis. Other well known songs include Free, Silly and It's Gonna Take A Miracle. In-demand backing singer, present on albums by Stevie Wonder, Minnie Riperton (Perfect Angel), Syreeta Wright, Roberta Flack, Kenny Rankin (Silver Morning), Albert King, Joe Cocker, and the Weather Report
June 3, 1950 ~ Rock, glam rock, pop rock singer, bassist, songwriter Suzi Quatro, full name Susan Kay Quatro, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity especially in the UK and continental Europe after being discovered by producer, manager Mickie Most. Well-known songs include Can The Can, 48 Crash, Devil Gate Drive, The Wild One, If You Can't Give Me Love, all of which would reach top 10 in the UK
June 3, 1947 ~ Guitarist, songwriter, producer Clive Shakespeare born in Southampton, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member, guitarist, songwriter for Sherbet. Wrote or co-wrote the majority of the bands material, often with Garth Porter, including Cassandra, Silvery Moon, Slipstream, and the band's biggest hit Summer Love. Also a member of the Road Agens and of Down Town Roll. Producer for Richard & Wendy, Tuesday Piranha, the Apartments, Leonard Samperi, Paul Kelly, and Martin Plaza ~ Shakespeare passed away in 2012
June 3, 1947 ~ Rock, garage rock, avant-punk, protopunk bassist Dave Alexander, full name David Michael Alexander, born in Whitmore Lake, Michigan, USA ~ Original bassist of Iggy Pop's band the Stooges. Appeared on the band's first two albums, 1969's The Stooges and 1970's Fun House. Co-penned a number of the band's best known, notably We Will Fail, Little Doll, Dirt and 1970. Fired from the band in 1970 after showing up drunk for a live date. Alexander would die five years later, making it to the notorious 27 Club alongside Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison ~ Alexander passed away in 1975
June 3, 1946 ~ Gospel, R&B, pop singer Eddie Holman born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Considered a one-hit wonder for Hey There Lonely Girl, a 1970 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Holman surpassing the original 1963 recording by Ruby & the Romantics. Had previously reached the charts yet none reached the top 10. Notable recordings include This Can't Be True, Am I A Loser From The Start, I Love You, Don't Stop Now and Cathy Called
June 3, 1945 ~ Jazz bassist, composer, arranger Bjørn Alterhaug born in Mo-i-Rana, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Chet Baker, Thorgeir Stubø, Joe Henderson, Lucky Thompson, Sheila Jordan, Vigleik Storaas, Karin Krog, John Surman, Ben Webster, Clark Terry, Egil Kapstad, Laila Dalseth, and Henning GravrokJune 3, 1944 ~ Fabienne Essalagh, commonly known as model, actress, singer, guitarist Fabienne Shine, born in Tunis, Tunesia ~ Fronted rock outfit Shakin' Street, known for their 1978 Vampire Rock debut album. Married Chrome singer, keyboardist Damon Edge in 1980 and subsequently appeared on several of the band's albums, notably present on the 1982 3rd From The Sun album
June 3, 1942 ~ Actress, singer Anita Harris, full name Anita Madeleine Harris, born in Somerset, UK ~ Recorded as a solo artist since the early 1960s. Scored a 1967 UK top 10 hit with the Tom Springfield-penned Just Loving You, given to her at the suggestion of Tom's sister Dusty Springfield after a chance meeting appearing on the same episode of Top Of The Pops. Sang with the Cliff Adams Singers. Also known as an actress for stage, film and TV, often portraying a singer
June 3, 1942 ~ R&B, soul singer, songwriter Curtis Mayfield, full name Curtis Lee Mayfield, born in Chicago, Illinois, Illinois ~ Started as a member of the Impressions. Would rise to stardom as a solo artist starting with the 1970 Curtis album. Driving force in the early 1970s Blaxploitation genre, especially acclaimed for the 1972 Superfly soundtrack. Regarded as civil rights icon and musically as one of the icons of soul. Known for songs such as Don't Worry If There's A Hell Below We're All Gonna Go, Move On Up, Future Shock, Sweet Exorcist, So In Love, and She Don't Let Nobody But Me. As a songwriter had his songs covered by Major Lance, Gene Chandler, the Righteous Brothers, Main Ingredient, Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, Deniece Williams, Bob Marley, and the Isley Brothers ~ Mayfield passed away in 1999
June 3, 1939 ~ Ian Hunter Patterson, commonly known as rock, hard rock, glam rock singer, pianist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Ian Hunter born in Owestry, UK ~ Lead singer for Mott The Hoople, known for a string of early to mid 1970s UK top 20 hits such as Honaloochie Boogie, All The Way From Memphis, Roll Away The Stone, The Golden Age Of Rock 'n Roll, and probably their best known the David Bowie-penned All The Young Dudes. As a solo artist Hunter is best known for Once Bitten Twice Shy of his 1975 eponmyous Ian Hunter solo debut album
June 3, 1937 ~ Jazz trombonist Grachan Moncur III born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of jazz bassist Grachan Moncur II. Nephew of saxophonist Al Cooper. Toured with Ray Charles from the lae 1950s through the early 1960s. Noteworthy recordings as a leader include the acclaimed 1963 Evolution debut album featuring Jackie McLean and Lee Morgan and Some Other Stuff released the following year featuring Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Has also worked with Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Sonny Rollins, Archie Shepp, Marion Brown, Beaver Harris, Roswell Rudd, 360 Degree Music Experience, and with Cassandra Wilson ~ Moncur passed away in 2022