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 30, 2023 ~ Kentrick Patrick, commonly known as calypso, rocksteady, ska singer Lord Creator, passed away ~ Influential on the early development of the Jamaican music scene. Active since the late 1950s, noted for hits such as The Cockhead, Evening News, Big Bamboo, and specifically Kingston Town. The latter would be covered by UB40 in 1989, which helped revive Patrick's career ~ Patrick was born in 1935
June 30, 2023 ~ Eric Froberg, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk, indie rock guitarist, singer Rick Froberg, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known as lead singer, guitarist for early 1990s outfit Drive Like Jehu, a band especially acclaimed for the albums Drive Like Jehu and Yank Crime. Froberg has also worked with Pitchfork, the Hot Snakes, and Obits. As a visual artist and illustrator, Froberg has created album art and merchandise for all of his bands as well as for Rocket From The Crypt, Beehive & the Barracudas, and Mr Tube & the Flying Objects ~ Froberg was born in 1968
June 30, 2021 ~ Guitarist Vic Briggs, full name Victor Harvey Briggs, passed away in New Zealand ~ One of the finest to pass through the ranks of the Animals, serving as the band's lead guitarist and primary arranger from 1966 through 1968, present on the albums Winds Of Change, The Twain Shall Meet and Every One Of Us. Mentored by Big Jim Sullivan, Briggs had been active since his mid-teens including with the Echoes, Dusty Springfield, notably present on Springfield's Ev'rything's Coming Up Dusty album, Brian Auger, Steampacket, and Johnny Hallyday. Following his tenure with the Animals, Briggs would focus on producing and arranging, working with the likes of Eire Apparent, Zoot Money, Hilton Valentine, and Sean Bonniwell ~ Briggs was born in 1945
June 30, 2018 ~ Country mandolinist Dean Webb, full name Roy Dean Webb, passed away ~ Co-founding member of the Dillards. The band would prove to be one of the most important progressive bluegrass acts to emerge from the 1960s, acclaimed for albums such as Back Porch Bluegrass, Wheatstraw Suite, and Copperfields, and influential on a wide range of artists including the Byrds and Linda Ronstadt. An in-demand guest collaborator, Webb has also appeared on albums by Malvina Reynolds, Severin Browne, JD Crowe (JD Crowe & The New South), Allan Clarke, and Jim Ringer ~ Webb was born in 1937
June 30, 2016 ~ Jazz pianist Don Friedman, full name Donald Ernest Friedman, passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ First appeared on the West Coast scene in 1956, playing with the likes of Dexter Gordon, Shorty Rogers, Buddy DeFranco, and the then-unknown Ornette Coleman. Friedman would relocate to New York, where he became an in-demand pianist, both as a leader and a sideman working with artists such as Pepper Adams, Booker Little, Jimmy Giuffre, Atilla Zoller, Chuck Wayne, and Clark Terry. Friedman remained active until his death at age 81, recording some 50 albums as a leader starting with the acclaimed A Day In The City (Jazz Variations On A Theme) released in 1961, though despite earning critical acclaim he never became a household name ~ Friedman was born in 1935
June 30, 2015 ~ Edouard Louise, commonly known as organist, singer Eddy Louiss, passed away in Poitiers, France ~ Member of Double Six in the early 1960s. Closely associated with Claude Nougaro, with whom he worked for about a dozen years starting in the mid 1960s. Internationally perhaps best known for guesting on Stan Getz's acclaimed 1971 Dynasty album. Other notable associations include Jean-Luc Ponty, Michel Legrand (The Young Girls Of Rochefort), Gong, André Condouant, Stéphane Grappelli, Quincy Jones, Daniel Humair, Albert Mangelsdorff (Room 1220), Toots Thielemans, and Jane Birkin ~ Louise was born in 1941
June 30, 2012 ~ Victor Guillermo Toro, commonly known as guitarist, cuatro player Yomo Toro, passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Known as “the King of the Cuatro” with a career spanning six decades starting in the 1940s. The cuatro is a stringed instrument of the guitar family, larger than a mandolin and containg ten strings which generate complex tones and multiple harmonic series. Toro is firmly grounded in traditional Puerto Rican and Mexican music, specifically jibaro, has recorded prolifically as a solo artist and is an in-demand sideman for a wide array of artists. Notable associations include Arsenío Rodriguez, Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, David Byrne, and the Fania All-Stars ~ Toro was born in 1933June 30, 2006 ~ Jazz, big band pianist Ross Tompkins passed away in St Augustine, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention in the 1960s, backing Kai Winding on about half a dozen albums. Tompkins would go on to record about a dozen albums as a leader, co-leader or solo artist, and is especially noted for the 1977 live album Live At Concord. Also closely associated with Doc Severinsen, serving in the Tonight Show Band for some two decades starting in 1971, and with Louie Bellson from the mid 1970s through the 1990s. Other notable associations include Herb Ellis, Zoot Sims (Hawthorne Nights), Howard Roberts (The Real Howard Roberts), Lorraine Feather, Snooky Young, Red Norvo, Peanuts Hucko, Bill Watrous (I'll Play For You), Dick Cary, Spike Robinson, Tommy Newsom, Dick Hafer (Prez Impressions), Jake Hanna, and Plas Johnson ~ Tompkins was born in 1938
June 30, 2002 ~ Howard Richard Allen, commonly known as drummer Richard Pistol Allen, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Max Roach, Buddy Rich, Benny Benjamin. Member of Motown house band the Funk Brothers. Present on recordings by Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and the Four Tops ~ Allen was born in 1932
June 30, 2001 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer Chet Atkins, full name Chester Burton Atkins, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Important behind the scenes country musician. Along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson helped develop the Nashville sound. Highly admired as a guitarist. Influenced by Merle Travis, Django Reinhardt, George Barnes, Les Paul, Jerry Reed. Has collaborated with numerous artists, notably as a producer for Perry Como, Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, Don Gibson, Jim Reeves, and Waylon Jennings ~ Atkins was born in 1924
June 30, 2001 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, soul jazz saxophonist Joe Henderson passed away in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker. Well over two dozen albums as a leader, drawing from bebop, R&B, Latin jazz, and avant-garde. Best known for an impressive string of acclaimed 1960s albums, starting with Page One, and three tribute albums released in the 1990s celebrating the music of Billy Strayhorn (Lush Life), Miles Davis (So Near So Far), and Antônio Carlos Jobim (Double Rainbow). As a composer, Henderson is best known for Recorda-me, Serenity, Inner Urge, Isotope, and Black Narcissus, all covered by numerous artists. Though primarily a leader, Henderson has guested on numerous albums including landmark recordings by Lee Morgan (The Sidewinder), Horace Silver (Song For My Father), Andrew Hill (Point Of Departure), and Herbie Hancock (The Prisoner). Other notable associations include Kenny Dorham, Blue Mitchell, Johnny Coles, Grant Green, Duke Pearson, Freddie Roach, Pete La Roca, Larry Young, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, Joe Zawinul, McCoy Tyner, Lee Konitz, Alice Coltrane, Miroslav Vitous, Flora Purim, Ron Carter, Patrice Rushen, Woody Shaw, Ben Sidran, Chick Corea, Mal Waldron, and Chaka Khan ~ Henderson was born in 1937
June 30, 1999 ~ Singer Mary J Blige releases All That I Can Say, lifted off her Mary album ~ Written by the then-immensely popular Lauryn Hill, who had released her landmark solo debut album The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill just the previous year. Hill first offered the song to Whitney Houston, but due to timing issues Houston was unable to record the song and it was given to Mary J Blige instead. Despite warm critical reception, Billboard stating the song sounded “like nothing she's delivered before”, All That I Can Say would somewhat underperform stalling at No.44 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single did, however, make it to top 10 Billboard R&B, peaking at No.6, and earned Blige a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Performance. Hill was also present on the recording, providing backing vocals. Blige would tell Rap Pages working with Hill marked a rare occassion for her to enjoy a special sisterly experience with someone other than her actual blood sisters: “She's a perfect example of how to just bond with your women. It's rare in the business, because there are a lot of women that I refuse to work with”June 30, 1995 ~ Pop, R&B singer Phyllis Hyman, full name Phyllis Linda Hyman, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Known for songs such as You Know How To Love Me, Living All Alone, Don't Wanna Change The World. Nominated for a Tony Award for her role in the early 1980s Broadway-production of Sophisticated Ladies, a musical based on the music of Duke Ellington ~ Hyman was born in 1949
June 30, 1994 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Obadiah Carter, full name Obadiah Hawthorne Carter, passed away ~ Best known as member of the 5 Royales, originating from gospel quintet the Royal Sons. The band changed both their name and music, moving from gospel to secular R&B, and found succes with songs such as You Know I Know and Courage To Love ~ Carter was born in 1925
June 30, 1990 ~ Saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, full name Mtuhutuzeli Dudu Pukwana, passed away in London, UK ~ Influenced by Nikele Moyake, Charlie Parker, and King Curtis. Member of the Blue Notes, member of Brotherhood Of Breath, recording over half a dozen albums with each. Recorded about a dozen albums as a leader, including the acclaimed In The Townships released in 1974. Pukwana has also appeared on albums by Assagai, Mick Softley, Mike Heron, Hugh Masekela (Home Is Where The Music Is), Jabula, Toots & the Maytals (Reggae Got Soul), Johnny Dyani, George Fenton, and Gary Windo ~ Pukwana was born in 1938June 30, 1987 ~ Frederic Mompou Dencausse, commonly known as classical pianist, composer Federico Mompou, passed away in Barcelona, Spain ~ Darling of 1920s Paris. Influenced by Erik Satie and Gabriel Fauré. Critically described as the sole successor to Claude Debussy. Composed for piano, guitar, voice, ballet, and choral works. Would seldom perform his own compositions in public, other than at small, intimate soirees. Well-known compositions include Scènes D'Enfants and Suite Compostelana ~ Dencausse was born in 1893
June 30, 1986 ~ Singer, musical actor Jamai Loman, full name Jamai Johannes Loman, born in Gouda, the Netherlands ~ Winner of the 2003 edition of the talent contest Idols. Following hits such as Step Right Up and When You Walk In The Room would venture into a career as musical actor and TV presenter
June 30, 1984 ~ In its 6th week on the charts, Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen hits No.2 Billboard Hot 100, its peak position, behind Duran Duran's The Reflex ~ Released as the lead single off his Born In The USA hit album, it would become his highest charting single, trailing behind Duran Duran's The Reflex in its first week at No.2, and held off the top spot by Prince's When Doves Cry for the next three weeks. Bruce Springsteen never scored a Billboard Hot 100 No.1, though Manfred Mann's Earth Band did reach the top spot with their cover of Blinded By The Light in 1977, penned and first recorded by Springsteen. Following Dancing In The Dark, all subsequent six singles from the same album would reach top 10 though
June 30, 1984 ~ Fantasia Monique Barrino, mononymously known as R&B singer, actress Fantasia born in High Point, North Carolina, USA ~ Winner of the third season of talent show American Idol in 2004. Released her I Believe debut single and Free Yourself debut album later the same year. Over the next few years, Fantasia would collaborate with Faith Evans, Patti LaBelle, and Aretha Franklin, and star in a Broadway production of The Color Purple. She is well known for songs such as Truth, Free Yourself, When I See U and BittersweetJune 30, 1983 ~ Cheryl Ann Tweedy, commonly known as singer Cheryl, born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK ~ Became a member of girl group Girls Aloud through ITV's 2002 edition of Popstars The Rivals. While still a band member Tweedy went on to pursue a solo career releasing her debut album, 3 Words, in 2009
June 30, 1983 ~ Colden Rainey Swindell, commonly known as country, country pop singer, songwriter Cole Swindell, born in Bronwood, Georgia, USA ~ As a singer known for songs such as Chillin' It, Ain't Worth The Whiskey, You Should Be Here and Middle Of A Memory. In-demand songwriter. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Swindell include Craig Campbell, Thomas Rhett (Get Me Some Of That), Scotty McCreery, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line (This Is How We Roll), and Chris YoungJune 30, 1983 ~ Pop, rock drummer, percussionist, guitarist, keyboardist Jamie Morrison, full name James Ross Morrison, born ~ Perhaps best known as drummer for the Stereophonics, joining the band in 2012 as replacement for Javier Weyler. Morrison had previously toured and recorded with the Noisettes, Sia, Tom Baxter, Frankie Miller, Mark Ronson, KT Tunstall, and Drewford Alabama
June 30, 1981 ~ Pop singer, TV personality Alex Casademunt, full name Alejandro Casademunt Gonzalez, born in Barcelona, Spain ~ Brother of singer Papa Joe. First gained attention on the talent show Operación Triunfo aired on Televisión Española in 2001. Following the show would form the group Fórmula Abierte with fellow contestants Geno Machado, Javián and Mireia Montavez. Collaborated with David Bustamante on the 2002 hit Dos Hombres Y Un Desyono. Released his Inquietudes De Ella solo debut album in 2003 ~ Casademunt passed away in 2021June 30, 1979 ~ Pop, rock drummer Andy Burrows, full name Andrew William Burrows, born in Winchester, UK ~ Best known as drummer for Razorlight from 2004 through 2009, rejoining in 2021. Has also drummed for We Are Scientists from 2009 through 2014. Released his The Colour Of My Dreams solo debut album in 2008 and drummed on the Arthur 2011 romantic comedy soundtrack
June 30, 1979 ~ Matthew Paul Miller, commonly known as reggae, alternative reggae, alternative hip-hop, alternative rock singer, rapper, beatboxer Matisyahu, born in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Merges Jewish themes with reggae, rock, hip-hop and beatboxing. Best known for his 2005 King Without A Crown single. Has worked with Bill Laswell, Sly & Robbie, Kool Kojak, Akon, Trevor Hall, Avicii, and Wyclef Jean