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, 1978 ~ New wave, pop rock outfit Talking Heads release Take Me To The River, lifted off their More Songs About Buildings And Food sophomore album ~ Producer Brian Eno wasn't really thrilled Talking Heads wanted to record a cover, the song having been co-written and first recorded by singer Al Green, yet it did work out well. Issued as their sophomore album's sole single, it reached No.26 Billboard Hot 100, making it only their second single to chart and their first to reach top 30. A live version would later be included on their critically acclaimed Stop Making Sense album. Take Me To The River would become a signature song for Talking Heads, a concert favorite, and especially the live versions remains a radio staple to this day. Many of the band's fans were unaware the song is actually a cover. The band's lead singer David Byrne would later comment: “There were at least four cover versions of this song out at the same time: Foghat, Bryan Ferry, Levon Helm, and us. More money for Mr Green's Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, I suppose. A song that combines teenage lust with baptism. Not equates, you understand, but throws them in the same stew, at least. A potent blend. All praise the mighty spurtin' Jesus”
June 30, 1974 ~ Kelli Dayton, commonly known as alternative rock, electronic, dream pop, trip hop singer Kelli Ali, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Lead singer of trip hop outfit Sneaker Pimps, remaining with the band through 1998. Notably present on the band's Becoming X released in 1996, which spawned the band's sole UK top 10 hit 6 Underground. Following her departure from the band Ali has recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Tigermouth which also featured the Doors drummer John Densmore. Ali has also collaborated with Marilyn Manson, Marc Almond, Satoshi Tomiie, Bootsy Collins, Linkin Park, and notably Cult With No NameJune 30, 1974 ~ Conductor Michael Christie born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin State Opera, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and the Minnesota Opera. Earned a Grammy Award for premiering the The (R)evolution Of Steve Jobs with the Santa Fe Opera
June 30, 1973 ~ Christian ska, ska punk, alternative rock singer Reese Roper, full name Michael Reese Roper, born in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA ~ Known for his quirky and satirical sense of humor. Member of Guerilla Rodeo, Five Iron Frenzy, Brave Saint Saturn, and eponym of Roper. Has also guested on recordings by Showbread, the Insyderz, and Light Fantastic
June 30, 1969 ~ Rock, alternative rock bassist Tom Drummond, full name Tom Melville Drummond, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Co-founding and along with lead singer Kevin Griffin the only other constant member of Better Than Ezra, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. To mainstream audiences the band is best known for their Billboard Hot 100 top 30 single Good of their 1993 Deluxe sophomore album
June 30, 1968 ~ Batsogile Lovederia Malope, commonly known as gospel singer Rebecca Malope, born in Nelspruit, South Africa ~ Dubbed “the African Queen of Gospel” with over 10 million albums sold worldwide over a career spanning three decades, making her one of the all-time best-selling gospel artists. Well known songs include Uyingcwele, Umoya Wam, Thank You, Nginikela Kuwe, Ke Ya Dumela, and Isikhalo
June 30, 1967 ~ Rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Tom Spencer born in Chipping Barnet, UK ~ Formed the Yo-Yos with Danny McCormack, known for their sole Uppers & Downers album released in 2000. Formed the Loyalties in 2006, best known for their So Much For Soho debut album. Filled in for guitarist Steve Jones in a 2015 reunion concert of the Professionals, becoming an official member two years later. Spencer has also worked with Red Alert, Fast Lane Roogalator, Dogs D'Amour, Vincent Razorbacks, Swill & the Swaggerband, and with the Men They Couldn't Hang
June 30, 1966 ~ Rock, alternative rock guitarist, pianist, singer Patrick Duff born in Bristol, UK ~ Lead singer of Strangelove, with whom he recorded the critically acclaimed albums Time For The Rest Of Your Life, Love And Other Demons, and Strangelove. Following the band's disbandement Duff formed the short-lived Moon in 1998, known for their sole Anaesthesia single, and has recorded as a solo artist. Duff published his autobiography, The Singer (Vol.1), in 2022
June 30, 1965 ~ British pop group the Hollies record Look Through Any Window at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Graham Gouldman and Charles Silverman. Produced by Ron Richards. Follow-up single to the band's first UK No.1, the Clint Ballard Jr-penned I'm Alive, the song would reach the top 10. The song would be covered the following year by American group Gary Lewis & the Playboys for their Hits Again album
June 30, 1963 ~ Lars Johan Yngvie Lannerback, commonly known as neoclassical metal guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Virtuoso guitarist praised for his technical prowess and speed of his playing. Leding figure in neoclassical metal. Influenced by Niccolò Paganini, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ritchie Blackmore. Member of Steeler and of Alcatrazz. Over 20 albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with 1984's Rising Force. Guested on recordings by Tone Norum, Carmine Appice, Saxon, Åsa Jinder, and Derek SherinianJune 30, 1961 ~ Progressive rock keyboardist Clive Nolan born in Sheffield, UK ~ Important figure in Britain's progressive rock revival scene. Well-known for his association with Pendragon, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums since the mid-1980s. Nolan has also written the rock opera She premiered in 2008, based on a Sir H Rider Haggard novel, and the 2014 musical Alchemy, and collaborated with Arena, Shadowland, Caamora, Strangers On A Train, Oliver Wakeman, Casino, Neo, and Gandalf's Fist
June 30, 1960 ~ Rock guitarist Tony Bellotto, full name Antonio Carlos Liberalli Bellotto, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Caetano Veloso, and João Gilberto. Lead guitarist for Titas, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums since the band's eponymous Titas debut album released in 1981. The band is considered one of the most popular and influential Brazilian rock bands, drawing from rock, new wave, punk, grunge, MPB, and electronic music
June 30, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, mandolinist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Brendan Perry, full name Brendan Michael Perry, born in London, UK ~ Founded Dead Can Dance with singer Lisa Gerrard, best known for their 1993 Into The Labyrinth album making them 4AD's best-selling act. Previously Perry had worked with punk rock outfit Scavengers, which would eventually change their name to the Marching Girls. Perry has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Eye Of The Hunter, and collaborated with the likes of Elijah's Mantle, Hector Zazou, Barbara Gogan, Peter Ulrich, and Deleyaman
June 30, 1956 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, producer, songwriter Adrian Wright born in Wakefield, UK ~ Member of Human League from 1978 through 1986, initially joining the band to provide lightning and slideshows for the band's live concerts and moving to keyboards later on. Co-wrote some of the band's best known including Darkness, I Am The Law, The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, and the UK No.1 hit Don't You Want Me. Wright also designed the cover art for their Dare album. After leaving the band Wright would venture into film and later still designJune 30, 1954 ~ Jazz bassist, pianist Eric Von Essen born ~ Member of Quartet Music alongside Jeff Gauthier and twin brothers Alex Cline and Nels Cline. Member of the Lighthouse All-Stars, joining the ensemble in 1992 as replacement for Monty Budwig. Has also worked with Frank Morgan, Jimmy Rowles, Vinny Golia, the Jazz Tap Ensemble, and Art Farmer ~ Von Essen passed away in 1997
June 30, 1953 ~ Pop rock guitarist Hal Lindes, full name Hal Andrew Lindes, born in Monterey, California, USA ~ Best known as member of the Dire Straits replacing original rhythm guitarist David Knopfler in 1980. Present on the 1982 Love Over Gold album. Lindes left the band in early 1985 to pursue a career as a film composer and session musician
June 30, 1951 ~ Singer André Hazes, full name André Gerardus Hazes, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Hugely popular since the 1980s, known for numerous hits that became part of the Dutch pop canon, including De Vlieger, Een Beetje Verliefd, Volare, Zij Gelooft In Mij (translated from Kenny Rogers' She Believes In Me), Eenzame Kerst, and Bloed Zweet & Tranen ~ Hazes passed away in 2004
June 30, 1951 ~ Jazz, rock, jazz fusion bassist Stanley Clarke born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Revered jazz bassist known for his rapid patterns and influential slapping technique. Well known for his associations with Stan Getz, notably on the album Captain Marvel, and Chick Corea, serving as a co-founding member of Corea's pioneering jazz-fusion unit Return To Forever. About two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for School Days released in 1976. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Pharoah Sanders, Joe Henderson, Robin Kenyatta, Dexter Gordon (Tangerine), Art Blakey, Donny Hathaway (Extension Of A Man), Luiz Bonfá, Santana, Aretha Franklin, JD Souther, Al di Meola, John McLaughlin, Paul McCartney (Tug Of War), Alphonse Mouzon, and Roy AyersJune 30, 1949 ~ Glam rock, pop, rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Andy Scott, full name Andrew David Scott, born in Wexham, UK ~ Lead guitarist of Sweet, known for songs such as Funny Funny, Little Willy, The Ballroom Blitz, Fox On The Run and Love Is Like Oxygen. Also worked with the Ladder, Quatro Scott & Powell, the Silverstones, the Elastic Band, Weapon, and as a solo artist
June 30, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Murray McLauchlan, full name Murray Edward McLauchlan, born in Paisley, UK ~ Has recorded well over a dozen albums since the early 1970s, starting with Song From The Street. Well-known songs include Day To Dust, Boulevard, Whispering Rain, and Timberline
June 30, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Glenn Shorrock, full name Glenn Barrie Shorrock, born in Rochester, UK ~ Key figure in Australian pop rock, his adopted homeland. Co-founding member of 1960s pop rock outfit the Twilights, known for Needle In A Haystack and What's Wrong With The Way I Live. Co-founded late 1960s supergroup Axiom, acclaimed for the albums Fool's Gold and If Only, and for the Australian top 10 hits Arkansas Grass, Little Ray Of Sunshine, and My Baby's Gone. Internationally perhaps best known as co-founding member of the Little River Band, with whom he scored the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Reminiscing, Lady, Lonesome Loser, The Night Owls, and Take It Easy On Me. Shorrock has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Villain Of The Peace released in 1982June 30, 1944 ~ Mardochée Elkoubi, commonly known as pop, chanson singer Guy Mardel, born in Oran, Algeria ~ Best known for representing France at the 1965 Eurovision Songfestival with the song N'Avoue Jamais co-written with Françoise Dorin, the song reaching third place behind the UK entry Kathy Kirby's I Belong and winner Luxembourg's France Gall's Poupée De Cire (Poupée De Son)
June 30, 1943 ~ R&B, pop singer Florence Ballard, full name Florence Glenda Ballard, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Original member of the Supremes, remaining with the band through 1967. Present on songs such as Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, Back In My Arms Again, I Hear A Symphony, You Can't Hurry Love, and You Keep Me Hangin' On ~ Ballard passed away in 1976
June 30, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Larry Henley born in Arp, Texas, USA ~ Henley fronted 1960s pop group the Newbeats, known for songs such as The Bees Are For The Birds (The Birds Are For The Bees), Bread And Butter, Everything Is Alright and Groovin' Out On Life. Henley is perhaps best known for co-writing, with Jeff Silber, Wind Beneath My Wings, a 1988 No.1 US hit for Bette Midler. Other artists who recorded the song include Roger Whittaker, Sheena Easton, Lee Greenwood, Colleen Hewett, Lou Rawls, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Gary Morris. Henley also wrote or co-wrote songs for Tammy Wynette (Till I Get It Right), Randy Travis (Is It Still Over), Tanya Tucker (Lizzie & The Rainman), Janie Fricke (He's A Heartache (Looking For A Place To Happen)), and Delbert McClinton (Shotgun Rider) ~ Henley passed away in 2014
June 30, 1941 ~ Michael George Farr, commonly known as arranger, songwriter, producer Mike Leander, born in Walthamstow, UK ~ In-house arranger for Decca Records during the 1960s, and for Bell Records starting in the early 1970s. Arranged the Beatles' She's Leaving Home of the Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as their staple producer, arranger, George Martin, was unavailable. Executive producer for the original Jesus Christ Superstar album. Has also worked with artists such as Marianne Faithfull, Marc Bolan, Joe Cocker, the Small Faces, Shirley Bassey, Lulu, Jimmy Page, Roy Orbison, the Rolling Stones, Gene Pitney, and Gary Glitter ~ Farr passed away in 1996