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 4, 1992 ~ Rock, progressive metal singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Dino Jelusick born in Pozega, Croatia ~ Won the first edition of the Junior Eurovision Contest in 2003 with the song Ti Si Moja Prva Ljubav, which he penned at age ten. Would release his No.1 debut album later the same year. Ventured into hard rock as he grew older. Co-founding member, frontman of progressive rock outfit Animal Drive. Touring member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra since 2016. Has also worked with the Stone Leaders, The-Ralph, and Dirty Shirley
June 4, 1990 ~ Ivor Pomerance, commonly known as pianist, songwriter, arranger, producer Ivor Raymonde, passed away in Ewshot, UK ~ Best known as arranger and songwriter for Frankie Vaughan, Helen Shapiro, the Walker Brothers, Alan Price, and notably Dusty Springfield, including Springfield's I Only Want To Be With You debut single which reached top 10 in her native UK. Raymond's son bassist, keyboardist Simon Raymonde would reach success as a member of the 1980s, 1990s dream pop pioneers the Cocteau Twins and later co-found the Bella Union record label ~ Pomerance was born in 1926June 4, 1990 ~ The 21st edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Rainy and windy, some 42,500 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes the Mission, Van Morrison, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Texas, Melissa Etheridge, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Urban Dance Squad, the Neville Brothers, and the Black Crowes
June 4, 1990 ~ Pop trio Wilson Phillips release Release Me, lifted off their eponymous debut album ~ Producer Glen Ballard, who had previously worked with Jack Wagner and Michael Jackson, helped Wilson Phillips land a record deal, and would produce the trio's eponymous debut album. Release Me tells of a man coming back to his former lover asking for another chance, yet if he would just let it go, they could both move on. Issued as the album's second single, Release Me reached No.1, just as its predecessor Hold On had done. The album would spawn two more hits, Impulsive peaked at No.4 Billboard Hot 100, and You're In Love was another charttopper
June 4, 1983 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, Overkill by Men At Work peaks at No.3 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Although the band had previously scored two massive hits, Who Can It Be Now and Down Under, both co-written by lead singer Colin Hay, and their debut album had topped the American Billboard Hot 200 for fifteen weeks, then a record for longest stay at No.1 for a debut album, Hay would cite Overkill as the first song that he was truly proud of: “That was the first song that I wrote where I thought that maybe I could actually make a living as a songwriter, perhaps. I thought that was a good song that I'd written, one that will stand the test of time. I felt at the time it had something to it. I was very happy with that song”
June 4, 1980 ~ Funk, rock saxophonist, flutist Charles Miller passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of War remaining with the band through 1979, to be succeeded by Pat Rizzo. Notably present on the 1975 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Low Rider. Miller was stabbed to death in a street robbery, the case remains unresolved to this day ~ Miller was born in 1939June 4, 1979 ~ The 10th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ Sunny and hot, thunder and hail, some 50,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Peter Tosh, Rush, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, the Police, the Dire Straits, the Average White Band, and Massada
June 4, 1977 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, Mainstreet by Bob Seger peaks at No.24 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Seger wrote this song, issued as the second single off his Night Moves breakout album, reflecting on his high school years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, exploring the promise of youth. The “Main Street“actually refers to Ann Street, a street off of Main Street. Bob Seger later recalled: “It was a club. I can't remember the name of the club, but the band that played there all the time was called Washboard Willie. They were a Delta and Chicago blues band. Girls would dance in the window. They were a black band, and they were very good. That's where I would go but I was too young to get in. It wasn't in a great part of town but college students loved to go there”
June 4, 1976 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Kasey Chambers born in Mount Gambler, Australia ~ Member of the Dead Ringer Band, which included her parents Diane Chambers and Bill Chambers and brother Nash Chambers, known for their acclaimed 1996 Home Fires album. Relesed her The Captain solo debut album in 1999 and has recorded consistently since. Best known for songs such as Not Pretty Enough, True Colours, Pony and Nothing At All
June 4, 1975 ~ Pop, country pop singer Glen Campbell records Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In LA) at Sound Labs, Hollywood, California ~ Written and produced by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. Glen Campbell released the song as a single in October 1975, paired with Record Collector's Dream on the B-side, it would reach top 10 Billboard Country, top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
June 4, 1975 ~ Roots reggae singer, guitarist, songwriter Julian Marley, full name Julian Ricardo Marley, born in London, UK ~ Son of iconic reggae singer Bob Marley and Lucy Pounder. Would release his Lion In The Morning debut album in 1996, featuring backing from the likes of Earl Chinna Smith, Tyrone Downie, and half-siblings Stephen Marley, Cedella Marley, and Sharon Marley. Marley is especially acclaimed for his 2019 As I Am album and for his collaborative Say single with Moshe Reuven released in 2022
June 4, 1972 ~ Domenica Costa, commonly known as pop singer Nikka Costa, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Daughter of noted producer Don Costa. Married to poducer, songwriter Justin Stanley. Released her eponymous Nikka Costa debut album in 1981 at age 9. Would go on to release a number of well-received albums ranging from electro-pop to soul-influenced pop. Well known for songs such as Like A Feather, Everybody Got Their Something and Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter
June 4, 1971 ~ Rock band Sweet release Co-Co, lifted off their Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be debut album ~ One of the very first songs penned by the songwriter duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, neither of whom were a member of Sweet. Co-Co would be a major hit, reaching top 10 in well over half a dozen countries, including the Netherlands, Ireland, and the UK. The only member of Sweet to actually appear on the recording was lead singer Brian Connolly, as at this point in the band's career session musicians were hired for their studio recordings. Chinn and Chapman would go on to write several other hits for Sweet, including Little Willy and The Ballroom Blitz, as well as for artists such as Mud, Suzi Quatro, and SmokieJune 4, 1970 ~ Andrew Jennati Atale, commonly known as alternative rock, punk rock singer, songwriter Andrew Champion, born in East Bay, California, USA ~ Known for his vibrato singing style while still remaining straightforward and edgy. Sang with acts such as Screw 32, Hopelifter, Highwire Days, the Dance Hall Crashers, and Oh Ghost Of Mine
June 4, 1970 ~ DJ, producer Richie Hawtin born in Banbury, UK ~ Leading figure in minimal techno since the mid 1990s. Has recorded under numerous monnikers including Plastikman and FUSE. Released his Dimension Intrusion debut album in 1993
June 4, 1968 ~ Albert Joseph Brown, commonly known as singer Al B Sure, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ One of new jack swing's most popular romantic singers, songwriters, record producers. Selected by Quincy Jones as first winner of a talent content. He would work on several of Quincy's projects, including the single The Secret Garden alongside Barry White, El DeBarge and James Ingram. Also known for the single Nite & Day of his 1988 solo debut LP In Effect Mode. As a writer and producer Brown was pivotal in the early careers of Jodeci, Tevin Campbell, Faith Evans, Dave Hollister, Case and UsherJune 4, 1968 ~ Contemporary Christian singer, pianist, songwriter Cindy Morgan, full name Cindy Lavonne Morgan, born in Harrogate-Shawanee, Tennessee, USA ~ Has recorded about a dozen albums, starting with her critically acclaimed Real Life debut album released in 1992. Her debut album would earn her no less than six Dove Award nominations. Has also formed the duo St Lola In The Fields with Jeremy Bose, going by her married name Cindy Brouwer
June 4, 1965 ~ Pianist Todd Rhodes, full name Todd Washington Rhodes, passed away in Inkster, Michigan, USA ~ Influential in early jazz and later R&B. Active from the 1920s through the late 1950s. Has worked with McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, Fats Waller, Rex Stewart, Doc Cheatham, Don Redman, Hank Ballard, Dave Bartholomew, Wynonie Harris, Connie Allen, and Lavern Baker. As a solo artist best remembered for songs such as Blues For The Red Boy, Pot Likker, Your Daddy's Doggin' Around, and Your Mouth Got A Hole In It ~ Rhodes was born in 1899June 4, 1963 ~ Operatic soprano singer Solveig Kringlebotn born in Drøbak, Norway ~ Internationally acclaimed. Known especially for her interpretations of compositions by Edvard Grieg. Made her operatic debut in 1987 at the Royal Swedish Opera. Has worked with the Opera National de Paris, the Royal Opera House, La Scala, the Vienna Staatsoper, the Metropolitan Opera, and other renowned orchestras
June 4, 1962 ~ Gospel singer, pastor John P Kee, full name John Prince Kee, born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Dubbed “the Prince of Gospel music” and known for merging traditional gospel with more modern, contemporary influences. Active since the mid-1980s. Has released solo works as well as with several choirs, most notably the New Life Community Choir
June 4, 1962 ~ Louise Watts, commonly known as singer Lou Watts, born in Bunley, UK ~ Best known as lead singer of Chumbawamba, originally an anarcho-punk band known for their outspoken anarchist views, opposing homophobia and fascism. Later the band would turn to folk music. They would score a global hit with Tubthumping in 1997. Watts stayed with the band from its formation in 1982 to its breakup in 2012
June 4, 1962 ~ Jazz drummer Winard Harper, full name Hiram Winard Harper, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Brother of trumpeter Philip Harper, with whom he also worked. Has collaborated with Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Betty Carter, Wycliffe Gordon, Justin Robinson, Javon Jackson, Walter Blanding, Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Stephen Scott, Kevin Hays, and Nedra Wheeler
June 4, 1961 ~ Eldra Patrick DeBarge, commonly known as R&B, soul pop singer, keyboardist El DeBarge, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Known for his uniue high tenor and strong falsetto. Member of family outfit DeBarge, singing lead on songs such as Time Will Reveal, Stay With Me, All This Love and one of their best known Rhythm Of The Night, the latter a top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic and the tune that jump-started the career of songwriter Diane Warren. As a solo artist known for his 1986 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Who's Johnny and for his collaborations with artists such as Dionne Warwick, Al Green, Lalah Hathaway, Tone Loc, DJ Quik, 4play, Quincy Jones, and Faith Evans
June 4, 1957 ~ New wave, pop rock singer, guitarist Luca Madonia born in Catania, Italy ~ First gained attention as a member of Denovo, best known for their 1987 Persuasione sophomore album which is considered one of the premier 1980s Italian indie albums. Following the band's disbandement in 1990 Madonia has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist. Has duetted with Franco Battiato, Carmen Consoli, and Grazia di Michele. Perhaps best known for La Consuetudine, used as the theme song of the Radio Rai radio show Hobo
June 4, 1957 ~ Blues, bluse-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Tinsley Ellis born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Drew critical comparisons to Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. Influenced by the Yardbirds, the Animals, Cream, the Rolling Stones. Released his Cool On It debut album in 1986 and has recorded to critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase since