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, 1956 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Reeves Gabrels born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Best known as a member of Tin Machine, backing David Bowie from 1987 through 1999. Acclaimed as one of the most daring rock-guitar improvisers since Jimi Hendrix. Member of the Cure since 2012. Has also worked with Rubber Rodeo, Sister Machine Gun, Club D'Elf, David Tronzo, and recorded as a solo artist
June 4, 1954 ~ Michael George Campbell, commonly known as reggae singer, producer Mikey Dread, born in Port Antonio, Jamaica ~ Known for songs such as Dread At The Controls, Barber Saloon, Rasta Born Baby, Positive Reality, Roots & Culture. Produced the Clash's Bankrobber and guested on the 1980 Sandinista album. Has also worked with Junior Murvin, Roots Radics, Seal, Izzy Stradlin, Sugar Minott, Earl Sixteen, and Edi Fitzroy ~ Campbell passed away in 2008
June 4, 1953 ~ James McCulloch, commonly known as rock, pop rock guitarist, bassist Jimmy McCulloch, born in Dumbarton, UK ~ Mentored by the Who's Pete Townshend. Brother of drummer Jack McCulloch. Best known for his association with Paul McCartney, appearing on McCartney's 1970 McCartney solo album and subsequently serving as lead guitarist and bassist for Wings on the albums Band On The Run, Venus And Mars, Wings At The Speed Of Sound, and Wings Over America, London Town. McCulloch has also recorded with Thunderclap Newman, Stone The Crows, Billy Lawrie, Speedy Keen, Roger Daltrey, and Roy Harper, McCulloch passed away of heart failure at age 26 due to morphine and alcohol poisoning ~ McCulloch passed away in 1979
June 4, 1953 ~ Paul Sanson, commonly known as blues rock, hard rock, heavy metal guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Paul Samson, born ~ Member of the Innocence. Member of McCoy. Best known as founding member and eponym of Samson, gaining a cult following with late 1970s and early 1980s albums such as Survivors, Head On and Shock Tactics ~ Sanson passed away in 2002
June 4, 1950 ~ Singer Dagmar Krause born in Hamburg, Germany ~ Known for instantly recognizable voice defining the sound of many of the avant-rock bands she worked with, most notably Slap Happy, Henry Cow, and Art Bears. Notably collaborated with Kevin Coyne on his 1979 Babble album. Other associations include News From Babel, Michael Nyman, Duck And Cover, Lindsay Cooper, Tom Hodginkson, and the OrckestraJune 4, 1947 ~ Songwriter, keyboardist, singer Toni Wine born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Archies. Best known as a songwriter, co-wrote songs such as A Groovy Kind Of Love for the Mindbenders, and Candida for Tony Orlando & Dawn. Sang backup on Willie Nelson's Always On My Mind
June 4, 1946 ~ Electronic, new age, avant-garde pianist, keyboardist, composer Suzanne Ciani born in Indiana, USA ~ Dubbed “the Diva of the Diode” for her pioneering work in electronic music. Active as a solo artist since the early 1970s. Has guested on recordings by the Starland Vocal Band, Elliott Randall, Meco, Bryan Ferry, Art Farmer, Spyro Gyra, Steve Hackett, Fuse One, Mike Rutherford, and Ray Barretto
June 4, 1945 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, pianist Anthony Braxton born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Considered a pivotal figure in avant-garde and free jazz, recording prolifically since the late 1960s. Identifies as a “trans-idiomatic” composer and has repeatedly opposed the idea of a rigid dichotomy between improvisation and composition. Especially acclaimed for his 1969 For Alto album, containing solo alto saxophone works. Early member of the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians. Member of Circle alongside Chick Corea, Dave Holland, and Barry Altschul. Member of Creative Construction Company. Authored several books explaining his music theories and work, notably the three-volume Tri-Axium Writings. Braxton's son Tyondai Braxton is also a musician, best known as guitarist, keyboardist, singer with math-rock outfit Battles
June 4, 1945 ~ Funk, R&B singer, keyboardist, clarinetist, saxophonist, producer, songwriter Leroy Hutson born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Lead singer of the Impressions, jopining the band in 1970 as replacement for Curtis Mayfield and remaining with the band through 1973. First sang lead on the 1971 single Love Me. Released his Love Oh Love solo debut album in 1973 and would gain a cult following in the years after. Best known for his 1976 single Feel The Spirit. Would go on to work as a producer, working with Linda Clifford, Arnold Blair, the Natural Four, and as a songwriter for Roberta Flack, the Voices Of East Harlem, and Next Movement
June 4, 1944 ~ Jack Rivers Lewis, commonly known as jazz guitarist Jack Wilkins, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Johnny Smith, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, and Tal Farlow. Active since his teens, backing artists such as the Elgarts, Warren Covington, and Sammy Kaye early on in his career. About a dozen albums to his name as a leader, noted especially for Merge released in 1978. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Albert Dailey, Lionel Hampton, Sonny Fortune, Astrud Gilberto, Morgana King, Charles Mingus, Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Rich, and the Manhattan Transfer ~ Lewis passed away in 2023
June 4, 1944 ~ Holly Michelle Gilliam, commonly known as pop singer Michelle Phillips born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Founding member of vocal group the Mamas & the Papas, which also included her then-husband John Phillips, known for songs such as California Dreamin', Monday Monday, Dedicated To The One I Love, and Creeque Alley
June 4, 1944 ~ Keyboardist, saxophonist, horn player Roger Ball born in Dundee, UK ~ Best known as original member of funk, pop, R&B outfit the Average White Band from 1972 to 1983, present on the acclaimed albums AWB which spawned the hit Pick Up The Pieces and Cut The Cake. Rejoined a renewed incarnation of the band in 1989, staying on until 1996. Has also worked with Vinegar Joe, Badfinger, Kiki Dee & Elton John, Mama Cass, Bryan Ferry, and Roxy Music. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Street Struttin' in 2005
June 4, 1944 ~ Wilbur H Jennings, commonly known as songwriter Will Jennings, born in Kilgore, Texas, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing Eric Clapton's Tears In Heaven and Céline Dion's My Heart Will Go On. Others who have recorded songs penned or co-penned by Jennings include Steve Winwood (When You See A Chance), Whitney Houston, BB King, the Crusaders (Street Life), Rodney Crowell (Many A Long And Lonesome Highway), Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick (I'll Never Love This Way Again), Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow, and Diana Ross ~ Jennings passed away in 2024
June 4, 1941 ~ Robert George Porter, commonly known as pop, country, rock guitarist, producer Robie Porter, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Enjoyed regional succes in the Sydney area during the 1960s, going by the moniker Rob EG, with singles such as Your Cheatin' Heart, Si Senor (I Theenk), Jezabel, 55 Days At Peking, and When You're Not Near. Had his biggest succes as a producer starting in the early 1970s, notably producing Daddy Cool's 1971 debut album Daddy Who (Daddy Cool). Helpful in advancing Rick Springfield's career. Co-wrote Marcia Hines's Shining of her 1976 album of the same name. Has also served as producer for Air Supply, Tommy Emmanuel, and Supernaut ~ Porter passed away in 2021June 4, 1940 ~ R&B, beat singer Cliff Bennett, full name Clifford Bennett, born in Slough, UK ~ Fronted Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers. The band is known for the Drifters-cover One Way Love and the Beatles-cover Got To Get You Into My Life, both singles reaching the UK top 20 respectively in 1964 and 1966
June 4, 1940 ~ Roy Taylor, commonly known as rock & roll, pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Vince Eager, born in Grantham, UK ~ Known for a string of late 1950s, early 1960s singles, notably Teenage Tears. Had a falling out with his impresario Larry Parnes, the latter commercialising the early death of Eddie Cochran who was a close friend of Eager's. Has since gone on to appear in cabaret and West End stage productions
June 4, 1937 ~ Baldemar Garza Huerta, commonly known as Tejano, country, rock, swamp pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Freddy Fender, born in San Benito, Texas, USA ~ Merged country, rock, swamp pop and Tex-Mex. Active since the 1950s. Became a household name in the mid 1970s, scoring the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Before The Next Teardrop Falls. Subsequent hits included Wasted Days And Wasted Nights, Secret Love, and You'll Lose A Good Thing. Fender was also a member of supergroups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados ~ Huerta passed away in 2006
June 4, 1937 ~ Jazz, free jazz, avant-garde jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Mark Whitecage born in Litchfield, Connecticut, USA ~ Recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for the late 1990s albums Consensual Tension and Split Personality. Married to clarinetist Rozanne Levine, with whom he also worked. Regular collaborator of Gunter Hampel including on the acclaimed albums All The Things You Could Be If Charles Mingus Was Your Daddy and Celestial Glory. Other notable associations include Paul Bley, Annette Peacock (I'm The One), Saheb Sarbib, Soren Anders, Michael Jefry Stevens, Dominic Duval, the Fonda-Stevens Group, Joseph Scianni (Moon Flower), Marshall Allen, Anthony Braxton, the Nu-Band, and Dom Minasi (Quick Response) ~ Whitecage passed away in 2021
June 4, 1936 ~ Jazz pianist, vibraphonist, saxophonist Alan Branscombe born in Wallasey, UK ~ Closely associated with Johnny Dankworth, serving in Dankworth's orchestra on and off from 1960 through 1972. Has also worked with the likes of Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Jackie Lomax, Harold McNair, Kenny Wheeler, and Tubby Hayes. To pop and rock audiences, Branscombe is perhaps best known for his saxophone playing on the Beatles track Got To Get You Into My Life of their 1966 Revolver album ~ Branscombe passed away in 1986
June 4, 1932 ~ Bebop, hard bop, post-bop, jazz fusion saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, composer Oliver Nelson, full name Oliver Edward Nelson, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Recorded over two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Best known for his 1961 The Blues And The Abstract Truth album, which featured backing from Eric Dolphy, Roy Haynes and Freddie Hubbard. As a songwriter, composer Nelson had his songs recorded by Benny Bailey, Frank Wess, and Jimmy Smith. Nelson's best known composition, Stolen Moments, would first be recorded by Eddie Lockjaw Davis in 1960, and has been covered by well over a 100 artists including Booker Ervin, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, and Frank Zappa. As a sideman and collaborator, Nelson has worked with Eddie Kirkland, Jimmy Forrest, Lem Winchester, Etta Jones, Shirley Scott, Cannonball Adderley, Manny Albam, Ben Webster, Stanley Turrentine, Lee Morgan, Sonny Rollins, and Thelonious Monk ~ Nelson passed away in 1975June 4, 1931 ~ Pianist, conductor, orchestrator, arranger, composer Jeremy Lubbock, full name Jeremy Michael Lubbock, born in Berkshire, UK ~ Active since the 1950s, initially as a jazz singer and pianist with a style modeled after Nat King Cole. In-demand collaborator from the mid 1970s, notably present on albums such as Joni Mitchell's Mingus and Minnie Riperton's Minnie. Would go on to work with David Foster (The Best Of Me), Quincy Jones, Chicago (Hard Habit To Break), and Céline Dion ~ Lubbock passed away in 2021
June 4, 1930 ~ Maria Grazia Morgana Messina, commonly known as jazz singer, actress Morgana King, born in Pleasantville, New York, USA ~ Well over 30 albums to her name from the 1950s through the 1990s. Especially acclaimed for her 1964 Miss Morgana King album and its follow-up It's A Quiet Thing the next year. Married to trumpeter Tony Fruscella from 1947 to 1956, to trombonist Willie Dennis from 1961 until his death in 1965. Has worked with Ben Aronov, Ronnie Bedford, Clifford Carter, Don Costa, Larry Fallon, Sammy Figueroa, Steve LaSpina, Ray Mantilla, Adam Nussbaum, Joe Puma, and Torrie Zito. Also known as an actress, notably portraying the role of Carmela Corleone in The Godfather and its sequel The Godfather Part II ~ Messina passed away in 2018
June 4, 1929 ~ Bill Mack Smith Jr, commonly known as country singer, songwriter, radio host Bill Mack, born in Shamrock, Texas, USA ~ Perhaps best known as a songwriter, responsible for songs such as Drinking Champagne recorded by Cal Smith, George Strait and by others, and Blue, LeAnn Rimes' breakout hit. Others who have recorded his songs include Dean Martin, Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones ~ Smith passed away in 2020
June 4, 1928 ~ Jazz bassist Teddy Kotick, full name Theodore John Kotick, born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA ~ Sidemen to many of the leading names in jazz during the 1940s and 1950s. Present on albums by Charlie Parker, Jimmy Raney, Jon Eardley (From Hollywood To New York), Stan Getz (West Coast Jazz), Al Cohn, Herbie Nichols, George Russell (The Jazz Workshop), and Martial Solal ~ Kotick passed away in 1986
June 4, 1920 ~ Jazz trombonist Britt Woodman born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his work with Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus. Also worked with Boyd Raeburn, Lionel Hampton, Ella Fitzgerald, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Gene Ammons, Ruth Brown, Benny Carter, Tadd Dameron, Miles Davis (on Blue Moods), Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Chico Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton, Hank Jones, Junior Mance, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, and Jimmy Woode ~ Woodman passed away in 2000