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 5, 2025 ~ Keyboardist, singer Bob Andrews, full name Robert Charles Andrews, passed away ~ Recorded about half a dozen albums with early 1970s outfit Brinsley Schwarz, a band named for their guitarist of the same name. The band is credited with defining the typically British pub rock sound, a roots rock based back-to-basics movement which emerged as a reaction to the then-popular progressive rock and flashy glam-rock bands. Brinsley Schwarz is especially acclaimed for the albums Nervous On The Road and Silver Pistol. Andrews also played in Graham Parker's backing band the Rumour, co-produced Carlene Carter's 1978 eponymous Carlene Carter debut album, served as producer for a variety of acts including Jona Lewie, the La's, Katrina & the Waves, and Helen Watson, and was an in-demand session player keyboardist throughout his career with notable appearances on the tracks Right Back Where We Started From by Maxine Nightingale, I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass by former Brinsley Schwarz bandmate Nick Lowe, and Stop by Sam Brown ~ Andrews was born in 1949
June 5, 2025 ~ Keyboardist, singer Wayne Lewis passed away ~ Co-lead singer of R&B outfit Atlantic Starr, a band founded by siblings Wayne, David Lewis, and Jonathan Lewis. Influenced by 1970s soul and funk acts such as Earth Wind & Fire, the Commodores, and LTD, Atlantic Starr would become one of the top R&B acts of the 1980s by adding an updated urban contemporary touch. The band would be especially popular from the early through the mid 1980s, scoring a run of five consecutive albums to reach top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts starting with 1981's Radiant, the band's third studio album and first of three produced by James Anthony Carmichael, who had previously worked as arranger, engineer, or producer with acts such as Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5, the Temptations, the Commodores, GC Cameron, and Diana Ross. Over the course of their career, Atlantic Starr would score about a dozen Billboard R&B top 10 hits, three of which also reached top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Lewis co-wrote a significant portion of the band's biggest hits, including When Love Calls, Circles, Touch A Four Leaf Clover, Secret Lovers, and Always. The band would fall out of favor in the 1990s with the emergence of new jack swing, yet continued to perform in various incarnations. Their sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, Always lifted off their 1987 All In The Name Of Love album, remains a wedding favorite to this day ~ Lewis was born in 1957
June 5, 2023 ~ Astrud Evangelina Weinert, commonly known as bossa nova, jazz singer Astrud Gilberto, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for her contributions to the 1963 Getz/Gilberto album, a collaborative album by Stan Getz and her then-husband João Gilberto, singing lead on two of the the album's tracks including the hit The Girl From Ipanema. Released her solo debut album The Astrud Gilberto Album in 1965 and has recorded well over a dozen albums since ~ Gilberto was born in 1940
June 5, 2023 ~ Hoboist, conductor Werner Herbers passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Married to violinist Vera Beths. Principal hoboist for the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Co-artistic director for the Nederlands Blazer Ensemble from 1962 through 1988. Founded the Ebony Band, known for bringing forgotten or overlooked composers from the Interbellum to the public's attention and especially composers persecuted or killed by the Nazis ~ Herbers was born in 1940June 5, 2022 ~ Bassist Alec John Such passed away in Horry County, South Carolina, USA ~ Member of Bon Jovi from its inception in 1983 through 1994. Present on the band's best known including the 1987 Slippery When Wet album which would go on to sell over 20 million copies and spawn the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits You Give Love A Bad Name, Livin' On A Prayer and Wanted Dead Or Alive ~ Such was born in 1951
June 5, 2022 ~ Mariel Semonte Orr, commonly known as rapper Trouble, passed away in Rockdale County, Georgia, USA ~ Has been releasing mixtapes since the early-2010s. Released his first full-length, the Mike Will Made It collaborative album Edgewood, in 2018. The acclaimed album would also feature appearances from Drake and the Weeknd. Guested on Lupe Fiasco's 2015 album Tetsuo & Youth. Guested on YFN Lucci's Key To The Streets single. Has also worked with Yo Gotti, Waka Flocka Flame, and Trae the Truth ~ Orr was born in 1987June 5, 2021 ~ Grace Bernadette Sisson, commonly known as folk singer Grace Griffith, passed away in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA ~ Member of the Hags, succeeded by Mary Chapin Carpenter. Formed the duo Hazlewood with Susan Graham White. Half a dozen albums to her name as a solo artist, starting with the indie released Every Hue And Shade album in 1993 later reissued as Grace ~ Sisson was born in 1956
June 5, 2018 ~ Vincent Clifford, commonly known as singer Billy Thunderkloud, passed away in Palm City, Florida, USA ~ Fronted Billy Thunderkloud & the Chieftones, known best for the 1975 singles What Time Of Day and its follow-up Pledging My Love both charting reasonably well on the Billboard Country charts ~ Clifford was born in 1948June 5, 2017 ~ The 48th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. Mostly sunny, this year's edition would draw in total some 89,500 visitors. Included on today's, Monday the 5th's bill would be Seasick Steve, Guus Meeuwis, Passenger, Live, the Kings Of Leon, Machine Gun Kelly, Rag'n'bone Man, Sum 41, Prophets Of Rage, System Of A Down, Gutterdämmerung, Oh Wonder, Liam Gallagher, Fat Freddy's Drop, MØ, Midas, Don Broco, Chris Ayer, JP Cooper, and Gerson Main
June 5, 2016 ~ Phyllis Smith, commonly known as soprano singer Phyllis Curtin, passed away in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA ~ Worked with the New England Opera Theatre, the New York City Opera, the NBC Opera Company, the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Philadelphia Orchestra ~ Smith was born in 1921
June 5, 2014 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Aaron Sachs passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Earl Hines, Machito, Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Louie Bellson, Henry Glover, Stan Getz, Sarah Vaughan, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Red Norvo, Gene Krupa, Anita O'Day, Cozy Cole, John Lewis, and Specs Powell ~ Sachs was born in 1923
June 5, 2014 ~ Producer, songwriter Don Davis passed away in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, USA ~ Sessioned as guitarist for several Detroit-based labels, including Motown, before moving into songwriting and producing. Best known for his association with Stax/Volt and especially Johnnie Taylor, notably on the hits Who's Making Love, Jody's Got Your Girl And Gone and Disco Lady. Would set up several production and publishing companies, acquire Detroit's United Sound studios and found the Tortoise International label in the 1970s, working with artists such as First Fire, the Rockets, the Skyliners, and Dan Schafer ~ Davis was born in 1938
June 5, 2013 ~ Violist David Schwartz passed away ~ Principal violist with the Cleveland Orchestra by age 23. Best known for his recordings with the Yale Quartet and the Paganini Quartet. Present on the soundtracks of The Godfather, Jaws, ET (The Extra-Terrestrial), Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Raiders Of The Lost Ark. Has alo worked with the Detroit Symphony, the NBC Symphony Orchestra, John Williams, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, the Supremes, Sérgio Mendes, Lionel Richie, and John Hiatt ~ Schwartz was born in 1916
June 5, 2010 ~ Composer Arne Nordheim passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Composed for stage, orchestral works, chamber music, choral works, and for film and TV. Well-known composition include String Quartet, the song ccylce Aftonland (Evening Land), Canzona Per Orchestra, and perhaps his best known Epitaffio Per Orchestra E Nastro Magnetico published in 1963. Nordheim's popularity grew immensely after Frank Zappa visited Denmark in 1973 and told journalists he wanted to meet Nordheim. The two would later develop a longtime friendship ~ Nordheim was born in 1931
June 5, 2010 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Danny Bank, full name Daniel Bernard Bank, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Early on in his career served in ensembles led by Charlie Barnet, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Paul Whiteman. Well-known for his association with Miles Davis, appearing on albums such as Miles Ahead, Porgy & Bess and Sketches Of Spain. Also present on albums by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie (Afro), Ben Webster, Urbie Green, Betty Carter, Sylvia Syms, Oscar Pettiford, Chubby Jackson, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins (Alfie), Lee Morgan, Jimmy Smith, Maynard Ferguson, Oliver Nelson (Black Brown & Beautiful), Quincy Jones, and Randy Weston ~ Bank was born in 1922June 5, 2006 ~ The 37th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. A sunny, warm weekend, this year's edition would draw a total of some 68,000 visitors. Included on today's, Monday the 5th's bill would be Skin, BLØF, Keane, Franz Ferdinand, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soulfly, David Gray, the Deftones, Nickelback, Morrissey, the Living Things, Jamie Lidell, the Editors, the Flaming Lips, and Opgezwolle
June 5, 2002 ~ Douglas Glenn Colvin, commonly known as bassist Dee Dee Ramone, born in Fort Lee, Virginia, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member and bassist of punk rock band the Ramones. Initially also the lead singer but this role was quickly taken over by drummer Joey Ramone. Dee Dee was also the main lyricist, responsible for the majority of the band's lyrics including on Rockaway Beach, Poison Heart and Bonzo Goes To Bitburg ~ Colvin was born in 1951June 5, 2002 ~ Charles Valdes Parham, commonly known as jazz double bassist Truck Parham, passed away in Chicago, California, USA ~ Played drums before switching to bass. Professional boxer before he turned to music. Worked with Zack Whyte, Zutty Singleton, Roy Eldridge, Art Tatum, Bob Shoffner, Earl Hines, Jimmie Lunceford, Muggsy Spanier, Herbie Fields, Louie Bellson, and Art Hodes ~ Parham was born in 1911
June 5, 2000 ~ Samba singer, songwriter João Nogueira passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Has recorded well over a dozen albums since the early 1970s. Recorded his first composition, Espera ó Nega, in 1968, and would gain attention two years later when Elizeth Cardoso recorded his song Corrente De Aço. Nogueira would become one of Brazil's most revered singers, his songs covered by the likes of Elis Regina, Clara Nunes (As Forças Da Natureza), Emílio Santiago, Beth Carvalho, and Alcione Nazareth. Nogueira's son Diogo Nogueira would follow in his father's footsteps, actively recording as a samba singer and songwriter since the early 2000s ~ Nogueira was born in 1941
June 5, 1999 ~ Ernest Brooks Wilkins Jr, commonly known as jazz, swing saxophonist Ernie Wilkins, passed away in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Played violin and piano as a child before settling on the saxophone. Perhaps best known for his association with Count Basie, as an arranger playing a key role in the development of Basie's sound in the early 1950s. Wilkins has served as musical director for Cannonball Adderley, Dinah Washington, Oscar Peterson, and Buddy Rich, recorded over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, including the acclaimed 1955 Flutes And Reeds album, and has worked in one capacity or another on albums by Paul Quinichette, Tubby Hayes, Kenny Clarke, Sarah Vaughan, Milt Jackson, Manny Albam (Jazz Workshop), Dizzy Gillespie, Big Joe Turner, Zoot Sims, Ray Charles, Maynard Ferguson, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Joe Newman, Eddie Lockjaw Davis (Trane Whistle), Ray Brown, Sam Jones (Down Home), King Curtis, and Charles McPherson ~ Wilkins was born in 1922
June 5, 1999 ~ Singer, drummer, songwriter, actor Mel Tormé, full name Melvin Howard Tormé, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the Velvet Fog” for his smooth vocal delivery. Child prodigy. Actively recording since the 1940s. Known for songs such as Careless Hands, Again, The Four Winds And Seven Seas and Bewitched ~ Tormé was born in 1925
June 5, 1998 ~ David Orobosa, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Dave, born in Brixton, UK ~ Known for his socially conscious lyricism and wordplay. First gained serious attention with the 2016 Thiago Silva single featuring AJ Tracey. Would release his Six Paths debut EP later the same year. An acclaimed full-length Psychodrama album followed in 2019. Also known as an actor, appearing in the Netflix series Toy BoyJune 5, 1995 ~ The 26th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 2. In total this year's edition would draw some 49,000 visitors. Included on today's, Monday the 5th's bill would be Sinéad O'Connor, the Levellers, Faith No More, Biohazard, the Tragically Hip, the Rollins Band, Bettie Serveert, Live, the Pogues, dEUS, Spearhead, Pete Droge, Danzig, Van Dik Hout, Slash's Snakepit, Bad Religion, G Love & Special Sauce, Heather Nova, Hootie & the Blowfish, and the Dave Matthews Band
June 5, 1995 ~ Reggae DJ, singer Shaggy releases Boombastic, lifted off the album of the same name ~ In this song, built on a sample of New Orleans singer King Floyd's Baby Let Me Kiss You, Shaggy brags about his lovemaking skills. Previously, the Jamaican-born American singer had scored a massive hit with Oh Carolina, which had done well especially in Europe yet somehow failed to reach the top half of the American Billboard Hot 100. Boombastic, however, would also be a hit in America, where it peaked at No.3 Billboard Hot 100, making it his first American top 10 hit. Following the success of the single, the self-appointed nickname from the lyrics “she call me Mr Boombastic”, stuck with the singer
June 5, 1995 ~ Singer Vanessa Williams releases Colors Of The Wind, recorded for the soundtrack of the animated Disney film Pocahontas ~ Following the death of lyricist Howard Ashman, Disney teamed composer Alan Menken with Stephen Schwartz. Schwartz, known for Broadway musicals such as Godspell, Pippin, and The Magic Show, had never considered working in the film industry, yet teaming up with Menken worked out. Two distinct versions of Colors Of The Wind were used for the film. Judy Kuhn performed the main theme, and Vanessa Williams signed on for the pop version played over the film's end credits. The song would be critically well received, many ranking it as among the all time best songs from a Disney film, and win several awards including an Academy Award, Grammy Award, and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Furthermore, the Williams pop version was issued as the lead single off the soundtrack album, reached No.4 Billboard Hot 100, and earned Williams a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance