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 8, 1937 ~ Toni Dunlap, commonly known as singer, dancer Toni Harper, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Child singer known for her 1946 recording Candy Store Blues, which reached Platinum status. Would record a handful of album as an adult, starting with 1956's Toni backed by Oscar Peterson, and retire from music at age 29 ~ Harper passed away in 2023
June 8, 1936 ~ James Williams Ercolani, commonly known as actor, singer James Darren, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Helped usher in the California surf culture, specifically portraying the co-lead role in the 1959 film Gidget opposite Sandra Dee. The film was a hit, as was the soundtrack with several songs including the main theme performed by Darren. Darren would enjoy a brief spell as teen idol through the early 1960s, notably scoring the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Goodbye Cruel World and Her Royal Majesty. Darren would go on to focus on his acting career, star in two Gidget sequels, and land roles in several TV series before venturing into directing ~ Ercolani passed away in 2024June 8, 1936 ~ Dessie Mae Williams, commonly known as blues, jazz singer Odessa Harris, born in West Helena, Arkansas, USA ~ Toured with BB King, who gave Harris her stage name. As a solo artist known for a handful of underpromoted early 1960s singles including Rocking Good Way, Nothing In The World, and Since I Fell For You. Also worked with Robert Nighthawk, Sonny Freeman, and Marcus Belgrave ~ Williams passed away in 2007
June 8, 1929 ~ Jazz drummer Kenny Clare, full name Kenneth Cloudsley Clare, born in Leytonstone, UK ~ Following a stint in the Army, Clare would get his professional start in music in 1947 playing with Oscar Rabin. Clare would subsequently work with Jack Parnell, Johnny Dankworth, Dudley Moore, Ted Heath, and the Sounds Orchestral. Perhaps best known for his association with the Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band, initially filling in for Kenny Clarke when Clarke was unavailable and later filling a more permanent position including on albums such as All Smiles and Fellini 712. Over the course of his career, Clare has also accompanied singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Cleo Laine. After his death, singer Tony Bennett held a tribute concert as a tribute to Clare, who was a fan of Bennett ~ Clare passed away in 1985
June 8, 1926 ~ Music critic, author David Cairns, full name David Adam Cairns, born in Loughton, UK ~ Champion of and authority on the works of French composer Hector Berlioz. Classical programme coordinator for Philips Records from 1967 through 1972. Translated Berlioz's autobiography Mémoires. Authored a highly praised two-volume biography of Berlioz, consisting of Berlioz (The Making Of An Artist 1803-1832) published in 1989 and its follow-up Berlioz (Servitude And Greatness 1832-1869) published in 2000. Served as music critic and arts editor for a wide array of magazines and newspapers including Sunday Times, the Spectator, Evening Standard, Financial Times, and New Statesman
June 8, 1916 ~ Western swing, polka bandleader, singer Adolph Hofner, full name Adolph John Hofner, born in Moulton, Texas, USA ~ Helped shape what would later become known as Western swing, drawing from jazz, swing, country, rockabilly, and polka. Sang lead vocals on the Tom Dickey's Show Boys Floyd Tillman-cover It Makes No Difference Now. Fronted Adolph Hofner & his Texans, later renamed Dolph Hofner & his San Antonians, known for songs such as Alamo Rag, Cotton-Eyed Joe, and Jessie Polka ~ Hofner passed away in 2000June 8, 1916 ~ Jazz trumpeter Freddie Webster born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Dizzy Gillespie is reportedly to have characterised Webster as having “the best sound on trumpet since the trumpet was invented” and Miles Davis cites Webster as an early influence. Webster worked with Benny Carter, Cab Calloway, Earl Hines, Jimmie Lunceford, Billy Eckstine, and Sarah Vaughan. Sonny Rollins's song Strode Rode, from the 1956 LP Saxophone Colossus, is reference to the Strode Hotel in Chicago where Webster died, suspectedly of a heroin overdose ~ Webster passed away in 1947
June 8, 1907 ~ Wilhelmina Madison Goodson, commonly known as jazz singer, pianist Billie Pierce, born in Marianna, Florida, USA ~ Married to De De Pierce, with whom she also worked. Influenced by Ma Rainey, Ida Cox, Bessie Smith from an early age, although her orthodox Baptist parents disapproved of anything other than hymns. Has worked with AJ Piron, Alphonse Picou, Emile Barnes, George Lewis, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band ~ Goodson passed away in 1974June 8, 1671 ~ Composer, violinist Tomaso Albinoni, full name Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, born in Venice, Italy ~ While famous in his day as an opera composer, he is best remembered for his instrumental music, most notably Adagio In G Minor. The composition is attributed to Albinoni but was largely written by 20th century musicologist, composer, and cataloger of the works of Albinoni. Besides operas Albinoni also composer concertos, sonatas, and sinfonias. Unlike his peers Albonini has never sought a post at either a church or noble court, having come from a wealthy family he could afford to compose music independently ~ Albinoni passed away in 1751