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 9, 2025 ~ Jazz, jazz-fusion, rock, progressive rock drummer Axel Skalstad passed away ~ Formed the trio Krokofant, considered the enfant terrible of the Norwegian music scene, with guitarist Tom Hasslan and saxophonist Jørgen Mathisen, with whom he recorded three critically acclaimed albums starting with their eponymous Krokofant debut album released in 2014, and two more collaborative albums featuring the trio supplemented with keyboardist Stale Storløkken and bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flatan. Skalstad has also appeared on albums by Sjøen, LoveLoveLove, Rune Your Day, Pekula, and Soft Ffog ~ Skalstad was born in 1992
June 9, 2025 ~ Sylvester Stewart, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Sly Stone, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Frontman of Sly & the Family Stone, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. Although their period of commercial success was brief, the band and in particular frontman Sly Stone have been acknowledged for their pioneering role, drawing from rock, gospel, psychedelia and R&B to create a high-energy hybrid, danceable and often with a unifying political message. Although less prolific, Stone is considered on par with James Brown and George Clinton in terms of impact, and is widely recognized for spearheading the emergence of psychedelic soul and funk. Retrospectively, Crawdaddy has credited Stone as “the founder of progressive soul”. Some of the band's best known songs include Dance To The Music, Stand, Hot Fun In The Summertime, and I Want To Take You Higher, and the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Everyday People, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), and Family Affair. The band effectively disbanded by the mid 1970s as Stone increasingly struggled with his demons and over time retreated from public life, becoming somewhat of a recluse. Regardless, the band's timeless recordings remain both beloved by listeners and influential on funk and hip hop artists to this day. Upon Sly & the Family Stone's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1993, the Hall commented: “Their songs were more than danceable hits, they were a force for positive change. When Sly & the Family Stone played, we all got along. We were part of the family” ~ Stewart was born in 1943
June 9, 2024 ~ Jazz drummer Alex Riel, full name Alex Poul Riel, passed away in Lisleje, Denmark ~ Active since his teens, starting with local traditional jazz bands, and serving as the house drummer at the Montmatre Jazzhus, Copenhagen, Denmark, by the early 1960s. Recorded over a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, starting with Alex Riel Trio in 1965 featuring Kenny Drew and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. Closely associated with Jackie McLean and Dexter Gordon, recording several acclaimed albums with each. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Riel has also appeared on albums by Brew Moore (Danish Brew), Archie Shepp, Kenny Dorham, Sahib Shihab (Conversations), Ben Webster (There Is No Greater Love), Stuff Smith, Savage Rose, Karin Krog, Hank Jones (Bluesette), and Thomas Clausen ~ Riel was born in 1940June 9, 2023 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Otis Grand passed away ~ Actively recording since the late 1980s, starting with 1988's Always Hot. Best known for his 1996 Perfume & Grime album. Has worked with Guitar Shorty, Phillip Walker, Joe Houston, Anson Funderburgh, Debbie Davies, and Joe Louis Walker ~ Grand was born in 1950
June 9, 2022 ~ Pop, dream pop singer, songwriter, actress Julee Cruise passed away in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Known for Falling and Rockin' Back Inside My Heart, the former the theme song of the Twin Peaks TV series. Guested on Hybrid's 1989 Wide Angle debut album, including on the acclaimed track If I Survive. Touring member of the B52's for most of the 1990s, at times filling in for Cindy Wilson. Has released four full-length solo albums, starting with Floating Into The Night released in 1989 ~ Cruise was born in 1956
June 9, 2020 ~ Hard rock, blues rock, progressive rock guitarist Paul Chapman passed away in Cardiff, UK ~ Member of Universe. Briefly a member of Skid Row during the early 1970s, replacing Gary Moore. Touring guitarist for UFO since 1974, joining the band as a full member in 1978. Present on the albums Strangers In The Night, No Place To Run, The Wild The Willing And The Innocent, Mechanix, and Making Contact. Following his departure from the band in 1983 Chapman has worked with DOA, Waysted (The Good The Bad The Waysted), Jack Starr, and Gator Country ~ Chapman was born in 1954June 9, 2019 ~ The 50th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. Included on today's, Sunday the 9th's bill would include Kraantje Pappie, Aura, the White Lies, Blood Red Shoes, the Kooks, the Confidence Man, Rowwen Hèze, Jack Savoretti, Nana Adjoa, Krezip, Barns Courtney, J Balvin, Miles Kane, Lenny Kravitz, Boef, Die Antwoord, Mark Ronson, the Cure, and Armin Van Buuren
June 9, 2015 ~ Robert Alan Diaz, commonly known as freestyle rapper Pumpkinhead, passed away in New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Redman, Leaders Of The New School, Doug E Fresh, Tupac Shakur. Guested on recordings by Immortal Technique and Jean Grae. Debuted with a full-length album, The Old Testament, in 2001 ~ Diaz was born in 1975June 9, 2014 ~ The 45th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. Mostly sunny and very warm, heavy thunder on the last evening, this year's edition would draw a total of 134,000 visitors. Included on today's, Monday the 9th's bill would be Mastodon, Rob Zombie, Biffy Clyro, Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Jett Rebel, Kodaline, Stromae, Jake Bugg, Arcade Fire, Clean Bandit, Ghost, Young The Giant, the Bombay Bicycle Club, and Gogol Bordello
June 9, 2013 ~ William Daron Pulliam, commonly known as funk, soul singer Darondo, passed away in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Debuted in the early 1970s with the single I Want Your Love So Bad. It led to a record deal, resulting in three albums from 1972 to 1974, and dates opening for James Brown ~ Pulliam was born in 1946June 9, 2006 ~ Schlager singer, songwriter Drafi Deutscher, full name Drafi Franz Richard Deutscher, passed away in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany ~ Known for a string of 1960s hits, notably Shake Hands, Keep Smiling and Cinderella Baby. Internationally perhaps best known for co-writing Boney M's disco hit Belfast with Jimmy Bilsbury and Joe Menke ~ Deutscher was born in 1946
June 9, 2004 ~ Tenor saxophonist, flutist Bent Jædig passed away ~ Worked with Rudi Fuesers, Peter Herbolzheimer, Allan Botschinsky, Bent Axen, Dusko Gojkovic, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Alex Riel, Don Cherry, Tete Montoliu, Jimmy Woode, Philly Joe Jones, Louis Hjulmand, Hugo Rasmussen, Carsten Dahl, Wild Bill Davison, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, and Ernie Wilkins ~ Jædig was born in 1935June 9, 2004 ~ Thomas Raymond Kelly, commonly known as jazz double bassist Red Kelly, born in Shelby, Montana, USA ~ Worked with Charlie Barnet, Herbie Fields, Claude Thornhill, Red Norvo, Red Mitchell, Woody Herman, Dick Collins, Nat Pierce, Maynard Ferguson, Med Flory, Stan Kenton, Lennie Niehaus, the Modest Jazz Trio, Jim Hall, and Harry James ~ Kelly was born in 1927
June 9, 2003 ~ The 34th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw a crow of some 47,500 visitors in total. Included on today's, Monday the 7th's bill would be Beef, the Cardigans, Krezip, the Queens Of The Stone Age, Evanescence, Manu Chao, Solomon Burke, Ilse de Lange, Zwan, Audioslave, Junkie XL, Relax, Danko Jones, Röyksopp, Moloko, and Saybia
June 9, 2002 ~ Romana Elena Burgues Gonzalez, commonly known as bolero, son singer Elena Burke, passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Mother of singer Malena Burke. Member of vocal quartet the Cuarteto D'Aida, along with Moraima Secada, Omara Portuondo and Haydee Portuondo. Embarked on a successful solo career by the early 1950s and became one of Cuba's most beloved singers, praised for her emotional sincerity earning her the nickname “Señora Sentimiento” ~ Burgues was born in 1928
June 9, 1998 ~ Singer Brandy releases Never Say Never, the singer's sophomore album ~ While her debut single I Wanna Be Down off her eponymous first album had sparked Cashbox to comment the then-15-year-old singer “was poised to be the next big thing in R&B”, and had spawned three Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles. Its followup, the more mature sophomore album continued her streak. Teaming up with several top-notch producers, perhaps most notably David Foster and Rodney Jerkins, Never Say Never would become her best selling album, selling over 16 million copies. The album's lead single The Boy Is Mine, a duet with Monica, would reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by Duo or Group. Another single off the album, Have You Ever, would become Brandy's sole No.1 hit as a solo artist. The album itself spent over half a year inside the Billboard Hot 200 top 20, and peaked at No.2
June 9, 1998 ~ R&B singer Usher releases My Way, lifted off his sophomore album of the same name ~ On his previous album, Usher had no hand in the songwriting and producing process. For his My Way sophomore album, the singer did take creative control, co-writing about half of the album's tracks. My Way, co-written with producers Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, was one of those, meant to signify his newfound independence. As Usher would later explain: “My Way started because I found out about Frank Sinatra. His voice is amazing. I found this song My Way and I thought, that's how I feel right now.” As a nod to Sinatra, Usher would wear a fedora hat for the single's artwork. Issued as the third and final single of the album, My Way would reach No.3 Billboard Hot 100. The two previous singles, You Make Me Wanna and Nice & Slow had respectively peaked at No.2 and No.1
June 9, 1992 ~ Clarence Horatius Miller, commonly known as jazz, blues singer, bassist Big Miller, passed away in Edmonton, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Jay McShann, Fletcher Henderson, the Five Pennies, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hendricks, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Tommy Banks, and Rex Stewart ~ Miller was born in 1922
June 9, 1986 ~ British pop group Wham release The Edge Of Heaven, lifted off their Music From The Edge Of Heaven album ~ Issued as the lead single off their third and final album, coinciding with the duo's announced split, it would become Wham's fourth UK No.1 hit. Pianist Elton John played piano on the single version, he also performed with Wham at their Wembley Stadium farewell concert later the same month. Lead singer George Michael would go on to a highly successful solo career, scoring over half a dozen Billboard Hot 100 charttoppers through the early 1990s, while Andrew Ridgeley faded from the spotlight after their split
June 9, 1982 ~ Southern gospel singer, songwriter Devin McGlamery, full name Jon Devin McGlamery, born in Valdosta, Georgia, USA ~ Member of southern gospel quartet the Dixie Melody Boys from 2000 through 2004. Subsequently a member of Karen Peck & New River, with whom he recorded three albums starting with Good To Be Free released in 2005. Member of Ernie Haase's group the Signature Sound from 2010 through 2021, including on the hit song From My Rags To His Riches. McGlamery released his Love Is A Verb solo album in 2013June 9, 1981 ~ Sitar player, composer Anoushka Shankar born in London, UK ~ Daughter of Ravi Shankar, half-sister of Norah Jones. Released her Anoushka debut album in 1998. Has collaborated with her father, George Harrison, Sting, Rodrigo & Gabriela, and Milos Karadaglic
June 9, 1980 ~ Singer Eddie Rabbitt releases Drivin' My Life Away, lead single off his Horizon album ~ Although Eddie Rabbitt was primarily a country-pop artist, scoring well over a dozen Billboard Country No.1 hits over a decade and a half starting in the mid 1970s, he did enjoy some crossover success. Drivin' My Life Away, which he co-wrote with regular collaborators David Malloy and Even Stevens, was the first to hit a chord with mainstream pop audiences. The song tells of a trucker's, or band roadie's, lonesome life on the road, always away from family and loved ones, “driving their life away”. Issued as the lead single off his sixth studio album, Drivin' My Life Away reached No.5 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its direct follow-up, I Love A Rainy Night also written by Rabbitt, Malloy and Stevens, would do even better and made it to the top spot. Both tracks would remain staples of pop radio in America as well as abroad, both would regularly appear in films and TV series, and both would sollicit a number of covers. Artists who have covered Drivin' My Life Away include Freddy Weller, Grant & Forsyth, and Rhett Akins
June 9, 1979 ~ In its eight week on the charts, Love You Inside Out by the Bee Gees hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The last in an impressive run of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, eight of which reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100, which started in 1975 with Jive Talkin'. Moreover, Love You Inside Out would be the third consecutive charttopper of their Spirits Having Flown album, preceded by Too Much Heaven and Tragedy. However, when the 1980s came around, the band would fall out of favor and it would be about a decade until they would score another major hit with One reaching the American top 10. Although their own singles would chart significantly lower, the siblings would continue to enjoy success as songwriters throughout the 1980s, writing hits such as Dionne Warwick's Heartbreaker, the Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers-duet Islands In The Stream, and Diana Ross's Chain Reaction
June 9, 1978 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Matt Bellamy, full name Matthew James Bellamy, born ~ Son of the Tornados rhythm guitarist George Bellamy. Fronts Muse, known for songs such as Plug-in Baby, Time Is Running Out, Hysteria, Butterflies & Hurricanes, Supermassive Black Hole, Knights Of Cydonia and Uprising, all of which reached the UK top 20. Bellamy also co-wrote Adam Lambert's Soaked from Lambert solo debut For Your Entertainment album and is a member of the Beatles tribute band the Jaded Hearts Club which also includes Miles Kane, Nine Inch Nails drummer Lian Rubin and Sean PayneJune 9, 1977 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Atle Nymo born in Valnesfjord, Norway ~ Brother of saxophonist Frode Nymo. Has worked with Motif, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Vigleik Storaas, Ole Morten Vågan, Kåre Nymark, and Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen