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.
May 6, 2024 ~ Country songwriter Wayland Holyfield passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Got his first break when Johnny Russell scored a 1973 Billboard Country top 10 hit with Rednecks White Socks And Blue Ribbon Beer, co-written by Holyfield with Bob McDill and Chuck Neese. Holyfield is perhaps best known for co-writing several songs recorded by Don Williams including You're My Best Friend and Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, both of which have become standards, both a No.1 Billboard Country hit, both covered by over fifty artists. Other songs written or co-written by Holyfield have been recorded by Jeanne Pruett, Waylon Jennings, Crystal Gayle (I'll Do It All Over Again), Charley Pride (I'll Be Leaving Alone), Steve Wariner, Ronnie Milsap (Nobody Likes Sad Songs), Tammy Wynette, Charly McClain, Michael Martin Murphey (Don't Count The Rainy Days), Anne Murray (Could I Have This Dance), Julio Iglesias, George Jones, and George Strait ~ Holyfield was born in 1942
May 6, 2023 ~ Pianist Menahem Pressler passed away in London, UK ~ Fled Nazi Germany with his family after Kristallnacht. Best known as longtime member of the Beaux Arts Trio, the only member to play with the trio throughout its entire existence. The trio is acknowledged for its precise playing, and is one of the longest-running chamber music trios performing and recording for over six decades starting in the mid 1950s. The trio's repertoire includes the standard piano works ranging from Maurice Ravel and Gabriel Fauré to Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Pressler was born in 1923
May 6, 2022 ~ Jewell Caples, mononymously known as R&B singer Jewell, passed away ~ In-demand 1990's session singer referring to herself as “the First Lady of Death Row Records” appearing on several pivotal golden age records, perhaps most notably Dr Dre's The Chronic and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle album. Has also worked with Marky Mark, Bone Thugs 'n Harmony, Kool G Rap, and Tupac Shakur. As a solo artist best known for her Shirley Brown-cover Woman To Woman for the 1994 Murder Was The Case soundtrack ~ Caples was born in 1968May 6, 2019 ~ Composer Jürgen Bräuninger passed away in Berea, South Africa ~ Had his works performed by the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Stockholm Saxophone Quartet, the SUDPOOL Ensemble, and the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester. Perhaps best known for contributing to the soundtracks of the 1989 horror film The Dead Pit and the 1992 science-fiction film The Lawnmower Man ~ Bräuninger was born in 1956
May 6, 2019 ~ Music critic, poet, composer, trombonist Peter Gammond passed away ~ Authored over forty books, including studies of Franz Schubert, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Jacques Offenbach, and biographies of Duke Ellington and Scott Joplin ~ Gammond was born in 1925May 6, 2016 ~ Free jazz trombonist Johannes Bauer passed away in Berlin, Germany ~ Brother of trombonist Conny Bauer, with whom he also worked. Also worked with Manfred Schulze, Uwe Kropinski, Helmut Sachse, Jon Rose, Peter Holliinger, Dietmar Diesnen, Thomas Lehn, Ken Vandermark, and Peter Brötzmann ~ Bauer was born in 1954
May 6, 2016 ~ Jazz, R&B trumpeter, bassist Paul Brown passed away ~ Perhaps best known for founding the Monday Night Jazz Series in 1967. Held annualy in Hartford, Connecticut, it is recognized as the oldest and longest-runing free festival for jazz in the United States. As a musician started out on trumpet, later switching to bass. Has collaborated with a wide array of artists from jazz and R&B including Mickey Fields, Lloyd Price, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lavern Baker, Clyde McPhatter, the Platters, Fats Domino, George Benson (George Benson Cookbook), and Bobby Hebb ~ Brown was born in 1934May 6, 2015 ~ Singer, songwriter Errol Brown, full name Lester Errol Brown, passed away in the Bahamas ~ Best known as Hot Chocolate frontman, known for 1980s recordings such as Emma, You Sexy Thing, So You Win Again, No Doubt About It, and It Started With A Kiss. Left the band in 1985. As a solo artist known for songs such as Personal Touch, Body Rocking and This Time It's Forever ~ Brown was born in 1943
May 6, 2009 ~ Donald Wayne Evans, commonly known as bassist Ean Evans, passed away in Columbus, Mississippi, USA ~ Active since his teens. Influenced by John Paul Jones, Geddy Lee, Leon Wilkeson. Member of rock unit Five Miles High, earning regional popularity in the early 1980s. Formed Babe Blu with keyboardist Joey Huffman. Formed Noon with Rick Craig, blending metal with southern rock. Joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2001, replacing the late Wilkeson, remaining with the band until his death at age 48 ~ Evans was born in 1960May 6, 2008 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Franz Jackson passed away in Nilese, Michigan, USA ~ Worked with Albert Ammons, Fletcher Henderson, Roy Eldridge, Fats Waller, Earl Hines, Cootie Williams, Frankie Newton, Wilbur de Paris, Lil' Armstrong, James Carter, Art Hodes, Laura Rucker, and Edith Wilson ~ Jackson was born in 1912
May 6, 2007 ~ Avant-garde jazz clarinetist Alvin Batiste passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Branford Marsalis, Russell Malone, Herlin Riley, Cannonball Adderley, Billy Cobham, Henry Butler, the Clarinet Summit, Marlon Jordan, Mark Whitfield, and Wynton Marsalis ~ Batiste was born in 1932
May 6, 2007 ~ Blues harpist, bassist Carey Bell passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, Lowell Fulson, Eddie Taylor, Louisiana Red, Lurrie Bell, Jimmy Dawkins, Lovie Lee, Royal Johnson, Muddy Waters, the Chicago Blues All-Stars, Junior Wells, James Cotton, Billy Branch, Carl Weathersby, Scott Cable, Bob Stroger, John Lee Hooker, Bob Degen, David Honeyboy Edwards, Lazy Lester, Raful Neal, Snooky Pryor, and the Wentus Blues Band ~ Bell was born in 1936May 6, 2007 ~ Pop rock songwriter Dorde Novkovic passed away in Zagreb, Croatia ~ Father of singer Boris Novkovic. One of the most prolific Croatian songwriters with over an estimated 2500 songs to his name. First gained attention in the late 1960s when Miso Kovac scored a hit with Vise Se Neces Vratiti. Others who have recorded songs written by Novkovic include Neda Ukraden, Tomislav Ivcic, Gabi Novak, and Zanamari Percic ~ Novkovic was born in 1943
May 6, 2006 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Grant McLennan, full name Grant William McLennan, passed away in Brisbane, Australia ~ Co-founded the Go-Betweens with Robert Forster, known for UK top 10 hits such as Lee Remick, I Need Two Heads, and Cattle And Cane. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Watershed released in 1991, formed the duo Jack Frost with Steve Kilby, and worked with the Far Out Corporation ~ McLennan was born in 1958
May 6, 2004 ~ Jazz, pop, rock, R&B guitarist Barney Kessel passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Active since the early 1940s, initially working with artists such as Charlie Barnet, Artie Shaw, and Charlie Parker. Over 40 albums to his name as leader or co-leader since the mid 1950s, especially acclaimed for Some Like It Hot released in 1959. Noted for his guitar play on Julie London's Cry Me A River of her 1955 Julie Is Her Name album. Present on over half a dozen of Billie Holiday's albums including Lady Sings The Blues. Other notable collaborations include Sonny Rollins, Art Tatum, Buddy DeFranco, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis. To non-jazz audiences known for his extensive studio work in the 1960s, appearing on albums by Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Sonny & Cher, the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), the Righteous Brothers, and Ike & Tina Turner ~ Kessel was born in 1923May 6, 2002 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Bjørn Johansen, full name Bjørn John Johansen, passed away in Fredrikstad, Norway ~ Considered one of the all-time most influential Norwegian saxophonists. Worked with Kjell Karlsen, Lars Sandsgaard, Karin Krog, Bernt Rosengren, George Gruntz, Frode Thingnæs, Egil Kapstad, Laila Dalseth, Bjørn Alterhaug, Carl Morten Iversen, and Cedar Walton ~ Johansen was born in 1940
May 6, 2002 ~ Johnny Davenport, commonly known as singer, songwriter Otis Blackwell, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote several songs pivotal to the development of rock & roll, including Great Balls Of Fire for pianist Jerry Lee Lewis, and Don't Be Cruel, All Shook Up, and Return To Sender for Elvis Presley. Others who recorded his songs include Little Willie John (Fever), Ben E King, Thurston Harris, Solomon Burke (Home In Your Heart), the Drifters, Ray Charles, Kenny Lee Martin, Jimmy Jones (Handy Man), and the Four Lovers ~ Blackwell was born in 1932May 6, 1997 ~ Bandleader George Clinton's pivotal funk outfit Parliament- Funkadelic inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame ~ Described as “the mind-blowing, soul-expanding musical equivalent of an acid trip, (who) grabbed the funk movement from James Brown and took off running,” Clinton's pivotal 1970s ensembles Parliament and Funkadelic are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Other artists inducted into this year's class include the Jackson 5, the Bee Gees, the Young Rascals, Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, and Crosby Stills & Nash
May 6, 1995 ~ Everette Ishmael Hughes, commonly known as Western swing bandleader, fiddler, guitarist, singer Billy Hughes, passed away in Horatio, Arkansas, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for penning Tennessee Saturday Night, a 1949 hit for Red Foley. The song has also been recorded by Johnny Bond, Pat Boone, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charley Pride. As a singer, Hughes is best known for co-penning and first recording I'm Tellin' You, later notably covered by Hank Williams ~ Hughes was born in 1908
May 6, 1995 ~ Clarence Otto Pauling, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Clarence Paul, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of doo-wop outfit the 5 Royales. Best known as a songwriter and producer, closely associated with Motown. Served as mentor and main producer to Stevie Wonder during Wonder's teenage years. Writing credits include Hitch Hike (Marvin Gaye), Fingertips (Wonder), You've Been In Love Too Long (Martha & the Vandellas), Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead (the Marvelettes), Just A Little Understanding (the Contours), and Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do (Wonder, Aretha Franklin) ~ Pauling was born in 1928May 6, 1993 ~ Bandleader, saxophonist, clarinetist, pianist Ivy Benson passed away in Clacton-on-Sea, UK ~ Enjoyed popularity throughout the 1940s leading an all-female jazz, swing band. The band would become the resident BBC Radio house band by 1943 and is also well known for entertaining the Allied troops during and shortly after World War II ~ Benson was born in 1913
May 6, 1992 ~ Byun Baek-hyun, commonly known as K-pop singer, songwriter, actor Baekhyun, born in Wonmi-gu, South Korea ~ Member of boy band EXO, known for a string of 2010 hits in their native South Korea including the No.1 hits December 2014 (The Winter's Tale), Love Me Right, Monster, and Ko Ko Bop. Following the band's disbandement Baek-hyun has recorded as a solo artist, notably the 2019 City Lights EP which ranked as the best-selling album of the 2010s by any South Korean solo artist, fronted supergroup SuperM, and ventured into acting
May 6, 1992 ~ Maria Magdalene Dietrich, commonly known as actress, singer Marlene Dietrich, passed away in Paris, France ~ Rose to fame as a stage and silent film actress in 1920s Berlin before moving to Hollywood becoming one of the highest-paid stars of the era. As a singer known for songs such as Falling In Love Again (Can't Help It), See What The Boys In The Back Room Will Have and perhaps her best known Lili Marlene ~ Dietrich was born in 1901
May 6, 1989 ~ Bobby Bazinet, commonly known as folk, soul singer, guitarist, songwriter Bobby Bazini, born in Mont Laurier, Canada ~ Released his Better In Time debut album in 2009. Best known for his 2014 follow-up, Where I Belong, which was produced by Larry Klein, featured musicians such as Booker T Jones and Jack Ashford and would top the Canadian album chartsMay 6, 1989 ~ Indie pop, indie rock singer, guitarist Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir born in Garour, Iceland ~ Lead vocalist, guitarist of indie folk band Of Monsters And Men, known best for their 2011 My Head Is An Animal debut album which reached No.1 positions in Australia, Ireland, their native Iceland and top 10 on the Billboard Hot 200
May 6, 1989 ~ Pop-rock group Riva win the 34th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Lausanne, Switzerland ~ Representing Yugoslavia pop-rock group Riva win with the song Rock Me written by Rajko Dujmić and Stevo Cvikic. Runner-ups were the UK's Live Report with Why Do I Always Get It Wrong in second place, and Denmark's Birthe Kjær with Vi Maler Byen Rød in third
May 6, 1989 ~ Jesse Hughes, commonly known as DJ, producer Vanic, born in New Westminster, Canada ~ First gained attention guesting on Machineheart's 2014 track Circles. As a solo artist known for songs such as Samurai, Too Soon, and Staring At The Sun. Has released his full-length Here & Now debut album in 2021