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 7, 2025 ~ Conductor, composer, priest Ronald Corp, full name Ronald Geoffrey Corp, passed away in Bath, UK ~ Founder and artistic director of the New London Orchestra and the New London Children's Choir, championing rarely heard late 19th and 20th century repertoire by composers such as Darius Milhaud, Erik Satie, Elinor Remick Warren, Virgil Thomson, John Foulds, and Grazyna Bacewicz. A prolific composer himself, Corp has written choral and orchestral works, recorded with his own ensembles as well as with the BBC Singers, the Royal Liverpool Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra, and renowned singers such as Rebecca de Pont Davies, Sarah Castle, and Magid El-Bushra ~ Corp was born in 1951
May 7, 2024 ~ Piedmont blues harpist Phil Wiggins passed away in Takoma Park, Maryland, USA ~ First teamed up with the elder guitarist John Cephas in the mid 1970s, both playing in singer, pianist Big Chief Ellis' backing unit. Following Ellis' death in 1977, the pair decided to continue as a duo despite their 24-year age difference. Showing strong influences from Blind Boy Fuller, Gary Davis, and Sonny Terry, the duo would become a popular festival act, earning acclaim among blues aficionados for keeping the Piedmont blues alive. Cephas & Wiggins recorded well into the 2000s, and are noted most for the late 1980s albums Dog Days Of August and Walking Blues ~ Wiggins was born in 1954
May 7, 2024 ~ Engineer, producer Steve Albini passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Hugely influential and in-demand engineer and producer, having worked on over an estimated 1,000 albums since the 1980s. In his mid-teens a schoolmate introduced him to the music of the Ramones, and Albini credits his music career to hearing their first album. Albini has produced and engineered albums for artists such as Urge Overkill, the Pixies (Surfer Rosa), the Jesus Lizard, the Breeders, the Volcano Suns, Jon Spencer, PJ Harvey (Rid Of Me), Pigface, Nirvana (In Utero), Brise-Glace, Palace, Bush, Veruca Salt, the Bollweevils, Robbie Fulks, Mogwai, Leftöver Crack, the Sadies, and Jarvis Cocker. Although primarily known as a producer and engineer, Albini has also played guitar, bass, and drums in several bands, including Big Black, Rapeman, Flour, and Shellac ~ Albini was born in 1962May 7, 2023 ~ Operatic mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry, full name Grace Ann Melzia Bumbry, passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Leading mezzo-soprano, soprano. Paved the way for later African-American opera singers. Closely associated with the Basel Opera. Has also performed with the Paris Opera, the Royal Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and sang at Ronald Reagan's 1981 Presidential inauguration ~ Bumbry was born in 1937
May 7, 2022 ~ Country, countrypolitan, pop singer, pianist Mickey Gilley, full name Mickey Leroy Gilley, passed away in Branson, Missouri, USA ~ Known for songs such as A Room Full Of Roses, Don't The Girls Get Prettier At Closing Time and a countryfied cover of the Ben E King-classic Stand By Me used in the 1980 Urban Cowboy soundtrack ~ Gilley was born in 1936
May 7, 2017 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader, producer Dave Pell passed away ~ Played in the big bands of Tony Pastor, Bob Astor, Bobby Sherwood, and Les Brown. Moved on to leading his own ensembles in the early 1950s, employing sidemen such as Pepper Adams, Benny Carter, Mel Lewis, Red Mitchell, Marty Paich, and Art Pepper, Pell continued to work as a sideman for Shorty Rogers, Pete Rugolo, Benny Goodman, and Gene Krupa. He also produced for the Tops, Uni, and Librty labels throughout the 1960s, most notably producing Gary Lewis & the Playboys as well as the T-Bones (No Matter What Shape Your Stomach's In) ~ Pell was born in 1925
May 7, 2016 ~ John Dukes Schroeder, commonly known as punk rock, alternative rock, post-hardcore singer John Stabb, passed away in Rockville, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as co-founding and sole constant member of hardcore punk band Government Issue active from 1980 through 1989. The band emerged from DC's hardcore scene but would differ from other hardcore acts by adding elements of heavy metal, new wave, gothic and psychedelic rock. Stabb has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with acts such as Betty Blue, the Factory Incident, the Pseudo Heroes, and History Repeated ~ Schroeder was born in 1961May 7, 2012 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Ernest Warren passed away ~ Member of the Spaniels, known for 1950s hits such as Baby It's You and Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight, the latter later remaining popular to this day featured in several films including American Graffiti ~ Warren was born in 1933
May 7, 2011 ~ Bolero singer Johnny Albino passed away in Queens, New York, USA ~ Lead singer of the Trio San Juan. Joined Los Panchos in 1958, replacing Julito Rodríguez, and remaining with the band until 1968. Would continue to work with numerous groups, appearing on over an estimated 300 albums ~ Albino was born in 1919
May 7, 2010 ~ Drummer, percussionist Francisco Aguabella passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name as a leader. In-demand sideman. Member of Latin rock outfit Malo during the 1970s. First gained attention in the USA backing Peggy Lee from the early 1950s through 1960. Has also backed artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Frank Sinatra, Cachao, Lalo Schifrin, Nancy Wilson, Bebo Valdes, Carlos Santana, Louie Bellson, and Paul Simon ~ Aguabella was born in 1925
May 7, 2010 ~ Singer Katy Perry releases California Gurls featuring Snoop Dogg, lifted off her Teenage Dream album ~ As Jay-Z's Empire State Of Mind, which hails the city of New York, was a big hit, Katy Perry felt a song celebrating California was in order. So she wrote California Gurls, a beach-friendly pop tune that Perry deemed perfect for the summertime: “My serotonin level changes, my personality changes. California Gurls talks about all those iconic things that you've seen on postcards and on TV.” The song notably featured a verse by West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg, for whom it became his third Billboard Hot 100 charttopper, following his own Drop It's Like It's Hot, released in 2004, and his guest spot on Akon's I Wanna Love You two years later. For Perry, it was her second No.1 hit, right on the heels of her previous single and debut I Kissed A GirlMay 7, 2001 ~ Jazz, big band arranger, pianist Edwin Finckel passed away in Madison, Wisconsin, USA ~ Best remembered for co-writing Where Is The One with Alec Wilder, recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1949 and again for his 1957 Where Are You album. The song has also been recorded by Dick Haymes, Tommy Dorsey, Patti Page, Bobby Darin, Rita Pavone, and Bob Dylan ~ Finckel was born in 1917
May 7, 2000 ~ R&B, soul, pop singer Eden Alene, sometimes mononymously referred to as Eden, born in Jerusalem, Israel ~ Winner of the 2019 season of Hakokhav Habda (Rising Star) talent contest. Represented Israel at the 2020 Eurovision Songfestival, her Set Me Free reaching 5th place
May 7, 1998 ~ Louisa Dupont, commonly known as jazz, blues singer Blue Lu Barker, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Popular during the 1930s and 1940s. Married to guitarist Danny Barker, with whom she also worked. Known for songs such as Don't You Feel My Leg, Georgia Grind, Look What Baby's Got For You, and her biggest hit A Little Bird Told Me, which hit top 10 in 1948 ~ Dupont was born in 1913
May 7, 1998 ~ Country, country pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Eddie Rabbitt, full name Edward Thomas Rabbitt, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Pivotal figure in 1970s and 1980s country, easing country music into a smoother territory with crossover hits creating the template for the urban cowboy era. Wrote or co-wrote Inherit The Wind, Kentucky Rain, and Kentucky Rain, all recorded by Elvis Presley at the turn of the 1970s. As a solo artist, Rabbitt recorded well over a dozen albums, and he is especially acclaimed for the early 1980s albums Horizon and Step By Step. Rabbitt has scored over a dozen Billboard Country charttoppers, including Drivin' My Life Away, I Love A Rainy Night, Step By Step, and the Crystal Gayle-duet You And I which all crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where they reached top 10 ~ Rabbitt was born in 1941
May 7, 1995 ~ Jazz drummer, singer, bandleader Ray McKinley passed away in Largo, Florida, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Vocalist and co-writer on Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar, a 1940 hit recorded with Will Bradley's orchestra. As a leader known for first recording You Came A Long Way (From St Louis) in 1948, later covered by numerous artists including Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, and Perry Como. Has also worked with the Dorsey Brothers, Smith Ballew, Jerry Gray, Sam Butera, and Freddie Slack ~ McKinley was born in 1910May 7, 1991 ~ Arthur Lee Stevenson, commonly known as blues drummer, singer Kansas City Red, passed away ~ Pivotal in development of urban blues. Worked with David Honeyboy Edwards, Robert Nighthawk, Sunnyland Slim, Big Walter Horton, Johnny Shines, Earl Hooker, Blind John Davis, Johnny Man Young, Robert Lockwood Junior, Eddie Taylor, Floyd Jones, Elmore James, Easy Baby, and Jimmy Reed ~ Stevenson was born in 1926
May 7, 1990 ~ Singer, actress Elizete Cardoso passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Discovered at age 16 by Jacob do Bandolim. Over 40 albums to her name. Best known for her 1958 Cancao Do Amor Demais album, generally regarded as the first bossa nova album. Also especially remembered for Manha De Carnaval of the 1959 Orfeu Negro soundtrack ~ Cardoso was born in 1920
May 7, 1990 ~ Oliver Lee Rodgers, commonly known as electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Sonny Rodgers, passed away in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Influenced by BB King, Robert Nighthawk, Muddy Waters. On-and-off active as a backing musician since the late 1950s, working with the likes of Forest City Joe, Joe Hill Louis, Joe Willie Wilkins, Eddie Boyd, Lazy Bill Lucas, and Willie Cobbs. As a solo artist best known for his 1990 single Cadillac Baby, awarded a WC Handy Award. Would release his acclaimed They Call Me The Cat Daddy debut album the same year, only to have his promising solo career cut short by his death of heart failure at age 50 ~ Rodgers was born in 1939
May 7, 1989 ~ James Devlin, mononymously known as hip-hop, grime rapper, songwriter Devlin, born in London, UK ~ Member of grim collective the OT Crew. Member of the Movement. Released his Bud Sweat & Beers solo debut album in 2010. Scored the UK top 10 hits Watchtower featuring Ed Sheeran and Rewind featuring Diane Birch
May 7, 1985 ~ José Alvaro Osorio Balvin, commonly known as reggaeton, urbano, hip-hop singer J Balvin, born in Medelin, Colombia ~ Dubbed “the Prince of Reggaeton” and one of the best-selling Latin artists. Broke through in 2014 with Ginza and 6 AM and hass recorded to commercial succes since drawing from a variety of genres including pop, rock, reggae, electronica, house, trap, rap and hip-hop. Has collaborated with a host of artists including Ozuna, Alejandro Sanz, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Black Eyed Peas, Dua Lipa, and Major Lazer
May 7, 1983 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, I Won't Hold You Back by Toto peaks at No.10 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Described as “a soft torch tune about a man letting go of his lover” by Cashbox, the Steve Lukather-penned I Won't Hold You Back would peak at No.10 Billboard Hot 100, making it the third single off Toto IV to crack the American top 10, preceded by Rosanna at No.2 and Africa at No.1. Lukather, the band's guitarist, had written the song on piano yet on the recording David Paich would tinkle the ivories. Timothy B Schmit, bassist of the Eagles, guested on backing vocals
May 7, 1977 ~ Singer Marie Myriam wins the 22nd edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in London, UK ~ Representing France, Marie Myriam wins with the song L'Oiseau Et L'Enfant written by Jean-Paul Cara and Joe Gracy. Runner-ups would be Lynsey de Paul and Michael Moran dueting for the UK with Rock Bottom in second place, and Ireland's siblings act the Swarbriggs with It's Nice To Be In Love Again in third place
May 7, 1976 ~ Electronica, EBM keyboardist Sebastian Komor born in Zabrze, Poland ~ Best known for his association with Icon Of Coil, present on about half a dozen of the band's albums including the acclaimed Serenity Is The Devil album released in 2000, and his association with Zombie Girl. Has also recorded as a solo artist, using a variety of monikers including Squarehead, Moonitor, Komor Kommando and Melt, and known best for his The Voyage album series starting in 2011
May 7, 1975 ~ Jazz singer, trombonist, trumpeter Gunhild Carling born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, and Billie Holiday, Carling is known for her retro hot jazz and swing style. The singer and multi-intrumentalist became an internet sensation through her own Youtube channel and social media presence. Carling has released about a dozen albums as a solo artist and with ensembles of varying sizes, starting with That's My Desire released in 2002, and previously a few albums as a member of the Carling family outfit. Carling is also well known for being featured in several of Scott Bradlee's jazzified versions of popular modern pop songs, notably adaptations of Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, Madonna's Material Girl, and Pharrell Williams' Happy, with Carling playing ten instruments over the course of the song in the latter. Having grown up in a musical family, Carling has learnt several instruments as a child. In a 2016 interview with the Jerusalem Post, Carling commented: “Our house was full of variety. Circus, acting, dance, vaudeville and novelty. I just picked up instruments from when I was very young and played them. I started with the drums, then the recorder, trombone and trumpet. Then I started tap dancing, and after that harmonica and bagpipe. Later, I began composing music”