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.
July 1, 1948 ~ Bassist John Ford born in London, UK ~ Active since the mid 1960s, starting with Jaymes Fenda & the Vulcans, for whom Ford wrote Mistletoe Love and The Only Girl. Co-founded psychedelic rock outfit Velvet Opera, with whom he recorded the albums Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera and Ride A Hustler's Dream. Member of Strawbs, for whom he wrote Strawbs and their biggest hit Part Of The Union. Formed Hudson Ford with drummer Richard Hudson. The pair would later resurface as the Monks, known for their 1979 surprise punk hit Nice Legs Shame About The Face
July 1, 1947 ~ Doris Svensson, mononymously known as pop, soul, funk singer Doris, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Known for her sole Did You Give The World Some Love Today album released in 1970. A late 1990s re-release would attract international attention, critics hailing the album as an overlooked rarity of Swedish pop ~ Svensson passed away in 2023
July 1, 1947 ~ Guitarist Marc Benno born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Formed Asylum Choir with Leon Russell. As a solo artist best known for his 1972 Ambush album. Wrote Rock 'n Roll Me Again for the System, used in the 1985 Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. Has worked with the Doors, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clarence White, and Rita Coolidge
July 1, 1946 ~ Singer June Montiero, full name Barbara Ann Harris born in Queens, New York, USA ~ One third of R&B girl group the Toys alongside Barbara Parritt and lead singer Barbara Harris, known for their 1965 hit recording A Lover's Concerto which reached the top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Its follow-up, 1966's The Attack featured in the beach movie It's A Bikini World, would also reach the Billboard top 20
July 1, 1946 ~ Electric blues, delta blues singer, guitarist Paul Wine Jones born in Flora, Mississippi, USA ~ For most of his life played merely as a pastime, working with local musicians. Released two albums in the 1990s, 1995's Mule and 1996's Pucker Up Buttercup. Jones passed away of cancer at age 59. The album Stop Arguing Over Me was released posthumously in 2006 ~ Jones passed away in 2005
July 1, 1945 ~ Angela Trimble, commonly known as singer Debbie Harry, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Fronted pop punk, new wave outfit Blondie, known for songs such as Denis, I'm Always Touched By Your Presence Dear, Hanging On The Telephone, Heart Of Glass, Sunday Girl, Call Me, Atomic, The Tide Is High, and Rapture
July 1, 1942 ~ Singer, arranger, songwriter, conductor Andráe Crouch born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ The father of Modern Gospel Music. Led Andráe Crouch & the Disciples. Worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, El DeBarge, Philip Bailey, Chaka Khan, Sheila E, Take 6. Especially popular in the 1980s and 1990s as the go-to guy for gospel choirs on R&B and pop songs including Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror and Madonna's Like A Prayer. As a songwriter Crouch's songs have been covered by Bob Dylan, Barbara Mandrell, Paul Simon, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard ~ Crouch passed away in 2015
July 1, 1940 ~ Carles Santos Ventura, commonly known as pianist, composer Carles Santos, born in Vinaros, Spain ~ Active since the early 1960s, starting his career as a pianist performing works by Béla Bartók, Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. Would venture into avant-garde music, working with artists such as John Cage. From the 1970s onwards active as a film composer, eventually also turning to directing his own movies ~ Santos passed away in 2017
July 1, 1939 ~ Delaine Alvin Bramlett, commonly known as singer, songwriter Delaney Bramlett, born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for forming Delaney & Bonnie with then-wife Bonnie Bramlett. Taught George Harrison slide guitar. Produced and co-wrote Eric Clapton's 1970 eponymous solo debut Eric Clapton album. Duetted with Jerry Lee Lewis on the latter's 2006 Last Man Standing album. Also worked with Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix, King Curtis, Duane Allman, Rita Coolidge, Carl Radle, Jim Keltner, and Gram Parsons ~ Bramlett passed away in 2008
July 1, 1936 ~ Sylvester Johnson, commonly known as blues, soul singer, harpist, guitarist Syl Johnson, born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, USA ~ Claimed to be the most sampled artist ever, his Different Strokes used by Public Enemy, Jay-Z, the Wu-Tang Clan, Kool G Rap, and Geto Boys. Active since the 1950s, initially backing artists such as Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, Howlin' Wolf. Released his solo debut single, Teardrops, in 1959 backed by Freddie King on guitar. Best known for songs such as We Did It, Back For A Taste Of Your Love, and Is It Because I'm Black. Father of singer, songwriter Syleena Johnson ~ Johnson passed away in 2022
July 1, 1935 ~ Blues harpist, singer James Cotton born in Tunica, Mississippi, USA ~ Started in the 1950s backing Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. Formed his first own ensemble, the Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet which also included noted blues pianist Otis Spann, in 1965. Cotton has also worked with blues, rock and pop artists such as BB King, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Taj Mahal, Big Mama Thornton, Joe Louis Walker, Elvin Bishop, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Charlie Musselwhite, Steve Miller, Santana, Johnny Winter, Freddie King, Keith Richards, Joe Bonamassa, Jimmie Vaughan, Delbert McClinton, Keb' Mo, and Pat Hare ~ Cotton passed away in 2017
July 1, 1933 ~ Classical violinist Felix Ayo, full name Felix Ayo Losada, born in Sestao, Spain ~ Best known as founder of the Italian ensemble I Musici, formed in 1951 and known for their interpretations of Baroque works, particularly compositions by Antonio Vivaldi and Tomaso Albinoni. Founding member of the Quartetto Beethoven di Roma, with whom he toured extensively. An in-demand soloist, Ayo has also performed with numerous renowned orchestras, taught at the Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia, Rome, and frequently served as juror on international music competitions ~ Ayo passed away in 2023
July 1, 1933 ~ Robert Patterson, commonly known as jazz drummer Rashied Ali, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with John Coltrane, notably present on the latter's last recordings The Olatunji Concert and Interstellar Space. Has also worked with Phalanx, Prima Materia, Carlos Ward, Greg Tardy, Marion Brown, Gary Bartz, Charles Gayle, Jackie McLean, Tisziji Muñoz, Alice Coltrane, and Archie Shepp ~ Patterson passed away in 2009
July 1, 1931 ~ Producer, label executive Chris Strachwitz born in Gross Reichenau, Germany ~ Founder and president of Arhoolie Records since 1960, which became a leading force in blues, Cajun, roots music. The first album produced would be Mance Lipscomb's Texas Songster And Sharecropper in an edition of just 250 copies. Would go on to work with Black Ace, Big Joe Williams, Mercy Dee Walton, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Juke Boy Bonner, Clifton Chenier, Country Joe & the Fish (I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag), Big Joe Duskin, Charlie Musselwhite, Robben Ford, John Delafose, and Flaco Jiménez ~ Strachwitz passed away in 2023
July 1, 1930 ~ Robert James Byrd, commonly known as R&B, soul, pop, rock & roll singer, songwriter Bobby Day, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his 1958 hit Rockin' Robin. Other well known songs include Over And Over and Little Biitty Pretty One. Member of the Hollywood Flames. Formed the duo Bob & Earl with Flames-bandmate Earl Nelson ~ Byrd passed away in 1990
July 1, 1926 ~ Tango pianist, composer, arranger Atilio Stampone born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Active since the 1940s, working with Roberto Dimas, Pedro Maffia, Robert Rufino, Alberto Camara, and notably Astor Piazzolla. As a solo artist active since the late 1950s, particulary known for his film scores including Un Guapo Del 900 and La Mano En La Trampa as well as for songs such as Con Pan Y Cebolla, Aguatero, Fiesta De Mi Ciudad and Mocosa ~ Stampone passed away in 2022
July 1, 1926 ~ Classical composer Hans Werner Henze born in Gütersloh, Germany ~ Incorporated neoclassicism, jazz, atonal techniques, serialism and rock and pop influences. Controversial for his left-leaning political views. As a composer known for symphonies, choral and orchestral works and operas, notably Ninth Symphony, The English Cat and Das Verratene Meer ~ Henze passed away in 2012
July 1, 1925 ~ Eric Alfred Leslie Satie, commonly known as composer, pianist Erik Satie, passed away in Paris, France ~ Influential in late 19th and early 20th century Parisian avant-garde. Precursor to minimalism and repetitive music. Well known suites include Gymnopédies and Gnossiennes. His compositions would find a new audience through a series of acclaimed 1980s albums by pianist Reinbert de Leeuw ~ Satie was born in 1866
July 1, 1924 ~ Jazz singer Ruth Olay born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Fixture in Hollywood's night club scene from the late 1940s through the early 1960s. Discovered by songwriter Irving Gordon. Mentored by Benny Carter. Got her big break filling in at the last minute for Billie Holiday, who fell ill that day. Released her OLAY! (The New Sound Of Ruth Olay) debut album in 1958 and would continue to record to acclaim well into the 1960s ~ Olay passed away in 2021
July 1, 1920 ~ Operatic tenor Henri Legay born in Paris, France ~ Debuted in 1950 with the Royal theater Of La Monnaie in Brussels, Belgium. Closely associated with the Opera-Comique. Perhaps best remembered for his 1955 recording of the Jules Massenet-opera Manon alongside Victoria de los Angeles ~ Legay passed away in 1992
July 1, 1915 ~ Producer, songwriter, singer, bassist Willie Dixon born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA ~ Perhaps the most influential musician in post-war Chicago blues. Chess Records stalwarth, producer, songwriter, mentor to many, revered sideman, bassist. Wrote or co-wrote classic blues songs such as Hoochie Coochie Man, Little Red Rooster, My Babe, and You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover. Worked with Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf. Many of his songs were covered by late 1960s rockers such as the Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Cream, the Doors, and Led Zeppelin ~ Dixon passed away in 1992
July 1, 1914 ~ Jazz saxophonist Earle Warren, full name Earl Ronald Warren, born in Springfield, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his association with Count Basie, joining Basie's orchestra in 1937 and remaining through 1945. Has also worked with Buck Clayton, Milt Jackson, Jay McShann, Buddy Tate, Teri Thornton, and Milt Buckner ~ Warren passed away in 1994
July 1, 1912 ~ Torch singer Roberta Sherwood born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Daughter of Robert Sherwood, a manager of a traveling minstrel show. After the death of her mother, she and her sister Anne Sherwood would be raised on the road, and become a sibling act while in their early teens, performing in vaudeville shows and nightclubs. Sherwood married Broadway actor Don Lanning, with whom she operated a nightclub in Miami through the early 1950s. After the club lost its concession, Sherwood began to seriously focus on her career, leading to her Introducing Roberta Sherwood debut album released in 1956. The album would spawn the modest hit Lazy River, which would be her sole charting hit, peaking in the 50s on the pop charts. Sherwood continued into the 1970s, recording about a dozen albums, but despite being a popular live performer she failed to reach the charts ~ Sherwood passed away in 1999
July 1, 1908 ~ Guitarist, bandleader Alvino Rey born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Married the King Sisters singer Luise King. Worked with Horace Heidt, Al Cohn, Ray Conniff, Neal Hefti, Zoot Sims, Billy May, Herbie Stewart, Dave Tough, Nelson Riddle, Johnny Mandel, George Handy, Jack Costanzo, George Cates, and Esquivel. Rey is also the grandfather of Arcade Fire members Win Butler and William Butler ~ Rey passed away in 2004
July 1, 1899 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Reverend Thomas A Dorsey born in Villa Rica, Georgia, USA ~ Dubbed “the Father of Gospel” for his influence on the genre and for penning numerous classics including Take My Hand Precious Lord and Peace In The Valley. Dorsey's songs have been recorded by Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, BB King, Clara Ward, Dorothy Norwood, Jim Reeves, and Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Dorsey passed away in 1993