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 17, 1951 ~ Singer Tony Bennett records Blue Velvet at Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York, New York ~ Penned by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. Tony Bennett would be the first to record the song, released as a single paired with Solitaire on the flip side the following September. Later versions would include recordings by Arthur Prysock and by Bill Farrell the same year, by the Clovers in 1955, and notably by Bobby Vinton in 1963, the latter taking it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart
July 17, 1950 ~ R&B, soul singer Damon Harris, full name Otis Robert Harris Jr, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Temptations from 1971 through 1975, singing lead on songs such as Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are), Take A Look Around, Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, and Masterpiece. After leaving the group, Harris formed Impact, known for a number of minor disco hits including Happy Man and Give A Broken Heart A Break ~ Harris passed away in 2013
July 17, 1950 ~ Phoebe Ann Laub, commonly known as singer, guitarist Phoebe Snow, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Jazzy soft-rock singer, songwriter with about a dozen albums to her name, especially acclaimed for her eponymous Phoebe Snow debut album and its follow-up Second Childhood. Best known for her 1974 Billboard Hot 100 No.5 hit Poetry Man, covered by over a dozen artists including Zap Mama and Queen Latifah. Other songs written by Snow have been covered by Bette Midler (I Don't Want The Night To End), Dianne Brooks, Renée Tannenbaum (Harpo's Blues), and Polly Gibbons. Snow also appeared on albums by Paul Simon (Still Crazy After All These Years), Janis Ian, David Sanborn, David Bromberg, Garland Jeffreys, Bobby McFerrin, Dave Grusin, Laurie Anderson (Mister Heartbreak), and Joe Cocker ~ Laub passed away in 2011
July 17, 1949 ~ Earl Lavon Freeman Jr, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Chico Freeman, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of jazz saxophonist Von Freeman, with whom he has also recorded several albums. Steeped in the traditions of jazz, yet also covering compositions by modernists such as John Coltrane, Freeman came to prominence in the late 1970s alongside frequent collaborators Wynton Marsalis and Cecil McBee, and has recorded well over two dozen albums as leader or co-leader. Freeman is especially acclaimed for the albums Beyond The Rain, The Outside Within, which helped him win the New York Jazz Award, and Peaceful Heart Gentle Spirit. Freeman is also known as co-leader of the Leaders, with whom he recorded close to half a dozen albums, and as a sideman on albums by Ahmed Abdullah, Jack DeJohnette (Tin Can Alley), Edward Vesala, McCoy Tyner (13th House), Kip Hanrahan (Coup De Tête), Kirk Lightsey, Carmen Lundy, Dom Um Romão, Hilton Ruiz, and Avery SharpeJuly 17, 1949 ~ Terence Michael Joseph Butler, commonly known as bassist Geezer Butler, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Best known as co-founding and longtime member and primary lyricist of pioneering metal band Black Sabbath, initially remaining with the band through 1985 and rejoining on several occasions in later years. Present on most of the band's best known including the pivotal early 1970s albums Paranoid and Master Of Reality. Has also worked with GZR, Heaven & Hell, and Apartment 26
July 17, 1949 ~ Bassist Mike Vale born ~ Member of Tommy James & the Shondells, best known for their 1966 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Hanky Panky. The group would score about half a dozen more top 10 hits through the end of the decade, establishing themselves as one of the premier bubblegum outfits of the era. Well known songs include I Think We're Alone Now, Mony Mony, later notably covered by Billy Idol, Crimson And Clover, and Crystal Blue PersuasionJuly 17, 1948 ~ Kerry Byles Jr, commonly known as reggae, rocksteady, ska singer, songwriter Junior Byles, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Also known under the moniker King Chubby. Formed the trio the Versatiles in 1967 with Dudley Earl and Ben Louis Davis, known for their 1967 hit The Time Has Come. After the band disbanded in 1970 Byles would go on to record as a solo artist. Well known songs include What's The World Coming To, Beat Down Babylon, Place Called Africa, Joshua Desire, Pharaoh Hiding, Fever, Curley Looks and Fade Away. Due to a declining health Byles' career would slow down by the end of the 1970s, yet he would continue to record new material from time to time ~ Byles passed away in 2025
July 17, 1948 ~ Guitarist Ron Asheton, full name Ronald Franklin Asheton, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Co-founded the Stooges with Iggy Pop, Dave Alexander, and his brother Scott Asheton. Also worked with the New Order, Destroy All Monsters, Dark Carnival, New Race, the Empty Set, Wylde Ratttz, and Thurston Moore ~ Asheton passed away in 2009July 17, 1947 ~ Pianist, composer Anders Koppel born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Father of saxophonist Benjamin Koppel and of gospel, soul, jazz, singer Marie Carmen Koppel. Co-founded rock group Savage Rose. Member of Bazaar. Composed music for ballets, over 150 movies, theatrical plays, musicals, classical ensembles, and for chamber orchestras
July 17, 1947 ~ Percussionist Wolfgang Flür born in Frankfurt, Germany ~ Best known as member of pivotal electronic band Kraftwerk from 1973 through 1987, present on some of the band's most acclaimed albums including Autobahn, Radio-Activity and Trans-Europe Express. Following his departure from the band Flür formed YamoJuly 17, 1942 ~ Singer, writer, actress Gale Garnett, full name Gale Zoe Garnett, born in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Best known for her self-penned We'll Sing In The Sunshine, a hit in 1964. The song would later be covered by the Lancastrians, Sonny & Cher, LaWanda Lindsey, Helen Reddy, and by Dolly Parton
July 17, 1942 ~ Spencer David Nelson Davies, commonly known as rock, pop, R&B guitarist, singer, songwriter Spencer Davis, born in Swansea, UK ~ Best known as eponym of the Spencer Davis Group, which also included Steve Winwood, Muff Winwood, Pete York, known for hits such as Keep On Running, Somebody Help Me and I'm A Man ~ Davies passed away in 2020
July 17, 1942 ~ George Bruno Money, commonly known as R&B, blues keyboardist, organist, singer Zoot Money, born in Bournemouth, UK ~ The definitive early 1960s organist in British blues and R&B. Though not as well known as contemporary John Mayall, Money was a highly respected bandleader and like Mayall's backing unit the Bluesbreakers the Money-led rock & roll-infused R&B outfit the Big Roll Band served as a finishing school for several musicians early on in their career. Artists who passed through the ranks of Money's band include pianist Dave Greenslade, drummer Jon Hiseman, bassist Tony Reeves, saxophonist Clive Burrows, and guitarist Andy Summers, the latter later rising to stardom as a member of the Police. Money was active with the Big Roll Band, briefly named Dantalian's Chariot at the end of their run, for most of the 1960s, the band best known for their sole UK top 30 hit single Big Time Operator, and for their 1966 Live At Klook's Kleek live album. Money has also recorded as a solo artist, and has appeared on albums by Alexis Korner, the Animals, Peter Green, Andy Roberts, Centipede, Mike McGear, Grimms (Rocking Duck), Long John Baldry, Kevin Ayers, Kevin Coyne, and Roger McGough. Money had taken his stage name “Zoot” after seeing jazz saxophonist Zoot Sims perform in concert ~ Money passed away in 2024
July 17, 1939 ~ Maria Ilba Biolcati, commonly known as singer, actress, TV personality Milva, born in Goro, Italy ~ Dubbed “La Rossa”, the Redhead, for the colour of her hair and for her leftist political views. Popular stage and musical singer, actress. Has worked with orchestras such as La Scala, the Deutsche Oper, and the Paris Opera. Actvely recording as a solo artist since the early 1960s, drawing from a wide array of genres including pop, schlager, chanson. Acclaimed as interpreter of the oeuvre of singer Edith Piaf. Has collaborated with composers, songwriters such as Ennio Morricone, Mikis Theodorakis, Enzo Jannacci, Vangelis and Franco Battiato ~ Biolcati passed away in 2021July 17, 1938 ~ Soul, R&B, pop singer Grant Kitchings born ~ Best known for his 1970s stint in the Drifters, then led by Johnny Moore. Co-wrote Country To The City, She Never Talked To Me, and Beautiful Music. Present on hits such as Kissin' In The Back Row Of The Movies and Down On The Beach Tonight ~ Kitchings passed away in 2005
July 17, 1937 ~ Pianist, organist, conductor, composer Gabriel Pierné, full name Henri Constant Gabriel Pierné, passed away in Ploujean, France ~ Composed operas, chamber music, and choral and symphonic pieces. Perhaps best known for the oratario La Croisade Des Enfants. Other well known pieces include Introduction Et Variations Sur Une Ronde Populaire for saxophone quartet, and the ballet Cydalise Et Le Chevre Pied which included Marche Des Petits Faunes ~ Pierné was born in 1863
July 17, 1936 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records I'm An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande) ~ Written by Johnny Mercer for the 1936 Rhythm Of The Range film starring Bing Crosby. Released as a single, paired with I Can't Escape From You on the flip side, it would reach No.2 on the pop charts. Over the years the song would be covered by Bobby Darin, Patsy Montana, Frank Sinatra, Sonny Rollins, Dan Hicks, and Harry Connick Jr
July 17, 1935 ~ Carol Diahann Johnson, commonly known as actress, singer Diahann Carroll, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Rose to prominence in the 1950s starring in film editions of Carmen Jones and Porgy & Bess. Awarded a Tony Award for her role in the 1962 Broadway musical No Strings, making her the first African-American woman to receive the award. Carroll, a close friend of Lenny Kravitz's mother actress Roxie Roker, was a godmother of Kravitz ~ Johnson passed away in 2019
July 17, 1933 ~ Jazz drummer Ben Riley, full name Benjamin Alexander Riley Jr, born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his association with Thelonious Monk, even though he only played briefly with the pianist. Member of Sphere. Member of the New York Jazz Quintet. Later on in his career, Riley recorded a handful of albums as a leader including the acclaimed 1996 Weaver Of Dreams album. An excellent bop, hard bop drummer, Riley has guested on recordings by Gene Rodgers, Johnny Griffin (Tough Tenors), Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Dick Morgan (Settlin' In), Junior Mance (At The Village Vanguards), Ken McIntyre, Sonny Rollins (The Bridge), Sam Jones (Down Home), Andrew Hill, Alice Coltrane (World Galaxy), Hugh Lawson, Charlie Rouse, Hank Jones, and Roland Hanna ~ Riley passed away in 2017July 17, 1930 ~ Composer Toshimitsu Tanaka born in Aomori, Japan ~ Expontent of the Japanese marimba repertoire. As a composer perhaps best known for his 1965 composition Two Movements For Marimba. Has taught at the Kunitachi College of Music, Kunitachi, where he also studied, and at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, Kyiv ~ Tanaka passed away in 2020
July 17, 1928 ~ Jazz drummer Joe Morello, full name Joseph Albert Morello, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Declined invitations from both Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey, favoring a temporary two-month tour with Dave Brubeck. Two months turned into a decade. Present on most of the Dave Brubeck Quartet's best known including songs such as Take Five and Blue Rondo A La Turk. Morello had previously played with Marian McPartland, Urbie Green (Blues And Other Shades Of Green), Tal Farlow, Sal Salvador, Chuck Wayne, and Helen Merrill. Following his stint with Brubeck became an in-demand bandleader and teacher, his students including Danny Gottlieb, Max Weinberg, Rich Gallison, Gary Feldman, Tony Woo, Jerry Granelli, and Tico Torres ~ Morello passed away in 2011
July 17, 1926 ~ Jazz, hard bop trumpeter, hornist Ray Copeland born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Known for his confident tone, Copeland was an in-demand sideman from the late 1940s, starting with acts such as Mercer Ellington and the Savoy Sultans, through the 1980s. The trumpeter would become especially associated with Thelonious Monk, notably present on the 1953 eponymous Thelonious Monk album and on Monk released one year later, and with Randy Weston, with whom he appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1966 alongside saxophonist Cecil Payne, bassist Bill Wood, drummer Lenny McBrowne and conga player Big Black, a line-up regarded by Weston as his best. Over the course of his four-decade career, Copeland has also appeared on albums by Ernie Wilkins, Lionel Hampton, Herbie Mann (Great Ideas Of Western Mann), Dinah Washington (Dinah Washington Sings Fats Walller), Art Blakey, Cat Anderson, Bob Brookmeyer, Oscar Pettiford (First Bass), Betty Carter (I Can't Help It), Art Farmer, Dave Pike, Booker Ervin, and Archie Shepp (Attica Blues Big Band). Copeland's son Keith Copeland would follow in his father's footsteps and become a professional jazz drummer ~ Copeland passed away in 1984July 17, 1925 ~ Carla Gaiano, commonly known as singer Carla Boni, born in Ferrara, Italy ~ Enjoyed popularity especially during the 1950s with songs such as Viale D'Autunno, E Stelle 'E Napule, and Mambo Italiano ~ Gaiano passed away in 2009
July 17, 1925 ~ Jazz singer Jimmy Scott, full name James Victor Scott, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Worked with Lionel Hampton (sang lead on Everybody's Somebody's Fool), Charlie Parker, Lou Reed (sang backup on The Power And Glory), Tommy Lipuma, Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, David Fathead Newman, Wynton Marsalis, Renee Rosnes, Bob Kindred, Eric Alexander, Lew Soloff, George Mraz, Lewis Nash, the Jazz Expressions. Sang at the inaugurations of Presidents Dwight D Eisenhower and Bill Clinton, respectively in 1953 and 1993 ~ Scott passed away in 2014
July 17, 1922 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Danny Bank, full name Daniel Bernard Bank, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Early on in his career served in ensembles led by Charlie Barnet, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Paul Whiteman. Well-known for his association with Miles Davis, appearing on albums such as Miles Ahead, Porgy & Bess and Sketches Of Spain. Also present on albums by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie (Afro), Ben Webster, Urbie Green, Betty Carter, Sylvia Syms, Oscar Pettiford, Chubby Jackson, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins (Alfie), Lee Morgan, Jimmy Smith, Maynard Ferguson, Oliver Nelson (Black Brown & Beautiful), Quincy Jones, and Randy Weston ~ Bank passed away in 2010