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 18, 1978 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Tony Fagenson, also known as Tony Nova, born ~ Son of bassist, guitarist, singer, producer Don Was of Was (Not Was). Co-founding member of Eve 6, with whom he recorded four albums. Co-founded Dead Posey with then-girlfriend Danyell Souza, whom he has since married
July 18, 1975 ~ William James McAuley III, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Bleu, born in USA ~ Solo recording artist. Member of Leo. Member of Loudlion alongside Taylor Locke and Allison Robertson. Wrote and produced for Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, John Oates, Michelle Branch, Hey Violet, Big Freedia, and the Jonas Brothers
July 18, 1975 ~ Metal, alternative metal, hard rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Daron Malakian born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Renowned metal guitarist. Best known as member of System Of A Down and as lead singer of Scars On Broadway. Guested on Cypress Hill's Trouble Seeker of the 2010 Rise Up album and on Linkin Park's Rebellion of their 2014 The Hunting Party album
July 18, 1975 ~ Mathaga Aruipragasam, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter MIA, born in Hounslow, UK ~ Released her Arular debut album in 2005. Best known for Paper Planes, a UK top 20 hit of her 2007 Kala sophomore album. Has guested on recordings by Jay-Z, Buruka Som Sistema, Rye Rye, SebastiAn, Madonna, Baauer, and Travis ScottJuly 18, 1972 ~ Progressive metal, progressive rock, hard rock guitarist, singer Fredrik Åkesson, full name Karl Fredrik Henrik Åkesson, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Best known as member of Opeth. Has also worked with Krux, Monsters Of Metal, Talisman, Arch Enemy, Tiamat, John Norum, Sabbtail, Human Clay, Southpaw, and Clockwise
July 18, 1970 ~ Singer Gruff Rhys, full name Gruffudd Maredudd Bowen Rhys, born in Haverfordwest, UK ~ Best known as member of Super Furry Animals, reaching mainstream succes with 1990s hits such as If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You, Northern Lites, Juxtapozed With U and Golden Retriever, and as member of Neon Neon. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 2005's all-Welsh Yr Atal Genhediaeth album, and collaborated with the likes of Mogwai, Danger Mouse, Gorillaz, and Tony Da GatorraJuly 18, 1969 ~ Drummer, mandolinist Tony Leone, full name Anthony Leone, born in New Britain, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Olabelle and the Chris Robinson Brotherhood. Also worked with the Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh, Anders Osborne, Shooter Jennings, Rickie Lee Jones, Donald Fagen, Phoebe Snow, the Band's keyboardist Garth Hudson, David Bromberg, Keb' Mo, Marshall Crenshaw, Jimmy Vivino, Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, Bruce Springsteen, and the Allman Brothers Band
July 18, 1966 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bobby Fuller, full name Robert Gaston Fuller, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Eddie Cochran, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, Dick Dale, and the Ventures. Fuller fronted the Bobby Fuller Four, its only other constant member his brother bassist Randy Fuller, the band known for songs such as Let Her Dance, Love's Made A Fool Of You, and their best known I Fought The Law. Just months after the latter, their breakout hit and to this day considered a quintessential recording of the era, reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100, Fuller was found deceased in his car at a mere age 23. The medical examiner checked both boxes for “accident” and “suicide” adding question marks. Fuller's death remains a mystery to this day ~ Fuller was born in 1942
July 18, 1965 ~ Indie rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, drummer, engineer, producer Ed Ackerson born in Stillwater, Minnesota, USA ~ Member of the Dig, the 27 Various, Antenna, Polara and BNLX. As a producer or engineer has worked on recordings by the Jayhawks, the Replacements, Soul Asylum, Golden Smog, Wesley Stace, John Strohm, Brian Setzer, the Wallflowers, Rhett Miller and Juliana Hatfield ~ Ackerson passed away in 2019July 18, 1963 ~ Rock, pop percussionist, pianist, producer, songwriter Hans Eijkenaar born in Schiedam, the Netherlands ~ Worked with Kayak, Candy Dulfer, Robby Valentine, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Rob de Nijs, Hans de Booij, René Froger, Herman Brood, Thijs van Leer, Toots Thielemans, Anouk, Piet Veerman, Hans Dulfer, Ellen ten Damme, Patricia Paay, Gordon, Total Touch, Kane, Wolter Kroes, K-otic, Twarres, Laura Fygi, Edsilia Rombley, and Bastiaan Ragas
July 18, 1962 ~ Percussionist Daniel de los Reyes born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of Walfredo de los Reyes Sr, brother of Walfredo Reyes Jr. Worked with Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, the Zac Brown Band, Steve Winwood, Yanni, Philip Bailey, Justo Almario, Gabriela Anders, India Arie, Lindsey Buckingham, Vikki Carr, Cher, Sheena Easton, Gloria Estefan, Lola Falana, David Foster, Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, Faith Hill, Chris Isaak, Patti LaBelle, Ronnie Laws, John Mayer, Tim McGraw, Sérgio Mendes, Wayne Newton, Stevie Nicks, Don Omar, Donny Osmond, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, José Luis Rodríguez, Jon Secada, Shakira, and Donna SummerJuly 18, 1962 ~ Keyboardist John Hermann born in Oxford, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Professor Longhair, Otis Spann, Junior Kimbrough, Othar Turner. Member of Beanland prior to joining jam band Widespread Panic in 1992. Has also worked with the Panic side-project Brute and recorded a number of solo albums starting with Smiling Assassin released in 2001
July 18, 1959 ~ Audrey Hamburg, commonly known as actress, singer Audrey Landers, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as an actress, notably inn the role of Afton Cooper on the television series Dallas. Also recorded some dozen albums as a country, country-pop, pop singer since the early 1980s, reaching considerable succes in Germany. Best known for her 1983 single Manuel Goodbye, reaching top 10 in several countries
July 18, 1957 ~ Post-punk, rock guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist Keith Levene, full name Julian Keith Levene, born in London, UK ~ Co-founded the Clash yet departed the band before they began recording. Co-wrote What's My Name, featured on the band's eponymous The Clash debut album. Co-founded Public Image Ltd with Johnny Rotten, remaining with the band through 1983. Levene has also worked with the Flowers Of Romance, Cowboys International, Pigface, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Levene passed away in 2022July 18, 1956 ~ Jazz double bassist Hein van de Geyn born in Schijndel, the Netherlands ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Paulien van Schaik, Baseline, Toots Thielemans, Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Tal Farlow, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Philip Catherine, Enrico Pieranunzi, Kenny Wheeler, and Bert van den Brink. Served as producer for Jasper van 't Hof, Harmen Fraanje, Rick Margitza, Clark Terry and Denise Jannah
July 18, 1956 ~ Violet Mary Tipton, commonly known as singer, actress Violet Loraine, passed away in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK ~ Rose to fame portraying the female lead role of Emma in the 1916 musical revue The Bing Boys Are Here opposite George Robey. The pair's duet hit If You Were The Only Girl (In The World) would become a signature song of the era and over time endure as a pop standard ~ Tipton was born in 1886July 18, 1955 ~ Drummer Terry Chambers, full name Terry Peter Chambers, born in Swindon, UK ~ Best known as member of XTC from 1972 through 1982, present on the band's best known including Making Plans For Nigel, Sgt Rock (Is Going To Help Me) and Senses Working Overtime. Has subsequently worked with TC&I, Dragon, and October Rage
July 18, 1954 ~ Latin jazz percussionist, bandleader Ralph Irizarry born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Has collaborated with artists such as Harry Belafonte, Celia Cruz, Paquito d'Rivera, Juan Luis Guerra, Paul Simon, and Talking Heads-frontman David Byrne. Irizarry also notably appeared in the musical drama film The Mambo Kings released in 1992 ~ Irizarry passed away in 2021
July 18, 1952 ~ Violinist, pianist Alfred Wittenberg passed away in Shanghai, China ~ Fled Nazi Germany prior to World War II, eventually settling in America. Has worked with the Staatskapelle Berlin, Frederic Lamond, Anton Hekking, Artur Schnabel, and Heinrich Grünfeld ~ Wittenberg was born in 1880
July 18, 1949 ~ Guitarist, singer Wally Bryson born in Gastonia, North Carolina, USA ~ Member of 1960s outfit the Choir. The band would evolve into the Raspberries by the turn of the decade. Co-wrote several of the band's songs, often with bandmate Eric Carmen, including Come Around And See Me, With You In My Life, I Saw The Light, Don't Want To Say Goodbye, and their best known the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Go All The Way. Member of mid 1970s supergroup Fotomaker, known for their eponymous Fotomaker which is considered a classic example of 1970s power pop.July 18, 1947 ~ Country, rock & roll singer Linda Gail Lewis born in Ferriday, Louisiana, USA ~ Debuted as a solo artist with her The Two Sides Of Linda Gail Lewis album in 1969. Best known for Don't Let Me Cross Over, a duet with her brother Jerry Lee Lewis reaching top 10 on the Billboard Country charts in 1969. Has also worked with Stephen Ackles and with Van Morrison
July 18, 1946 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records You Keep Coming Back Like A Song ~ Written by Irving Berlin for the 1946 Blue Skies film and soundtrack album. Would be a top 20 hit for Bing Crosby, trailing behind renditions by Jo Stafford and Dinah Shore, the latter reaching No.5 on the pop charts
July 18, 1946 ~ Rock guitarist Ray Fenwick, full name Raymond John Fenwick, born in Romford, UK ~ Member of the Syndicats, joining the band in 1964 replacing future Yes guitarist Steve Howe. Member of Dutch outfit the Tee Set. Member of the Spencer Davis Group from 1967 through 1969. Member of Fancy, known for the surprise hits Wild Thing and Touch Me. Also notably worked with Ian Gillan, Jon Lord, and with Bo Diddley on the latter's The London Bo Diddley Sessions album ~ Fenwick passed away in 2022
July 18, 1945 ~ Owen Castleman, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Boomer Castleman, born in Farmers Branch, Texas, USA ~ As a solo artist known for the 1975 single Judy Mae. Toured with John Denver before Denver adopted the Denver monniker. Co-founded the Survivors with Michael Nesmith. Co-founded Lewis & Clarke Expedition with John London and Michael Martin Murphey. Wrote or co-wrote, often with Murphey, songs recorded by the Monkees (What Am I Doing Hangin' Around), Royal Guardsmen (The Airplane Song (My Airplane)), George Hamilton IV (West Texas Highway), Lyle Lovett, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and by Rusty Wier (Texas Morning). Backed Tammy Wynette, Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, and Roy Clark ~ Castleman passed away in 2015
July 18, 1943 ~ Daniel Cox Jr, commonly known as folk singer, songwriter Danny Cox, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Recorded over half a dozen albums since the early 1960s, most notably his best known Feel So Good released in 1974. Cox would enjoy regional popularity as well as on the hootennany circuit, and has guested on recordings by Brewer & Shipley and Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Cox is also well known for co-writing and starring in the 2012 musical play Fair Ball, a musical play addressing racial segregation by telling of the history and courage of baseball players playing in the Negro leagues of baseball. In his youth, Cox sang in a church choir with Rudolph Isley, co-founding member of the Isley Brothers ~ Cox passed away in 2025