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 19, 1956 ~ Jazz singer Marit Sandvik born in Harstad, Norway ~ Married to guitarist Øystein Norvoll, their daughter is singer Dagny. Founded the sextet Bossa Nordpa. Has also worked with Plagiacci, Jan Arvid Johansen, Jørgen Nordeng, Tore Johansen, Henning Gravrok, Maurizio Giammarco, and Brynjuff Bjorklid
July 19, 1956 ~ Adrian Nicholas Godfrey, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter, rock critic Nikki Sudden, born in London, UK ~ Influenced by T.Rex, the Rolling Stones, the Faces, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Thunders. Best known for co-founding post-punk unit Swell Maps, which also included his brother Epic Soundtracks. The band is considered one of the premier acts of the post-punk era, widely acclaimed for their 1977 Read About Seymour single. Godfrey has also recorded as a solo artist, collaborated extensively with Dave Kusworth under the group moniker the Jacobites, and has worked with the Waterboys' Mike Scott and Anthony Thistlethwaite, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, and the Rolling Stones' Mick Taylor. Godfrey has also worked as a rock critic and was writing his autobiography at the time of his death ~ Godfrey passed away in 2006July 19, 1956 ~ Jazz drummer Rikiya Higashihara born in Takamatsu, Japan ~ Playing professionally since his teens. Has worked with Takehisa Tanaka, the Naniwa Express, Toshiyuki Honda, Kazumi Watanabe, Tiger Okoshi, Dennis Chambers, Sadayasu Fuji, Terumasa Hino, and Toshihiko Kanjawe
July 19, 1954 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Ivar Thomassen born ~ Enjoyed local popularity in the Northern regions of Norway, his compositions often reflecting on the region's nature, culture and history. Best known for songs such as Imella Multebær Og Mygg and Det Artige Landet ~ Thomassen passed away in 2016
July 19, 1952 ~ Guitarist Allen Collins, full name Larkin Allen Collins Jr, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member, guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Collins co-wrote many of the band's best known songs including Free Bird, That Smell and Give Me Three Steps. In 1977, Collins survived the plane crash that killed three of his bandmated and eventually recovered. Collins was also a member of the Rossington-Collins Band ~ Collins passed away in 1990July 19, 1950 ~ Bass guitarist Errol Holt, also known by his nickname Flabba, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Has played on hundreds of Jamaican records, as member of Morwells, as member of Roots Radics, or sessioning for artists such as Don Carlos, Prince Faril, Israel Vibration, Mikey Dread, Sugar Minott, Mutabaruka, Bunny Wailer, Yami Bolo. Produced records for Jah Stitch (Danger Zone), Dennis Brown (Milk & Honey), Delroy Wilson (Which Way Is Up), Beres Hammond, and Gregory Isaacs
July 19, 1948 ~ Keyboardist Keith Godchaux, full name Keith Richard Godchaux, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as pianist for the Grateful Dead from 1971 through 1979, singing lead vocals on Let Me Sing Your Blues Away. Has also worked with the Jerry Garcia Band. Married to singer Donna Jean Godchaux, with whom he also worked in the Dead. The couple also released their own somewhat overlooked Keith & Donna album in 1975, backed by Garcia, Spooky Tooth-bassist Chrissy Stewart and Wings-drummer Denny Seiwell ~ Godchaux passed away in 1980
July 19, 1948 ~ Jazz-rock singer, songwriter Vivienne McAuliffe, full name Vivienne Jill McAuliffe, born ~ Best known as lead singer of Affinity. Also worked with the Principal Edwards Magic Theatre, Patrick Moraz, Gerry Rafferty (City To City), Camel, Aviator, Michael Chapman, Pete Brown, and Anthony Phillips ~ McAuliffe passed away in 1998
July 19, 1947 ~ Rock, country rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bernie Leadon, full name Bernard Matthew Leadon III, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Brother of guitarist Tom Leadon. Best known as member of the Eagles through 1975. Notably present on songs such as Take It Easy, Peaceful Easy Feeling, and Witchy Woman, the latter of which written by Leadon and Don Henley. Previously a member of Hearts & Flowers, Dillard & Clark, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Has also worked with Run C&W, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the Woodstock Mountain Revue, Linda Ronstadt, Barry McGuire, Bob Lind, Paul Siebel, Rita Coolidge, Gram Parsons, Randy Newman, Andy Fairweather Low, Chris Hillman, Helen Reddy, Chi Coltrane, Teresa Brewer, Stephen Stills, Alabama, Nanci Griffith, Kenny Rogers, Matraca Berg, Kelly Willis, Kathy Mattea, Ronna Reeves, Patsy Moore, the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Pam Tillis, and John Cowan
July 19, 1947 ~ Guitarist Brian May, full name Brian Harold May, born in Twickenham, UK ~ Co-founder, lead guitarist of rock, arena rock outfit Queen. Wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's material including We Will Rock You, I Want It All, Fat Bottomed Girls, Flash, Hammer To Fall, Save Me, Who Wants To Live Forever, Too Much Love Will Kill You and The Show Must Go On. Also worked with Smile, G3, Phenomena, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Hackett, and Lady GagaJuly 19, 1946 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Alan Gorrie, full name Alan Edward Gorrie, born in Perth, UK ~ Best known as founding and longtime member of funk, pop, R&B outfit the Average White Band, known for the acclaimed albums AWB which spawned the hit Pick Up The Pieces and Cut The Cake
July 19, 1944 ~ George Frayne IV, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Commander Cody, born in Boise, Idaho, USA ~ Frontman of Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen, known for merging country, rock & roll, western swing, rockabilly, jump blues and boogie-woogie piano. The band scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Hot Rod Lincoln of their 1971 Lost In The Ozone album ~ Frayne passed away in 2021
July 19, 1944 ~ Jazz double bassist, composer, arranger Didier Levallet born in Arcy-sur-Cure, France ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ted Curson, Johnny Griffin, Kenny Clarke, Mal Waldron, Hank Mobley, Archie Shepp, Tony Oxley, Steve Lacy, Harry Beckett, Didier Lockwood, and the French National Orchestra
July 19, 1944 ~ John Denver Hore, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter John Grenell, born in Randurly, New Zealand ~ Arguably New Zealand's best known country singer, graced with a voice often described as velvet, with well over a dozen albums to his name starting in the mid 1960s. First gained serious attention with his 1965 sophomore album Encore John Hore. Recorded actively through the mid 1970s, resurging in the late 1980s. Internationally best known for his acclaimed 1995 release Windstar Aotearoa ~ Hore passed away in 2022July 19, 1942 ~ Rock, pop guitarist, bassist Roger Bunn born in Norwich, UK ~ As a solo artist known for his 1970 Piece Of Mind album. Early member of Roxy Music remaining with the band through 1971, replaced by David O'List. Has also worked with Pete Brown & Piblokto ~ Bunn passed away in 2005
July 19, 1941 ~ Beat, pop rock drummer Alfio Cantarella born in Biancavilla, Italy ~ Co-founding member of beat band Equipe 84, one of the premier Italian bands of the 1960s and 1970s known for songs such as 29 Settembre and Io Ho In Mente Te. the latter an Italian translation of the Ian & Sylvia song You Were On My Mind. Following the band's disbandement in 1977 Cantarella has served as manager and producer, most notably working with Zucchero and Sergio Caputo ~ Cantarella passed away in 2023
July 19, 1941 ~ Jazz, blues, soul, R&B guitarist Phil Upchurch born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1961 You Can't Sit Down. Worked with the Kool Gents, the Dells, the Spaniels, Dee Clark (Raindrops), Curtis Mayfield, Otis Rush, Jimmy Reed, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Richard Groove Holmes, BB King, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Brown Jr, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Gene Chandler, the Soulful Strings, Rotary Connection, John Lee Hooker, Grover Washington Jr, Cannonball Adderley, Donny Hathaway, Harvey Mason, Ramsey Lewis, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Mose Allison, Gary Burton, Lenny Breau, Joe Williams, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Carmen McRae, Cat Stevens, David Sanborn, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Smith, and Jack McDuff
July 19, 1941 ~ Florencia Vicente de Casillas-Martinez Cardona, commonly known as pop, Latin pop, mariachi singer Vikki Carr born in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Has recorded prolifically since the early 1960s in a variety of genres including pop, jazz, and country. Best known for her 1967 It Must Be Him album which earned her three Grammy nominations and would sell over a million copies. Its It Must Be Him title track would reach top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. To Spanish-speaking audiences known for a string of hit albums during the 1980s, spawning hits such as the Vicente Fernández-duet Dos Corazines, Mala Suerte, Hay Otro En Tu Lugar, and the Ana Gabriel-duet Cosas Del AmorJuly 19, 1940 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Kenny Vernon, full name Henry Kenneth Vernon, born ~ Closely associated with Merle Haggard, longtime member of Haggard's backing unit the Strangers. Early member of country rock and outlaw country movements. As a solo artist known best for his 1967 Loversville album
July 19, 1938 ~ Claude Benzaquen, commonly known as rock & roll singer Frankie Jordan, born in Oran, French Algeria ~ Influenced by jazz and blues, Jordan became one of France's earliest rock & roll singers. The singer is particularly known for a number of French-language adaptations of American songs. Well known songs include Tu Parles Trop, originally Joe Jones' You Talk Too Much, and Dieu Merci Elle M'Aime Aussie, which was a cover of the gospel-tinged Ray Charles classic Hallelujah I Love Her So. His biggest hit would be La Panne D'Essence, an adaptation of Floyd Robinson's Out Of Gas, recorded as a duet with singer Sylvia Vartan. The latter single issued in 1961 would also effectively launch Vartan's career. Throughout his brief musical career, Jordan maintained his studies in dentistry and after receiving his graduation went on to become a dentist in Paris, France ~ Benzaquen passed away in 2025
July 19, 1937 ~ Singer George Hamilton IV born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA ~ Teen idol turned country singer, gradually gravitating more towards folk-influenced country. Known for songs such as A Rose And A Baby Ruth, Why Don't They Understand, Before This Day Ends, Three Steps To The Phone, If You Don't Know I Ain't Gonna Tell You, and Abilene ~ Hamilton passed away in 2014
July 19, 1937 ~ Jean Karen Cariker, commonly known as folk blues singer, guitarist, banjoist Karen Dalton, born in Bonham, Texas, USA ~ Early Greenwich Village folk scene figure. Cited as an influence by Nick Cave, Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom. Resenting the music industry she only recorded two albums, 1969's It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best and 1971's In My Own Time. Country singer Lacy J Dalton chose her stage name in honor of Dalton ~ Dalton passed away in 1993
July 19, 1936 ~ Jazz, hard bop trumpeter Carmell Jones born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 1965 The Remarkable Carmell Jones album. Closely associated with Gerald Wilson, appearing on several of Wilson's 1960s albums including Moment Of Truth. Toured and recorded with Horace Silver, notably present on the 1965 landmark album Song For My Father. An in-demand sideman, Jones has also appeared on albums by Bud Shank, Curtis Amy, Tricky Lofton, Vi Redd, Nancy Wilson, Roy Ayers (West Coast Vibes), Sarah Vaughan (Sarah Sings Soulfully), Harold Land, Jimmy Woods, Booker Ervin (The Blues Book), Charles McPherson, Nathan Davis (The Hip-Walk), Herbie Mann, and Jean-Luc Ponty ~ Jones passed away in 1996July 19, 1936 ~ Lucilla J Sarsines, commonly known as singer Lucha Reyes, born in Lima, Peru ~ One of Peru's most respected singers. Leading interpreter of vals criollo and marinera genres. Formed the duo Lucha & Juan with Pitito Perez. Member of Peña Ferrando. Also worked with Los Morochucos. As a solo artist best known for Regressa, an international hit in 1970 ~ Reyes passed away in 1973
July 19, 1934 ~ Jazz cornetist, trumpeter Bobby Bradford, full name Bobby Lee Bradford, born in Cleveland, Mississippi, USA ~ Recorded some two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, noted specifically for the early 1970s albums Flight For Four and Self-Determination Music, both with longtime associate John Carter. Bradford had been active since the early 1950s, notably working intermittently with Ornette Coleman. Over the course of his lengthy career, Bradford would also appear on albums by Bob Thiele, Wilber Morris, David Murray, Detail, Chris Fagan, John Rapson, Frode Gjerstad (Through The Woods), the Circulasione Totale Orchestra, and Nels Cline