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 24, 1969 ~ Singer, actress, dancer Jennifer Lopez, full name Jennifer Lynn Lopez, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Gained attention in the early 1990s acting in various films, notably starring in the leading role in the Selena 1997 bio-pic of the same name. As a singer best known for her first two albums, On The 6 released in 1999 and its equally successful sophomore album J Lo two years later. Has since become a pop cultural icon. Known best for songs such as If You Had My Love, Waiting For Tonight, Love Don't Cost A Thing, I'm Real, Jenny From The Block featuring Jadakiss and Styles and On The Floor featuring PitbullJuly 24, 1968 ~ Eric Pastore, commonly known as neo-prog, progressive rock, hard rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Eric Blackwood, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known as a key member, co-lead singer of progressive rock outfit Edison's Children, co-founded with Pete Trewavas. The band is known for their science-fiction oriented concept albums, musically drawing from influences such Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Genesis, and Rush. Pastore is also an honorary member of Marillion, touring with the band since 2005 and a special effects technician for TV series including 30 Rock, Law & Order SVU, and America's Next Top Model
July 24, 1967 ~ Pop, surf outfit the Beach Boys record You're Welcome at CBS Columbia Square, Hollywood, USA ~ Written by Brian Wilson. Used as the B-side of Heroes And Villains, released in 1967. Later included on compilation sets
July 24, 1963 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Kalle Vilpuu born in Estonia ~ Perhaps best known as guitarist for Ultima Thule, one of the most influential Estonian rock bands. Has also worked with House Of Games and Seitsmes Meel. Released his Silver Lining solo album in 2013, consisting entirely of instrumental tracks drawing from hard rock, jazz-rock and progressive rockJuly 24, 1962 ~ Jazz guitarist Andrei Ryabov born in Leningrad, USSR ~ Worked with Jim Hall, Tal Farlow, Joe Pass, Attila Zoller, Gene Bertoncini, Titi Paulus, Dave Brubeck, David Friesen, Dusko Gojkovic, John Stowell, Roger Frampton, Sal Nistico, Richie Cole, Billy Taylor, Ted Dunbar, Yusef Lateef, Ted Levine, and David Goloschekin
July 24, 1962 ~ R&B, pop, funk singer, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, songwriter Toshinobu Kubota born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan ~ Pioneered Japanese hip-hop and soul, drawing from funk, pop, R&B and go-go. Influenced by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Sly Stone. Best known for songs such as Dance If You Want It, Missing, Love Rain (Koi No Ame), You Were Mine and La La La Love Song
July 24, 1961 ~ Drummer, artist manager Paul Geary born in Medford, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-founding member, drummer for Extreme, present on the band's first three albums. They are best known for their 1990 Pornografifitti sophomore effort, which spawned the band's two biggest hits. More Than Words reached top 10 in over half a dozen countries, including the top spot on the American Billboard Hot 100, while its follow-up Hole Hearted peaked at No.4. Geary left the band in 1994, succeeded by Michael Mangini, to pursue a career in artist management. Geary's first signing was Godsmack in 1995, followed by names such as the Smashing Pumpkins, Alter Bridge, Creed, the Scorpions, Fuel, Steel Panther, Jason Bonham, Hoobastank, and Joe Perry
July 24, 1959 ~ Leo Williams, commonly known as pop, rock bassist Leo E-Zee Kill Williams, born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica ~ Member of early 1980s reggae punk fusion band Basement 5. Member of the short-lived TRAC, and subsequently its successor Big Audio Dynamite, with whom he recorded four albums through the band's initial disbandement in 1990. The band was fronted by Mick Jones, formerly of the Clash, and is especially acclaimed for its debut album This Is Big Audio Dynamite and its successor No 10 Upping St. The former would spawn two UK top 30 hits, E Is MC Squared and Medicine Show. After its disbandement, the band would be revived as Big Audio Dynamite II without Williams. Williams would go on to work with dub and reggae-infused electronic music group Dreadzone, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums
July 24, 1958 ~ Andonis Michaelides, commonly known as bassist, singer Mick Karn, born in Nicosia, Cyprus ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of new wave outfit Japan. The band is best known for Ghosts, a UK No.5 hit off Tin Drum, the band's fifth and final album released in 1981. Other well known songs include Quiet Life, Visions Of China, Cantonese Boy, Life In Tokyo, and Nightporter. A decade after the band folded, the original line-up reunited under the monniker Rain Tree Crow to record the eponymous Rain Tree Crow album which cracked the UK top 40. Karn has also recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with the likes of Gary Numan, playing bass and saxophone on Numan's UK top 10 hit She's Got Claws, Masami Tsuchiya, Akiko Yano, Dali's Car, Midge Ure, Kate Bush, David Torn, and Joan Armatrading ~ Karn passed away in 2011
July 24, 1957 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Pam Tillis, full name Pamela Yvonne Tillis, born in Plant City, Florida, USA ~ Active since the early 1980s, initially recording pop material to little commercial success. Tillis would breakthrough after switching to country, her 1991 Put Yourself In My Place sophomore album spawning the hit singles Don't Tell Me What To Do, One Of Those Things, and Maybe It Was Memphis, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Country. Tillis would continue to regularly reach the higher echelons of the country charts through the end of the decade, and earn critical acclaim especially for the 1994 Sweetheart's Dance album. Songs co-written by Tillis have been recorded by Janie Fricke, Suzy Bogguss, Highway 101 (Rough And Tumble Heart), Juice Newton, Conway Twitty (Hearts Breakin' All Over Town), and Michelle Wright. Tillis is the daughter of renowned country singer Mel Tillis, and was married to songwriter Bob DiPiero for most of the 1990sJuly 24, 1955 ~ Joseph Reynaerts, mononymously known as pop singer Reynaert, born in Seraing, Belgium ~ Internationally best known for representing Belgium at the 1988 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 18th place with Laissez Briller Le Soleil. Other well known songs include Cerf-volant and Pas Assez ~ Reynaerts passed away in 2020
July 24, 1953 ~ Funk, R&B guitarist Garry Shider, full name Garry Marshall Shider, born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Backed gospel artists such as Shirley Caesar, the Five Blind Boys and the Mighty Clouds Of Joy in his youth. Best known for his association with funk icon George Clinton, serving as guitarist and music director for P-Funk, Parliament and Funkadelic for 15 years starting in the early 1970s. Notably present on songs such as Cosmic Slop, Gettin' To Know You and One Nation Under A Groove ~ Shider passed away in 2010
July 24, 1953 ~ Bebop, jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Mentored by Dizzy Gillespie. Has worked with George Benson, Anthony Braxton, Kenny Burrell, Michel Camilo, Ron Carter, Hank Crawford, Bo Diddley, Charles Earland, Gil Evans, Jerry Fielding, the Players Association, Grant Green, Michael Franks, Richard Groove Holmes (New Groove), Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, Odonel Levy, Les McCann, Tina Turner, Jack McDuff, Mick Jagger (Primitive Cool), Jimmy McGriff, Patti Austin (The Real Me), Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Charles Mingus, Phoebe Snow, Blue Mitchell, David Fathead Newman, Carly Simon, Oscar Peterson, Lalo Schifrin, Paul Simon (Graceland), Lonnie Liston Smith, Leon Spencer, Bette Midler, Gábor Szabó, Charles Tolliver, Cedar Walton, Lou Reed (Sally Can't Dance), Gerald Wilson, and Tatsuro Yamashita
July 24, 1951 ~ John Phlip Cawthra, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, singer Gypie Mayo, born in London, UK ~ Member of Dr Feelgood from 1977 through 1981. Co-wrote the band's best known, the UK top 10 hit Milk And Alcohol, with Nick Lowe. Also present on songs such as She's A Wind Up, Down At The Doctor's, As Long As The Price Is Right and Put Him Out Of Your Mind. Mayo also worked with a latter day incarnation of the Yardbirds from 1996 through 2004 ~ Cawthra passed away in 2013
July 24, 1951 ~ Actress, singer, songwriter, model, activist Lynda Carter, full name Lynda Jean Cordova Carter, born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ 1972 Miss World USA. Advocate and spokeswoman for several women's and gay rights groups. Best known for starring in title role of TV series Wonder Woman which aired from 1975 through 1979. Also appeared in other TV series, TV movies, feature films including Apocalypse Now. As a singer, songwriter released a full-length album, Portrait, in 1978 and has recorded steadily since. Hosted several musical TV shows throughout the 1980s
July 24, 1950 ~ William Evans, commonly known as bluegrass singer, banjoist, songwriter Dave Evans, born in Portsmouth, Ohio, USA ~ Noted for his powerful vocals and for bridging traditional and contemporary bluegrass. Has recorded well over half a dozen albums as a solo artist and with his backing unit the River Bend. Has collaborated with the likes of Larry Sparks, Josh Graves, Ralph Stanley, and Jim Lauderdale ~ Evans passed away in 2017
July 24, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Yves Duteil born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France ~ Has recorded about two dozen albums since the early 1970s. Well-known for songs such as Virages, J'Attends, Tisserand, Les Batignolles, and perhaps his best known Prendre Un Enfant of his 1977 Tarentelle album. Also known as an advocate for children's rights and the environment
July 24, 1948 ~ Jazz saxophonist Joe Giardullo born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Released his Gravity debut album in 1981, yet the album was overlooked and Giardullo would soon fade into obscurity only to reemerge in later years. Especially noted for his 2004 Falling Water album. Best known as regular collaborator of Joe McPhee, appearing on critically acclaimed albums such as In The Spirit and No Greater Love. Giardullo has also guested on albums by the Deep Listening Band, Mikhail Horowitz, Jack Wright, John Heward, and Dom Minasi
July 24, 1947 ~ Drummer Alan Whitehead born in Oswestry, UK ~ First played profesionally as drummer for Crispian St Peters. Best known as member of the Attack and of Marmalade, the latter scoring with songs such as Ob-la-di Ob-la-da and Reflections Of My Life. Left the band to pursue a career in artist management and has represented artists such as Lipps Inc, Mel & Kim, Modern Romance, Rikki Peebles, Amazula, and Belle Stars
July 24, 1947 ~ Rock drummer Chris Townson born in London, UK ~ Co-founding member of John's Children, named by the band's manager Simon Napier-Bell for their bass player John Hewlett so they wouldn't fire Hewlett. The band recorded one album, Orgasm, and earned a cult status for their wild stage antics. In fact, they were so wild they would be kicked off a tour opening for the Who, after their performance caused a riot in the crowd. Despite this incident, the Who would later call on Townson to fill in for an injured Keith Moon for four concerts. Following his tenure with John's Children, Townson played with several groups including Jook, Jet, and Radio Stars, before retiring from music altogether to pursue a career as an illustrator, and later social worker ~ Townson passed away in 2008July 24, 1947 ~ Pop, rock, classical bassist Jan Hollestelle born in Den Helder, the Netherlands ~ Worked with the Torero's, Tower, Autopilot, Robinson Cruiser, Spin, Ekseption, the Cats, Margriet Eshuijs, Boudewijn de Groot, and Nick Mackenzie
July 24, 1947 ~ Classical pianist Peter Serkin, full name Peter Adolf Serkin, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Praised for his pristine playing and commitment to contemporary classical music. Has worked with renowned orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell and the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy. Other notable credits include recording Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations no less than five times, the first at age 18. Has worked with Claudio Abbado, James Levine, Yo-Yo Ma, Alexander Schneider, and the Budapest Quartet ~ Serkin passed away in 2020July 24, 1946 ~ René Villard, commonly known as pop singer Hervé Vilard, born in Paris, France ~ Shot to fame with his 1965 debut single Capri C'Est Fini, an international hit which would sell 3 million copies. Would go on to record about a dozen albums, enjoying popularity both in his native France as well as Latin America singing in both French and Spanish. Well-known songs include Nous, Reviens, and Méduterranéenne
July 24, 1942 ~ Heinz Burt, mononymously known as bassist, singer Heinz, born in Detmold, Germany ~ Protégé of producer, engineer Joe Meek who would style his image. Member of the Tornados, known for their instrumental hit Telstar. As a solo artist best known for Just Like Eddie, a tribute to Heinz's biggest influence Eddie Cochran produced by Meek ~ Burt passed away in 2000
July 24, 1940 ~ Jazz saxophonist Kim Richmond born in Champaign, Illinois, USA ~ Played piano and clarinet before settling on the saxophone as his primary instrument. Active since the mid 1960s working with Stan Kenton, Louie Bellson, and Lalo Schifrin prior to venturing out on his own by the late 1980s. Richmond has recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically for Passages released in 1992. Closely associated with Bob Florence, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums since the early 1980s including Magic Time, State Of The Art, and Funupsmanship. An in-demand sideman in bop, post-bop, neo-bop, and pop, Richmond has appeared on albums by Clare Fischer, Buddy Greco, Pat Longo, Gordon Brisker, Osamu Kitajima, John Rapson, Carla Helmbrecht (One For My Baby), Dr John, John LaBarbera (On The Wild Side), Chris Walden (No Bounds), Gary Urwin (Kindred Spirits), Diana Krall (From This Moment On), Michael Bolton, and Neil Young (Storytone)July 24, 1940 ~ R&B keyboardist, singer Rex Garvin born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Although he had little commercial success at the time, Garvin is fondly remembered by soul aficionados for a number of 1960s singles including most notably Sock It To 'Em JB released in 1966, its title a nod to both James Brown and the then-popular James Bond film franchise. Other well known songs include Oh Yeah, Soul Food, I Gotta Go Now (Up On The Floor), and You Don't Need No Help (You Can Sock It To Yourself). Garvin is also known for writing Over The Mountain (Across The Sea), a 1957 hit for Johnnie & Joe, later covered by over a dozen artists including the Crew Cuts, the Orlons, and Bobby Vinton ~ Garvin passed away in 2013