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 3, 1979 ~ Composer, pianist Louis Durey, full name Louis Edmond Durey, passed away in Saint-Tropez, France ~ Durey had been primarily self-taught, active as a composer since the early-1900s composing chamber music, choral music, orchestral music, and works for piano. Well known for L'Offrande Lyrique, published in 1914 arguably the first piece of French twelve-tone music, the piano duet Carillons, and his sole opera L'Occasion. Durey was involved with L'Album Des Six, a suite of six piano pieces each written by a member of Les Six published in 1920, yet disassociated himself from the group afterwards. During World War II, Durey was a member of the French Resistance, only to embrace hard-line communism after the war which would isolate Durey and seriously hinder his career ~ Durey was born in 1888
July 3, 1978 ~ Finlay Beaton, commonly known as alternative rock singer, bassist, songwriter Satyam Kavyen Temperley or Kav Temperley, born in Perth, Australia ~ Co-founding member of Eskimo Joe, with whom he has recorded about half a dozen albums. The band is best known for the singles Black Fingernails Red Wine, Sarah, and Foreign Land, all of which reached top 20 in the band's native Australia. Temperley has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album All Your Devotion released in 2018, and has given songwriting workshops for teens and emerging musicians
July 3, 1976 ~ Singer Shane Lynch, full name Shane Eamon Mark Stephen Lynch, born in Donaghmede, Ireland ~ Member of boy band Boyzone. The band enjoyed popularity especially in the UK and their native Ireland where they scored an impressive string of top 10 hits in the 1990s. The singles Words, A Different Beat, All That I Need, No Matter What, When The Going Gets Tough, and You Needed Me would all reach No.1 in the UK. The band split in 1999, but reunited in 2007, and by sales was the most successful boy band in Britain after Take That
July 3, 1975 ~ Pop, rock drummer, guitarist, singer Javier Weyler, full name javier Andrés Weyler, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Best known as a member of the Stereophonics from 2004 through 2012, present on the albums Language Sex Violence Other, Pull The Pin, and Keep Calm And Carry On. Had previously drummed with Venezualan band Claroscuro for close to a decade before relocating to London to study audio engineering. Weyler has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Lagrima released in 2007 under the moniker Capitan MelaoJuly 3, 1975 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, bassist Tim Arnold born in London, UK ~ Critically compared to David Bowie. Member of Jocasta, known for the modest hits Go and Change Me and their sole album No Coincedence released in 1997. Following the band's disbandement, Arnold has ventured into a solo career, recording some two dozen albums starting with Seeker's Serum in 1998
July 3, 1975 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Trent Tomlinson born in Blytheville, Arkansas, USA ~ Released his Country Is My Rock debut album in 2006. All of the albums singles, Drunker Than Me, One Wing In The Fire and Just Might Have Her Radio On, would reach top 30 on the Billboard Country charts. Tomlinson also co-wrote Evidence, recorded by Emerson Drive for their eponymous Emerson Drive album, Blue County's Walk On Water, Sara Evans's Missing Missouri, and George Strait's Why Can't I Leave Her Alone
July 3, 1972 ~ Hill country blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Mississippi Fred McDowell passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for songs such as Shake 'Em On Down, Kokomo Blues and You Gotta Move, the latter best known to rock audiences as covered by the Rolling Stones on their quintessential Sticky Fingers album ~ McDowell was born in 1904July 3, 1971 ~ R&B singer, songwriter Donald McPherson passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of Main Ingredient, present on songs such as You've Been My Inspiration, Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling In Love) and the McPherson-penned Black Seeds Keep On Growing. McPherson died unexpectedly of leukemia at age 29, Cuba Gooding Sr taking his place as lead singer in the band ~ McPherson was born in 1941
July 3, 1971 ~ James Douglas Morrison, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jim Morrison, passed away in Paris, France ~ Lead singer of the Doors. Wrote or co-wrote vast amount of the band's best known songs including Light My Fire, Break On Through To The Other Side, The End, Moonlight Drive, People Are Strange, Hello I Love You, Roadhouse Blues, LA Woman, and Riders On The Storm ~ Morrison was born in 1943
July 3, 1970 ~ Singer, actress Askin Nur Yengi born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Debuted in 1990 with the album Sevgiliye to become one of Turkey's most successful singers in the 1990s
July 3, 1970 ~ Actress, singer Audra McDonald, full name Audra Ann McDonald, born in West Berlin, West Germany ~ Has worked with orchestras such as the Houston Grand Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, as well as in musicals, botn on and off Broadway, including 110 In The Shade, Carousel, Ragtime and Porgy & Bess
July 3, 1969 ~ Guitarist, sitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Brian Jones, full name Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones, passed away in Hartfield, UK ~ Co-founding member and original leader of the Rolling Stones, pushed to the back by manager Andrew Loog Oldham steered the band away from blues and more towards rock & roll. Best known as a slide guitarist as evidenced on songs such as I Wanna Be Your Man, I'm A King Bee, I'm Movin' On and No Expectations yet played several other instruments including sitar (Street Fighting Man, Paint It Black), organ (Let's Spend The Night Together), dulcimer, mellotron, marimba (Under My Thumb, Out Of Time), and saxophone (Citadel), and numerous other instruments. Fired by the band in 1969 as Jones's substance abuse became a problem and replaced by Mick Taylor. Jones passed away a month later, found dead in his swimming pool at age 27 ~ Jones was born in 1942
July 3, 1969 ~ Keyboardist Kevin Hearn, full name Kevin Neil Hearn, born in Grimsby, Canada ~ Member of Barenaked Ladies, joining the band in 1995 as replacement for Andrew Creeggan and first appearing on Stunt. Has also worked with Look People and with Rheostatics
July 3, 1969 ~ Vincent John Martin, commonly known as keyboardist, singer, songwriter Vince Clarke born in Basildon, UK ~ Key member, main songwriter of Erasure since its inception in 1985. Clarke is known for his low-key onstage demeanour, often remaining motionless over his keyboard. The band has sold over 25 million albums and enjoyed popularity especially in Europe and their native UK, racking up a string of hits through the 1990s including Sometimes, Stop, Drama, Blue Savannah, Chorus, and Love To Hate You. The singles Chains Of Love, A Little Respect, Always would also reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Previously Clarke has worked with Depeche Mode, appearing on the band's Speak & Spell debut album, for which Clarke penned Dreaming Of Me, New Life, and Just Can't Get Enough. Clarke also formed the duo Yazoo with singer Alison Moyet, with whom he scored the UK top 10 hits Only You, Don't Go, and Nobody's Diary
July 3, 1961 ~ Art rock, progressive rock, post-punk singer, guitarist, keyboardist, flutist, percussionist Tim Smith, full name Timothy Charles Smith, born in Carshalton, UK ~ Best known for fronting indie rock outfit the Cardiacs, which he co-founded with his brother bassist Jim Smith. The band would earn a cult following with their cassette-only releases and oddball performances, and is best known for Is This The Life of their 1988 A Little Man And A House And The Whole World Window album, and especially acclaimed for their 1989 On Land And In The Sea album. Smith has also recorded as a solo artist, collaborated with Joanne Spratley, and served as producer for the likes of Levitation, Monsoon Bassoon, Oceansize, and the Scaramanga Six ~ Smith passed away in 2020July 3, 1960 ~ Leeds Collins, commonly known as trumpeter Lee Collins, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with the Young Eagles, the Columbia Band, the Tuxedo Brass Band, Louis Armstrong, Papa Celestin, Zutty Singleton, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, the Astoria Hot Eight, Luis Russell, Dave Peyton, the Chicago Rambler, Johnny Dodds, Baby Dodds, Mezz Mezzrow, Lovie Austin, Jimmy Bertrand, Bertha Hill, Kid Ory, Art Hodes, and Joe Sullivan ~ Collins was born in 1901
July 3, 1958 ~ Singer, songwriter Aaron Tippin born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Initially staff songwriter for Acuff/Rose Music. Best known as a singer of neo-traditionalist country songs, oft working class and patriotically themed. Debuted in 1991 with the single You've Gotta Stand For Something which became an anthem for US soldiers in the Gulf War. Also known for songs such as Nothing Wrong With The Radio, Kiss This, Working Man's PhD, and Where The Stars And The Stripes And The Eagle Fly
July 3, 1957 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Frank J Myers, full name Frank Joseph Myers, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing I Swear with regular songwriting partner Gary Baker. The song would be a 1993 hit for both country singer John Michael Montgomery and R&B outfit All 4 One, later covered by well over 50 artists. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Myers include the Oak Ridge Boys, Eddie Rabbitt (You And I), Eddy Raven, Collin Raye, Doug Stone, Alabama, George Jones (Honky Tonk Song), Reba McEntire, Lonestar (My Front Porch Looking In), and Jason Aldean
July 3, 1957 ~ Marion Elliott, commonly known as punk rock, downtempo singer, songwriter Poly Styrene, born in Bromley, UK ~ Fronted 1970s punk outfit X-Ray Spex, known for singles such as The Day The World Turned Day-glo, Identity and Germfree Adolescents. After the band disbanded she released a pop-jazzy solo debut album, 1980's Translucence, moving away from the loud punk guitars ~ Elliot passed away in 2011July 3, 1957 ~ Jazz fusion, punk, hardcore punk singer Sid McCray, full name Sidney Alexander McCray, born ~ Founded jazz fusion outfit Mind Power. Best known as co-founding member, lead singer of Bad Brains, one of the first American punk outfits and generally considered as pioneers of hardcore punk. McCray led the band in 1977 and 1978, leaving before the band's rise to fame ~ McCray passed away in 2020
July 3, 1956 ~ Heavy metal, alternative metal singer, guitarist, songwriter Stephen Pearcy, full name Stephen Eric Pearcy, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Founding and sole constant member of RATT. Has also worked with Firedome, Vicious Delite, Vertex and released a number of solo albums starting with Before And Laughter in 2000
July 3, 1955 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Mike Corby born in Windsor, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Babys. Present on the band's first two albums, The Babys and Broken Heart. The latter contained Isn't It Time, one of their most successful singles
July 3, 1955 ~ Guitarist Neil Clark born in Hamilton, UK ~ Member of Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, best known for their 1984 single Rattlesnakes. Also present on several of Cole's post-Commotions solo albums including Bad Vibes, Love Story and Etc. Also worked with Bloomsday, Mae Moore, and has recorded as a solo artist starting with 2008's Sundogs album
July 3, 1953 ~ Guitarist, percussionist Daniel Fichelscher, full name Daniel Secundus Fichelscher, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Son of jazz pianist, singer Toby Fichelscher. Key member of Krautrock outfit Popol Vuh, present on over a dozen albums starting with Selingpreisung. Has also worked with Amon Düül II appearing on the albums Carnival In Babyln and Wolf City, and with GilaJuly 3, 1953 ~ Duff Clark Jackson, commonly known as jazz drummer Duffy Jackson, born in Freeport, USA ~ The son of bandleader Chubby Jackson, Duffy has inherited his father's exuberant sense of enthusiasm. As a leader, Jackson has released one moderately received album, 1995's Swing Swing Swing. Yet as an in-demand sideman, Jackson has definitely left his mark, notably appearing on albums by Monty Alexander, Grover Mitchell, Eddie Miller (It's Miller Time), Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, the Manhattan Transfer, Illinois Jacquet (Jacquet's Got It), Jon Hendricks (Freddie Freeloader), George Benson, Billy Ross, Turk Mauro (Hittin' The Jug), and Sonny Stitt ~ Jackson passed away in 2021