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, 1952 ~ Pianist, bassist Andy Fraser, full name Andrew McIan Fraser, born in Paddington, UK ~ Member of late 1960s, early 1970s rock outfit Free, considered by some to be hard rock pioneers. Fraser co-wrote several of the band's best known, including My Brother Jake, Stealer, and their biggest hit All Right Now. Fraser has also worked with Toby, the Sharks, Chris Spedding, Kim Turner, and Nick Judd. Songs written or co-written by Fraser have also been recorded by Joe Cocker, Robert Palmer (Every Kinda People), Chaka Khan, Rod Stewart, and Paul Young ~ Fraser passed away in 2015
July 3, 1952 ~ Rock singer, songwriter Carla Olson born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Founding member of the Textones, known best for their 1978 Midnight Mission album which spawned the singles Standing In The Line and Midnight Mission. Olson is also acclaimed as a solo artist, with close to a dozen albums under her belt, and is an in-demand collaborator, having worked with the likes of Mick Taylor, Percy Sledge, Ry Cooder, Gene Clark, Don Henley, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, John Fogerty, and Mikael RickforsJuly 3, 1952 ~ Henry James, commonly known as singer Peter Broggs, born in Hanover Parish, Jamaica ~ Debuted in 1979 with the Progressive Youth album and has recorded to mixed success since. Best known for his 1990 Reasoning, which featured backing from the Wailers and Roots Radics ~ James passed away in 2015
July 3, 1950 ~ Jazz double bassist, trombonist John Lindsay passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with John Robichaux, AJ Piron, Dewey Jackson, Willie Hightower, Carroll Dickerson, Lil' Hardon, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Richard M Jones, Jimmie Noone, Punch Miller, Johnny Dodds, Bertha Hill, Georgia White, the Harlem Hamfats, and Baby Dodds ~ Lindsay was born in 1894
July 3, 1949 ~ Guitarist, singer, producer John Verity born in London, UK ~ Member of Argent from 1974 through 1976, present on the albums Circus and Counterpoints. Following the band's disbandement Verity founded Phoenix with Bob Henrit and Jim Rodford. Subsequently worked with Charlie. Verity also produced Saxon's eponymous Saxon debut album released in 1979
July 3, 1948 ~ Rock, swamp rock, blues rock guitarist, singer Paul Barrère born in Burbank, California, USA ~ Member of Little Feat, first appearing on Dixie Chicken, the band's third studio album issued in 1973. Barrère has written or co-written several of the band's songs, including One Love Stand, Let It Roll, and Feats Don't Fail Me Now, one of the band's best known. Barrère has also worked with Taj Mahal, Jack Bruce, Valerie Carter, Helen Watson, Chico Hamilton, Eikichi Yazawa, and Greg Koch ~ Barrère passed away in 2019
July 3, 1947 ~ Jazz violinist John Blake Jr, full name John Edward Blake Jr, born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First gained attention in the early 1970s working with Archie Shepp, appearing on the acclaimed albums Attica Blues and The Cry Of My People. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, noted especially for his Rhythm And Blu album released in 1986 which also included fellow violinists Didier Lockwood and Michal Urbaniak. A prolific sideman, veering between R&B and post-bop, Blake has also guested on albums by Norman Connors, Grover Washington Jr (Reed Seed), McCoy Tyner (Horizon), Carmen McRae, James Newton, Cecil McBee (Flying Out), Muhal Richard Abrams, Avery Sharpe, Steve Turre (Fire And Ice), Gerald Veasley, Phyllis Hyman (One On One), Tyrone Brown, and Gilberto Santa Rosa. Blake's son, jazz drummer Johnathan Blake, would also become a professional musician ~ Blake passed away in 2014July 3, 1947 ~ Anthony Topham, commonly known as blues, blues-rock guitarist Top Topham, born in Southall, UK ~ Original lead guitarist of the Yardbirds, replaced by Eric Clapton in 1963. Following his departure from the band Topham returned to art school, and has since worked mostly as interior designer and painter. Occasionally Topham has worked in the music industry, including with the likes of John Mayall, Peter Green, and Bill Morrissey ~ Topham passed away in 2023
July 3, 1946 ~ Jazz saxophonist John Klemmer, full name John Theodore Klemmer, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ A superb composer and an innovator on the electric saxophone, Klemmer would prove especially influential on smooth jazz. As a leader or co-leader, he has recorded over two dozen albums since the mid 1960s, and is acclaimed particularly for Blowin' Gold released in 1969. As a sidemen, Klemmer appeared on recordings by John Lee Hooker, Don Ellis (Autumn), Oliver Nelson, Ray Manzarek (The Whole Thing Started With Rock & Roll And Now It's Out Of Control), Freda Payne, Steely Dan (The Royal Scam), CM Lord, Roy Haynes, Terence Boylan, the Manhattan Transfer, Art Pepper, and David Arkenstone
July 3, 1946 ~ John Lee Ham, commonly known as singer, guitarist Johnny Lee, born in Alta Loma, Texas, USA ~ Country singer best known for his Lookin' For Love hit single which crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts, reaching top 10 in 1980. Other well known songs include One In Million, Pickin' Up Strangers, Prisoner Of Hope, Bet Your Heart On Me, Sounds Like Love, Hey Bartender and You Could've Had A HeartbreakJuly 3, 1945 ~ Soul, pop rock saxophonist, keyboardist, singer, arranger, songwriter Gary Beisbier, full name Gary Duane Beisbier, born in Aurora, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founding member of 1960s R&B, rock outfit the Mob. Perhaps best known for co-writing several of the Buckinghams' best known songs including Susan, Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song), and Don't You Care
July 3, 1945 ~ Singer Perry Como, backed by Russ Case and orchestra, records Till The End Of Time ~ Written by Buddy Kaye and Ted Mossman, its melody based on Frédéric Chopin's Polonaise Heroique. A number of hit versions were recorded in 1945, the biggest hit being Perry Como's. Other early recordings done by Dick Haymes, Doris Day, Ginny Simms. In later years it would also be covered by artists such as Pat Boone, Jane Morgan, Sarah Vaughan, Della Reese, and by Matt Monro
July 3, 1944 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Garland Jeffreys born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Debuted in 1970 with the Grinder's Switch featuring Garland Jeffreys album in 1970. Best known for his 1979 Matador single which reached top 10 across continental Europe
July 3, 1944 ~ Folk rock, psychedelic pop, jazz rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist songwriter Michel Polnareff born in Nérac, France ~ Critically acclaimed for his genre-crossing oeuvre. Active since the mid 1960s. Known best for songs such as La Poupée Qui Fait Non, Ta-ta-ta-ta, Ame Caline, Mes Regrets, Gloria, Tibili and Holidays, the latter featuring Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones
July 3, 1944 ~ Michael Richard Gee, commonly known as rock & roll guitarist Mickey Gee, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Influenced by Chet Atkins and Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore. Served as musical director for the Senators, the backing unit for Tom Jones. Would go on to appear on tracks by Joe Cocker, Dave Edmunds (I Hear You Knocking), Shakin' Stevens, Andy Fairweather Low, Willie & the Poor Boys, and Nick Lowe ~ Gee passed away in 2009
July 3, 1943 ~ Judith Mavis Cock, commonly known as pop, folk pop singer, pianist Judith Durham born in Essendon, Australia ~ Lead singer of the Seekers from 1962 through 1968, scoring folk-pop hits such as I'll Never Find Another You, A World Of Our Own, The Carnival Is Over and Georgy Girl. Following her departure from the band would record about a dozen albums as a solo artist and sporadically join the Seekers from the mid 1990s forward ~ Cock passed away in 2022
July 3, 1942 ~ Lonnie Smith, commonly known as jazz, soul jazz, funk organist Dr Lonnie Smith, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ First gained attention teaming up with George Benson in the 1960s including on the albums It's Uptown and Cookbook. Smith would go on to become one of the most acclaimed jazz, soul jazz, funk jazz organists, and record over two dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for the albums Think and Live At Club Mozambique. On stage and on record, Smith would be backed by some of the finest in jazz including Benson, who would become a lifelong collaborator, as well as Lee Morgan, David Fathead Newman, King Curtis, Blue Mitchell, and Joe Lovano. In the early 1970s, Smith added the “Dr” title to his name, however, the moniker's origin is unclear and it was not an academic title. Smith himself has been quoted as saying: “But I'm a doctor of music. I've been playing long enough to operate on it, and I do have a degree, and I ‘will’ operate on you. I'm a neurosurgeon. If you need something done to you, I can do it” ~ Smith passed away in 2021
July 3, 1942 ~ Claude Moine, commonly known as rock & roll, rock, R&B, country singer, actor Eddy Mitchell, born in Paris, France ~ Took his stage name from singer, actor, entertainer Eddie Constantine, an American expatriate enjoying popularity in France. Mitchell rose to fame as lead singer of Les Chausettes Noires in the early 1960s, known for rock and roll hits such as Be-Bop-A-Lula, Tu Parles Trop, Daniela, and Eddie Sois Bon, the latter an adaptation of Chuck Berry's Johnny B Goode. The band recorded only one official studio album before disbanding, yet as a solo artist Mitchell would record over two dozen albums well into the 2000s. Mitchell recorded mostly in France, but has also recorded in the UK with session musicians such as Big Jim Sullivan, Jimmy Page, and Bobby Graham, and in America backed by the likes of Kenny Buttrey, Reggie Young, Charlie McCoy, Booker T Jones, and Steve Cropper. Mitchell enjoyed a parallel career as an actor, featured in numerous films since the early 1960sJuly 3, 1940 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records Only Forever, backed by John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra ~ Written by James V Monaco and Johnny Burke, initially intended for the 1940 Bing Crosby film If I Had My Way yet used for his next, Rhythm On The River. Released as a single in August 1940, paired with When The Moon Comes Over Madison Square on the flip side, it would top the pop charts for nine weeks and earn Crosby an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Several other artists would record cover versions the same year, including Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, and Vera Lynn. In later years, the song would be covered by Dean Martin, Count Basie, the Crew Cuts, and Nat King Cole
July 3, 1940 ~ R&B, jazz, free jazz, avant-garde jazz singer, pianist Fontella Bass, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Daughter of renowned gospel singer Martha Bass, with whom she has also recorded, and sister of singer David Peaston. Fontella is known for a string of 1960s singles including the Bobby McClure duets Don't Mess Up A Good Thing and You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone, and perhaps most notably her solo smash hit Rescue Me, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 No.4 hit fondly remembered to this day. Though Bass never was able to repeat the success of Rescue Me, she remained active as an in-demand collaborator appearing on recordings by Lester Bowie, Little Milton, Willie Mae Ford Smith, and specifically the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, recording several albums with the latter including the acclaimed Phase One released in 1971 ~ Bass passed away in 2012
July 3, 1935 ~ José Luis Feliciano Vega, commonly known as salsa, bolero percussionist, singer Cheo Feliciano, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico ~ Salsa pioneer, influential on Gilberto Santo Rosa, Rubén Blades, Alex d'Castro, and Jerry Rivas. After relocating to New York, Feliciano would find employ with Tito Rodriguez, Luis Cruz, and notably Joe Cuba, making his debut as a singer with Cuba. During his decade-long tenure with Cuba's sextet, Feliciano established himself as a prime singer, a rare baritone among salsa singers. Feliciano subsequently sang with Eddie Palmieri, before kicking a nasty drug habit which nearly killed him and his career, only to make a remarkable comeback as a solo artist by the early 1970s. Feliciano would record over two dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Cheo in 1971, and is well known for songs such as Anacaona, Mi Trista Problema, Canta, Amada Mia, and Sobre Una Tumba Humilde ~ Feliciano passed away in 2014
July 3, 1935 ~ Classical, jazz pianist, conductor, bandleader Enrico Intra born in Milan, Italy ~ Brother of pianist, arranger Gianfranco Intra. As a leader or co-leader, Enrico is especially acclaimed for the albums Gerry Mulligan Meets Enrico Intra, a collaborative album with Gerry Mulligan released in 1976, and Dissonanza Consonanza released in 1999. Over the course of his lengthy career, Intra has also worked with the Civica Jazz Band, Lee Konitz, Milton Jackson, Enrico Pieranunzi, David Liebman, and Franco Ambrosetti
July 3, 1930 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger, composer Ronnell Bright, full name Ronnell Lovelace Bright, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Classically trained from a young age, Bright won a piano competition at age nine and played with the Chicago Youth Piano Symphony Orchestra before turning to jazz while in a Navy band. Had his compositions recorded by Sarah Vaughan, Horace Silver, and Blue Mitchell. Accompanist for Vaughan, Lena Horne, and Gloria Lynne. Sideman on albums by Carmen McRae, Coleman Hawkins (The Hawk Relaxes), Charles Kynard, Buddy Tate (Groovin' With Buddy Tate), Johnny Pate, and Shirley Scott. Member of Supersax in the early 1970s. In a 2008 Jazzwax interview, Bright would look back on one of his first jazz performances, gigging with Cannonball Adderley, Nat Adderley, and Eric Dolphy on a Washington DC date: “When we got there, Cannonball Adderley called for Blue Room. I said, ‘ Blue Room, what is that, the blues?’ They teased me about that for years. Once they started playing the song, though, my ear figured out the chord changes. I'm not saying what I played was correct, but I worked it out” ~ Bright passed away in 2021
July 3, 1929 ~ Singer David Lynch born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Platters, remaining with the band from its inception in 1952 through the early 1970s, making him one of the few constant members in an ever-revolving line-up. The band is considered one of the prime vocal harmony groups, bridging the pre-rock era with early rock and roll and hugely influential on R&B. Lynch is present on most of the band's best known, including Only You (And You Alone), The Great Pretender, (You've Got) The Magic Touch, My Prayer, Twilight Time, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, and Harbor Lights, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Lynch passed away in 1981
July 3, 1929 ~ Lillia Lavell White, commonly known as blues, soul singer, songwriter Lavelle White, born in Amite City, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since her mid-teens. Got her first break in the late 1950s when Johnny Copeland recommended her to label owner Don Robey, subsequently recording about a dozen singles for Robey's Duke label through the mid 1960s. Well known songs include Just Look At You Fool, The Tide Of Love, If I Could Be With You, and Stop These Teardrops, the latter two notably covered respectively by Rosie Flores in 2012 and Sue Foley in 2021. Though uncredited, White has also co-written Lead Me On, a 1960 Billboard R&B top 10 hit and signature song for Bobby Blue Bland. Though a popular live performer, praised by critics and peers, White did not release a full-length album until well into her sixties