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 30, 1970 ~ Pop singer, pianist Elton John releases From Denver To LA, recorded for the soundtrack of The Games ~ Written by Francis Lai and Hal Shaper. Recorded for the 1970 sports drama film The Games, the song being John's only contribution to the soundtrack. The single, however, was withdrawn, making the few copies in circulation rare collectors item. Elton John would later comment: “Actually, From Denver To LA was withdrawn, so if you have got a copy, it's worth a small fortune. It was a 25 quid session I did at Olympic Studios and I just sang the song, and it was for the Michael Winner movie The Games. And that's it.”
July 30, 1970 ~ Soft rock singer Neil Diamond releases Cracklin' Rosie, lifted off his Tap Root Manuscript album ~ Although Neil Diamond had written hits for others, notably the Billboard Hot 100 charttopper I'm A Believer for the Monkees, and had scored several top 10 hits himself, Cracklin' Rosie would be his first No.1 hit as a singer, holding the Billboard Hot 100 top spot for one week in October 1970. Cracklin' Rosie refers to a bottle of wine. Diamond was inspired by a folk story of an Indian tribe in Canada who had more men than women, as he would explain to Rolling Stone: “On Saturday nights when they go out, the guys all get their girl. The guys without girls get a bottle of Cracklin' Rosé, that's their girl for the weekend”
July 30, 1969 ~ Trumpeter Miles Davis releases his In A Silent Way album ~ Regarded as Miles Davis', or perhaps even anyone's, first jazz fusion album. Initially met by controversy among critics, divided in their reaction to its experimental musical structure and Davis's electric approach. Since its initial reception, however, it has been regarded by fans and critics as one of Davis's greatest and most influential works, a transitional moment not only for Davis but for the future development of jazz as a whole. It was also the first Davis album that featured English guitarist John McLaughlin, who at first seemed nervous about the prospect of recording with his idol. McLaughlin would appear on several other Davis albums over the next few years, notably present on Bitches Brew and Jack Johnson, and found his own the Mahavishnu Orchestra by the early 1970s
July 30, 1967 ~ Aki Ville Yrjänä, commonly known as rock singer, bassist, songwriter, poet AW Yrjänä, born in Kemi, Finland ~ Sole constant member of rock unit CMX, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums since the early 1990s. The band started out playing hardcore punk, but have since expanded their sound to include a wide variety of styles including rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal, and are especially acclaimed for their 1992 Aurinko album. Yrjänä usually composes on the guitar, rather than his primary instrument the bass, and having studied theology and comparative religion his lyrics often contain strong mythological imagery, the symbolism a key element of the band's sound. Yrjänä has also published several volumes of poems, starting with Arcana in 1997July 30, 1967 ~ Metal, death metal guitarist James Murphy born in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA ~ Founding member of Disincarnate. Best known for his work with metal bands such as Konkhra, Obituary, Death and Testament. Has also guested on recordings by Artension, Malevolent Creation, Steve Morse, Abigail Williams, and Solstice
July 30, 1966 ~ Guitarist Craig Gannon born in Manchester, UK ~ Best known as guitarist for the Smiths. Initially recruited to replace bassist Andy Rourke and moved to rhythm guitar when Rourke returned within two weeks. Had previously been in Aztec Camera, Colourfield, and Bluebells. Post-Smiths Gannon would work with Brix Smith, Morrissey, Black Grape, Terry Hall, Roddy Frame, Alison Moyet, Denise van Outen, Edwyn Collins, Paul Quinn, Robert Lloyd, Red Venom, and Vinny Peculiar
July 30, 1966 ~ Indie rock, Britpop singer, guitarist songwriter Louise Wener, full name Louise Jane Wener, born in Gants Hill, UK ~ Member of Sleeper, known for a number of 1990s recordings including the UK top 20 hits Inbetweener, What Do I Do Now, Sale Of The Century, Nice Guy Eddie and Statuesque. After the band's initial disbandement in 1998 Wener began a writing career, releasing her Goodnight Steve McQueen debut novel in 2002
July 30, 1966 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, Sweet Pea by Tommy Roe peaks at No.8 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Tommy Roe had previously hit top 10 with Sheila and Everybody, but due to a stint in the Army he hadn't scored a hit in two years. The self-penned Sweet Pea, an upbeat song about asking a girl to dance, was his comeback single, and reached top 10 in Australia, Canada, and his native America. The song was recorded in Los Angeles with some of the finest session musicians of their day, including bassist Jerry Scheff who would later join Elvis Presley's backing band. Roe would score three more major hits through the end of the decade, Hooray For Hazel, Dizzy, and Jam Up & Jelly Tight
July 30, 1963 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record Roll Over Beethoven at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written and first recorded by Chuck Berry in 1956, it would be a favorite of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Produced by George Martin. Included on the band's 1963 sophomore With The Beatles album. Harrison on lead vocal and lead guitar, Lennon taking a backseat on rhythm guitar. In Sweden the track would also be released as a single, paired with the Marvelettes-cover Please Mr Postman recorded on the same day on the flip sideJuly 30, 1963 ~ Guitarist, singer Dwayne O'Brien born in Ada, Oklahoma, USA ~ Co-founding member of Little Texas, known for songs such as Some Guys Have All The Love, You And Forever And Me, What Might Have Been, God Blessed Texas, My Love, Kick A Little, Amy's Back In Austin and Life Goes On
July 30, 1960 ~ Bassist Dave Riley, full name David Michael Riley, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Bassist of punk rock band Big Black from 1985 until the band's disbandement in 1987, present on both studio albums, 1986's Atomizer and 1987's Songs About Fucking ~ Riley passed away in 2019
July 30, 1958 ~ Catherine Bush, commonly known as pop singer Kate Bush, born in Bexleyheath, UK ~ Immediately broke through with her 1978 Wuthering Heights debut single, to this day one of her most popular songs. Known for her literary themes, experimental music style and soft, dreamy melodies. Influenced singers such as Regina Spektor, Ellie Goulding, Alison Goldfrapp, Solange Knowles, and Dido. Well known songs include Moving, The Man With The Child In His Eyes, Babooshka, Army Dreamers, Running Up That Hill, Cloudbusting, Hounds Of Love and Don't Give Up, the latter a duet with Peter GabrielJuly 30, 1958 ~ Jazz singer Kevin Mahogany born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Learned piano, clarinet, saxophone as a child. Cites Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Al Jarreau, and Eddie Jefferson as vocal influences. Mahogany's singing has been compared to Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams and Johnny Hartman ~ Mahogany passed away in 2017
July 30, 1958 ~ Country singer Neal McCoy, full name Hubert Neal McGaughey Jr, born in Jacksonville, Texas, USA ~ Released his At This Moment debut album in 1990. Broke through in 1993, scoring the Billboard Country charttoppers No Doubt About It and Wink. Other well known songs include The City Put The Country Back In Me, You Gotta Love That and Shake
July 30, 1956 ~ Rock & roll singer, pianist Little Richard records Lucille at J&M Music, New Orleans, Louisiana ~ Earlier pressings would credit Al Collins as sole songwriter, later pressings listed Little Richard as co-writer. Produced by Robert Bumps Blackwell. Released as a single in early 1957, b/w Send Me Some Lovin', it would reach top of the Billboard R&B charts. Richard was backed by Lee Allen and Alvin Tyler on saxophones, Roy Montrell on guitar, Frank Fields on bass, and Earl Palmer on drumsJuly 30, 1955 ~ Christopher John Millar, commonly known as drummer Rat Scabies, born in Kingston-upon-Thames, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Damned, known for the singles New Rose and Love Song. Has also worked with the Mutants, the Phantom Chords, the Vicious White Kids, and One Thousand Motels
July 30, 1953 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Anne Linnet born in Aarhus, Denmark ~ First gained atttention in the early 1970s with the rock band Tears. Subsequently co-founded the all-female outfit Shit & Chanel, known best for Smuk Oj Dejlig. Has also recorded as a solo artist, composed for film and TV and fronted the band Marquis De Sade
July 30, 1952 ~ Country, pop songwriter Dennis Morgan born in Tracy, Minnesota, USA ~ First gained attention in 1978 writing Sleeping Single In A Double Bed with Kye Fleming. The song would become Barbara Mandrell's first Billboard Country No.1 hit, and earn the songwriters a Grammy Award nomination. Mandrell would subsequently record several more songs written by the pair, including I Feel The Hurt Coming On, Love Is Fair, and I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool. Other country artists who recorded songs written by Morgan and Fleming include Charley Pride, Ronnie Milsap (Smoky Mountain Rain), Sylvia (Nobody), and Steve Wariner. Morgan is also known for writing several pop hits with Simon Climie, including notably I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 duet hit for Aretha Franklin & George Michael, and Climie Fisher's Love Changes (Everything)July 30, 1950 ~ Singer Frank Stallone born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his top 10 hit Far From Over from the film Staying Alive. Stallone did two other tracks for the soundtrack, Moody GIrl and I'm Never Gonna Give You Up, the latter a duet with Cynthia Rhodes, neither of which charted
July 30, 1950 ~ Jazz, post-bop guitarist John Stowell born in New York, New York, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader, especially noted for Through The Listening Glass released in 1978, a collaborative album with longtime collaborator David Friesen, and for Resonance released in 2005. Stowell is also well known as a teacher, author, a contributing columnist for several magazines including Down Beat, Guitar Player, and Canadian Musician, and has appeared on albums by Nancy King (Moon Ray), Chuck Marohnic, John Bishop, Frank Potenza, Carolyn Graye, David Haney, Mitzi Zilka, Cheryl Hodge, Kevin Deitz (Skylines), and Scenes
July 30, 1950 ~ R&B, soul singer Keith Beaton born ~ Member of Philly soul group Blue Magic, known for songs such as Sideshow, Three Ring Circus, and What's Come Over Me featuring Margie Joseph ~ Beaton passed away in 2023July 30, 1949 ~ Richard Royall Baker IV, commonly known as fingerstyle guitarist Duck Baker, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Plays jazz, blues, ragtime, Celtic, swing, and dixieland. Debuted in 1976 with the There's Something For Everyone In America and has been recording steadily since. Has collaborated with Thom Keats, Eugene Chadbourne, John Zorn, Henry Kaiser, Woody Man, Jim Nichols, John James Wales, Stefan Grossman, and Roswell Rudd
July 30, 1948 ~ Rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock guitarist, singer April Lawton born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for fronting early 1970s outfit Ramatam, which briefly included Jimi Hendrix-drummer Mitch Mitchell and Blues Image guitarist Mike Pinera. Lawton left the band after two albums, Ramatam and In April Came The Dawning Of The Red Suns, both commercially disappointing ~ Lawton passed away in 2006
July 30, 1948 ~ Blues, jazz singer, guitarist, banjoist, mandolinist, songwriter Otis Taylor born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of several blues, rock bands through the 1970s, most notably Zephyr. Retired from music by 1977 to re-emerge in the 1990s as a solo artist. Acclaimed for his 2003 Truth Is Not A Fiction album
July 30, 1945 ~ Saxophonist David Sanborn, full name David William Sanborn, born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Played with Albert King and Little Milton while still in his mid-teens. To jazz-oriented audiences Sanborn is well known for some two dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the acclaimed Taking Off released in 1975, his work with the Brecker Brothers as well as on some of Randy Brecker's solo outings, and for his association with Bob James. Pop, rock, and R&B audiences may have heard Sanborn on tracks such as Stevie Wonder's Tuesday Heartbreak, David Bowie's Young Americans, and James Taylor's How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You). Over the course of his lengthy career, Sanborn has appeared on albums by Paul Butterfield, the Eagles, Loudon Wainwright III, Todd Rundgren (A Wizard A True Star), Tommy Bolin, Paul Simon (Still Crazy After All These Years), Bruce Springsteen (Born To Run), Linda Ronstadt, Michael Franks, Jaco Pastorius, Elton John, Flora Purim, Dr John, Chaka Khan, JD Souther, Steely Dan (Gaucho), Randy Crawford, Kenny Loggins, the Rolling Stones (Undercover), Billy Joel (An Innocent Man), Hiram Bullock, the Manhattan Transfer, and Youssou n'Dour ~ Sanborn passed away in 2024