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.
June 17, 1968 ~ Jazz pianist Harvey Brooks, full name Harvey Oliver Brooks, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Wrote the score for the Mae West film I'm No Angel released in 1933, making him the first African-American to have written a complete score for a major motion picture. Has toured and recorded with Mamie Smith in the 1920s. Musical director for Les Hite during the early 1930s. Brooks has also worked with Kid Ory, Teddy Buckner, and Joe Darensbourg ~ Brooks was born in 1899June 17, 1967 ~ Singer Gladys Knight & the Pips record I Heard It Through The Grapevine at Hitsville USA, Detroit ~ Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, Whitfield also serving as producer. The Pips version would be the first version to be released, b/w It's Time To Go Now, and reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B chart. Besides Gladys Knight, both the Miracles and Marvin Gaye would also record hit versions of the song
June 17, 1967 ~ Country songwriter Rivers Rutherford, full name Melvern Rivers Rutherford II, born in Germantown, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand songwriter active since the 1990s. Songs written or co-written by Rutherford that have reached the top of the Billboard Country charts include Real Good Man for Tim McGraw, If You Ever Stop Loving Me for Montgomery Gentry, When I Get Where I'm Going for Brad Paisley, Living In Fast Forward for Kenny Chesney, and Ladies Love Outlaws for Trace Adkins. Others who have recorded his songs include Brooks & Dunn, Mark Wills, Jamie O'Neal, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, Chuck Wicks, Darius Rucker, and Lady AntebellumJune 17, 1965 ~ Kim Nazel, commonly known as producer, DJ the Arabian Prince, born in Compton, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of pivotal rap group NWA, leaving shortly after the release of their 1988 Straight Outta Compton debut album
June 17, 1965 ~ Progressive rock, post-prog singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist David Longdon born in Nottingham, UK ~ Best known as co-lead singer of progressive rock band Big Big Train, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums after joining the band in 2009 including the acclaimed The Underfall Yard. Longdon has also recorded as a solo artist, notably Wild River issued in 2004, and collaborated with the likes of Louis Philippe, Martin Orford, the Tangent, Dave Kerzner, the Charlatans, and Judy Dyble ~ Longdon passed away in 2021
June 17, 1964 ~ Pop punk, punk rock, indie rock, ska, power pop producer, drummer, bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Steve Kravac born ~ Best known as a producer for the likes of 7 Seconds, Guttermouth, Less Than Jake, Buck-O-Nine, Pepper, and Home Grown. As a recording artist, Kravac released his Summer Bliss And Autumn Tears debut album in 1999 going by the moniker Steven Bradley, the album drawing critical comparison to Bob Mould, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe. The album featured guest musicians such as Wayne Kramer, Kevin Kane and pedal steel virtuoso Greg Leisz
June 17, 1962 ~ Arranger, orchestrator, composer Conrad Salinger passed away in Pacific Palisades, California, USA ~ Orchestrated Broadway productions in the 1930s. Worked on scores of over 75 motion pictures starting in the early 1930s such as most of MGM's musicals including Show Boat, Singing In The Rain, Kiss Me Kate, An American In Paris and Gigi. Mentor to and influence on film composer John Williams who spent a great deal of time around Salinger early in his career. Revered by composers and performers including Nelson Riddle, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Barbra Streisand ~ Salinger was born in 1901
June 17, 1962 ~ Vanda Maria Ribeiro Furtado Tavares de Vasconcelos, commonly known as pop, new wave, bubblegum pop singer, actress Lio, born in Mangalde, Portugal ~ Pop icon in France and her adopted homeland Belgium during the 1980s. First gained attention in the late 1970s as a member of synth-pop trio Telex. Released her eponymous Lio solo debut album in 1980. Best known for the singles Le Banana Split and Amoureux Solitaires, both songs becoming hits in France and BelgiumJune 17, 1960 ~ Matti Fagelhorn, commonly known as glam punk, glam rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist, percussionist, songwriter Michael Monroe born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Rose to prominence as lead singer, frontman of Hanoi Rocks, regarded as one of the all-time most influential glam rock bands known for songs such as Love's An Infection, Malibu Beach, Until I Get You and Up Around The Bend
June 17, 1959 ~ Rock, punk rock, pop punk, post-punk, indie rock guitarist Bob Andrews, full name Robert Ian Andrews, born in Fulham, UK ~ Cited as an influence by Johnny Marr of the Smiths, and John Squire of the Stone Roses. First gained attention as a member of Generation X, which also included lead singer Billy Idol, with whom he recorded the albums Generation X and Valley Of The Dolls. Andrews subsequently worked with Empire, Westworld, Moondogg, and Speedtwinn
June 17, 1958 ~ Eric Reed Boucher, commonly known as singer Jello Biafra, born in Boulder, Colorado, USA ~ Best known as lead singer and primary songwriter for punk rock outfit the Dead Kennedys. The band would be pivotal to the development of American punk, and is known for biting social commentary often leading to controversy. Following the band's disbandement in the mid-1980s, Boucher has taken over the independent record label Alternative Tentacles, which he had founded with bandmate East Bay Ray. The band has reconvened yet without Biafra and has not released any new material. Biafra is also known as a political activist, and ran for the presidential nomination of the Green Party in 2000, losing out to Ralph NaderJune 17, 1957 ~ Philip Ryan, commonly known as singer, guitarist Philip Chevron born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Regarded as one of the most influential figures in Irish punk. Best known as lead guitarist of celtic punk rockers the Pogues. Chevron wrote several classic Pogues songs including Thousands Are Sailing and Lorelei. Previously fronted Radiators From Space ~ Ryan passed away in 2013
June 17, 1957 ~ Trumpeter Tom Varner born in Morristown, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Anthony Braxton, Steve Reich, Philip Glass. As a leader has over a dozen albums to his name since the early 1980s. Ind-demand sideman. Worked with Steve Lacy, Dave Liebman, George Gruntz, John Zorn, Bobby Watson, La Monte Young, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Bobby Previte, Orange Then Blue, McCoy Tyner, Reggie Workman, Kenny Barron, Natalie Merchant, and the Vienna Art Orchestra
June 17, 1956 ~ New wave, pop rock singer, songwriter Lorraine Segato, full name Lorraine P Segato, born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Lead singer for the Parachute Club, one of the first Canadian pop acts to incorporate elements from world music. The band recorded three albums through the mid-1980s and is best known for the singles Rise Up, At The Feet Of The Moon, and Love Is Fire, the latter featuring duet guest vocalist John Oates. Segato has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Phoenix released in 1990
June 17, 1955 ~ Actor, producer, songwriter John Golden, full name John Lionel Golden, passed away in Bayside, New York, USA ~ As a songwriter perhaps best known for co-writing Poor Butterfly with Raymond Hubbell. The song was inspired by the Giacomo Puccini-opera Madame Butterfly and written for the Broadway show The Big Show, in which it was introduced by Sophie Bernard. Over time it would be recorded by well over 300 artists, including early versions in the mid-1910s by Elizabeth Spencer and Edna Brown, as well as later versions by Paul Whiteman, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Tony Bennett, and Johnny Mathis. Golden has co-written or co-produced well over 50 plays, including musicals, and a handful of films ~ Golden was born in 1874
June 17, 1954 ~ Producer, A&R executive David Bendeth, full name David Jonathan Bendeth, born in Stoke Newington, UK ~ Has recorded a number of albums with his the David Bendeth Band prior to turning to producing, songwriting and serving as A&R executive for various labels. In-house songwriter for Chrysalis from 1987 through 1990. In-house producer, A&R executive for BMG Canada from 1987 through 1995, for whom he signed acts such as the Cowboy Junkies, the Crash Test Dummies, and Prairie Oyster. In one capacity or another Bendeth has worked with SR-71, Treble Charger, Bruce Hornsby, Parmalee, Ima Robot, Paramore, Breaking Benjamin, Of Mice & Men, and Sleeping With Sirens
June 17, 1954 ~ Gospel singer Deborah McCrary born ~ Member of traditional black gospel, contemporary urban gospel outfit the McCrary Sisters alongside siblings Ann McCrary, Regina McCrary and Alfreda McCrary. The group has recorded a number of albums, starting with Our Journey released in 2010, as well as provided backing vocals for artists such as Carrie Underwood (Choctaw County Affair), Margo Price (Do Right By Me), and Allison Russell (All Of The Women) ~ McCrary passed away in 2022June 17, 1952 ~ Drummer Mike Buck born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Active since his mid-teens, backing musicians such as Robert Ealey, Ray Sharpe, Johnny Carroll. Member of blues-rock outfit the Fabulous Thunderbirds, present on the band's 1979 Girls Go Wild debut album and its follow-up What's The Word. Formed the LeRoi Brothers with Steve Doerr and Don Leady. Has also worked with Roky Erickson, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Roy Head, Lazy Lester, Toni Price, Doug Sahm, the Juke Jumpers, and Omar & the Howlers
June 17, 1951 ~ Guitarist, steel guitarist Lani McIntyre passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced Hank Williams and Elvis Presley. Laid the foundation for the use of the steel guitar, helping popularize the sound. The instrument would become a mainstay in country music. Well-known for his work with Jimmie Rodgers. Recorded prolifically as a solo artist and leader from the mid-1930 until his death in 1951. Backed Bing Crosby and the original version of Blue Hawaii ~ McIntyre was born in 1904
June 17, 1951 ~ Soft rock singer, songwriter Lenny LeBlanc born in Leominster, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for the 1977 single Falling with collaborator Pete Carr, recorded under the moniker LeBlanc & Carr. Has also recorded as a solo artist and is an in-demand session musician for artists such as Hank Williams Jr, Crystal Gayle, Etta James, Shenandoah, Ricky Skaggs, Sawyer Brown, Amy Grant, and Roy Orbison. In 1980, LeBlanc became a born-again Christian and has been focusing on contemporary Christian music since
June 17, 1950 ~ Guitarist Dany Lademacher, full name Daniel Germain Jean Lademacher, born in Etterbeek, Belgium ~ First gained attention as a member of late 1960s cult rock outfit Kleptomania, a Belgian band best known for the singles Kept Woman and I've Got A Woman By My Side. To Dutch rock audiences, Lademacher would become best known for his association with Herman Brood, serving in the latter's backing unit the Wild Romance. Lademacher was present on Brood's most acclaimed albums, such as Shpritz, Cha Cha, and Yada Yada, and co-wrote several of their best known songs including Saturday Night, regarded one of the all-time quintessential Dutch rock songs especially for Lademacher's guitar riff, as well as Never Be Clever, and I Don't Need You. Following his first split from Brood, Lademacher was offered a spot in the Dire Straits but declined as he would be demoted to rhythm guitarist. While away from Brood, Lademacher produced Machiavel's New Lines album which spawned the hit Fly, founded and fronted Innersleeve, and briefly played with Vitesse before returning to Brood in 1986. Following his second split from Herman Brood at the turn of the 1990s, Lademacher joined the Radios, a Belgian pop band centered around singer Bart Peeters, with whom he scored hits such as Gimme Love, She Goes Nana, and Non Non Rien N'a Changé. In later years, Lademacher has founded the Paris Dandies, and worked with Xander de Buisonjé, JVB, Busted, Mark Ritsema, and Jules Mescaline. Lademacher documented his first stint with Herman Brood in Wild Romance (Een Fijne Hel), published in 2006 ~ Lademacher passed away in 2025
June 17, 1949 ~ Country guitarist, singer, songwriter Russell Smith, full name Howard Russell Smith, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Lead singer of the Amazing Rhythm Aces. Member of Run C&W. Released a handful of solo albums, starting with his eponymous Russell Smith debut album in 1978. As a solo artist best known for his 1989 I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight single. Found his biggest success as a songwriter, penning or co-penning songs for Randy Travis (Look Heart No Hands), T Graham Brown (Don't Go To Strangers), Don Williams (Heartbeat In The Darkness), Ricky Van Shelton (Keep It Between The Lines), and Mel McDaniel (Big Ole Brew) ~ Smith passed away in 2019
June 17, 1947 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter Gregg Rolie, full name Gregg Alan Rollie, born in Passaic, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Santana, remaining with the band through 1972 and present on pivotal albums such as Santana and Abraxas. Co-founding member, lead singer of Journey, remaining with the through 1980 and present on the band's most acclaimed album Evolution released in 1979. Fronted rock outfit the Storm. Worked with Ringo Starr's Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band
June 17, 1947 ~ Pop rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Paul Young born in Benchill, UK ~ Not to be confused with his namesake Paul Young born in 1956. Member of the Toggery Five, known for the single I'm Gonna Jump. Best known as a member of 1980s band Mike + the Mechanics, notably present on Word Of Mouth, Taken In, Nobody's Perfect and on the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit All I Need Is A Miracle. Young has also worked with the Young Brothers, Gyro and with Sad Cafe ~ Young passed away in 2000
June 17, 1946 ~ Brian John Cole, commonly known as pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole, born in Enfield, UK ~ Rose to prominence as member of Conchise in the early 1970s. Considered one of Britain's finest pedal steel guitarists. In-demand session musician proficient in a wide range of styles including rock, pop, jazz, experimental and country. Recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Humble Pie, Dave Edmunds, Trapeze, Uriah Heep, Elton John (Tiny Dancer), Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Hallyday, Kiki Dee, Roger Daltrey, T.Rex, Procol Harum, Deacon Blue (Chocolate Girl), the Walker Brothers, Joan Armatrading (Down To Zero), Olivia Newton-John, Alan Parsons, Gerry Rafferty, the Moody Blues, David Sylvian, the Stranglers, kd Lang, Jimmy Nail, Björk, the Selecter, John Cale, Sting, Depeche Mode, the Pet Shop Boys, Devon Sproule, REM, and Matt Berry