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 22, 1933 ~ Conductor Libor Pesek born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Considered one of the premier conductors of his day with a career spanning seven decades. Best known for his interpretations of Czech music, including championing lesser known composers such as Josef Suk and Vítezslav Novák. Closely associated with the Czech Philharmonic, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic ~ Pesek passed away in 2022
June 22, 1924 ~ Double bassist, singer Major Short born ~ Member of vocal trio Somethin' Smith & the Redheads, active during the 1950s and 1960s. The trio also included guitarist, banjoist Robert H Robinson and pianist Saul Striks, and are best known for their 1955 hit It's A Sin To Tell A Lie. Lesser hits included Heartaches, Ace In The Hole, and You Always Hurt The One You Love ~ Short passed away in 2018
June 22, 1922 ~ George Dunne, commonly known as keyboardist, actor Murphy Dunne, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the improvisational theatre company the Second City. Co-produced Chicago's first Free Blues Festival in 1969. Best known for portraying the role of “Murph” of the fictional Murph & the Magic Tones in The Blues Brothers 1980 film after their regular pianist Paul Shaffer could not accept the part due to his contractual obligations. Dunne has also performed live with the Blues Brothers alongside Shaffer, and reprised his role in the 2000 sequel Blues Brothers 2000June 22, 1915 ~ Pianist Randolph Hokansen born in Bellingham, Washington, USA ~ Began playing piano at age 8. Regularly gave recitals at age 15. Studied under Harold Samuel, Myra Hess and Carl Friedberg. Performed as soloist under Thomas Beecham, Pierre Monteux, Arthur Fiedler, Walter Susskind, and Milton Katims ~ Hokanson passed away in 2018
June 22, 1910 ~ Irené Frances Eastwood, commonly known as singer Anne Ziegler, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Best known for her light operatic duets with her husband Webster Booth. The pair were dubbed “the Sweethearts in Song” and ranked among the most popular British acts of the 1940s ~ Ziegler passed away in 2003
June 22, 1909 ~ Joshua Alexander Loss, commonly known as dance bandleader, violinist Joe Loss, born in Spitalfields, UK ~ Led the Joe Loss Orchestra, one of the most popular dance bands in the UK during the 1940s and 1950s. Well known songs include In The Mood, The Stripper, Sucu Sucu, Must Be Madison, Theme From Maigret, and March Of The Mods ~ Loss passed away in 1990
June 22, 1907 ~ Ernest Paulin, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, bandleader Ernest Doc Paulin, born in Wallace, Louisiana, USA ~ Active on the New Orleans scene from the 1920s well through the 1990s. Paulin had 13 children, 6 of whom became professional musicians, starting in their father's band. As a local icon Paulin is featured in the 1978 documentary Always For Pleasure about New Orleans culture ~ Paulin passed away in 2007
June 22, 1903 ~ Drummer, bandleader Ben Pollack born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Popular bandleader from the mid 1920s forward employing musicians such as Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Glenn Miller, Jimmy McPartland, and Harry James. Co-wrote the jazz standard Tin Roof Blues. Has also worked, either as leader or in serving roles, with Harry Bastin, the New Orleans Rhytm Kings, the Venice Ballroom Orchestra, Gil Rodin, Irving Mills, Matty Matlock, Charlie Teagarden, Eddie Miller, Irving Fazola, Chico Marx, Dick Cathart, Frank Teschemacher, Freddie Slack, Joe Marsala, Muggsy Spanier, and Yank Lawson ~ Pollack passed away in 1971