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 23, 1957 ~ World singer, guitarist, songwriter Joanne Shenandoah, full name Joanne Lynn Shenandoah, born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to her name, a number with contributions from the likes of Sting, Bono, Sinéad O'Connor, starting with the eponymous Joanne Shenandoah released in 1989. Acclaimed for her 1996 Matriarch (Iroquois Women's Songs) album. Has guested on recordings by Peter Kater, Robbie Robertson, Mary Youngblood, and Tony Hymas Oyaté ~ Shenandoah passed away in 2021
June 23, 1956 ~ Bassist, producer, label executive Randy Jackson, full name Randall Darius Jackson, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Longest-serving judge on American Idol talent show. Has worked with Journey, Richard Marx, Jean-Luc Ponty, Aldo Nova, George Benson, the Blue Öyster Cult, Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Bolton, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Billy Cobham, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Ernie Isley, Billy Joel, Brent Bourgeois, George Michael, Stevie Nicks, Imogen Heap, and Bruce Springsteen
June 23, 1954 ~ Pop, rock guitarist Bobby Messano born in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Starz, Lou Gramm, Steve Winwood, Clarence Clemons, Franke & the Knockouts, Peter Criss, Stanky Brown, Gloria Gaynor, Joe Lynn Turner, and Glen BurtnickJune 23, 1953 ~ Del Stanley McEntire, commonly known as country singer, fiddler Pake McEntire, born in Chockie, Oklahoma, USA ~ Brother of singers Reba McEntire and Susie McEntire. Known for songs such as Every Night, Savin' My Love For You, Heart Vs Heart and perhaps his best known Savin' My Love For You
June 23, 1952 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, funk bassist Anthony Jackson, full name Anthony Claiborne Jackson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Although Jackson started on guitar he would later take up the bass, influenced especially by James Jamerson and Jack Casady, he would eventually become to be regarded as a master of the bass. Jackson has recorded a handful of albums as a co-leader, most notably Trio In Tokyo with Michel Petrucciani and Steve Gadd, but is best known as a sideman appearing on over an estimated 500 albums. To pop audiences Jackson may be best known for his association with Philadelphia International Records, appearing on quintessential Philly soul tracks such as Me & Mrs Jones by Billy Paul and For The Love Of Money by the O'Jays, the latter of which was co-written by Jackson. Jackson has played on albums by Eddie Green, Buddy Rich, Chick Corea, Michal Urbaniak (Fusion III), Roberta Flack (Feel Like Makin' Love), Randy Crawford, Lalo Schifrin (Black Widow), Grover Washington Jr, Gene Harris, Phyllis Hyman, Pee Wee Ellis (Home In The Country), Eric Gale, Garland Jeffreys (Ghost Writer), Lee Ritenour, Carlos Garnett (Fire), Stéphane Grappelli, David Sanborn (Heart To Heart), Chaka Khan (Chaka), Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Steely Dan (Gaucho), Luther Vandross (Never Too Much), Steve Khan, Patti Austin, Donald Fagen (The Nightfly), Teena Marie, Madonna, and Al Jarreau. Upon hearing of Jackson's passing, regular collaborator Al di Meola, with whom Jackson recorded nearly a dozen albums, commented: “Anthony was one of the most extraordinary musicians I’ve ever had the honour to play with. A true innovator whose genius on the six-string contrabass reshaped modern music” ~ Jackson passed away in 2025
June 23, 1952 ~ Pop, country pop singer Betty Veldpaus, also known as Betty Dragstra-Veldpaus, born ~ Member of 1970s pop group Pussycat, which also included her siblings Marianne Veldpaus, and Toni Willé, with whom she scored about half a dozen top 10 hits in their native the Netherlands from the mid 1970s through the early 1980s including the top 5 hits Georgie, Smile, and My Broken Souvenirs. The band's best known, their 1975 Mississippi debut single would reach No.1 in over a dozen countries, including their native Netherlands and the UK, and sell over 5 million copies ~ Veldpaus passed away in 2024June 23, 1951 ~ R&B singer Larry Cunningham born ~ Member of one-hit wonder the Floaters, known best for Float On of their 1977 eponymous The Floaters debut album. The single would reach top 10 on both the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard R&B charts. The song would later be notably covered by hip-hop group Stetsasonic for their 1988 In Full Gear album ~ Cunningham passed away in 2019
June 23, 1949 ~ Blues, R&B, jazz pianist Bill Sims Jr born in Marion, Ohio, USA ~ Member of Jacksonian Blues. Member of doo-wop influenced the Four Mints from 1971 through 1976. Founded the avant-garde jazz outfit the Lamorians in 1976. Subsequently founded the blues band the Cold Blooded Blues Band. Would release his Blues Before Sunrise debut album in 1992 ~ Sims passed away in 2019
June 23, 1948 ~ Kent Rowell, commonly known as blues singer Luther Kent, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Bobby Blue Bland, Etta James, and Ray Charles. Longtime resident of Baton Rouge, powerhouse vocalist Kent would become a fixture in southern Louisiana where he attracted a large following through frequently performing at dance halls and festivals, including repeatedly at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Outside his home state, he was best known for briefly joining Blood Sweat & Tears, touring with the band in 1974 yet contractual obligations kept him from recording with the group. Kent has recorded half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with World Class in 1977, and has guested on albums by Maynard Ferguson, the Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks, Robi Zonca, and Rue De Funk. Kent is also known as a host for WBRH, an FM station operated by students at the Baton Rouge High School ~ Rowell passed away in 2024
June 23, 1948 ~ Miles Francis Goodwin, commonly known as rock, pop, hard rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Myles Goodwyn, born in Woodstock, Canada ~ Lead singer, main songwriter, co-founding and sole constant member of April Wine, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums. The band would enjoy popularity especially during the 1970s and early 1980s, moving from garage rock to commercially viable rock, hard rock. They are best known for hits such as Tonite Is A Wonderful Time To Fall In Love, The Whole World's Goin' Crazy, and You Won't Dance With Me, all of which reached top 10 in their native Canada. The singles You Could Have Been A Lady, Roller, and Just Between You And Me would also reach top 40 Billboard Hot 100. Goodwyn released his eponymous Myles Goodwyn solo debut album in 1988 ~ Goodwin passed away in 2023June 23, 1945 ~ Southern rock, rock bassist Paul Goddard born ~ Co-founding member of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, remaining with the band from its inception through 1983 and rejoining in later years. Present on the band's best known including So Into You, I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight and Imaginary Lover ~ Goddard passed away in 2014
June 23, 1943 ~ Conductor, pianist James Levine, full name James Lawrence Levine, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Perhaps best known as music director of the Metropolitan Opera from 1976 through 2016. Has also worked with the Munich Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Berlin Philharmonic ~ Levine passed away in 2021
June 23, 1942 ~ Hans Eckard Wader, commonly known as singer, songwriter Hannes Wader, born in Bethel, Germany ~ Important singer, songwriter known for his leftist views, singing both originals and traditional songs covering socialist and communist resistance to oppression. Active since the late 1960s. Known for songs such as Die Internationale, Die Moorsoldaten, Traum Vom Frieden and Sag Mir Wo Die Blumen Sind
June 23, 1940 ~ Terence Nelhams Wright, commonly known as singer Adam Faith, born in Middlesex, UK ~ Teen idol, best known for a string of early 1960s hits including What Do You Want, Poor Me, Someone Else's Baby, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, How About That, Lonely Pup In A Christmas Shop and Who Am I ~ Nelhams-Wright passed away in 2003June 23, 1938 ~ Boruch Alan Bermowitz, commonly known as singer Alan Vega born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-founded the electronic protopunk outfit Suicide with Martin Reverby. Releasing solo records since the early 1980s. Has worked with producers such as Chris Lord-Alge and Ric Ocasek. Has collaborated with Mercury Rev, Alex Chilton, Stephen Lironi, and with Lydia Lunch ~ Vega passed away in 2016
June 23, 1930 ~ Samba singer Elza Soares, full name Elza da Conceicao Soares, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Active since the late 1950s. Rose to fame with her debut single Se Acaso Você Chegasse, merging jazz scat singing with samba. Other well known songs include Boato, Cadeira Vazia, Só Danço Samba, Mulata Assanhada, and Aquarela Brasileira. Deemed dangerous by the Military dictatorship at the time fled to Italy in 1970 after regome agents machine-gunned her house ~ Soares passed away in 2022
June 23, 1930 ~ Bassist, painter Stuart Sutcliffe, full name Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Original member of the Beatles, present in the line-up during their Hamburg period. Left the band in 1961 to focus on his career as a painter. Sutcliffe would die the following year at age 21 of cerebal hemorrhage, specifically a ruptured aneurysm. The band would go on to become one of the most important in the history of pop music ~ Sutcliffe passed away in 1962
June 23, 1929 ~ Country, folk, gospel, rockabilly singer, guitarist, banjoist, keyboardist, autoharpist, songwriter June Carter, full name Valerie June Carter, born in Maces Springs, Virginia, USA ~ Member of the Carter Family and the Carter Sisters. As a solo artist known for upbeat 1950s country, rockabilly songs, notably Jukebox Blues and No Swallerin' Place. As a songwriter best known for penning Ring Of Fire for her then-future husband Johnny Cash. Married to Cash, who proposed to her during a live performance on-stage, from 1968 until her death ~ Carter passed away in 2003June 23, 1926 ~ Henry Shalofsky, commonly known as bebop trumpeter Hank Shaw, born in London, UK ~ Active since his mid-teens, employed in Teddy Foster's band during World War II. Would go on to work with Oscar Rabin, Frank Weir, and Tommy Sampson, and spent stints in America and Canada, notably backing Oscar Peterson and Maynard Ferguson, before returning to his native England. Shaw became one of the early players at Club Eleven, a London jazz nightclub which played a significant role in the emergence of British bebop. Shaw continued to perform and record, both as a sideman and a leader, well into his eighties before retiring from music for health reasons, working with the likes of Joe Harriott, Tony Crombie, Don Rendell, and Stan Tracey ~ Shalofsky passed away in 2006
June 23, 1926 ~ Label executive Tony Martell born ~ Longtime CBS Records and Epic Records executive and producer. Helped shape and advance careers of the Isley Brothers, the O'Jays, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Ozzy Osbourne. Also worked with artists such as George Benson, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Hall, Lalo Schifrin, Bill Withers, Patti Austin, George Duke, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Eumir Deodato, Stanley Turrentine, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the Electric Light Orchestra, Joan Jett, and Henry Lee Summer ~ Martell passed away in 2016June 23, 1925 ~ Edmund Gregory, commonly known as jazz, hard bop saxophonist Sahib Shihab, born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Luther Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Fletcher Henderson, Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke, John Coltrane, Quincy Jones, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Kenny Dorham, Benny Golson, Brass Fever, Donald Byrd, Betty Carter, Roy Haynes, Abbey Lincoln, Specs Powell, AK Salim, Mal Waldron, and Idrees Sulieman ~ Gregory passed away in 1989
June 23, 1923 ~ Jazz pianist George Russell, full name George Allen Russell, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Though Russell started out on drums, he would become best known as a pianist active since the 1950s. As a composer, Russell is known for Ezz-Thetic, recorded by Lee Konitz, Max Roach, and Grant Green, and for Stratusphunk, recorded by Hal McKusick, and JJ Johnson. As a leader, Russell recorded some two dozen albums, and is especially acclaimed for three consecutive albums released in the early 1960s, Ezz-Thetics, The Stratus Seekers, and The Outer View. Though primarily a leader, arranger, and composer, Russell did on occasion serve as a sideman, notably on albums by Lucy Reed, Sheila Jordan (Portrait Of Sheila), and Gil Evans ~ Russell passed away in 2009June 23, 1922 ~ Composer Francis Thorne, full name Francis Burritt Thorne Jr, born in Bay Shore, New York, USA ~ Jazz-influenced contemporary classical composer best known for his Elegy For Orchestra premiered in 1964 by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Ormandy. One the first classical composers to write specifically for electric guitar and electric bass guitar ~ Thorne passed away in 2017
June 23, 1915 ~ William Edward Grishaw, commonly known as country, rockabilly songwriter, guitarist Zeb Turner, born in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA ~ Backed Red Foley and Hank Williams. Co-wrote There's No Room In My Heart For The Blues, recorded by Williams, Clyde Moody, Ernest Tubb, as well as by British group The The. Co-wrote It's A Sin, a 1947 hit for Eddy Arnold. Co-wrote Texas In My Soul, recorded by Tex Williams, Hank Penny, and by Willie Nelson ~ Grishaw passed away in 1978
June 23, 1911 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Eddie Miller, full name Edward Raymond Miller, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Got his start in music backing Julie Wintz in the early 1930s, and subsequently worked with Ben Pollack and Bob Crosby until being drafted in 1942. Following his stint in the Army, Miller returned to music and has recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Perhaps best known for writing Slow Mood, which served as the basis for Johnny Mercer's Lazy Mood. Miller has also guested on albums by Al Hirt, Si Zentner, Jack Lesberg, Ray Linn, and Heinie Beau ~ Miller passed away in 1991