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 26, 1973 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Gretchen Wilson, full name Gretchen Frances Wilson, born in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA ~ Debuted in 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single Redneck Woman, lead single of her debut album Here For The Party. Has been recording to critical acclaim since. Known for songs such as Here For The Party, Homewreckin' and Work Hard Play Harder. Guested on Hank Williams Jr's 2006 single That's How They Do It In Dixie and on Big & Rich's 2011 single Fake ID
June 26, 1971 ~ Charles Stewart, commonly known as rapper Chali 2na, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Known for his rapid rap delivery style. Best known as a member of the Jurassic 5, known for the track Improvise, and as member of Ozomatli. Stewart has also recorded as a solo artist, startin with the album Real As It Gets released in 2003June 26, 1971 ~ Rock, hard rock, stoner rock singer, guitarist Ruben Block born in Lier, Belgium ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, frontman of Triggerfinger, known best for their 2012 Lykke Li-cover I Follow Rivers which topped the charts in both the Netherlands and the band's native Belgium. Block has also worked with Franky & the Rednecks, Sin Alley, Angelico, Rick de Leeuw, and Jan Hautekiet
June 26, 1971 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, Don't Knock My Love by Wilson Pickett peaks at No.13 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Penned by Wilson Pickett and Brad Shapiro, produced by Pickett, Don't Knock My Love would be Pickett's last Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit as well as his last Billboard R&B charttopper for Pickett. The song would be covered several times, perhaps most notably as a duet by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye for their Diana & Marvin album released in 1973
June 26, 1970 ~ Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr, commonly known as producer, label executive Irv Gotti, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Helped shape R&B in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Co-founded Murder Inc label. Discovered Ashanti for whom he produced her eponymous Ashanti debut album. The album sold over 3 million copies in the USA, earned the singer 3 Grammy Awards, and spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Foolish and Happy, both produced or co-produced by Gotti. Other notable tracks produced or written by Gotti include Holla Holla for Ja Rule, Ain't It Funny and I'm Real for Jennifer Lopez, What's Luv for Fat Joe, and Rainy Dayz for Mary J Blige. Gotti has also worked with artists such as Mic Geronimo, Jay-Z, Amil, Foxxy Brown, DMX, Aaliyah, Christina Milian, Eve, Memphis Bleek, Kanye West, and Charlie Wilson. In 2002, Gotti told the Guardian: “People get confused because it sells like pop music. But we make black music first and foremost, and all our records is ‘hood first’.” Gotti passed away at age 54 with no official cause of death announced, yet the renowned producer and label executive had been battling diabetes-related issues and suffered a stroke the year before his death ~ Lorenzo passed away in 2025
June 26, 1969 ~ Alternative rock, art rock, electronic bassist Colin Greenwood, full name Colin Charles Greenwood, born in Oxford, UK ~ Co-founding member of Radiohead, known for songs such as Creep, Street Spirit (Fade Out), Paranoid Android and There ThereJune 26, 1968 ~ British rockers the Jeff Beck Group, featuring Rod Stewart, play their first American show ~ Booked prior to the release of the band's Truth debut album leader Jeff Beck's resume with the Yardbirds instilled enough confidence to book American dates. Billed as the second act, following Buzzy Linhart's Seventh Sons, preceding the Grateful Dead. Lead singer Rod Stewart would later comment on playing the Fillmore East in New York, with 2,700 seats a larger venue than they were used to: “the worrying thought that I was about to perform, for the first time, in a country in which people were allowed to own guns”
June 26, 1968 ~ Harry Aaron Finkelman, commonly known as jazz, swing trumpeter Ziggy Elman, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Known for a number of late 1930s recordings including Bye 'n Bye and Frallach In Swing, the term “frallach” referring to what would later become known as klezmer music. Closely associated with with Benny Goodman, playing in Goodman's orchestra from the mid 1930s through the end of the decade. Has also worked with Tommy Dorsey, Lionel Hampton, and Jess Stacy ~ Finkelman was born in 1914
June 26, 1961 ~ Pop rock, new wave, synth-pop singer, actress Terri Nunn, full name Terri Kathleen Nunn, born in Baldwin Hills, California, USA ~ Lead singer, frontwoman of Berlin, best known for their 1986 Billboard Hot 100 charttopper Take My Breath Away. The song was writte by Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock for the Top Gun and would receive both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Previously, in 1976 Nunn auditioned for the role of Princes Leia in Star Wars but the role went to Carrie Fisher
June 26, 1960 ~ Jazz guitarist Zachary Breaux, full name Zachary Charles Breaux, born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by George Benson and Wes Montgomery. Has recorded three albums as a leader, starting with Groovin' in 1992. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Randy Weston, Roy Ayers, Guru (Jazzmatazz Vol.1), Steps Ahead, and Ronny Jordan (A Brighter Day) ~ Breaux passed away in 1997June 26, 1957 ~ Patricia Smyth, commonly known as singer Patty Smyth, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Rose to fame as frontwoman of Scandal, best known for their 1984 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit The Warrior. Released her Never Enough solo debut album in 1987. Duetted with Don Henley on Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough and with James Ingram on Look What Love Has Done
June 26, 1956 ~ Jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe, full name William Henry Cunliffe Jr, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA ~ Influenced by the 5th Dimension, Burt Bacharach, Herb Alpert, Oscar Peterson, becoming a “jazz player overnight” after hearing the latter. Has worked with Frank Sinatra, Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, James Moody, Buell Neidlinger, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, John Patitucci, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Joe LaBarbera
June 26, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Chris Isaak, full name Christopher Joseph Isaak, born in Stockton, California, USA ~ Roots rock, rockabilly crooner, guitarist. Debuted in 1985 with the critically acclaimed Silvertone album. Drew comparisons to Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson. Has a solid and devoted cult following. Admired by peers. Became a household name on the strength of Wicked Game of his 1989 Heart Shaped World album, the single would reach the American top 10. Also known for songs such as Blue Hotel, Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing and Somebody's Crying. Film director David Lynch is a big fan of his and has used his music in several projects including Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me in which Isaak was also given an acting roleJune 26, 1956 ~ Trumpeter Clifford Brown, pianist Richie Powell, and Powell's wife pass away in Bedford, Pennsylvania, USA ~ While travelling overnight from Pennsylvania to Chicago jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown, pianist Richie Powell and Powell's wife pass away in a car crash ~ Brown was born in 1930, Powell in 1931
June 26, 1956 ~ Rockabily, rock & roll singer Gene Vincent records Blue Jean Bop at Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Under the supervision of producer Ken Nelson, Gene Vincent and his backing unit the Blue Caps record Blue Jean Bop as well as Who Slapped John, Jumps Giggles And Shout and I FlippedJune 26, 1955 ~ Punk rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Ivan Julian born in Washington DC, USA ~ Influenced by Jimi Hendrix. Co-founding member of Richard Hell & the Voidoids, best known for their 1976 song Blank Generation which is said to have inspired the Sex Pistols track Pretty Vacant. Julian co-wrote Liars Beware and Betrayal Takes Two. Following the band's disbandement in 1980 Julian has also worked with the Outsets, the Lovelies, and the Clash
June 26, 1955 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz drummer Joey Baron, full name Bernard Joseph Baron, born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Celebrated drummer with about a dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader. In-demand sideman. Closely associated with Bill Frisell and John Zorn. Present on albums by Carmen McRae, Bill Henderson, Lew Tabackin (My Old Flame), Fred Hersch, Enrico Pieranunzi, Toots Thielemans (Do Not Leave Me), Roseanna Vitro, Marian McPartland, Pat Martino, Tim Berne, Laurie Anderson, David Sanborn, Masada, Misha Mengelberg, David Bowie, Arto Lindsay, and John Scofield
June 26, 1955 ~ Singer, guitarist Mick Jones born in Brixton, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member, co-leader of the Clash, with whom he recorded five albums. After his departure from the band in 1983 founded Big Audio Dynamite, known for the 1991 UK No.1 hit Rush. Jones has also worked with Carbon/Silicon, Gorillaz, the Justice Tonight Band, the Wallflowers, the Flaming Lips, and the Avalanches. Occasionally Jones served as producer, notably for Ellen Foley's 1981 Spirit Of St Louis sophomore album, Ian Hunter's Short Back 'n Sides album released the same year, and the Libertines' 2002 Up The Bracket debut albumJune 26, 1954 ~ Jazz guitarist Øystein Norvoll born in Tromsø, Norway ~ Married to singer Marit Sandvik. Influenced by Barney Kessel and Jim Hall. Worked with Hallgeir Pedersen, Jan Arvid Johansen, Jørn Øien, Asbjørn Johanesen, Konrad Kaspersen, Trond Sverre Hansen, Oddmund Finnseth, Randy Johnston, and Jon Gordon
June 26, 1951 ~ Television personality, columnist, singer Lance Loud, full name Alanson Russell Loud, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Best known for his appearance in the 1973 reality show An American Family documenting his coming out, making Loud an icon in the gay community. Fronted underground outfit the Mumps, which at times also included future Iggy Pop guitarist Rob Duprey and future Patti Smith-drummer Jay Dee Daugherty ~ Loud passed away in 2001
June 26, 1949 ~ Adrian Curtis Gurvitz, commonly known as rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, pianist, producer, songwriter Adrian Gurvitz, born in Stoke Newington, UK ~ Member of Gun, Three Man Army, Baker Gurvitz Army. As a solo artist known for his 1982 Classsic single. In-demand collaborator, songwriter, producer. Has worked with Rupert's People, Hot Chocolate (Friend Of Mine), Eddie Money (The Love In Your Eyes), REO Speedwagon, Henry Lee Summer, Kenny G (Breathless), Aaron Neville, Steve Perry, Youssou n'Dour, CeCe Winans (Looking Back At You), Bent, Bob Sinclar, Pixie Lott, and Andra DayJune 26, 1947 ~ Country singer Renée Martel born in Drummondville, Canada ~ Daughter of country singer Marcel Martel. Dubbed “the Queen of Quebec Country” and best known for a number of late 1960s hits including Liverpool, Je Vais A Londres and Johnny Angel ~ Martel passed away in 2021
June 26, 1946 ~ Singer, songwriter Brenda Holloway born in Atascadero, California, USA ~ Known for a strong of late 1960s singles including Every Little Bit Hurts, When I'm Gone and perhaps her best known You've Made Me So Very Happy. Holloway co-wrote the latter, which would later be notably covered by Blood Sweat & Tears. Disillusioned by the music industry she largely retired from music by the early 1970s
June 26, 1946 ~ Jump blues, R&B singer, saxophonist, bandleader Louis Jordan records Let The Good Times Roll ~ Written by Sam Theard and Fleecie Moore. Louis Jordan released the song as a single, featuring Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens recorded during the same session on the flip side. Both songs would become blues standards, the former becoming a concert favorite for acts such as BB King and Koko Taylor. Good Times is also said to have inspired Earl King's Come On and Clifton Chenier's Bon Ton Roulet
June 26, 1945 ~ Pop, R&B, soul, blue-eyed soul singer Marcie Jones born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Jones had performed with Normie Rowe and recorded several singles in the mid 1960s as a solo artist prior to teaming up with the sibling outfit the Cookies, which consisted of sisters Margaret Cook, Beverley Cook, and Wendy Cook. Although the girl group, billed as Marcie & the Cookies, issued only two singles, All Or Nothing and White Christmas both released in 1968, they would enjoy popularity as a support act for the likes of Tom Jones, the Monkees, and Gene Pitney. The girl group initially split around the turn of the 1970s, but have reconvened from time to time, touring the oldies circuit, while Jones pursued a parallel solo career. Jones would score several minor hits as a solo artist in her native Australia, perhaps most notably the Curtis Mayfield-penned Gonna Get Married lifted off her 1974 That Jones Girl album ~ Jones passed away in 2025