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 27, 1951 ~ New wave, power pop drummer Gilson Lavis, full name David Leslie Gilson Davis, born in Bedfordshire, UK ~ Rose to fame as member of Squeeze, remaining with the band through 1993 and replaced by Pete Thomas. Present on some of the band's best known albums including the acclaimed Cool For Cats released in 1979 ~ Lavis passed away in 2025
June 27, 1950 ~ Jazz, pop, rock trombonist Glenn Ferris, full name Glenn Arthur Ferris, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Classically trained. First gained attention in the late 1960s backing Don Ellis, who also wrote Ferris Wheel in his honor. In-demand session musician working with an array of artists ranging from jazz to pop. Present on albums by Bonnie Raitt (Takin' My Time), the Average White Band, Stevie Wonder (Songs In The Key Of Life), the Brothers Johnson, Martial Solal, Alphonse Mouzon, Duran Duran, Angélique Kidjo, Steve Lacy, and Billy Cobham. As a solo artist, leader or co-leader has recorded over half a dozen albums, notably Chrominance released in 2001
June 27, 1949 ~ Singer Gene Autry records Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer ~ Written by Johnny Marks, inspired by the 1930 story Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. Gene Autry's recording, the flip side containing If It Don't Snow On Christmas, would top the American charts the week of Christmas 1949
June 27, 1948 ~ Latin jazz, jazz fusion percussionist Bill Summers born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ About a dozen albums as a leader, specifically known for his 1997 Essence Of Kwanzaa release. Frequent collaborator of Herbie Hancock, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting with the acclaimed Head Hunters released in 1973. Regularly worked with Quincy Jones, including on the soundtracks Roots and The Color Purple. Member of Los Hombres Calientes, with whom he recorded five albums including Vol.4 Vodou Dance released in 2003. Has also appeared on albums by Bobby Womack, Bennie Maupin (Jewel In The Lotus), Lenny Williams, the Pointer Sisters (Steppin'), Norman Connors, Sonny Rollins, Pete Escovedo, Seawind (Window Of A Child), Patrice Rushen, McCoy Tyner, Eddy Grant, Taj Mahal, Sting (The Soul Cages), the Zawinul Syndicate, Meshell Ndegeocello, Stevie Wonder, and Maria Muldaur
June 27, 1947 ~ Jazz drummer, singer Brian Abrahams born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Formed District 6. Also worked Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Abdullah Ibrahim, Dudu Pukwana, Ronnie Scott, John Taylor, Johnny Dyani, Brotherhood Of Breath, Jim Pepper, Dewey Redman, Mal Waldron, Archie Shepp, Courtney Pine, Tony Hicks, and John McCallJune 27, 1945 ~ Drummer Joey Covington, full name Joseph Edward Covington, born in Jonestown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as member of the Jefferson Airplane. Wrote and sang on Pretty As You Feel, the band's last hit. Worked with the Fenways, Kim Fowley, Papa John Creach, Jimmy Greenspoon, Joe Schermie, Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen, and Jack Casady ~ Covington passed away in 2013
June 27, 1944 ~ Electronic composer, musical theorist Bernard Szajner born in Grenoble, France ~ Credited with the invention of the laser harp, which he patented. Renowned as a light and visual effects technician working with acts such as Magma, Gong, Stomu Yamashta, and the Who. As a recording artist has released a number of avant-garde electronic albums starting with Visions Of Dune released in 1979, inspired by the Frank Herbert-novel Dune
June 27, 1944 ~ Maria José Motta de Oliveira, commonly known as actress, singer Zezé Motta, born in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil ~ Considered one of the most important and prolific actresses in Brazil, active since the mid 1960s. As a singer has recorded about a dozen albums, starting with the collaborative Gerson Conrad & Zezé Motta with Gérson Conrad released in 1974June 27, 1943 ~ Folk, Nueva Cancion singer, songwriter Angel Parra, full name Luis Angel Cereceda Parra, born in Valparaiso, Chile ~ Son of singer Violeta Parra, brother of singer Isabel Parra, father of guitarist Angel Parra Jr. Leading figure in Nueva Cancion genre ~ Parra passed away in 2017
June 27, 1942 ~ Rock bassist Björn Thelin born ~ Best known for co-founding the Rebels with guitarist Bo Starander. The duo would evolve into the Spotnicks, arguably the first Swedish group to have significant international succes. Well-known songs include Amapola, Drina, Just Listen To My Heart, and Papa Oom Mow Mow ~ Thelin passed away in 2017
June 27, 1942 ~ Benjamin Baldwin, commonly known as pop rock singer Bruce Johnston, born in Peoria, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Beach Boys, first appearing on the 1965 single California Girls and remaining with the band through 1972. Wrote or co-wrote several songs for the band including The Nearest Faraway Place, Tears In The Morning, and Deirdre. Also known for forming the duo Bruce & Terry with Terry Melcher, with whom he also worked in the Rip-chords. Wrote I Write The Songs, recorded by Captain & Tennille, David Cassidy, and Barry Manilow. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Surfer's Pajama Party released in 1962, and served as in-house producer for Columbia RecordsJune 27, 1942 ~ Composer, pianist Frank Mills born in Montreal, Canada ~ Known for his 1979 instrumental Music Box Dancer, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit covered by Floyd Cramer, Richard Clayderman, James Last, and the 101 Strings Orchestra
June 27, 1940 ~ Eugen Ciceu, commonly known as jazz pianist Eugen Cicero, born in Vad, Romania ~ Gave his first performance at age 6 with the the Cluj Symphony Orchestra. Known for introducing swing harmonies into baroque, classical, romantic compositions. Enjoyed popularity since the early 1960s especially in Germany, his adopted homeland, working with orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Recorded prolifically since the mid 1960s. Brother of jazz drummer Adrian Cicero. Father of jazz singer Roger Cicero ~ Ciceu passed away in 1997
June 27, 1935 ~ Bassist, producer Byron Lee, full name Byron Aloysius St Elmo Lee, born in Christiana, Jamaica ~ Best known for fronting calypso, ska outfit the Dragonaires, credited with popularizing Caribbean music. The band appears in Dr No, the very first Bond-film, playing Jamaica Jump Up. As a producer closely associated with Toots & the Maytals, working on many of their single releases. Has also worked with Boris Gardiner (Reggae Happening), Hopeton Lewis (Grooving Out On Life), and the Slickers (Johnny Too Bad) ~ Lee passed away in 2008June 27, 1934 ~ Ersel O'Hickey, commonly known as rockabilly singer, guitarist, songwriter Ersel Hickey, born in Brighton, New York, USA ~ Best known for his self-penned 1958 hit Bluebirds Over The Mountain, notably covered by Ritchie Valens, the Echoes, the Beach Boys, Ronnie Hawkins, and Robert Plant ~ O'Hickey passed away in 2004
June 27, 1932 ~ Opera singer, actress, TV personality Anna Moffo born in Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Nicknamed “La Bellissima” for her beauty. One of the leading lyric-coloratura sopranos of her generation. Worked with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House, and the Rome Opera ~ Moffo passed away in 2006
June 27, 1932 ~ Composer Hugh Wood born in Parbold, UK ~ Cites Johann Sebastian Bach as a major influence. Other influences include Arnold Schoenberg and Ludwig van Beethoven. First gained attention with the orchestral work Scenes From Comus, which premiered in 1965. Would go on to produce a vast repertoire of acclaimed work for chamber music, orchestras, violin, cello, string quartets, and cantatas ~ Wood passed away in 2021
June 27, 1931 ~ Clarence Lavonne Fitzgerald, commonly known as pop singer Barry Young, born in Oklahoma, USA ~ Known for two singles and one full-length album, all released in 1966. His rendition of He'll Have To Go would only chart moderately in Canada, where it peaked in the low 60s. One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart), however, previously a Billboard Country No.1 in 1948 for Jimmy Wakely, reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Sadly, his success would be shortlived, his career cut short by his death in December at age 35 of a brain abscess ~ Fitzgerald passed away in 1966
June 27, 1927 ~ John Mayon Walker, commonly known as Chicago blues, electric blues pianist, organist, bassist, singer Johnny Big Moose Walker, born in Stoneville, Mississippi, USA ~ Worked with Ike Turner, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Lowell Fulson, Muddy Waters, Choker Campbell, Elmore James, Earl Hooker, Otis Spann, Sunnyland Slim, Jimmy Dawkins, Son Seals, Mighty Joe Young, Louis Myers, Andrew Odom, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Curtis Jones ~ Walker passed away in 1999
June 27, 1923 ~ Bebop, hard bop pianist Elmo Hope, full name St Elmo Sylvester Hope, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Somewhat overlooked pianist due to the subtlety of his playing, strongly influenced by classical music and techniques, in an era focused primarily focused on virtuosity. Influence on contemporaries Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, both of whom he also collaborated with. Best known for his 1956 Informal Jazz album featuring Donald Byrd, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones ~ Hope passed away in 1967
June 27, 1917 ~ Benjamin Hozer, commonly known as songwriter, composer, arranger Ben Homer born in Meriden, Connecticut, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing a number of 1940 hits for bandleader Les Brown, notably My Number One Dream Came True and Sentimental Journey, both originally recorded by Brown in the mid 1940s with singer Doris Day. The latter song would become a standard covered by well over 300 artists including Ella Fitzgerald, the Chordettes, Conway Twitty, the Ink Spots, and the Platters ~ Homer passed away in 1975June 27, 1916 ~ Jazz, swing guitarist Robert Normann, full name Robert Uno Normann, born in Borge, Norway ~ Influenced by Teddy Wilson and Chu Berry. Also plays accordion, banjo and saxophone. Considered a pioneer on the jazz guitar. Worked with Freddy Valier, String Swing, Gunnar Due, Pete Brown, Alf Prøysen, and Sigbjørn Bernhoft Osa. Turned down offers from Benny Goodman and Barney Kessel ~ Normann passed away in 1998
June 27, 1913 ~ James Elton Baker, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Elton Britt, born in Marshall, Arkansas, USA ~ Enjoyed a career spanning three decades, recording over 50 albums from the early 1940s until his death in 1972. Best known for his wartime top 10 hit There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere, selling over a million copies by 1944 making Britt the first country artist to be awarded a gold record. Other well known songs include Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You), Detour, Chime Bells, Maybe I'll Cry Over You, and Pinto Pal ~ Baker passed away in 1972June 27, 1910 ~ Lester Rallingston Collins, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Shad Collins, born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA ~ In-demand sideman from the 1930s through the 1950s. First gained attention as member of Charlie Dixon's band, which at the time also featured singer Cora LaRedd. Collins would go on to work backing the likes of Chick Webb, Benny Carter, Don Redman, Count Basie, Freddie Moore, and Lester Young. Also well known for working with Cab Calloway, joining Calloway's ensemble as replacement for Dizzy Gillespie. Collins has also worked with Buster Harding, Al Sears, Jimmy Rushing, and Sam Taylor ~ Collins passed away in 1978
June 27, 1906 ~ Singer, actor Alberto Rabagliati born in Milan, Italy ~ Moved to Hollywood in 1927 as the winner of a Rudolph Valentino-lookalike contest but his international acting career never took off and returned to Italy foru years later. Briefly sang with Pippo Barzizza's orchestra before joining the ensemble the Lecuona Cuban Boys. Rose to notoriety through his solo work on the state radio station EIAR in the 1940s. At the time anything foreign was banned yet Rabagliati was alllowed to maintain his American-influenced style. Well-known songs include Ma L'Amore No, Mattinata Fiorentina, Ba-ba=baciami Piccina, Silenzioso Slow, and Bambina Innamorata. His fame as a singer would help restart his acting career, appearing in over a dozen films through the mid 1960s ~ Rabagliati passed away in 1974