Notable Births 1951: John Mellencamp, the American heartland rock singer-songwriter behind timeless hits like “Jack & Diane,” was born in Seymour, Indiana. 1953: Tico Torres, the rhythmic backbone and drummer for the stadium rock band Bon Jovi, was born in New York City. 1955: Yo-Yo Ma, the profoundly influential and multi-Grammy-winning classical cellist, was born…
Today’s history marks the tragic loss of one of rock’s most revolutionary guitarists, a massive single release for the Fab Four, and the birthdays of influential power-pop and alternative rock icons. Notable Births 1947: Millie Small, the Jamaican singer-songwriter who introduced ska to a global audience with her smash hit “My Boy Lollipop,” was born…
Today’s history marks the release of the very first Beatles single, a monumental double-chart takeover by Guns N’ Roses, and the birthdays of iconic classic rock and heavy metal frontmen. Notable Births 1943: Steve Miller, the American singer, guitarist, and songwriter who formed the Steve Miller Band and became a cornerstone of classic rock radio,…
Today’s history marks the birth of one of rock’s most iconic bassists, the release of a defining 90s Britpop masterpiece, and the tragic passing of an American rock and roll heartland hero. Notable Births 1945: Don McLean, the American singer-songwriter best known for his defining 1971 folk-rock epic “American Pie,” was born in New Rochelle,…
Kicking off a brand new month, today’s history marks the arrival of British psychedelic rock on American shores, the dawn of the digital audio format, and the birthdays of iconic soul and blues legends. Notable Births 1932: Albert Collins, the “Master of the Telecaster” and legendary Texas blues guitarist known for his highly influential, aggressive…
Today’s history brings us the birth of a doo-wop pioneer, a historic chart debut for a pop powerhouse, and the release of an acclaimed folk-rock comeback album. Notable Births 1935: Johnny Mathis, the legendary pop and traditional jazz vocalist whose romantic ballads made him one of the best-selling artists of the 20th century, was born…
Today’s history marks the birth of rock and roll’s wildest piano pounder, a massive cross-media chart domination for Prince, and the debut of the world’s most technologically advanced concert venue. Notable Births 1935: Jerry Lee Lewis, the explosive rock and roll pioneer famously known as “The Killer,” was born in Ferriday, Louisiana. 1948: Mark Farner,…
Today’s history marks the birth of soul and blues royalty, a massive chart run for the Fab Four, and the passing of a jazz titan. Notable Births 1928: Koko Taylor, the legendary American singer affectionately known as the “Queen of the Blues,” was born in Shelby County, Tennessee. 1938: Ben E. King, the defining American…
Today’s history marks the release of the most famous crosswalk photo in music history, the arrival of a young Bob Dylan in New York, and the birth of one of America’s greatest composers. Notable Births 1898: George Gershwin, the legendary composer and pianist behind masterpieces like “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Swanee,” was born in Brooklyn,…
Today’s history marks one of the most consequential release days in alternative rock history, the arrival of a guitar god in London, and the birth of a renowned music photographer and Wings co-founder. Notable Births 1941: Linda McCartney, the acclaimed photographer, animal rights activist, and foundational member of the band Wings alongside Paul McCartney, was…
Today’s history marks the launch of an iconic philanthropic music festival, a massive Broadway premiere, and the birth of a trailblazing punk rock queen. Notable Births 1951: David Coverdale, the powerful rock vocalist who fronted Deep Purple before founding his own hard rock heavyweight band, Whitesnake, was born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, England. 1956: Debby Boone, the…
Today’s history marks the release of two defining alternative rock anthems, the birth of an iconic poet-songwriter, and the amicable end of one of the greatest American college rock bands. Notable Births 1934: Leonard Cohen, the legendary singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist behind masterpieces like “Hallelujah,” was born in Westmount, Quebec. 1947: Don Felder, longtime lead…
Today’s history marks a massive country music chart milestone, legendary live debuts and reunions, and the birthdays of some foundational pop and R&B visionaries. Notable Births 1934: Brian Epstein, the legendary music entrepreneur and manager who guided The Beatles to global superstardom, was born in Liverpool, England. 1940: Bill Medley, the blue-eyed soul singer and…
Today’s history marks the birth of a punk rock pioneer, an unprecedented retail stunt by rock’s biggest spectacle, and the tragic loss of the most influential guitarist of all time. Notable Births 1933: Jimmie Rodgers, the American pop singer best known for his million-selling crossover hit “Honeycomb,” was born in Camas, Washington. 1940: Frankie Avalon,…
Today’s history marks unforgettable television moments for rock’s wildest frontmen, a massive dual album release that shifted the 90s landscape, and the birth of a country music giant.Notable Births 1923: Hank Williams, the legendary singer-songwriter who became one of the most significant and influential American musicians of the 20th century, was born in Butler County,…
Today’s history marks a wild security pause for the Fab Four, the arrival of an influential gospel-rock transition, and the loss of two defining figures in punk and progressive rock. Notable Births 1903: Roy Acuff, known as the “King of Country Music” and the first living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, was…
Today’s history marks the recording of a revolutionary rock ‘n’ roll anthem, the launch of an iconic awards show, and the birthdays of game-changing vocalists and songwriters. Notable Births 1914: Mae Boren Axton, the “Queen Mother of Nashville” and co-writer of Elvis Presley’s breakout single “Heartbreak Hotel,” was born in Bardwell, Texas. 1950: Paul Kossoff,…
Today’s history marks the release of progressive rock royalty, a massive world tour kickoff in Tokyo, and the legacy of one of music’s greatest storytellers. Notable Births 1931: Country music icon George Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas. 1944: Legendary soul singer and producer Barry White was born in Galveston, Texas. 1952: Neil Peart, the…
Today’s history marks momentous recording sessions for the Fab Four, the release of an iconic indie rock debut, and the birthdays of some highly influential musicians. Notable Births 1953: Tommy Shaw, the singer, songwriter, and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Styx, was born in Montgomery, Alabama. 1965: Electronic musician and DJ Richard Melville Hall,…
Today’s history marks a massive grunge release, a monumental live album recording behind bars, and the birth of a Puerto Rican music icon. Notable Births 1945: Jose Feliciano, the acclaimed Puerto Rican musician, composer, and virtuoso guitarist, was born in Lares. 1950: Joe Perry, the founding member, vocalist, and legendary lead guitarist of the rock…
