July 12

 

Fleetwood Mac's heart and soul Christine McVie was born on this day in 1943, the keyboardist and vocalist whose warm voice and songwriting helped define the band's sound…

 

The music world lost a shining star today in 1979 when Minnie Riperton succumbed to cancer at just 31, silencing the five-octave voice that gave us "Lovin' You."…

 

Monkees drummer Mickey Dolenz tied the knot with Samantha Juste on this day in 1968, bringing together two faces from the swinging sixties music scene…

 

Jazz lost a true master today in 2003 when saxophonist and composer Benny Carter passed away at 95, ending a career that spanned eight decades and helped shape the sound of American jazz…

 

Traffic mourned the loss of saxophonist Chris Wood on this day in 1983, as liver failure claimed the talented musician who contributed to the band's unique blend of rock, jazz, and folk…

 

Rod Stewart received royal recognition today in 2007 when Prince Charles awarded him the CBE Order of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace, honoring the gravelly-voiced rocker's contributions to music…

 

Musical theater legend Oscar Hammerstein II entered the world on this day in 1895, the lyricist who would go on to create the words for classics like "The King and I" and "The Sound of Music."