July 6

 

Jazz royalty Louis Armstrong passed away at his Queens home on this day in 1971 from a heart attack at age 69. "Satchmo's" revolutionary trumpet playing and gravelly vocals transformed American music, making him one of the 20th century's most influential artists…

 

Music history's most important meeting occurred on this day in 1957 when teenage John Lennon first encountered 15-year-old Paul McCartney at the Woolton Church Parish Fete. Their instant musical connection would soon change popular culture forever…

 

Stealers Wheel co-founder Joe Egan died on this day in 2024 at age 77. The Scottish musician's partnership with Gerry Rafferty produced the enduring hit "Stuck in the Middle with You" and several other memorable folk-rock gems…

 

Country music legend Charlie Daniels suffered a fatal stroke on this day in 2020 at age 83. The fiddle virtuoso's "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" became a crossover phenomenon while his southern rock style influenced countless musicians…

 

Rock and roll pioneer Bill Haley was born on this day in 1925. Often credited as the genre's first star, his hit "Rock Around the Clock" helped introduce teenage America to the revolutionary new sound that would define a generation…

 

Beatlemania reached the silver screen on this day in 1964 when "A Hard Day's Night" premiered at London's Pavilion Theatre. The groundbreaking film captured the Fab Four at their peak while establishing the template for rock movies…

 

Santana's powerhouse drummer Michael Shrieve was born today in 1949. His explosive performance at Woodstock, particularly during "Soul Sacrifice," showcased his incredible talent at just 20 years old…

 

New wave weirdness arrived on this day in 1979 when The B-52's released their quirky debut album. The Athens, Georgia band's party atmosphere and surf-punk sound created an instant cult following that endures today.