August 15

 

Counterculture history began today in 1969 when the Woodstock Festival opened on Max Yasgur's 600-acre farm in Bethel, New York, launching three days of peace, love, and music that would define a generation and become the most legendary concert event ever held…

 

The music industry lost one of its most influential figures on this day in 2008 when record producer Jerry Wexler died at his Sarasota, Florida home at 91, ending the life of the Atlantic Records legend who coined the term "rhythm and blues" and produced countless classics…

 

Electronic music's founding father Leon Theremin was born today in 1896 in Russia, the inventor whose otherworldly electronic instrument would later provide eerie soundtracks for sci-fi films and inspire generations of synthesizer pioneers…

 

Pop songwriting's master architect Jimmy Webb was born on this day in 1946, the composer behind timeless classics like "MacArthur Park," "Wichita Lineman," and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" who elevated popular music to art form status…

 

Doo-wop royalty entered the world today in 1925 when Bill Pinkney of The Drifters was born, the bass vocalist whose deep voice anchored classics like "Under the Boardwalk" and "Save the Last Dance for Me" before his death in 2007…

 

Jazz-funk found its rhythmic heartbeat when Nesbert 'Stix' Hooper of The Crusaders was born today in 1938, the drummer whose groove helped define the smooth jazz movement and influenced countless musicians…

 

The Doobie Brothers' driving force Tom Johnston celebrates his 77th birthday today, the guitarist and vocalist whose rock-solid songwriting gave the band classics like "Listen to the Music" and "Long Train Runnin'."…

 

Led Zeppelin's final chapter was written today in 1979 with the release of 'In Through the Out Door,' the album that would prove to be their last studio recording together, featuring "Fool in the Rain" and closing one of rock's greatest stories.