August 20

 

Led Zeppelin's golden god Robert Plant celebrates his 77th birthday today, the wailing rock deity whose powerful voice and mystical lyrics helped create heavy metal while establishing him as one of rock's most charismatic frontmen…

 

We remember Thin Lizzy's poetic warrior Phil Lynott on his birthday today in 1949, the Irish bassist and vocalist whose twin-guitar attack and songs like "The Boys Are Back in Town" made him a rock legend before his death in 1986…

 

Love conquered all today in 1992 when Sting married longtime partner Trudie Styler, finally making official the relationship that had sustained the former Police frontman through his successful solo career transition…

 

The music world lost a studio legend today in 2009 when Larry Knechtel of The Wrecking Crew and Bread died of a heart attack at 69, silencing the keyboardist whose "Bridge Over Troubled Water" piano solo became one of rock's most recognizable moments…

 

We honor the memory of Isaac Hayes on his birthday today in 1942, the soul innovator whose "Theme from Shaft" and Stax Records productions helped define funk and influenced hip-hop before his death in 2008…

 

Chicago's brass foundation James Pankow was born on this day in 1947, the trombonist and songwriter whose horn arrangements and compositions like "Make Me Smile" helped create the band's distinctive jazz-rock fusion sound…

 

Americana's storytelling master John Hiatt celebrates his 73rd birthday today, the singer-songwriter whose honest lyrics and rootsy sound have influenced countless artists throughout his five-decade career…

 

Nu-metal's controversial frontman Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit celebrates his 55th birthday today, the rapper-singer whose aggressive style and red baseball cap became symbols of late 1990s rock rebellion…

 

Rock lost another voice to addiction today in 2016 when 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts died from a prescription drug overdose at 38, highlighting the ongoing struggles many musicians face with substance abuse…

 

We remember pedal steel guitar innovator 'Sneaky' Pete Kleinow on his birthday today in 1934, the Flying Burrito Brothers member whose country-rock pioneering influenced generations of musicians before his death in 2007…

 

Power pop's one-hit wonder Doug Fieger was born on this day in 1952, The Knack's frontman whose "My Sharona" became an irresistible anthem of the new wave era before his death in 2010…

 

Country music received highway recognition today in 1987 when Alabama dedicated a section of Interstate 65 as the Hank Williams Memorial Lost Highway, honoring the state's greatest musical son with permanent roadway tribute…

 

Broadcasting history began today in 1920 when Detroit's WWJ (950 AM) became the first radio station in America to start regular broadcasting, launching the medium that would transform how the world experienced music.