August 21

 

Rock's most enduring romance celebrates another milestone as Bono and his wife Alison Stewart mark their 43rd wedding anniversary today, proving that true love can survive even the pressures of global superstardom and U2's decades-spanning career…

 

Electronic music lost its founding father today in 2005 when Dr. Robert Moog died at 71, ending the life of the inventor whose synthesizers revolutionized popular music and gave birth to everything from prog rock to electronic dance music…

 

We remember the swing master Count Basie on his birthday today in 1904, the piano-playing bandleader whose Kansas City jazz style and legendary orchestra helped define the sound of American swing music before his death in 1984…

 

Harmony's golden age dimmed today in 2021 when Don Everly died at 84, silencing half of the Everly Brothers duo whose close harmonies on songs like "Bye Bye Love" influenced everyone from The Beatles to Simon and Garfunkel…

 

Country music's storytelling gentleman Kenny Rogers was born today in 1938, the smooth-voiced singer whose crossover hits like "The Gambler" and "Lady" made him one of music's most beloved entertainers before his death in 2020…

 

Folk-rock's underrated songwriter Jackie DeShannon was born on this day in 1944, the singer who gave us "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" and penned hits for numerous other artists throughout her influential career…

 

Rock's most versatile bass voice Glenn Hughes was born today in 1951 in Cannock, Staffordshire, the English musician who brought his powerful vocals and bass playing to both Deep Purple and Black Sabbath during their classic periods…

 

Punk rock's passionate poet Joe Strummer was born on this day in 1952, The Clash frontman whose political fire and musical adventurousness helped define punk's artistic possibilities before his death in 2002.