August 4

 

Jazz royalty entered the world on this day in 1901 when Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans, destined to become "Satchmo" - the trumpet virtuoso and gravelly-voiced vocalist who would single-handedly transform American music forever…

 

History took a poignant turn today in 1980 when John Lennon began recording at The Hit Factory in New York what would tragically become his final album, 'Double Fantasy,' capturing his artistic renaissance just months before his murder…

 

Love found its way again today in 2001 when Eurythmics' Dave Stewart married fashion photographer Anouska Fisz on a private beach on the French Riviera, proving romance could bloom after his earlier marriage to Bananarama's Siobhan Fahey…

 

The blues lost a gentle giant on this day in 2005 when Little Milton died of a brain aneurysm at 70, silencing the Mississippi-born guitarist whose smooth voice and stinging guitar work influenced generations of musicians…

 

We remember electronic music pioneer Klaus Schulze on his birthday today in 1947, the innovative keyboardist who helped found Tangerine Dream and pushed the boundaries of synthesized soundscapes before his death in 2022…

 

Studio royalty was born on this day in 1940 when Larry Knechtel entered the world, the versatile session musician and Wrecking Crew member whose keyboards, bass, and harmonica graced countless classic recordings before his death in 2009.