August 8

 

One of rock's most iconic images was captured today in 1969 when The Beatles crossed Abbey Road outside their legendary recording studio for the album cover photo shoot, creating a moment that fans still recreate decades later…

 

Blues history received overdue recognition today in 1970 when Janis Joplin purchased a headstone for her greatest influence, Bessie Smith, honoring the "Empress of the Blues" whose grave had remained unmarked since her death in 1937…

 

U2's sonic architect David Howell Evans, better known as The Edge, was born on this day in 1961, the guitarist whose distinctive echo-laden style and innovative use of effects would help define stadium rock's sound…

 

10,000 Maniacs' keyboard wizard Dennis Drew was born today in 1957, the musician whose atmospheric textures provided the foundation for Natalie Merchant's folk-rock visions throughout the band's most successful years…

 

The entertainment world lost a beloved star today in 2022 when Olivia Newton-John passed away at 73, taking with her the sweet voice and radiant smile that made "Physical" and "Grease" cultural touchstones…

 

Soul music's storyteller Joe Tex was born today in 1933, the Texas-born singer whose narrative style and hits like "Hold What You've Got" influenced generations of R&B performers before his death in 1982…

 

Alternative rock's spiritual voice Scott Stapp was born today in 1973, the Creed frontman whose powerful vocals and introspective lyrics helped the band become one of the late 1990s' biggest rock acts…

 

Multi-talented performer Keith Carradine was born on this day in 1949, the actor-singer-songwriter who won an Oscar for "I'm Easy" while proving that artistic versatility runs in the Carradine family…

 

Jump blues pioneer Jimmy Witherspoon was born today in 1920, the smooth vocalist who bridged jazz and R&B with his sophisticated style before his death in 1997…

 

Jazz lost a joyful voice today in 1975 when bebop saxophonist Cannonball Adderley died at 46, silencing the musician whose "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" brought jazz-funk to mainstream audiences…

 

Jazz royalty was born on this day in 1907 when Benny Carter entered the world, the multi-instrumentalist composer and arranger whose eight-decade career helped shape the sound of American jazz before his death in 2003…

 

Politics intersected with rock culture today in 1974 when President Richard Nixon resigned, ending the Watergate era that had inspired countless protest songs and counterculture anthems.