September 16

 

The undisputed King of the Blues B.B. King was born on this day in 1925, the Mississippi guitarist whose expressive vibrato and beloved guitar "Lucille" influenced every blues and rock musician who followed, earning him worldwide reverence before his death in 2015…

 

Glam rock's fairy tale ended tragically today in 1977 when 29-year-old Marc Bolan of T. Rex was killed instantly in a car accident in London, cutting short the career of the flamboyant performer who had helped create the glitter rock movement with hits like "Bang a Gong."…

 

Motown lost one of its most innovative minds on this day in 2008 when producer Norman Whitfield died at 68, taking with him the architect behind The Temptations' psychedelic soul period and classics like "Cloud Nine" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."…

 

Folk music's conscience fell silent today in 2009 when Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary passed away at 72 after battling leukemia, ending the life of the activist singer whose voice helped soundtrack the civil rights and anti-war movements…

 

Rock's most versatile sticksman Kenny Jones celebrates his 77th birthday today, the drummer who seamlessly transitioned from The Faces to The Who after Keith Moon's death, proving his adaptability across different musical styles…

 

Soft rock's romantic voice Richard Marx turns 62 today, the singer-songwriter whose ballads like "Right Here Waiting" and "Hazard" dominated adult contemporary radio in the late 1980s and early 1990s…

 

Art rock's cerebral revolution began today in 1977 with the release of Talking Heads' debut album 'Talking Heads: 77,' introducing David Byrne's neurotic observations and the band's minimalist funk that would evolve into new wave mastery.