September 2

 

Rock history found its permanent home today in 1995 when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland with an all-star opening ceremony, finally giving the genre's greatest artists a shrine worthy of their cultural impact and influence…

 

The quiet Beatle found lasting love today in 1978 when George Harrison married Olivia Trinidad Arias at Henley-on-Thames register office, beginning the partnership that would sustain him through his post-Beatles career and personal challenges until his death…

 

Rock's wildest prince crossed a dangerous line today in 1989 when Ozzy Osbourne was charged with threatening to kill his wife Sharon, though the case was later dropped as the couple worked through their turbulent but enduring relationship…

 

Television witnessed an unscripted moment of truth today in 2005 when Kanye West declared "George Bush doesn't care about black people" during a Hurricane Katrina benefit concert, creating one of live TV's most controversial and memorable moments…

 

We remember the "Fifth Beatle" Billy Preston on his birthday today in 1946, the keyboardist whose gospel-influenced playing graced Beatles recordings and whose solo hits like "Will It Go Round in Circles" made him a star in his own right before his death in 2006…

 

Jazz piano's funkiest voice Horace Silver was born on this day in 1928, the composer and bandleader whose hard bop compositions like "Song for My Father" and "The Preacher" influenced generations of musicians before his death in 2014…

 

10,000 Maniacs' rhythmic backbone Jerry Augustyniak was born on this day in 1958, the drummer whose steady beats and occasional backing vocals helped anchor Natalie Merchant's folk-rock visions throughout the band's most successful period.