September 23

 

The Boss reaches another milestone as Bruce Springsteen celebrates his 76th birthday today, the New Jersey rocker whose working-class anthems and marathon concerts have made him one of America's most enduring and respected musical voices across six decades…

 

Jazz's most spiritual explorer John Coltrane was born on this day in 1926, the tenor saxophonist whose relentless pursuit of musical transcendence through albums like "A Love Supreme" revolutionized jazz and influenced musicians across all genres before his death at 40…

 

Soul music's founding father Ray Charles was born on this day in 1930, the blind pianist whose fusion of gospel, blues, and pop created the template for soul music and earned him the title "The Genius" for his groundbreaking innovations…

 

The Grateful Dead lost their poetic soul today in 2019 when lyricist Robert Hunter died at his San Rafael, California home at 78, ending the creative partnership with Jerry Garcia that produced some of rock's most enduring and mystical songs…

 

Sugarloaf's keyboard wizard Jerry Corbetta was born on this day in 1947, the musician whose Hammond organ drove the band's hit "Green-Eyed Lady" and helped define early 1970s album-oriented rock before his death in 2016…

 

Reggae's prophet Bob Marley delivered his final message today in 1980 when he played his last concert in Pittsburgh while battling the cancer that would claim his life just months later, ending his mission to spread Rastafarian consciousness worldwide…

 

Session piano royalty Don Grolnick was born on this day in 1947, the versatile keyboardist whose work with artists from James Taylor to Steely Dan made him one of New York's most in-demand studio musicians before his death in 1996…

 

We remember guitar's most tortured genius Roy Buchanan on his birthday today in 1939, the master whose incredible technique and emotional intensity influenced legends like Jeff Beck and Robbie Krieger before his tragic death in 1988…

 

Jazz piano's funky innovator Les McCann was born on this date in 1935, the musician whose soul-jazz explorations and hit "Compared to What" helped bridge jazz and popular music before his death in 2023…

 

Blues tradition lost a keeper on this day in 1995 when Lawrence "Booker T." Laury died of cancer at 81, taking with him the Memphis pianist who had preserved the city's musical heritage through decades of performance and teaching…

 

Jazz-rock perfection was achieved today in 1977 with the release of Steely Dan's 'Aja,' the meticulously crafted album featuring the title track and "Peg" that represents the pinnacle of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker's sophisticated pop artistry…

 

New wave conquered the world today in 1978 with the release of Blondie's 'Parallel Lines,' the album containing "Heart of Glass" and "One Way or Another" that transformed Debbie Harry and company from CBGB regulars into international superstars.