September 4

 

Pop royalty was born today in 1981 when Beyoncé Knowles entered the world in Houston, destined to become one of the most powerful voices in music history through Destiny's Child and her solo career that redefined what it means to be a global superstar…

 

Counterculture cinema roared into London today in 1969 when 'Easy Rider' starring Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper opened at The Classic, bringing the film's rebellious spirit and Steppenwolf soundtrack to British audiences hungry for American rebellion…

 

Peace and charity intersected with entertainment today in 1972 when John Lennon and Yoko Ono made a surprise appearance on Jerry Lewis' Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, proving that even the most avant-garde artists could support mainstream charitable causes…

 

Grunge's guitar architect Kim Thayil was born today in 1960, the Soundgarden axeman whose heavy riffs and alternative tunings helped define Seattle's sound and influence a generation of heavy music that followed…

 

Synth-pop lost a dreamy voice today in 2023 when Gary Wright died at 80, ending the life of the keyboardist whose ethereal "Dream Weaver" became a staple of 1970s radio and influenced countless electronic musicians…

 

The Pretenders' rhythmic powerhouse Martin Chambers was born today in 1951, the drummer whose solid backbeat helped anchor Chrissie Hynde's punk-influenced rock and kept the band driving through decades of lineup changes…

 

Boogie-woogie piano royalty was born on this date in 1905 when Meade Lux Lewis entered the world, the virtuoso whose lightning-fast left hand and classics like "Honky Tonk Train Blues" helped establish piano as a lead instrument in popular music before his death in 1964.