September 6

 

Pink Floyd's conceptual mastermind Roger Waters celebrates his 82nd birthday today, the bassist and primary lyricist whose dark visions and theatrical concepts drove albums like "The Wall" and "Dark Side of the Moon" before his acrimonious split from the band…

 

Rock lost one of its greatest session players today in 1994 when pianist Nicky Hopkins died at 50, silencing the keyboards behind countless classics by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who, and Led Zeppelin who never received the fame his talent deserved…

 

Guitar's greatest voice fell silent after this day in 1970 when Jimi Hendrix delivered his final live performance at the Isle of Fehmarn in Germany, just weeks before his tragic death would end the most revolutionary guitar career in rock history…

 

We remember The Cranberries' ethereal voice Dolores O'Riordan on her birthday today in 1971, the Irish singer whose distinctive vocals and politically charged lyrics on songs like "Linger" and "Zombie" made her an international icon before her death in 2018…

 

Creedence Clearwater Revival lost a founding member today in 1990 when Tom Fogerty died of AIDS at 48, contracted through blood transfusions for back problems, ending the life of the rhythm guitarist overshadowed by his famous brother John…

 

Jazz's legendary founding father Buddy Bolden was born on this day in 1877, the New Orleans cornet player whose powerful sound and innovative style helped birth jazz music, though no recordings of his playing survive to document his influence…

 

Blues found its most laid-back master when Jimmy Reed was born on this day in 1925, the Mississippi guitarist whose simple but hypnotic style on hits like "Big Boss Man" influenced generations of rock musicians before his death in 1976.