November 18

 

AC/DC lost its rhythmic foundation today in 2017 when Malcolm Young died at his Sydney home at 64 after battling dementia, ending the life of the co-founder and rhythm guitarist whose relentless power chords were the true engine behind the Australian band's thunderous rock…

 

Rock tragedy struck twice today in 1972 when Neil Young fired Danny Whitten from Crazy Horse due to his heroin addiction, and the guitarist died of an overdose that very night, haunting Young and inspiring the anguished "Tonight's the Night" album…

 

Grunge's most haunting document was captured on this day in 1993 when Nirvana recorded their MTV Unplugged special at Sony Studios in New York, the stripped-down performance that would become Kurt Cobain's artistic swan song after his suicide just five months later…

 

Pub-rock's most passionate voice Graham Parker was born today in 1950, the British singer-songwriter whose angry energy and R&B-influenced sound with the Rumour made him one of new wave's most underrated artists despite influencing countless musicians…

 

Blues lost a pioneer today in 1971 when Junior Parker died during brain tumor surgery at just 39, silencing the harmonica player and vocalist whose "Mystery Train" influenced Elvis Presley and whose smooth style helped bridge blues and soul…

 

Jazz lost one of its greatest entertainers today in 1994 when Cab Calloway died in Delaware at 86 from complications of a stroke, ending the life of the hi-de-ho man whose "Minnie the Mopcher" and Cotton Club performances made him a beloved icon…

 

Free jazz found one of its most adventurous spirits when trumpeter Don Cherry was born today in 1936 in Oklahoma, the Ornette Coleman collaborator whose world music explorations helped expand jazz's boundaries before his death in 1995…

 

Rock reinvention reached its peak today in 1991 with the release of U2's 'Achtung Baby,' the album featuring "One" and "Mysterious Ways" that proved the earnest Irish band could embrace irony, dance music, and European decadence while maintaining their emotional core.