November 7

 

Folk music's most poetic voice Joni Mitchell was born today in 1943, the Canadian singer-songwriter whose confessional lyrics and jazz-influenced compositions on albums like 'Blue' and 'Court and Spark' established her as one of popular music's most sophisticated and influential artists…

 

The world lost one of its greatest poets today in 2016 when Leonard Cohen died at 82, ending the life of the Montreal songwriter whose deep voice and spiritual explorations on songs like "Hallelujah" and "Suzanne" made him beloved across generations…

 

Hollywood glamour met crooner royalty today in 1951 when Frank Sinatra married actress Ava Gardner in his second marriage, beginning a passionate and tumultuous union between two of entertainment's biggest stars that would end in divorce six years later…

 

Pop history's most successful partnership officially began on this day in 1967 when Reg Dwight (soon to be Elton John) and lyricist Bernie Taupin signed to DJM publishing, launching the collaboration that would produce decades of classic songs and make both men legends…

 

Louisiana rock's smoothest voice Johnny Rivers celebrates his 83rd birthday today, the singer whose covers of "Memphis" and "Secret Agent Man" plus his own "Poor Side of Town" made him one of the 1960s' most consistent hitmakers…

 

Pop's most powerful voice faced career crisis today in 2011 when 23-year-old Adele underwent laser surgery on her vocal cords at a Boston hospital, threatening the instrument that had made her an international star but ultimately recovering to continue dominating charts…

 

New Orleans' trumpet king Al Hirt was born on this day in 1922, the virtuoso whose classical training and Dixieland jazz mastery made him a household name in the 1960s with his infectious "Java" before his death in 1999…

 

Rock met politics on this date in 2006 when Orleans lead singer John Hall was elected to the US House of Representatives from New York, proving that the man who wrote "Dance with Me" could transition from touring musician to congressman.