December 24

 

We remember rock and roll's loudest outlaw Lemmy Kilmister on his birthday today in 1945, the Motörhead founder whose thunderous bass, gravelly voice, and lifestyle of whiskey, cigarettes, and amphetamines made him heavy metal's most beloved and uncompromising figure until his death in 2015…

 

Progressive rock's most virtuosic guitarist Jan Akkerman was born on this day in 1946, the Dutch musician whose work with Focus on instrumentals like "Hocus Pocus" showcased technical brilliance that rivaled any British prog guitarist while maintaining a distinctly European sensibility…

 

Frank Zappa's original Mothers of Invention lost their founding vocalist today in 2012 when Ray Collins died at 76, ending the life of the doo-wop-influenced singer whose theatrical performances helped establish the band's satirical edge before personality conflicts with Zappa led to his departure…

 

New Orleans R&B found one of its most joyful voices when Lee Dorsey was born on this day in 1924, the singer whose Allen Toussaint-produced hits like "Working in the Coal Mine" and "Ya Ya" captured the Crescent City's funky spirit before his death in 1986…

 

Latin pop's crossover king Ricky Martin celebrates his 54th birthday today, the Puerto Rican singer whose "Livin' la Vida Loca" helped launch the late-1990s Latin explosion while his coming out in 2010 made him an LGBTQ icon.