December 31

 

Canadian rock's most soulful voice Burton Cummings celebrates his 77th birthday today, The Guess Who frontman whose powerful vocals on "American Woman" and "These Eyes" made him one of the most successful musicians to emerge from Winnipeg's rock scene…

 

The Police's atmospheric guitarist Andy Summers was born on this day in 1942, the British musician whose delay-drenched chords and jazz background provided the textural foundation that allowed Sting and Stewart Copeland's talents to shine in new wave's most sophisticated trio…

 

Soul royalty was lost today in 2015 when Natalie Cole died at 65, ending the life of Nat King Cole's daughter who had emerged from her father's shadow and addiction to achieve her own success before hepatitis C and subsequent health problems claimed her…

 

Disco's undisputed queen Donna Summer was born on this date in 1948, the Boston-born vocalist whose powerful voice on "I Feel Love" and "Last Dance" made her the genre's biggest star while Giorgio Moroder's production revolutionized dance music forever…

 

Rock and roll lost one of its pioneers today in 1985 when Ricky Nelson died at 45 when his chartered plane crashed in Texas, ending the life of the teen idol who had successfully transitioned to country-rock before his tragic death…

 

Heavy metal's most inspirational story began today in 1984 when Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in a Corvette crash, the accident that would have ended most careers but instead led to a custom drum kit allowing him to continue with the band…

 

We remember country-pop's most wholesome voice John Denver on his birthday today in 1943, born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., the singer whose "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and environmental activism made him beloved before his plane crash death in 1997…

 

Jazz history pivoted today in 1912 when 12-year-old Louis Armstrong was sent to the New Orleans Home for Colored Waifs after firing a gun in celebration, the reformatory where he learned to read music and play cornet, setting the foundation for his revolutionary career…

 

San Francisco's psychedelic palace closed forever on this date in 1978 when the Winterland Ballroom at 2101 Sutter Street shut down after a final concert featuring The Blues Brothers and The Grateful Dead, ending an era of Bill Graham's legendary rock presentations.