January 20

 

We remember folk blues' greatest voice Huddie William Ledbetter, known as Lead Belly, on his birthday today in 1888, the Louisiana guitarist whose massive song repertoire and twelve-string guitar mastery preserved African-American musical traditions before his death in 1949…

 

Blues lost its most ferocious voice today in 2011 when Etta James died from leukemia complications at 73, ending the life of the singer whose powerful delivery on "At Last" and raw emotional honesty made her one of music's most respected and influential vocalists…

 

Electronic music mourned a pioneer today in 2015 when Tangerine Dream's Edgar Froese died of a pulmonary embolism at 70, ending the career of the German synthesizer explorer whose ambient soundscapes influenced everyone from Kraftwerk to modern electronic artists…

 

Rock theater lost its most operatic voice on this day in 2022 when Meat Loaf died in Nashville at 74, ending the life of Marvin Lee Aday whose "Bat Out of Hell" collaborations with Jim Steinman created one of the best-selling albums ever despite critical dismissal…

 

Rock and roll lost one of its champions today in 1965 when disc jockey Alan Freed died from uremia at 42, the man who popularized the term "rock 'n' roll" destroyed by payola scandals and alcoholism that ended his career and life prematurely…

 

Hip-hop's most intellectual drummer Questlove was born today in 1971, The Roots' timekeeper whose work as bandleader on The Tonight Show and cultural commentator made him one of music's most respected and versatile artists…

 

Poco's steady heartbeat George Grantham was born today in 1947, the drummer-vocalist whose country-rock foundation helped establish the Southern California sound that influenced the Eagles and countless others…

 

Kiss's Starchild Paul Stanley celebrates his 74th birthday today, the guitarist-vocalist whose anthem-writing and showmanship made him equally important to the band's success as Gene Simmons while his work ethic kept them touring for five decades…

 

Heartbreak found its most personal expression today in 1975 with the release of Bob Dylan's 'Blood on the Tracks,' the album documenting his crumbling marriage that many consider his greatest work, proving that artistic triumph could emerge from personal devastation.