January 30

 

Genesis's hit-making drummer Phil Collins celebrates his 75th birthday today, the singer whose solo career eclipsed his prog-rock origins when his blue-eyed soul balladry and '80s production made him one of the decade's most ubiquitous and divisive artists…

 

Rock's most enduring muse Marianne Faithfull passed away on this day in 2025 at 78, ending the life of the '60s pop star who became Mick Jagger's girlfriend at 19 before heroin addiction destroyed her career, only to return decades later with a gravelly voice that made her more compelling than ever…

 

Texas blues lost one of its greatest improvisers today in 1982 when Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins died of cancer at 70, ending the career of the guitarist whose thousands of recordings and ability to make up songs on the spot preserved rural blues traditions…

 

We remember Jefferson Airplane's founding voice Marty Balin on his birthday today in 1942, the singer-songwriter whose "Miracles" and "Volunteers" contributions were essential to San Francisco psychedelia before his death in 2018 from heart problems following botched surgery…

 

We honor British rock's most soulful shouter Steve Marriott on his birthday today in 1947, the Small Faces and Humble Pie frontman whose powerful vocals influenced everyone from Paul Weller to the Black Crowes before he died in a house fire in 1991…

 

Jazz trumpet's most exciting improviser Roy Eldridge was born today in 1911, the musician whose bridge between swing and bebop influenced Dizzy Gillespie and countless others before his death in 1989 ended six decades of blazing brass work…

 

New Orleans lost its piano professor on this day in 1980 when Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd, known as Professor Longhair, died at 61, ending the life of the rumba-boogie pioneer whose influence on Dr. John, Fats Domino, and Allen Toussaint made him the cornerstone of Crescent City funk…

 

The Beatles delivered their final public performance today in 1969 with an impromptu rooftop concert atop the Apple building on London's Savile Row, police eventually shutting down the legendary set that would provide the climax to their 'Let It Be' film.