January 31

 

Buffalo Springfield lost their driving force today in 2009 when drummer Dewey Martin died at 68, ending the life of the timekeeper whose solid beats anchored the band's folk-rock innovations while he remained overshadowed by Neil Young and Stephen Stills' legendary songwriting…

 

We remember Chicago's guitar hero Terry Kath on his birthday today in 1946, the founding member whose scorching solos led Jimi Hendrix to call him better than himself before Kath's accidental shooting death in 1978 at 31 robbed rock of one of its most underrated players…

 

Progressive rock mourned a versatile bassist today in 2017 when John Wetton died from colon cancer at 67, ending the career of the musician whose work with King Crimson, Uriah Heep, and Asia showcased his ability to navigate both avant-garde complexity and radio-friendly pop…

 

Art-rock's most adventurous guitarist Phil Manzanera was born today in 1951, the Roxy Music member whose sonic textures and solo work proved that glam rock could embrace experimentation while his production work helped launch countless careers…

 

Punk's most notorious provocateur Johnny Rotten celebrates his 70th birthday today, born John Lydon, the Sex Pistols frontman whose sneer and anarchic spirit defined punk before Public Image Ltd. proved his artistic vision extended beyond three-chord rebellion…

 

Pop's most strategic entertainer Justin Timberlake turns 45 today, the former *NSYNC member whose solo career transformation from boy band pretty boy to sophisticated R&B artist made him one of the 2000s' most successful crossover stars…

 

Folk-rock's bearded revivalist Marcus Mumford celebrates his 39th birthday today, the Mumford & Sons frontman whose banjo-driven anthems brought Americana back to mainstream rock in the 2010s despite critics dismissing them as formulaic.