January 7

 

Rock journalism's most powerful figure Jann Wenner was born on this day in 1946, the Rolling Stone magazine founder whose publication defined music criticism and counterculture coverage for over five decades while his editorial decisions shaped which artists received canonical status…

 

Soft rock's smoothest voice Kenny Loggins celebrates his 78th birthday today, the singer-songwriter whose solo hits like "Footloose" and "Danger Zone" plus his partnership with Jim Messina made him one of the most commercially successful artists spanning yacht rock to movie soundtracks…

 

Progressive rock lost one of its greatest technicians on this day in 2020 when Rush drummer Neil Peart died at 67 from glioblastoma, ending the life of the lyricist-percussionist whose complex compositions and Ayn Rand-influenced words made him rock's most intellectual timekeeper…

 

Folk music mourned one of its most principled voices on this day in 2025 when Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary passed away at 86, ending the life of the activist musician whose harmonies and "Puff the Magic Dragon" brought folk to mainstream America…

 

We remember garage rock pioneer Paul Revere on his birthday today in 1938, born Paul Revere Dick, the keyboardist whose Revolutionary War costume and band the Raiders brought "Kicks" and Pacific Northwest rock to national audiences before his death in 2014…

 

Jazz lost a versatile session drummer today in 2004 when John Guerin died of pneumonia at 64, ending the career of the timekeeper whose work with Joni Mitchell, Frank Sinatra, and countless others made him one of Los Angeles' most in-demand studio musicians…

 

Country music broke its color barrier today in 1967 when Charlie Pride became the first African-American solo singer to perform at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, the groundbreaking appearance beginning his journey to becoming one of country's biggest stars…

 

Classical music integrated today in 1955 when Marian Anderson became the first African-American singer to appear at the Metropolitan Opera, the contralto's historic performance breaking down racial barriers in opera's most prestigious American venue.