February 13

Art-rock's most theatrical visionary Peter Gabriel was born on this day in 1950, the Genesis frontman whose solo career proved his face-painted prog persona could evolve into world music exploration and politically conscious pop that made "Sledgehammer" one of MTV's defining videos…

 

Music publishing history was made on this day in 1914 when ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) was formed in New York City, the licensing organization that would ensure songwriters received royalties and protect their intellectual property for the next century…

 

Country lost one of its greatest outlaws today in 2002 when Waylon Jennings died in his sleep at 64 after battling diabetes, ending the life of the Texas singer whose partnership with Willie Nelson and rejection of Nashville's polished sound defined the outlaw movement…

 

We remember The Monkees' genuine musician Peter Tork on his birthday today in 1942, the bassist-keyboardist who resented being part of a manufactured TV band despite his musical abilities, leaving after two albums before his death in 2019 from adenoid cystic carcinoma…

 

Rock production's golden ears Bill Szymczyk was born today in 1943, the engineer-producer whose work on the Eagles' 'Hotel California' and Joe Walsh's solo albums proved that technical precision could enhance rather than diminish rock and roll's raw power…

 

Soul met sports in unforgettable fashion today in 1983 when Marvin Gaye performed a sexually charged, improvisational national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, his sensual take on "The Star-Spangled Banner" dividing audiences but creating an iconic moment.