May 17

Industrial rock's darkest architect Trent Reznor celebrates his 61st birthday today, the Nine Inch Nails mastermind whose nihilistic soundscapes and film scoring proved that anger and depression could create both disturbing music and Oscar-winning compositions across four decades…

 

Grunge lost one of its greatest voices on this night in 2017 when Chris Cornell hanged himself after a Soundgarden show in Detroit, the 52-year-old's suicide shocking fans who didn't know his depression had returned, ending the career of rock's most powerful vocalist…

 

Folk history began today in 1963 when the first Monterey Folk Festival started in California, the event establishing the template for the counterculture festivals that would follow while showcasing Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Pete Seeger for audiences hungry for acoustic authenticity…

 

Blues lost its funkiest guitarist today in 1996 when Johnny Guitar Watson died at 61 from a heart attack while performing in Yokohama, Japan, ending the career of the musician whose "A Real Mother For Ya" influenced Frank Zappa despite his never achieving mainstream recognition…

 

Disco lost its undisputed queen on this day in 2012 when Donna Summer died at 63 from lung cancer, ending the career of the "Last Dance" singer whose Giorgio Moroder collaborations defined the genre while her born-again Christianity later made her regret those sexually liberated anthems…

 

Blues' most scholarly voice Taj Mahal was born on this day in 1942, born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, the musician whose devotion to traditional forms and world music influences proved that authenticity could sustain a six-decade career without commercial compromise…

 

Progressive rock's most precise drummer Bill Bruford was born on this date in 1948, the Yes and King Crimson timekeeper whose jazzy approach and electronic percussion pioneered new rhythmic possibilities while his retirement to academia proved drummers could be intellectuals…

 

Easy listening lost its champagne king on this day in 1992 when Lawrence Welk died at 89, ending the career of the accordion-playing bandleader whose "Champagne Music" and wholesome TV show represented everything rock and roll rebelled against across five decades of square entertainment.