May 24

American music's greatest poet Bob Dylan celebrates his 85th birthday today, the Minnesota-born troubadour whose journey from folk purist to electric prophet revolutionized songwriting while his Nobel Prize proved that rock lyrics could be literature across seven decades of restless reinvention…

 

Jazz lost its greatest composer today in 1974 when Duke Ellington died at 75 from lung cancer and pneumonia, ending the career of the bandleader whose sophisticated orchestrations elevated jazz to high art while his Cotton Club residency and 50-year output created an unmatched legacy…

 

Blues lost its most influential slide guitarist on this day in 1963 when Elmore James died at 45 from a heart attack, ending the career of the Mississippi musician whose "Dust My Broom" lick influenced every rock guitarist while his three heart attacks proved the blues life was literally killing him…

 

Rock and roll lost its fiercest survivor today in 2023 when Tina Turner died at 83 at her Swiss home, ending the life of the Queen of Rock who had escaped Ike's abuse to become a solo superstar proving that women over 40 could still dominate while her Buddhist faith brought peace…

 

Session guitar's most essential architect Waddy Wachtel was born today in 1947, the Los Angeles sideman whose work with Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, and countless others made him rock's most recorded guitarist while his Everly Brothers revival proved his versatility across five decades…

 

The Byrds mourned their greatest songwriter today in 1991 when Gene Clark died at 49 from a heart attack, ending the career of the co-founder whose "Eight Miles High" co-write and solo albums showcased brilliant talent destroyed by stage fright, alcoholism, and commercial indifference…

 

Southern rock's most authentic guitarist Rich Robinson was born on this day in 1969, the Black Crowes co-founder whose bluesy riffs with brother Chris proved that 1990s rock could honor the Faces and Stones while their sibling rivalry eventually destroyed the band multiple times.