May 30
Rage Against the Machine's most virtuosic guitarist Tom Morello was born on this day in 1964, the Harvard-educated musician whose innovative effects and social activism proved that progressive politics could coexist with stadium rock while his solo work and Audioslave years showcased his versatility beyond rage… Derek and the Dominoes lost its melodic foundation on this day in 1980 when Carl Radle died at 38 from kidney failure, ending the career of the bassist whose subtle playing had been essential to Eric Clapton's "Layla" while his death from heroin complications proved the drug's grip on 1970s rock… We remember swing music's greatest bandleader Benny Goodman on his birthday today in 1909, the "King of Swing" whose orchestra and clarinet virtuosity defined the big band era while his integration of Black musicians proved that racial barriers could be broken through talent and determination before his death in 1986… British rock l...
