May 17

Chris Cornell passed away on this night in 2017 after a show in Detroit MI, an apparent suicide

 

On this day in 1963, the first Monterey Folk Festival began in Monterey, California.

 

Today in 1996, Johnny Guitar Watson died of a heart attack while on tour in Yokohama, Japan

 

On this day in 2012, Donna Summer, known as the Queen of Disco, died of lung cancer

 

Born on this day in 1942, Henry Saint Clair Fredericks  a.k.a Taj Mahal

 

Bill Bruford (King Crimson) was born on this date in 1948

 

Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) is 56 today

 

Musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario Lawrence Welk died on this day in 1992

 

May 16

On this day in 2010, Ronnie James Dio, died after a six-month battle with stomach cancer

 

Billy Cobham is 77 years young today

 

 Robert Fripp is celebrating his 75^th birthday today

 

Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) is 56 today

 

Remembering Darrell Sweet (Nazareth) born on this day in 1947

 

Janet Jackson is 55 today

 

Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt died on this day in 1953

 

Jonathan Richman (The Modern Lovers) is 70 today

 

The Beach Boys ‘Pet Sounds’ was released on this day in 1966

 

Rock's first double album, Dylan’s ‘Blonde on Blonde’ was released today in 1966

 

May 15

Today in 2003, June Carter Cash, the second wife of Johnny Cash died in Nashville, Tennessee

 

Brian Eno was born on this day in 1948

 

Mike Oldfield is 68 today

 

A little known member of “the 27 club” Gary Thain (Uriah Heep) was born on this day in 1948

 

Today in 2002, the Wu-Tang Name Generator goes online. The app turns your real name into one suited for the rap collective. Donald Glover uses it and Childish Gambino is born

 

On this day in 1975, Fleetwood Mac played their first concert with new members Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks at a show in El Paso, Texas

May 14

On this day in 1998, Frank Sinatra died at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles at age 82

 

The King of the Blues, B.B. King died on this day in 2015 at the age of 89

 

The late Jack Bruce was born on this day in 1943

 

On this day in 1976, Keith Relf, vocalist and harmonica player for The Yardbirds, died from electrocution, in the basement of his home

 

David Byrne is 69 today

 

Today in 2011, Country music power couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert got married. Sadly, the marriage lasted only 4 years

 

Jazz great Sidney Bechet was born and died on this day (1897-1959)

 

Neil Young’s “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” was released today in 1969

 

May 13

Stevie Wonder is 71 today

 

Darius Rucker (Hootie & The Blowfish) is celebrating birthday number 55 today

 

Today in 1985, Bruce Springsteen married Julianne Phillips

 

German photographer and Beatles first photographer Astrid Kirchherr died on this day in 2020

 

The late Ritchie Valens was born on this day in 1941

 

Danny Kirwan, (Fleetwood Mac) was born on this day in 1950

 

Stax Records session bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn died on this day in 2012

 

“Me Myself I” by Joan Armatrading was released today in 1980

 

May 12

Today in 1971, Mick Jagger married Bianca Macias at St Tropez Town Hall

 

Burt Bacharach is 93 today

 

Today in 1959, singer Eddie Fisher married Elizabeth Taylor

 

The late singer, songwriter, poet, and actor, Ian Dury was born on this day in 1942

 

Legendary comedian George Carlin was born on this day in 1937

 

Steve Winwood is celebrating his 73^rd birthday today

 

Billy Squier is 71 today

 

The late Ian McLagan, (Small Faces) was born on this day in 1945

 

Today in 1967, 'Are You Experienced', the debut album by Jimi Hendrix was released; and rock music was never the same