July 16

 

The Police's rhythmic mastermind Stewart Copeland celebrates his 73rd birthday today, the innovative drummer born in 1952 whose complex beats helped define the band's unique sound…

 

Folk music lost a storytelling giant on this day in 1981 when Harry Chapin was killed in a car accident at just 38 while driving on the Long Island Expressway, silencing the voice behind "Cat's in the Cradle."…

 

The blues world mourned today in 2014 when albino guitar virtuoso Johnny Winter died at 70 in Zurich, ending the career of one of rock's most distinctive and powerful performers…

 

Rock history was made on this day in 1966 when three legendary musicians - Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Eric Clapton  joined forces to form Cream, creating one of the first supergroups…

 

Deep Purple's keyboard wizard Jon Lord passed away today in 2012 at age 71, taking with him the classical-influenced organ sound that helped define heavy metal's early years…

 

Music commerce took a major step forward on this day in 1900 when the iconic "His Master's Voice" logo was registered with the US Patent Office, becoming one of the most recognizable symbols in recording history…

 

Country music's trailblazing "Queen of Country Music" Kitty Wells died today in 2012 at 92 from stroke complications, ending the life of the woman who broke barriers for female country artists.