July 18

 

The avant-garde world lost a haunting voice on this day in 1988 when Nico died after suffering a heart attack while vacationing with her son in Ibiza, Spain, ending the life of the Velvet Underground collaborator and solo artist…

 

Rock and roll mystery deepened today in 1966 when Bobby Fuller, leader of The Bobby Fuller Four, was found dead in his car in Los Angeles at just 22, with circumstances surrounding his death remaining controversial to this day…

 

Pop royalty united on this day in 1992 when Bobby Brown married Whitney Houston at her New Jersey estate, creating one of music's most talked-about and ultimately tragic couples…

 

We remember the wild man of rock and roll on his birthday today in 1929 - Screamin' Jay Hawkins was born, the theatrical performer who would terrify and delight audiences with "I Put a Spell on You" until his death in 2000…

 

Motown's powerhouse Martha Reeves was born today in 1941, the lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas who delivered classics like "Heat Wave" and "Dancing in the Street."…

 

Business mogul and space pioneer Richard Branson celebrates his 75th birthday today, the Virgin Records founder who helped launch countless musical careers before expanding into airlines and space tourism…

 

Rock's versatile timekeeper Jack Irons was born today in 1962, the drummer who helped found both the Red Hot Chili Peppers and later joined Pearl Jam, bridging two of alternative rock's most important bands.