July 3

 

The Doors' enigmatic frontman Jim Morrison was discovered dead in his Paris apartment bathtub on this date in 1971 at age 27. The Lizard King's death remains shrouded in mystery, with no autopsy performed and conflicting accounts of his final hours…

 

Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones met a tragic end on this day in 1969, drowning in his swimming pool at age 27 while impaired by drugs and alcohol. The multi-instrumentalist had been dismissed from the band just weeks earlier due to his escalating substance abuse…

 

Delta blues legend Mississippi Fred McDowell succumbed to cancer on this day in 1972 at age 68. The slide guitar master's raw, authentic style influenced generations of blues and rock musicians, from Muddy Waters to the Rolling Stones…

 

Musical innovation lost a pioneer on this day in 1973 when Laurens Hammond died at age 73. His invention of the Hammond organ revolutionized popular music, becoming essential to jazz, gospel, rock, and countless other genres…

 

Little Feat guitarist Paul Barrere was born on this day in 1948. His melodic playing and songwriting contributions helped define the band's unique blend of rock, blues, and New Orleans funk throughout their acclaimed career…

 

Studio guitar legend Tommy Tedesco entered the world on this date in 1930. Guitar Player magazine hailed him as history's most recorded guitarist, his session work appearing on thousands of hit records from the Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra.