July 7

 

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr celebrates his 85th birthday today. The Fab Four's backbeat and comedic personality made him beloved worldwide, from his solid timekeeping on classics like "Come Together" to his distinctive vocal turns on songs like "Yellow Submarine."…

 

Led Zeppelin's legendary career came to an end on this day in 1980 with their final performance at West Berlin's Eissporthalle. The band had no idea this would be their last show together, as John Bonham's death two months later would officially close the chapter on rock's mightiest quartet…

 

Pink Floyd lost their creative spark on this day in 2006 when founding member Syd Barrett died from diabetes complications at age 60. The psychedelic pioneer's brief but brilliant contributions to the band's early sound continued to influence musicians long after his retreat from public life…

 

The music industry reached a technological milestone on this day in 1989 when sales figures revealed compact discs had finally outsold vinyl albums for the first time. The digital revolution was officially underway, forever changing how people consumed music…

 

Folk legend Fred Neil passed away on this day in 2001. The reclusive singer-songwriter's compositions, including "Everybody's Talkin'" and "The Dolphins," showcased his deep, resonant voice and environmental consciousness that influenced the Greenwich Village folk scene…

 

Multi-talented performer Mary Ford was born on this day in 1928. As Les Paul's wife and musical partner, her clear vocals and innovative recording techniques helped create groundbreaking hits like "How High the Moon" that pushed the boundaries of popular music.