August 31

 

Celtic soul master Van Morrison celebrates his 80th birthday today, the Northern Irish singer-songwriter whose mystical voice and spiritual explorations on classics like "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Moondance" have made him one of music's most enduring and transcendent artists…

 

Squeeze's melodic mastermind Glenn Tilbrook marks his 68th birthday today, the guitarist and primary songwriter whose clever pop compositions and distinctive vocals helped create new wave gems like "Tempted" and "Black Coffee in Bed."…

 

Rock's most charitable couple made it official today in 1986 when Bob Geldof married Paula Yates in Las Vegas after 10 years together, uniting the Live Aid organizer with the television presenter in a union that would become one of Britain's most watched celebrity relationships…

 

We remember "The Texas Twister" Wilton Felder on his birthday today in 1940, The Crusaders' powerhouse saxophonist whose smooth jazz-funk innovations helped define the genre and influenced countless musicians before his death in 2015…

 

Tragedy began its slow approach today in 1980 when Karen Carpenter married real estate developer Thomas Burris, a union that would add to the personal struggles of the Carpenters' beloved vocalist during her battle with anorexia…

 

We honor the memory of Bob Welch on his birthday today in 1945, the guitarist and vocalist who bridged Fleetwood Mac's blues era with their pop success before launching a solo career that produced hits like "Ebony Eyes" and "Sentimental Lady" prior to his death in 2012.