October 12

 

Folk music lost one of its most beloved voices on this date in 1997 when John Denver was killed at 53 when the experimental airplane he was piloting ran out of gas and crashed into Monterey Bay, ending the life of the singer whose Rocky Mountain anthems celebrated nature's beauty…

 

Rock and roll's wildest cat Gene Vincent died today in 1971 at just 36 from a perforated ulcer, ending the troubled life of the leather-clad rebel whose "Be-Bop-A-Lula" helped establish rockabilly's dangerous image despite never achieving Elvis-level fame…

 

Punk's darkest tragedy began unfolding today in 1978 when Sid Vicious informed police that his girlfriend Nancy Spungen had been stabbed to death in their Chelsea Hotel room, leading to his arrest and murder charge before his own overdose death ended the sordid story…

 

Rock and roll lost its architect today in 1957 when Little Richard publicly renounced the music and embraced God after a terrifying plane ride, abandoning his pompadour and makeup for the ministry - though five years later the devil's music would reclaim him…

 

We remember soul's most explosive voice Sam Moore on his birthday today in 1935, the Sam & Dave frontman whose electrifying performances and gospel-powered vocals on "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'" defined Southern soul's golden era…

 

Country's rebel spirit Martie Maguire of The Chicks celebrates her 56th birthday today, the multi-instrumentalist whose fiddle and backing vocals helped make the trio the most successful female group in country history while courageously facing political backlash…

 

Fleetwood Mac's most ambitious experiment arrived today in 1979 with the release of 'Tusk,' the expensive double album featuring the USC Marching Band that proved the band's creative restlessness even as it confused fans expecting another 'Rumours.'