October 14

 

Rock and roll's most enduring marriage began today in 1964 when Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts married Shirley Ann Shepherd, beginning a love story that would last until Charlie's death in 2021, proving that stability could exist even in rock's wildest band…

 

Classical music and Broadway lost their greatest champion today in 1990 when Leonard Bernstein died of pneumonia at 72, ending the life of the conductor-composer whose "West Side Story" brought symphonic sophistication to musical theater while his passion educated generations…

 

Tex-Mex lost its swamp pop king today in 2006 when Freddy Fender died of lung cancer complications at 69, silencing the bilingual singer whose crossover hits like "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" bridged cultures and genres…

 

The Moody Blues' romantic voice Justin Hayward celebrates his 79th birthday today, the guitarist-vocalist whose ethereal compositions like "Nights in White Satin" and "Tuesday Afternoon" helped define progressive rock's more accessible, poetic side…

 

New wave's mad scientist Thomas Dolby was born on this day in 1958, the British keyboardist-producer whose synth-pop hit "She Blinded Me with Science" and innovative production work for artists like Foreigner made him the 1980s' most quirky tech wizard…

 

Country rebellion's fearless voice Natalie Maines of The Chicks turns 51 today, the lead singer whose criticism of President Bush during the Iraq War sparked massive controversy and proved that the band valued principles over commercial success…

 

America's crooner Bing Crosby died of a heart attack on this day in 1977 at 74, ending the life of the velvet-voiced singer whose "White Christmas" remains the best-selling single of all time and whose casual style revolutionized popular singing.