October 15

 

Vegetarianism got its coolest endorsement today in 1995 when Paul and Linda McCartney appeared on The Simpsons, helping Lisa Simpson embrace plant-based living in one of television's most memorable celebrity cameos that spread their animal rights message to millions…

 

Rock's most notorious outlaw Keith Richards was banned from France for two years today in 1973 after being found guilty of cannabis use and trafficking, adding another chapter to the Rolling Stones guitarist's legendary run-ins with international drug laws…

 

Provocation reached new heights on this night in 1992 when Madonna held a "Sex" party to promote her upcoming coffee table book of the same name, pushing boundaries of taste and celebrity exhibitionism while dominating tabloid headlines worldwide…

 

Progressive rock lost a founding voice on this day in 2020 when King Crimson's Gordon Haskell died at 74, ending the life of the bassist-vocalist who contributed to the band's early experimentations before pursuing a solo career and late-life comeback…

 

American songwriting's most sophisticated voice was silenced today in 1964 when Cole Porter died at 72 from kidney failure, ending the career of the composer whose elegant lyrics and melodies on songs like "Night and Day" defined Broadway's golden age…

 

Dark humor met musical genius today in 1991 with the release of Warren Zevon's 'Mr. Bad Example,' the album showcasing the sardonic songwriter's ability to find comedy in life's grimmer moments with his trademark literary wit and rock arrangements.