October 25

 

The Grateful Dead lost their melodic foundation on this day in 2024 when bassist Phil Lesh passed away at 84, ending the life of the classically trained musician whose innovative bass lines and vocals helped define the band's improvisational sound across six decades of psychedelic exploration…

 

Progressive rock's angelic voice Jon Anderson was born today in 1944, the Yes frontman whose soaring tenor and mystical lyrics on epics like "Roundabout" and "Close to the Edge" helped establish the genre's otherworldly ambitions and spiritual seeking…

 

Rock's most powerful timekeeper Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers celebrates his 64th birthday today, the Michigan drummer whose thunderous grooves and remarkable resemblance to Will Ferrell have made him both a musical force and pop culture curiosity…

 

The music world lost its greatest promoter today in 1991 when Bill Graham died in a helicopter crash at 60, ending the life of the visionary who built the Fillmore empire and brought rock concerts from clubs to stadiums while maintaining artistic integrity…

 

Hard rock mourned one of its pioneers today in 2014 when Jack Bruce died of liver disease at 71, silencing Cream's powerhouse bassist and vocalist whose blues-infused playing and explosive chemistry with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker created power trio perfection…

 

Country music lost its most clever wordsmith today in 1992 when Roger Miller died of lung and throat cancer in Los Angeles at 56, taking with him the songwriter behind "King of the Road" whose wit and melody mastery influenced generations of Nashville writers…

 

Pop's candy-colored provocateur Katy Perry celebrates her 41st birthday today, the California singer whose massive hits like "I Kissed a Girl" and "Firework" made her one of the 2010s' biggest commercial forces with her mix of empowerment and spectacle…

 

Psychedelic guitar reached its sonic peak today in 1968 with the release of The Jimi Hendrix Experience's 'Electric Ladyland,' the ambitious double album featuring "Voodoo Child" and "All Along the Watchtower" that showcased Hendrix's studio mastery at its experimental zenith…

 

Reggae's revolutionary message grew stronger today in 1974 with the release of Bob Marley and the Wailers' 'Natty Dread,' the album featuring "No Woman, No Cry" and "Lively Up Yourself" that marked the band's first album without original Wailers Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer.