October 27

 

Rock's most uncompromising artist Lou Reed died of liver disease on this day in 2013 at 71, ending the life of the Velvet Underground founder whose dark explorations of New York's underbelly and willingness to challenge audiences made him one of music's most influential and difficult voices…

 

Studio legend Tom Dowd died of emphysema today in 2002 at 77, taking with him the pioneering engineer and producer whose work at Atlantic Records helped shape the sound of soul, rock, and jazz while advancing recording technology itself…

 

Pop culture's oddest couple began today in 1964 when 31-year-old Salvatore Philip "Sonny" Bono married 18-year-old Cherilyn Sarkisian, launching the partnership that would produce "I Got You Babe" and a variety show before ending in divorce and separate political careers…

 

Blues suffered a near-fatal blow on this day in 1969 when Muddy Waters was seriously injured in a car crash in Champaign, Illinois that killed three people, sidelining the Chicago blues master for months while he recovered from multiple injuries…

 

Rock met cinema today in 1988 when U2's concert documentary "Rattle and Hum" received its worldwide premiere in Dublin, capturing the Irish band at the peak of their 1980s power while dividing critics over its earnest Americana explorations…

 

The E Street Band's quiet anchor Garry Tallent celebrates his 76th birthday today, the bassist whose melodic playing and solid foundation have supported Bruce Springsteen's musical visions for over five decades without seeking the spotlight…

 

New Romantic royalty Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran turns 67 today, the Birmingham frontman whose photogenic looks and smooth vocals helped make the band MTV darlings and teen idols while maintaining credibility as innovative pop craftsmen…

 

We remember Stone Temple Pilots' troubled voice Scott Weiland on his birthday today in 1967, the charismatic singer whose powerful performances helped define 1990s alternative rock before his struggles with addiction led to his overdose death in 2015…

 

Punk rock's most confrontational statement exploded today in 1977 with the release of The Sex Pistols' 'Never Mind the Bollocks,' the album featuring "God Save the Queen" and "Anarchy in the U.K." that remains the genre's defining middle finger to polite society…

 

Prince's futuristic party manifesto arrived today in 1982 with the release of '1999,' the double album featuring the apocalyptic title track and "Little Red Corvette" that established him as pop's most innovative and sexually provocative artist.