October 28

 

Contemporary blues' most soulful voice Ben Harper celebrates his 56th birthday today, the multi-instrumentalist whose acoustic guitar mastery and socially conscious lyrics have made him one of modern music's most respected artists while bridging blues, folk, and rock traditions…

 

Rock and roll's founding father Chuck Berry began his lifelong partnership today in 1948 when he married Themetta "Toddy" Suggs, the woman who would stand by him through six decades of fame, controversy, and legal troubles until his death in 2017…

 

Rock and roll witnessed a bittersweet milestone today in 1958 when Buddy Holly made his final major television appearance on ABC's American Bandstand, just months before the plane crash that would claim his life and inspire "American Pie."…

 

We remember country fiddle legend Charlie Daniels on his birthday today in 1936, the Tennessee musician whose "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" became one of country music's most enduring anthems before his death in 2020 ended six decades of Southern rock excellence…

 

British blues found one of its founding fathers when Graham Bond was born today in 1937, the organist and saxophonist whose rhythm and blues innovations influenced the entire 1960s British invasion before his tragic death under a London Underground train in 1974.