October 5

 

The Space Cowboy Steve Miller was born on this day in 1943, the blues-rock guitarist whose arena anthems like "The Joker," "Fly Like an Eagle," and "Abracadabra" made him one of the 1970s' most commercially successful artists with his blend of psychedelia and pop…

 

Technology and music lost a revolutionary visionary on this day in 2011 when Apple founder Steve Jobs passed away at 56 after battling pancreatic cancer, ending the life of the man who transformed how the world purchased and consumed music through iTunes and the iPod…

 

Motown's smoothest tenor fell silent today in 1992 when Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations died at 52 from lung cancer, taking with him the distinctive falsetto voice that graced classics like "Just My Imagination" and "The Way You Do the Things You Do."…

 

AC/DC found their thunder today in 1947 with the birth of Brian Johnson, the Newcastle screamer who stepped into the impossible task of replacing Bon Scott and helped the band create their biggest album "Back in Black" while establishing his own legendary status…

 

Activist rocker Bob Geldof was born today in 1951, the Boomtown Rats frontman who organized Live Aid and became as famous for his humanitarian work fighting African famine as for his music and turbulent personal life…

 

Hip-hop's most controversial marriage ended today in 2001 when rapper Eminem's divorce from Kim Scott became official after months of public battles over child support, closing another volatile chapter in the rapper's tumultuous personal life…

 

Led Zeppelin explored their acoustic side today in 1970 with the release of 'Led Zeppelin III,' the album featuring "Immigrant Song" and folk-influenced tracks that showed the metal giants' versatility and depth beyond their heavy reputation…

 

Elton John reached his theatrical peak today in 1973 with the release of the double album 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,' the sprawling masterpiece featuring the title track, "Bennie and the Jets," and "Candle in the Wind" that remains his greatest artistic achievement…

 

The Police proved their staying power today in 1979 with the release of 'Reggatta de Blanc,' their second album featuring "Message in a Bottle" and "Walking on the Moon" that confirmed Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers as new wave's most sophisticated trio…

 

 

R.E.M. delivered their most emotionally resonant statement today in 1992 with 'Automatic for the People,' the melancholic masterpiece featuring "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon" that proved alternative rock could handle life's heaviest themes with grace and beauty.