December 1

 

Entertainment's Divine Miss M, Bette Midler, celebrates her 79th birthday today, the brassy performer whose career spanning Broadway, film, and music has made her one of show business's most versatile talents from "The Rose" to her campy gay bathhouse beginnings…

 

The Doors' jazz-influenced timekeeper John Densmore turns 81 today, the drummer whose Latin rhythms and loose style gave the band its distinctive sound while his principled stand against licensing Doors music for commercials has protected their legacy…

 

Soft pop's most melancholic voice Gilbert O'Sullivan celebrates his 79th birthday today, the Irish singer-songwriter whose early 1970s hits like "Alone Again (Naturally)" and "Clair" showcased his clever wordplay and Victorian-influenced melodies…

 

Rock's most uncompromising artist faced corporate backlash today in 1983 when Geffen Records sued Neil Young for $3 million because his experimental electronic and rockabilly albums were deemed "not commercial in nature," a lawsuit that highlighted the conflict between art and commerce…

 

Comedy's most fearless truth-teller Richard Pryor was born on this day in 1940, the groundbreaking comedian whose honest exploration of race, drugs, and personal demons influenced everyone from Eddie Murphy to Chris Rock before his death in 2005…

 

We remember soul's smoothest voice Lou Rawls on his birthday today in 1933, the singer whose velvet baritone on hits like "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" made him a favorite for five decades before his death from cancer in 2006…

 

Jazz-fusion's bass revolutionary Jaco Pastorius was born today in 1951, the fretless virtuoso whose work with Weather Report and solo albums redefined what the electric bass could achieve before mental illness and violence ended his life at just 35 in 1987…

 

Psychedelic guitar reached new dimensions today in 1967 with the release of Jimi Hendrix's 'Axis: Bold as Love,' the sophomore album that proved his debut wasn't a fluke while showcasing his studio experimentation and songwriting growth beyond pure virtuosity.