December 5

 

Jazz lost one of its most innovative voices today in 2012 when Dave Brubeck passed away at 91, one day before his 92nd birthday, ending the life of the pianist whose "Take Five" in unconventional time signatures brought intellectual sophistication to mainstream jazz…

 

Blues harmonica found one of its founding fathers when Sonny Boy Williamson was born on this day in 1899 (though the date is disputed), the original Sonny Boy whose influence on Chicago blues was profound before his murder in 1948 led to another musician adopting his name…

 

We remember laid-back blues master JJ Cale on his birthday today in 1938, the Tulsa songwriter whose "After Midnight" and "Cocaine" became bigger hits for Eric Clapton than himself, his understated style influencing the entire Americana movement before his death in 2013…

 

Rock and roll's founding architect Little Richard was born as Richard Wayne Penniman on this day in 1932, the flamboyant shouter whose explosive piano and androgynous sexuality on "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" established rock's rebellious spirit before his death in 2020…

 

America's highest artistic honors were bestowed on this night in 2021 when Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, and Berry Gordy were among the Kennedy Center honorees, recognizing their lifetime achievements in transforming popular music and culture…

 

Soft rock's most versatile craftsman Jim Messina was born today in 1947, the guitarist-producer whose work with Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and his partnership with Kenny Loggins showcased his ability to master multiple California rock styles…

 

Pop culture's most scrutinized union began today in 2003 when Coldplay singer Chris Martin married actress Gwyneth Paltrow in Santa Barbara, beginning the marriage that would produce two children and the term "conscious uncoupling" when it ended in 2016…

 

Alternative rock's most earnest voice Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls turns 60 today, the Buffalo singer-songwriter whose "Iris" became one of the 1990s' most enduring power ballads despite his band's punk origins…

 

The Rolling Stones delivered their darkest masterpiece today in 1969 with the release of 'Let It Bleed,' the album featuring "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want" that captured the violence and despair of the decade's end…

 

Paul McCartney proved his post-Beatles brilliance today in 1973 with the release of Wings' 'Band on the Run,' the album recorded under difficult circumstances in Lagos that became his most critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo work.