January 22

 

The Beatles' final chapter evolved today in 1969 when they moved from Twickenham Studios to their own Apple Studios to continue recording "Get Back," bringing in Billy Preston on keyboards to ease tensions and add soul to what would become the 'Let It Be' sessions…

 

Rock's most strategic revelation occurred on this day in 1972 when David Bowie declared himself bisexual in a Melody Maker interview, the calculated announcement creating publicity for his Ziggy Stardust persona while genuinely opening doors for LGBTQ+ artists in mainstream rock…

 

We remember soul music's smoothest voice Sam Cooke on his birthday today in 1931, the gospel singer turned pop star whose "A Change Is Gonna Come" became a civil rights anthem before his mysterious shooting death in 1964 at 33 ended one of music's most promising careers…

 

Punk's most provocative svengali Malcolm McLaren was born on this day in 1947, the Sex Pistols manager whose situationist art school background and manipulation of media made him as important to punk's creation as any musician before his death in 2010…

 

Journey's golden voice Steve Perry celebrates his 77th birthday today, the tenor whose soaring vocals on "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully" made the band arena rock royalty despite his 1998 departure leaving fans wondering what might have been…

 

We remember INXS's magnetic frontman Michael Hutchence on his birthday today in 1960, the Australian singer whose sexual charisma and hits like "Need You Tonight" made him an international star before his apparent suicide in 1997 at 37 shocked the music world.