February 26

We remember the Man in Black, Johnny Cash on his birthday today in 1932, the Arkansas cotton picker who became country music's most principled outlaw, championing prisoners and the downtrodden while his deep voice and spare production influenced everyone from Bob Dylan to U2 before his death in 2003…

 

Rock lost a powerhouse drummer today in 2008 when Buddy Miles died of congestive heart disease at 60, ending the career of the Electric Flag and Band of Gypsys timekeeper whose collaboration with Jimi Hendrix showcased his explosive funk-rock fusion abilities…

 

We honor Canned Heat's massive frontman Bob "Bear" Hite on his birthday today in 1945, the 300-pound blues enthusiast whose encyclopedic record collection and booming vocals on "On the Road Again" made the band Woodstock favorites before his drug-related heart attack in 1981…

 

We remember rock and roll's founding father Fats Domino on his birthday today in 1928, the New Orleans pianist whose boogie-woogie and good-natured hits like "Blueberry Hill" and "Ain't That a Shame" sold 65 million records while helping establish rock's early sound before his death in 2017…

 

Detroit soul's white screamer Mitch Ryder was born today in 1945, the singer whose "Devil with a Blue Dress On" medley showcased his ability to match Black vocalists' intensity while the Detroit Wheels brought Motown energy to blue-eyed soul…

 

British soul's most sophisticated voice Corinne Bailey Rae celebrates her 48th birthday today, the singer-songwriter whose jazz-influenced debut and "Put Your Records On" made her one of the 2000s' most elegant artists before her husband's death from drug overdose temporarily silenced her career.