February 9

Pop songwriting's greatest architect Carole King celebrates her 84th birthday today, the Brill Building legend whose 'Tapestry' became one of the best-selling albums ever while her catalog of hits for others proved her one of American music's most important composers…

 

Television changed forever today in 1964 when The Beatles made their US live debut on CBS-TV's 'The Ed Sullivan Show' before 73 million viewers, the performance that ignited Beatlemania in America and transformed popular culture overnight…

 

Jazz fusion lost one of its greatest innovators on this day in 2021 when Chick Corea died at 79 from a rare form of cancer, ending the career of the keyboardist whose work with Miles Davis and Return to Forever helped define electric jazz's possibilities…

 

Progressive rock mourned a founding voice on this day in 2022 when Ian McDonald died of colon cancer at 75, ending the life of the multi-instrumentalist whose work on King Crimson's debut and Foreigner's hits showcased his ability to bridge art-rock and pop…

 

Rock and roll's founding father Bill Haley was found dead today in 1981 at 55 from a heart attack at his Texas home, the "Rock Around the Clock" singer dying forgotten and alcoholic, his pioneering role in creating rock largely overlooked by history…

 

Charity reached its delayed conclusion on this day in 1982 when George Harrison presented UNICEF with a $9 million check from the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, proving the former Beatle's humanitarian vision despite the decade-long legal battles delaying the donation…

 

Delta blues lost one of its last authentic voices today in 1997 when Mississippi guitarist Jack Owens died at 92, ending the life of the farmer-musician who preserved traditional country blues into the 1990s after being discovered by blues revivalists.