March 11

Beatles royalty met British royalty on this day in 1997 when Paul McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming "Sir" Paul and proving that even rebellious rock stars could receive the establishment's highest honor after decades of musical achievement…

 

Progressive rock lost its most flamboyant keyboardist on this day in 2016 when Keith Emerson took his own life at 71 with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, depression and nerve damage that limited his playing ability ending the career of the musician whose virtuosity had defined Emerson, Lake & Palmer…

 

Power pop lost one of its greatest architects on this day in 2024 when Eric Carmen died at 74, ending the career of the Raspberries founder whose "All By Myself" and solo hits proved that classical music influences and radio-friendly hooks could create timeless romantic anthems…

 

Pop culture's king of excess Michael Jackson visited Madame Tussauds in London today in 1985 to unveil his waxwork likeness, the surreal moment capturing the entertainer at the peak of 'Thriller' mania when his celebrity had transcended music into global phenomenon…

 

Session drumming's most recorded timekeeper Hal Blaine died of natural causes on this day in 2019 at 90, ending the life of the Wrecking Crew member whose work on 40 number-one singles and estimated 35,000 tracks made him the most prolific studio musician in history…

 

Pop's most controversial chameleon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on this day in 2008 when Madonna received recognition for three decades of reinvention, proving that calculated provocation and artistic ambition could create lasting cultural impact…

 

Three Dog Night mourned their keyboard architect today in 2015 when Jimmy Greenspoon died at 67 after battling cancer, ending the career of the musician whose organ work helped make the band one of the early 1970s' most successful singles acts…

 

Supergroup harmony reached its peak today in 1970 with the release of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's 'Déjà Vu,' the album featuring "Teach Your Children" and "Woodstock" that proved four massive egos could create transcendent music before inevitable dissolution.