March 28

Jazz's most tragic voice made another doomed choice today in 1952 when Billie Holiday married Louis McKay, a mafia enforcer who would control and exploit her during her final decline, the abusive relationship adding another chapter to Lady Day's life of heartbreak and exploitation…

 

Delta blues lost one of its founding fathers on this day in 1974 when Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup died at 69 from a stroke, ending the career of the Mississippi guitarist whose "That's All Right" became Elvis Presley's first single, though Crudup never received proper royalties or recognition…

 

Blues history mourned its greatest chronicler on this day in 1958 when W.C. Handy died at 84, ending the life of the "Father of the Blues" whose compositions like "St. Louis Blues" and "Memphis Blues" preserved African-American musical traditions for future generations…

 

Pop's most theatrical provocateur Lady Gaga celebrates her 40th birthday today, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, the singer whose meat dress and "Bad Romance" proved that shock value and genuine musical talent could coexist in creating 21st-century superstardom…

 

Shock rock met family entertainment today in 1978 when Alice Cooper appeared on The Muppet Show, the episode featuring the makeup-wearing rocker offering fame and riches if the Muppets would sign over their souls in one of television's most surreal musical moments…

 

Classical music lost one of its most romantic voices on this day in 1943 when Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff died at 69, ending the career of the pianist-composer whose lush melodies and technical demands influenced everyone from jazz to film scores…

 

Led Zeppelin's most diverse statement arrived today in 1973 with the release of 'Houses of the Holy,' the album featuring funk experiments and reggae influences that proved the band could evolve beyond blues-rock into unprecedented musical territory.