March 31

Classical music's greatest architect Johann Sebastian Bach was born on this day in 1685, the German composer whose fugues, concertos, and sacred works established the foundation for Western music while his prolificacy—20 children and over 1,000 compositions—remains unmatched before his death in 1750…

 

Classical structure found its master when Franz Joseph Haydn was born on this day in 1732, the Austrian composer whose development of the symphony and string quartet earned him the title "Father of the Symphony" while his influence on Mozart and Beethoven shaped music history…

 

Tejano music suffered its most devastating loss today in 1995 when Selena was murdered at 23 by Yolanda Saldívar, president of her fan club, the shooting in Corpus Christi ending the career of the singer poised to become Latin music's biggest crossover star…

 

Jazz met entrepreneurship when Herb Alpert was born on this day in 1935, the Tijuana Brass trumpeter who co-founded A&M Records, proving that musicians could control the industry while his instrumental hits like "A Taste of Honey" dominated 1960s easy listening…

 

Television's most wholesome mom Shirley Jones celebrates her 92nd birthday today, the Partridge Family matriarch whose real singing voice anchored the fictional family band while her earlier film career in 'Oklahoma!' and 'The Music Man' established her musical credentials…

 

British rock's most reliable guitarist Mick Ralphs was born today in 1944, the musician whose work with Mott the Hoople and Bad Company proved that solid riffing and blues-rock authenticity could sustain two successful careers across multiple decades…

 

Hard rock's most energetic guitarist Angus Young turns 71 today, the AC/DC schoolboy whose shorts-and-blazer uniform and duck-walking solos made him heavy metal's most recognizable figure while his partnership with brother Malcolm created rock's most relentless rhythm section…

 

The Boss delivered a double shot today in 1992 when Bruce Springsteen simultaneously released 'Human Touch' and 'Lucky Town,' the two albums recorded without the E Street Band proving that even Springsteen's workaholic nature couldn't guarantee that quantity equaled quality.