March 6

Pink Floyd's guitar architect David Gilmour celebrates his 80th birthday today, the British guitarist whose soaring solos on "Comfortably Numb" and atmospheric playing defined the band's sound after Syd Barrett's departure, proving taste mattered more than speed across five decades…

 

Jazz lost one of its most powerful pianists on this day in 2020 when McCoy Tyner died at 81 at his New Jersey home, ending the career of John Coltrane's longtime collaborator whose percussive style and modal explorations influenced every jazz pianist who followed…

 

British blues-rock mourned its fastest guitarist on this date in 2013 when Ten Years After's Alvin Lee died at 68, ending the life of the musician whose machine-gun speed at Woodstock on "I'm Going Home" made him legendary despite never achieving superstar status…

 

We remember Delta blues pioneer Walter "Furry" Lewis on his birthday today in 1893, the Memphis guitarist whose bottleneck slide style and medicine show performances preserved traditional blues before his rediscovery during the 1960s folk revival brought him late recognition before his death in 1981…

 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame history was made today in 2000 when Eric Clapton became the first three-time inductee, honored as a solo artist after previous inductions with the Yardbirds and Cream, proving Slowhand's influence transcended any single band…

 

British pop's most effervescent voice Kiki Dee celebrates her 79th birthday today, the singer whose duet with Elton John on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" became one of the 1970s' biggest hits while her solo career proved her talent extended beyond collaborations…

 

Soul lost a one-hit wonder on this day in 2006 when King Floyd died at 61, ending the life of the New Orleans singer whose "Groove Me" became a funk classic despite his inability to replicate that massive 1970 success…

 

Exploitation met infamy today in 1970 when Awareness Records released Charles Manson's pre-murder musical recordings, the convicted killer's folk songs recorded before the Tate-LaBianca murders proving that even mass murderers could attempt commercial redemption through music.