March 7

We remember psychedelic rock's most visionary outsider Arthur Lee on his birthday today in 1945, the Love frontman whose 'Forever Changes' created one of the 1960s' most beautiful and overlooked masterpieces before his prison stint for firearms possession and death in 2006 ended a tragic, brilliant career…

 

We honor singer-songwriter purity Townes Van Zandt on his birthday today in 1944, the Texas poet whose songs like "Pancho and Lefty" influenced everyone from Steve Earle to Emmylou Harris despite his lifelong struggles with addiction and mental illness that led to his death at 52 in 1997…

 

Progressive rock lost a founding guitarist on this day in 2013 when Yes's Peter Banks died at 65 from heart failure, ending the life of the original member whose jazzy playing helped establish the band's sound before his 1970 firing left him overshadowed by Steve Howe…

 

Classical music's most colorful orchestrator Maurice Ravel was born today in 1875, the French composer whose 'Bolero' and impressionist masterpieces influenced everyone from George Gershwin to modern film composers before his death in 1937 ended a career of sonic innovation…

 

Funk guitar's most melodic architect Ernie Isley celebrates his 74th birthday today, the Isley Brothers member whose rock-influenced solos on "That Lady" and "Fight the Power" proved that R&B could embrace Hendrix-style virtuosity while maintaining groove and soul…

 

Boston rock's most charismatic frontman Peter Wolf turns 80 today, the J. Geils Band vocalist whose blues shouting and Mick Jagger-influenced stage presence made the group live favorites while his solo career proved his talent extended beyond "Centerfold.".