April 10

Alternative rock's most eccentric chronicler Mark Oliver Everett, known simply as "E," celebrates his 63rd birthday today, the Eels frontman whose darkly comic songs about family tragedy and mental illness proved that deeply personal pain could create strangely beautiful pop music…

 

The Beatles suffered their first fatal loss on this day in 1962 when original bassist Stuart Sutcliffe died at 21 from a cerebral hemorrhage in Hamburg, ending the life of John Lennon's best friend who had left the band to pursue painting before a brain aneurysm claimed him…

 

Dance music mourned a one-hit wonder today in 2003 when Little Eva died at 59 in North Carolina, ending the life of the babysitter-turned-singer whose "The Loco-Motion" became one of the early 1960s' most infectious hits despite her never replicating that success…

 

British art-rock's most reclusive genius Kate Bush received her CBE for services to music from the Queen today in 2013 at Windsor Castle, the honor recognizing four decades of uncompromising creativity from the artist who had redefined what female pop stars could be…

 

Rockabilly revival's most authentic voice Brian Setzer was born today in 1959, the Stray Cats guitarist whose pompadour and "Rock This Town" brought 1950s style to the 1980s MTV generation while his big band reinvention proved his versatility extended beyond three-chord rock…

 

Comedy lost its most shocking voice on this day in 1992 when Sam Kinison died at 38 after being hit by a drunk teenage driver, ending the career of the former Pentecostal preacher whose screaming delivery influenced rock vocalists as much as comedians…

 

Pop's most wholesome voice Mandy Moore celebrates her 42nd birthday today, the former teen star whose acting career in 'This Is Us' proved more enduring than her early 2000s music hits, though her folk-influenced albums showed genuine artistic growth.