April 11

Folk history began today in 1961 when Bob Dylan played his first live gig in New York City at Gerde's Folk City, the 19-year-old's Greenwich Village debut launching the career that would revolutionize popular music within just a few years of acoustic traditionalism…

 

Blues-rock lost its namesake today in 2017 when J. Geils died at 71 from apparent natural causes at his Massachusetts home, ending the life of the guitarist whose band's "Centerfold" and live performances made them one of America's most reliable arena acts despite his own 1985 departure…

 

Rock royalty met sitcom sweetness today in 1981 when Eddie Van Halen married Valerie Bertinelli, beginning the union between the guitar god and 'One Day at a Time' star that would produce son Wolfgang before their 2007 divorce ended rock's most wholesome marriage…

 

Pop's most resilient chameleon won Hollywood's ultimate prize today in 1988 when Cher received the Academy Award for Best Actress for 'Moonstruck,' proving that a disco diva could become a serious actor after decades of reinvention and survival…

 

The Pointer Sisters mourned their youngest member on this day in 2006 when June Pointer died at 52 from cancer, ending the life of the vocalist whose struggles with addiction had forced her departure from the group years before this tragic conclusion…

 

Blue-eyed soul's youngest voice Joss Stone was born on this day in 1987, the British teenager whose debut at 16 brought old-school R&B authenticity to the 2000s while her collaborations proved she could hold her own with legends despite her youth.