April 13

We remember Little Feat's funky genius Lowell George on his birthday today in 1945, the slide guitarist and songwriter whose "Willin'" and swampy grooves made the band one of rock's most musically sophisticated acts before his heart attack at 34 in 1979 ended a career tragically short on recognition…

 

Jefferson Airplane's most melodic bassist Jack Casady celebrates his 82nd birthday today, the musician whose fluid playing gave the psychedelic band's sound its jazz-influenced foundation while his partnership with Jorma Kaukonen in Hot Tuna proved his blues authenticity…

 

Soul's smoothest voice Al Green turns 80 today, the Memphis singer whose "Let's Stay Together" and conversion to gospel ministry made him one of music's most spiritually conflicted artists, torn between sacred and secular love across five decades…

 

The E Street Band's most reliable timekeeper Max Weinberg celebrates his 75th birthday today, the drummer whose solid backbeat anchored Bruce Springsteen's sound for five decades while his Tonight Show bandleader role proved his versatility beyond rock and roll…

 

We honor the Red Hot Chili Peppers' founding guitarist Hillel Slovak on his birthday today in 1962, the musician whose funk-rock fusion defined the band's early sound before his heroin overdose in 1988 at 26 devastated his bandmates and nearly ended the group…

 

Tom Petty explored darkness today in 1999 with the release of 'Echo,' the Heartbreakers album recorded after his painful divorce that featured a more somber tone while proving the songwriter could channel personal pain into compelling music.