April 15

Punk lost its most enduring heart on this day in 2001 when Joey Ramone died at 49 after battling lymphatic cancer, ending the life of the lanky frontman whose "Gabba Gabba Hey" and three-chord rebellion with the Ramones proved that rock and roll could be stripped to its essence…

 

The Beatles added another accolade today in 1971 when they won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for 'Let It Be,' the honor arriving as the band's breakup made collaboration impossible and the documentary captured their disintegration on film…

 

We remember blues' most powerful voice Bessie Smith on her birthday today in 1894, the "Empress of the Blues" whose commanding vocals influenced everyone from Billie Holiday to Janis Joplin before a car accident and racist medical care led to her death in 1937…

 

We honor country's most versatile entertainer Roy Clark on his birthday today in 1932, the 'Hee Haw' co-host whose guitar and banjo virtuosity proved he was far more talented than his cornpone TV image suggested before his death in 2018…

 

Pub-rock's most dedicated revivalist Dave Edmunds celebrates his 82nd birthday today, the Welsh guitarist-producer whose Rockpile and solo work kept 1950s rock and roll alive through the punk and new wave eras with authentic reverence and technical skill…

 

Alternative rock's most powerful belter Linda Perry turns 61 today, the 4 Non Blondes frontwoman whose "What's Up?" became an anthem before her songwriting and production for Pink and Christina Aguilera proved more lucrative than performing…

 

Southern rock reached its commercial peak today in 1974 with Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Second Helping,' the album featuring "Sweet Home Alabama" that made the Jacksonville band superstars three years before the plane crash that would devastate their lineup.