April 19

The Band lost its heart and soul today in 2012 when Levon Helm died at 71 from throat cancer, ending the career of the Arkansas drummer-vocalist whose lived-in voice on "The Weight" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" made him Americana's most authentic storyteller…

 

British Invasion's most soulful keyboardist Alan Price celebrates his 83rd birthday today, the Animals co-founder whose organ work on "House of the Rising Sun" defined the band's sound before his departure and solo career proved his talents extended beyond Eric Burdon's shadow…

 

We remember British blues' founding father Alexis Korner on his birthday today in 1928, the guitarist whose clubs and bands launched the careers of the Rolling Stones, Cream, and Led Zeppelin members while establishing London as blues-rock's European capital before his death in 1984…

 

Rock opera lost its most grandiose architect on this day in 2021 when Jim Steinman died at 73, ending the career of the composer-producer whose Wagnerian bombast on Meat Loaf's 'Bat Out of Hell' proved that excess and sincerity could coexist in creating timeless power ballads…

 

Psychedelic pop's most whimsical voice Mark Volman was born today in 1947, the Turtles co-founder who with Howard Kaylan formed Flo and Eddie, proving that sunshine pop singers could embrace Frank Zappa's absurdism while maintaining their sense of humor…

 

The Doors reached their bluesy zenith today in 1971 with the release of 'L.A. Woman,' the album featuring the title track and "Riders on the Storm" that would be Jim Morrison's final studio recording before his Paris death three months later.