April 2

Jazz lost its most explosive drummer today in 1987 when Buddy Rich died at 69, ending the career of the virtuoso whose technical mastery, speed, and volatile personality made him one of the greatest percussionists in music history across seven decades of big band and bebop…

 

We remember soul's greatest voice Marvin Gaye on his birthday today in 1939, the Motown artist whose "What's Going On" and sensual ballads redefined R&B before his father shot him dead in 1984, ending one of popular music's most important and troubled careers…

 

We honor rock's greatest session man Leon Russell on his birthday today in 1942, the multi-instrumentalist whose work on countless '60s hits and collaborations with Joe Cocker and George Harrison made him one of music's most respected architects before his death in 2016…

 

Soul protest lost its most powerful voice today in 2003 when Edwin Starr died at 61 at his British home in Nottingham, ending the career of the Motown singer whose "War" became Vietnam's most unforgettable anti-war anthem with its immortal refrain…

 

Reconciliation arrived today in 1997 when Joni Mitchell was reunited with Kilauren Gibb, the daughter she had given up for adoption 32 years earlier, the emotional meeting ending decades of separation and proving family bonds could survive even the most difficult circumstances…

 

We remember Lynyrd Skynyrd's melodic bassist Leon Wilkeson on his birthday today in 1952, the musician whose playing survived the 1977 plane crash only to have his life cut short in 2001 at 49 from chronic liver and lung disease at just 49…

 

Country-rock's most angelic voice Emmylou Harris celebrates her 79^th birthday today, the singer whose harmonies with Gram Parsons and solo career proved that traditional country could embrace rock sensibilities while maintaining purity and emotional authenticity across six decades.