April 24

Television history almost happened on this night in 1976 when Lorne Michaels offered the Beatles $3,000 to reunite on Saturday Night Live, John and Paul watching from John's apartment just 24 blocks away briefly considered walking over before deciding against it, missing what would have been the only reunion…

 

Rock's greatest chameleon found his soulmate today in 1992 when David Bowie married supermodel Iman in Switzerland, beginning the marriage that would last until his death in 2016 and proving that the Thin White Duke had finally found stability after decades of reinvention…

 

Power pop suffered its most tragic loss on this day in 1975 when Badfinger's Peter Ham hanged himself at 27 in his Surrey garage, ending the life of the songwriter whose "Without You" became a massive hit for others while financial exploitation drove him to despair…

 

Pop's most powerful voice Barbra Streisand celebrates her 84th birthday today, the Brooklyn singer whose film career and eight-octave range made her one of entertainment's most successful crossover artists while her diva reputation became equally legendary…

 

We remember British television's most controversial personality Paula Yates on her birthday today in 1960, the presenter whose marriages to Bob Geldof and relationship with INXS's Michael Hutchence ended in tragedy when heroin overdose killed her at 41 in 2000…

 

Chicago blues lost its greatest pianist on this day in 1970 when Otis Spann died at 40 from liver cancer, ending the career of Muddy Waters' longtime sideman whose work defined the city's sound while his own recordings showcased his understated brilliance…

 

Pop's most successful reality TV winner Kelly Clarkson was born today in 1982, the first American Idol champion whose "Since U Been Gone" and vocal power proved that talent shows could occasionally discover genuine artists capable of sustained careers.