April 28

The Rolling Stones' most versatile sideman Chuck Leavell celebrates his 73rd birthday today, the keyboardist whose work with the Allman Brothers and four decades touring with the Stones proved that session musicians could become indispensable while his environmental activism showcased talents beyond the piano…

 

Counterculture invaded Broadway today in 1968 when 'Hair' opened at the Biltmore Theatre in New York City, the tribal love-rock musical featuring nudity and anti-war anthems shocking mainstream audiences while "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" became the era's defining soundtrack…

 

Rock's most volatile marriage began today in 1990 when Axl Rose married Erin Everly, Don Everly's daughter, the union lasting less than a month before annulment though their toxic relationship inspired "Sweet Child o' Mine" and years of legal battles…

 

The Marshall Tucker Band mourned their bassist today in 1980 when Tommy Caldwell died at 30 from injuries suffered in a car accident, ending the life of the co-founder whose melodic playing had been essential to Southern rock's most jazz-influenced band…

 

Rock royalty proved high school sweethearts could last when Jon Bon Jovi married Dorothea Hurley on this day in 1989, beginning the marriage that has endured 36 years despite the temptations of stadium rock stardom, making them music's most stable couple…

 

We remember Delta blues' founding father Charley Patton on this day in 1934 when he died at 43, ending the life of the Mississippi guitarist whose influential recordings and showmanship established the template for every Delta blues musician who followed…

 

Blues-rock's greatest contemporary voice found love today in 1991 when Bonnie Raitt married actor Michael O'Keefe, beginning the eight-year marriage that would end in divorce, proving that even her career resurgence with 'Nick of Time' couldn't guarantee romantic success.