April 3

Jazz lost one of its most divine voices today in 1990 when Sarah Vaughan died at 66 from lung cancer, ending the career of "Sassy" whose four-octave range and impeccable pitch made her one of the greatest singers in any genre across five decades of vocal perfection…

 

We remember The Band's most fragile voice Richard Manuel on his birthday today in 1943, the keyboardist-vocalist whose sweet tenor on "Whispering Pines" and "In a Station" was essential to the group's sound before his 1986 suicide ended a life plagued by depression and substance abuse…

 

Pop's most wholesome hitmaker Tony Orlando celebrates his 82^nd birthday today, the singer whose "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" and variety show with Dawn made him one of the early 1970s' biggest stars despite critics dismissing his saccharine approach…

 

British folk-rock's guitar master Richard Thompson turns 77 today, the Fairport Convention co-founder whose intricate playing and dark songwriting proved that traditional English music could be electrified while his solo career maintained uncompromising artistic integrity…

 

Comedy met music when Eddie Murphy celebrates his 65th birthday today, the Saturday Night Live star whose "Party All the Time" proved that comedians attempting music careers usually resulted in unintentional comedy, though his Rick James collaboration became an unlikely hit.