April 9

Folk's most political voice silenced itself today in 1976 when Phil Ochs hanged himself at 35 at his sister's Queens home, ending the life of the protest singer whose depression over America's rightward turn and his own declining relevance made suicide seem the only escape from disappointment…

 

Soul lost half its greatest duo today in 1988 when Sam & Dave's Dave Prater died at 50 when his car left the road and hit a tree in Sycamore, Georgia, ending the partnership that had created "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'" though tensions had long since split the duo…

 

Smooth soul lost one of its most elegant voices on this day in 1988 when Brook Benton died at 56, ending the career of the singer whose "Rainy Night in Georgia" and dozens of other hits showcased his ability to deliver heartbreak with sophisticated restraint…

 

We remember rockabilly's founding father Carl Perkins on his birthday today in 1932, the guitarist who wrote and first recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" only to have Elvis make it famous while a car accident derailed his own stardom before his death in 1998 ended six decades of country-rock authenticity.