May 10

Rock's most messianic frontman Bono celebrates his 66th birthday today, born Paul Hewson, the U2 vocalist whose stadium-sized ambitions and humanitarian activism proved equally massive while critics debated whether his sincerity or self-importance defined his four-decade career…

 

We remember Traffic's most melodic architect Dave Mason on his birthday today in 1946, the guitarist whose "Feelin' Alright" and session work with everyone from the Rolling Stones to Jimi Hendrix showcased his versatility before his death a few weeks ago ended six decades of blue-eyed soul…

 

Hair metal met prime-time glamour today in 1986 when Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee married TV star Heather Locklear, beginning the seven-year marriage between rock's wildest timekeeper and "Dynasty's" blonde bombshell before his Pamela Anderson sex tape eclipsed this union…

 

Children's literature lost its most subversive voice today in 1999 when Shel Silverstein died at 68 from a heart attack, ending the career of "The Giving Tree" author whose songs for Johnny Cash and Dr. Hook proved his talents extended beyond whimsical poetry…

 

Soul's smoothest voice married supermodel royalty today in 2005 when Seal wed Heidi Klum, beginning the nine-year marriage between the "Kiss from a Rose" singer and Project Runway host that produced four children before their 2014 divorce ended fashion's most musical union…

 

Led Zeppelin established independence today in 1974 with the launch of Swan Song Records, the vanity label proving that superstars could control their destiny while signing Bad Company and the Pretty Things alongside releasing the band's final studio albums…

 

Folk's British answer to Bob Dylan Donovan was born on this day in 1946, the Scottish singer whose "Mellow Yellow" and psychedelic phase proved that hippie mysticism could work with a British accent before his commercial decline left him a nostalgia act…

 

 

Psychedelic rock's most commercial voice Jay Ferguson was born on this date in 1947, the Spirit frontman whose "Thunder Island" solo hit and film soundtrack work proved that California hippies could embrace mainstream success after their experimental bands dissolved…

 

Reggae's greatest drummer Sly Dunbar was born on this day in 1952, the Jamaican timekeeper whose partnership with bassist Robbie Shakespeare created the Riddim Twins production team that defined reggae and dub across four decades of influential groove…

 

Punk's most tragic bassist was born on this day in 1957 when John Ritchie entered the world, destined to become Sid Vicious whose Sex Pistols tenure and heroin-fueled murder of girlfriend Nancy Spungen ended with his own overdose death at 21 in 1979.