May 29

Alternative rock lost its most promising voice on this day in 1997 when Jeff Buckley drowned at 30 after taking a swim in the Mississippi River fully clothed, the tragic death of the Leonard Cohen interpreter ending a career that had just begun with 'Grace,' one of the decade's most acclaimed debuts…

 

Psychedelic rock lost its most innovative guitarist on this day in 1989 when John Cipollina died at 51 from alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, ending the Quicksilver Messenger Service co-founder's career whose jazzy playing and psychedelic explorations influenced everyone from Carlos Santana to modern jam bands…

 

Country-pop lost its smoothest crossover voice on this day in 2021 when B.J. Thomas died at 78 from complications of lung cancer, ending the career of the "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" singer whose ability to bridge Nashville and Las Vegas made him one of the era's most versatile entertainers…

 

Rock's most prolific songwriter Noel Gallagher was born on this day in 1967, the Oasis guitarist-vocalist whose songwriting for "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back in Anger" proved he was more talented than his brother Liam despite the sibling rivalry that destroyed the band's potential…

 

Pop royalty's most controversial member La Toya Jackson celebrates her 70th birthday today, Michael's sister whose erotic career and claims against her family made her simultaneously infamous and forgotten while her reality TV appearances proved Jackson name recognition could sustain any project…

 

Procol Harum's theatrical mastermind Gary Brooker was born on this day in 1945, the British pianist-vocalist whose "A Whiter Shade of Pale" became one of rock's most enduring anthems while his orchestral arrangements proved that pop could achieve classical sophistication before his death in 2022…

 

Rock's most powerful lesbian voice Melissa Etheridge was born today in 1961, the Kansas singer-songwriter whose Oscar-winning "Come to My Window" and acoustic vulnerability made her one of the 1990s' most important artists while her coming out proved that authenticity mattered more than commercial protection…

 

Supergroup harmony reached its peak on this day in 1969 with Crosby, Stills & Nash's self-titled debut, the album featuring "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and "Marrakesh Express" proving that three massive egos could create transcendent music before solo careers, drugs, and personality conflicts destroyed the partnership.