Category Archives: Rock

Today’s Music: Blind Lemon Jefferson, Bonnie Pointer, Suzanne Vega

Texas blues legend Blind Lemon Jefferson greeted the world today in 1893 (d. 1929). Eve though his life was short, BLJ has had enormous influence on succeeding generations of blues and rock musicians. (BTW, his was actually blind and his … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Arlo Guthrie, Bela Fleck

Folk-rocker, songwriter and Woody’s kid Arlo Guthrie was born today in 1947. Here are two of the tunes that made him famous; the first one is Arlo’s, the other was composed by Steve Goodman: Banjo picker extraordinaire Bela Fleck was … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Mitch Mitchell, Debbie Sledge

Mitch Mitchell, drummer for The Jimi Hendrix Experience, was born today in 1946 (d. 2008). Playing in a power trio, even behind a talent like Hendrix, isn’t easy, especially if you want to keep the music interesting. Some samples: Debbie … Continue reading

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Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon’s Birthday

Actor and musician Kevin Bacon was born today in 1958. A fine actor able to play credible characters in a wide variety of films, from comedy to drama, I have it on good authority he’s also one hell of a … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Billy Eckstine, Johnnie Johnson, Jerry Vale, Beck

Smooth jazz ballad singer Billy Eckstine was born today in 1914 (d. 1993). Whether you like the style of music or not, the man had a set of pipes on him. Blues pianist and singer Johnnie Johnson, best known for … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Gustav Mahler, Joe Zawinul, Ringo Starr

Composer/conductor Gustav Mahler was born today in 1860 (d. 1911). A sampling of his compositions: Jazz keyboardist and composer Joe Zawinul was born this day in 1932 (d. 2007). As well as composing the Cannonball Adderly pop hit “Mercy, Mercy, … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Bill Haley, Della Reese, Gene Chandler, Nanci Griffith

The first King of Rock ‘n’ Roll — he predated Elvis — Bill Haley was born today in 1925 (d. 1981). In 1953, a year before Elvis Presley was recorded by Sam Phillips at Sun Records in Memphis, Bill Haley … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Smiley Lewis, Robbie Robertson, Huey Lewis

Blues singer and guitarist Smiley Lewis (real name: Overton Amos Lemons) greeted the world today in 1913 (d. 1966). Although he never achieved the fame of the many he inspired, his music is still covered today. The Band’s guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Robbie … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Stephen Foster, Champion Jack Dupree, Bill Withers

Born on the Fourth of July: Composer Stephen Foster in 1826 (d. 1864)… Blues pianist Champion Jack Dupree in 1910 (d. 1992)… And the great Bill Withers in 1938…

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Today’s Bonus Holiday Music: Ray Charles, “America the Beautiful”

What should be our national anthem, IMO.

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