by Britt Ryan | Oct 1, 2020 | Today in Music History
“If Trouble Was Money” … he swears he would be a millionaire. Well, blues great Albert Collins — born Albert Gene Drewery in Leona, Texas, on this day in 1932 — did pretty well for himself in a long career during which he became known as the “master of the...
by Britt Ryan | Sep 30, 2020 | Today in Music History
OK. Okmulgee, Oklahoma, is on the Music History birthday map today because Oscar Pettiford, the legendary jazz double bassist, cellist and composer, was born on an Indian reservation there on this day in 1922. Considered the pioneer of the cello as a solo instrument...
by Britt Ryan | Sep 29, 2020 | Today in Music History
Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, on this day in 1935, Jerry Lee Lewis is often remembered as “rock & roll’s first great wild man and one of the most influential pianists of the twentieth century.” Steve Allen introduces him as “jumpin’ and joltin’ Jerry Lee Lewis” in...
by Britt Ryan | Sep 28, 2020 | Today in Music History
Ben E. King (aka Benjamin Earl Nelson, 1938–2015), born in Henderson, North Carolina, on this day in 1938, saw his iconic 1961 hit song made even more famous by another King — horror author Steven King, whose novella was adapted into a hit 1986 film. Here’s Ben E....
by Britt Ryan | Sep 27, 2020 | Today in Music History
Miles Davis is said to have called him “the best there was of all the bebop piano players.” A protégé of Thelonius Monk and another jazz great who died too young, Bud Powell (1924-1966) was born on this day in Harlem. He is regarded as one of the most important...
by Britt Ryan | Sep 26, 2020 | Today in Music History
“Summertime.” The incomparable George Gershwin created it. Here are a few of the stars who have covered it. Billie Holiday. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Willie Nelson. Janis Joplin. Johann Sebastian Bach. Not really, but check Billy Preston’s version at about...
