Heaven & Earth 

R.I.P. RONNIE VAN ZANT

Ronnie Van Zant was an American singer and musician who was born in Jacksonville, Florida on January 15th, 1948. He gained fame as lead vocalist of the Southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Some of the group’s most popular singles include songs like “Free Bird”, “Simple Man”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine included Lynyrd Skynyrd on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All-Time”, and in 2005, the band was inducted into the Rock &…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

R.I.P. SPENCER DAVIS

Spencer Davis was a well known musician who was born in Swansea, Wales on July 17th, 1939. He is best remembered as founder of the Spencer Davis Group (featuring Steve Winwood on lead vocals). An instrumental part of the 1960s “British Invasion”, this group had hits with songs like “Gimme Some Lovin’” and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). They also topped the U.K. charts with their singles, “Keep on Running” and “Somebody Help Me”. On this very day, October 19th 2020,…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NE-YO

Ne-Yo is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who gained fame (in the mid-2000s) as a prominent R&B artist. Some of his popular songs include “Because of You”, “Miss Independent”, “Closer”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Throughout his career, he has received many accolades, including 2 Soul Train Awards, 2 BET Awards, and 3 Grammys. On this very day, October 18th 1979, Shaffer Chimere Smith (known professionally as Ne-Yo) was born in Camden, Arkansas. In celebration of his birthday,…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMINEM

Eminem is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential artists in the history of hip-hop. Some of his biggest hits include “Stan”, “The Real Slim Shady”, “Shake That”, “Without Me”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Among his many accolades, he has tallied 15 Grammys and 8 American Music Awards. With global sales of over 220 million records, he is one of the best-selling music artists ever, and in 2022, he…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

R.I.P. DOUG BENNETT

Doug Bennett was a Canadian singer and songwriter who was born in Toronto, Canada on October 31st, 1951. Alongside his band, Doug and the Slugs, he achieved success in Canada with hits like “Day by Day”, “Making it Work”, “Who Knows How to Make Love Stay”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In 1983, Doug & the Slugs were Juno-nominated for “Most Promising Group of the Year”. On this very day, October 16th 2004, Douglas Craig Bennett died in Calgary, Alberta…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINUWINE

Ginuwine is an American singer and songwriter who emerged (in the late 1990s) as a prominent figure in the “New Jack Swing” movement. His biggest singles include “So Anxious”, “Differences”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Throughout his career, he was nominated for many awards, including 3 AMAs, and a Grammy. In the year 2000, he won the Soul Train Music Award for “Best R&B/Soul Album, Male” (with “100% Ginuwine”). On this very day, October 15th 1970, Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (know…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USHER

Usher is an American singer and songwriter who has sold 80 million records worldwide (making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time). Some of his biggest hits include “Nice & Slow”, “You Make Me Wanna”, “OMG”, “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Throughout his career, he has received many accolades, including 8 Grammys, 18 Billboard Music Awards, 9 Soul Train Awards, and 8 AMAs. On this very day, October 14th 1978, Usher Raymond IV was born in…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL SIMON

Paul Simon is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who gained fame as one half of the folk-rock duo, Simon & Garfunkel. Together, they became prominent (in the 1960s) with songs like “The Sound of Silence”, “Mrs. Robinson”, and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. After the duo’s breakup, Paul Simon embarked on a solo career, releasing popular hits like “Mother & Child Reunion”, “Kodachrome”, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Among his many accolades, he was…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

R.I.P. JOHN DENVER

John Denver was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Roswell, New Mexico on December 31st, 1943. Some of his most popular singles include “Annie’s Song”, “Rocky Mountain High”, “Sunshine on My Shoulders”, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Throughout his career, he released approximately 300 songs, about 200 of which he wrote himself. In recognition of this achievement, in 1996, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. On this very…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARYL HALL

Daryl Hall is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is best known as one half of the rock and soul duo, Hall & Oates. Alongside his musical partner John Oates, he recorded multiple chart-toppers, including songs like “Rich Girl”, “Private Eyes”, “Maneater”, “I Can’t Go for That”, “Out of Touch”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Regarded as one of the greatest soul singers of his generation, Daryl Hall was inducted into both, the Songwriter’s and Rock & Roll Halls…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID LEE ROTH

David Lee Roth is an American singer and songwriter who was the original lead vocalist for the rock band, Van Halen. With Roth as frontman, the band achieved massive success with singles like “Running with the Devil”, “Jump”, and “Panama”. In the mid-1980s, Roth left the band to pursue a solo career, releasing the albums, “Eat ‘Em and Smile” and “Skyscraper”. He later rejoined Van Halen for periods of time, contributing to albums like “A Different Kind of Truth”. In 2007, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKSON BROWNE

Jackson Browne is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who emerged (in the 1970s) as a prominent figure in the Southern California rock scene. Some of his most well-known songs include “Doctor My Eyes”, “The Pretender”, “Somebody’s Baby”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In the year 2004, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2007, he was also inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. On this very day, October 9th 1948, Clyde Jackson…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRUNO MARS

Bruno Mars is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who is known for his versatility in music, incorporating elements of Pop, R&B, Soul, Funk, and Reggae. Some of his most popular songs include “Just the Way You Are”, “Grenade,” “Locked Out of Heaven”, “Uptown Funk” (with Mark Ronson), and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Among his many accolades, he has received 13 Grammy Awards, 13 Soul Train Awards, 11 AMAs, 4 Brit Awards, and 3 Guiness World Records. Having sold…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN MELLENCAMP

John Mellencamp is an American singer and songwriter who gained fame (in the 1980s) with a series of hit singles, including “Jack and Diane”, “Pink Houses”, “Crumblin’ Down”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). He has sold over 60 million albums worldwide, and has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards. In 2008, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2018, he was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. On this very day, October…

Read More
Heaven & Earth 

R.I.P. EDDIE VAN HALEN

Eddie Van Halen was a Dutch-American musician and songwriter who was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands on January 26th, 1955. Widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in music history, he co-founded and played lead guitar for the legendary, Van Halen. Some of the band’s most popular singles include songs like “Runnin’ with the Devil”, “Jump”, “Hot for Teacher”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at #4 on their list of the “Greatest Guitarists of All-Time”,…

Read More