Chapter 01 — Today in music
On a day like today April 7
1915
Billie Holiday is born, the voice that turned pain into high art
Billie Holiday was born in Philadelphia, Lady Day, the singer who made phrasing behind the beat a way of telling the truth. "Strange Fruit", her denunciation of lynchings, may be the bravest protest song ever recorded. Every vocalist who interprets rather than merely sings owes her something.
Billie Holiday
1943
Mick Abrahams is born, the Jethro Tull guitarist of the road not taken
Mick Abrahams was born, founding guitarist of Jethro Tull and the driving voice of their bluesy debut "This Was". He left after a single album, disagreeing with Ian Anderson's direction, and founded Blodwyn Pig. His departure defined the story: the progressive Tull we know was born from that fork in the road.
Mick Abrahams
Jethro Tull
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