Chapter 01 — Today in music
On a day like today June 20
1942
Brian Wilson is born, the fragile architect of teenage symphonies
On June 20, 1942, Brian Wilson was born in California — the Beach Boys genius who went from innocent surf to the sonic cathedrals of 'Pet Sounds' and 'Good Vibrations'. His perfect ear coexisted all his life with fragile mental health, in one of pop's most luminous and painful stories. Few artists have come so close to touching the sublime at a mixing desk.
Brian Wilson
The Beach Boys
1949
Lionel Richie is born, the kindly king of the global ballad
On June 20, 1949, Lionel Richie was born in Alabama, moving from the Commodores' funk to an empire of universal ballads: 'Hello', 'All Night Long', 'Say You, Say Me'. Also co-writer of 'We Are the World' with Michael Jackson, he defined the friendly sound of the eighties. His pop craft is so solid it survived every fashion intact.
Lionel Richie
One ephemeris a day, one editorial a week. Zero spam, pure archive.