JOVM's William Ruben Helms celebrates Marshall Allen's 102nd birthday.

Welp, we’ve made it to May y’all. This year has been yet another infuriating, soul-crushingly brutal slog. I’m furious and exhausted. And if you have a conscience and a soul, you feel the same. There isn’t an easy way out of this hell.

But there’s music, art, small pleasures, and every day joys. We’ll cling to that as much as possible in between fighting for the rights and futures for our loved ones — and ourselves.

Of course, with this site, it’s important to show respect to our legends and our contemporary artists. And to that end, let’s get to it:

The legendary godfather of soul, the Soul Brother #1, James Brown was born 93 years ago on May 3
Interpol’s Paul Banks celebrated his 48th birthday on May 3
The legendary Frankie Valli celebrated his 92nd birthday on May 3
The late and supremely great soul artist Sharon Jones was born on this day 70 years ago today
Nick Ashford, one-half of beloved husband-and-wife songwriting, production and artist duo Ashford & Simpson was born 85 years ago on May 4
The legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter celebrated his 89th birthday on May 4
Motley Crüe co-founder Mick Mars celebrated his 75th birthday on May 4
Echo & The Bunnymen‘s Ian McCullouch celebrated his 67th birthday on May 5
Tammy Wynette, one of the most beloved singer/songwriters in country was born 84 years ago on May 5
Van Halen co-founder, drummer — and most important Eddie’s brother, Alex Van Halen celebrated his 73rd birthday on May 8
The Talking Heads’ and Tom Tom Club’s Chris Frantz celebrated his 75th birthday on May 8
Whether as a solo artist or as a member of Earth, Wind and Fire, the legendary Philip Bailey has been a part of some of the most inedible, joyous and important songs ever recorded. Bailey celebrated his 75th — yes, y’all 75th! — birthday on May 8
Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan celebrated his 64th birthday on May 9
U2‘s Bono celebrated his 66th birthday on May 10
Sly Dunbar, one half of the legendary rhythm section and production duo Sly & Robbie was born 74 years ago on May 10
Greg Dulli, one of the most criminally underrated rock singer/songwriters celebrated his 61st birthday on May 11
Eric Burdon celebrated his 85th birthday on May 11
Bad Religion co-founder and guitarist, and Epitaph Records founder Brett Gurewitz celebrated his 64th birthday on May 12
Steve Winwood celebrated his 78th birthday on May 12
Burt Bacharach was born 98 years ago on May 12
The legendary and toweringly influential Stevie Wonder celebrated his 76th birthday on May 13
EPMD’s PMD celebrated his 57th birthday on May 13
Cream‘s Jack Bruce, one of the greatest bassists in rock history was born 83 years ago on May 14
Talking Heads frontman David Byrne celebrated his 74th birthday on May 14
Hip hop pioneer Melle Mel celebrated his 65th birthday on May 15
Nirvana‘s Krist Novoselic celebrates his 61st birthday today
The iconic and pioneering Janet Jackson celebrates her 60th birthday today
Beloved shoegaze legend and the co-founder of Slowdive, Mojave 3 and The Soft Cavalry, Rachel Goswell celebrated her 55th birthday on May 16
Nine Inch Nails creative mastermind Trent Reznor celebrated his 61st birthday on May 17
Taj Mahal, one of the greatest living bluesman and multi-instrumentalist around, celebrated his 84th birthday on May 17
Rob Base celebrated his 59th birthday on May 18
DEVO co-founder, frontman and primary songwriter Mark Mothersbaugh celebrated his 76th birthday on May 18
The Who‘s Pete Townshend celebrated his 81st birthday on May 19
The Ramones‘ Joey Ramone was born 75 years ago on May 19
The incomparable and legendary Grace Jones celebrated her 78th birthday on May 19
Busta Rhymes, one of the most inventive, energetic, charismatic and imitable emcees ever celebrated his 54th birthday on May 20
The iconic Cher celebrated her 80th birthday on May 20
Joe Cocker was born 82 years ago on May 20
Mobb Deep‘s Havoc celebrated his 52nd birthday on May 21
Notorious B.I.G. was born 54 years ago onMay 21
The legendary Ronald Isley celebrated his 85th birthday on May 21
Heavy D was born 59 years ago on May 24
Patti LaBelle, arguably one of the most unique, powerhouse vocalists to ever do it, celebrated her 82nd birthday on May 24
The iconic and incomparable Bob Dylan celebrated his 85th birthday on May 24
Hal David was born 105 years ago today

Sun Ra Arkestra‘s Marshall Allen celebrates his 102nd birthday today.

Allen has been a member of the Sun Ra Arkestra since the 50s, recording exclusively with the band from 1958 until Sun Ra’s death in 1993. Since Sun Ra’s death, Allen has been leading the intergalactic jazz outfit while periodically recording as a sideman and leader of various side projects.

So let’s wish the legend a very happy birthday! And may there many, many, many more!

I’ve photographed the legend a handful of times over the years:

Live Concert Photography: Kim Gordon with Sun Ra Arkestra and Slauson Malone 1 at Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage 6/13/24

Live Concert Photography: Sun Ra Arkestra at White Eagle Hall 2/4/23

Live Concert Photography: BRIC Arts Media’s BRIC Jazz Fest at BRIC House Night 2: 10/22/21 feat. Sun Ra Arkestra with Roy Nathanson and Nick Hakim, Adi Mayerson and Samir Langus

Live Concert Photography: Summer Thunder at Union Pool 6/10/17: Sun Ra Arkestra

Live Concert Photography: Sun Ra Arkestra with Stuart Bogie Trio at NUBLU 151 12/9/16

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