Throwback: Happy 114th Birthday, Lightnin’ Hopkins!

It’s March 2026. We’re about to blow through the first third of the year. Things have gotten messier and more hellish. Apparently, we’re now at war. We’ve got masked goons grabbing people off the streets and shooting civilians. The economy is reeling. We’re dealing with a mad, dying king. And yet, we have to simultaneously fight fascists and get on with our daily lives. 

But there’s music, art and community. I hope that this site is a bit of escape and maybe even a reminder of how much community means when the world is running down. 

• The Who frontman  Roger Daltrey celebrated his 82nd birthday on March 1
• The pioneering singer, activist and actor Harry Belafonte was born 99 years ago on March 1
• Karen Carpenter was born 76 years ago on March 2
• Lou Reed, arguably one of the most influential figures of the past 75 years or so was born on this day 84 years ago on March 2
• Tone Lōc celebrated his 60th birthday — yes, y’all 60th! — on March 3
• The legendary soul artist Bobby Womack was born 82 years ago on March 4
• Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted celebrated his 63rd birthday on March 4
• Teena Marie, one of the perhaps most under-appreciated pop and R&B vocalists ever was born 70 years ago on March 5
• Best known for his work with Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante celebrated his 56th birthday on March 5
• Mary Wilson, the legendary co-founder of The Supremes was born on 82 years ago on March 6
• Pink Floyd‘s David Gilmour celebrated his 80th birthday — yes, y’all, 80th! — on March 6
• Isley Brothers’ guitarist Ernie Isley celebrated his 74th birthday on March 7
• The Monkees’ Mickey Dolenz celebrated his 81st birthday on March 8
• The legendary and pioneering Gary Numan celebrated his 68th birthday on March 8
• Free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman was born 96 years ago on March 9
• Pearl Jam‘s Jeff Ament celebrated his 63rd birthday on March 10
• The Horrors co-founder and former member Tom Furse celebrated his 39th birthday on March 11
• The legendary Al Jarreau was born 86 years on March 12
• James Taylor celebrated his 78th birthday on March 12 
• U2‘s Adam Clayton celebrated his 66th birthday March 13
• Roy Haynes was born 101 years ago on March 13

The legendary Lightnin’ Hopkins was born on this day 113 years ago. The great bluesman’s work is massively influential, informing the work of later legends, including Townes Van Zandt, Hank Williams, Jr. and a fellow Texan by the name of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

And in addition Hopkins was an inaugural inductee to the Blues Hall of Fame back in 1980.

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