Throwback: Happy 61st Birthday, Tracy Chapman!

2025 is rushing by. It’s March. And March is a very busy month in music history. 

• The Who frontman  Roger Daltrey celebrated his 81st birthday on March 1
• Karen Carpenter was born 75 years on March 2
• Lou Reed one of the most influential figures of the past 75 years or so, was born 83 years ago on March 2
•  Method Man celebrated his 54th birthday on March 2
• Tone Lōc celebrated his 59th birthday on March 3
• The legendary soul artist Bobby Womack was born on this day 81 years ago
• Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted celebrated his 62nd birthday on March 4
• Pink Floyd‘s David Gilmour celebrated his 79th birthday on March 6
• The Monkees‘ Mickey Dolenz celebrated his 80th — yes, 80th! — birthday on March 8
• The pioneering Ornette Coleman was born 95 years ago on March 9
• U2‘s Adam Clayton celebrates his 65th — yes, 65th! — birthday on March 13
• Roy Haynes was born 100 years ago on March 13
• The legendary Lightnin’ Hopkins was born 113 years ago on March 15
• Sly and the Family Stone frontman Sly Stone celebrated his 82nd birthday on March 15
• Public Enemy‘s Flavor Flav celebrated his 66th birthday on March 16
• Smashing Pumpkins founder and frontman Billy Corgan celebrated his 58th on March 17
• The legendary Wilson Pickett, one of the major figures in the development and popularization of soul music was born on this day 84 years ago on March 18
• The wildly talented and breathtakingly beautiful Vanessa Williams celebrated her 62nd birthday on March 18
• Queen Latifah, one of the most regal, powerful and defiantly feminist artists in hip-hop history celebrated her 55th — yes, 55th! — birthday on March 18
• The legendary Lee “Scratch” Perry was born 89 years ago on March 20 
• The legendary bluesman Edward James “Son” House was born 122 years ago on March 21
• DJ Premier, one of hip-hop’s greatest and most beloved producers celebrated his 59th birthday on March 21 
• George Benson, arguably one of the greatest vocalists and guitarists to ever live, celebrated his 82nd birthday on March 22
• The Cars‘ founder, primary vocalist, songwriter and rhythm guitar player, Ric Ocasek was born 81 years ago on March 23 
• Blur frontman and Gorillaz creative mastermind Damon Albarn celebrated his 57th birthday on March 23 
• Chaka Khan celebrated her 72nd birthday on March 23
• De La Soul‘s Pasemaster Mase, a.k.a. Maseo, a.k.a. a.k.a. Plug Three a.k.a. Vincent Mason celebrates his 55th — yes, y’all, 55th! — birthday on March 24
• The legendary Elton John celebrated his 78th birthday on March 25
• The legendary Aretha Franklin was born 83 years ago on March 25
• Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler celebrated his 77th birthday on March 26 
• The late and specular Teddy Pendergrass was born 75 years ago on March 26  
• The legendary Diana Ross celebrated her 81st birthday on March 26
• Mariah Carey celebrated her 56th birthday on March 27
• Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa celebrated her 59th birthday on March 28 
• Reba McEntire, the Queen of Country celebrated her 70th birthday on March 28
• Stefani Germanotta, a.k.a. Lady Gaga celebrated her 39th birthday on March 28
• Michael Brecker, one half of the legendary Brecker Brothers was born on this day 76 years ago on March 29
• Perry Farrell, the frontman and founder of Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros celebrated his 66th birthday on March 29
• MC Hammer celebrates his 63rd birthday, today.

The great Tracy Chapman celebrates her 61st birthday today. So let’s celebrate the life and music of one of most uncompromising artists of her generation. Happy birthday, Tracy! May there be many many more!