Throwback: Happy 79th Birthday, Al Green!

2025 is rushing by. It’s now April. How did that happen, y’all? April is a busy month in music history. 

• Gil Scott-Heron was born 76 years ago on April 1 
• The legendary Marvin Gaye was born 85 years ago on April 2
• Bella Union Records founder and label head, singer/songwriter, musician and Cocteau Twins‘ Simon Raymonde celebrated his 63rd birthday on April 3
• David Roback, one-half of acclaimed and beloved dream pop duo Mazzy Star was born on this day 67 years on April 4
• The great Jill Scott, “Jilly from Philly” celebrated her 53rd on April 4
• The legendary bluesman Muddy Waters was born 112 years ago on April 4
• Smash-hit producer, songwriter and artist Pharrell Williams celebrated his 52nd birthday on April 6
• Merle Haggard, one of the most beloved figures of the Outlaw Country movement was born on this day 85 years ago on April 6
• Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV, a.k.a. Black Francis, a.k.a Frank Black celebrates his 60th — yes, y’all 60th! — birthday on April 7
• John Oates, best known for his work with the blue-eyed soul duo Hall & Oates one of the most commercially successful duos ever, celebrates his 76th birthday on April 7
• The legendary and incomparable Billie Holiday as born 110 years ago on April 7
• Kraftwerk co-founder Florian Schneider was born 78 years ago on April 7
• The legendary Biz Markie was born 61 years ago on April 8
• A Tribe Called Quest‘s  Q-Tip, one of hip-hop’s greatest emcees and producers celebrated his 55th — yes, y’all 55th! — birthday on April 10
• Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds celebrated his 66th birthday on April 10
• The legendary and pioneering Herbie Hancock celebrated his 85th birthday — yes 85th y’all! — on April 12
• Echo & The Bunnymen‘s Will Sergeant celebrated his 67th birthday on April 12

The legendary Al Green celebrates his 79th birthday today. Few artists can express love, heartbreak, longing — and then go into deep soulful faith as easily and as convincingly as the good Reverend Green. Your folks have slow danced to his songs. You have, too. And may countless generations fall in love while listening to him.

Happy birthday, sir!