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
- 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 today.
As a producer, composer, singer and songwriter, Perry was noted for his innovative studio techniques and production style: In the 70s, he pioneered the development of dub music through his early adoption of remixing and studio effects. He also worked with and/or produced material for a wide variety of artists including Bob Marley, The Wailers. Junior Murvin, The Congos, Max Romero, Adrian Sherwood, Beastie Boys, Ari Up, The Clash, The Orb, and others.
I’ve had the distinct blessing to have seen — and photograph — the legend three times. Mr. Perry was very much a zen trickster, who could take you on a transcendent journey through time, space and his own mind.
We lost Mr. Perry a couple of years ago but Perry’s influence on modern music — especially on reggae and electronic music — has remained towering. Long live The Mighty Upsetter, y’all! Long live Rainford Hugh “Lee ‘Scratch’” Perry!
Happy birthday, sir! Happy birthday, wherever you are!
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