Happy birthday to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Live at Fillmore West was recorded over three nights in 1971 at the iconic rock venue in San Francisco. I first started listening to it three years ago when I began writing my book, wanting to immerse myself in the sound of the era I was researching. It has remained in rotation ever since.

Also, happy birthday to Elton John and Big Sean. Two artists I genuinely love, each with a distinct imprint on culture in their own right. March 25 is stacked.