- 1643 Christoph Demantius, German composer, dies at 75
- 1695 Georg Caspar Weckler, composer, dies at 63
- 1707 Johann Christoph Denner, German musician and inventor (clarinet), dies at 51
- 1839 Giuseppe Rossini, father of Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini, dies
- 1869 Johann Carl Gottfried Loewe, composer, dies at 72
- 1869 Piotr Studzinski, composer, dies at 42
- 1900 Mebel Mercer, popular British singer, dies
- 1956 Jaap Vranken, Dutch organist and composer (Stabat mater), dies at 59
- 1956 Lieven Duvosel, Flemish music composer (Levensschets), dies at 78
- 1962 Artúr Harmat, Hungarian composer, dies at 76
- 1968 Marion Weeks, singer/actress, dies of stroke at 81
- 1970 Shakeel Badayuni, Indian poet and lyricist, dies at 53
- 1984 Mabel Mercer, English/US singer (Fly me to the moon), dies at 84
- 1987 Antony Tudor, English dancer and choreographer (Amer Ballet Theater) dies at 78
- 1991 Steve Marriott, English guitarist (Small Faces), dies in a fire at 44
- 1992 Johnny Shines, American delta blues singer/guitarist, dies at 76
- 2001 Maria Karnilova, American dancer and actress (Fiddler on the Roof, Ivan the Terrible), dies at 80
- 2001 Giuseppe Sinopoli, Italian conductor and composer (Sunnyata), dies at 54
- 2002 Alan Dale, American singer (Alan Dale Show), dies at 76
- 2007 Andrew Hill, American jazz composer and pianist (b. 1931)
- 2008 VL Mike, American Rapper (b. 1976)
- 2012 Bert Weedon, English guitar player, dies at 91
- 2017 Cuba Gooding Sr., American singer (Everybody Plays the Fool), dies at 72
- 2018 Avicii [Tim Bergling], Swedish musician, DJ, remixer and record producer (Levels, Wake Me Up, Sunshine), commits suicide at 28
April in History
![Wicked or Sinless? The Life of Lucrezia Borgia]()
Wicked or Sinless? The Life of Lucrezia Borgia
Hardly a week went by when Lucrezia Borgia, born on this day, was not accused of some foul deed. But was she just a pawn in the hands of her evil family?
April 18, 1480![Millions Come Up to See Mae West]()
Millions Come Up to See Mae West
Mae West, jailed on this day for obscenity, became one of the most successful sex symbols. Fans could not resist the offer: ‘Come up and see me some time.’
April 19, 1927![World's First Motor Race]()
World's First Motor Race
It was hardly the stuff of today's adrenalin-pumping Formula 1 match ups, but on this day two men climbed aboard their machine for "the world’s first motor race”.
April 20, 1887![A Son, A Son – My Wife For A Son!]()
A Son, A Son – My Wife For A Son!
Henry VIII, who became King of England on this day in history, disposed of two wives in his quest for a son and heir – and was to marry four others.
April 21, 1509
