Born 1940

A No. 1 hit in 1966, “When a Man Loves a Woman” was Sledge’s debut single, an almost unbearably heartfelt ballad.

A federal law requiring a background check on handgun buyers bears his name.

Giger’s works, often showing macabre scenes of humans and machines fused into hellish hybrids, influenced a generation of movie directors and inspired an enduring fashion for “biomechanical” tattoos.

Frank Zappa was a prolific composer and musician. When he died 20 years ago, the New York Times called him “rock’s most committed iconoclast.”

How did Bruce Lee accomplish so much in such a short life? Perhaps it helped that he was born a Dragon.

Ricky Nelson was just 9 when he began appearing with father Ozzie, mother Harriet and brother David on the radio program The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

Raul Julia’s celebrated acting career made him one of Puerto Rico’s most famous native sons.

Their best known songs included “Bits and Pieces” and “Glad All Over.”

As one-half of the singing duo the Righteous Brothers, Bobby Hatfield was righteous indeed…

Later this month at the Cannes Film Festival, Steven Spielberg will present a restored version of his classic creature-feature, Jaws… and once again, it won’t be safe to go back …