1

French Quarter Festival (New Orleans)

Every March since 1984, New Orleans turns into one big open-air stage during the French Quarter Festival. With hundreds of performances spread across the neighborhood, live music is around every corner. What makes it special is its local flavor — you’re hearing musicians who live and breathe the city’s sound. It’s lively, welcoming, and admission is free! Bonus: Throughout the fest, you can sample food from beloved local restaurants, too.

2

Louis Armstrong House Museum (Queens, New York)

In Queens, New York, the Louis Armstrong House Museum lets you see the quieter side of a global legend. This is where Armstrong lived with his wife Lucille from 1943 until his death in 1971, and walking through the building feels surprisingly intimate. Guided tours share stories that go beyond the stage, giving you a sense of the man behind the music. It’s a simple but meaningful stop for anyone who has ever hummed "What a Wonderful World."

3

Jazz at Lincoln Center (New York)

At New York City’s Columbus Circle, the Jazz at Lincoln Center tour offers more than just a seat in the audience. You get a peek inside Frederick P. Rose Hall , along with sweeping views of Central Park from the House of Swings, which makes the visit feel extra special. The tour brings the jazz world to life through stories and history lessons. You can learn about the educational programs the center offers, as well as how performances come together in one of the country’s top venues.

4

Apollo Theater (New York)

Built in 1914, the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem has launched some of the biggest names in music: Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., and so many more. Stepping through its doors, you’ll discover a place where audiences enjoyed unforgettable performances while careers were born. You can access guided tours only by reservation, so check the webpage for details on booking your visit.

5

Satchmo SummerFest (New Orleans)

Late summer in New Orleans brings Satchmo SummerFest, a two-day tribute to Louis Armstrong . The atmosphere is relaxed, the music is rich, and it’s free! More than anything, it feels like a community gathering, one that keeps Armstrong’s spirit alive while supporting local musicians. It’s the kind of event that leaves you smiling long after the last note fades.

6

Nat King Cole’s birth house (Montgomery, Alabama)

Montgomery, Alabama, offers a look at where Nat King Cole was born in 1919. The entrance is free, but it’s currently going through renovations . However, a curbside visit can be enough to get a sense of Cole’s history. The house was moved from its original location in Montgomery County to the campus of Alabama State University in 2000, where it is part of the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights Trail.

7

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park , located in the Treme neighborhood and created in 1994, gives you a deeper appreciation for how jazz began. Rangers host talks, while frequent live performances make the music feel personal and immediate. Not far away, the New Orleans Jazz Museum adds another layer, with thousands of artifacts and regular concerts.

8

Village Vanguard (New York)

The Village Vanguard is one of those rare places that has stood the test of time. Located in New York’s Greenwich Village downtown, the club opened in 1935 and became a jazz hotspot in 1957 . Unlike other historic sites that closed, it still hosts live jazz in the same cozy space. Sitting there, you can almost feel history coming from the speakers. Monday nights are a treat with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, but any evening offers a chance to hear world-class musicians up close.

9

New Orleans Jazz Museum

Few places are as closely tied to jazz as New Orleans. With its mix of cultures, the city created the perfect setting for a new kind of music to take shape at the turn of the 20th century. At the New Orleans Jazz Museum, you’ll find thousands of artifacts that trace jazz from its earliest days. Not far away, Preservation Hall continues the tradition with live performances that stay true to the original sound.

10

Dizzy Gillespie Home Site Park (Cheraw, South Carolina)

In Cheraw, South Carolina, a small park called the Dizzy Gillespie Home Site Park celebrates the great trumpeter. It’s a quieter stop, but one that feels personal. You can follow a simple brochure to explore spots tied to Dizzy’s early life, including Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church and the Robert Smalls School. If you visit in October, the town’s jazz festival adds a lively touch, turning this peaceful place into a celebration of music and community.

1

"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston

Image: Ransford Quaye

This legendary ballad was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1973. When the song was selected for the The Bodyguard soundtrack , the producers were initially hesitant. They were about to choose a different song for Whitney Houston, but everything changed in a second. Once they heard her sing it, they knew they couldn't pass it up. Today, it's considered one of her most iconic performances!

2

"Purple Rain" by Prince

Image: Doyoun Seo

While we can't imagine a world without the iconic "Purple Rain," it almost wasn't released! At first, Prince conceived the song as a duet with Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, but she turned it down, saying the piece felt too overwhelming. Prince then trimmed the original version (the final still runs over 8 minutes) as the theme was considered too complex and extensive. Fortunately, after those arrangements, it was released on the album of the same name in 1984 and became one of his most legendary works.

3

"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson

Image: Mathew Browne

The Thriller album wouldn’t be the same without the incomparable "Billie Jean"! But did you know that it almost didn't make the cut? Believe it or not, the album's producer didn't like the song and thought the title might confuse people, especially due to its similarity to tennis player Billie Jean King's name. He even suggested changing not just the title, but also the iconic bass intro. Fortunately, Jackson stood his ground, and the song became a turning point in his career!

4

"Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica

Image: Yurii Stupen

Metallica gave us the incredible ballad "Nothing Else Matters," later covered by multiple artists and bands around the world. But vocalist James Hetfield almost deprived us of this beautiful work! As he tells it, he composed the ballad on the road while missing his home and family. However, when his spirits lifted, Hetfield worried that the song might be too personal, and perhaps too soft for Metallica's heavy metal vibe. Fortunately, when the band members heard it, they loved it and convinced him to include it on The Black Album .

5

"Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi

Image: andre mosele

Who hasn't sung " Whoaaaa, we're halfway there, whoa-ooooh, livin' on a prayer " at the top of their lungs? We certainly have! But, strangely enough, Jon Bon Jovi almost kept this anthem a secret . When he first heard the full version of the song, he wasn’t convinced—he thought it was too simplistic and might not resonate with fans. Thankfully, his bandmates saw something special in it and convinced him to give it a chance.

6

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana

Image: Jurian Kersten

The legendary Kurt Cobain wrote "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as a protest against the polished pop hits dominating the music scene—but the result didn’t convince him. He was worried that the song would become too mainstream, given its commercial appeal. After some debate, the producer and the band convinced him to record it. To this day, it's one of the band's most iconic tracks and a defining anthem of the entire grunge movement!

7

"Like a Prayer" by Madonna

Image: Jonathan J. Castellon

"Like a Prayer" by Madonna is one of the most famous hits in pop music history. But the religious imagery in both the song and its music video raised concerns among her producers and record label executives, who feared an intense backlash that could affect the singer's career. Although it’s said that Madonna herself was initially hesitant as well, the song was not only released but also became one of her defining anthems.

8

"Sweet Child O’ Mine" by Guns N’ Roses

Image: Simon Weisser

Although it may be hard to believe, a record company once considered "Sweet Child O' Mine" unrepresentative of Guns N’ Roses’ sound. In fact, it’s said that Slash’s now-iconic guitar riff started out as an ironic joke! When the rest of the band heard it and wanted to build a song around it, he flatly refused. Luckily for the fans, the song did come out, and it also became the band's only number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100!

9

"1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins

Image: Francisco Moreno

Although many of us love "1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins, it was almost left off their album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness . The song, written by lead singer Billy Corgan, was initially rejected by the band because they felt it didn't fit with the overall vibe of the album. Fortunately, after hearing the completed track, they realized how unique it was and decided to include it.

10

"What’s Going On" by Marvin Gaye

Image: Caio Silva

One of the most iconic songs in American music history, "What's Going On," almost didn't see the light of day. When Marvin Gaye brought the track to Motown founder Berry Gordy, he was met with resistance. Gordy felt the song’s social and political themes were too risky and potentially controversial. But Gaye was determined. He pushed forward and recorded it anyway—and thanks to that decision, we have this timeless masterpiece today.

1

Edna Foster and Edith Storey (1911)

Even just thirty years after his death, the figure of Billy the Kid was so legendary that films were already being produced based on his life. The first two, both silent shorts, date from 1911 and share an intriguing peculiarity: both star women.

Billy the Kid was directed by Laurence Trimble and is very loosely based on the life of the famous outlaw. It is, however, believed to be a lost film. Edith Storey , an American actress who had played male characters in films such as Oliver Twist , stars as "the Kid."

The Adventures of Billy , on the other hand, was directed by the great pioneer American motion-picture director D. W. Griffith. In this film, the role of Billy is played by American child actress Edna Foster.

2

Johnny Mack Brown (1930)

American college football player and film actor John Mack Brown was the first to play Billy the Kid in the talkies. He was directed by none other than the great film director and producer King Vidor in 1930's Billy the Kid . This film is a pre-Code Western and tells the story of Billy's escape after avenging his boss and the subsequent manhunt by Sheriff Pat Garret.

Johnny Mack Brown had started his career by appearing in a few minor films until he got his big break with this movie. Unfortunately, his career in mainstream cinema did not flourish, leading him to transition into low-budget Westerns. Eventually, he found significant success as a B-movie cowboy , becoming a beloved figure in the genre.

3

Jack Buetel (1943)

Jack Buetel was an inexperienced actor when tycoon Howard Hughes cast him in his next film, The Outlaw , in 1940. Buetel signed a seven-year contract after Hughes promised him that he would make him a star.

The film faced many difficulties. It wasn’t immediately approved due to its erotic scenes, and although it was officially released in 1943, it was not until 1946 that the public was able to finally see it. Produced during the golden age of the genre, The Outlaw is considered a psychological Western. However, it was not well received by the critics of the time, and Buetel's work was especially bashed. After this, Hughes refused to allow Buetel to participate in other films, and his career never really took off.

4

Paul Newman (1958)

Paul Newman is one of the most celebrated actors of the 20th century and is best known for his roles in several classic Westerns. But did you know that the first Western character Paul Newman portrayed was Billy the Kid? In the mid-1950s, Newman was cast to replace James Dean in The Left Handed Gun after Dean's untimely death. This was the beginning of a series of films about the Old West that the beloved American actor would play throughout his career.

Based on a teleplay by Gore Vidal and directed by Arthur Penn, The Left Handed Gun departs from the classic genre iconography to present the famous bandit much closer to the rebellious and tormented antiheroes of the era. Thus, in this film, the characters are complex and nuanced, questioning and revising the traditional portrayal of the savage outlaw.

5

Clu Gulager (1960 - 1962)

The first television series about Billy the Kid was The Tall Man , which aired on NBC from September 10, 1960, to September 1, 1962. Although we all know that the real story ends with Billy being killed by Pat Garrett, this light-hearted action series focuses on the duo's alleged happier days, when they had more of a father-and-son relationship.

Clu Gulager, born in Oklahoma and the son of a cowboy entertainer, plays Billy. Although he was already 32 years old when cast, the actor earned his well-deserved place in the role. After the success of this series, Gulager worked in other Westerns and later had a second career as a horror film actor. His last appearance on the big screen was in 2019, in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

6

Geoffrey Deuel (1970)

While this is not a film specifically about Billy the Kid's life, he does appear as a supporting character. Starring the legendary John Wayne, Chisum tells the story of the 1878 Lincoln County War, an Old West conflict between rival factions involving some famous gunslingers, including William H. Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid.

In this film, Geoffrey Deuel plays Billy the Kid. Although he had already participated in some television series, Chisum was his debut on the big screen.

7

Kris Kristofferson (1973)

Kris Kristofferson is best known for his career as a country musician and his appearance in the 1976 version of A Star is Born alongside Barbra Streisand. But did you know he also portrayed Billy the Kid? In 1973, he was cast in the revisionist Western film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid , directed by Sam Peckinpah.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Kristofferson's involvement in this film is that he introduced Bob Dylan to the director. Dylan was initially hired to write the title song, but ended up composing the whole score and even played the role of "Alias." Among the songs Dylan wrote for the film was the iconic "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."

8

Val Kilmer (1989)

American writer Gore Vidal was not pleased with the adaptation of his teleplay for The Left Handed Gun , so he decided to produce his own version. The resulting TV movie premiered on TNT in May 1989, with Val Kilmer cast as Billy the Kid.

Kilmer's version of Billy the Kid is a bit friendlier than his predecessors. He was also the right age for the character, making Gore Vidal's Billy the Kid one of the most historically rigorous accounts of the outlaw's life.

After this film, Val Kilmer's career continued to grow, with standout roles in The Doors and Batman Forever . Billy the Kid wasn’t the only gunslinger he portrayed—Kilmer also famously played Doc Holliday in the 1993 film Tombstone .

9

Dane DeHaan (2019)

American actor Dane DeHaan portrays Billy the Kid in the 2019 film The Kid , alongside Ethan Hawke as lawman Pat Garrett. The physical resemblance between DeHaan—a younger Leonardo DiCaprio lookalike—and the real William H. Bonney is striking, making the Vincent D'Onofrio-directed film not only a fresh take but also one of the closest onscreen renditions of the mythical character.

In an interview, DeHaan said that he accepted the role because he thought it was a very interesting character to play. He also explained that he considered Billy the Kid a victim of the media and explained that the film aims to depict the harsh realities of the Wild West, where survival often drove people to desperate and terrible actions.

10

Tom Blyth (2022 - )

The most recent version of Billy the Kid is played by Tom Blyth, a 29-year-old English actor from Birmingham. Blyth plays the infamous outlaw in the television series Billy the Kid, which premiered on MGM+ in April 2022. Produced by Michael Hirst, the English producer behind hits like The Tudors and Vikings , the series was renewed for a third and final season in 2024.

To prepare for this character, Blyth didn't just read a ton of books about Billy's story; he felt the need to do something more tangible to get into the skin of the famous outlaw. He traveled to Arizona, rented a car, and began a 7-day pilgrimage around New Mexico visiting all the places William H. Bonney had once been. He even visited his grave! His intention was to make the character more palpable and real as opposed to this exaggerated image of the mythical character we are used to.