BIRTHDAYS
1930: Ornette Coleman
1946: Paul Atkinson (The Zombies)
1953: Billy Sheehan (Talas / David Lee Roth Band / Mr. Big / Niacin)
1959: Terry Hall (The Specials / Fun Boy Three)
1971: Jack Bessant (Reef)
1975: Brann Dailor (Mastodon / Lethargy)
EVENTS
1971: Yes released their third LP, ‘The Yes Album’.
1971: T. Rex topped the UK singles chart with “Hot Love”, their 1st of 4 UK No.1s.
1976: Death of guitarist, Paul Kossoff of Free [aged 25].
1982: Death of guitarist, Randy Rhoads of Quiet Riot / Ozzy Osbourne Band [aged 25].
1990: Death of singer, Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone [aged 24].
19th of March is a dangerous day for rock stars… we lost two brilliant guitarists, Paul Kossoff & Randy Rhoads, plus a very promising singer, Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone. The former and the latter were drug overdoses, while Randy was tragically killed in a plane crash, on tour with Ozzy. All three of them were only 25 years old or younger ~ a huge loss. Paul Kossoff was just 18 when he formed Free with Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser & Simon Kirke. Between 1968 & 1973 they created some of the finest blues / rock to come out of England. Paul Kossoff wrenched so much soul and emotion out of his Les Paul Gibson and he has left a huge legacy in the world of guitar greats.
BIRTHDAYS
1941: Wilson Pickett
1952: Bernie Torme (Gillan / Ozzy Osbourne Band / Torme / Desperado / GMT)
1961: Grant Hart (Husker Du)
1963: Jeff LeBar (Cinderella)
1964: Courtney Pine
1966: Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains)
EVENTS
1967: Pink Floyd signed to EMI Records in the UK.
1976: The film ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’ featuring David Bowie premiered in London.
1978: California Jam II Festival featuring Aerosmith & Santana drew a crowd of 250,000 people.
1996: The Sex Pistols announced their comeback in London, 20 years after they had split.
2001: Death of singer / songwriter / guitarist / arranger, John Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas [aged 65].
2014: Death of Joe Lala, drummer for CSNY, Manassas, Allman Brothers, Joe Walsh, etc. [aged 66].
2017: Death of legendary rock ‘n’ roll guitarist / singer / songwriter, Chuck Berry [aged 90].
2020: Death of Mickey Atkins, keyboard player for Funkadelic & Parliament [aged 71].
48 years ago, this wonderfully weird movie hit the screens…
Happy 57th Birthday to Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains! He has kept the band going through thick and thin ~ good on him for doing that. Jerry can play some mean and heavy duty riffs, but also emotional acoustic numbers like this AiC classic…
BIRTHDAYS
1919: Nat “King” Cole
1941: Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane / Starship)
1944: John Sebastian (The Lovin’ Spoonful)
1948: Bobby Whitlock (Derek & The Dominos)
1951: Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy)
1959: Mike Lindup (Level 42)
1963: Michael Ivins (The Flaming Lips)
1967: Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
1972: Melissa Auf Der Maur (Hole)
1973: Caroline Corr (The Corrs)
1975: Justin Hawkins (The Darkness)
EVENTS
1973: Pink Floyd‘s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ LP was released in America. The album stayed on the chart for over 740 weeks.
1990: Death of bassist, Ric Grech of Traffic & Blind Faith [aged 43].
2004: Ray Davies of The Kinks received a CBE medal for services to the music industry.
2019: Death of singer / songwriter, Andre Williams [aged 82].
2019: Death of guitarist / singer / songwriter, Bernie Torme of Gillan / Ozzy Osbourne Band / Torme / Desperado / GMT [aged 66].
2023: Death of singer / musician, Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins, of Parliament & Funkadelic [aged 81].
2023: Death of guitarist, Mick Slattery, a founding member of Hawkwind [aged 77].
2024: Death of singer / songwriter / musician, Stephen Nice a.k.a. Steve Harley, leader of Cockney Rebel [aged 73].
Happy 57th Birthday to Billy Corgan! This shot of Billy was taken when I met him on 5th February, 1994, after The Smashing Pumpkins had played at the first Big Day Out Music Festival, Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland. He wasn’t keen on being photographed, but instead asked for my camera and took the photo of his own face (years before the word “selfie”).
Billy has written so many cool songs. Always love this one… a great year!
BIRTHDAYS
1943: Jerry Goodman (The Flock / Mahavishnu Orchestra)
1948: Michael Bruce (Alice Cooper Band)
1954: Nancy Wilson (Heart)
1963: Stuart Kerr (Texas)
1991: Wolfgang Van Halen
EVENTS
1975: Death of innovative blues guitarist, Aaron “T-Bone” Walker [aged 64].
2008: Death of singer, Daniel MacMaster of the group, Bonham [aged 39].
2015: Death of drummer, Bruce Crump of Molly Hatchet [aged 57].
2015: Death of bassist, Andy Fraser of Free & Sharks [aged 62].
2017: Death of blues harmonica player / singer / songwriter, James Cotton [aged 81].
2019: Death of guitarist, Dick Dale [aged 81]. Dick was a true original, known as “The King of Surf Guitar”.
2019: Judas Priest & Halestorm played a concert at Spark Arena, Auckland ~ I was there!
Happy 76th Birthday to Michael Bruce, original guitarist for Alice Cooper! Michael is on all those classic Coop LPs from 1969 to 1974 and made a guest appearance on Alice’s 2017 album, ‘Paranormal’.
Also, Happy Birthday to guitarist / singer / songwriter, Nancy Wilson of Heart, who is 70 today! I took the above photo of her at the concert at Taupo Amphitheatre on Saturday, 24th of January, 2015. It was a scorching hot day and Heart rocked!
BIRTHDAYS
1940: Phil Lesh (The Grateful Dead)
1944: Sylvester Stewart a.k.a. Sly Stone
1946: Howard Scott (War)
1947: Ry Cooder
1955: Daniel “Dee” Snider (Twisted Sister)
1962: Terence Trent D’arby
EVENTS
1969: Cream started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with their album ‘Goodbye’ .
1975: Led Zeppelin went to No.1 on the UK chart with the double album ‘Physical Graffiti’, the first on their own ‘Swan Song’ label. The album spent six weeks at No.1 on the US chart.
1977: Pink Floyd played the first of six sold-out nights at Empire Pool, Wembley, London.
1993: David Coverdale & Jimmy Page released their ‘Coverdale / Page’ album.
2014: Death of Scott Asheton of The Stooges [aged 64].
2015: Eagles played a concert at Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland ~ I was there!
2015: Death of bassist, Mike Porcaro of Toto [aged 59].
2017: Death of New Zealand folk singer / songwriter / guitarist, Phil Garland [aged 75].
Happy 77th Birthday to Ry Cooder! Apart from being one of the greatest slide guitarists ever, Ry is also well known as a singer / songwriter / film score composer / record producer and for his association with world music artists, such as Ali Farka Toure, Hans Theessink & Buena Vista Social Club. He also appeared on albums by The Rolling Stones, Captain Beefheart, Little Feat and many more.
Also on this day 31 years ago, David Coverdale & Jimmy Page released their mighty good ‘Coverdale / Page’ album. This was the first taste we got of it ~ debut single, “Pride and Joy”.
BIRTHDAYS
1933: Quincy Jones
1943: Jim Pons (The Turtles / Frank Zappa Band)
1965: Billy Sherwood (Yes / Conspiracy / Circa)
EVENTS
1980: Def Leppard released their debut album, ‘On Through the Night’.
1982: Metallica (James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine & Ron McGovney) played their first gig, at Radio City in Anaheim, California.
1984: Rainbow played their final concert, prior to Deep Purple reforming with Ritchie Blackmore.
1986: Frank Zappa appeared on ‘Miami Vice’ as a crime boss, named “Mr. Frankie”.
1991: Death of blues singer / songwriter, Jerome Felder a.k.a. Doc Pomus.
Happy Birthday to the very talented Billy Sherwood of Yes ~ he’s 59 today! Billy has been associated with Yes since the early ’90s and he was the only person considered for the bassist position in the band, after the legendary Chris Squire died in 2015. He has also helmed Conspiracy, Circa and numerous other projects, playing guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and taking care of production duties. Here is a fantastic Yes Medley, performed live with Alan White, Tony Kaye & Jimmy Haun. Rock on, Billy!
BIRTHDAYS
1912: Sam “Lightnin'” Hopkins
1933: Mike Stoller
1953: Rustee Allen (Sly & The Family Stone / Robin Trower Band)
1959: Greg Norton (Husker Du)
1960: Adam Clayton (U2)
EVENTS
1965: Eric Clapton left The Yardbirds.
1971: The Allman Brothers Band were recorded live in concert, which resulted in their legendary double live album, ‘At Fillmore East’. Some recordings were also used from the previous night’s performance.
1977: Iggy Pop & David Bowie kicked off a 22-date tour at Le Plateau Theatre, Montreal.
1988: Roy Buchanan played a concert at Auckland Town Hall ~ I was there!
2015: Death of Daevid Allen of Gong [aged 77].
2016: Death of keyboard player, Nik Green, best known for his work with Blue Murder.
2017: Death of music producer, Tommy LiPuma [aged 80].
2023: Death of drummer, Jim Gordon, of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Derek and the Dominos & Traffic [aged 77]. He also played on material by George Harrison, John Lennon, Steely Dan, The Beach Boys, Alice Cooper & more.
Nine years ago, singer / songwriter / guitarist / poet, Daevid Allen of Gong & Soft Machine passed away. The weird and wonderful Australian musician is best known for the psychedelic Radio Gnome Trilogy with Gong (1973’s ‘Flying Teapot’ and ‘Angel’s Egg’, and 1974’s ‘You’). Rest in Peace, cosmic leader.
On this day in 1977, Iggy Pop & David Bowie kicked off a 22-date tour at Le Plateau Theatre, Montreal. Support band was Blondie. Iggy had released his debut solo album, ‘The Idiot’ just five days after this show, which marked his first project without The Stooges. Bowie played keyboards and sang backing vocals. Material performed included songs the pair had written together (“China Girl”, “Funtime”, “Sister Midnight”) and two that David had especially written for Iggy (“Tonight” & “Some Weird Sin”). The rest of the set comprised of Iggy and Stooges numbers.
BIRTHDAYS
1917: Leonard Chess (Founder of Chess Records)
1940: Al Jarreau
1946: Liza Minnelli
1948: James Taylor
1949: Bill Payne (Little Feat)
1949: Mike Gibbins (Badfinger)
1951: Jack Green (The Pretty Things)
1956: Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
1969: Graham Coxon (Blur)
EVENTS
1955: Death of jazz saxophonist, Charlie Parker [aged 34].
1967: The Velvet Underground released their hugely influential debut album, ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’. Andy Warhol produced the LP and provided the legendary peeling banana art work.
1969: Paul McCartney married Linda Eastman.
2002: Death of singer / songwriter / drummer / guitarist / keyboard player, John “Speedy” Keen of Thunderclap Newman [aged 56].
2006: David Gilmour of Pink Floyd was No.1 on the UK chart with his third solo album, ‘On an Island’.
2013: Death of drummer, Clive Burr of Iron Maiden [aged 56].
2017: Death of guitarist, Joey Alves of Y&T [aged 63].
2022: Death of guitarist, Barry Bailey of Atlanta Rhythm Section [aged 73].
Happy 68th Birthday to Steve Harris of Iron Maiden! Steve is the bassist / songwriter / mastermind that started the band, back in 1975. He is the only remaining original member (although Dave Murray has appeared on every album) and writes the lion’s share of the songs. Maiden are still going, strong as ever and their latest albums, ‘The Book of Souls’ & ‘Senjutsu’ are right up there with the best they have made.
1945: Harvey Mandel (Canned Heat, John Mayall Band, Charlie Musselwhite Band, The Rolling Stones)
1947: Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge)
1948: George Kooymans (Golden Earring)
1950: Bobby McFerrin
1955: Nina Hagen
1961: Bruce Watson (Big Country)
1964: Vinnie Paul (Pantera / Damageplan)
1968: Lisa Loeb
1969: Rami Jaffee (The Wallflowers)
1974: Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne Band / Black Sabbath)
1979: Joel Madden (Good Charlotte)
1979: Benji Madden (Good Charlotte)
EVENTS
1972: Neil Young went to No.1 on the US & UK album chart with ‘Harvest‘.
1978: The debut single by Kate Bush, “Wuthering Heights”, began a 4-week run at No.1 on UK chart.
1986: Death of Saunders Terrell a.k.a. Sonny Terry [aged 74].
1997: Paul McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
2016: Death of keyboardist / composer, Keith Emerson [aged 71].
2017: Death of singer, Robert “P-Nut” Johnson, of Parliament / Funkadelic [aged 69].
2016: Death of drummer, Hal Blaine [aged 90]. As part of “The Wrecking Crew”, Hal played on a huge amount of famous songs, including hits by Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Johnny Rivers, Cher, The 5th Dimension, Frank Sinatra & many more.
52 years ago, Neil Young was at the number one spot with his beautiful album, ‘Harvest‘. The LP features classic NY songs, such as “Heart of Gold”, “Old Man”, “The Needle and the Damage Done” & “Words”. David Crosby, Graham Nash, Linda Ronstadt, Stephen Stills & James Taylor guest on the album, and two tracks are backed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
BIRTHDAYS
1947: Donald Thomas “Tom” Scholz (Boston)
1950: Ted McKenna (Sensational Alex Harvey Band / Rory Gallagher Band)
1963: Frederick “Rick” Rubin (Record Producer)
1963: Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam)
1964: Neneh Cherry
1965: Edie Brickell
1966: Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam)
EVENTS
1977: The Sex Pistols signed to A&M Records. The contract lasted for six days.
1984: Ian Gillan quit Black Sabbath.
2000: Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders was arrested for leading an animal rights protest against Gap clothing.
2024: Death of bassist, T. M. Stevens [aged 72]. Over the years, Thomas Michael Stevens was a member of Space Cadets, VAI (‘Sex and Religion’ album and tour), Out of Control, Illegal Aliens, The Boombasstics, Temple of Soul and played for James Brown, Nona Hendryx, Dan Hartman, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Little Steven, Tina Turner, Narada Michael Walden, Taylor Dayne, Stevie Salas, Billy Joel and more.
2024: Death of singer / songwriter /musician, Karl Wallinger [aged 66]. Karl was a member of The Waterboys, before leading his own successful band, World Party. He them went on to produce many film soundtracks.
Happy Birthday to Tom Scholz of Boston ~ he’s 77 today! The guitarist, singer / songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, inventor, engineer, producer was wholly responsible for creating Boston, who had the biggest-selling debut album by any artist at that time (1976). Tom set up the DTS Charitable Foundation in 1987 and has raised millions of dollars for children’s rights, animal protection and for feeding the hungry. This one also goes out to fantastic singer of Boston, Brad Delp, who died a day before Tom’s birthday, on 9th March, 2007.