We’ve somehow managed to survive through July so far, eh? Well, July is a busy month in music history.
- One of the most important figures of the blues, Chicago blues especially, Willie Dixonwas born 110 years ago on July 1
- James Cotton was born 90 years ago on July 1
- Syl Johnson was born 89 years ago on July 1
- The B-52s Fred Schneider celebrated his 74th birthday on July 1
- The iconic Debbie Harry celebrated her 80th birthday today on July 1
- Evelyn “Champagne” King celebrated her 65th birthday on July 1
- Depeche Mode‘s Yaz’s/Yazoo’s and Erasure‘s Vince Clarke celebrated his 64th birthday on July 3
- Dr. Lonnie Smith was born 83 years ago on July 3
- Bill Withers was born 87 years ago on July 4
- Huey Lewis and The News‘ frontman Huey Lewis celebrated his 75th birthday on July 5
- Acclaimed, Wu-Tang mastermind and producer The RZA celebrated his 56th birthday on July 5
- 50 Cent celebrated his 50th birthday on July 6
- The Beatles‘ Ringo Starr celebrated his 85th birthday on July 7
- Depeche Mode co-founder Andy “Fletch” Fletcher was born 64 years ago on July 8
- AC/DC‘s first frontman, Bon Scott was born 79 years ago on July 9
- Simple Minds‘ founder and frontman Jim Kerr celebrated his 66th birthday on July 9
- Pet Shop Boys‘ frontman Neil Tennant celebrated his 71st birthday on July 10
- The legendary and incomparable Mavis Staples celebrated her 86th birthday on July 10
- Lil’ Kim celebrated her 51st birthday on July 11
- Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy celebrated his 68th birthday on July 11
- Joy Division‘s Ian Curtis was born 69 years ago on July 15
- Linda Ronstadt, one of the greatest vocalists — and arguably one of the most commercially successful female artists — celebrated her 79th birthday on July 15
- The Police’s Stewart Copeland celebrated his 73rd birthday on July 16
- Live‘s frontman Ed Kowalczyk celebrated his 54th birthday on July 16
- Gang Starr‘s legendary G.U.R.U was born 64 years ago on July 17
- The incomparable and legendary Screamin’ Jay Hawkins was born 96 years ago on July 18
- Queen‘s Brian May celebrated his 78th birthday on July 19
- Kool G. Rap celebrates his 57th birthday today
Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard celebrates his 60th — yes, y’all, 60th! — birthday today. When I was in junior high school and high school, Pearl Jam was one of my favorite bands, ever. Their first three albums are absolutely legendary — and I loved them immensely.
Happy belated birthday, Stone! Thank you for music that got me through my teens. And may there be many, many more!
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