2026 has gotten off to a terrible and uneasy start for most of us. But we’re here in February. Of course, February is a super busy month: It’s Black History Month, which I’ve made sure to celebrate in some way on this site for much of its history. But there are also a number of important birthdays in music history that we must celebrate. So let’s get to it.
- Big Boi celebrated his 51st birthday on February 1
- Rick James was born 78 years ago on February 1
- Stan Getz was born 99 years ago on February 2
- Stone Temple Pilots‘ Robert DeLeo celebrated his 60th — yes, 60th y’all! –birthday on February 2
- LCD Soundsystem frontman and DFA Records founder James Murphy celebrated his 56th birthday on February 2
- The legendary Graham Nash, known for his work with Crosby Stills and Nash, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Hollies and as a solo artist, celebrated his 84th birthday on February 2
- The Temptations‘ second and longest tenured lead vocalist Dennis Edwards was born 83 years ago on February 3
- The Offspring‘s guitarist Noodles — born, Kevin John Wasserman — celebrated his 63rd birthday on February 4
- Guns N’ Roses‘ Duff McKagan celebrated his 62nd birthday on February 5
- Bobby Brown celebrated his 57th birthday on February 5
- The legendary Bob Marley was born 81 years ago on February 6
- Natalie Cole, the daughter of the legendary jazz singer and pianist Nat King Cole was born 76 years ago on February 6
- James Dewit Yancey, best known to the entire world as J. Dilla, one of the most influential and important hip-hop producers and beatmakers was born 52 years ago on February 7
- Motley Crüe‘s Vince Neil celebrated his 65th — yes, y’all, 65th! — birthday on February 8
- French touch pioneer and one-half of acclaimed electronic outfit Daft Punk, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, celebrated his 52nd birthday on February 8
- Singer/songwriter and musician Carole King celebrated her 84th birthday on February 9
- The legendary Roberta Flack was born 89 years ago on February 10
- Sheryl Crow celebrated her 64th birthday on February 11
- D’Angelo was born 52 years ago on February 11
- Bad Brains‘ founder and frontman H.R. celebrated his 70th birthday on February 11
- Acclaimed singer/songwriter, pop star and actor Brandy celebrated her 47th birthday on February 11
- The Doors‘ Ray Manzarek was born 87 years ago on February 12
Joy Division and New Order co-founder Peter Hook celebrates his 70th –yeah, y’all, 70th! — birthday today. Along with his former bandmates, Hook is a pioneer in the genres of post-punk, synth pop and electronica. His work with both Joy Division and New Order has been cited as influencing countless bands. He’s also a instrumental member of the Manchester scene that would inspire the “Madchester” movement of the late 80s and early 90s.
I love both Joy Division and as a child of the 80s, I adore New Order immensely. So, happy birthday, Peter! Thank you for being a part of songs that have been a major part of my life. May there be many, many more!
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