Throwback: Happy 77th Birthday, David Bowie!

January is a busy and auspicious month in music history:

• Legendary hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash celebrated his 66th birthday on January 1
• Led Zeppelin‘s and Them Crooked Vultures‘ John Paul Jones celebrated his 78th birthday on January 3
• French touch pioneer Thomas Bangalter, best known for his work in Stardust and the multi-Grammy Award-winning duo Daft Punk celebrated his 49th birthday on January 
• R.E.M.’s  Michael Stipe celebrated his 64th birthday on January 4
• Joy Division and New Order founder Bernard Sumner celebrated his 68th birthday on January 4
• Cocteau Twins‘ co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and producer Robin Guthriecelebrated his 62nd birthday on January 4
• Portishead frontperson Beth Gibbons celebrates her 58th birthday on January 4
• The 65th anniversary of singer, model, actress and Prince protegé Denise Katrina Matthews, a.k.a. Vanity was on January 4
• Blondie co-founder and guitarist Chris Stein celebrated his 74th birthday on January 5
• AC/DC co-founder, rhythm guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist Malcom Young was born 71 years ago on January 6
• Sister Sledge‘s Kathy Sledge celebrated her 65th birthday today on January 6

January 8 is an especially auspicious day in music history.

• The Doors‘ Robby Krieger celebrated his 78th birthday today

Additionally, the legendary David Bowie was born 77 years ago. Now there’s a reason why I spend some time celebrating Bowie’s birthday every year: Besides being a lifelong fan of his work, some of my earliest — and most powerful — musical memories are tied into listening to David Bowie.

I vividly remember being about 4 years old or so. My folks had rented David Bowie’s Serious Moonlight from a local rental place. I was obsessed with it. And at some point, I probably memorized every single thing that happened — including Bowie’s pale blue suit.

Where would I be if my folks didn’t inspire and foster such a frenzied passion and interest in music? I don’t know. I’d probably be very boring. Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. Thank you, David Bowie. And more important, Happy birthday! Happy birthday, wherever you are.