It’s 2026 y’all. May it be a kinder, better year for all of us. January is a busy month for music birthdays.
- Gang of Four co-founder and guitarist Andy Gill was born 70 years ago on January 1
- The pioneering and legendary Grandmaster Flash celebrated his 68th birthday on January 1
- French touch pioneer Thomas Bangalter, best known for his work in Stardust and the multi-Grammy Award-winning duo Daft Punk celebrated his 51st birthday on January 3
- The legendary Stephen Stills, known for his work with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills and Nash, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, as well as for being a solo artist, celebrated his 81st birthday on January 3
- Led Zeppelin‘s John Paul Jones celebrated his 80th — yes, 80th — birthday on January 3
- Denise Katrina Matthews, best known as Vanity was born 67 years ago on January 4
- Joy Division and New Order founder Bernard Sumner celebrated his 70th — yes, y’all, 70th! — birthday on January 4
- Portishead frontperson Beth Gibbons celebrated her 60th — yes, ya’ll, 60th! — birthday on January 4
- Cocteau Twins‘ co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and producer Robin Guthrie celebrated his 64th birthday on January 4
- R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe celebrated his 66th birthday on January 4
- Blondie co-founder and guitarist Chris Stein celebrated his 76th birthday on January 5
- Sister Sledge‘s Kathy Sledge celebrated her 67th birthday on January 6
- AC/DC co-founder, rhythm guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist Malcolm Young was born 73 years ago on January 6
- The Doors‘ Robby Krieger celebrates his 80th — yes, ya’ll 80th — birthday today
The legendary David Bowie was born 79 years ago today. 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 memorized every single thing that happened — including Bowie’s pale blue suit. On my 38th birthday, Brooklyn Museum hosted a traveling David Bowie exhibit. And as a fan, I had to go. I was thrilled to see the same pale blue suit Bowie wore in Serious Moonlight — in person. Plus, all of his other artifacts. What an experience!
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.
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