Throwback: Happy 89th Birthday, Waylon Jennings!

We’ve made it halfway through 2026 y’all. And for my friends, readers and dearest ones in the LGQBTIA+ community: Happy Pride!

June is a busy month for birthdays. 

• Alanis Morisette celebrated her 52nd birthday on June 1
• The Smiths‘ Mike Joyce celebrated his 63rd birthday on June 1
• Brandi Carlile celebrated her 45th birthday on June 1
• Cypress Hill’s and Prophets of Rage’s B Real celebrated his 56th birthday on June 2
• The Rolling Stones‘ Charlie Watts was born 85 years ago.on June 2
• One of the greatest singer/songwriters to ever live, Curtis Mayfield was born 84 years ago on June 3
• Al B. Sure! celebrated his 58th birthday on June 4
• The Psychedelic Furs and Love Spit Love frontman Richard Butler celebrated his 70th birthday on June 5
• The legendary Prince was born 68 years ago on June 7
• Duran Duran‘s Nick Rhodes celebrated his 64th birthday on June 8
• “Mr. Excitement,” the great Jackie Wilson was born 92 years ago on June 9
• Faith Evans celebrated her 53rd birthday on June 10
• Howlin’ Wolf, one of the greatest bluesmen to have done it was born 116 years ago on June 10
• ZZ Top‘s drummer Frank Beard celebrated his 77th birthday on .June 11
• Boy George celebrated his 65th birthday on June 14
• Ice Cube, one of the greatest emcees to ever spit a bar on an album celebrates his 57th birthday today

I’m a big fan of the Outlaw Country period. Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash are longtime personal favorites. Waylon Jennings by far was the one who truly pioneered the style, while being the first commercially and critically successful to do so, as well. 

Jennings was born 89 years ago today. Happy birthday, legend! Happy birthday, wherever you are!

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