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It’s January 2025 y’all! January is a busy month for music birthdays. Let’s get to it.
- The pioneering and legendary Grandmaster Flash celebrated his 67th birthday on January 1
- Gang of Four co-founder and guitarist Andy Gill was born 68 years ago on January 1
- Led Zeppelin‘s John Paul Jones celebrated his 79th 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 50th –yes, y’all, 50th! — 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, celebrates his 80th birthday on January 3
- Joy Division and New Order founder Bernard Sumner celebrated his 69th birthday on January 4
- Cocteau Twins‘ co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and producer Robin Guthriecelebrated his 63rd birthday on January 4
- Portishead frontperson Beth Gibbons celebrated her 59th birthday on January 4
- R.E.M. s Michael Stipe celebrated his 65th birthday on January 4
- Vanity was born 66 years ago on January 4
- Blondie co-founder and guitarist Chris Stein celebrated 75th birthday on January 5
- Sister Sledge‘s Kathy Sledge celebrated her 66th birthday on January 6
- AC/DC co-founder, rhythm guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist Malcolm Young was born 72 years ago on January 6
- The Doors‘ Robby Krieger celebrated his 79th birthday on January 8
- The legendary David Bowie was born 78 years ago on January 8
- Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, one of the greatest guitarists to ever play celebrated his 81st birthday on January 9
- Steely Dan co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Donald Fagen celebrated his 77th birthday on January 10
- The legendary Rod Stewart celebrated his 80th — yes, 80th! — birthday on January 10
- Mary J. Blige, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul celebrated her 54th birthday on January 11
- Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon celebrated his 55th birthday on January 12
- Rage Against the Machine‘s Zack de la Rocha celebrated his 55th birthday on January 12
- Earth Wind and Fire’s Fred White was born 70 years ago on January 13
- New Orleans‘ greatest sons, the legendary singer/songwriter, pianist, composer and producer Allen Toussaint was born 87 years ago on January 14
- One of the greatest, most commercially successful emcees ever, LL Cool J celebrates his 57th birthday on January 14
- Nirvana‘s and Foo Fighters‘ Dave Grohl celebrated his 56th birthday on January 14
- Slick Rick, one of the greatest living emcees to ever do it, celebrated his 60th birthday on January 14
- Lisa Lisa and The Cult Jam’s frontwoman Lisa “Lisa Lisa” Velez celebrates her 58th birthday on January 15
- Sade, the queen of the Quiet Storm sound celebrated her 66th birthday on January 16
- Aaliyah was born 46 years ago on January 16
- The Delfonics‘ William Hart was born on this day 80 years ago
- The Bangles’ co-founder and frontperson Susanna Hoffs celebrated her 66th birthday on January 17
- The Temptations‘ former lead singer David Ruffin was born 84 years ago on January 18
- Janis Joplin, arguably one of the greatest, most influential and most beloved vocalist ever was born 82 years ago on January 19
- Robert Palmer was born 76 years ago on January 19
- The legendary and incomparable Dolly Parton celebrated her 79th birthday on January 19
- The Roots‘ co-founder Questlove celebrated his 54th birthday on January 20
- Kevin Parker, the acclaimed Aussie singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, best known as JOVM mainstay Tame Impala celebrated his 39th birthday on January 20
- Billy Ocean celebrated his 75th birthday on January 21
- Run DMC‘s Jam Master Jay was born 60 years ago on January 21
Legendary soul singer/songwriter Sam Cooke was born 94 years ago today. Cooke is largely considered to be a pioneer and arguably one of the most influential soul artists, because he helped popularized soul to White audiences. Basically without Cooke, there’s no Motown, no Jackson 5, no hip-hop, none of that.
Happy birthday, Sam! Happy birthday, wherever you are!