April 16

 Dave Peverett

April 16, 1943 – February 7, 2000. Lonesome Dave Peverett served as the energetic lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Savoy Brown until 1970. Seeking a harder sound, he departed to form Foghat as a founding member and primary songwriter. This blues rock quartet found massive commercial success throughout the seventies with a string of gold and platinum records.

Dave Peverett remained the driving force of Foghat as their lead singer and rhythm guitarist from 1971 to 1984. He propelled the group to stardom with his distinct vocals on the landmark 1975 album Fool for the City. Throughout the decade, his charismatic stage presence and steady guitar work defined the band’s high energy stadium performances and radio hits.

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Lee Kerslake

April 16, 1947 – September 19, 2020. The hard rock landscape shifted when Lee Kerslake joined Uriah Heep as their powerhouse drummer and backing vocalist. He remained a vital fixture of the lineup from 1971 to 1979 and again from 1981 to 2007. His thunderous technique and vocal harmonies defined quintessential records such as Demons and Wizards and The Magician's Birthday.

As a sought after session player, he contributed to the early solo success of Ozzy Osbourne by performing on the Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman albums. Before his long tenure with Uriah Heep, he was the drummer for The Gods and Toe Fat. Throughout the seventies, his rhythmic precision and creative input solidified his reputation as a premier force in heavy rock.

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Gerry Rafferty

April 16, 1947 – January 4, 2011. Gerald Rafferty began his professional journey in 1968 with the folk group The Humblebums before co-founding Stealers Wheel in 1972. He provided lead vocals and played guitar and keyboards for the band, earning international acclaim for the hit Stuck in the Middle with You. Despite the success, internal legal disputes led to the group’s dissolution, prompting him to pursue a solo career that reached its zenith with the 1978 release of City to City.

While recording in 1971, the eccentric singer vanished unexpectedly, traveling to Scotland without notifying his label or bandmates. This vanishing act became a recurring theme in his career, as he often struggled with the pressures of fame. He eventually resurfaced to deliver Baker Street, featuring his signature soulful vocals and guitar work. Following this peak, he released Night Owl in 1979, maintaining his role as a prominent songwriter and vocalist through 1980.

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Peter Garrett

April 16, 1953. In 1973, the Australian rock scene transformed when Peter Garrett joined Midnight Oil as their towering lead vocalist and harmonica player. He remained the commanding frontman and occasional keyboardist for the group from 1973 to 2002. His fierce delivery and energetic stage presence defined early high energy releases like their self titled debut and Head Injuries.

Throughout the late seventies, he helped the ensemble transition from the pub rock circuit to mainstream success. While the group was known for their intense live performances, he was the primary singer and focal point on their 1980 breakthrough album Bird Noises. During this initial decade of his career, he solidified his reputation for delivering powerful social commentary through his distinct vocal style and physical performance.

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