April 18
Tommy Shannon
September 18, 1946. Thomas Gregory Shannon established his reputation as a formidable presence on the electric bass and a key collaborator for Johnny Winter. Joining the blues legend in 1968, he provided a steady, driving rhythm for the trio that performed at the historic Woodstock festival. His work appeared on foundational records like Progressive Blues Experiment and the self titled 1969 release.
Following his departure from the trio in 1970, he performed with the group Kracker and navigated the burgeoning Texas music scene throughout the decade. In 1980, he joined Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble as the bassist, a position he held until 1990. His deep grooves and rhythmic reliability made him an essential component of the blues rock revival, anchoring the low end for several prominent guitarists while maintaining a consistent professional presence on stage and in the studio.
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Skip Spence
April 18, 1946 – April 16, 1999. Alexander Lee Spence, known to fans as Skip, helped launch Jefferson Airplane as their drummer before moving to guitar and vocals to co-found Moby Grape in 1967. His contributions to their self titled debut and the 1968 album Wow showcased his versatile songwriting and distinctive rhythm guitar style.
After recording his solo masterpiece Oar in 1969, where he played guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, and drums, he sporadically rejoined Moby Grape throughout the seventies. He appeared on the 1971 album 20 Granite Creek and participated in various live reunions and sessions. He remained a central figure in the band’s legacy, providing vocals and guitar on several professional recordings until he eventually stepped away from the music industry in 1980.
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