August 01

 Tommy Bolin

August 1, 1951 – December 4, 1976

Guitarist Tommy Bolin brought a massive burst of energy to the rock scene with his fast and fierce playing style. He first made a name for himself when he co-founded the heavy rock group Zephyr and played on their first two albums. Looking to try something new, he later started a jazz-rock band called Energy. His incredible skills on the guitar quickly made him a popular choice for other artists who needed a talented studio player.

Jazz drummer Billy Cobham hired him to play guitar on his legendary Spectrum album, which showed everyone that Tommy could play jazz just as well as rock. His growing reputation caught the attention of the James Gang, and he stepped in as their new guitarist to write most of the songs on two of their records. He then landed his biggest role when he became the official lead guitarist for Deep Purple, replacing Ritchie Blackmore and adding a fresh funk flavor to their sound. He also recorded two solo albums where his creative guitar playing took center stage, and he continued making music until 1976.

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Boz Burrell

August 1, 1946 – May 14, 2006

Raymond Boz Burrell played a huge role in shaping the heavy rhythm of seventies rock. King Crimson leader Robert Fripp famously taught him how to play bass guitar from scratch in just a few weeks so he could quickly join the band for a major tour. His newly learned skills anchored the group on a studio album and a live record before the lineup split up.

His career reached a whole new level when he co-founded the stadium rock band Bad Company as their official bass player. His steady grooves fueled all of their biggest seventies hits and classic albums. He stayed with the group from 1973 to 1999, keeping the rhythm section tight for decades.

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Joe Elliot

August 1, 1959

Emerging from a chance meeting after missing a bus, Joe Elliott helped turn a local teenage band into a massive force. He originally tried out as a guitarist but quickly switched to lead vocals when the other guys noticed his incredible vision. He suggested the name Deaf Leopard, which they changed slightly to sound less like punk rock. His powerful singing and simple, relatable lyrics helped the group stand out in a crowded rock scene.

The heavy sound of Def Leppard exploded onto the airwaves with their debut album in 1980. His fronting energy and melodic hooks made him a true rock star, and he has kept that role from 1977 all the way to the present day. He led the group through massive arena tours and historic albums that defined the sound of rock for millions of fans.

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Tim Bachman

August 1, 1951 – April 28, 2023

Timothy Gregg Bachman brought a steady rhythm and powerful chords to the hard rock scene as a founding rhythm guitarist and singer. He first teamed up with his brothers in the country-rock outfit Brave Belt, appearing on their second studio record. The group soon shifted toward a much heavier, driving sound and changed their name to Bachman-Turner Overdrive. His reliable playing helped establish the core groove that would define the band's early identity.

The newly named group quickly found major commercial success with their self-titled debut and a smash follow-up album. He cowrote several tracks and played on their first massive radio hits, including the popular anthem Let It Ride. He stepped away from the lineup in 1974 but later returned for a high-profile reunion tour in 1983. He continued to lead various touring versions of the band through 1988, keeping their signature guitar-heavy sound alive for arena crowds.

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Jerry Garcia

August 1, 1942 – August 9, 1995

Singer and guitarist Jerry Garcia brought a fluid, improvisational style to rock music as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. He helped pioneer the psychedelic rock sound from its late-sixties roots into a massive touring phenomenon. His expressive guitar solos and warm vocals anchored the group across dozens of studio and live albums, defining their famous jam band approach where songs changed every night.

He also explored roots music by playing pedal steel guitar and banjo in the bluegrass group Old and In the Way. He stayed busy outside his main band by fronting the Jerry Garcia Band and working as a session player on classic tracks for other major artists. He performed continuously with the Grateful Dead from 1965 to 1995, maintaining a legendary connection with generations of fans.

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