August 16

 Barry Hay

August 16, 1948

Barry Hay replaced Frans Krassenburg as the lead singer of Golden Earring in 1967. He brought an incredibly charismatic presence to the band, helping steer their transition from standard pop into heavy hard rock. He injected fresh creativity by frequently adding flute and guitar parts into their evolving musical arrangements.

His vocals anchored the psychedelic crunch of their lengthy Eight Miles High album cover before international breakthroughs came calling. He co-wrote and sang the massive global anthem Radar Love from the critically acclaimed Moontan release, which turned the group into a huge concert draw. He continued fronting the core lineup through continuous touring and steady album releases like Switch, Contraband, and Prisoner of the Night.

He periodically explored outside the main group to record the solo album Only Parrots Frogs and Angels. Returning his attention to the band, his distinctive voice scored another massive international radio hit with Twilight Zone. He remained the central figurehead of the group for over five decades until they finally wrapped up operations.

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Bill Spooner

August 16, 1949

In March of 1972 Bill Spooner founded the theatrical group, The Tubes. He combined his skills on the guitar with a love for funny, satirical songwriting. He steered the band into a wild stage show that mixed art, media parodies, and loud hard rock. His guitar riffs powered their self-titled 1975 debut album, which featured the popular underground rock track White Punks on Dope.

He continued to guide the outfit through creative projects like Young and Rich and Now. He later helped the group find massive commercial success on the radio with the 1981 album The Completion Backward Principle and the 1983 release Outside Inside. He stayed with the core lineup until 1988, driving their unique mix of music and comedy before moving on to release independent solo records.

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Scott Asheton

August 16, 1949 – March 15, 2014

The Stooges shook up the rock world with a raw, fierce sound powered by Scott Asheton on the drums. He brought a heavy, driving beat to their self-titled 1969 debut album and the chaotic 1970 release Fun House. His relentless rhythms with the original lineup laid the groundwork for the future of punk rock.

He stayed behind the drum kit through their intense 1973 album Raw Power and toured with the group until they fell apart. He later lent his steady beat to the Sonic Rendezvous Band and played for Iggy Pop on tour. He reunited with the official Stooges lineup in 2003, recording new albums and playing massive concerts with them until 2013.

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