August 20

 Robert Plant

August 20, 1948

Robert Plant was the sole lead singer for Led Zeppelin from its foundation in 1968 until they disbanded in 1980. He brought an incredibly powerful vocal range and famous high-pitched screams to the group, helping shape the very foundation of heavy hard rock. He injected fresh creativity into their evolving musical arrangements by frequently adding harmonica parts on stage. His dynamic voice drove legendary studio releases from 1968 to 1980, turning tracks like Whole Lotta Love and Stairway to Heaven into massive global hits.

He co-wrote the vast majority of their material while anchoring their historic stadium tours. He later transitioned into a highly successful independent solo career, releasing multiple experimental rock albums and collaboration projects from 1982 through 2020.

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Dave Brock

August 20, 1941

Dave Brock co-founded Hawkwind in 1969 and remained the only constant anchor of the group. He played electric guitar, keyboards, and sang lead vocals on many tracks.

In 1970, he performed on the self-titled debut album which helped establish their space rock style. He wrote their biggest hit single Silver Machine in 1972. He guided the band through numerous lineup shifts including the arrival of Lemmy on bass in 1971.

He powered the band through classic albums like Space Ritual in 1973 and Warrior on the Edge of Time in 1975. He released his first solo album in 1982 and continued to lead Hawkwind through multiple decades of recording and touring.

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James Pankow

August 30, 1947

In 1967 James Pankow co-founded the rock group Chicago Transit Authority which shortened its name to Chicago in 1969. He played trombone and arranged all the brass charts for the group. He remained a permanent part of the lineup from 1967 through multiple decades of recording and touring.

He wrote several of the band's biggest hits including Make Me Smile and Colour My World in 1970 as well as Just You 'n' Me in 1973. He played trombone on the chart-topping album Chicago VIII in 1975 and contributed to the popular ballad If You Leave Me Now in 1976. Beyond his core work with the band he also played trombone as a session player on albums for Three Dog Night in 1974 and Toto in 1978.

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Phil Lynott

August 20, 1949 – January 4, 1986

In 1969 Phil Lynott co-founded Thin Lizzy and anchored the group as the main songwriter, bass guitarist, and lead singer. He guided the band from their early days in Dublin through global mainstream breakthrough.

The lineup released their self-titled debut album in 1971. A major turning point arrived in 1972 when they recorded an updated version of the traditional song Whiskey in the Jar. He altered the guitar lineup in 1974 by recruiting twin lead guitarists to create a heavier style. This new musical approach paid off when the album Jailbreak found massive success in 1976 behind the hit single The Boys Are Back in Town.

He recorded the highly popular double live album Live and Dangerous in 1978. Expanding his duties, he released his first solo album titled Solo in Soho in 1980. He remained the sole constant force in Thin Lizzy until the group officially disbanded in 1983.

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