December 23

 Jorma Kaukonen

December 23, 1940

Jorma Kaukonen joined Jefferson Airplane in 1965, bringing a distinctive blend of blues, folk, and rock to the band's sound with his expressive lead guitar playing. Alongside Grace Slick, Marty Balin, Paul Kantner, Jack Casady, and Spencer Dryden, he helped define the group's style on albums including Surrealistic Pillow, Volunteers, and Bark.

In 1969, Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady formed Hot Tuna as a side project, which soon became a full-time band exploring blues, folk, and acoustic music. He has continued performing with Hot Tuna while also recording solo albums and sharing his passion for traditional American roots music through concerts and workshops.

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Dave Murray

December 23, 1956

Dave Murray joined Iron Maiden in 1976, becoming the only guitarist to appear in every lineup of the band's recording career. Playing lead guitar, his melodic style and harmony work became a defining part of the group's sound on albums including Iron Maiden, The Number of the Beast, and Powerslave.

Murray remained with Iron Maiden through every stage of the band's success, performing alongside a changing lineup while helping establish the band as one of heavy metal's leading acts. Outside of Iron Maiden, he has made only occasional guest appearances, choosing to focus almost entirely on the band. Murray remains active in music.

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Anthony Phillips

December 23, 1951

Anthony Phillips co-founded Genesis in 1967 with Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and Chris Stewart. Playing guitar while contributing to the band's early songwriting, he helped establish its progressive rock direction on albums including From Genesis to Revelation and Trespass before leaving in 1970 because of severe stage fright.

After departing Genesis, Phillips built a successful solo career, releasing recordings that blended progressive rock, folk, classical, and instrumental music. He also composed music for television and film, produced library music, and created an extensive catalog of solo work from his own studio.

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Luther James Grosvenor

December 23, 1946

Luther James Grosvenor first gained recognition as the guitarist for Spooky Tooth, helping the band develop its blend of hard rock, blues, and progressive influences during the late 1960s and early 1970s. After a brief period with Stealers Wheel, he adopted the name Ariel Bender when he joined Mott the Hoople in 1973, appearing on albums including The Hoople, Live, and Drive On.

Grosvenor left Mott the Hoople in 1974 to form Widowmaker with Steve Ellis before later returning to Spooky Tooth under his birth name. He has reunited with former bandmates on several occasions while continuing to perform and record with a variety of projects.

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