July 02

 Joe Puerta

July 2, 1951

Joe Puerta provided the steady bass lines and clear backing vocals that helped define the melodic soft rock sound of Ambrosia. He cofounded the group in 1970 and remained an official member throughout their initial run until 1982, anchoring hits like How Much I Feel and Biggest Part of Me.

He then brought his bass and vocals to the rock band Bruce Hornsby and the Range from 1984 to 1991, contributing to their massive debut album. He later took part in various Ambrosia reunions, keeping the classic grooves alive for long-time fans.

🎸 🎸 🎸

Dee Palmer

July 2, 1937 - June 13, 2026

Born David Palmer and later known as Dee Palmer, Dee Palmer began her career as a composer, arranger, and conductor before becoming closely associated with Jethro Tull. She first worked with the band in 1968, creating orchestral arrangements for recordings including "A Christmas Song," Aqualung, War Child, Minstrel in the Gallery, and Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die! Her arrangements became an important part of the band's sound during the 1970s.
Palmer officially joined Jethro Tull as a keyboard player in 1976 and appeared on albums including Songs from the Wood, Heavy Horses, and Stormwatch. Her keyboard work allowed the band to reproduce many of its orchestral parts in concert while expanding its musical range.
After leaving Jethro Tull in 1980, Palmer continued arranging and recording music, producing orchestral interpretations of works by Jethro Tull, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes, Queen, and The Beatles. Her contributions as an arranger, composer, and keyboard player left a lasting mark on progressive rock and orchestral rock music.

🎸 🎸 🎸

Roy Bittan

July 2, 1949

Roy Bittan provided the sweeping piano melodies that fueled the cinematic sound of the E Street Band. He stepped into the lineup in 1974, quickly becoming an essential force behind Bruce Springsteen's most iconic albums. His grand, classical-influenced keyboard lines shaped anthems like Born to Run and Racing in the Street.

Beyond his permanent role with Springsteen, Bittan became a highly sought-after session player. He contributed signature keyboard textures to massive albums by artists like Meat Loaf and Dire Straits through the late seventies and eighties. He remained an official cornerstone of the E Street Band for decades, continuing to anchor their legendary, marathon live concerts.

🎸 🎸 🎸

< Yesterday

Tomorrow >