July 03

 Sandy Gennaro

July 3, 1951

Emerging from the competitive New York club scene, Santo Michael Gennaro established a reputation for total reliability behind the kit. He stepped into a major role in late 1978 when he became an official member of the hard rock group Blackjack. The band featured guitarist Bruce Kulick and singer Michael Bolton, who was still performing under his original name, Michael Bolotin. Gennaro powered the driving grooves on their self-titled 1979 debut and their 1980 follow-up album, Worlds Apart.

When the lineup split, the heavy-hitting drummer immediately found work keeping time for other major acts. He was recruited by the Pat Travers Band, anchoring the hard rock unit on the 1981 studio album Radio Active. Gennaro subsequently transitioned into high-profile touring roles, backing massive solo artists like Cyndi Lauper and Joan Jett during their peak stadium years. His steady rhythms continued to anchor diverse live performances and recording projects well into the following decades.

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Paul Barrere

July 3, 1948 – October 26, 2019

Paul Barrere brought a distinct slide guitar style and a funky, syncopated rhythm to the unique roots-rock sound of Little Feat. He stepped into the lineup in 1972, initially auditioning as a bass player before shifting to guitar to expand the band's sonic textures. Barrere quickly grew into a crucial creative force, co-writing prominent tracks like Skin It Back and Time Loves a Hero. He also shared lead vocal duties, adding a soulful vocal contrast that fueled their critically acclaimed live albums and studio projects.

He remained an official member until the group paused in 1979. When the surviving musicians reorganized the band in 1987, Barrere returned as a cornerstone of the roster, recording and touring with the unit until 2019. Outside of his permanent role, he occasionally worked as a session player, contributing guitar work to albums by Robert Palmer and Nicolette Larson.

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Andy Fraser

July 3, 1952 – March 16, 2015

A teenage prodigy with an incredible sense of rhythm, Andy Fraser helped form the rock band Free in 1968 when he was just fifteen. He anchored the rhythm section with his distinctively fluid bass guitar lines and also played piano. He co-wrote the massive rock anthem All Right Now, a track featured on the landmark Fire and Water album that catapulted the group into global stardom. After multiple stints and five studio albums with the outfit, he parted ways with the lineup permanently in 1972.

Seeking a fresh creative outlet, he immediately formed the hard-rocking outfit Sharks, though his tenure lasted through only their 1973 debut album. He shifted focus to his own project, the Andy Fraser Band, launching a self-titled record and a follow-up studio effort. He concentrated heavily on songwriting and studio collaborations for other artists, continuing to record music on his own terms until 2005.

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