July 05

 Michael Monarch

July 5, 1950

The roaring guitar riffs of Steppenwolf gained a powerful edge when Michael Monarch helped form the lineup in 1967. He played lead guitar on their self-titled debut album, bringing a heavy psychedelic sound to rock radio. He co-wrote three songs on that record and fueled their massive, signature rock anthems Born to Be Wild and Magic Carpet Ride. His fierce playing style powered the band through three studio albums before he departed the group in 1969.

He shifted to studio work and became a busy session player, recording guitar tracks for Janis Joplin on her Kosmic Blues album. He also formed the band Fuzzy Duck in 1971 and later joined the rock group Detective, recording two studio albums with them in 1977. He continued to perform live and record music with various projects, releasing solo albums from 1997 to 2005.

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Robbie Robertson

July 5, 1943 – August 9, 2023

Robbie Robertson joined Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks in 1960 and remained with the group as it evolved into The Band in 1968. As a guitarist, songwriter, and occasional vocalist, he wrote many of the group's best-known songs, including "The Weight," "Up on Cripple Creek," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," and "Stage Fright." His songwriting helped shape albums such as Music from Big Pink, The Band, Stage Fright, and Northern Lights-Southern Cross.

Robertson remained with The Band until its farewell concert, The Last Waltz, in 1976. He later launched a solo career with the 1987 album Robbie Robertson and worked extensively with filmmaker Martin Scorsese, contributing music to numerous films. His work with The Band and his later recordings established him as one of the key songwriters and guitarists to emerge from the roots rock movement of the late 1960s and 1970s.

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Huey Lewis

July 5, 1950

Born Hugh Anthony Cregg III, Huey Lewis developed his skills as a harmonica player and singer while performing with bands in the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He spent time with Clover, which relocated to England in 1976 and backed Elvis Costello on his debut album before returning to the United States. In 1979, Lewis formed Huey Lewis and the News and became the group's lead singer, harmonica player, and principal songwriter.

The band gained wider attention with Picture This in 1982 and achieved major success with Sports in 1983, followed by Fore! in 1986. Songs including "Do You Believe in Love," "Heart and Soul," "The Heart of Rock & Roll," "If This Is It," "The Power of Love," and "Stuck with You" helped establish the group as one of the leading rock acts of the 1980s.

Lewis continued recording and touring with Huey Lewis and the News until hearing problems caused him to step back from regular performances. He has remained involved in music-related projects and occasional appearances. He remains active in music in 2026.

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