July 20

 John Lodge

July 20, 1943 – October 10, 2025

The soaring bass guitar lines and smooth vocals of John Lodge helped propel the Moody Blues into global stardom when the classic lineup solidified. He anchored the band's lush, symphonic rock sound on a string of massive albums, including Days of Future Passed and Seventh Sojourn. His melodic playing style and sharp songwriting skills became a definitive cornerstone for the group during their peak creative years.

He stayed with the outfit when they emerged from a mid-decade hiatus to score major chart success with the 1978 album Octave. He continued to fuel their studio recordings and massive stadium tours as an official member all the way through 2018. Beyond his mainstay band, he teamed up with castmate Justin Hayward to release the acclaimed Blue Jays duet album, and he also tracked his own solo project in 1977.

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Carlos Santana

July 20, 1947

The blistering guitar lines of Carlos Santana injected a fresh Latin fusion sound into the rock landscape when his namesake band erupted out of San Francisco. He fueled the group as a founding member, driving their historic 1969 Woodstock performance and landmark albums like Abraxas and Santana III. His signature tone blended sustained electric guitar blues with fiery African and Latin percussions.

He steered the band through massive stylistic shifts, embracing jazz fusion textures on recordings like Caravanserai. He remained the sole constant force in the lineup, guiding a rotating cast of players through steady touring circuits and album releases like Amigos and Moonflower. Beyond his primary group focus, he teamed up with jazz guitar masters for acclaimed collaborative studio projects in 1973 and 1974. He sustained his creative run across subsequent decades, achieving a massive global chart resurgence with the multi platinum album Supernatural in 1999 and continuing to record and tour into the 2020s.

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Jay Jay French

July 20, 1952

John Segall changed his name to Jay Jay French before co-founding the heavy rock outfit Twisted Sister in 1973. His driving rhythm guitar lines and sharp business sense fueled the band through years of grueling club circuits. He anchored the lineup as a constant force, shaping their fierce sonic identity and iconic look.

His precise chord progressions provided the essential foundation for their heavy anthems. He guided the group through their steady rise, eventually leading to massive global success with hit albums and videos in the eighties. He continued to manage and play guitar for the band through 2016.

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