March 21

 Andy Parker

July 13, 1952. As the founding drummer for UFO, Andy Parker provided the heavy, consistent backbeat that defined the British hard rock movement. His tenure with the group extended from 1969 to 1983, covering their transition from space rock to the celebrated guitar-driven sound of the seventies. He performed on influential albums such as Phenomenon and Lights Out, anchoring the rhythm section during their international rise. His powerful work on the drums solidified the band’s live reputation.

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Roger Hodgson

March 21, 1950. Supertramp featured Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson as a founding lead vocalist and keyboardist starting in 1969, crafting the melodic architecture of the progressive pop movement. Throughout his tenure from 1969 to 1983, he frequently alternated roles as the bassist or acoustic guitarist, though his distinctive high-register vocals became the group's sonic hallmark. His compositions drove the success of landmark recordings like Crime of the Century and the massive commercial triumph of Breakfast in America.

By the late seventies, his mastery of the piano and Wurlitzer electric piano helped the ensemble achieve global stardom. He remained a central creative force, blending philosophical lyrics with sophisticated arrangements. His instrumental versatility across the guitar and keyboards defined the radio waves during the height of the arena rock era.

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Vivian Stanshall

March 21, 1943 – March 5, 1995

Born Victor Anthony Stanshall, Vivian Stanshall co-founded the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band in 1962 and became the group's principal lead singer, songwriter, and creative force. His eccentric humor, distinctive voice, and interest in combining rock, jazz, music hall, and surreal comedy helped shape albums such as Gorilla, The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse, Tadpoles, and Keynsham. He wrote or co-wrote songs including "The Intro and the Outro," "Mr. Apollo," and "Tent."

After the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band disbanded in 1970, Stanshall pursued a varied career that included solo recordings, radio programs, writing, acting, and narration. He released the 1974 album Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead and collaborated with artists including Mike Oldfield, appearing as the master of ceremonies on Tubular Bells. His inventive approach to performance and storytelling made him one of the most original figures to emerge from Britain's underground music scene.

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