March 31

 Angus Young

March 31, 1955. Angus McKinnon Young formed the hard rock group AC/DC in late 1973, serving as their lead guitarist from their inception to the present day. After brief stints in the Marcus Hook Roll Band and Tantrum, he adopted his signature schoolboy stage attire, helping the band gain traction through high-energy performances. His work on their early Australian releases, High Voltage and T.N.T., established a raw blues-rock foundation that soon reached a global audience.

With the international success of Let There Be Rock and Powerage, his frantic soloing became a defining element of the era. The 1979 release Highway to Hell propelled the group to massive commercial heights just before a significant transition. In 1980, he recorded the guitar tracks for Back in Black, which honored their former vocalist and became one of the top-selling records in history. His professional focus remained on delivering driving riffs and iconic stadium anthems.

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Mick Ralphs

March 31, 1944 – June 23, 2025. Michael Geoffrey Ralphs served as the founding lead guitarist and vocalist for Mott the Hoople, contributing to their gritty, influential sound from 1969 until his departure in 1973. He penned early tracks like Rock and Roll Queen and performed on the iconic David Bowie-produced album All the Young Dudes. His blues-influenced style and songwriting were pivotal in the band's rise during the early glam rock era before he transitioned into a heavier musical direction.

In 1973, he co-founded the supergroup Bad Company, where he remained a member until 1982. This tenure featured his melodic guitar work and percussions on multi-platinum records such as their self-titled debut and Straight Shooter. He authored the hit single Can't Get Enough, utilizing a unique open-C tuning that became a staple of rock radio. His professional efforts throughout the seventies were characterized by a focus on solid riffs and stadium-sized production.

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Thijs van Leer

March 31, 1948. Thijs van Leer formed the progressive rock group Focus in 1969, serving as their primary flautist, keyboardist, and vocalist from their inception to the present day. His eccentric vocal techniques, including operatic yodeling and whistling, became a signature element of the band's global success. Throughout the seventies, he led the ensemble through a series of critically acclaimed albums such as Moving Waves and Focus 3. His mastery of the Hammond organ and flute blended classical motifs with hard rock rhythms.

Aside from his work with Focus, he launched a prolific solo career starting with the Introspection series. These recordings showcased his talent as a composer and arranger, leaning heavily into orchestral and light classical styles. By the late seventies, he continued to balance his roles within the group and his individual pursuits, exploring jazz-fusion influences. His professional contributions during this era solidified his reputation as a versatile leader and innovator in European rock.

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Dave Bickler

March 31, 1953. David Wayne Bickler began his professional journey as a vocalist for the group Jamestown Massacre, contributing to their 1972 hit Summer Sun. During the mid-seventies, he shifted his focus to commercial jingle work in Chicago before co-founding the rock band Survivor in 1978.

As the lead singer and keyboardist, he performed on the group's 1979 self-titled debut. His tenure with the band lasted from 1978 to 1983. Following this initial success, he recorded vocals for the 1980 album Premonition, which featured the single Poor Man's Son. His role was defined by his powerful vocal range and versatility during the formative years of the arena rock era.

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