May 07

 Bernie Marsden

May 7, 1951 – August 24, 2023

Bernard John Marsden performed as the lead guitarist for Skinny Cat before joining UFO in 1973. His career progressed through stints with Wild Turkey and Cozy Powell’s Hammer before he became a founding member of Paice Ashton Lord in 1976. This ensemble featured his melodic playing on the album Malice in Wonderland.

Whitesnake recruited him in 1978, where he remained an official member until 1982. During this tenure, he played guitar and provided harmony vocals on several definitive releases including Trouble, Lovehunter, Ready an' Willing, and Come an' Get It. He famously co-wrote the hit Here I Go Again during his time with the group. His soulful blues-rock style and songwriting were central to the band's rise to international prominence throughout the late seventies.

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Prairie Prince

May 7, 1950

The Tubes featured Charles Prairie Prince as a founding drummer and percussionist from 1972 to 2026. His theatrical and precise style became a hallmark of the group's elaborate stage shows and was captured on their self-titled debut and the 1979 release Remote Control.

In addition to his band duties, he served as a session player for Tommy Bolin on the album Teaser. He also contributed rhythmic tracks to various recordings for artists like Alice Cooper and Todd Rundgren during the late seventies. His versatility and creative flair made him a sought after studio collaborator.

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Bill Kreutzmann

May 7, 1946

Grateful Dead featured founding member William Kreutzmann as their drummer and percussionist from 1965 to 1995. During the late sixties, he shared the rhythm section with a second percussionist, creating the complex, polyrhythmic foundation for the band's famous improvisational jams. He performed on influential studio albums such as Workingmans Dead and American Beauty, while his steady, jazz influenced swing anchored the group during their heavy touring schedule.

Following the departure of the second drummer in 1971, he became the sole rhythmic engine for the ensemble for several years. This era saw him contribute to the expansive sounds of Wake of the Flood and Blues for Allah. He rejoined forces with a percussion partner in 1974, continuing to record and tour through 1980 on releases like Terrapin Station and Go to Heaven. His versatile playing remained essential to the group's evolving blend of folk, country, and psychedelic rock.

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