May 19

 Pete Townshend

May 19, 1945

Pete Townshend established himself as the creative visionary and lead guitarist for The Who from 1964 to 1982, 1985, 1988 to 1989, and 1996 to the present. He played guitar, keyboards, and synthesizer, while also providing backing and occasional lead vocals. His innovative use of feedback and power chords defined the group's hard rock sound on landmark albums like Tommy and Who's Next.

Throughout the seventies, he pioneered the use of the synthesizer in rock music and composed ambitious rock operas that expanded the genre's boundaries. He also released the solo album Who Came First in 1972 and collaborated with Ronnie Lane on Rough Mix in 1977. His energetic stage presence and technical contributions remained central to the band's identity during their most successful era.

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Phil Rudd

May 19, 1954

As the powerhouse drummer for AC/DC from 1975 to 1983, 1994 to 2015, and 2020 to the present, Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecuis anchored the group's signature hard rock sound. He joined the collective in time to record High Voltage, providing the minimalist, heavy rhythmic foundation that defined their international breakthrough. His precise timing remained a vital component of the ensemble throughout the late seventies.

Before finding global success, he played drums for the band Buster Brown. His contributions on classic albums like Highway to Hell ensured the group's steady ascent within the rock landscape. He remained the rhythmic heartbeat of the collective during their most influential recording sessions.

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Dusty Hill

May 19, 1949 – July 28, 2021

Joe Michael Hill joined ZZ Top in 1970 and served as the steady bassist and keyboardist for the group until 2021. He also contributed backing and occasional lead vocals, helping define the blues rock foundation that became their trademark. His collaboration with the ensemble began after a tenure with American Blues from 1968 to 1970. This transition consolidated the power trio that would record a string of influential albums throughout the seventies.

His thick, rhythmic lines on recordings like Tres Hombres and Fandango! provided the essential grit for their Texas shuffle style. While performing on the worldwide stage, he remained a constant fixture in the lineup, ensuring the rhythmic stability of the group. His professional efforts during this era solidified the band as a dominant force in the hard rock landscape before the decade concluded.

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Larry Wallis

May 19, 1949 – September 19, 2019

The Deviants recruited Larry Wallis as their lead guitarist in 1970, marking a significant step in his early underground career. Following this tenure, he joined Blodwyn Pig and later became a member of Pink Fairies from 1972 to 1975, where he handled guitar and vocals. His gritty style became a cornerstone of the London proto-punk scene.

In 1975, he became a founding member of Motörhead, playing guitar on the recordings for their initial studio project. After moving on from that collective, he worked as a producer and session player for Stiff Records. His versatile contributions across these various groups defined his professional presence throughout the seventies.

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