November 29

 Ronnie Montrose

November 29, 1947 – March 3, 2012

Ronnie Montrose established himself as one of rock's most respected guitarists through session work with Van Morrison, Herbie Hancock, Boz Scaggs, and the Edgar Winter Group before forming Montrose in 1973. Featuring Sammy Hagar on lead vocals, the band's hard rock sound made albums such as Montrose and Paper Money influential releases of the decade.

After Montrose ended its original run, he released the instrumental solo album Open Fire and formed Gamma, recording three albums before returning to solo work. He also reunited with Montrose on several occasions and continued recording, producing, and performing throughout the remainder of his career.

🎸 🎸 🎸

John Mayall

November 29, 1933 – July 22, 2024

John Mayall became one of the most influential figures in British blues after forming the Bluesbreakers in 1963. Singing while playing keyboards, harmonica, and guitar, he turned the band into a proving ground for young talent, with Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Jack Bruce, and many others passing through its lineup.

Mayall's recordings with the Bluesbreakers helped spark the British blues boom of the late 1960s and 1970s. Albums such as Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, A Hard Road, Crusade, The Turning Point, and Back to the Roots showcased both his songwriting and his ability to discover and develop outstanding players.

He continued recording and touring for more than six decades, releasing dozens of albums while remaining one of the leading voices in blues until his retirement from live performances.

🎸 🎸 🎸

Barry Goudreau

November 29, 1951

Barry Goudreau joined Boston in 1970 while the band was still developing its sound around Tom Scholz's recordings. Playing lead and rhythm guitar, he appeared on the group's first two albums and helped establish the twin-guitar style that became one of Boston's trademarks.

After leaving Boston in 1981, Goudreau released a solo album before forming Orion the Hunter with former Boston vocalist Fran Cosmo. He later became a founding member of RTZ with Brad Delp and continued working with Delp in the band Ernie and the Automatics. Goudreau remains active in music.

🎸 🎸 🎸

Clare Torry

November 29, 1947

Clare Torry built her career as a session singer during the late 1960s and early 1970s, recording for artists across pop, rock, and television before making one of the most recognizable guest appearances in rock history. Her improvised vocal performance on Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig in the Sky" became one of the defining moments of The Dark Side of the Moon.

Torry continued recording as a session singer throughout the 1970s and beyond, working with artists including Alan Parsons, Olivia Newton-John, Procol Harum, Gary Brooker, and Meat Loaf. In 2004, she successfully sought recognition for her creative contribution to "The Great Gig in the Sky" and was subsequently credited as a co-writer. Torry remains active in music.

🎸 🎸 🎸

< Yesterday

Tomorrow >