October 20

 Dave Dowle

October 20, 1953

Born David "Duck" Dowle, Dave Dowle began playing professionally during the early 1970s and worked with artists including Doris Troy and P. P. Arnold before joining Brian Auger's Oblivion Express. His drumming appeared on the 1975 album Reinforcements and led to a stint with Streetwalkers, where he replaced Nicko McBrain and played on the 1977 album Vicious But Fair.

In 1978, Dowle became a founding member of Whitesnake alongside David Coverdale, Micky Moody, Bernie Marsden, and Neil Murray. He played on the Snakebite EP, Trouble, Lovehunter, and portions of Live... in the Heart of the City before leaving the band in 1979 and being replaced by Ian Paice. He later recorded and performed with Runner, Midnight Flyer, and Bernie Marsden while continuing session work.

Dowle's drumming helped establish Whitesnake during its formative years and connected him with several notable British rock acts of the 1970s. He remains active in music in 2026.

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Ric Lee

October 20, 1945

Ric Lee co-founded Ten Years After in 1967 with Alvin Lee, Leo Lyons, and Chick Churchill after the group evolved from the Jaybirds. As the band's drummer, he appeared on albums such as Ten Years After, Ssssh, Cricklewood Green, Watt, A Space in Time, and Rock & Roll Music to the World. His drumming helped support the group's blend of blues rock, hard rock, and extended improvisation during its most successful years.

Lee remained with Ten Years After until the band's first breakup in 1975 and later reunited with various lineups beginning in the late 1980s. He also released the 1985 solo album Ric Lee and worked with projects including The Legend of a Band. His career has remained closely associated with Ten Years After and its enduring legacy in blues-based rock. He remains active in music in 2026.

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Tom Petty

October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017

Tom Petty co-founded Mudcrutch in 1970 before forming Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 1976 with Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Ron Blair, and Stan Lynch. As the band's lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter, he helped create albums such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Damn the Torpedoes, Hard Promises, Southern Accents, and Full Moon Fever. He wrote many of his best-known songs, including "American Girl," "Refugee," "The Waiting," "Free Fallin'," and "I Won't Back Down."

Petty also worked with the supergroup Traveling Wilburys alongside George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. Throughout his career, his songwriting blended rock, folk, and rhythm and blues influences while maintaining a straightforward style that appealed to a wide audience. His work with the Heartbreakers, his solo recordings, and the Traveling Wilburys established him as one of the leading singer-songwriters to emerge from 1970s rock.

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Larry Gonsky

October 20, 1949

Larry Gonsky co-founded Looking Glass in 1969 while attending Rutgers University and became the band's keyboard player, backing vocalist, and songwriter. He appeared on the group's albums Looking Glass, Subway Serenade, and Looking Glass Live and helped shape their blend of pop rock, soft rock, and rhythm and blues influences. The band achieved international success in 1972 with "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)," which became a number one hit, although the song was written by fellow band member Elliot Lurie.

Following the decline of Looking Glass in the mid-1970s, Gonsky pursued songwriting and recording projects while maintaining a lower public profile than some of his contemporaries. His keyboard work and contributions to Looking Glass remain closely associated with one of the most recognizable singles of the early 1970s.

He remains active in music in 2026.

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Rick Witkowski

October 20, 1952

Rick Witkowski co-founded Crack the Sky in the early 1970s and became one of the band's principal guitarists, helping shape its blend of progressive rock, power pop, and hard rock. He appeared on albums including Crack the Sky, Animal Notes, Safety in Numbers, White Music, and From the Greenhouse. His guitar work became a defining part of songs such as "Hold On," "Surf City," and "She's a Dancer."

Witkowski remained closely associated with Crack the Sky through lineup changes, reunions, and new recordings while also becoming a producer, composer, and studio owner. During the 1980s, he worked with the B.E. Taylor Group, co-wrote the hit "Vitamin L," and later composed music for television programs and commercial clients. His career has remained closely tied to Crack the Sky's enduring reputation as one of the most distinctive progressive rock bands to emerge during the 1970s. He remains active in music in 2026.

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Al Greenwood

October 20, 1951

Al Greenwood joined Foreigner in 1976 as one of the band's founding members and became a keyboard player during its rise to international success. He appeared on the albums Foreigner, Double Vision, Head Games, and 4, contributing piano, organ, synthesizer, and orchestral textures to songs including "Cold as Ice," "Feels Like the First Time," "Hot Blooded," "Urgent," and "Waiting for a Girl Like You." His keyboard work helped shape Foreigner's sound during its most successful years.

Greenwood remained with Foreigner until 1980 and later worked as a producer, engineer, and studio owner. He also participated in Foreigner-related projects and reunions while continuing to record and perform on occasion. He remains active in music in 2026.

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