rock artist birthdays

Peter Gabriel turns 62 today, born on February 13, 1950 in Surrey, England. Best known as the lead singer of Genesis before he left for a successful solo career, he has also been a very active humanitarian, working tirelessly on behalf of human rights around the globe.

Ray Manzarek, legendary co-founder of The Doors, and keyboardist, songwriter, filmmaker, producer and writer, turns 73 this weekend. Ray was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 12, 1939 and was raised on the Southside of the city.

DUI-Junkie and Anger-Management-Challenged Vince Neil turns 51 today, born in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1961. Vince is best known as Motley Crue's singer, but he's also done solo work, of course. He released his 3rd solo album, "Tattoos & Tequila" in 2010.

It might be the first time he's actually been on time to anything, but birthdays are like that.  They force us to show up, even if it is kicking and screaming. And since Axl himself  says, "When they talk about Axl Rose being a screaming two-year-old, they're right", we can probably safely assume he's screaming a lot today.

Graham Nash turns 70 today, born in Lancashire, England on February 2, 1942.

Mike Campbell celebrates his 62nd birthday today, born on February 1, 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida. Best known as the guitarist for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, he's also a songwriter and record producer and plays in his other band, The Dirty Knobs.

Here's hoping the celebrated musician is enjoying his recent retirement at his home in Switzerland.  More on that in a minute. First, belated birthday wishes to Phil, who turned 61 on Monday.  He was born in London on January 30, 1951.  Singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist, producer and actor, he'll of course always be best known as the singer and drummer for Genesis, as well as a prolific solo art

Steve Marriott would have turned 65 today, born on January 30, 1947 in Essex, England.  He died in a house fire in April of 1991, when he was only 44 years old.

Eddie Van Halen turns 57 today, born January 26, 1955 in The Netherlands, but raised in Pasadena, California. To say he's a guitar virtuoso is, of course, to repeat what all of us already know.  So, if you'll indulge me for a minute, let me share with you my personal description of his amazing fretwork.

Warren would have turned 66 today.  He was born January 24, 1947 in Chicago and died on September 7, 2003 at age 56 of cancer.

Robin Zander turns 59 today, born on January 23, 1953 in Beloit, Wisconsin. The lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Cheap Trick has influenced a host of rock vocalists, including Joe Elliott, Axl Rose and Scott Weiland. There's something else he and his band might well influence for the good.

Fans have longed to hear Steve's voice again, since no new music has been issued from Perry since 1998, and there is actually hope that it will (eventually) happen.  Back to that in a second. First, happy early birthday wishes to Steve, who's set to celebrate his 63rd birthday on Sunday, born on January 22, 1949, in Hanford, California.