This Day in Rock History: May 8
1943
English bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, founding member of the Yardbirds, was born in Brentford, England. He played with the Yardbirds until 1966, leaving the band because he grew tired of touring, and was replaced by Jimmy Page. He would later serve as a producer for Cat Stevens. Happy 82nd birthday, Paul!
American guitarist Danny Whitten, famous for playing in Neil Young’s backing band Crazy Horse, was born in Columbus, GA. He died of a drug overdose in 1972 at the age of 29.
1944
English drummer Bill Legend, formerly of T. Rex, was born in Barking, England. He played with T.Rex from 1971 to 1973, and is the only surviving member from the 1967-1973 lineups. Happy 81st birthday, Bill!
Disgraced English singer Gary Glitter was born in Banbury, England.
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1953
American drummer Alex Van Halen, founding member of Van Halen, was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He founded Van Halen as “Mammoth” with younger brother Eddie Van Halen in 1972, and played with the band until they broke up following Eddie’s death in 2020. Happy 72nd birthday, Alex!
American guitarist Billy Burnette, formerly of Fleetwood Mac, was born in Memphis, TN. He collaborated with several members of Fleetwood Mac throughout the 1980s. When Lindsey Buckingham departed the band in 1987, Mick Fleetwood invited Burnette to join them. He played with Fleetwood Mac until their hiatus in 1996. Happy 72nd birthday, Billy!
1960
American bassist Eric Brittingham, founding bassist of Cinderella, was born in Salisbury, MD. He founded Cinderella in 1983 with singer Tom Keifer, and remained with the band until they broke up in 2014. He’s filled in for Poison bassist Bobby Dall while on tour, and currently plays in the Bret Michaels Band. Happy 65th birthday, Eric!
1963
French director and filmmaker Michel Gondry was born in Versailles, France. He’s directed music videos for Beck, Sheryl Crow, Paul McCartney, Radiohead, The Rolling Stones and the White Stripes. happy 62nd birthday, Michel!
1964
English drummer Dave Rowntree, founding member of Blur, was born in Colchester, England. Happy 61st birthday, Dave!
1965
Recording of the promotional film for Bob Dylan‘s Subterranean Homesick Blues happened in London. The film was one of the first of its kind, becoming an early form of what would evolve into the music video. In the film, Dylan flips through cue cards with select lyrics from the song, which has since been imitated by several artists.
1970
The Beatles released Let It Be, their 12th and final album, along with a movie of the same name. Let It Be was released a month after the group broke up, and topped the Billboard 200. It’s known for songs like Get Back, Let it Be and The Long and Winding Road.
1984
Roger Waters, formerly of Pink Floyd, released his debut solo album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking.
2005
Bruce Springsteen‘s Devils and Dust reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making it his 13th No. 1 studio album.
2006
The Rolling Stones had to call off their European tour, as guitarist Keith Richards had to undergo emergency brain surgery. Richards fell out of a tree while vacationing in Fiji.
