April 3
A very happy 45th birthday to former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, who put the andro in androgynous.
March 26
To be fair, Trey Azagthoth would have never made it as a death metal guitarist if he went by “George Emmanuel III.” Happy 48th, George — I mean Trey.
February 27
Adrian Smith isn’t my favorite guitarist ever — he might not even be my favorite guitarist in Iron Maiden — but it’s his birthday today, so I’ll cut him a break. Happy 56th, Mr. Smith.
Considering he’s the man responsible for Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age AND Eagles of Death Metal, Josh Homme should be able to throw up better horns than that. Alas. Happy 39th, Homme-bre.
When Cliff Burton died in a bus rollover in 1986, Metallica died with him. Burton was just 24 then, a throwback already with his center-parted long hair and bellbottom jeans. He wasn’t Metallica’s original bassist — Ron McGovney was — and was only part of Metallica for three years, but his unique style was as integral to Metallica’s sound as anyone else’s. He would have been 50 years old today. Cliff ‘Em All.
When Slayer guitarist and primary songwriter Jeff Hanneman came down with an illness in 2011 that caused him to miss shows, even his illness sounded like it could have been a Slayer album title — necrotizing fasciitis. Happy 48th birthday to an Oakland Raiders fan who makes even the scariest among them look like a bunch of pussies.
Happy birthday to former Dokken guitarist George Lynch, who apparently hired Ken Kesey as his stylist in the ’80s. (Incidentally, former Tar Heel forward George Lynch doesn’t show up until the FOURTH Google Image Search page. Bummer, dude.)
Was startled to discover that Dave Mustaine turns the big 5-0 today — and not just because he shares a birthday with Tyler Perry. The Megadeth frontman has come a long way from getting kicked out of “Alcoholica” for partying too much, and most of his politically infused lyrics are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them over 20 years ago. Peace sells but who’s buying, indeed. My only question is this: are all the Dave Mustaines the same age?
Happy 55th birthday to Blackie Lawless, who was the coolest guy ever when I was like, 14. It didn’t hurt that when my even-more-into-metal neighbor bought the “Animal/Fuck Like a Beast” W.A.S.P. 12”, we thought it was supposed to be played at 33 instead of 45. Sounded great either way.
In his 48 years, James Hetfield has already lived three or four lifetimes. He’s drunk enough beer to fill an ocean, seen his band’s dirtiest laundry aired on-screen for millions of people, and has had to fire Dave Mustaine. Also, he once caught fire on stage. Sometimes I miss the old Metallica, but either way I’m happy Mr. Hetfield is still around. Now, Lars Ulrich on the other hand… Happy birthday, James.
