April 7th: Today's Many Anniversaries in Brief

Anniversaries:

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Brian Jones Meet for the First Time (1962)

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The three then-future members of The Rolling Stones met at Ealing Jazz Club in West London. Jones was still using the moniker of Elmo Lewis at the time and was working as a guitarist for Paul Jones, who was performing under his real name, P.P. Pond. The Rolling Stones officially formed that same year.

Alice Cooper Accidentally Hangs Himself in Near-Fatal Rehearsal (1988)

During a rehearsal on his European tour in 1988, Vincent Furnier, known professionally as Alice Cooper, accidentally hanged himself when a safety rope snapped. He reportedly dangled there for a few seconds before one of his roadies saved him.

Veteran Music Producer and Engineer Andy Johns Dead at 61 (2013)

Johns, who had been active as a producer since the '60s, has worked with many artists and bands including Free, Humble Pie, Blodwyn Pig, Jack Bruce, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Cinderella, Rod Stewart, Joe Satriani, L.A Guns, and the Steve Miller Band to name a few.

Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist Jimmie Van Zant Dead at 60 (2016)

Jimmie Van Zant, the cousin of Johnny, Ronnie, and Donnie Van Zant, became a southern rock musician following the death of Ronnie. He had played piano and guitar as a child, but gave it up and didn't look back until that day. He lost a battle against liver cancer while staying in a hospice in Florida after fighting for several years.

Guitarist, Composer, and Lyricist Steve Farmer Dead at 71 (2020)

Farmer, who is best known for his work with The Amboy Dukes, had a long career spanning from 1967 until his death in 2020. He was found dead in his Redford, Michigan home.

Country-Folk Singer John Prine Dead at 73 (2020)

Prine, who was active as a musician from 1969 until his death in 2020, was known for incorporating humor and sometimes protest into his songs, and was an important figure in Chicago's folk revival scene. He died due to COVID-19 complications at a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.

Birthdays:

Spencer Dryden (1938-2005)

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Spencer Charles Dryden was the drummer for Jefferson Airplane as well as New Riders of the Purple Sage. He was active from 1966 to 1995.

Mick Abrahams (1943-)

Michael Timothy Abrahams was the original guitarist of Jethro Tull, as well as the frontman for Blodwyn Pig. He celebrates his 80th birthday today.

Dallas Taylor (1948-2015)

Dallas Woodrow Taylor Jr. was a session drummer who has appeared on various albums throughout the '60s and '70s. He often worked with Crosby, Stills, and Nash (as well as its four-member incarnation featuring Neil Young) and lended his drumming skills to some of their solo projects as well. He has also worked with The Byrds, Bill Wyman, Rick Roberts, Essra Mohawk, Sammy Hagar, Van Morrison, and more.

John Oates (1949-)

Best known as one half of rock and soul duo Hall & Oates, John William Oates has established a successful career that has spanned from 1966 to this present day, which happens to be his 75th birthday!

Steve Ellis (1950-)

Ellis, a pop and progressive rock singer known for his time in the bands Love Affair and Ellis. He celebrates his 73rd birthday today.

Bruce Gary (1952-2006)

Bruce Gary was best known as the drummer for The Knack, but had an impressive career working with other musicians as well, including Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, Albert Collins, Carla Bley, and Dr. John. He was active from 1969 until his death in 2006.