Flea (born Michael Balzary) bassist for The Red Hot Chili Peppers turns 47 today, having been born on October 16th, in 1962! Flea just wrote a very nice eulogy/tribute for the recently passed Brendan Mullen that ran in the LA Times on Wednesday, which you can read at this link. Happy Birthday, Flea!
Cliff Burton Action Figure By Super7 (Photo By Gail)
On This Date, September 27th, in 1986: Metallica bassist Cliff Burton was killed in Sweden when the band’s tour bus skidded off the highway and flipped onto the ground. Burton was thrown through the window of the bus, which then fell on top of him, crushing him to death. He was 24 years old.
Glen, Johnny, Steve and Paul Circa 1976
Glen Matlock, bassist for the Sex Pistols, was born on this day, August 27th, in 1956. The Sex Pistols, including Matlock, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Favorite Sex Pistols Songs: “I Wanna Be Me,” “Pretty Vacant,” “Silly Thing.”
John, Freddie, Brian And Roger Circa 1975
John Deacon, bassist for Queen was born on this day, August 19th, in 1951. Although John was “the quiet one” of the band and contributed the fewest songs, he did pen Queen’s massive hit, “Another One Bites The Dust,” so he really never has to work again in his life if he doesn’t want to. Maybe that’s why he didn’t choose to join a reformed Queen with Roger Taylor and Brian May when they recruited Paul Rodgers to sing lead. Because why embarrass yourself like that if you don’t need the money? Happy Birthday, John!
On This Date, June 27th, In 2002: Who bassist John Entwistle was found dead in his hotel room at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas one day before The Who were to kick off their 2002 tour. It was later revealed he died of a heart attack. Entwistle was just 57 years old.
You can read a collection of brief remembrances of John – including one from yours truly – written by the staff writers of Ink19at This Link.