Monday, February 29: Rock Birthdays

Remembering singer Dave Williams of Drowning Pool on this Leap Day (Feb. 29). The rocker would have been 44. Hed PE frontman Jared Gomes turns 44 today.

Drowning Pool formed out of Dallas, Texas in 1996. Dave Williams joined the band in 1999 and played on the band's debut album Sinner. The album debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 chart with the strength of the single "Bodies". Sinner went platinum and is Drowning Pool's biggest selling album. Williams was given the nickname "Stage" by friend and Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. While on tour in support of the album, he died of cardiomyopathy on Aug. 14, 2002. On the 10th anniversary of his passing (Aug. 12, 2012) Drowning Pool released a ballad dedicated to Williams called "In Memory Of...".

Drowning Pool has continued on with revolving cast of singers backed by guitarist C.J. Pierce, bassist Stevie Benton, and drummer Mike Luce. current singer is Jasen Moreno. The band just released their sixth studio album Hellelujah on Feb. 5. For more on Drowning Pool, check out the band's official website here.