Monday, May 29: Tig’s Rock Birthdays

Happy Birthday today (May 29) to Blaze Bayley. The one time Iron Maiden frontman is 54. Other rockers celebrating include singer/guitarist Noel Gallagher of  Oasis (50), guitarist Chan Kinchla of Blues Traveler (48) and Melissa Etheridge (56).

Blaze Bayley is best known for his time spent as lead singer for Iron Maiden from 1994-1999. He also the frontman for U.K. metal band Wolfsbane from 1984-1994. He has since embarked on a solo career. Bayley was chosen as replacement for Bruce Dickinson in Iron Maiden out of hundreds of auditions in 1994. He recorded two studio albums with the band, 1995's The X Factor and 1998's Virtual XI. I got to meet Blaze last fall after show at The Chance in Poughkeepsie. He was performing as part of Trinity with ex Queensryche singer Geoff Tate and ex Judas Priest singer Tim "Ripper" Owens and he performed all the Iron Maiden classics. He was way cool and down to earth. Super nice guy. He'll be returning to the U.S. for some tour dates in August and the tour includes a return to The Chance on Aug. 11. Check out a full concert below from 1998 of Iron Maiden featuring Blaze Bayley.