Tuesday, February 23: Rock Birthdays

Happy Birthday today (Feb. 23) to Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford. He’s 64. Other rockers celebrating today include Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton (54), bassist Steve Priest of Sweet (68), and Europe guitarist John Norum (52). In remembrance today, blues legend Johnny Winter would have been 72.

Brad Whitford is best known as rhythm guitarist for Aerosmith as well as a co-writer of Aerosmith classics including "Last Child" off the great album Rocks. Aerosmith achieved much success in the 1970's. Whitford would leave the band in 1981 to work on his project Whitford/St. Holmes with singer Derek St. Holmes. He also did some touring with Aerosmith bandmate Joe Perry and his band The Joe Perry Project. Whitford and Perry would eventually rejoin Aerosmith in 1984.

Aerosmith have sold over 150 million records worldwide. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Aerosmith in my opinion (along with many others) are one of the greatest American rock bands of all time. The band's live shows never disappoint. For more on Aerosmith, check out the band's official website here.