The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com.
Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history!
SEPT 19: Happy birthday to Lita Ford! The guitarist, singer, and songwriter is best known as one of the pioneering women in hard rock and heavy metal. Born on September 19, 1958, in London and raised in Los Angeles, she first gained attention in the mid-1970s as the lead guitarist of The Runaways, an all-female band that also launched Joan Jett’s career. With their rebellious image and raw energy, The Runaways broke barriers for women in rock, and Ford’s guitar work stood out as a key element of their sound.
After the group disbanded in 1979, Ford launched a solo career, initially struggling to find her direction but eventually embracing a heavier metal style. Her breakthrough came in the 1980s with albums such as Out for Blood, Dancin’ on the Edge, and especially Lita (1988). That record produced two of her biggest hits: “Kiss Me Deadly,” a staple of 1980s rock, and “Close My Eyes Forever,” a power ballad duet with Ozzy Osbourne that became her highest-charting single.
Despite industry challenges and a hiatus in the 1990s, Ford returned in the 2000s and continues to tour and record. Her fiery guitar skills, commanding stage presence, and trailblazing role have secured her legacy as the “Queen of Metal.”
Photo: Shadowgate [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en]
SEPT 26: Happy birthday to Bryan Ferry. Born on September 26, 1945, in Washington, England, Ferry is a singer, songwriter, and style icon best known as the lead vocalist and creative force behind Roxy Music. Raised in a working-class family, Ferry developed an early interest in art and music, studying fine art at Newcastle University under influential British artist Richard Hamilton. This background shaped his lifelong passion for combining music with sophisticated visual presentation.
In 1970, Ferry co-founded Roxy Music, a band that blended glam rock, art rock, and experimental sounds. With hits like Virginia Plain, Love Is the Drug, and More Than This, Roxy Music became one of the most innovative groups of the 1970s and early 1980s. Ferry’s suave image, distinct crooning vocals, and refined aesthetic helped define the band’s identity, setting them apart from their contemporaries.
Alongside Roxy Music, Ferry pursued a successful solo career, beginning with These Foolish Things (1973), an album of covers that showcased his unique interpretive style. His solo work included both reinterpretations of classic songs and original material, such as Boys and Girls (1985), which cemented his reputation as a sophisticated pop artist.
Over the decades, Ferry has been celebrated not only for his music but also for his influence on fashion and culture, embodying elegance and artistic innovation. He continues to perform and record, remaining a quintessential figure in modern music.
Photo: Matthew Becker
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