Tuesday, November 22: Rock Birthdays

Happy Birthday today (Nov. 22) guitarist Alex Grossi of Quiet Riot. He's 40. Other rockers celebrating include guitarist Corey Beaulieu of Trivium (33), former Sponge drummer Charlie Grover (56), bassist Daryl Gray of Helix (58), former L.A. Guns guitarist Mick Cripps (48), and singer/keyboardist Lawrence Gowan of Styx (60).

Alex Grossi is best known as the current guitarist for the band Quiet Riot. He joined the band in 2004. Quiet Riot was formed by Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni under the name Mach 1 in 1973.The band changed it’s name to Little Women before settling on Quiet Riot in 1975. The original lineup featured Rhoads and Garni with Kevin Dubrow on vocals and Drew Forsyth on drums. The most commercially successful lineup featured Dubrow along with guitarist Carlos Cavazo, bassist Rudy Sarzo, and drummer Frankie Banali. Sadly, Kevin Dubrow died of an accidental cocaine overdose in 2007.

In 1983, the band released their breakthrough album Metal Health featuring the title track along with “Cum on Feel the Noize”. The album was the first heavy metal album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200. For more on Quiet Riot, check out the band’s official website here.