1964 - Kurdt Vanderhoof from Metal Church is born
Born on June 28, 1964, Kurdt Vanderhoof became the guitarist, songwriter, and primary creative force behind Metal Church beginning in 1980. His powerful riff writing helped establish the band as one of the most respected acts in American heavy metal, delivering classics like Metal Church, The Dark, Blessing in Disguise, and The Human Factor. Combining the aggression of thrash with the melody of traditional heavy metal, Vanderhoof helped create a sound that influenced countless bands while often flying under the mainstream radar. Through lineup changes, industry shifts, and decades of metal history, he remained the driving force behind Metal Church and one of the genre's most underrated songwriters.