Born on September 13, 1961, Dave Mustaine became one of thrash metal's defining guitarists, vocalists, and songwriters. After serving as Metallica's original lead guitarist from 1981 to 1983, Mustaine formed Megadeth and turned that dismissal into one of the greatest second acts in metal history. His razor-edged riffs and intricate songwriting drove albums like Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction, and Youthanasia, producing classics including "Peace Sells", "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due", "Hangar 18", and "Symphony of Destruction". Active professionally since the late 1970s, Mustaine helped establish Megadeth as one of thrash metal's Big Four and built a legacy on speed, precision, defiance, and some of the most vicious riffs ever committed to tape.

Born on September 13, 1957, Vinny Appice became one of hard rock and heavy metal's most powerful drummers. The younger brother of legendary drummer Carmine Appice, Vinny joined Black Sabbath in 1980 and brought his thunderous style to Mob Rules and the monumental live album Live Evil. When Ronnie James Dio left Sabbath, Appice followed him into Dio, becoming part of the lineup that created Holy Diver and The Last in Line. He later reunited with Dio, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler in Heaven & Hell, extending a musical partnership that became a crucial part of his career. Active professionally since the 1970s, Appice's enormous sound, muscular grooves, and commanding attack have made him one of metal's most respected drummers.

On September 13, 1972, Yes released Close to the Edge in the United States, their fifth studio album and one of progressive rock's towering achievements. Following the breakthrough of Fragile, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman, and Bill Bruford pushed their music even further, creating just three compositions across nearly 38 minutes. The sprawling "Close to the Edge" occupied an entire side of the original LP, while "And You and I" and "Siberian Khatru" completed the record. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and became the band's greatest American chart success. It also marked the end of Bill Bruford's original tenure with Yes before his departure for King Crimson. Complex, spiritual, adventurous, and breathtakingly performed, Close to the Edge remains one of the records against which progressive rock is measured. Produced by Yes and Eddy Offord.