Singer Sebastian Bach

became a star as the singer of late '80/early '90s hard-rockers

COLOR="#003163">Skid Row.

Bach was born Sebastian Bierk on April 3, 1968, in the Bahamas. Bach

connected with the rest of New Jersey-based Skid Row in 1988, two years after

the band formed, when they put out feelers for a strong lead singer to replace

their original vocalist.

He attracted hordes of fans with his long-haired good looks. Bach also

enraged many with his negative comments about homosexuality. Skid Row's

eponymous 1987 debut sold four million copies and spawned the hits "18 and

Life" and "I Remember You."

At the end of 1989, during a Skid Row gig, Bach threw a bottle back into the

audience. He injured a fan in the process and then punched another. After

facing assault charges, Bach spent three years on probation and paid an

undisclosed settlement.

Slave to the Grind (1991) debuted at #1 but didn't sell as well as its

predecessor. Tensions in Skid Row following Subhuman Race (1995)

led to Bach's ouster in 1997.

Last year, Bach issued the solo Bring 'em Bach Alive!

Other birthdays Monday: Richard

Thompson, 51; Mel

Schacher (Grand Funk

Railroad), 49; Mick

Mars (Mötley

Crüe), 44; Mike

Ness (Social

Distortion), 38; Richard

Manuel (The

Band), 1945&3150;1986;

COLOR="#003163">Dee Murray (

COLOR="#003163">Elton John Band,

COLOR="#003163">Spencer Davis Group), 1946&3150;1992.