Josh Homme is on at least his second life on this planet, so he’s earned the right to be written about in “historic” terms. He’s the King of Desert Rock and will play in as many bands as it takes to channel his eclectic interests and prodigious talent. At any one time, he can be found fronting Queens of the Stone Age, playing lead guitar for Them Crooked Vultures or drums for Eagles of Death Metal, or producing and backing Arctic Monkeys or Iggy Pop.

Josh Homme and Brody Dalle

Joshua Michael Homme (pronounced hom-ee) was born in Joshua Tree, CA, and turns 43 today. He'll celebrate with his wife, Brody Dalle, front woman for The Distillers, and Spinnerette, and their three kids, but probably not at home in Palm Springs, CA because he's touring with Iggy Pop. Josh is 3rd generation native to the retirement community for the rich and famous – a weird place for a kid with rock and roll dreams to grow up. Take, for example, playing the guitar. Josh only picked that because his parents wouldn’t let their 9 year old disturb the neighbors with the drum set he wanted. Even the guitar lessons were quiet. For the first two years, Josh learned polka guitar – no picks, no barred chords, and “keep it down!”

So, it was either join the family construction business, or find a way to rock out. Josh joined his first band, Autocracy, when he was 12, and two years later formed a punk/metal band called Katzenjammer. That name didn’t stick and they became Sons of Kyuss, and finally Kyuss. The group was famous for its “generator parties.” They would pick some remote place out in the desert and tell their friends how to get there. They went out at night, plugged into portable generators, and rocked all night. Who knew the desert was good for anything? Dave Grohl became a huge fan and during an interview while flanked by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic called Kyuss “the future of grunge.”

Kyuss, "generating" Desert Rock

Kyuss split up in 1995, and Josh joined Screaming Trees on rhythm guitar. He left after a year and formed Gamma Ray, which became Queens of the Stone Age in 1997. Josh was playing lead, some bass, some drums, started singing and doing most of the song writing. He’s a big guy, 6’4”, and his baritone voice reminds one of Jim Morrison. In the same year, Josh started the “Desert Sessions” at Rancho de la Luna, a recording studio in Joshua Tree. The sessions are unscripted and feature a constantly changing cast of musicians. Recordings of the sessions may list Josh under one of his many pseudonyms, Carlos Von Sexron, J.Ho, Baby Duck, or The Ginger Elvis. 

Queens of the Stone Age

In 1998, Josh co-founded Eagles of Death Metal with buddy Jesse Hughes. Josh typically contributes in the studio and is the band’s producer, but doesn’t always tour with EODM. He was not with the band when terrorists attacked the Bataclan club in Paris duiring an EODM show.

With Eagles of Death Metal

In 2009, Josh, Grohl and Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones began playing together in Them Crooked Vultures. Grohl has called Josh his musical “soul mate."

Josh’s brush with death occurred in 2010, when he suffered asphyxia during knee surgery. He was defibrillated and revived, but his immune system was overwhelmed and he developed multiply resistant Staph infection (MRSA). He won’t talk about his near death experience, but admits being weak and severely depressed. He recovered after nearly two years, crediting meditation and a renewed interest in music.

QOTSA released their last album, Like Clockwork, in 2013. It features Elton John, Dave Grohl, Trent Reznor and others, including Josh’s wife. Earlier this year, Josh and Iggy Pop released a collaboration album produced by Josh, Post Pop Depression, and are currently on tour.

Happy Birthday, Josh!