Josh Homme

Was inspired to play guitar by Carl Perkins, whom he saw in concert when he was little. Member of two influential stoner rock-metal bands: Kyuss (late 1980s to '95) and Queens of the Stone Age ('98 onward). Involved with several side projects, including Eagles of Death Metal and the "supergroup" Them Crooked Vultures, which also features Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones. Didn't pick up a guitar for almost a year after Kyuss' breakup. Founded the Desert Sessions collective in 1997. It features an ever-rotating selection of hard-rock musicians joining forces for on-the-spot, collaborative jams. Almost died in 2010 during what was a routine knee operation when an errant breathing tube didn't re-oxygenate his blood. The doctors had to use a defibrillator to bring him back.