Happy slightly belated birthday to the true engine that powered the Guns N Roses nighttrain, one of the greatest Rhythm Guitarists in rock history and possessor of the best name in history, the one and only Izzy Stradlin’.

Axl may have been the frontman and Slash had the solos but Izzy was the true soul of the group and it’s secret songwriting weapon having penned some of GnR’s best known songs – Sweet Child O’ Mine, Paradise City, Patience and Don’t Cry among others. Not to mention being the coolest mofo on the planet in 1987:

Izzy stayed in Guns just long enough to become a legend and was smart enough to be the first to jump ship, presumably seeing the crazy Axl writing on the wall.

Where’s Izzy now? Hopefully kicking back on his farm in Indiana strumming a guitar and doing whatever the hell he pleases.

Happy Birthday Izzy.