Legendary Guitarist From Iconic '80s Rock Band Turns 61 Today

Musician Joey Santiago, best known for being the Pixies' guitarist, turned 61 on June 10, as reported by Songfacts.

In a May 2026 interview with The Times, the guitarist discussed being a founding member of the Pixies, a band best known for hits like "Where Is My Mind" and "Here Comes Your Man." He recalled that he was introduced to the band's singer and guitarist Black Francis, born Charles Thompson, while he was a University of Massachusetts student. Santiago said he ended up leaving college after he and Francis established the Pixies in 1986.

"I was on academic probation straight away. I have five brothers and the plan was for all of us to get a college degree, so my parents, even my brothers, were disapproving of my own plans to be in a band. But I knew we were doing something special, something different, from the very start," said the guitarist during the May 2026 interview.

He then noted that he and his bandmates, which also include Kim Deal and David Lovering, found success "very quickly," which caused him to realize he didn't "have to go back to college."

Joey Santiago Shared How He Became a Guitarist in a 2025 Interview

In a July 2025 interview with D'Addario and Co., Santiago opened up about how he became a professional guitarist. He shared that his "music journey began with listening to music," specifically The Beatles, when he was a child. Santiago also said he learned to play the guitar by using his brother's instrument.

During the July 2025 interview, Santiago described the way he plays his guitar as "really simple."

"I'll come up with something and I could see maybe another guitar player go, 'Okay, well that's a baby step.' Not for me. I'm landing here. I'm done," said the guitarist.

He then noted that most of the Pixies' music is simplistic.

"Sometimes I struggle with the, the simplicity of it, but it's part of who we are. And I like playing that way. I like being a, you know, it's very mischievous to be simple, beyond simple," said Santiago during the interview.

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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 4:06 PM.