Albert Hammond Jr.
The Strokes guitarist whose sharp, melodic riffs defined a rock era, while his solo work explores a more personal, expansive sound.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American rock musician·Birthday: April 9·Generation X
Biography
Albert Hammond Jr. didn't just join The Strokes; his arrival as the band's second guitarist solidified the interlocking, wiry sound that became their signature. His clean, choppy chords and melodic leads on tracks like 'Last Nite' and 'Reptilia' were as crucial to the band's early-2000s explosion as Julian Casablancas's vocals. Offstage, Hammond battled personal demons, a struggle that informed the introspective nature of his solo career. His own records, beginning with 'Yours to Keep,' venture into sunnier, more psychedelic-tinged pop and rock, showcasing his growth as a songwriter and vocalist. He remains a dual figure: a pillar of one of rock's most influential modern bands and a dedicated artist carving out his own distinct path.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Albert was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Albert Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Albert's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- As a founding member of The Strokes, he helped craft the sound of their era-defining debut album 'Is This It.'
- Released his debut solo album 'Yours to Keep' in 2006, featuring contributions from Sean Lennon and Ben Kweller.
- His guitar work is central to iconic Strokes songs like 'Someday' and '12:51.'
- Has released five solo studio albums, with 2018's 'Francis Trouble' receiving widespread critical praise.
Did You Know?
He is the son of singer-songwriter Albert Hammond, who wrote hits like 'It Never Rains in Southern California.'
He originally attended New York's French Institute but left to focus on music with The Strokes.
He directed the music video for his solo song 'Set to Attack.'
He has a distinctive fashion style, often featuring tailored suits and bold patterns.
“The best songs are the ones that just happen to you.”
