Justin Hawkins, the British singer and guitarist behind The Darkness, turns 51 today.
Hawkins, the founder of the band, was born in Chertsey, Surrey, England, on March 17, 1975.
He credits learning guitar at a young age to a sibling rivalry with his brother, Dan, who is also a member of the band, which was founded after they performed together in numerous bands while attending university.
After meeting drummer Ed Graham, along with bass player Frankie Poullain, they created The Darkness, playing various clubs and pubs until they were signed with Atlantic Records, seeing almost instant success as their debut album, Permission to Land, hit number 2 on the UK charts upon its release in the summer of 2003.
The third single from that album, "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," became one of the defining rock anthems of the 2000s. Despite not reaching the very top of the charts—it got close, though, peaking at number 2 in the U.K.—the song has had a lasting impact on fans, proving that chart placement isn't everything and doesn't always define success.
The revival of the '70s glam rock sound immediately hooked fans, along with catchy lyrics that, to this day, are instantly singable, and impressive falsetto vocals. Through plenty of airplay on MTV and rock radio, it became the band's signature song, one that's still a crowd-pleaser at live concerts.
In addition to winning the BRIT Award for Best British Single in 2004, the single has consistently been included and ranked on various best rock songs lists, including being named the "greatest song of the 21st century" in a fan-voted poll on Classic Rock Magazine.
Its legacy was further cemented by pop culture, as the hit was included in Guitar Hero, introducing it to new generations, along with movies and TV shows such as The Fall Guy, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and a 2003 episode of One Tree Hill.
Classic Rock Magazine chimed in to wish Hawkins a happy birthday, as many fans celebrated his ageless appearance, with one noting, "Justin...could you at least attempt to look 51 and not 21. Do you even age Happy Birthday."
The Darkness drummer, Rufus Taylor, the son of Queen drummer Roger Taylor who joined the band in 2015, took to social media to wish Hawkins all the best, writing, "It’s my fellow Wembley Boy’s 28th birthday today!!! Incredible, just like him. Here’s to the best of the best @justinhawkinsta ???"
View this post on InstagramAnd naturally, fans jumped in on the joke to the "absolute legend," quipping, "He's getting younger every year, how come i'm not? ??"
Hawkins may be a year into 50, but he's staying busy as The Darkness is actively touring. They wrapped up their "Dreams on Toast" tour in late 2025, with upcoming dates in 2026 scheduled starting in the summer, along with their largest UK arena tour in 20 years set for Dec. 2026.
Next, Justin Hawkins Opens Up About The Darkness, Taylor Swift, and Making ‘Dreams’ Come True (Exclusive)
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