J Mascis is an American musician. He is best known as the singer, guitarist and main songwriter for alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr. and described as a figurehead of grunge. He also developed a solo career releasing six albums while also playing drums on other projects. His latest album Tied to a Star was released in August 2014. As a notable guitarist, he was ranked number 86 in Rolling Stone magazines list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, and in 2012 was also ranked 5th in Spins list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
Mascis was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, the son of a dentist and grew up in the same area together with his sister Patty and an older brother. His family name is Italian, from the province of Foggia, in the region of Apulia in the south of Italy. His mother, Theresa , died in 1985 while his father, Joseph Sr., died in 1993.
Source: Wikipedia