October 16, 2024 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Liam Payne, full name Liam James Payne, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Member of boy band One Direction. The Irish-English boy band was conceived and assembled through the talent show The X-Factor in 2010 to become one of the all-time best-selling boy bands, releasing five albums until their definite hiatus in 2016, all albums reaching top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic. Well-known songs include What Makes You Beautiful, Live While We're Young, Best Song Ever, and Story Of My Life. Payne would debut as a solo artist with the 2017 single Strip That Down featuring Quavo, which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Payne has since collaborated with Zedd, Rita Ora, J Balvin, French Montana, and Jonas Blue, and released his full-length solo album LP1 in 2019. At the time of his death, Payne was working on his sophomore album ~ Payne was born in 1993
October 13, 2024 ~ Elizabeth Jurist, commonly known as singer, songwriter Libby Titus, passed away ~ Though as a solo artist Titus never became a household name, she has earned universal critical acclaim, the New York Times once praising her “feeling for style, (and) appealingly sultry insouciance”. Titus has co-written songs with Carly Simon, Burt Bacharach, Dr John, and Donald Fagen, and was married to the latter since 1993. Previously, Titus was romantically involved with the Band's drummer, singer Levon Helm, with whom she has a daughter, the singer Amy Helm. As a songwriter, Titus is perhaps best known for co-penning Love Has No Pride with Eric Kaz, first recorded by Bonnie Raitt in 1972 for her Give It Up album, and since covered by dozens of artists including Linda Ronstadt, Rita Coolidge, and Lynn Anderson. Titus herself has also recorded the song for her 1977 eponymous Libby Titus sophomore album. Admired by peers, Titus is the subject of several tribute songs, including Carly Simon's Libby, and Dr John's Pretty Libby, while Wendy Waldman adresses their friendship in Long Hot Summer Nights, and Donald Fagen sings about their marriage in The Great Pagoda Of Fun. Titus also portrayed several minor roles as an actress ~ Jurist was born in 1947
October 7, 2024 ~ Conductor, composer Amaury du Closel, full name Amaury Barbat du Closel, passed away ~ Well known for founding the Forum Voix Etouffées, an organisation dedicated to raising attention to the music of composers persecuted, exiled, or forgotten, especially those persecuted by totalitarian regimes of the 20th century such as Ernst Krenek, Franz Schreker and Viktor Ullmann. Du Closel has also authored Les Voix étouffées du Troisième Reich, a study of voices silenced by the Nazi regime. Du Closel has conducted numerous orchestras over the course of his lengthy career, including perhaps most notably the Berlin Symphoniker and the Orchéstre les Metamorphoses, and served as artistic director of the Opéra Nomade ~ Du Closel was born in 1956
October 7, 2024 ~ Giacomo Pontoriero, commonly known as rock, hard rock guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, talent manager, songwriter, producer Jack Ponti, passed away ~ Got his start in music playing guitar in 1970s band the Rest, which also included a young and then-unknown Jon Bon Jovi as lead singer. Though the band never landed a major record deal, they enjoyed popularity in their native New Jersey, opening for the likes of Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen. After the band disbanded, Jon Bon Jovi would rise to fame with the glam metal-infused Bon Jovi, with Ponti co-writing several of the band's earliest songs including Shot Through The Heart, while Ponti would primarily focus on his work as a songwriter, producer, and later talent manager, working with artists such as Bonfire, Babylon AD, Eric Gales, Nelson, and Melvin Taylor. In Europe, Ponti is perhaps best known for his work with Alice Cooper, co-writing half the tracks off Cooper's 1991 Hey Stoopid album, which though poorly received in America did reasonably well in Europe, and for his work with German hard rock outfit Doro, for whom he co-produced the albums Angels Never Die and its followup Machine II Machine. Ponti has also served as manager for neo-soul singer India Arie ~ Pontoriero was born in 1958
September 29, 2024 ~ Martin Barnes, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Martin Lee, passed away ~ Initially hired as a staff writer by music publisher Tony Hiller, yet when it turned out Lee could also sing Hiller asked him to join Brotherhood Of Man, a group managed by Hiller. The group would become best known for Save Your Kisses For Me, a delightfully cheerful ditty co-written by and featuring Lee on lead vocals chosen to represent the UK at the 1976 Eurovision Songfestival. Following their win at the contest, leaving France's Catherine Ferry and Monaco's Mary Christy respectively in second and third place, the song would reach No.1 in over half a dozen countries including the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK. Over the next few years, Brotherhood Of Man scored several more hits at home, notably Angelo and Figaro, before their popularity waned. Despite not recording since the early 1980s, the band continued to perform to enthousiastic crowds until retiring in 2020 ~ Barnes was born in 1946
September 28, 2024 ~ Kristoffer Kristofferson, commonly known as country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Kris Kristofferson, passed away in Hana, Hawaii, USA ~ One of the most beloved country singers to emerge from the late-1960s. Regarded as a Renaissance man of country music, known for his poetic, literate, and regularly brutally honest lyrics. Had several of his songs recorded by hundreds of artists each. Wrote For The Good Times, first recorded by Bill Nash and covered by numerous artists including Ray Price, Al Green, and Elvis Presley. Wrote Sunday Morning Coming Down, first recorded by Ray Stevens. Co-wrote Me & Bobby McGee, first recorded by Roger Miller and a posthumous Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit for Janis Joplin, Kristofferson's one-time girlfriend. Wrote and first recorded Help Me Make It Through The Night, later a smash hit for Sammi Smith. Spearheaded the 1970s outlaw country movement. Member of country supergroup the Highwaymen alongside frequent collaborators Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. Over the course of his career, Kristofferson has recorded well over a dozen albums as a solo artist, as well as several with his then-wife Rita Coolidge. Kristofferson is also an accomplished actor, noted for his roles in A Star Is Born opposite Barbra Streisand, Convoy and the Blade trilogy ~ Kristofferson was born in 1936
September 21, 2024 ~ Bebop, hard bop saxophonist Benny Golson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most significant contributors to the development of hard bop, initially known more as a sideman and songwriter before leading or co-leading his own ensembles. Has written numerous standards including Stable Mates (Miles Davis), Whisper Not (Lee Morgan), Blues March (Gigi Gryce), and Along Came Betty (Art Blakey). As a leader best known for his 1957 New York Scene album. Co-founded and co-led the Jazztet with Art Farmer, acclaimed for early-1960s albums such as Meet The Jazztet, Blues On Down, and Another Git Together. In-demand sideman, present on quintessential albums by the likes of Dinah Washington (The Swingin' Miss D), Johnny Griffin, Dizzy Gillespie, Jim Hall, Paul Chambers, Abbey Lincoln (It's Magic), Curtis Fuller, Milt Jackson (Bags' Opus), Blue Mitchell (Out Of The Blue), Jimmy Cleveland, Buddy Rich (Richcraft), Quincy Jones, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Charles Mingus, Shirley Scott, Sam Jones (The Chant), Slide Hampton, Red Holloway, and Sarah Vaughan ~ Golson was born in 1929
September 18, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist Nick Gravenites, full name Nicholas George Gravenites, passed away ~ Somewhat overlooked guitarist, known best for his role in 1960s white blues and psychedelia. Over half a dozen records to his name as a solo artist, noted most for My Labors released in 1969. Closely associated with Paul Butterfield, wrote Born In Chicago and co-wrote East-West with Michael Bloomfield, both recorded by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Formed Electric Flag, which also included Bloomfield. Worked with Quicksilver Messenger Service. Worked with the Kozmic Blues Band, Janis Joplin's first band, and served as co-lead singer of Big Brother & the Holding Company after Joplin's departure. Gravenites has also worked with Brewer & Shipley, for whom he produced the 1970 Billboard Hot 100 No.10 hit One Toke Over The Line, as well as with Otis Rush, and the Usual Suspects ~ Gravenites was born in 1938
September 17, 2024 ~ John David Souther, commonly known as rock, country, country-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter JD Souther, passed away in Sandia Park, New Mexico, USA ~ Best known for co-writing several hits for the Eagles, including The Best Of My Love, New Kid In Town, Victim Of Love and Heartache Tonight. Others who have recorded his songs include Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt (Faithless Love), Nicolette Larson, Kenny Rogers, and Don Henley. Souther was also a member of Longbranch Pennywhistle, the Souther Hillman Furay Band, and recorded as a solo artist, notably You're Only Lonely and Her Town Too, the latter a duet with longtime friend James Taylor ~ Souther was born in 1945
September 16, 2024 ~ Billy Edward Wheeler, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler, passed away in Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA ~ Though he only enjoyed limited chart success, apart from the 1964 Billboard Country No.3 hit Ode To The Little Brown Shack, Wheeler has enjoyed critical success especially as a songwriter and composer, including for over half a dozen plays and musicals, the folk opera Song Of The Cumberland Gap, and dramas, and has penned several novels. To mainstream audiences, Wheeler is perhaps best known for co-penning Jackson, a Grammy Award winner as recorded by Johnny Cash & June Carter, and for penning Coward Of The County, a hit for Kenny Rogers in 1979. Others who have recorded his songs include Judy Henske, the Kingston Trio, Judy Collins, Mel Tillis, John Denver, Richie Havens (High Flying Bird), Jay & the Americans, Glen Campbell, OC Smith (I Ain't The Worryin' Kind), Elvis Presley (It's Midnight), Bob Luman (Jesus Was A Country Boy), Kathy Mattea, and Neil Young ~ Wheeler was born in 1932
September 15, 2024 ~ Toriano Adaryll Jackson, commonly known as singer, guitarist Tito Jackson, passed away in Gallup, New Mexico, USA ~ Has recorded well over a dozen albums as a member of sibling outfit the Jackson 5, renamed to the Jacksons in the mid-1970s. The band has scored about a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, and was especially popular at the turn of the 1970s scoring No.1 hits such as I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There. Later hits included Blame It On The Boogie, Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground), and State Of Shock, the latter a collaboration with the Rolling Stones-singer Mick Jagger. Starting in the early-2000s, Jackson has performed as a solo blues musician on the club circuit, served as a judge on talent contests, and recorded two solo albums. As a solo artist, he is best known for the single Get It Baby featuring Big Daddy Kane off his 2016 Tito Time album. Jackson was married to Delores Dee Dee Martes from 1972 through 1994, with whom he has three sons, Taj Jackson, Taryll Jackson, and TJ Jackson who comprised the R&B trio 3T. As a member of the Jackson 5, Jackson was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1997, the sibling act acknowledged for its own distinctive “bubblegum soul” sound, drawing from vocal groups, contemporary soul and R&B, and classic Motown. Jackson continued to perform with his siblings until his death at age 70 ~ Jackson was born in 1953
September 13, 2024 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist Tommy Cash passed away ~ Served as a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio network while enlisted. Following his stint in the US Army, Cash would work with Hank Williams Jr and eventually land a record deal with Musicor Records in the mid-1960s. Best known for his 1969 Billboard Country No.4 hit Six White Horses, dedicated to the memory of John F Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy, and Martin Luther King. Following the success of the single, Cash would score a handful of top 20 hits on the same chart through the mid-1970s. In 1970, Cash would be the first to record the Carl Perkins-penned Rise And Shine, notably covered by Kitty Wells later the same year. Other well known songs include One Song Away, So This Is Love, I Recall A Gypsy Woman, and She Met A Stranger (I Met A Train). Despite being a passionate, versatile singer in his own right, Cash never achieved near the same stature as his elder brother Johnny Cash. Cash continued to perform and record well into the 2010s ~ Cash was born in 1940
September 10, 2024 ~ Howard Beverly, commonly known as R&B, soul, funk singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Frankie Beverly, passed away ~ Formed the Butlers, known among soul aficionados for the 1967 recording If That's What You Wanted. The group would be rechristened to Raw Soul, open for Marvin Gaye and eventually be renamed to Maze. The group would score a string of R&B hits from the late-1970s through the early-1990s, with Workin' Together, Feel That You're Feelin', Southern Girl, Running Away, Love Is The Key, Back In Stride, Too Many Games, Can't Get Over You and Silky Soul all reaching top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Beverly was born in 1946
September 9, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, actress Caterina Valente passed away in Lugano, Switzerland ~ Sings in various languages including French, German and English. Known for songs such as Malagueña, The Breeze And I, Dreh Dich Nicht Um, Gans Paris Traumt Von Der Liebe. Over the course of her lengthy career, Valente has collaborated with a wide array of artists including Kurt Edelhagen, Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Perry Como, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Claus Ogerman, Tommy Dorsey, Sy Oliver, Buddy Rich, and Edmundo Ros ~ Valente was born in 1931
September 8, 2024 ~ George Bruno Money, commonly known as R&B, blues keyboardist, organist, singer Zoot Money, passed away ~ The definitive early-1960s organist in British blues and R&B. Though not as well known as contemporary John Mayall, Money was a highly respected bandleader and like Mayall's backing unit the Bluesbreakers the Money-led rock & roll-infused R&B outfit the Big Roll Band served as a finishing school for several musicians early on in their career. Artists who passed through the ranks of Money's band include pianist Dave Greenslade, drummer Jon Hiseman, bassist Tony Reeves, saxophonist Clive Burrows, and guitarist Andy Summers, the latter later rising to stardom as a member of the Police. Money was active with the Big Roll Band, briefly named Dantalian's Chariot at the end of their run, for most of the 1960s, the band best known for their sole UK top 30 hit single Big Time Operator, and for their 1966 Live At Klook's Kleek live album. Money has also recorded as a solo artist, and has appeared on albums by Alexis Korner, the Animals, Peter Green, Andy Roberts, Centipede, Mike McGear, Grimms (Rocking Duck), Long John Baldry, Kevin Ayers, Kevin Coyne, and Roger McGough. Money had taken his stage name “Zoot” after seeing jazz saxophonist Zoot Sims perform in concert ~ Money was born in 1942
September 7, 2024 ~ Pianist, singer Jimmy Gilmer passed away ~ Fronted Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs, known for Sugar Shack which reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. Other well known songs included Daisy Petal Pickin' and Bottle Of Wine ~ Gilmer was born in 1940
September 6, 2024 ~ Scott Simon, commonly known as pianist, singer Screamin' Scott Simon, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Longtime member of retro outfit Sha Na Na, with whom he has recorded over a dozen albums since joining the band in 1970. The band would become especially known for appearing in the musical comedy film Grease, and for subsequently hosting their own Sha Na Na syndicated TV show through the early-1980s where they performed hits from the 1950s and 1960s along with comedy skits, regularly featuring guest musicians including the Ramones, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, the Ronettes, and Chubby Checker. Simon also co-wrote Sandy, performed by John Travolta in the Grease film ~ Simon was born in 1948
September 6, 2024 ~ Wilbur H Jennings, commonly known as songwriter Will Jennings, passed away ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing Eric Clapton's Tears In Heaven and Céline Dion's My Heart Will Go On. Others who have recorded songs penned or co-penned by Jennings include Steve Winwood (When You See A Chance), Whitney Houston, BB King, the Crusaders (Street Life), Rodney Crowell (Many A Long And Lonesome Highway), Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick (I'll Never Love This Way Again), Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow, and Diana Ross ~ Jennings was born in 1944
September 5, 2024 ~ Dequantes Devontay Lamar, commonly known as hip hop, trap, mumble rap rapper, singer, songwriter Rich Homie Quan, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced by TI, Lil' Wayne, OutKast and Goodie Mob. Guested on Gucci Mane's 2013 Trap House III mixtape. Later the same year, Lamar also guested on YG's Billboard Hot 100 top 20 single My Nigga. As a solo artist, Lamar is known best for the mid-2010s singles Type Of Way and Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh), both of which reached top 20 Billboard R&B. Lamar's full-length Rich As In Spirit debut album released in 2018 would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 200. Lamar has also collaborated with Trinidad James, 2 Chainz, Migos, Fabolous, and DJ Drama ~ Lamar was born in 1990
September 5, 2024 ~ Pianist, bandleader, songwriter Sérgio Mendes, full name Sérgio Santos Mendes, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Jazz and funk-infused bossa nova. Over 50 albums to his name starting in the early 1960s. Especially acclaimed for the 1966 Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 album. Best known for his breakthrough hit Mas Qua Nada ~ Mendes was born in 1941
September 2, 2024 ~ James Williams Ercolani, commonly known as actor, singer James Darren, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Helped usher in the California surf culture, specifically portraying the co-lead role in the 1959 film Gidget opposite Sandra Dee. The film was a hit, as was the soundtrack with several songs including the main theme performed by Darren. Darren would enjoy a brief spell as teen idol through the early-1960s, notably scoring the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Goodbye Cruel World and Her Royal Majesty. Darren would go on to focus on his acting career, star in two Gidget sequels, and land roles in several TV series before venturing into directing ~ Ercolani was born in 1936
September 2, 2024 ~ Patsy Lewis, commonly known as soul, R&B, gospel singer Pat Lewis, passed away ~ Got her start in music in the early-1960s, forming the Adorables which also included her sister Dianne Lewis. Released her Can't Shake It Loose solo debut single in 1966. Over the next few years Lewis recorded several more singles, some of which later became popular among Northern soul aficionados, and worked as a backing singer for Motown. From the early-1970s onward, Lewis became a regular backing singer for the likes of Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, David Porter, Tommy Smiley, David Ruffin, and George Clinton. In the late-1980s, Lewis was signed to the UK-based Motorcity Records label for whom she sang with the reformed girl group the Andantes, as a solo artist, and worked as arranger on numerous of the label's recordings ~ Lewis was born in 1947
August 30, 2024 ~ Isaac Freeman III, commonly known as rapper, hype man, promoter, radio and TV personality Fatman Scoop, passed away ~ As a solo artist best known for Be Faithful released in 2003. The track heavily sampled from Chic and Faith Evans, would become a club favorite and topped the charts in the UK and Ireland. Freeman has also notably guested on Missy Elliott's Lose Control and Mariah Carey's It's Like That, which respectively reached top 10 and top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Freeman has also guested on tracks by Bone Thugs 'n Harmony, Chingy, David Guetta, B'witched, Kat DeLuna, Skrillex, Ciara (Level Up), Hardwell, and Lil' Mo. Freeman passed away at age 53 after collapsing on stage during a performance in Hamden, Connecticut ~ Freeman was born in 1971
August 27, 2024 ~ Drummer Makaya Ntshoko passed away ~ Closely associated with Dollar Brand and Hugh Masekela with whom he would regularly collaborate over his lengthy career, including on the 1959 Jazz Epistles Verse 1 landmark album by the Jazz Epistles. Despite their brief lifespan, the ensemble, inspired by American bebop, is considered pivotal to the development of South African jazz and one of the nation's first black ensembles to record. Following the band's disbandement, Ntshoko founded the Jazz Giants, with whom he played until departing South Africa. Ntshoko would go on to work in both Europe and America, appearing on albums by Stuff Smith, fellow expatriate Masekela (Home Is Where The Music Is), John Tchicai, Pepper Adams (Julian), Joe McPhee, Hannibal Lokumbe, Johnny Dyani (Song For Biko), Mal Waldron, Bob Degen, Ben Webster, and Abdullah Ibrahim. As a leader, Ntshoko is perhaps most noted for the Makaya & the Tsotsis album released in 1974 ~ Ntshoko was born in 1939
August 23, 2024 ~ Experimental folk, avant-garde singer Catherine Ribeiro passed away in Martigues, France ~ Critically acclaimed, boundary-breaking Ribeiro remained a cult figure throughout her career influential on fellow musicians. Well known for teaming up with composer Patrice Moullet in the folk, psychedelic outfit Alpes, the pair recording some half a dozen albums throughout the early-1980s with a revolving line-up. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1974 Paix album. Ribeiro also enjoyed a parallel career as a solo singer, starting with her Le Blues De Piaf solo debut album issued in 1977. Ribeiro counted musicians such as Julian Cope and Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon among her fans, the latter once stating in an interview: “Ribeiro's voice is so amazing and the music sounds so, I hate to use the word organic, but I just kind of relate it to the music. She is definitely an influence on me” ~ Ribeiro was born in 1941
August 23, 2024 ~ Jazz guitarist Russell Malone passed away ~ Began playing at age four on a toy guitar his mother bought him. Influenced by BB King, the Dixie Hummingbirds, and George Benson. Spent the late-1980s and 1990s backing artists such as Jimmy Smith, Harry Connick Jr, and Diana Krall, including on the latter's acclaimed and Grammy Award-winning When I Look In Your Eyes album. As a leader or co-leader, Malone has recorded some dozen albums since the early-1990s, specifically noted for the 2003 collaborative album Jazz At The Bistro with pianist Benny Green, as well as 2004's Playground, and 2017's Time For The Dancers. As a sideman and collaborator, Malone has appeared on albums by Branford Marsalis, Don Braden, Johnny O'Neal (On The Montreal Scene), Stephen Scott (The Beautiful Thing), Gary Bartz, Dave Grusin, Mose Allison (Gimcracks And Gewgaws), Marian McPartland, Ray Brown, Janis Siegel, the Chieftains, Houston Person, Wynton Marsalis, Regina Carter (Motor City Moments), Gary Burton, Will Downing, Natalie Cole, Kenny Rankin, David Sanborn, Jon Faddis (Teranga), Gladys Knight, Alvin Batiste, Jeff Lorber (He Had A Hat), the CTI All-Stars, Jimmy Cobb, Joss Stone (Colour Me Feel), Sonny Rollins, Christian McBride, Macy Gray (Stripped), Jimmy Heath (Love Letter), Eric Bibb, and Rickie Lee Jones ~ Malone was born in 1963
August 21, 2024 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Russell Stone, full name Russell Oliver Stone, passed away ~ Formed the one-hit-wonder duo R&J Stone with his wife Joanne Stone. Previously members of James Last's backing choir, the pair would score a smash hit with the self-penned We Do It off their 1976 debut album of the same name. The single reached top 10 in Ireland, Australia and their native UK, where it peaked at No.5. Following the success of their hitsingle and debut album, Russell abandoned his role as a singer, choosing to focus on writing and producing for his wife instead. The 1977 R&J sophomore album failed to capture their earlier magic, a third album would remain unreleased. Stone recorded sporadically as a solo artist after the death of wife in 1979, releasing three albums in the 2010s, yet would be unable to repeat his earlier success. Stone has also worked as a psychotherapist, counsellor, and teacher ~ Stone was born ca.1946
August 17, 2024 ~ Surf rock, punk, cowpunk singer, rhythm guitarist Bert Susanka passed away ~ Longtime frontman, lead singer, rhythm guitarist of the Ziggens, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums since the early-1990s. Though not as well known as their contemporaries Sublime, the band is considered one of the most original outfits to hail from Long Beach, California, where they enjoyed a significant following. The band draws from cowpunk, surf, rockabilly, punk, ska, and country, a mixture dubbed “cowpunksurfabilly” by the band. They are perhaps best known for Big Salty Tears, notably covered by Sublime on their 1998 Sublime Acoustic (Bradley Nowell & Friends) album. Susanka has also worked as a solo artist, and formed the side project Jelly Of The Month Club, performing children's music, with Sublime-drummer Bud Gaugh. Susanka passed away at age 62 after a battle with ALS ~ Susanka was born ca.1962
August 16, 2024 ~ Robert Caldwell Hicks, commonly known as bluegrass banjoist, mandolinist, fiddler Bobby Hicks, passed away ~ Member of Bill Monroe's quintessential unit the Blue Grass Boys for most of the 1950s, rejoining on occasion in later years. Hicks backed Porter Wagoner in the early-1960s, and subsequently served as bandleader for Judy Lynn through 1970. Also closely associated with Ricky Skaggs, with whom he played for some two decades including on the albums Sweet Temptation, Highways & Heartaches, and Country Boy. Regarded as one of the finest fiddlers, once cited by Monroe as “the truest fiddler he had ever heard”, Hicks has recorded as a solo artist, notably Texas Crapshooter released in 1977, and was an in-demand collaborator and sideman present on recordings by Doyle Lawson, Kenny Baker, Michael Martin Murphey, Tony Rice (Cold On The Shoulder), the Lost And Found, the Bluegrass Album Band, David Grisman, the Seldom Scene, the Reno Brothers, Rhonda Vincent, Herschel Sizemore, and Eddie Adcock ~ Hicks was born in 1933
August 16, 2024 ~ Pianist, arranger, conductor, producer Charles Blackwell, full name Charles Vincent Blackwell, passed away ~ Closely associated with producer Joe Meek, under whose guidance Blackwell became one of the most prolific studio arrangers and producers of the 1960s and 1970s. Notable credits include serving in one capacity or another on hit songs such as Johnny Remember Me by John Leyton, What's New Pussycat and I'll Never Fall In Love Again by Tom Jones, and Release Me and A Man Without Love by Engelbert Humperdinck. Blackwell also regularly arranged and conducted studio recordings for francophone artists including Art Sullivan, Michel Polnareff, and Françoise Hardy (Je Veux Qu'il Revienne). In 2005, Blackwell was commissioned by the European Council to orchestrate and conduct a new recording of Anthem Of Europe, adapted from Ludwig van Beethoven's Ode To Joy, with a 70-man orchestra which is played at every sitting of the European Parliament ~ Blackwell was born in 1940
August 16, 2024 ~ Kent Rowell, commonly known as blues singer Luther Kent, passed away ~ Influenced by Bobby Blue Bland, Etta James, and Ray Charles. Longtime resident of Baton Rouge, powerhouse vocalist Kent would become a fixture in southern Louisiana where he attracted a large following through frequently performing at dance halls and festivals, including repeatedly at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Outside his home state, he was best known for briefly joining Blood Sweat & Tears, touring with the band in 1974 yet contractual obligations kept him from recording with the group. Kent has recorded half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with World Class in 1977, and has guested on albums by Maynard Ferguson, the Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks, Robi Zonca, and Rue De Funk. Kent is also known as a host for WBRH, an FM station operated by students at the Baton Rouge High School ~ Rowell was born in 1948
August 15, 2024 ~ Guitarist Joe Chambers passed away ~ Member of psychedelic soul band the Chamber Brothers, known for incorporating elements of traditional gospel and blues, psychedelica and rock into soul. The band, which also includes his siblings bassist George Chambers and harmonica player Lester Chambers, has recorded half a dozen albums and is best known for their 1968 eleven-minute single Time Has Come Today, which reached No.11 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Chambers was born in 1942
August 14, 2024 ~ Singer, bassist, guitarist, pianist, composer Dean Roberts passed away ~ Formed the short-lived mid-1990s free noise trio Thela with Dion Workman and Rosy Parlane, with whom he recorded the albums Untitled and its follow-up Argentina. Following the group's disbandement, Roberts has embarked on a solo career releasing some dozen albums since, the first few going by the monniker White Winged Moth before recording under his given name. Experimenting with electroacoustics, minimalism, and progressive rock, Roberts is especially acclaimed for his 2003 Be Mine Tonight album. Roberts was also a member of experimental trio Autistic Daughters, and has collaborated with the likes of Matt Valentine, Eugene Chadbourne, and Thurston Moore ~ Roberts was born ca.1975
August 13, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Greg Kihn, full name Gregory Stanley Kihn, passed away ~ Active since the early-1970s. Frontman and eponym of the Greg Kihn Band, known best for The Breakup Song (They Don't Write) and the 1981 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Jeopardy. Kihn's backing unit at one time included guitarist Joe Satriani. Kihn is also known as an author, having penned several horror fiction novels starting with Horror Show published in 1996 ~ Kihn was born in 1949
August 11, 2024 ~ Eoin French, commonly known as indie electronic musician Talos, passed away in Cork, Ireland ~ Member of Hush War Cry in his early twenties. French debuted as a solo artist in 2013, going by the stage name Talos for the mythical Talos, a giant automaton of bronze that protected Crete. French has released three full-length albums, starting with Wild Alee in 2017 which was hailed as “a spectacularly assured debut deserving of a wide audience” by The Irish Times upon its release. French has studied architecture and continued to lecture at the University College Cork, his alma mater, parallel to his musical career. Upon hearing of his passing, singer Emma Langford stated “Ireland sadly lost a very talented Irish artist, (…) he made beautiful ethereal music and when he played the castle in Limerick it rang out over the river like siren song” ~ French was born ca.1987
August 9, 2024 ~ Rock drummer Carl Bevan passed away ~ Rose to fame as a member of 1990s rock, punk rock outfit 60 Ft Dolls, with whom he recorded the albums The Big 3 and Joya Magica, and played festivals such as Reading Festival and Glastonbury Festival. Two of the band's singles reached top 40 in their native UK, Talk To Me and Happy Shopper. Bevan has also produced Exit International's 2011 Black Junk album, and formed the female-fronted rock and roll unit the Lash. In later years, Bevan would become well known as a landscape painter. Upon hearing of his death, Dolls bandmate guitarist Richard Parfitt, not to be confused with his namesake Status Quo-rhythm guitarist, commented: “Carl was a brilliant drummer, a brilliant artist and a brilliant friend” ~ Bevan was born ca.1973
August 9, 2024 ~ Electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Carl Weathersby, full name Carlton Weathersby, passed away ~ Firmly rooted in the classic Chicago blues tradition with a solid dose of smooth soul-blues added for good measure, Weathersby first gained attention in the late-1970s backing Albert King on tour. Best known for his association with Billy Branch, with whom he worked for well over a dozen years including on the highly acclaimed The Blues Keep Following Me Around album. As a solo artist, Weathersby has recorded about half a dozen albums, starting with Don't Lay Your Blues On Me which was hailed as one of the most genuine Chicago blues albums of the 1990s. Weathersby has also appeared on albums by Robert Covington, George Gruntz, Buster Benton (Blues At The Top), Carey Bell (Deep Down), Hubert Sumlin, Mississippi Heat, Rico McFarland (Tired Of Being Alone), Charles Wilson (If Heartaches Were Nickles), Nora Jean Bruso, Trudy Lynn, Bernard Allison, Otis Rush, Keb' Mo, and Barrelhouse Chuck. Upon hearing of Weathersby's passing, longtime collaborator Branch commented: “Over the years I watched as Carl's guitar and singing skills continued to develop and mature, ultimately making him one of the most skilled and dynamic bluesmen of our times. His vocals were heartfelt and passionate. His guitar skills were unmatched. He had come into his own” ~ Weaterhersby was born in 1953
August 5, 2024 ~ Doo-wop, R&B singer, songwriter Maurice Williams passed away ~ Fronted the Zodiacs, previously named the Royal Charms and the Gladiolas, known best for the 1960 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Stay. At 1:36 it would be the shortest charttopper in Billboard history. The song would notably be covered by the Hollies in 1963, earning the band their first UK top 10 single, by the Four Seasons the same year, and by Jackson Browne in 1978. The original Zodiacs version would be included on the soundtrack of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, leading to a renewed interest and chart success. Other well known songs include Little Darlin', which was a No.11 hit on the Billboard R&B charts for the band in 1957, then still called the Gladiolas, with a cover by Canadian quartet the Diamonds released the same year reaching No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the 1965 recording May I, which made little impact at the time of its release but would sell over a million copies over the years ~ Williams was born in 1938
August 3, 2024 ~ Classical cellist Antônio Meneses passed away in Basel, Switzerland ~ 1982 Tchaikowsky Competition winner. Member of the Beaux Arts Trio from 1998 until its disbandement in 2008. Has worked with renowned orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra ~ Meneses was born in 1957
August 3, 2024 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, gospel, R&B clarinetist, keyboardist, music director Shaun Martin passed away ~ Closely associated with Kirk Franklin, with whom he recorded since still in high school including the Grammy Award-winning albums Hero and The Fight Of My Life. Member of Snarky Puppy since 2010, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Tell Your Friends. An in-demand sideman, arranger, and producer, Martin has collaborated with the likes of Guru, Erykah Badu (Mama's Gun), N'Dambi, Donnie McClurkin, Myron Butler, Fred Hammond, Tamela Mann, Crystal Aikin, Amber Bullock, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Alicia Keys (Here), and Ledisi. Martin has also recorded three solo albums, starting with the jazz-infused 7 Summers in 2015. Martin has served as Minister of Music at the Friendship West Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. Upon his death at age 45 of an undisclosed illness, which he had been battling for some time, Snarky Puppy issued a statement, saying: “Yesterday, we lost a music legend and, more importantly, a beautiful, luminous human being. Martin touched so many people during his life and through the beautiful immortality of music, will continue to do so” ~ Martin was born in 1978
July 28, 2024 ~ Jangle pop, indie pop singer, guitarist Martin Phillipps passed away ~ Frontman, sole constant member of the Chills, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Brave Words released in 1987. Acknowledged as one of the earliest proponents of the Dunedin sound, their distinctive hybrid drawing from punk rock, pop and psychedelic-infused jangle pop, they enjoyed popularity in their native New Zealand, with a cult following elsewhere, especially during the late-1980s and 1990s. They are particularly known for the 1990 album Submarine Bells which spawned their biggest hit Heavenly Pop Hit. Other well known songs include Pink Frost, Doledrums, I Love My Leather Jacket, and Male Monster From The Id ~ Phillipps was born in 1963
July 28, 2024 ~ Rock drummer Mick Underwood, full name Michael John Underwood, passed away ~ Underwood has enjoyed one of the longest British rock drummer careers spanning well over four decades starting in the early-1960s. Given his first drum kit at age 14, he was playing professionally by the time he left school. Closely associated with Ritchie Blackmore, the pair sessioning for producer Joe Meek early on in their careers, and with Ian Gillan. Touring musician for visiting Americans including Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent. Member of 1960s outfits such as the Outlaws, the Herd, and Episode 6. Co-founding member of progressive rock outfit Quatermass, known for their sole eponymous Quatermass album released in 1970. Underwood has also recorded with Strapps during the late-1970s, and with Ian Gillan throughout the 1980s including the acclaimed albums Mr Universe and Future Shock. Other notable associations include Jet Harris, Heinz, Graham Bonnet, Sammy, and Black Sabbath. In the 2010s Underwood, perhaps the most unassuming of all British rock drummers, looked back on his lengthy career, commenting: “A song is a song, and it doesn't start with me, (…) my job is to make that song sound the best for its own sake, not for mine” ~ Underwood was born in 1945
July 27, 2024 ~ Bassist, producer Pat Collier passed away ~ Member of punk outfit the Vibrators, present on the albums Pure Mania and V2. Although at the time, their records sold poorly, the band is critically acclaimed and regarded as one of the more influential 1970s punk outfits. They are best remembered for Automatic Lover off their 1977 debut album, the single their only one to reach the UK top 40, peaking at No.35. Punk outfit Stiff Little Fingers would take their band name from the Vibrators song of the same title. From the 1980s onwards, Collier would establish himself as an engineer, and producer, noted especially for producing the Soft Boys' 1980 sophomore album Underwater Moonlight, and for his work with Robyn Hitchcock. To more mainstream audiences, Collier is perhaps best known for producing the 1983 album Walking On Sunshine for Katrina & the Waves, its title track Walking On Sunshine a top 10 hit in several countries including the USA and the UK ~ Collier was born ca.1951
July 25, 2024 ~ Jean-Jacques Pascal, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter Pascal Danel, passed away ~ When injuries from a fall ended his career as a tightrope walker, Pascal turned to songwriting. After a handful of moderate hits, Pascal would break through with La Plage Aux Romantiques in 1965, which reached No.1 in his native France, followed by Kilimandjaro the following year. The latter would be an international hit, recorded by Pascal in about half a dozen languages and remains popular to this day, regarded as one of the most endearing French standards of the era. Pascal went on to record over a dozen albums through the 1980s. Well known songs include Comme Une Enfant, Mamina, Je Suis Un Avonturier, Le Petit Prince N'Est Pas Mort, and Rotterdam. Pascal's son, Jean-Pierre Danel, would follow in his father's footsteps and become a professional guitarist and singer ~ Pascal was born in 1944
July 25, 2024 ~ Nu jazz, acid jazz, jazz funk, trip hop DJ, producer Tadashi Yabe passed away ~ Formed United Future Organization with fellow club DJs Toshio Matsuura and Raphael Sebbag, the trio considered pioneers of the Japanese acid-jazz sound. They are perhaps best known for their debut 12" I Love My Baby (My Baby Loves Jazz) and its follow-up Loud Minority, the latter an international cult favorite on club circuits in the early-1990s. The trio would follow up with about half a dozen albums through their disbandement in the early-2000s, starting with No Sound Is Too Taboo released in 1994 ~ Yabe was born ca.1965
July 22, 2024 ~ Abdul Kareem Fakir, commonly known as singer Duke Fakir, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of the Four Tops, an R&B outfit that recorded for over four decades in its original line-up. The quartet has recorded some two dozen albums since the mid-1960s, and are remembered for a vast body of work that includes Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as I Can't Help Myself (Sugarpie Honey Bunch), Reach Out I'll Be There, Standing In The Shadows Of Love, and Bernadette. At their induction in 1990, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame stated “the only thing that can outlast the Four Tops' lineup is their incredible body of work”. Fakir was the last surviving member of the original quartet, and retired from performing the year before his death ~ Fakir was born in 1935
July 22, 2024 ~ Blues, blues rock singer, guitarist, songwriter John Mayall, full name John Brumwell Mayall, passed away in California, USA ~ A generation older than most of his sidemen, Mayall is considered not only the “Godfather of British Blues” but a mentor to dozens of artists early on in their careers, his backing unit the Bluesbreakers serving as a finishing school for some of the most important rockers of the 1960s and 1970s. Mayall has recorded over three dozen albums since the mid-1960s, and is especially acclaimed for a string of late-1960s albums including The Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton, Crusade, Turning Point, and Blues From Laurel Canyon. Artists who would pass through the ranks of the Bluesbreakers include guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Walter Trout, Sonny Landreth, and Coco Montoya, bassists Jack Bruce and John McVie, and drummers Mick Fleetwood and Aynsley Dunbar. Looking back on the early days, Mayall told The Guardian in 2014: “The blues fitted in with the early '60s, the social way of life at the time. It happened here (in the UK), rather than in America, because at the time, the scene in America was racially segregated. Over there, never the twain would meet.” Mayall retired from touring in 2022 ~ Mayall was born in 1933
July 21, 2024 ~ Ellen Lucille Thomas, commonly known as Hi-NRG, disco singer Evelyn Thomas, passed away ~ Discovered by British producer Ian Levine, who was scouting the USA for gospel and soul singers to promote in the UK. Thomas has recorded four albums from the late-1970s through the mid-1980s and is known for songs such as Weak Spot, Masquerade, the Supremes-cover Reflections, Standing At The Crossroads, and perhaps her best known High Energy, the latter a 1984 club hit on both sides of the Atlantic ~ Thomas was born in 1953
July 20, 2024 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Jerry Miller, full name Jerry A Miller Jr, passed away in Tacoma, Washington, USA ~ Co-founding member of Moby Grape which, though critically considered one of the most innovative to emerge from 1960s San Francisco drawing from folk, rock, blues, and country, never achieved the same level of fame as their contemporaries. The three-guitar outfit, featuring Miller on lead, is known best for the eponymous Moby Grape debut album, and has been praised by the likes of Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Taj Mahal, Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, and Jimmy Page, the latter citing the band as one of the main influences of Led Zeppelin. Following the band's initial disbandement in 1969, Moby Grape has reformed in various line-ups over the years. Miller has also formed the Rhythm Dukes, and recorded several albums as a solo artist. In 2023, looking back on the early days, Miller revealed in an interview with The Spectator the band's tumultuous career didn't faze him: “The way I see it, I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I've still got my health and my music, and I still get to do what I most love for a living. Maybe the Grape were screwed, but so what? If you haven’t been ripped off, you haven't been in the music business” ~ Miller was born in 1943
July 20, 2024 ~ Sandra Lou Posey, commonly known as pop singer Sandy Posey, passed away in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA ~ Working as a receptionist at a recording studio, Posey regularly sang back-up including on sessions for Joe Tex, Bobby Goldsboro, Tommy Roe, Elvis Presley, and Percy Sledge, including on the latter's When A Man Loves A Woman hit. As a solo artist, Posey would enjoy a brief spell of success in the mid-1960s, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 with the singles Born A Woman, Single Girl, and I Take It Back. Posey continued to record into the 1980s, but was unable to repeat the success of her earliest releases. From the early-1970s onwards, however, she did enjoy some minor success on the Billboard Country charts, where Bring Him Safely Home To Me and Born To Be With You both reached top 30, respectively in 1971 and 1978 ~ Posey was born in 1944
July 19, 2024 ~ Pop, world music kora player Toumani Diabaté passed away ~ One of the internationally most recognised African artists. Son of Sidiki Diabaté, brother of Mamadou Sidiki Diabaté, both renowned kora players. Diabaté is strongly rooted in Malian traditional music, yet is also known for numerous cross-cultural collaborations including with flamenco group Ketama, blues guitarist Taj Mahal, jazz trombonist Roswell Rudd, Icelandic rock singer Björk, banjoist Béla Fleck, and jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock ~ Diabaté was born in 1965
July 18, 2024 ~ Songwriter, producer Jerry Fuller passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Scored a minor hit as a solo artist with a rockabilly rendition of the country classic Tennessee Waltz in 1959. However, Fuller would become best known as a songwriter and producer, scoring his first major hit when Ricky Nelson took Travelin' Man to the top of the American charts in 1961. Fuller had originally written the song with Sam Cooke in mind, but Cooke passed, and the song would become one of Nelson's earliest and best known songs. Subsequently, Nelson recorded some two dozen more songs written by Fuller, including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits A Wonder Like You, Young World, and It's Up To You. Following a stint in the Army, and touring with the Champs, Fuller relocated to New York, where he discovered the Knickerbockers, for whom he produced the 1965 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 single Lies. Fuller is also known writing and producing several hits for Gary Puckett, notably Young Girl, Lady Willpower, and Over You, and for his work with Mark Lindsay, the Peanut Butter Conspiracy, and OC Smith, producing the hits The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp and Little Green Apples for the latter ~ Fuller was born in 1938
July 17, 2024 ~ Harry Peter Traum, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Happy Traum, passed away ~ Traum began playing guitar and banjo in his teens, including taking lessons from noted blues musician Brownie McGhee. Though Traum never became a household name like his contemporaries Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, and longtime friend and collaborator Bob Dylan, Traum is considered a key figure on the Greenwich Village scene pivotal to the development of folk and one of the most gifted musicians to keep the genre alive past its heyday. Reportedly, Traum with his early-1960s group the New World Singers was the first to release a version of Bob Dylan's Don't Think Twice It's Allright. Traum also regularly recorded with his brother guitarist Artie Traum, the siblings perhaps best remembered for their highly acclaimed 1970 Happy & Artie Traum album. Over the course of his lengthy career, Traum has recorded as a solo artist starting with Relax Your Mind released in 1975, played with several groups, notably the Woodstock Mountain Revue, and served as contributing writer for magazines such as Rolling Stone, Acoustic Guitar, and Guitar Player ~ Traum was born in 1938
July 17, 2024 ~ Folk singer Heather Wood, full name Arielle Heather Wood, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Young Tradition alongside Peter Bellamy and Royston Wood, no relation. The trio recorded three albums through the late-1960s, The Young Tradition, So Cheerfully Round, and Galleries, and unlike other British folk outfits of the era are known for their traditional material and stripped down sound. The group would split in 1969 over artistic differences, with Bellamy wanting to pursue pure traditional music. Heather and Royston continued to work together, the duo especially known for their aptly titled 1977 No Relation album ~ Wood was born in 1945
July 16, 2024 ~ Bernice Johnson, commonly known as a capella singer, songwriter, social activist Bernice Johnson Reagon, passed away in Washington DC, USA ~ Member of the Freedom Singers, which she co-founded with Cordell Reagon whom she would latter marry. The quartet fused vblack a capella church singing with popular contemporary songs as well as protest songs and chants. They are best known for We Shall Not Be Moved, the quartet's rendition becoming an anthem of the Civil Rights movement. Johnson also co-founded Sweet Honey In The Rock, with whom she has recorded since the early-1970s including the highly acclaimed Feel Something Drawing Me On album released in 1985. Johnson is also known as a scholar, historian, professor of American history, and as a longtime curator at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC ~ Johnson was born in 1942
July 16, 2024 ~ Jazz, free improvisation pianist, drummer Irène Schweizer passed away in Zurich, Switzerland ~ Considered one of the leading Swiss jazz musicians and an advocate of the women's movement, active since the mid-1960s. Member of all-female avant-garde jazz collective the Feminist Improvising Group. As a solo artist especially acclaimed for her 1978 Tuned Boots album. Well known for her collaborations, usually as a duo, with a series of drummers including Pierre Favre, Günter Sommer, Andrew Cyrille, Han Bennink, Joey Baron, and Hamid Drake. Other notable associations include Manfred Schoof, John Tchicai, Rüdiger Carl, Henry Cow, Louis Moholo, Marilyn Crispell (Overlapping Hands (Eight Segments)), the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Peter Kowald, Jon Rose, Les Diaboliques (Splitting Image), and Don Cherry. Schweizer is also known as co-founder of the long-running annual cross-border Taktlos Festival in Zurich, Switzerland, and as co-founder of the Intakt Records jazz label. Schweizer continued to perform into her 80s, retiring from the stage for health reasons in 2021 ~ Schweizer was born in 1941
July 15, 2024 ~ Thomas Brückner, commonly known as techno, progressive house, progressive trance DJ, producer Tomcraft, passed away ~ Active as a club DJ since the mid-1990s, notably as resident DJ at Munich's techno club KW Das Heizkraftwerk from the late-1990s through the early-2000s. Closely associated with Eniac, the pair working together on numerous releases. Perhaps best known for his 2002 progressive house single Loneliness, a club hit in the UK, which greatly boosted his career. Subsequent well known releases would include Prozac and Overdose. Bruckner would DJ at the 2003 Love Parade in Berlin, and has established himself as an in-demand DJ at festivals the world over ~ Brückner was born in 1975
July 10, 2024 ~ Country, pop singer, guitarist Dave Loggins, full name David Allen Loggins, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his 1974 Billboard Hot 100 No.5 hit Please Come To Boston, lifted off his Apprentice (In A Musical Workshop) sophomore album. Over the years, the song would be covered by numerous artists, including notably Tammy Wynette, Joan Baez, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Royal, and Reba McEntire. Loggins recorded three more albums through the end of the decade. However, despite critical acclaim, as a solo singer he would fail to repeat his earlier success. Others did reach the charts though with songs penned by Loggins. Three Dog Night had taken Pieces Of April to the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 back in 1971, while both Kenny Rogers and Juice Newton scored a mid-1980s Billboard Country No.1 hit with one of his songs, respectively Morning Desire and You Make Me Want To Make You Mine. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Loggins include Tanya Tucker, Rita Coolidge, John Conlee, Alabama, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dave Grusin, the Bellamy Brothers, Johnny Cash, and Wynonna Judd. As a singer, Loggins would have one more hit, duetting on Anne Murray's Nobody Loves Me Like You Do, which reached No.1 Billboard Country in late 1984 ~ Loggins was born in 1947
July 9, 2024 ~ Country, gospel singer Joe Bonsall, full name Joseph Sloan Bonsall Jr, passed away ~ Bonsall first gained attention in the late-1960s as a member of gospel group the Keystone Quartet, alongside Richard Sterban. Through the gospel world, Sterban and Bonsall met up with William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys. When the band found themselves in need of a bass and tenor singer, they enlisted the pair. Looking back on joining the band, Bonsall later commented the Oak Ridge Boys were “the most innovative quartet in gospel music, they performed gospel with a rock approach, had a full band, wore bell-bottom pants and grew their hair long, things unheard of at the time”. Bonsall remained with the band until his death some five decades later, retiring from performing in early 2024 for medical reasons. The band enjoyed popularity especially from the late-1970s through the early-1990s, with over half a dozen of their albums reaching top 10 Billboard Country. Well known songs include Trying To Love Two Women, Elvira, (I'm Settin') Fancy Free, Bobbie Sue, I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes, Touch A Hand (Make A Friend), and It Takes A Little Rain (To Make Love Grow). Bonsall is also known as an author with close to a dozen books to his name, including his I See Myself memoir released the year before his death ~ Bonsall was born in 1948
July 7, 2024 ~ Jazz trumpeter, conductor Jim Rotondi, full name James Robert Rotondi, passed away in Le Crest, France ~ Co-founding member of One For All, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums since the late-1990s including the acclaimed What's Going On released in 2008. Also closely associated with Eric Alexander, Charles Earland, and Irene Reid, recording several albums with each. Rotondi has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically for 1000 Rainbows released in 2010. As a sideman and collaborator, Rotondi has appeared on albums by Ann Hampton Callaway, Susan Tobocman, Bill Mobley, David Hazeltine (How It Is), Giacomo Gates, Dena DeRose, Mike DiRubbo (Keep Steppin'), Cecil Payne, Ned Otter, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Joe Farnsworth, Kyle Eastwood, Peter Lerner, Bob Mintzer (Swing Out), Jon Regen, and Craig Wuepper ~ Rotondi was born in 1962
July 6, 2024 ~ Rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist Joe Egan, full name Joseph Egan, passed away ~ Co-founded Stealers Wheel with Gerry Rafferty, the pair also co-writing the band's biggest hit Stuck In The Middle With You which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic in 1973. Subsequently, the band scored two more smaller hits, Everything Will Turn Out Fine and most notably the Egan-penned Billboard Hot 100 top 30 hit Star. The band recorded three albums before disbanding by the mid-1970s over stagnating sales and artistic differences. Egan would release two solo albums through the end of the decade which, though warmly received would sell poorly. His bandmate Rafferty would go on to score a massive hit with Baker Street. Egan retired from music by the 1990s ~ Egan was born in 1946
July 6, 2024 ~ Giuseppe Chierchia, commonly known as pop, Italo disco singer Pino D'Angiò, passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Best known for his 1981 single Ma Quale Idea, a hit across continental Europe selling over 2 million copies and reaching the top 10 in Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and the No.1 spot in Spain. It has been suggested Chierchia took the bassline off McFadden & Whitehead's Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, however, he has adamantly maintained he wrote the song independently with bassist Stefano Cerri. Chierchia would continue to record well into the 2000s, well known songs include Un Concerto Da Strapazzo, Fammi Un Panino, and Genoveffa. In 1990, Chierchia teamed up with Bruno Sanchioni under the moniker Age Of Love, known for their hit of the same name, considered one of the first international trance hits. In 2024, a few months before his death, Chierchia guested on punk pop outfit Bnkr44's Ma Che Idea, a remake of his signature song Ma Quale Idea ~ Chierchia was born in 1952
July 3, 2024 ~ Folk rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Mark Germino passed away ~ Initially a poet, yet as publishers kept telling him his poets read like songs Germino deciced it would be easier to become a singer than to recite poetry. After relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, in the mid-1970s Germino became a popular nightclub performer while still holding down a day job as a truck driver. Signed as a songwriter, his songs would be recorded by the likes of Paul Craft (Lean On Jesus (Before He Leans On You)), Loretta Lynn, Kathy Mattea, and Johnny Cash (God Ain't No Stained Glass Window). As a recording artist, Germino has recorded half a dozen albums since the mid-1980s, though despite critical acclaim and peer admiration he never achieved much commercial success. Germino is best known for songs such as Caught In The Act Of Being Ourselves and Rex Bob Lowenstein. Artists who have recorded his songs include Bobby Bare, Claire Lynch, Vern Gosdin, the Seldom Scene, Confederate Railroad (Bill's Laundromat Bar & Grill), Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, and Emmylou Harris (Broken Man's Lament) ~ Germino was born in 1950
July 2, 2024 ~ Bassist, violinist, pianist Tom Fowler passed away ~ Best known for his association with Frank Zappa, appearing on well over a dozen of Zappa's albums since the mid-1970s including the acclaimed Over-Nite Sensation, Apostrophe, and One Size Fits All. Fowler also played with Air Pocket, which among others included several of his siblings, and has appeared on recordings by a wide array of artists in jazz, rock, R&B, and experimental music including It's A Beautiful Day, George Duke, Jean-Luc Ponty (Imaginary Voyage), Steve Hackett (Please Don't Touch), Kim Angelis, Don Preston, and Ray Charles. As a solo artist, Fowler is best known for his Heartscapes album released in 1992. Upon hearing of his death, fellow Zappa alumnus Arthur Barrow commented: “He was a hero to me, (…) he was an inspiration for me to buy a bass and start practising” ~ Fowler was born in 1951
July 1, 2024 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, mandolinist, singer Cliff Waldron, full name Clifford Waldron, passed away in Virginia, USA ~ Formed the duo Emerson & Waldron with banjoist Bill Emerson. The band is best known for recording the first bluegrass rendition of Fox On The Run, which later became a bluegrass standard after the Country Gentlemen recorded it. Other well known songs in Emerson & Waldron's repertoire included If I Were A Carpenter, Early Morning Rain, and Spanish Grass. Waldron is also specifically known for founding the New Shades Of Grass, one of the prime 1970s bluegrass groups, with whom he recorded several acclaimed albums before releasing two gospel albums as a solo artist, eventually retiring from music by the mid-1970s to work for the National Park Service. In the mid-1990s, Waldron returned on the music scene, releasing several more albums through the early-2000s ~ Waldron was born in 1941
June 28, 2024 ~ Pop, country pop singer Betty Veldpaus, also known as Betty Dragstra-Veldpaus, passed away ~ Member of 1970s pop group Pussycat, which also included her siblings Marianne Veldpaus, and Toni Willé, with whom she scored about half a dozen top 10 hits in their native the Netherlands from the mid-1970s through the early-1980s including the top 5 hits Georgie, Smile, and My Broken Souvenirs. The band's best known, their 1975 Mississippi debut single would reach No.1 in over a dozen countries, including their native Netherlands and the UK, and sell over 5 million copies ~ Veldpaus was born ca.1952
June 28, 2024 ~ Producer, arranger, engineer Peter Collins, full name Peter Julian Alexander Collins, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Briefly a pop performer and jingle writer before becoming a producer in the 1980s, starting with UK acts such as Musical Youth, Tracey Ullman, and Nik Kershaw. After relocating to the USA, Collins would establish himself as an in-demand producer working with a wide array of artists including Queensrÿche, Voice Of The Beehive, the Indigo Girls (Indigo Girls), Gary Moore, Alice Cooper (Hey Stoopid), Suicidal Tendencies (The Art Of Rebellion), Nanci Griffith, Bon Jovi, Billy Squier, Sneaker Pimps, Letters To Cleo, the Brian Setzer Orchestra (The Dirty Boogie), Shawn Mullins, the Cardigans, Jewel, LeAnn Rimes, and Lisa Loeb. Upon hearing of his passing, guitarist Alex Lifeson of Rush, for whom he produced four albums, commented: “Collins will forever live in my memory as Mr. Big, sitting at his control center beside a recording console with his ubiquitous tools: a legal pad, an ashtray and a Monte Cristo No.2” ~ Collins was born in 1951
June 27, 2024 ~ Richard Samet Friedman, commonly known as rock, country rock, progressive country, outlaw country singer, guitarist Kinky Friedman, passed away in Medina, Texas, USA ~ Flamboyant satirist with well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with the acclaimed Sold American released in 1973. Following the wave of country rock from acts such as Gram Parsons, the Band, and the Eagles, Friedman would gain a cult following through provocative songs such as We Reserve The Right To Refuse Service To You, They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore, and Get Your Biscuits In The Oven And Your Buns In The Bed, gaining more exposure after touring with Bob Dylan in 1975 and 1976. After his music career stalled in the 1980s, Friedman shifted his focus to writing detective novels, often featuring a fictionalized version of himself, his books laced with the same wit and satirism known from his lyrics. Upon hearing of Friedman's death, close friend and longtime collaborator Kent Perkins commented: “He was the last free person on earth. He had an irreverence about him. He was a fearless writer” ~ Friedman was born in 1944
June 26, 2024 ~ Trumpeter Gary Grant passed away ~ First gained attention in the late-1960s, touring and recording with Woody Herman. Grant would go on to become an in-demand session musician, appearing on hundreds of albums over the course of his career including most notably Neil Diamond's Beautiful Noise, the Brothers Johnson's Blam, and several of Michael Jackson's albums including Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Other credits include José Feliciano, Alphonso Johnson, Stanley Clarke (School Days), Frank Capp (Juggernaut), Patti Labelle, Bill Champlin, Gladys Knight, Dirk Hamilton (Meet Me At The Crux), Cheryl Lynn, Ben Sidran (The Cat And The Hat), the Marshall Tucker Band, Chaka Khan, Paulinho Da Costa, the Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Donna Summer (Bad Girls), the Pointer Sisters, Teena Marie, Toto (Toto IV), Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton, Earth Wind & Fire, Al Jarreau, Michael Sembello, Patti Austin, Chicago (Chicago 17), Richard Marx, Larry Carlton, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, and George Duke ~ Grant was born in 1945
June 25, 2024 ~ Jazz, blues singer Jewel Brown passed away ~ Fixture on the Texas jazz and blues scene. Active since an early age, Brown would become best known for her stints with Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and notably Louis Armstrong, working with the latter for most of the 1960s. Though internationally renowned for her vocal versatility, Brown preferred family over fame and fortune and eventually returned to her native Houston, Texas, to care for her parents. Brown recorded a handful of solo albums later on in her career, notably Show Time released in 1988. Looking back on her lengthy career, Brown told the Houston Chronicle in 2015: “Baby, I grew up on it all. I've done country and western, ballads, torch songs, blues and jazz. They call me a bluesy jazz singer and a jazzy blues singer. Give a song to me. If it's good, I'll do it” ~ Brown was born in 1937
June 24, 2024 ~ Seth Brooks Binzer, commonly known as rap rock, alternative rock singer, rapper Shifty Shellshock, passed away ~ Frontman of Crazy Town, with whom he recorded three albums. The band is best known for Butterfly lifted off their The Gift Of The Game 1999 debut album. The single reached top 10 in well over half a dozen countries, including the No.1 spot on the American Billboard Hot 100. During the band's hiatus, Binzer guested on Paul Oakenfold's Starry Eyed Surprise, which reached top 10 in the UK, and recorded a sole album, Happy Love Sick, as a solo artist ~ Binzer was born in 1974
June 18, 2024 ~ James Siegfried, commonly known as no wave, avant-funk, punk jazz saxophonist, singer James Chance or James White, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Key figure on the New York no wave scene, rejecting the gloss of new wave and the traditionalism of punk while drawing from funk, jazz and post-punk, Chance enjoyed a cult following from the mid-1970s onwards. Frontman of the short-lived Teenage Jesus & the Jerks, and subsequently the Contortions, recording over half a dozen albums with the latter including the acclaimed Buy released in 1979. Chance has also fronted several side projects, mostly with the same basic set of musicians, including the bizarre disco-influenced James White & the Blacks. Chance had moved to New York in the mid-1970s with the intent of becoming a jazz musician, yet as he would later explain: “I just didn't fit into the jazz scene at all. My whole attitude, my own personal style and everything was more out of rock and roll” ~ Siegfried was born in 1953
June 17, 2024 ~ House, trance, dance producer, DJ Paul Spencer passed away ~ Member of producer, DJ trio Dario G, which also included Scott Rosser and Stephen Spencer, no relation. The trio are best known for their 1998 Sunmachine debut album, which included the hit singles Sunchyme and Carnaval de Paris. The latter was recorded for the 1998 FIFA World Cup held in France, would reach top 10 across Europe, and has since been used at various sporting events the world over. The trio's follow-up album, In Full Colour, released in 2000, spawned the single Dream To Me, which would become their third and final UK top 10 hit. Spencer passed away at age 53 of cancer ~ Spencer was born ca.1971
June 16, 2024 ~ James Elmore Cason, commonly known as rock & roll, pop, country singer, songwriter, producer Buzz Cason, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for penning Everlasting Love with Mac Gayden. The song would first be recorded by Robert Knight in 1967, with Cason and Gayden also serving as producers, and has been covered by dozens of artists including notably Love Affair, whose rendition topped the UK charts, and Carl Carlton, who took the song to No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Knight's original had reached No.13 in America. Other songs written or co-written by Cason have been recorded by Jan & Dean, Arthur Alexander (Soldier Of Love), Brenda Lee, the Fleetwoods, Ronny & the Daytonas, and TG Sheppard. Cason has also worked as a singer, notably founding the Casuals, the first rock & roll band to come out of Nashville, as a solo singer going by the moniker Garry Miles, and as a backing singer for Elvis Presley and Kenny Rogers. In 1970, Cason founded the Creative Workshop recording studio, located in Nashville, where artists such as Jimmy Buffett, Dolly Parton, Jerry Reed, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, and the Doobie Brothers have recorded ~ Cason was born in 1939
June 13, 2024 ~ R&B, soul, jazz, dance-pop singer, songwriter Angela Bofill, full name Angela Tomasa Bofill, passed away in Vallejo, California, USA ~ One of the first Latina singers to achieve success in the R&B and jazz markets. Over the course of her career Bofill released about a dozen albums, starting with Angie in 1978, spawning the modest hit This Time I'll Be Sweeter. Bofill's rendition, the song previously recorded by Martha Reeves, Linda Lewis, Marlena Shaw, and Roberta Flack, would become the definitive version, and a signature song for Bofill. Over the next decade, Bofill scored about half a dozen Billboard R&B top 20 singles. Bofill has also sung backing vocals for the likes of Dave Valentin, David Amram, Stacy Lattisaw, Patti Austin, and Narada Michael Walden. The latter has also produced Bofill's two most mainstream albums, Teaser and Too Tough. Although never a household name in her native America, Bofill amassed a large following in Asia, and remained an in-demand live performer through the 2000s often billed alongside jazz artists untill a series of medical misfortunates forced her to slow down ~ Bofill was born in 1954
June 11, 2024 ~ Arthur Hendrickson, commonly known as ska revival, 2 tone singer Arthur Gaps Hendrickson, passed away in Coventry, UK ~ Co-founding and key member of the Selecter. Though their success was brief, they are considered one of the most influential early-1980s bands helpful in ushering in the ska revival in their native UK. The band recorded two albums, Too Much Pressure and its follow-up Celebrate The Bullet, before disbanding in 1982. They are best known for their 1979 UK top 10 hit On My Radio, and the subsequent top 30 hits Three Minute Hero and Missing Words. The band has reformed several times in various incarnations, and continued to record well into the 2000s but failed to repeat their earlier success. Hendrickson sang with the band until diagnosed with cancer in 2023. Following his death, Hendrickson's family issued a statement: “Gaps was known the world over for singing the title track on the Selecter's debut album Too Much Pressure, he brought a captivating angst and frustration to the track as he described the trials and tribulations of daily life for the working man” ~ Hendrickson was born ca.1951
June 11, 2024 ~ Singer, actress, songwriter Françoise Hardy, full name Françoise Madeleine Hardy, passed away in Paris, France ~ Shot to fame at age 18 with the surprise hit Tous Les Garçons Et Les Filles to become one of the leading figures in the yé-yé genre, blending the chanteuse tradition with folk, rock, jazz, and blues. Critically regarded as the finest pop-rock singer to emerge from France in the 1960s, and one of the all-time best-selling French artists, Hardy would remain popular well beyond her heyday and is considered a cultural icon. Hardy's musical influence is mostly found in the work of Francophone acts such as Coralie Clément and Carla Bruni, yet she would also influence a wide range of international acts including Stereolab, Charli XCX, Zooey Deschanel, and Goldfrapp. Hardy has recorded well into the 2000s, and is especially acclaimed for her eponymous 1962 Françoise Hardy debut album and 1971's La Question. Weezer lead singer Rivers Cuomo has also named Hardy one of his “sonic ideals”, especially citing Hardy's 1973 Message Personnel album. Hardy has also ventured into acting, was a muse for fashion designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne, and amassed a large and devoted fanbase in the gay community, Hardy declaring on several occasions that “her most devoted friends and fans are gay” ~ Hardy was born in 1944
June 9, 2024 ~ Jazz drummer Alex Riel, full name Alex Poul Riel, passed away in Lisleje, Denmark ~ Active since his teens, starting with local traditional jazz bands, and serving as the house drummer at the Montmatre Jazzhus, Copenhagen, Denmark, by the early-1960s. Recorded over a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, starting with Alex Riel Trio in 1965 featuring Kenny Drew and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. Closely associated with Jackie McLean and Dexter Gordon, recording several acclaimed albums with each. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Riel has also appeared on albums by Brew Moore (Danish Brew), Archie Shepp, Kenny Dorham, Sahib Shihab (Conversations), Ben Webster (There Is No Greater Love), Stuff Smith, Savage Rose, Karin Krog, Hank Jones (Bluesette), and Thomas Clausen ~ Riel was born in 1940
June 8, 2024 ~ Francis Rodney Zambon, commonly known as singer, songwriter Mark James, passed away ~ Though a formidable singer in his own right, achieving some success especially in the late-1960s, James is best known for writing or co-writing several songs made into hits by others. Wrote Hooked On A Feeling, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for his childhood friend BJ Thomas. Wrote and first recorded Suspicious Minds, best known as recorded by Elvis Presley in 1969. Presley recorded several more of his songs including It's Only Love, Raised On Rock, and Moody Blue. His greatest claim to fame, however, was Always On My Mind, co-written with Johnny Christopher and Wayne Carson. The song was first recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972, and became a hit about a decade later when Willie Nelson covered the track. The Nelson hit would earn the songwriting team a Grammy Award, and the song has become a standard, recorded by over an estimated 400 artists. Other songs written or co-written by James would be recorded by Merrilee Rush, the Box Tops, Lou Rawls, Mac Davis (One Hell Of A Woman), and Roy Drusky ~ Zambon was born in 1940
June 3, 2024 ~ Mark D Ross, commonly known as MC, rapper Brother Marquis, passed away ~ Member of rap group 2 Live Crew, known for their humor and sexually explicit lyrics. Marquis recorded about half a dozen albums with the band, including As Nasty As They Wanna Be which spawned the hit Me So Horny, and Banned In The USA, of which the title track became the band's highest charting Billboard Hot 100 single, peaking at No.20. Ross departed the band in the early-1990s, and initially ventured into stand-up comedy. Ross also notably guested on Ice-T's 99 Problems off his 1993 Home Invasion album. Reportedly, the song was inspired by an off-the-cuff remark Ross made, “Man, I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one”. After Ice-T completed the song, he invited Ross to do a verse. A remake of the song by Jay-Z, recorded for The Black Album released in 2004, would become a major hit ~ Ross was born in 1966
June 1, 2024 ~ Drummer Ed Mann passed away ~ Best known for his association with Frank Zappa, appearing on over 30 of his albums including Sheik Yerbouti, Joe's Garage Acts I II & III, Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar and Them Or Us. Mann has also worked with Tommy Mars, Banned From Utopia, Project Object, Agent Moosehead, and Desert Rain. Mann has also recorded several albums as a solo artist, perhaps most notably Global Warming released in 1995. Upon hearing of his death, fellow Zappa alumnus Chad Wackerman described Mann as a masterful and brilliant percussionist, adding Mann “could play anything Zappa threw at him and I never once heard him make a mistake” ~ Mann was born in 1954
May 31, 2024 ~ Drummer, singer Carel Copier passed away ~ Co-founding member of Doe Maar, appearing on the band's eponymous Doe Maar debut album and its follow-up Skunk. Copier sang lead on Verdomme Ik Doe Het Wel Alleen, Nix Voor Jou, and Te Laat, the latter two of which Copier co-wrote. In 1981, shortly before their rise to fame, Copier departed the band, to be succeeded by René van Collem. The band would go on to become one of the most successful in Dutch pop history. Following his departure from the band, Copier would focus on his career as a painter ~ Copier was born in 1952
May 25, 2024 ~ Richard Morton Sherman, commonly known as songwriter, film composer Richard M Sherman, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed one of the most productive stage and film composer duos in history with his brother Robert B Sherman. The siblings, sons of Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman, are closely associated with Walt Disney Studios, serving as the studio's staff songwriters from the late-1950s onwards. Notable credits include films such as Jungle Book, The Aristocats, Charlotte's Web and The Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh. The brothers were awarded two Academy Awards for their work on the 1964 Mary Poppins musical fantasy film, one for the entire soundtrack and one for Best Original Song for Chim Chim Cher-ee sung by Dick Van Dyke & Julie Andrews. Following Walt Disney's death in 1966, the siblings have worked as freelance composers writing numerous film scores and musicals, including notably Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ~ Sherman was born in 1928
May 24, 2024 ~ Keyboardist, organist, singer Doug Ingle, full name Douglas Lloyd ingle, passed away ~ Co-founding member, organist, lead singer, primary songwriter of Iron Butterfly. The band is best known for their 1968 hit In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, the title a slurred pronounciation of “in the Garden of Eden”. The 17-minute album version, which became a rock classic, came about by accident. In order to set his levels at the start of the recording session, engineer Don Casale asked the band to jam through a practice run. They kept on jamming for 17 minutes, not knowing that Casale had already hit the “record” button. That first practice run ended up being the master take and made it to the album of the same name. A shortened version would be released as a single, and make it to No.30, their highest-charting of four singles to reach the Billboard Hot 100. The band broke up in 1971, and has been reincarnated with various line-ups since but to considerable lesser success and no new recordings since 1975. The classic line-up will however forever be remembered for their epic 17-minute In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, providing a dramatic sound which helped pave the way for hard rock and heavy metal ~ Ingle was born in 1946
May 22, 2024 ~ Pop rock bassist, guitarist Charlie Colin passed away in Brussels, Belgium ~ Co-founding member of Train, with whom he recorded three albums prior to being fired from the band for substance abuse. Present on the albums Train, Drops Of Jupiter, and My Private Nation. During his tenure with the band, they scored their first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me) peaking at No.5, the song also winning a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. Upon hearing of his death, Train issued a statement describing Colin as the sweetest guy, fondly remembered for his technical prowess and contributions to the band, saying Colin's unique bass playing helped the band get noticed in San Francisco, California, and beyond, adding: “You're a legend, Charlie. Go charm the pants off those angels.” ~ Colin was born ca.1966
May 21, 2024 ~ Composer, film composer Jan AP Kaczmarek, full name Jan Andrzey Pawel Kaczmarek, passed away in Krakow, Poland ~ Has written scores for over 70 films and documentaries, including 2004's Finding Neverland for which he received an Academy Award. Other notable soundtrack credits include Washington Square, Unfaithful, The Visitor, Hachi (A Dog's Tale), and The Karamazovs. Outside the film industry most acclaimed for writing Cantata For Freedom to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Solidarity movement, and Oratorio 1956 commemorating the 50th anniversary of an uprising against the totalitarian government in Poznan, both works premiered live on Polish television ~ Kaczmarek was born in 1953
May 19, 2024 ~ R&B, pop, disco, soul singer, vocal coach Peggi Blu passed away ~ In-demand backing singer, active since the 1970s, appearing on albums by Archie Shepp, Lou Courtney, Stephanie Mills (Merciless), Bob Dylan (Empire Burlesque), Brian Setzer, Barbra Streisand, Tracy Chapman, Quincy Jones (Back On The Block), Kylie Minogue, Laura Branigan, Cherrelle, Leonard Cohen (The Future), Melissa Manchester, Wanda Dee (The Goddess Is Here), Alice Cooper (Dirty Diamonds), and Neil Sedaka. Blue has recorded sporadically as a solo artist, noted most for the singles Tender Moments and All The Way With You, both lifted off her 1987 Blu Blowin' album. A winner of a TV talent show herself, having won Star Search back in 1986, Blu is best known as a vocal coach for the American Idol talent show in the 2000s ~ Blu was born ca.1947
May 18, 2024 ~ Country, country pop singer, guitarist Frank Ifield, full name Francis Edward Ifield, passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Scored a string of early-1960s hits including I Remember You, Lovesick Blues, Wayward Wind, I'm Confessin' That I Love You, and Please, all of which reached top 30 in his native UK. Ifield, known for frequently incorporating yodeling, has recorded some two dozen albums over his career, enjoying popularity throughout the mid-1980s in both the UK and Australia. In 1986, Ifield contracted pneumonia, which resulted in removal of part of a lung and damage to his vocal cords, seriously pausing his career as he recovered ~ Ifield was born in 1937
May 18, 2024 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, songwriter John Koerner, also known as Spider John Koerner, passed away in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Closely associated with Dave Ray and Tony Glover, the trio recording and performing in various configurations, in solo turns and duets, but rarely as a trio. Ray suggested that it would be more accurate to refer to them not as Koerner Ray & Gloever, but rather Koerner and/or Ray and/or Glover. However, as a trio they did notably perform at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964, captured on the Newport Folk Festival 1964 (Evening Concerts III) album. In later years they would occasionally perform together, until Ray's death in the early-2000s. Koerner is also known for his 1965 Spider Blues album, and for teaming up with Willie Murphy for the 1969 collaborative Running Jumping Standing Still album. Koerner is considered an early influence on Bob Dylan, of whom Koerner has been quoted as saying: “We were all goofy, you know. We were thinkers and drinkers and artists and players, and Dylan was one of us. He was another guy.” ~ Koerner was born in 1938
May 18, 2024 ~ Hard rock, nu metal, post-grunge drummer Jon Wysocki passed away ~ Co-founding member of Staind, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums since the mid-1990s. Present on most of the band's best known, including the Billboard Hot 200 No.1 albums Break The Cycle, 14 Shades Of Grey, and Chapter V. Wysocki departed the band in 2011 over artistic differences, at the time stating he was frustrated with the direction of the band and how this “was not the Staind we started out being”, to be succeeded by Sal Giancarelli. Following Wysocki's death, the band issued a statement saying: “The 17 years (with Jon) were some of the best memories of our times together. From practice in Ludlow, Massachusetts, to touring around the world, Jon was integral to who we were as a band” ~ Wysocki was born ca.1971
May 18, 2024 ~ Nils Paul Danielsson, commonly known as jazz, free jazz double bassist Palle Danielsson, passed away ~ Studied violin as a child before switching to bass. Danielsson has been playing professionally since his mid-teens, becoming a fixture on the Scandinavian jazz scene backing artists such as Jan Garbarek and Bobo Stenson and visiting American jazz musicians such as Bill Evans, George Russell, and Ben Webster. Danielsson is perhaps best known for his tenure with Keith Jarrett in the latter half of the 1970s, including on the acclaimed albums Belonging and My Song. Danielsson has recorded sporadically as a leader or co-leader, including on the 1992 collaborative album Togetherness with his sister Monica Dominique, and has appeared on albums by Steve Kuhn (Watch What Happens), Karin Krog, Cornelis Vreeswijk, Barre Phillips, Lee Konitz (Altissimo), Albert Mangelsdorff, Enrico Rava (The Pilgrim And The Stars), Collin Walcott (Grazing Dreams), Michel Petrucciani, Christof Lauer, and Peter Erskine ~ Danielsson was born in 1946
May 15, 2024 ~ Pianist, keyboardist John Hawken, full name John Christopher Hawken, passed away in Metuchen, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Nashville Teens, known for their 1964 recording of Tobacco Road and its follow-up Google Eye both of which would reach top 10 in their native UK. Member of Renaissance, with whom he recorded the albums Renaissance and Illusion at the turn of the 1970s. Member of the Strawbs during the mid-1970s, present on the albums Hero And Heroine and Ghosts. Hawken has also worked with Luther Grosvenor, Claire Hamill, the Sutherland Brothers, and Illusion ~ Hawken was born in 1940
May 14, 2024 ~ Michael James, commonly known as soul, funk, R&B, reggae, ska singer Jimmy James, passed away ~ Lead singer and eponym of Jimmy James & the Vagabonds, first enjoying popularity in their native UK during the 1960s, opening for acts such as the Who and Steampacket. The band initially disbanded in 1970, but would be reformed with an all-new line-up three years later by James, the group's constant member. They are best known for their 1976 UK top 10 hit Now Is The Time. Other charting singles included I Can't Get Back Home To My Baby, Red Red Wine, and I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me ~ James was born in 1940
May 13, 2024 ~ Gypsy jazz, jazz fusion, world music guitarist Christian Escoudé passed away ~ Taught the guitar by his father, Escoudé would play professionally by his mid-teens, drawing from be-bop and gypsy jazz. Regarded a virtuoso, Escoudé has recorded prolifically since the mid-1970s and is especially acclaimed for Gitane, a 1979 collaborative album with Charlie Haden, and Cookin' In Hell's Kitchen released in 1995. Closely associated with Aimé Barelli, Michel Graillier, and John McLaughlin, touring with the latter in the early-1980s. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Escoudé has also appeared on albums by André Ceccarelli, John Lewis (Midnight In Paris), Martial Solal, Michel Portal (L'Ombre Rouge), René Urtreger, Louis Chédid, Jean-Marc Jafet, and Florin Niculescu ~ Escoudé was born in 1947
May 12, 2024 ~ Saxophonist David Sanborn, full name David William Sanborn, passed away in Tarrytown, New York, USA ~ Played with Albert King and Little Milton while still in his mid-teens. To jazz-oriented audiences Sanborn is well known for some two dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the acclaimed Taking Off released in 1975, his work with the Brecker Brothers as well as on some of Randy Brecker's solo outings, and for his association with Bob James. Pop, rock, and R&B audiences may have heard Sanborn on tracks such as Stevie Wonder's Tuesday Heartbreak, David Bowie's Young Americans, and James Taylor's How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You). Over the course of his lengthy career, Sanborn has appeared on albums by Paul Butterfield, the Eagles, Loudon Wainwright III, Todd Rundgren (A Wizard A True Star), Tommy Bolin, Paul Simon (Still Crazy After All These Years), Bruce Springsteen (Born To Run), Linda Ronstadt, Michael Franks, Jaco Pastorius, Elton John, Flora Purim, Dr John, Chaka Khan, JD Souther, Steely Dan (Gaucho), Randy Crawford, Kenny Loggins, the Rolling Stones (Undercover), Billy Joel (An Innocent Man), Hiram Bullock, the Manhattan Transfer, and Youssou n'Dour ~ Sanborn was born in 1945
May 9, 2024 ~ Dennis Tomich, commonly known as garage rock, proto-punk drummer Dennis Thompson or Dennis Machine Gun Thompson, passed away in Taylor, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Elvin Jones, Keith Moon, and Mitch Mitchell. Last surviving member of pioneering proto-punk outfit MC5, one of the rawest and most outspoken bands in American rock. They are especially acclaimed for their 1969 Kick Out The Jams debut album. Thompson's fast and hard drumming, earning him the nickname “Machine Gun”, was an essential element of the band's sound, and proved influential on punk and metal. The MC5 had been nominated for inclusion in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame six times, and was set to be inducted at a ceremony in October 2024. Upon Thompson's death at age 75, his son Chris McNulty told Detroit News: “He was a true, free-spirited rock and roller up until the very last day” ~ Tomich was born in 1948
May 8, 2024 ~ Drummer John Barbata passed away ~ First turned to drumming following his older brother in marching bands, the rudimentary rhythms defining his drum technique throughout his career in pop rock. Member of early-1960s surf group the Sentinals, best known for their Big Surf album which spawned the regional hit Latin'ia. Member of the Turtles for the second half of the 1960s, including on hits such as Happy Together, She'd Rather Be With Me, and Elenore. Member of Jefferson Starship, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. In late 1978, Barbata broke his neck, arm and jaw in a car crash, needing a full year to heal from the accident, forcing him to resign from Jefferson Starship. Barbata has also appeared on albums by Linda Ronstadt, Ry Cooder, Batdorf & Rodney, John Sebastian, Crosby Stills Nash & Young (4-Way Street), Stephen Stills, Neil Young (Time Fades Away), and Grace Slick ~ Barbata was born in 1945
May 7, 2024 ~ Piedmont blues harpist Phil Wiggins passed away ~ First teamed up with the elder guitarist John Cephas in the mid-1970s, both playing in singer, pianist Big Chief Ellis' backing unit. Following Ellis' death in 1977, the pair decided to continue as a duo despite their 24-year age difference. Showing strong influences from Blind Boy Fuller, Gary Davis, and Sonny Terry, the duo would become a popular festival act, earning acclaim among blues aficionados for keeping the Piedmont blues alive. Cephas & Wiggins recorded well into the 2000s, and are noted most for the late-1980s albums Dog Days Of August and Walking Blues ~ Wiggins was born in 1954
May 7, 2024 ~ Engineer, producer Steve Albini passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Hugely influential and in-demand engineer and producer, having worked on over an estimated 1,000 albums since the 1980s. In his mid-teens a schoolmate introduced him to the music of the Ramones, and Albini credits his music career to hearing their first album. Albini has produced and engineered albums for artists such as Urge Overkill, the Pixies (Surfer Rosa), the Jesus Lizard, the Breeders, the Volcano Suns, Jon Spencer, PJ Harvey (Rid Of Me), Pigface, Nirvana (In Utero), Brise-Glace, Palace, Bush, Veruca Salt, the Bollweevils, Robbie Fulks, Mogwai, Leftöver Crack, the Sadies, and Jarvis Cocker. Although primarily known as a producer and engineer, Albini has also played guitar, bass, and drums in several bands, including Big Black, Rapeman, Flour, and Shellac ~ Albini was born in 1962
May 6, 2024 ~ Country songwriter Wayland Holyfield passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Got his first break when Johnny Russell scored a 1973 Billboard Country top 10 hit with Rednecks White Socks And Blue Ribbon Beer, co-written by Holyfield with Bob McDill and Chuck Neese. Holyfield is perhaps best known for co-writing several songs recorded by Don Williams including You're My Best Friend and Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, both of which have become standards, both a No.1 Billboard Country hit, both covered by over fifty artists. Other songs written or co-written by Holyfield have been recorded by Jeanne Pruett, Waylon Jennings, Crystal Gayle (I'll Do It All Over Again), Charley Pride (I'll Be Leaving Alone), Steve Wariner, Ronnie Milsap (Nobody Likes Sad Songs), Tammy Wynette, Charly McClain, Michael Martin Murphey (Don't Count The Rainy Days), Anne Murray (Could I Have This Dance), Julio Iglesias, George Jones, and George Strait ~ Holyfield was born in 1942
May 2, 2024 ~ Jazz guitarist John Pisano passed away ~ First gained attention in the mid-1950s, taking over for Jim Hall in Chico Hamilton's quartet. Would go on to become an in-demand session musician, and occasional leader, co-leader including forming the duo Pisano & Ruff with Willie Ruff. Other notable associations include Joe Pass, backing Peggy Lee for about a decade, and playing with Herb Alpert's renowned unit the Tijuana Brass. Pisano has also appeared on albums by the likes of Tony Bennett (The Beat Of My Heart), Ken Nordine, Sam Cooke (Ain't That Good News), Bill Perkins, Sérgio Mendes (Equinox), Pete Jolly, Ben Sidran, Dan Hicks (It Happened One Bite), the Manhattan Transfer, Nino Tempo, and Barbra Streisand. In the 1990s Pisano has performed with his wife singer Jeanne Pisano in a group called the Flying Pisanos ~ Pisano was born in 1931
May 1, 2024 ~ Keyboardist, pianist Richard Tandy passed away ~ Key member of the Electric Light Orchestra present on nearly all of the band's recordings, helping define the band's unique sound through his palette of keyboards and serving as frontman Jeff Lynne's right hand and main arranger. The band is known for hits such as Can't Get It Out Of My Head, Evil Woman, Strange Magic, Telephone Line, Shine A Little Love, Don't Bring Me Down, Xanadu, and Hold On Tight ~ Tandy was born in 1948
April 30, 2024 ~ Guitarist Duane Eddy passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the most popular guitarists of the 1950s and 1960s, known for his distinctive twangy sound. Helped popularize surf music. Cited as an influence by artists as diverse as George Harrison, Dave Davies, Hank Marvin, John Entwistle, Bruce Springsteen, Adrian Belew, and Mark Knopfler. Well known songs include Rebel Rouser, Cannonball, Forty Miles Of Bad Road, Because They're Young, and Dance With The Guitar Man ~ Eddy was born in 1938
April 26, 2024 ~ Country, bluegrass mandolinist Frank Wakefield, full name Franklin Delano Roosevelt Wakefield, passed away in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA ~ Learned the harmonica, guitar, and bass as a child, switching to mandolin in his mid-teens, Wakefield would eventually become one of the most acclaimed and innovative mandolinists, expanding the range of the instrument. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, most noted for Frank Wakefield With Country Cooking released in 1972. An in-demand collaborator and sideman, Wakefield is especially known for his work with Red Allen, Jimmy Martin, the Greenbriar Boys, and Ralph Stanley. In the 1960s, Wakefield has also made strides in the classical world, composing classical mandolin sonatas and arranging classical pieces for traditional bluegrass instruments, leading to performances with the New York Philharmonic, then led by Leonard Bernstein, and guest appearances with the Boston Pops. To rock audiences, Wakefield is well known for touring with Jerry Garcia, as well as with the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, and for opening for the Grateful Dead. Wakefield has also recorded with Don McLean, David Grisman (Early Dawg), the all-star outfit the Bluegrass Mandolin Ensemble (Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza), and Bill Jorgenson ~ Wakefield was born in 1934
April 24, 2024 ~ Keyboardist Mike Pinder, full name Michael Thomas Pinder, passed away in California, USA ~ Founding member of the Moody Blues, remaining with the band from its inception in 1964 through the recording of the band's ninth album, Octave, in 1978. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Let Me Go, Stop, The Best Way To Travel, The Sun Is Still Shining, Procession, Lost In A Lost World, When You're A Free Man and One Step Into The Light ~ Pinder was born in 1941
April 22, 2024 ~ Robert Lee Romero, commonly known as rock & roll singer, guitarist Chan Romero, passed away ~ Best remembered for penning and first recording Hippy Hippy Shake. The song failed to make the American Billboard Hot 100 charts, but would be a hit overseas and has remained popular throughout the decades. The song has been used in several films, and would be covered by over 50 artists including the Swinging Blue Jeans, Billy Fury, Mud, the Beatles, the Georgia Satellites, Shane MacGowan, and Die Toten Hosen. In 2019, a bill to make Romero's Hippy Hippy Shake the official state rock & roll song of his native state Montana failed to pass the Legislature. Regardless, Romero is remembered as one of the state's greatest musicians ~ Romero was born in 1941
April 21, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist Alex Hassilev passed away ~ Co-founding member of the Limeliters, enjoying popularity through the mid-1960s with songs such as There's A Meetin' Here Tonight, City Of New Orleans, A Dollar Down, Have Some Madeira M'Dear, Lonesome Traveler, Wabash Cannonball and Whiskey In The Jar ~ Hassilev was born in 1932
April 21, 2024 ~ Guitarist, singer, producer Jean-Marie Aerts, full name Jean-Marie René Albert Aerts, full name Jean-Marie René Albert Aerts, passed away ~ Influenced by Vince Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, and Jan Akkerman. First gained attention in the mid-1970s, backing the likes of Raymond van het Groenewoud, Johan Verminnen, and Bert de Coninck, yet would rise to fame as a member of TC Matic, one of the quintessential Belgian rock bands of the 1980s. The band, best known for launching the career of lead singer Arno, recorded four albums through the mid-1980s and is especially remembered for songs such as Oh La La La and Putain Putain. Following the band's disbandement, Aerts has recorded as a solo artist, and served as producer for a wide array of Belgian and Dutch artists including Absynthe Minded, Urban Dance Squad, Jo Lemaire, Tom Wolf, Kris de Bruyne, and Gorki ~ Aerts was born in 1951
April 20, 2024 ~ Winston Anthony Morris, commonly known as reggae, dancehall, lovers rock singer Tony Tuff, passed away ~ Formed the African Brothers with Sugar Minott and Derrick Bubbles Howard, known for songs such as Mysterious Nature, No Cup No Broke, and Party Night. After the trio disbanded in the mid-1970s, Morris has recorded as a solo artist into the 2000s. As a solo artist, Morris is perhaps best known for Water Pumpee and Mix Me Down, both produced by Henry Jujo Lawes ~ Morris was born in 1955
April 18, 2024 ~ Forrest Richard Betts, commonly known as guitarist, singer Dickey Betts, passed away in Saratosa, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding and longtime member of pivotal Southern rock outfit the Allman Brothers Band, assuming sole lead guitar duties after the death of Duane Allman in 1971. Wrote and sang lead on one of the band's best known, Ramblin' Man. Betts also penned most of the band's instrumentals, including In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed and Jessica. Betts has also recorded as a solo artist, notably with his backing unit Great Southern, and guested on albums by Derek & the Dominos, Elvin Bishop, Kitty Wells, Bobby Whitlock, Charlie Daniels, Bonnie Bramlett, Buddy Miles, Katy Moffatt, George Jones, Michael Martin Murphey, and Hank Williams Jr ~ Betts was born in 1943
April 14, 2024 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, banjoist Ben Eldridge passed away ~ Influenced by Bill Keith and Bill Emerson. Longest-serving member of the Seldom Scene, with whom he remained for over four decades from the early-1970s until his retirement in 2016. Considered one of the prime bluegrass, newgrass groups, they have infused traditional bluegrass with elements of rock, pop, and jazz, performing their own originals, bluegrass standards, and covers of rock classics. The band have recorded some two dozen albums, and are especialy acclaimed for Act 3 released in 1973. Eldridge has also guested on solo outings by bandmates Mike Auldridge and Phil Rosenthal, as well as on recordings by Tony Rice, Bryan Bowers, John Sterling, Linda Ronstadt, and Cliff Waldron. Eldridge's son is progressive bluegrass guitarist and singer Chris Eldridge of the Punch Brothers ~ Eldridge was born in 1938
April 12, 2024 ~ Producer, songwriter Rico Wade, full name Rico Renard Wade, passed away ~ Helped define the Atlanta sound. Co-founding member of pioneering production and songwriting team Organized Noize, with whom he worked on hit songs such as Waterfalls by TLC, Don't Let Go (Love) by En Vogue, and Saturday (Oooh Ooooh) by Ludacris, the former two both reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. The production team is especially known for their work with fellow Atlanta natives OutKast, producing some of their best known including the acclaimed albums Aquemini and Stankonia ~ Wade was born in 1972
April 9, 2024 ~ Jazz, big band, easy listening trumpeter Bob Lanese passed away in Hamburg, Germany ~ Active since the early-1960s, first gaining serious attention as a member of the house band at the Alpine Village, a popular nightclub in his native Cleveland, Ohio. Following a European tour with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1971, then under the direction of Buddy DeFranco, Lanese would become enamored with the city of Hamburg and relocate to Germany, where he became an in-demand trumpeter and flugelhornist. Best known as a longtime member of James Last's orchestra, serving as the ensemble's lead trumpeter for some three decades starting in 1972. Lanese has also worked with several other German bandleaders, including Kai Warner, Frank Valdor, Max Greger, and Bert Kaempfert, and sporadically recorded as a leader. To pop audiences, Lanese is perhaps best known for his trumpet playing on the 2000 Sing When You're Winning album by Robbie Williams ~ Lanese was born in 1941
April 9, 2024 ~ Singer, drummer Max Werner passed away ~ Co-founding member of progressive rock, art rock outfit Kayak, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums as lead singer and several more after switching to drums. The band enjoyed popularity in their native Netherlands especially during the 1970s and are best known for songs such as Lyrics, Mammoth, Starlight Dancer, and Ruthless Queen. Werner has also recorded as a solo artist, notably the 1981 hit Rain In May, and with Ekseption on the Dance Macabre album ~ Werner was born in 1953
April 7, 2024 ~ Clarence Henry II, commonly known as R&B singer Clarence Frogman Henry passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Started learning piano as a child, with Fats Domino and Professor Longhair as main influences. Known for his trademark croak, earning him the nickname “frogman”. Scored several late-1950s, early-1960s R&B hits, notably Ain't Got No Home, You Always Hurt The One You Love and perhaps his best known (I Don't Know Why I Love You) But I Do, the latter reaching top 10 on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts ~ Henry was born in 1937
April 5, 2024 ~ Carl Jeffrey Snare, commonly known as hard rock, glam metal, pop rock singer CJ Snare, passed away ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Firehouse, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with their eponymous Firehouse debut album released in 1990. The band is best known for the singles Don't Treat Me Bad, Love Of A Lifetime, and When I Look Into Your Eyes, the latter two both reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Snare had been diagnosed with cancer and had taken a hiatus from the band in 2023, but was expected to make a full recovery and return to the band for a series of shows in 2024. Upon his death, the band issued a statement describing Snare as “arguably one of the best vocal talents of a generation, touring the world with Firehouse non stop the past 34 years“, also adding “Reach for the sky, CJ!” referencing their 1992 song Reach For The Sky ~ Snare was born in 1959
April 4, 2024 ~ Dream pop guitarist Graeme Naysmith passed away ~ Co-founding member of shoegazing, dream pop, indie pop outfit Pale Saints, with whom he recorded three albums through the mid-1990s. The band is best known for their The Comforts Of Madness debut album, which reached top 40 in their native UK. Following the band's break-up in 1996, Naysmith formed Lorimer and the Terminals, both of which included his Saints bandmate drummer Chris Cooper, and has worked with X-Ray Eyes. Upon hearing of his death, 4AD co-founder Ivo Watts Russell issued a statement saying: “Naysmith was one of only a handful of musicians I worked with who wasn't afraid of a good guitar solo. In tribute I simply recommend digging out Henry from Pale Saints' final album Slow Buildings” ~ Naysmith was born ca.1967
April 3, 2024 ~ Albert Heath, commonly known as hard bop drummer Albert Tootie Heath, passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist Jimmy Heath and double bassist Percy Heath with whom he formed the Heath Brothers. First recorded with John Coltrane in 1957, featuring in Coltrane's first session as a leader (Coltrane). As a leader, Heath is best known for the early-1970s albums Kawaida and Kwanza. As sideman, Heath has appeared on albums by Red Garland (Groovy), Billy Taylor, Nina Simone, Cannonball Adderley, Art Farmer (Art), Sonny Red, JJ Johnson, Wes Montgomery (The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery), Gene Ammons, Walter Benton, Blue Mitchell (A Sure Thing), Charlie Mariano, McCoy Tyner, Charles McPherson (Be-Bop Revisited), Ben Webster, Tete Montoliu, and Herbie Hancock ~ Heath was born in 1935
April 2, 2024 ~ Band manager, producer, songwriter Jerry Abbott, full name Jerry Bob Abbott, passed away ~ Father of heavy metal band Pantera founders drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell. Has served as his sons band's manager and produced a number of their early albums. Abbott has also produced artists such as blues guitarist Bugs Henderson, and worked as songwriter and producer for the likes of Gene Watson, Freddy Fender, Buck Owens (Play Together Again Again), and Emmylou Harris ~ Abbott was born in 1942
April 1, 2024 ~ Guitarist Michael Ward passed away ~ Co-founded School Of Fish with Josh Clayton-Felt, known for their minor hit 3 Strange Days. Perhaps best known for his work with the Wallflowers, appearing on the band's 1996 Bringing Down The Horse sophomore album, which included the Grammy Award-winning One Headlight, and its follow-up album Breach. Ward has also appeared on albums by John Hiatt (Perfectly Good Guitar), Ben Harper, Shawn Mullins, Avril Lavigne (Don't Tell Me), Shelby Lynne (Suit Yourself), Tracy Bonham, and Sara Bareilles ~ Ward was born in 1967
April 1, 2024 ~ Pop singer Sue Chaloner passed away ~ First gained attention in an early-1970s touring production of the musical Hair, which also visited the Netherlands after which the British-born Chaloner decided to stay in Amsterdam. Formed the pop duo Spooky & Sue with Iwan Groeneveld, scoring several 1970s hits in the Netherlands including the top 10 hits Swinging On A Star, You Talk Too Much, and I've Got The Need. As a solo artist, Chaloner is perhaps best known for the minor hit Don't Try To Change Me, the theme song to the Dutch film Mama Is Boos. Chaloner was married to keyboardist Hans Jansen of Spin ~ Chaloner was born in 1953
March 31, 2024 ~ Saxophonist, keyboardist, producer, songwriter Casey Benjamin passed away ~ Best known as original member of Robert Glasper Experiment, including on the Grammy Award-winning Black Radio album released in 2012. An in-demand sideman in jazz, R&B, and hip hop, Benjamin has also worked extensively with DJ Logic, formed the duo HEAVY with singer Nicky Guiland, and has appeared on albums by the likes of Pucci Amanda Jhones, Arto Lindsay (Prize), Lynette Washington, Stefon Harris (Evolution), DJ Spinna, Howard Britz, Derrick Hodge (Live Today), Kris Bowers (Heroes And Misfits), A Tribe Called Quest, Solange (A Seat At The Table), and Philip Bailey ~ Benjamin was born in 1978
March 29, 2024 ~ Gerald Conway, commonly known as rock, progressive rock, folk rock drummer Gerry Conway, passed away ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Cat Stevens during the 1970s, backing Stevens on a little over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Tea For The Tillerman and Teaser & The Firecat, and as longtime member of Pentangle, which also included his wife singer Jacqui McShee. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Conway has also appeared on albums by Eclection, Fairport Convention (What We Did On Our Holidays), Matthews Southern Comfort, Steeleye Span, Andy Roberts (Urban Cowboy), Keith Christmas, Sandy Denny, Shelagh McDonald, Mike McGear (McGear), Ralph McTell (Easy), Jethro Tull, Joan Armatrading, Richard Thompson, and John Martyn (No Little Boy) ~ Conway was born in 1947
March 28, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer Mark Spiro passed away ~ As a solo artist, Spiro has released a little over half a dozen albums, starting with In Stereo in 1986. Though a gifted singer in his own right, Spiro is perhaps best known as a songwriter, notably co-writing Cheap Trick's Mighty Wings with Harold Faltermeyer for the Top Gun soundtrack. Songs written or co-written by Spiro have been recorded by the likes of Audrey Landers, Laura Branigan (Foolish Lullaby), Anne Murray, David Hasselhoff, Bad English (Straight To Your Heart), Julian Lennon, and Robin Zander ~ Spiro was born in 1957
March 25, 2024 ~ Christopher Thomas Allen, commonly known as new wave, synth-pop bassist Chris Cross, passed away ~ Member of Ultravox from 1974 through 1987, rejoining in 2008. The band enjoyed popularity in Europe especially during the 1980s, racking up about a dozen hits of which Vienna, All Stood Still and Dancing With Tears In My Eyes all reached top 10 in the band's native UK. Upon hearing of his death, bandmate Midge Ure described Cross as “the glue that held the band together, (and) the logic in the madness and the madness in our lives” ~ Allen was born in 1952
March 25, 2024 ~ Pop, soul singer, producer Humphrey Campbell passed away ~ Represented the Netherlands at the 1992 Eurovision Songfestival with the song Wijs Me De Weg, reaching 9th place. One of the backup singers was Ruth Jacott who would represent the Netherlands the next year, with Campbell as backup singer. Subsequently the two would form a longtime romantic relationship. Campbell has also served as producer, notably working with Jacott, Timeless, and Fluitsma & Van Tijn, and formed the close harmony sibling outfit CC Campbell with his brothers Charles Campbell and Carlo Campbell ~ Campbell was born in 1958
March 24, 2024 ~ Dennis Bouman, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Def Rhymz, passed away in Utrecht, the Netherlands ~ Enjoyed popularity especially in the late-1990s and early-2000s. Has recorded the albums De Goeiste, De Allergoeiste, and Hoorgasme. Best known for Doekoe and Schudden, both of which topped the charts in the Netherlands. Has also notably collaborated with the Postmen on the Doe Maar-cover De Bom, a Dutch top 10 hit at the turn of the century ~ Bouman was born in 1970
March 24, 2024 ~ R&B, funk singer Vincent Bonham passed away ~ Co-founding member of Raydio, with whom he recorded four albums during the late-1970s and early-1980s. The band is best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Jack And Jill, You Can't Change That, and A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do), and launched the career of lead singer Ray Parker Jr. Following the band's disbandement, Bonham has produced his bandmate Jerry Knight's Perfect Fit solo album, and served as backing musician for Prince, Chaka Khan, and Evelyn Champagne King ~ Bonham was born ca.1957
March 20, 2024 ~ Elsa Mazzetti, commonly known as pop singer Cocky Mazzetti, passed away in Milan, Italy ~ Took her stage name after her poodle named “Cocky”. Member of the Minstrels Of Jazz during the 1950s. As a solo artist, Mazzetti enjoyed popularity through the mid-1960s. Well-known songs include an Italian translation of the Los Machucambos track Pepito, Giovane Giovane, and Nuttata 'E Luna. Later on in her career, Mazzetti gained renewed attention on the oldies circuit including as a member of the group the Oldies and as a recurring guest on several nostalgia-themed music TV shows on RAI ~ Mazzetti was born in 1937
March 18, 2024 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Jimmy Hastings, full name James Brian Gordon Hastings, passed away ~ Prominent figure in the Canterbury scene, most closely associated with Caravan with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed In The Land Of Grey And Pink and For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night. Hastings has also notably appeared on albums by Soft Machine, Trapeze (You Are The Music (We're Just The Band)), Murray Head, Bryan Ferry, Chris Squire (Fish Out Of Water), Hatfield & the North, and National Health. To younger audiences perhaps best known for guesting on the 2001 Radiohead album Amnesiac along with other members of Humphrey Lyttelton's eight-piece jazz band ~ Hastings was born in 1938
March 17, 2024 ~ Matthew Urango, commonly known as keyboardist, guitarist, singer Cola Boyy, passed away ~ Born with spina bifida, kyphosis, and scolioses, as well as a club foot, Urango had experienced discrimination in the labor market prior to establishing himself as a professional musician. His sound compared by NME as “a disco ball melting or the after-effects of some particularly potent hallucinogenics”, Cola Boyy released his debut EP Black Boogie Neon in 2018, followed by the full-length Prosthetic Boombox debut album in 2021. Urango had played in punk rock bands in high school, and played guitar for indie pop band the Sea Lions, but opted for a more accessible sound to reach a wider audience. Well-known songs include Penny Girl, Buggy Tip, Beige 70, and Kid Born In Space, the latter telling of his experience growing up as a disabled person. Urango is known for his anti-capitalist views, and involved in various left-wing causes including advocating for immigrants and workers ~ Urango was born in 1990
March 17, 2024 ~ Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice, commonly known as glam rock, art rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Steve Harley, passed away ~ Lead singer, frontman of 1970s outfit Cockney Rebel, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including the UK top 10 albums The Psychomodo and The Best Years Of Our Lives. The band is known for songs such as Sebastian, Judy Teen, Mr Soft, and perhaps their best known Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me), the latter a No.1 hit in both Ireland and the band's native UK and a radio staple to this day. Following the band's disbandement, Harley has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist. The singer continued to perform into his seventies, and was forced to cancel his upcoming 2024 tour after being diagnosed with cancer. Upon hearing of his passing, fellow musician Midge Ure, who had produced Harley's 1982 track I Can't Even Touch You, stated Harley was “a true ‘working’ musician, (who) toured until he could tour no more” ~ Nice was born in 1951
March 14, 2024 ~ Alternative rock, pop rock, electronic singer, songwriter Angela McCluskey passed away ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of critically acclaimed Los Angeles-based outfit Wild Colonials which also included her husband Paul Cantelon, the folk-tinged band known best for the mid-1990s albums Fruit Of Life and This Can't Be Life. McCluskey has also recorded as a solo artist, specifically acclaimed for her 2004 The Things We Do album, and has notably guested on tracks by the Garden Of Eden, Télépopmusik (Breathe), Deep Forest, Kendrick Lamar (Is It Love), Morgan Page, Delerium, Andy Caldwell, Paul Oakenfold (You Could Be Happy), Parov Stelar, and Big Gigantic. Upon hearing of her death, McCluskey's friend of 25 years Julie Panebianco remarked: “She was a singer's singer. Her versions of Famous Blue Raincoat and My Funny Valentine are the ‘only’ versions. She didn't just cover songs, she stole them” ~ McCluskey was born in 1960
March 13, 2024 ~ Pop drummer Dick Allix passed away ~ Co-founding member of Vanity Fare, known for a handful of late-1960s singles. I Live For The Sun, Early In The Morning, and Hitchin' A Ride, all lifted off their The Sun The Wind And Other Things debut album, would all reach top 20 in the band's native UK. Allix departed the band in 1970, and would later become known among sports fans as a sports promoter, manager, and co-founder of the Professional Darts Corporation ~ Allix was born in 1945
March 13, 2024 ~ Gypsy jazz, swing, jazz fusion guitarist Sylvain Luc passed away ~ Praised for his fingerstyle playing technique. About a dozen albums to his name as a leader or solo artist since the early-1990s, especially noted for the 2002 album Trio Sud featuring regular collaborators bassist Jean-Marc Jafet and drummer André Ceccarelli, and Solo Ambre released in 2005. An in-demand sideman, Luc has guested on albums by Patrick Bruel, Françoise Hardy, Charles Aznavour, Lokua Kanza, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, Richard Bona, Vincent Peirani, and Juan Carmona ~ Luc was born in 1965
March 10, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Eric Carmen, full name Eric Howard Carmen, passed away ~ Rose to fame as frontman and primary songwriter of power pop unit the Raspberries, known best for Go All The Way, I Wanna Be With You, and Overnight Sensation (Hit Record). Following the band's disbandement in the mid-1970s, Carmen embarked on a solo career, scoring several soft rock hits through the late-1980s including Never Gonna Fall In Love Again, Change Of Heart, Hungry Eyes, and Make Me Lose Control. Carmen's best known, the 1975 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit All By Myself, would be covered by over 150 artists including Carmen McRae, Stanley Turrentine, Hank Williams Jr, Brotherhood Of Man, Shirley Bassey, Sheryl Crow, and Céline Dion. Carmen also wrote Hey Deanie, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Shaun Cassidy, and co-wrote Almost Paradise, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Ann Wilson & Mike Reno lifted off the Footloose soundtrack ~ Carmen was born in 1949
March 10, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Karl Wallinger, full name Karl Edmond De Vere Wallinger, passed away ~ Revered songwriter drawing from British heritage such as the Beatles as well as from Americans such as Bob Dylan. Key member of the Waterboys from 1983 through 1985, present on the albums A Pagan Place and the highly acclaimed This Is The Sea. Following his departure from the band Wallinger recorded as World Party, basically Wallinger's one-man-band at times employing session musicians where needed, known for Ship Of Fools, Way Down Now, Is It Like Today and She's The One, the latter later covered by over a dozen artists including Robbie Williams. Wallinger was also especially helpful in advancing Sinéad O'Connor's career, prominently involved in O'Connor's early demos that landed the then-unknown singer a record deal with Ensign Records ~ Wallinger was born in 1957
March 10, 2024 ~ Thomas Michael Stevens, commonly known as pop rock bassist TM Stevens or occasionally as Shaka Zulu, passed away ~ Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, perhaps most noted for Shocka Zooloo released in 2002. Member of Space Cadets, known for their eponymous Space Cadets album released in 1981. In-demand session and touring musician from the late-1970s onwards, present on albums by Narada Michael Walden, Stacy Lattisaw, David Sancious, Grandmaster Flash, Gregory Abbott (Shake You Down), the Pretenders (Get Close), Bob Geldof, Joe Cocker, Nona Hendryx, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner (Simply The Best), Curtis Stigers, Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard), Steve Vai, and Billy Joel ~ Stevens was born in 1951
March 9, 2024 ~ Classical trumpeter, cornetist Guy Touvron passed away ~ Accomplished soloist. Renowned interpreter of baroque composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Tomaso Albinoni, and Giuseppe Torelli, and contemporary classical music. Premiered trumpet concerts written by Ivan Jevtic, Jacques Loussier, and François Rauber. Principal trumpeter for the Orchestre National De Lyon and the French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Formed the Guy Touvron Brass Ensemble by the early-1970s ~ Touvron was born in 1950
March 9, 2024 ~ Americana, folk, alternative country singer, guitarist, songwriter Malcolm Holcombe, full name Malcolm Brank Holcombe, passed away ~ Over a dozen albums to his name, including the criminally overlooked A Hundred Lies released in 1996. Known for his moody poetry, country blues guitar, and distintive rumbling baritone voice. Though Holcombe has never achieved mainstream success, he was revered by peers and critics, drawing comparison to the likes of John Prine and Tom Waits. Holcombe enjoyed a cult following, artists such as Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Iris DeMent among his fans, and has opened for Merle Haggard and Wilco. Upon hearing of his death, revered singer, songwriter Mary Gauthier commented: “He was a genius. A channel. A giver. A master, a maestro, one of my greatest teachers, saintly in spirit, and truly touched by God and the angels” ~ Holcombe was born in 1955
March 8, 2024 ~ Jazz, R&B saxophonist Ernie Fields Jr passed away in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Son of trombonist, pianist Ernie Fields, with whom he has also worked. Composed the score to the 1978 film Disco Godfather. Toured with James Brown alumnus Fred Wesley during the 1990s. Fields was an in-demand session musician, appearing on albums by Alphonso Johnson, Albert King, Freddie Hubbard, Martha Reeves, Marvin Gaye (Here My Dear), Marlena Shaw, Teena Marie (Wild & Peaceful), Rick James (Bustin' Out Of L Seven), Aretha Franklin, Third World, Miles Davis, Two Tons Of Fun, and Stevie Wonder ~ Fields was born in 1934
March 7, 2024 ~ Sidney Liebowitz, commonly known as singer, actor Steve Lawrence, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the husband-wife duo Steve & Eydie with Eydie Gormé, known for songs such as We Got Us, I Want To Stay Here and I Can't Stop Talking About You. Both Gormé and Lawrence enjoyed parrallel solo careers, Lawrence regularly reaching the higher echelons of the charts with songs such as Go Away Little Girl, Pretty Blue Eyes, Footsteps and Party Doll. Lawrence appeared in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, portraying the role of Maury Sline, manager and friend of the band ~ Liebowitz was born in 1935
March 4, 2024 ~ Harris Lloyd Seaton, commonly known as ska, rocksteady, reggae singer, songwriter Bibby Seaton or BB Seaton passed away in London, UK ~ Formed the duo Winston & Bibby with Delano Stewart, the pair later expanding into the Gaylads. The vocal group would become one of the premier rocksteady groups in Jamaica, reigning for about a decade starting in the early-1960s. The group had several hits of their own, including My Jamaican Girl, Don't Say No, and There's A Fire, and served as backing unit for the likes of Ken Parker, Ken Boothe, and Delroy Wilson. Seaton has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for songs such Accept My Apology and Thin Line Between Love And Hate, worked with groups such as the Astronauts, Conscious Minds, and the Messengers, and has written songs recorded by Boothe, Wilson, and the Melodians ~ Seaton was born in 1944
March 3, 2024 ~ Southern rock, country rock drummer Brit Turner passed away ~ Member of Blackberry Smoke, which also included his brother bassist Richard Turner, with whom he has recorded a little over half a dozen albums since the early-2000s. The band draws mainly from Southern rock, inspired by Lynyrd Skynyrd, with a solid dose of bluegrass, gospel, and R&B added for good measure. They are noted for being the first independent country band to score a Billboard Country No.1 album with All The Roses released in 2015. The band's next three albums would also reach top 10, with Like An Arrow also reaching top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 200. Diagnosed with glioblastoma, Turner retired from performing in late 2022. Following his death at age 57, the band issued a statement saying: “Brit was Blackberry Smoke's True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band” ~ Turner was born ca.1967
March 3, 2024 ~ Elnora Ruth Procter, commonly known jazz singer Eleanor Collins, passed away in Surrey, Canada ~ Dubbed Canada's “First Lady of Jazz”. Active since her mid-teens. Critically compared to Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald. Has performed in stage productions of of Finian's Rainbow, Kiss Me Kate, and You Can't Take It With You. Well known for her association with several radio and TV shows, notably Bamboula (A Day In The West Indies), the first variety TV show featuring an interracial cast, and her own The Eleanor Show aired from 1955 onwards making her the first female, the first person of colour, and the first jazz singer to headline a show on national TV. Collins would continue to perform in clubs and concert into the 1980s ~ Procter was born in 1919
March 2, 2024 ~ Wesley Curley Clark, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist WC Clark, passed away ~ Dubbed “the Godfather of Austin Blues” for his influence since the late-1960s. Sang gospel in church choirs, took up guitar by age 14, was playing professionally two years later. Early on in his career, Clark toured with Joe Tex before returning to his native Austin, to find a new crop of young and eager performers. Clark is legendary perhaps most for forming the Triple Threat Revue in the mid-1970s with the then-unknown Lou Ann Barton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Though the trio only briefly played together, they set the standard for Austin blues, with Vaughan crediting Clark as a mentor and immense influence. Clark has shared stages with BB King, James Brown, Albert King, and Freddie King. Outside Texas, he is perhaps best known for half a dozen solo albums released later on in his career, notably 1994's Heart Of Gold, and From Austin With Soul released in 2002 ~ Clark was born in 1939
March 1, 2024 ~ Saxophonist Don Wise, full name Donald Grover Wise, passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Recorded a handful of albums as a leader, noted particularly for Swingin' Up A Storm released in 2005. Best known for his association with Delbert McClinton, backing the singer for over two decades including on albums such as One Of The Fortunate Few, Room To Breathe, and Cost Of Living. Other notable associations include Jodi Benson, Bugs Henderson, Kevin McKendree, the Delta Riders, Todd Sharp, Teresa James, and Rob Roy Parnell ~ Wise was born in 1942
February 25, 2024 ~ Peter Anthony Morgan, commonly known as reggae singer Peetah Morgan, passed away ~ Lead singer of sibling outfit Morgan Heritage, comprised of offspring of iconic reggae singer Denroy Morgan. The group has recorded over a dozen albums since the mid-1990s, and is perhaps best known for the Grammy Award-winning Strictly Roots album released in 2015. Morgan has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his sole full-length album TUT (The Undeniable Truth) released in 2013, and has collaborated with Shane Brown, Irie Love, SunDub, and most recently with Jah Sun on the 2023 Return To Balance album ~ Morgan was born ca.1977
February 22, 2024 ~ Skiffle, rock & roll pianist John Lowe, full name John Charles Duff Lowe, passed away ~ By invite of Paul McCartney, Lowe played with the Quarrymen from 1958 through 1960, a band that would evolve into the Beatles. Lowe, known to friends as “Duff”, was present on the recordings of That'll Be The Day and In Spite Of All The Danger, for which he retained ownership. Lowe sold the songs to McCartney in 1981, the two tracks would be included on the Beatles Anthology Vol.1 compilation album released in 1995 ~ Lowe was born in 1942
February 22, 2024 ~ Veronica Loretta Stoneman, commonly known as banjoist, actress, comedian Roni Stoneman, passed away ~ Dubbed “the First Lady of Banjo”. Daughter of guitarist Ernest Stoneman, one of the earliest country music stars. Member of family outfit the Stonemans for over a decade, with whom she has performed at the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Grand Ole Opry. Stoneman is especially known as a cast member of the Hee Haw country music variety TV show for nearly two decades starting in the early-1970s. While she occasionally picked banjo and sang on the show, it was her comedic talent that garnered more attention, specifically in the character of Ida Lee Nagger. As a musician, Stoneman continued to perform into the 2020s, either as a solo artist or with her sister mandolinist Donna Stoneman ~ Stoneman was born in 1938
February 21, 2024 ~ Classical, neoclassical metal, progressive metal pianist, composer Vitalij Kuprij passed away ~ Regarded a keyboard virtuoso by both classical and heavy metal, progressive metal critics. Received numerous awards in the classical world, notably winning prestigious competitions such as the All-Union Chopin Competition, the Kiev Conservatory Competition and the Cleveland Piano Competition. To metal audiences known for founding progressive metal band Atlantis Rising, which evolved into Artension, as a member of Yngwie Malmsteen's neoclassical, power metal unit Ring Of Fire, as a regular collaborator of the highly influential Finnish metal outfit the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and as a solo artist. Kuprij has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, both classical music and neoclassical metal ~ Kuprij was born in 1974
February 20, 2024 ~ Pianist, singer David Libert passed away ~ Co-founding member of pop group the Happenings. The band was known for adding their own distinctive style to hits originally recorded by others, and enjoyed popularity especially during the mid-1960s. See You In September, Go Away Little Girl, I Got Rhythm, and My Mammy all reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Libert briefly served as manager for Rare Earth, and subsequently as tour manager for Alice Cooper during the first half of the 1970s, a time span generally considered Cooper's key period. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1976, Libert became a representative for artists such as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Brian Auger, Vanilla Fudge, and Living Colour ~ Libert was born in 1943
February 19, 2024 ~ Rock, blues-rock, electric blues guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Bobby Tench passed away ~ Though never a household name, Tench was held in the highest regards by peers and critics, having played with some of the biggest names in British rock. Co-founding member of Gass and of Hummingbird. Best known for his associations with blues guitarist Freddie King and with singer Van Morrison. Worked with Jeff Beck both in the Jeff Beck Group and as a touring singer with Beck Bogert & Appice. Other notable associations include Humble Pie, the Streetwalkers, Hummingbird, Ginger Baker, Linda Lewis, Boxer, Widowmaker, Eric Burdon, Axis Point, Brian Robertson, Topper Headon, Roger Chapman, Ruby Turner, and Alan Price ~ Tench was born in 1944
February 16, 2024 ~ Cynthia Sue Strother, commonly known as singer Cynthia Bell, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo the Bell Sisters with her baby sister Edith Bell, adopting their mother's maiden name as stage names. The duo would be discovered in 1951 performing Bermuda, written by Cynthia, on a local Los Angeles TV show. Music publisher Joe Happy Goday would take an interest in the sibling act and had them record the track. The single would reach top 10 on the pop charts the following year, and eventually sell a million copies. The sisters would have two more hits, Wheel Of Fortune which scratched the top 10, and Piece A'Puddin' which reached top 20 ~ Strother was born in 1935
February 16, 2024 ~ Rockabilly, roots rock singer, guitarist Dexter Romweber, full name John Michael Dexter Romweber, passed away ~ Iconic figure in underground roots rock, rockabilly circles since the mid-1980s. Cited by the White Stripes guitarist Jack White as a major influence. Best known for founding rockabilly revivalists Flat Duo Jets with Chris Crow Smith, naming themselves after Gene Vincent's Gretsch Duo Jet guitar. The band recorded close to a dozen albums, and are especially acclaimed for their 1990 eponymous Flat Duo Jets album, and its 1992 follow-up Go Go Harlem. Romweber also formed Dex Romweber Duo with his older sister drummer Sara Romweber, their full-length Ruins Of Berlin debut album released in 2009, and has recorded several albums as a solo artist ~ Romweber was born in 1966
February 16, 2024 ~ Greg Hinz, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal drummer Fritz Hinz, passed away ~ Longtime member of Canadian heavy metal outfit Helix, present on most of the band's best known including their Walking The Razor's Edge album which spawned Rock You, their biggest hit. Hinz remained with the band from 1983 through 1996, rejoining in 2009. Hinz quietly retreated from the band in 2023 as cancer treatments began, his medical condition kept quiet at his request. Following his death, Helix frontman Brian Vollmer described Hinz as a brother, the funniest guy you'd ever want to meet, and the consummate rock drummer: “He loved his drums and he loved drumming and performing. He took great pride in everything he did.” ~ Hinz was born ca.1956
February 16, 2024 ~ Poet, radio host, jazz scholar, music critic Reuben Jackson passed away ~ Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz music and culture. Served as curator of the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian Institution for over two decades, a position he called “a job of a lifetime”. Hosted Friday Night Jazz for most of the 2010s, aired on Vermont Public Radio. An accomplished music critic, Jackson has written for The Washington Post, Jazz Times, Down Beat, and All About Jazz, his reviews regularly featured on NPR's All Things Considered radio show. Jackson is also known as a poet, his most recent bundle Scattered Clouds published in 2019 ~ Jackson was born ca.1956
February 15, 2024 ~ Pop rock guitarist, singer Ian Amey also known as Tich, full name Ian Frederick Stephen Amey, passed away ~ Co-founding member of Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich. With their zany stage act and lurid dress sense, the band enjoyed popularity especially in Australia, New Zealand, and their native UK during the 1960s, yet unlike many of their contemporaries they failed to achieve much chart success in America. The band scored close to a dozen top 20 UK hits through 1968 drawing from freakbeat, mod, and pop. Well-known songs include Bend It, Save Me, Zabadak, and perhaps their best known the million-seller The Legend Of Xanadu, the latter their sole UK No.1 hit. Hold Tight, originally a 1967 UK No.4 hit, would later be used in the Quentin Tarantino film Death Proof released in 2007 ~ Amey was born ca.1945
February 13, 2024 ~ Edward Sturgis, commonly known as DJ Eddie Cheba, passed away ~ Fixture on the New York scene during the 1970s. One of the earliest rapping DJ's, considered pivotal to the development of hip hop. Influential on Kurtis Blow, close friend DJ Hollywood, and Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons, the latter inspired to pursue a career in music after hearing Cheba perform. The year before his passing, Cheba suffered a series of strokes. Upon hearing of his ailing health, Simmons stated, recalling the hey days: “The absolute facts are as follows. If you couldn't get Hollywood, you got Cheba. If you couldn't get Cheba, you got Lovebug Starski. Again, this is actual facts. If you got all three, the number of tickets would skyrocket and you could pay the bar guarantee. They were the rap stars and the biggest money makers and draws.” ~ Sturgis was born in 1956
February 11, 2024 ~ Lloyd Arrington Sparks, commonly known as singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Randy Sparks, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Founded the New Christy Minstrels, most acclaimed for their 1962 Presenting The New Christy Minstrels debut album, and for often-covered songs such as Green Green, Saturday Night and Today written or co-written by Sparks. The band is also especially noted for including Barry McGuire and for launching the careers of John Denver and Kenny Rogers. Sparks also founded the Back Porch Majority, initially intended as a rehearsal space for the Minstrels, yet the group would become successful on its own, recording about half a dozen albums. A 1964 review by the New York Times would read: “The Minstrels maintain the sort of bubbling good spirits that ought to be bottled and sold at every supermarket in the land. They suggest a Norman Rockwell portrait of nine youths who are smiling their way through song and life” ~ Sparks was born in 1933
February 9, 2024 ~ Kenji Suzuki, commonly known as krautrock, experimental rock singer Damo Suzuki, passed away ~ Though his tenure with Krautrock pioneers Can was brief, it is generally considered the band's most important period. Busking outside a Hamburg cafe, he was spotted by bassist Holger Czukay and drummer Jaki Liebezeit who invited him to join the band. Suzuki gave his first performance with the band that same day, and would sing lead vocals on the albums Tago Mago, Ege Bamyasi, and Future Days. As a solo artist, Suzuki is most acclaimed for his 1998 Seattle live double album. Suzuki has been cited as an influence by Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Geoff Barrow of Portishead, and the band Spoon, who took their name from a Can song. Pavement's Stephen Malkmus has been quoted as saying: “I played Can's Ege Bamyasi album every night before I went to sleep for about three years.” ~ Suzuki was born in 1950
February 9, 2024 ~ Rock & roll drummer Jimmy Van Eaton, full name James Mack Van Eaton, passed away in Alabama, USA ~ Initially played Dixieland jazz with the Jivin' Five, which he founded, before switching to rock & roll. Recording a demo at Sun Records with engineer Cowboy Jack Clement impressed Clement, who then recommended Van Eaton to Billy Lee Riley. Van Eaton would tour with Riley, as well as with Conway Twitty, on weekends, and work as a session drummer during the week. From the mid through the late-1950s, Van Eaton drummed on most of the Sun Records recordings by Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Bill Justis, and Jerry Lee Lewis, including on the latter's 1957 Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On classic. By the 1960s Van Eaton mostly retired from music. In 1998, going by the moniker JM Van Eaton, he released his sole solo album The Beat Goes On, featuring his own songs and vocals ~ Van Eaton was born in 1937
February 7, 2024 ~ R&B, soul singer Henry Fambrough, full name Henry Lee Fambrough, passed away in Sterling, Virginia, USA ~ Last surviving original member of the Spinners, at times known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners to avoid confusion with other groups. The group had been recording since the early-1960s, and enjoyed popularity especially during the 1970s. Well known songs include It's A Shame, I'll Be Around, Could It Be I'm Falling In Love, Ghetto Child, the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Then Came You with Dionne Warwick, The Rubberband Man, and Working My Way Back To You. The band would be inducted in the 2023 class of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, acknowledging them as “one of the most beloved R&B vocal groups in the world, (who) came to define the Philadelphia sound despite their Motor City origins.” ~ Fambrough was born in 1938
February 7, 2024 ~ Neill Kirby McMillan Jr, commonly known as rockabilly, cowpunk, psychobilly singer Mojo Nixon, passed away ~ Teamed up with Skid Roper in the 1980s, the duo releasing about half a dozen albums through the end of the decade. They are perhaps best known for Elvis Is Everywhere off their 1987 Bo-Day-Shus album, the single becoming an alternative staple on MTV. Nixon released his Otis solo debut album in 1990 and recorded throughout the mid-2000s before retiring from music. McMillan has also collaborated with Jello Biafra, Dave Alvin, and Country Dick Montana, and acted in about half a dozen films including portraying the role of drummer Jimmy Van Eaton in the Jerry Lee Lewis biopic Great Balls Of Fire ~ McMillan was born in 1957
February 6, 2024 ~ Blues, rock, reggae guitarist, singer Donald Kinsey passed away in Merrillville, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Kinsey Report, which also included Ron Prince, his brothers Ralph Kinsey and Kenneth Kinsey, and patriarch Big Daddy Kinsey. Kinsey is also well known for his association with Albert King, appearing on the albums Blues At Sunset and Blues At Sunrise, both recorded live mostly at the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, and as a member of Peter Tosh's backing unit including on the albums Legalize It, Bush Doctor, and Mama Africa. Other notable associations include Bob Marley (Rastaman Vibration), Burning Spear, Betty Wright, Roy Buchanan (Hot Wires), and Denroy Morgan ~ Kinsey was born in 1953
February 5, 2024 ~ Toby Keith Covel, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, actor Toby Keith, passed away ~ Tried out for the Oklahoma Outlaws professional football team but did not make the team. Had promised himself to have a recording contract by age 30, or give up on music as a career. Keith released his eponymous Toby Keith debut album in 1993, which included his Should've Been A Cowboy Billboard Country No.1 debut single. Keith would go on to record some twenty-odd albums and sell over 40 million records. Became a household name with Courtesy Of The Red White And Blue (The Angry American), released in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Over the course of his career, Keith would rack up over a dozen Billboard Country No.1 hits including You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This, the Willie Nelson-duet Beer For My Horses, Love Me If You Can, She Never Cried In Front Of Me, and Made In America ~ Covel was born in 1961
February 4, 2024 ~ Artist manager Martin Kirkup passed away in Hawaii, USA ~ Active as label executive and artist manager since the mid-1970s, initially for A&M Records, overseeing campaigns for artists such as Peter Frampton, Supertramp, Joe Jackson, and the Police. Co-founded artist management company Direct Management by the mid-1980s, helping advance the careers of several artists. Notable successes include getting If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark on the Pretty In Pink soundtrack, which significantly boosted the band's exposure in America, helping steer the B52's towards more commercial success starting with the 1989 Cosmic Thing album which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Roam and Love Shack, and signing the then-unknown rock outfit the Counting Crows in the early-1990s, whose August & Everything After debut album would go on to sell over 10 million copies. Kirkup has also been involved with artists such as Boy Meets Girl, Bryan Ferry, Katy Perry, and Adam Lambert ~ Kirkup was born ca.1948
February 3, 2024 ~ Reggae bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, arranger, songwriter, producer Aston Barrett, full name Aston Francis Barrett, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Helped define the role of the bass in reggae. Brother of drummer Carlton Barrett. Best known as longtime associate of Bob Marley, serving as bassist, arranger, and bandleader from 1969 until Marley's death a dozen years later. Earned the nickname “Family Man” for his role in Marley's backing unit. One of the first to incorporate a drum machine in reggae, as heard in Marley songs such as No Woman No Cry, So Jah Seh, and Johnny Was. Mentored Robbie Shakespeare of Sly & Robbie, who at some point commented: “He is a master for me. I have had help and influences from other people, but I have to give it mostly to Family Man.” ~ Barrett was born in 1946
February 2, 2024 ~ Wayne Kambes, commonly known as punk rock, proto-punk guitarist, singer Wayne Kramer, passed away ~ Co-founding member of MC5, one of the rawest and most outspoken bands in American rock. They are especially acclaimed for their 1969 Kick Out The Jams debut album, widely regarded as a forerunner to proto-punk and punk nearly a decade later. After two more albums, both of which sold poorly, the band disbanded in 1972. Kramer struggled through the remainder of the decade, before reemerging in the 1980s and 1990s. Kramer has also worked with Johnny Thunders, Was (Not Was), Bad Religion, and Dodge Main, recorded as a solo artist, and reignited MC5 in the 1990s with a rotating line-up. Upon hearing of his death, Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello commented: “His band the MC5 basically invented punk rock music. Wayne came through personal trials of fire with drugs and jail time and emerged a transformed soul who went on to save countless lives through his tireless acts of service.” ~ Kambes was born in 1948
January 29, 2024 ~ Accordionist, keyboardist, guitarist Tony Cedras passed away ~ Perhaps best known for his longtime association with Paul Simon, both as a touring and session musician including on the acclaimed Graceland album. Cedras has also guested on albums by the likes of Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba (Sangoma), Ziggy Marley, Tony Bird, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Cassandra Wilson (Blue Light 'Til Dawn), Henry Threadgill (Carry The Day), Milton Nascimento, Garland Jeffreys, Bakithi Kumalo, and the Indica Project ~ Cedras was born ca.1952
January 27, 2024 ~ Bjørn Falk Nilsen, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lillebjørn Nilsen, passed away ~ Formed the late-1960s duo the Young Norwegians with Bjørn Morisse, the latter also referred to as Storebjørn. Recorded consistently as a solo artist since the early-1970s. Considered “the Voice of Oslo” for having written numerous songs about the city. Befriended and worked with his idol Pete Seeger, whose My Rainbow Race he translated to Banr Av Regnbuen. Terrorist Anders Breivik, who killed over 70 people in the 2011 Oslo and Utøya attacks, stated he hated the song. In response, over 40,000 Norwegians sang it publicly outside Breivik's trial. Nilsen was also a member of supergroup Gitarkamaratene ~ Nilsen was born in 1950
January 26, 2024 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, funk, rock guitarist Dean Brown passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ One of the most respected jazz guitarists of his generation, praised for his virtuosity and innovative approach. Has recorded five albums as a leader, starting with Here in 2000, often featuring all-star casts of regular collaborators. As a sideman, Brown has appeared on albums by Vital Information, Billy Cobham, Kirk Whalum (And You Know That), Bob James (Grand Piano Album), Steps Ahead, the Brecker Brothers, Marcus Miller (Tales), Till Brönner, Roberta Flack, Ricky Peterson (Souvenir), David Sanborn, Nelson Rangell (Always), Jason Miles, and Joe Zawinul ~ Dean was born in 1955
January 26, 2024 ~ Vibraphonist Michel Hausser passed away ~ Played the accordion before switching to vibraphone by his late teens. Sessioned prolifically in the 1950s and 1960s, backing the likes of Eddy Barclay, Christian Chevallier, Henri Crolla, Benny Golson, Stéphane Grappelli, Roger Guerin, Bobby Jaspar, Lucky Thompson, and Sarah Vaughan. Formed his own trio in the mid-1960s with bassist Jacky Samson and a rotating roster of drummers. Hausser relocated to Germany in the 1970s, where he worked as a teacher ~ Hausser was born in 1927
January 25, 2024 ~ Jazz, improvisation, world music singer Bruno Amstad passed away ~ Sang soul, funk, and rock in the 1980s before switching to jazz and world music, eventually joining Christy Doran's New Bag. Amstad would remain with Doran for over a decade, recording over half a dozen albums. Establishing himself as one of the leading voice in world music to come out of Switzerland, Amstad would collaborate with a host of artists including Asita Hamidi, Sandro Schneebeli, Fredy Studer, Phil Minton, and John Zorn ~ Amstad was born ca.1964
January 23, 2024 ~ Franz Reuther, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Frank Farian, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Prior to his career in music, Farian trained as a cook. Performed and recorded as a singer from the late-1960s through the mid-1970s, before becoming one of the most prolific and successful producers to come out of Germany. Acts founded, managed, produced by Farian have sold over 850 million records and earned some 800 gold and platinum certifications. Best known for founding 1970s disco group Boney M, with whom he enjoyed popularity especially in Europe with disco hits such as Daddy Cool, Ma Baker, Rivers Of Babylon, and Rasputin, and for founding Milli Vanilli, known for the late-1980s Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Baby Don't Forget My Number, Blame It On The Rain, and Girl I'm Gonna Miss You. Other notable acts he was involved with include Le Click, La Bouche, No Mercy, Eruption, and the Far Corporation ~ Reuther was born in 1941
January 23, 2024 ~ Melanie Anne Safka, mononymously known as folk, pop singer, guitarist Melanie, passed away ~ Over two dozen albums to her name, enjoying popularity especially during the late-1960s and early-1970s emerging from New York's Greenwich Village folk scene. Best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) and Brand New Key, the latter a No.1 hit in 1971, and the Rolling Stones-cover Ruby Tuesday which reached top 10 in the UK. Along with Janis Joplin and Joan Baez, Safka was one of only three solo women to perform at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969, of which she later said: “An unbelievably frightening day. I never even felt like I was a hippy, I didn't like the term. If anything, I was the beat generation, people in the Village expressing themselves in so many ways, not being pigeonholed.” ~ Safka was born in 1947
January 22, 2024 ~ Betty Lou Miller, commonly known as Christian, country singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Margo Smith, passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for her yodeling, her 1970s country remakes of the pop songs Don't Break The Heart That Loves You and It Only Hurts For A Little While both of which topped the Billboard Country charts, and for a number of 1980s hits after turning to a more risque image with songs such as Still A Woman, The Shuffle Song and Cup Of Tea, the latter a duet with Rex Allen Jr ~ Smith was born in 1939
January 22, 2024 ~ Music journalist Neil Kulkarni passed away ~ Following his tenure as a staff writer for Melody Maker from 1993 through 2000, Kulkarni freelanced for publications such as Uncut, Vox, Spin, The Guardian, The Quietus, and DJ Magazine. Kulkarni has also authored several books, starting with Hip Hop Bring The Noise (The Stories Behind The Biggest Songs) published in 2004. Kulkarni focused primarily on hip hop and metal. Upon hearing of his death at age 51, Clash Magazine called him “one of the sharpest pens of his generation” ~ Kulkarni was born in 1972
January 19, 2024 ~ Marlina Burgess, commonly known as jazz, blues, soul singer Marlena Shaw, passed away ~ First turned to music by her uncle jazz trumpeter Jimmy Burgess, who introduced her to recordings of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, gospel, and singer Al Hibbler who in Shaw's words “really knows how to phrase a song”. Her uncle first brought her to the stage to sing with his band while Shaw was still in her early teens. As a solo performer, Shaw has been active since the early-1960s, getting her first big break when a regular gig at the Playboy Club, Chicago, drew the attention of representatives of Chess Records, who then signed her to the subsidiary Cadet Records label. Though she never became a household name, Shaw is fondly remembered for her rendition of California Soul taken off her 1969 The Spice Of Life sophomore album, her highly acclaimed 1974 Who Is This Bitch Anyway album, and a string of disco tracks through the late-1970s ~ Burgess was born in 1942
January 19, 2024 ~ Singer Mary Weiss passed away ~ Leader of 1960s R&B girl group the Shangri-Las. Sang lead on Remember (Walking In The Sand), Give Him A Great Big Kiss and Out In The Streets. Sang co-lead on the band's biggest hit, The Leader Of The Pack, in tandem with Elizabeth Weiss. Following the band's disbandement in 1968, Weiss mostly disappeared from the music scene for decades, reemerging in 2007 with her first and only solo album, the critically acclaimed Dangerous Game album ~ Weiss was born in 1948
January 13, 2024 ~ Joel Sonnier, commonly known as Cajun, zydeco, country singer, accordionist, songwriter Jo-El Sonnier, passed away in Llano, Texas, USA ~ Active professionally since the late-1960s, first performing on the radio at age six. Would become a fixture on the Louisiana Cajun scene, earning a devoted following bridging the musical traditions. Well over two dozen albums to his name, especially noted for Come On Joe released in 1987, and for Cajun Young Blood released in 1996. Best known for No More One More Time and the Richard Thompson-cover Tear Stained Letter, both of which reached top 10 Billboard Country. Guested on albums by Emmylou Harris (Elite Hotel), Johnny Cash, George Strait, Elvis Costello (King Of America), Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton, the Indigo Girls, Sammy Kershaw, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and Mark Knopfler ~ Sonnier was born in 1946
January 12, 2024 ~ Bluegrass singer, guitarist, mandolinist Audie Blaylock passed away ~ Spent most of the 1980s backing Jimmy Martin. Would go on to work with Red Allen, Lynn Morris, Harley Allen, Rhonda Vincent, Michael Cleveland, Patrick McAvinue, Michael Martin Murphey, and Bobby Osborne. Released his Trains Are The Only Way To Fly solo debut album in 2001 and has recorded as solo artist and with his backing unit Redline since ~ Blaylock was born in 1962
January 12, 2024 ~ Actor, singer Bill Hayes, full name William Foster Hayes III, passed away ~ To pop audiences known for the single The Ballad Of Davy Crockett which topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1955, and sold over two million copies. Hayes would also star in a Broadway production of the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II penned musical Me & Juliet, and score several minor hits including The Berry Tree, High Noon, and Wringle Wrangle. Hayes would eventually become best known as an actor, known particularly for his role of Doug Williams in the soap opera Days Of Our Lives ~ Hayes was born in 1925
January 8, 2024 ~ Singer, songwriter Guy Bonnet passed away in Montpellier, France ~ Internationally best known for several Eurovision Songfestival entries. Co-wrote La Source for Isabelle Aubret, the French entry for the 1968 edition, which reached 3rd place. As a singer, Bonnet also represented his native France twice, reaching 4th place in 1970 with Marie-Blanche, and participating again in 1983, reaching 8th place with Vivre. Songs written or-co-written by Bonnet have also been recorded by Mireille Mathieu, Sylvia Vartan, Franck Fernandel, and Massilia Sound System ~ Bonnet was born ca.1945
January 7, 2024 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Tony Clarkin, full name Anthony Michael Clarkin, passed away ~ Guitarist, sole songwriter for Magnum, known best for their 1988 Wings Of Heaven album and its 1990 follow-up Goodnight LA. Well known songs include Days Of No Trust, Start Talking Love, It Must Have Been Love and Rockin' Chair, all of which reached top 40 in the band's native UK. The band folded in 1995, yet Clarkin and the band's lead singer Bob Catley would record two more albums through the end of the decade going by the moniker Hard Rain ~ Clarkin was born in 1946
January 5, 2024 ~ Derek Peter Palmer, commonly known as engineer, bassist, singer Del Palmer, passed away ~ Best known for his work with Kate Bush, with whom he was also romantically involved for a little over a decade starting in the late-1970s. Played bass on or engineered albums such as Lionheart, Hounds Of Love, The Sensual World, and The Red Shoes. Palmer has also worked with Midge Ure, Roy Harper, Alan Stivell, and Billy Sherwood. Later on in his career, Palmer recorded a handful of albums as a solo artist starting with Leap Of Faith released in 2007 ~ Palmer was born ca.1952
January 4, 2024 ~ Richard David Solberg, commonly known as actor, singer David Soul, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as an actor, appearing in TV shows such as Here Comes The Bride, Magnum Force, and perhaps most notably Starsky & Hutch, portraying the role of Hutch. Solberg has also recorded as a singer, enjoying popularity during the mid-1970s especially in the UK. Well-known songs include Going In With My Eyes Open, Silver Lady, Let's Have A Quiet Night In, and Don't Give Up On Us, the latter also reaching No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Solberg was born in 1943
January 2, 2024 ~ Guitarist, composer Chris Karrer passed away ~ Co-founding member of Amon Düül and its commercially more successful successor Amon Düül II, the latter especially known for a number of soundtracks most notably Niklashauser Fart and San Domingo. Though primarily active as a guitarist, Karrer also plays oud, saxophone, and violin. Karrer has also recorded as a solo artist, and worked with Embryo, Popol Vuh, Uli Trepte, and Guru Guru ~ Karrer was born in 1947
December 29, 2023 ~ Jazz, soul jazz pianist, singer, songwriter Les McCann, full name Leslie Coleman McCann, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Actively recording since the early-1960s. Noted for his 1969 Swiss Movement album, which also featured saxophonist Eddie Harris and trumpeter Benny Bailey. The album spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit Compared To What, later covered by over 250 artists including Roberta Flack. McCann also collaborated with Teddy Edwards, Richard Groove Holmes, Lou Rawls (Stormy Monday), Stanley Turrentine, Cash McCall, and Herbie Mann ~ McCann was born in 1935
December 29, 2023 ~ Actor, director, singer, choreographer Maurice Hines, full name Maurice Robert Hines Jr, passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Brother of dancer Gregory Hines, with whom he has also worked including as opening act for the likes of Lionel Hampton and Gypsy Rose Lee. Starting in the late-1970s Hines would appear in Broadway productions of Eubie, Bring Back Birdie, Sophisticated Ladies and Uptown (It's Hot), earning a Tony Award for the latter. Conceived, choreographed, and directed Hot Feet, a 2006 jukebox musical featuring the music of Earth Wind & Fire ~ Hines was born in 1943
December 28, 2023 ~ Samuel David Bailey, commonly known as jazz drummer Dave Bailey, passed away ~ Has recorded a number of albums as a leader during the early-1960s, especially acclaimed for Reaching Out. Closely associated with Gerry Mulligan, appearing on about a dozen of the saxophonist's albums including At Storyville, Songbook, and What Is There To Say. Bailey has also appeared on albums by Lee Konitz (Tranquility), Bob Brookmeyer, Lou Donaldson (Blues Walk), Curtis Fuller, Ben Webster (The Soul Of Ben Webster), John Mehegan, Charlie Rouse (Unsung Hero), Tubby Hayes, Grant Green (Green Street), Clark Terry, Vi Redd, Marian McPartland, Helen Merrill (The Artistry Of Helen Merrill), Zoot Sims, Lucky Thompson, and Nappy Brown. Bailey retired from music by the late-1960s to work as a flight instructor ~ Bailey was born in 1926
December 26, 2023 ~ Comedian, pop, folk guitarist, singer Tom Smothers, full name Thomas Bolyn Smothers, passed away in Santa Rosa, California, USA ~ Formed the musical comedy duo the Smother Brothers with his brother Dick Smothers. Initially the siblings aimed to become folk musicians, but as Tom felt he was not good enough to be a professional musician yet funny enough to do comedy, the brothers added comedy bits to their routine. They are best known for a series of own TV shows, notably The Smother Brothers Comedy Hour aired on CBS. To pop and rock audiences Smothers is perhaps best known for playing guitar alongside John Lennon on the latter's 1969 single Give Peace A Chance, one of Lennon's most enduring songs ~ Smothers was born in 1937
December 26, 2023 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, fusion drummer Tony Oxley passed away ~ One of the most prominent figures of British free improvisation. Well over two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader. Co-founded the Incus Records label. Closely associated with the Joseph Holbrooke Trio, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, and Cecil Taylor. Especially noted for the 1988 collaborative Leaf Palm Hand album with the latter. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Gordon Beck, John McLaughlin (Extrapolation), Howard Riley, Kenny Wheeler (Song For Someone), Vangelis, Peter Brötzmann, Norma Winstone, Paul Bley, and Bill Dixon ~ Oxley was born in 1938
December 24, 2023 ~ Vasilis Kesoglidis, commonly known as laiko singer Vasilis Karras, passed away in Thessaloniki, Greece ~ Started performing in 1969, at age 16, at a local club, quickly becoming a regional favorite due to his distinctive raspy voice. Would continue to perform thoughout Northern Greece throughout the 1970s building a steady reputation. Released his Alismonites Ores debut album in 1980 recording steadily over the next few years. Shot to national fame in the early-1990s. Known best for the 1990s albums Tilefonise Mou and Epistrefo. Has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Greek music including Michalis Rakintzis, Zafeiris Melas, Phoebus, Despina Vandi, and Tolis Voskopoulos ~ Kesoglidis was born in 1953
December 24, 2023 ~ Jazz hornist, bassist Willie Ruff, full name Willie Henry Ruff Jr, passed away in Killen, Alabama, USA ~ Half of longtime duo the Mitchell-Ruff Duo, the other half being pianist Dwike Mitchell. The duo has recorded well over a dozen albums and made history in 1959 when they became the first jazz act to play in the Soviet Union since World War II. Half of Pisano & Ruff, the other half being John Pisano. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Ruff has appeared on albums by Clifford Coultier, Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Benny Golson, Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin, Leonard Cohen (Songs Of Leonard Cohen), Jimmy Smith, and Sonny Stitt. Ruff was also particularly known as a music scholar and teacher, graduating in 1954 from the Yale School of Music, New Haven, Connecticut, and serving as a professor at his alma mater from 1971 through 2017 ~ Ruff was born in 1931
December 22, 2023 ~ Singer, bassist Laura Lynch passed away in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, bassist for the Dixie Chicks, Present on the band's first three albums, Thank Heavens For Dale Evans, Little Ol' Cowgirl and Shouldn't A Told You That, before departing the band in 1990. Upon hearing of her death in a traffic collission at age 65, the band issued a statement saying: “We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. Her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West.” ~ Lynch was born in 1958
December 16, 2023 ~ Bossa nova singer, guitarist, songwriter Carlos Lyra, full name Carlos Eduardo Lyra Barbosa, passed away ~ Helped define bossa nova. Among the first songwriters to be recorded by João Gilberto. Frequent songwriting collaborator of Ronaldo Bôscoli, Geraldo Vandré, Vinicius de Moraes. Known for songs such as Quanda Chegares, Criticando, Voce E Eu, Lobo Bobo, Aruanda, and Quem Quiser Encontrar O Amor ~ Lyra was born in 1939
December 15, 2023 ~ Rock drummer Colin Burgess, full name Colin John Burgess, passed away ~ Member of Masters Apprentices from 1968 until its disbandement in 1972, present on most of the band's best known including the hit singles 5:10 Man, Think About Tomorrow Today, Turn Up Your Radio, and Because I Love You. Following the band's disbandement Burgess would serve as the original drummer for AC/DC, remaining with the band joining the band late 1973 and fired early 1974 for appearing drunk on stage ~ Burgess was born in 1946
December 12, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author Ole Paus, full name Ole Christian Paus, passed away ~ Actively recording since the early-1970s. Regarded as Norway's premier troubadour, described as the Norwegian counterpart to Bob Dylan and as “the Voice of the Nation”. Best known for songs such as Innerst I Sjelen and Engler I Sneen. Frequent collaborator of Ketil Bjørnstad. Father of classical composer Marcus Paus, with whom he has also worked ~ Paus was born in 1947
December 11, 2023 ~ Sandra Elayne Hurvitz, commonly known as avant-garde jazz, folk-jazz, blues singer, pianist, guitarist, mandolinist Essra Mohawk, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Signed to Reprise Records after being discovered by label executive Mo Ostin, which resulted in the highly acclaimed Primordial Lovers album released in 1970, featuring top-notch backing musicians such as Doug Hastings, Dallas Taylor, and James Zitro. Though never becoming a household name, Mohawk has recorded well through the 2000s to critical acclaim and a devoted following. Best known for songs such as Sufferin' Till Suffrage and Interjections. Songs written or co-written by Hurvitz have been recorded by the likes of Vanilla Fudge, Bobby & the Midnites (Haze), Cyndi Lauper (Change Of Heart), Tina Turner, Lorrie Morgan, Diana Ross, and Rita Coolidge (What's It Gonna Be) ~ Hurvitz was born in 1948
December 11, 2023 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist Jeffrey Foskett passed away ~ Member of 1970s outfit the Pranks. Best known for his association with Brian Wilson, serving as touring and session musician for Wilson solo and the Beach Boys since the 1980s. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the 1996 Thru My Window album regarded by some as “the best Beach Boys album they never recorded”, and has toured or recorded with Jeff Larson, John Blakeley, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra, and Harry Shearer ~ Foskett was born in 1956
December 11, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Richard Kerr, full name Richard Buchanan Kerr, passed away ~ Though a fine singer in his own right, recording some half dozen albums starting in the early-1970s, best known as a songwriter, notably co-writing several of Barry Manilow's most endearing tracks including Mandy, Looks Like We Made It, and Where Are They Now. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Kerr include Millie Jackson (A Fool's Affair), Natalie Cole, Don Partridge, the Glass Bottle (Follow Me), Jennifer Warnes, Roy Orbison, Dionne Warwick (I'll Never Love This Way Again), Helen Reddy, Bonnie Raitt, John Denver (Don't Close Your Eyes Tonight), and Tyrone Davis ~ Kerr was born in 1944
December 8, 2023 ~ R&B, funk, disco singer, songwriter Nidra Beard passed away ~ Co-lead singer for disco outfit Dynasty active throughout the late-1980s, known for songs such as I Don't Want To Be A Freak (But I Can't Help It), I've Just Begun To Love You, Do Me Right, and Groove Control. Beard wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's songs, as well as for others including the Whispers, Shalamar (A Night To Remember), 7th Wonder, and 911 ~ Beard was born ca.1952
December 6, 2023 ~ Jazz pianist Michel Sardaby passed away in Paris, France ~ After relocating to France in the mid-1960s, became a fixture on the Paris jazz scene, working alongside artists such as Errol Parker, Stuart de Silva, and Aaron Bridgers. Over a dozen albums to his name, especially noted for his 1970 Night Cap sophomore album featuring backing from Percy Heath and Connie Kay. Other notable collaborators include Billy Cobham, Ray Barretto, Rufus Reid, Ralph Moore, and Tony Reedus. To blues audiences perhaps best known for guesting on T-Bone Walker's acclaimed 1969 Good Feelin' album ~ Sardaby was born in 1935
December 5, 2023 ~ Brian Frederick Arthur Hines, commonly known as pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Denny Laine passed away in Naples, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Moody Blues, present on the band's 1965 The Magnificent Moodies debut album. Sang lead on the band's first hit, Go Now, which would top the charts in their native UK in 1965 and reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Laine would depart the band in 1966 and be replaced by Justin Hayward. Perhaps best known for his association with Paul McCartney, serving as member of McCartney's backing unit Wings from 1971 through 1981. Also co-wrote Mull Of Kintyre with McCartney. Laine has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, noted for his 1976 Holly Days sophomore album, and worked with the Electric String Band, Balls, Ginger Baker, Colin Blunstone, and Carmine Appice ~ Hines was born in 1944
December 3, 2023 ~ Miles Francis Goodwin, commonly known as rock, pop, hard rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Myles Goodwyn, passed away in Halifax, Canada ~ Lead singer, main songwriter, co-founding and sole constant member of April Wine, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums. The band would enjoy popularity especially during the 1970s and early-1980s, moving from garage rock to commercially viable rock, hard rock. They are best known for hits such as Tonite Is A Wonderful Time To Fall In Love, The Whole World's Goin' Crazy, and You Won't Dance With Me, all of which reached top 10 in their native Canada. The singles You Could Have Been A Lady, Roller, and Just Between You And Me would also reach top 40 Billboard Hot 100. Goodwyn released his eponymous Myles Goodwyn solo debut album in 1988 ~ Goodwin was born in 1948
November 30, 2023 ~ Punk rock singer Shane MacGowan, full name Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan, passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Lead singer of the Pogues from its inception in 1982 through 1991, rejoined in 2001. Merging the raw energy and anger of punk with Irish folk and instrumentation the band rose to fame in the 1980s, and would become especially acclaimed for the albums Rum Sodomy & The Lash and If I Should Fall From Grace With God. MacGowan was also a member of the Nipple Erectors and of the Popes, and has collaborated with Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Steve Earle, the Jesus & Mary Chain, the Dropkick Murphys, Sinéad O'Connor, and Ronnie Drew ~ MacGowan was born in 1957
November 29, 2023 ~ Punk rock guitarist Scott Kempner passed away in Connecticut, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member, longtime rhythm guitarist for the Dictators, with whom he recorded four albums including the acclaimed Go Girl Crazy released in 1975. Kempner also co-founded the Del-Lords, played with the Brandos, and released the critically acclaimed Tenement Angels solo album in 1992 ~ Kempner was born in 1954
November 28, 2023 ~ Jazz pianist John Colianni, full name John Kelly Colianni, passed away in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First got interested in music after watching Duke Ellington perform. Backed Lionel Hampton during the early-1980s. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, especially acclaimed for John Colianni & Company released in 1998. As a sideman, Colianni has appeared on albums by Mel Tormé, Spider Saloff, Scott Whitfield, Ben Tucker, Toni Ballard (I'm Your Pal), Holly Shelton, Muriel Anderson, and Marshall McDonald ~ Colianni was born in 1962
November 26, 2023 ~ Pop rock, psychedelic rock, jazz rock guitarist Brian Godding passed away ~ Member of 1960s rock outfits the Blossom Toes and BB Blunder before John McLaughlin's Extrapolation album turned him to jazz. Member of Keith Tippett's 1970s band Centipede. Member of jazz fusion group Mirage. Frequent collaborator of Mike Westbrook. Frequent songwriting partner of Kevin Coyne. Has also worked with Julie Driscoll, Solid Gold Cadillac, Annette Peacock, and Lol Coxhill. Godding released his sole solo album, Slaughter On Shaftesbury Avenue, in 2004 ~ Godding was born in 1945
November 26, 2023 ~ Kevin Walker, commonly known as post-punk, gothic rock, new wave guitarist Geordie Walker, passed away in Prague, Czech Republic ~ Earned his nickname for his northeastern “Geordie” accent. First got into music at age eight, mesmerized by Love Sculpture's Sabre Dance. Co-founding member of Killing Joke, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums since its inception in the late-1970s. The post-punk outfit would enjoy popularity especially during the mid-1980s and are best known for Love Like Blood, a UK top 20 hit taken off their 1985 Night Time album. Walker has also played with industrial supergroups Murder Inc and Damage Manual ~ Walker was born in 1958
November 25, 2023 ~ Keyboardist, saxophonist Les Maguire, full name Leslie Charles Maguire, passed away ~ Played the saxophone for Liverpool pop group the Undertakers. Joined Gerry & the Pacemakers in 1961, replacing original pianist Arthur Mack, and remained with the band through 1966. Appeared on most of the band's best known including How Do You Do It, I Like It, You'll Never Walk Alone, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying, and Ferry Cross The Mersey, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK ~ Maguire was born in 1941
November 22, 2023 ~ Jean Audrey Caliste, commonly known as soul, R&B, funk singer Jean Knight, passed away ~ Known for her Stax/Volt single Mr Big Stuff, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1971. The single sold two million copies and was nominated for a Grammy Award but lost to Aretha Franklin's Bridge Over Troubled Water though. Knight would continue to record into the 1980s but was unable to repeat her earlier success ~ Knight was born in 1943
November 22, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist Jim Salestrom, full name James Kevin Salestrom, passed away in Arvado, Colorado, USA ~ Co-founded, fronted country-folk rock outfit Timberline. Member of the Wild Jimbos. Also closely associated with Dolly Parton, backing Parton from 1979 through 1991. Wrote It's Too Soon To Let Our Love End, recorded by Mary MacGregor in 1977 ~ Salestrom was born in 1956
November 21, 2023 ~ Jazz, tango, nuevo tango guitarist, composer Horacio Malvicino passed away ~ Studied medicine but decided to pursue a career in music, bitten by the jazz, tango bug playing in the renowned jazz club the Bop Club Argentino in Buenos Aires. Influenced by Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, and Benny Goodman. Most closely associated with Astor Piazzolla, including in Piazzolla's pioneering 1950s nuevo tango line-ups. Malvicino would lead several ensembles from the 1960s onward, notably the Horacio Malvicino Jazz Quintet, and has composed numerous soundtracks ~ Malvicino was born in 1929
November 20, 2023 ~ Rock, hip hop, funk, jazz saxophonist Mars Williams passed away ~ Influenced by Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker. Closely associated with Hal Russell, Ken Vandermark, and the NRG Ensemble. An in-demand sideman, Williams has appeared on albums by Fred Frith (Speechless), the Waitresses, Billy Idol (Rebel Yell), the Psychedelic Furs (Mirror Moves), Power Station, Die Warzau, Sister Machine Gun, Nikki Sudden, Peter Brötzmann (Short Visit To Nowhere), Wayne Kramer, and Ike Reilly (We Belong To The Staggering Evening). Described as “one of the true saxophone players” by John Zorn, who once commented: “Williams is someone who takes pleasure in the sheer act of blowing the horn. His tremendous enthusiasm is an essential part of his sound, and it comes through each note every time he plays.” ~ Williams was born in 1955
November 16, 2023 ~ George Melvin Brown, commonly known as drummer, guitarist, keyboardist George Funky Brown, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding, longtime member of R&B, funk, disco outfit Kool & the Gang, with whom he recorded well over two dozen albums. The band is best known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Jungle Boogie, Ladies Night, and Celebration, all co-written by Brown. Brown retired from performing in 2023, diagnosed with lung cancer. Looking back on his lengthy career, Brown commented: “When you do music that's happy music, that's what it does. It brings people to the clubs to have a good time. And that's what we do. We say our prayer before we leave, and we say, let's go make some people happy.” ~ Brown was born in 1949
November 16, 2023 ~ Organist, pianist, keyboardist Peter Solley passed away ~ Backed artists such as Chris Farlowe, Terry Reid, and Arthur Brown throughout the early-1970s. Co-founding member of Paladin, known for the critically acclaimed albums Paladin and its follow-up Charge. Member of Fox, with whom he scored the mid-1970s UK top 20 hits Only You Can, Imagine Me Imagine You, and S-s-s-single Bed. Solley has also appeared on albums by Snafu, Gravy Train, Keith Christmas, Dave Cartwright, Procol Harum, Pat Travers, Al Stewart (Time Passages), Wreckless Eric, Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons, Johnny Warman (Hour Glass), the Romantics (The Romantics), and Eric Clapton ~ Solley was born in 1948
November 11, 2023 ~ Actress, singer Conny Van Dyke, sometimes credited as Connie Van Dyke, passed away ~ Best known as an actress and TV personality, notably starring in the neo noir film Framed, she also had the distinction of being one of the first white singers to be signed to Motown in the early-1960s, while still only in her mid-teens. She cut a few sides for the label, Oh Freddy and It Hurt Me Too, the latter penned and first recorded by Marvin Gaye, before by her own account her music career came to an end after her mother became concerned she might become romantically attracted to one of her black labelmates. Van Dyke recorded two albums in the mid-1970s as a country artist, Conny Van Dyke and Conny Van Dyke Sings For You, but with lack of promotion her music did not get much attention ~ Van Dyke was born in 1945
November 11, 2023 ~ Singer Luis Carlos Gil passed away ~ Formed the trio Trigo Limpio with Iñaki de Pablo and Amaya Saizar, the latter later replaced by Patricia Fernández. The trio enjoyed popularity during the 1970s and 1980s, recording about half a dozen albums. Internationally they are best known for representing their native Spain at the 1980 Eurovision Songfestival, where they reached 12th place with Quédate Esta Noche ~ Gil was born ca.1951
November 9, 2023 ~ Producer Jim Vienneau, full name James Francis Vienneau, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for producing It's Only Make Believe for Conway Twitty. It would be Conway's breakout hit, reaching No.1 Billboard Hot 100 in 1958, and has become a classic of the genre recorded by over a hundred artists including Johnny Burnette, Paul Anka, Glen Campbell, Lynn Anderson, and Ronnie McDowell. Twitty would re-record the song as a duet with Loretta Lynn in 1971. Other well known songs produced by Vienneau include Vacation for Connie Francis, Teen Angel for Mark Dinning, and Whole Lotta Woman for Marvin Rainwater. Vienneau has also worked with Hank Williams Jr, Roy Orbison, Bob Gallion, Mel Tillis, and Billy Thunderkloud ~ Vienneau was born in 1926
November 6, 2023 ~ Indie pop singer Sean Martin passed away ~ Lead singer for indie pop outfit the Night Café, formed with childhood friends while still in school. The band was named for the Vincent van Gogh painting of the same name, originally titled Le Café de Nuit. The band has opened for Sundara Karma and the Wombats, released their Get Away From The Feeling debut EP in 2017, followed by a full-length 0151 debut album in 2019. Well-known songs include Growing Up and Addicted ~ Martin was born ca.1997
November 5, 2023 ~ Conductor, arranger Donald Hunsberger, full name Donald Ross Hunsberger, passed away in Pittsford, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, serving as the group's conductor from 1965, succeeding Clyde Roller, through 2002. During his tenure with the ensemble, Hunsberger conducted numerous recordings including notably with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, and helped establish the principles of the wind ensemble concept. Hunsberger is also known for arranging transciptions of orchestral music for concert band, including works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Claudio S Grafulla, Aram Khachaturian, and John Williams' Star Wars film score ~ Hunsberger was born in 1932
November 3, 2023 ~ Rock bassist Pete Garner passed away ~ Original bassist for the Stone Roses. Garner remained with the band from 1983 through 1987, appearing on several of the band's early singles including So Young, Tell Me, and the UK top 10 hit Elephant Stone, prior to the band's rise to fame, sans Garner, in the late-1980s. Upon hearing of his death the band's lead singer Ian Brown commented: “Few loved music as much as Pete. He had been bathing in music since Anarchy In The UK came out. Pete was off the scale nice, an old nice that you just don't get no more.” ~ Garner was born ca.1962
November 2, 2023 ~ Jazz clarinetist Michel Pilz passed away ~ Especially acclaimed for Carpathes, a collaborative album with bassist Peter Kowald and drummer Paul Lovens released in 1978. Closely associated with Manfred Schoof, playing intermittently with the trumpeter from the late-1960s through the 1980s. Other notable associations include Alexander von Schlippenbach, the Globe Unity Orchestra (Globe Unity 67 & 70), and Guru Guru ~ Pilz was born in 1945
November 1, 2023 ~ Trumpeter, bandoneonist, conductor, composer Pierre Dutour passed away ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong. Has served in orchestras led by Henri Lovel, Alix Combelle, Aimé Barelli, and Claude Bolling. Composed the soundtrack to the 1974 British drama film Feelings. Dutour has also guested on albums by Nino Ferrer, Claudio Baglioni, Michel Sardou, Anne Sylvestre, and Dalida ~ Dutour was born in 1931
October 30, 2023 ~ Pop rock, gospel, R&B drummer Aaron Spears passed away ~ Session drummer active since the early-2000s, appearing on albums by Lady Gaga, Usher (Confessions), Distinguished, Miley Cyrus, JoAnn Rosario, Chaka Khan, DeWayne Woods (My Life's Lyrics), Tiziano Ferro, and Ariana Grande. On the TV side, Spears served as house drummer for the pilot of NBC's 2019 Songland songwriting competition show, and as music coordinator for the third season of The Masked Singer singing competition, aired on Fox in 2020 ~ Spears was born ca.1976
October 28, 2023 ~ Country singer, songwriter Bill Rice, full name Wilburn Steven Rice, passed away in Merritt Island, Florida, USA ~ As a singer charted about half a dozen singles on the Billboard Country charts throughout the 1970s, most notably Travelin' Minstrel Man which reached top 40. Best known as a songwriter though, his songs recorded by the likes of Johnny Paycheck, Jeannie C Riley (Back Side Of Dallas), Reba McEntire (I'm Not That Lonely Yet), Mickey Gilley (Here Comes The Hurt Again), Charley Pride, Elvis Presley (The Girl Next Door Went A-Walking), Hank Williams Jr, Patty Loveless (Lonely Too Long), and Jerry Lee Lewis ~ Rice was born in 1939
October 26, 2023 ~ Rigobert Bamundele, commonly known as soukous guitarist, songwriter Rigo Star, passed away ~ In-demand session guitarist on the French and African world music scenes from the mid-1980s onward. Appeared on albums by Koffi Olomidé, Papa Wemba, M'bilia Bel (Yalowa), Oliver N'Goma, Guy Lobe, Bibi Dens, Elles, and Madilu System. Notably present on Paul Simon's acclaimed 1990 The Rhythm Of The Saints album. Star has occasionally recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 1998 Attention album featuring singer Sam Mangwana ~ Bamundele was born in 1955
October 24, 2023 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal drummer Steve Riley passed away ~ Best known as a member of WASP during the mid to late-1980s, recording three albums with the band, and as a longtime member of the LA Guns, present on the band's best known including the 1988 LA Guns debut album, and its 1989 Cocked And Loaded follow-up. Riley can also be heard on albums by Roadmaster, Open Hand, George Lynch, and Bulletboys ~ Riley was born in 1956
October 23, 2023 ~ Pop rock, trip hop guitarist Angelo Bruschini passed away ~ Member of pop rock unit the Blue Aeroplanes during the late-1980s, early-1990s, present on albums such as Swagger and Beatsongs. Member of trip-hoppers Massive Attack, including on 1998's Mezzanine and 2003's 100th Window, both acclaimed albums. Bruschini is also known for producing Strangelove's eponymous 1997 Strangelove album, which spawned the UK top 40 single The Greatest Show On Earth ~ Bruschini was born ca.1961
October 22, 2023 ~ Bassist, songwriter Gregg Sutton passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Lone Justice. Probably best known for co-writing Stop, Sam Brown's breakthrough hit. Used as the title track and sophomore single of her 1988 debut album, the track would initially only have modest success. Its re-release the following year, however, reached top 10 in over a dozen countries, including her native UK, and catapulted the singer to fame. Others who recorded songs co-written by Sutton include Joe Cocker, Maria McKee (Breathe), Prairie Oyster, the Jeff Healey Band, Curtis Stigers, Charles & Eddie, Billy Ray Cyrus (How Much), and the Bonedaddys ~ Sutton was born in 1949
October 19, 2023 ~ Mark Howard James, commonly known as hip hop DJ, producer the 45 King, passed away ~ His stagename comes from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records. First gained attention with his 1987 breakbeat track The 900 Number, featuring a looping of a sax solo from Marva Whitney's 1968 Unwind Yourself recording. Not only did his breakbeat track land him a production deal, it would become a hip hop classic sampled by numerous artists. James is also especially acclaimed for his extensive work on Queen Latifah's 1989 All Hail The Queen debut album, serving as co-producer, co-songwriter on nearly half the album's tracks including Dance For Me ~ James was born in 1961
October 19, 2023 ~ Lars Nils Berghagen, commonly known as pop, schlager singer, guitarist Lasse Berghagen, passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Married to singer, actress Lill Babs during the 1960s, with whom he has a daughter singer, actress Malin Berghagen. Known for songs such as Teddybjörnen Fredriksson, En Enkel Sång Om Frihet, Hålligang I Skogen, and Du Som Vandrar Genom Livet. Internationally known for representing Sweden at the 1975 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 8th place with Jennie Jennie ~ Berghagen was born in 1945
October 18, 2023 ~ Rock, power pop singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Dwight Twilley passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Known best for two Billboard Hot 100 top 20 singles, I'm On Fire in 1975 with his backing unit the Dwight Twilley Band, and Girls in 1984. The latter would feature labelmate Tom Petty providing counterpoint vocals ~ Twilley was born in 1951
October 17, 2023 ~ Lovella May Borg, commonly known as jazz, free jazz pianist, composer Carla Bley, passed away ~ Over two dozen albums to her name as a leader or co-leader, best known for her 1971 Escalator Over The Hill jazz opera. Married to pianist Paul Bley, who encouraged her to compose, from 1957 to 1964. Married to trumpeter Michael Mantler from 1965 to 1991. Considering herself “99% composer and 1% pianist” Bley would become especially renowned as a composer, writing pieces such as Bent Eagle recorded by George Russell, Ictus recorded by Jimmy Giuffre, and Sing Me Softly Of The Blues recorded by Art Farmer. To rock audiences known for her association with Pink Floyd-drummer Nick Mason, producing, writing all the material of and playing piano on Mason's Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports solo debut album, which also featured Soft Machine's Robert Wyatt on vocals ~ Borg was born in 1936