Rock Star Death Notices - May 2011
Matt LaPorte, Poly Styrene, Phoebe Snow, Randy Wood, Roger Nichols, and more
Rockstar Death Notices - April 2011
Emmy (Elsina Hidersha) - Died 2-28-2011 in Tirana, Albania - Hit by a car allegedly driven by her ex-boyfriend (Pop) Born 3-15-1989 in Skrapar, Albania - Singer - (She did, “A ma jep” and “Let It Play”).
Charlie Robles (Carlos Robles Gonzalez) - Died 2-28-2011 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (Rock) Born 4-15-1943 in Jayuya, Puerto Rico - Singer and violinist - (He Did, “Anoche no Dormi” and “Amor Universal”) - Worked with Los Romanticos, Leroy Sentiff And The Kandy Men, Paul Kohen And The Society Twisters and for Alfred D. Herger Productions.
John Pickering (John Winton Pickering) - Died 2-28-2011 in Houston,, TX, U.S. - Complications following a stroke (Rock) He was 77 years old - Singer - Was a member of The Picks who overdubed harmony backup vocals for Buddy Holly And The Crickets (“Oh Boy” and “Maybe Baby”) - New Mexico Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Roc Dukati (Jamie Lee) - Died 3-2-2011 in Boston, MA, U.S. - Shot (Rap) He was 29 years old - (He did, “How Ya Living”).
Erling Kroner - Died 3-2-2011 in Copenhagen, Denmark - Cancer (Jazz - Rock - Avantgarde) Born 4-6-1943 in Copenhagen, Denmark - Trombonist - Worked with The Beijbom-Kroner Big Band, The Bari-Bone Connection, The Dixieland Stompers, John Tchicai and Melvis And His Gentlemen, Leif Johanssons, White Orange and The DR Big Band.
Monte Owens (Monteith P. Owens) - Died 3-3-2011 in the Bronx, New York, U.S. - Illness (Doo-Wop) Born 3-31-1936 - Guitarist and singer - Was a member of The Mello-Moods (They did, “Where Are You” and “I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night”) and The Solitaires (They did,“Blue Valentine” and “Ghost Of A Chance”) - Worked with The Caverliers and Jimmy Castor.
Johnny Preston (Johnny Preston Courville) - Died 3-4-2011 in Beaumont, TX, U.S. - Heart failure (Pop - Rock) Born 8-18-1939 in Port Arthur, TX, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “Running Bear” and “Cradle Of Love”) - Worked with The Shades.
Cato Walker (Cato T. Walker III) - Died 3-4-2011 - He was 61 years old - Saxophonist, manager and promoter - Worked with Lou Rawls, The Bar-Kays and B.B. King - Ran the record label, Strick 9.
Duane Nelson - Found dead 3-6-2011 - He was 52 years old - He was the head of security for his brother Prince’s Paisley Park company and tours.
Herman Ernest (Herman Roscoe Ernest III) - Did 3-6-2011 - Cancer (Funk - Jazz) He was 59 years old - Percussionist - Worked with Dr. John’s Lower 911, Jeremy Davenport and Kermit Ruffins.
Bobby Phillips - Died 3-6-2011 (Doo-Wop) Singer - Was a member of The Carnations who became The Cadillacs (They did, “Gloria” and “Speedo”).
Carl Rainge (Parmaley Rainge) - Died 3-6-2011 in Columbus,TN, U.S. - Illness (Doo-Wop) He was 74 years old - Singer - Was a member of The Spaniels - (They did, “You’re Gonna Cry,” and “Peace Of Mind”).
Arnie Carruthers - Died 3-7-2011 n Spokane Valley - Bladder cancer (Jazz) He was 81 years old - Pianist - Worked with The Don Lawrence Orchestra.
Mike Starr (Michael Christopher Starr) - Found dead 3-8-2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. (Grunge) Born 4-4-1966 in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. - Bassist and singer - Was a member of Diamond Lie who became Alice In Chains (They did, “It Ain’t Like That” and “Confusion”) - Worked with Sun Red Sun (They did, “Final Curtain” and “Lock Me Up”).
Bernard Lee (Bernard St. Clair Lee) - Died 3-8-2011 in Lake Elsinore, CA, U.S. (R&B) Born 1944 in San Francisco, CA, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Hues Corporation (They did, “Freedom For The Stallion” and “Rock The Boat”).
Rita Guerrero - Died 3-11-2011 - Breast cancer (Rock) She was 47 years old - Singer - Was a member of Santa Sabina (They did, “El angel” and “La Daga”).
Hugh Martin - Died 3-11-2011 in Encinitas, California, U.S. - Born 8-11-1914 in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. - Composer and vocal coach - (Co-wrote, “The Trolley Song” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”) - Worked with Judy Garland.
Joe Morello (Joseph A. Morello) - Died 3-12-2011 Irvington, NJ, U.S. (Jazz) Born 7-17-1928 in Springfield, MA, U.S. - Drummer - Worked with The Boston Symphony Orchestra, Hank Garland And The Grand Old Opry, Tal Farlow, Stan Kenton, Phil Woods, Whitey Bernard, Art Pepper, Howard McGhee, Marian McPartland and The Dave Brubeck Quartet (“Blue Rondo A La Turk” and “Take Five”).
Earl Murphy - Died 3-12-2011 - Heart attack (Western Swing) Born 6-21-1917 in Saline County, Mo., U.S. - Fiddler and guitarist - Worked with Strung Jury, The Normaltown Flyers and Southern Crescent.
Glyn Thomas (aka Eddie G Marten) Died 3-?-2011 (Rock) He was 68 years old - Singer - Led Eddie G Marten And The Falcons and The Sabres.
Ritchie Pickett (Ritchie Francis Pickett) - Died 3-13-2011 (Country - Rock) Born 2-16-1955 in Morrinsville, New Zealand - Singer, keyboardist and guitarist - Led Snuff and Ritchie Pickett And The Inlaws - Was a member of The Fat Band, Stingray Martini’s Excellent Duckbeast, The Jones Boys and The Disturbance - Worked with The Rattler, Graffiti and Think.
Melvin Sparks - Died 3-13-2011 in Mount Vernon, New York, U.S (Jazz - Blues - R&B) Born 3-22-1946 in Houston, Texas, U.S. - Guitarist - Worked with Johnny Hammond Smith, Hank Ballard And The Midnighters, The Upsetters, Sonny Stitt, Rusty Bryant, Jack McDuff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charles Earland, Leon Spencer, Jimmy Witherspoon, Hank Crawford, Red Holloway, Sonny Stitt and Lou Donaldson.
Owsley Stanley (Augustus Owsley Stanley III) (aka Bear) - Died 3-13-2011 near Mareeba, Queensland, Australia - Car accident - Born 1-19-1936 in Kentucky, U.S. - Sound engineer for The Grateful Dead - Made live recordings of Johnny Cash, Blue Cheer, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother And The Holding Company, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix,Taj Mahal and Santana - Known for his Wall Of Sound system and manufacturing mass quantities of LSD.
Big Jack Johnson - Died 3-14-2011 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. (Blues) Born 7-30-1940 in Lambert, Mississippi, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of Frank Frost And The Night Hawks, Big Jack Johnson And The Oilers and The Jelly Roll Kings (They did, “The Jelly Roll King” and “Catfish Blues”).
Todd Cerney - Died 3-14-2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. - Melanoma (Rock - Country - Blues) Born 8-8-1953 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. - Sang and played guitar, mandolin, harmonica and keyboards and was a sound engineer - (Co-wrote Steve Holy’s, “Good Morning Beautiful” and The Restless Heart’s, “I’ll Still Be Loving You”) - Worked with The Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, Thom Shepherd And The Nashville Songwriters Band, The Dixie Chicks, Kenny Rogers and Levon Helm - His songs have been recorded by Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Four Tops, Ty Herndon and Cheap Trick.
Ronnie Hammond - Died 3-14-2011 in Forsyth, GA, U.S. - Heart attack (Rock) Born 11-10-1950 - Singer - Was a member of The Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) (They did, “Imaginary Lover” and “So Into You”).
Smiley Culture (David Victor Emmanuel) - Died 3-15-2011 in Warlingham, Surrey, England - Stabbed himself (Reggae) Born 2-10-1963 in South London, England - Singer - (He did, “Cockney Translation” and “Police Officer”).
Nate Dogg (Nathaniel Dwayne Hale) - Died 3-15-2011 in Long Beach, CA, U.S. - Congestive heart failure (Hip Hop - Gospel) Born 8-19-1969 in Long Beach, CA, U.S. - Was a member of 213 (They did, “Groupie Luv” and “So Fly”) - Worked with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Innate Praise.
Musa Juma (Musa Juma Mumbo) - Died 3-15-2011 - Pneumonia (Benga - Rumba) Born 12-6-1946 - Guitarist - Was a member of The Orchestra Limpopo International (They did, “Mercelina” and “Freddy”) - Brother of musician, Omondi Tony.
Armen Halburian - Died 3-16-2011 - He was 77 years old - Percussionist - Worked with Herbie Mann, Dave Liebman, Chick Corea, Steve Gadd, Lenny White, Cissy Houston, Jack DeJohnette and Marion McPartland.
Ferlin Husky (aka Terry Preston and Simon Crum) (Ferlin Eugene Husky) - Died 3-17-2011 - Heart failure (Country - Gospel) Born 12-3-1925 near Flat River, MO, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Wings Of A Dove” and “Gone”) - Worked with Jean Shepard (“Dear John Letter”) - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Jet Harris (Terence Harris) - Died 3-18-2011 in Winchester, England - Throat cancer (Rock - Jazz - Skiffle) Born 7-6-1939 in Kingsbury, North London, England - Played guitar and bass - (He did, “It Bites” and “Shot To Pieces”) - Was a member of The Drifters who became The Shadows (They did, “Apache” and “Guitar Tango”) - Worked with Tony Crombie, The School Band, The Vipers Skiffle Group, The Delinquents, The Most Brothers and Tony Meehan.
Kym Bonython (Hugh Reskymer Bonython) - Died 3-19-2011 (Jazz) Born 9-15-1920 - Drummer, radio broadcaster and promoter - As a promoter he delt with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong and The Beatles.
Argentino Luna (Rodolfo Gimenez) (aka El Negro and El Gaucho de Madariaga) - Died 3-19-2011 in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Folk) Born 6-21-1941 in General Madariaga, Argentina - Guitarist and singer - (He wrote, “Mire que lindo es mi país paisano” and “Desde el recuerdo te canto”).
Aashid Himons (Archie P. Himons) (aka West Virginia Slim) - Died 3-19-2011 (Reggae - R&B - Blues) He was 68 years old - (He did, “All I Have To Do”) - Was a member of The Unpredictable Parliaments, Little Archie And The Majestics and Afrikan Dreamland.
Ake Johansson - Died 3-19-2011 (Jazz) Born 1937 in Boras - Pianist - Worked with Archie Shepp, Rolf Billberg, Dexter Gordon, Opposite Corner, CBQ and Leo Wright.
Lew Gurow - Died 3-19-2011 - Cancer - Born 5-8-1949 - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of Ariel.
Kurt Hauenstein - Died 3-20-2011 in Vienna - Possible heart problem (Pop - Dance) Born 1-14-1949 in Vienna - Sang and played bass and keyboards - Was a member of Supermax (They did, “Love Machine” and “World Of Today”) - Son of lyricist, Hans Hauenstein.
Ralph Mooney - Died 3-20-2011 in Kennedale, Texas, U.S. - Complications of cancer (Country) Born 9-16-1928 in Duncan, Oklahoma, U.S. - Played steel guitar - (Co-wrote, “Crazy Arms”) - Worked with Buck Owens, Wynn Stewart, Wanda Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard.
Johnny Pearson (John Valmore Pearson) - Died 3-20-2011 (Pop - Jazz) Born 6-18-1925 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England - Pianist - Worked with The Rhythm Makers, The Malcolm Mitchell Trio, The Romance In Rhythm Orchestra, The Peter York Concert Orchestra, Cilla Black and The Top Of The Pops Orchestra.
Pinetop Perkins (Joseph William Perkins) - Died 3-21-2011 in Austin, Texas, U.S. (Blues) Born 7-7-1913 in Belzoni, Mississippi, U.S. - Singer and pianist - Worked with Robert Nighthawk, Earl Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson, Hubert Sumlin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Muddy Waters - Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Loleatta Holloway - Died 3-21-2011 - Heart failure (Disco - Gospel - R&B) Born 11-5-1946 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Singer - (She did, “Hit and Run” and “Love Sensation”) - Worked with The Caravans, Bunny Sigler, Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch and Dan Hartman - She was married to producer, Floyd Smith.
Frankie Sparcello (aka Shaggy) - Died 3-22-2011 (Metal) Bassist - Worked with Exhorder.
Zoogz Rift (Robert Pawlikowski) - Died 3-22-2011 - Complications of diabetes (Experimental Rock) Born 7-10-1953 in Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. - Singer, guitarist and wrestler - (He did, “Heart Attack” and “Hi Mom I’m Home”).
Syd Kitchen - Died 3-23-2011 in Durban - Cancer - He was 60 years old - Singer and guitarist - He was half of the duo, The Kitchen Brothers - Was a member of Harry Was A Snake, Equinox, Syd Kitchen And The Utensils, Aquarian Quartet and The Flying Sombreros.
Ken Arcipowski - Died 3-23-2011 (Rock) Singer - Was a member of Jr. & The Counts, Randy & The Rainbows (They did, “Denise” and “Little Star”), The Triangle, Them And Us and Madison Street.
Mitch Dubey (Mitchell Dubey) - Died 3-24-2011 - Shot (Punk) He was 23 years old - Played bass, guitar, saxophone and trumpet - Worked with Swear Jar, Musth and The Flaming Tsunamis.
Joe Taylor - Died 3-24-2011 (Country) He was 89 years old - Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, U.S. - Singer - Led The Red Birds.
Sir Lattimore Brown - Died 3-25-2011 in Pensacola, FL, U.S. - Hit by a car (Blues) Singer - (He did, “I Wish I Felt This Way At Home” and “It Hurts Me So”).
Aleksandr Barykin (Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Barykin) - Died 3-26-2011 in Orenburg, Russia - Heart attack (Rock) Born 2-18-1952 in Beryozovo Village of the Tyumen Region, USSR - Singer, bassist and guitarist - Worked with Dynamik and Karnawal - Collaborated with Vladimir Kuzmin, Igor Nikolaev, Alla Pugacheva and David Tukhmanov.
Carl Bunch - Died 3-26-2011 - Diabetes (Rock) Born 11-24-1939 in Big Spring, Texas, U.S. - Drummer - Worked with Ronnie Smith And The Poor Boys, Buddy Holly, Hank Williams, Jr. and Roy Orbison.
Lula Cortes (Luis Augusto Martins Cortes) - Died 3-27-2011 in Recife, Brazil - Throat cancer (Rock ) He was 61 years old - Singer and guitarist - Worked with Ze Ramalho (They did, “Pedra Templo Animal” and “Maracas de Fogo”).
Bill Griggs (William Frederick Griggs) - Died 3-29-2011 - Cancer - He was 69 years old - Born in Hartford, Conn., U.S. - Music historian - Created Reminiscing and the Rockin’ 50s magazines - Founded The International Buddy Holly Memorial Society - He produced the first of 11 annual Buddy Holly Conventions in Lubbock, Texas that reunited The Crickets for the first time since Buddy Holly’s death - West Texas Walk Of Fame Inductee.
Rock Star Death Notices - March 2011
Leroy Harden Smith Jr. - Died 1-30-2011 - Born 12-4-1943, in Roanoke, VA, U.S. - Musician - Worked with The Roanoke Band, Woodsmoke, The Roanoke River Boys, The Vikings and Coda.
Doc Williams (Andrew John Smik Jr.) - Died 1-31-2011 in Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S. (Country) Born 6-26-1914 in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “Willie Roy The Crippled Boy” and “My Old Brown Coat And Me”) - Led Doc Williams And The Border Riders - Worked with The Kansas Clodhoppers - Founded Wheeling Records - He was married to singer, Chickie Williams.
Charles Kaman (Charles H. Kaman) - Died 1-31-2011 in Bloomfield, Connecticut, U.S. - Born 6-15-1919 - Founded Ovation Instruments that became the Ovation Guitar Company which introduced one of the first production solid body electric guitars, the Ovation Breadwinner, used by Jimmy Page, Richie Sambora, John Lennon, Country Joe McDonald, Ray Davies, Robert Fripp, Roger Waters, Nikki Sixx and Melissa Ethridge - He also founded Kaman Aircraft Company, designing helicopters.
Mark Ryan (aka The Kid) - Died 1-31-2011 (Punk) Born 1959 in London, England - Guitarist and playwright - Worked with Adam And The Ants (They did, “Plastic Surgery”), The Photons and The Moors Murderers.
Dirk Strahlmeier (aka Strahli) - Died 1-?-2011 n Dusseldorf, Germany (Metal) Guitarist - Worked with Sodom (They did, “Masquerade in Blood” and “Unwanted Youth”).
Matt Paquette - Died 2-?-2011 (Metal) Born 1991 - Singer - Was a member of Beheading Of A King.
Larry Weiss (Lawrence Edward Weiss) - Died 2-?-2011 (Jazz) He was 83 years old - Born in Newark, NJ, U.S. - Played cornet and piano - Worked with Chuck Slate’s Traditional Jazz Band, Bob Thompson’s Red Onion Jazz Band, Joe Licari and Bobby Hackett - Founding member of The New Jersey Jazz Society.
Sidney Cipriano (aka Sidney Sinay) - Died 2-1-2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil - Cardiac arrest (Pop - Gospel) He was 46 years old - Singer - Was a member of The Fat Family (They did, “Jeito Sexy” and “Aonde Foi Que Eu Errei ?”).
Jay Richard Funk - Died 2-1-2011 in Mason City - Cancer - Born 12-18-1943 in Mason City - Bassist - Worked with Bill Dewey And The Dynammics.
Rich Ruby (Richard A. Ruby) - Died 2-1-2011 (Rock) He was 53 years old - Singer and guitarist - Worked with Earthband, Syndrum, Excaliber, The Better Half, CPR and Ruby Mac.
Marie Lillo (Marie L. Lillo) - Died 2-1-2011 (Opera - Musicals) Born 12-14-1829 in New Jersey, U.S. - Singer and actress - Starred in the Las Vegas productions of Come Blow Your Horn and Oklahoma.
Gregg Swann - Died 2-1-2011 in the Bronx, NY, U.S. - Colon cancer (Rock) Born 8-30-1966 - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Spinning” and “Easier Said Than Done”).
Sphiwe Khanyile - Died 2-2-2011 (Gospel) Singer - Was a member of Stars Of Tomorrow and Avante.
Vusi Ximba - Died 2-2-2011 in Kwa Swayimane - Born in Mandeni - Played accordion and was a singer and comedian - (He did, “Siyakudumisa” and “Hlonipha Abantwana”) - Worked with with Pastor Makitaza.
James “Chops” Jones (James Floyd Jones) - Died 2-2-2011 (Jazz) He was 94 years old - Trumpeter and bassist - Was a member of The Harold Ford Quartet.
Alex Napier (Miles Alexander Napier) (aka Mr. Blue) - Died 2-3-2011 in Desoto, TX, U.S. - Liver cancer (Rock - R&B) Born 9-27-1951 in Dallas, TX, U.S. - Bassist - Was a member of The Leroi Brothers - Worked with Charlie Sexton, Hook Herrera, Will Sexton and The Cobras with Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Don Butler (Donald W. Butler Sr.) - Died 2-3-2011 in Brentwood - Illness (Gospel) He was 80 years old - Singer - Worked with The Statesmen, The Marksmen, The Ambassadors, The Revelaires and The Sons Of Song - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Tony Levin - Died 2-3-2011 (Jazz) Born 1-30-1940 in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, England - Drummer - Worked with Tubby Hayes, Joe Harriott, The Alan Skidmore Quintet, Al Cohn, Ian Carr’s Nucleus, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Third Eye, Zoot Sims, Paul Dunmall, Toots Thielemanns, Keith Tippett and Gordon Beck’s Gyroscope.
Allen Smith (Frederick Allen Smith, Sr.) - Died 2-3-2011 in San Francisco, CA, U.S. (Jazz) He was 85 years old - Born in Midland, PA, U.S. - Trumpeter - Was a member of The Hellcats Navy Band - Worked with Benny Goodman, Sammy Davis, Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
Yiannis Vasilopoulos - Died 2-4-2011 (Folk - Pop) Born 1938 in Agrinio, Greece - Carinetist.
Barry Hampton (Barry Leroy Hampton) - Died 2-4-2011 in Portland, OR, U.S. (Soul - Rock - Funk) Born 9-16-1968 in Baltimore, MD, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Black Key, The Clampdown and Triple Grip (They did, “Wisdom Sees” and “I Will Live”).
Mary Cleere Haran - Died 2-5-2011 in Deerfield Beach, FL, U.S. - Hit by a car while riding her bike (Cabaret) Born 5-13-1952 in San Francisco, CA, U.S. - Singer - Worked with Richard Rodney Bennett, Tedd Firth, Bill Charlap, Don Rebic, Fred Hersch and Lee Musiker - Appeared in off Broadway’s, Manhattan Music and Heebie Jeebies - At one time married to writer and director, Joe Gilford.
Brian Jacques (James Brian Jacques) - Died 2-5-2011 - Heart attack (Folk) Born 6-15-1939 in Liverpool, England - Singer and author - Was a member of The Liverpool Fishermen.
Gary Moore (Robert William Gary Moore) - Died 2-6-2011 in Costa del Sol, Spain - Heart attack (Rock - Blues) Born 4-4-1952 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK - Singer, guitarist and bassist - Was a member of Scars (They did, “When The Sun Goes Down” and “Rectify”) and Thin Lizzy (“Still In Love With You” and “Toughest Street In Town”) - Worked with B.B. King, The Beach Boys, Ozzy Osbourne, George Harrison, Greg Lake, Albert King, Colosseum II, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Skid Row.
Raymond Jones (Raymond L. Jones) (aka Ray-J) - Died 2-6-2011 (Funk - Soul - Jazz) He was 71 years old - Singer and keyboardist - Worked with Deacon John, Oliver And The Rockettes, The Pin Stripe Brass Band, Big Al Carson And Rare Connection, Sullivan Dabney And The Muzik Jazz Band and Joe Saulsberry.
Steve Lopez (Steven Edward Lopez) - Died 2-6-2011 in Palm Desert (Rock - Jazz - Fusion) Born 6-15-1957 - Bassist and singer - Toured with The Platters.
Evelyn Page - Died 2-6-2011 in Manhattan, NY, U.S. - Natural causes - She was 90 years old - Born in Fremont, Nebraska, U.S. - Singer and actress - She can be heard on the soundtrack recordings for Hot September and Wonderful Town.
Utpalendu Chowdhury - Died 2-7-2011 Kolkata, West Bengal, India - Cancer (Bengali Folk) He was 62 years old - Singer - (He did, “Ganga Gangar Tarange” and “Prem Koro Rai”) - Son of singer, Nirmalendu Chowdhury.
Marvin Sease - Died 2-8-2011 in Vicksburg, MS, U.S. - Pneumonia (R&B - Soul - Gospel) Born 2-16-1946 in Blackville, SC, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “Candy Licker” and “Gone On”) - Was a member of Sease - Worked with The Five Gospel Crowns.
Roza Baglanova (Roza Tazhibaevna Baglanova) - Died 2-8-2011 in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan - Heart attack (Opera - Pop - Folk) Born 1-1-1922 in Kazalinsk, Kzyl-Orda, Oblast - Singer.
Neil Light (Neil H. Light) - Died 2-8-2011 in Ottawa Hills - Renal cancer (Rock) Born 9-23-1953 - Played piano and guitar - Was a member of The Kirbys.
Phillip Griffin (Phillip Wayne Griffin) - Died 2-8-2011 in Spartanburg, SC, U.S. - Born 2-17-1948 in Spartanburg, SC, U.S. - Musician - Worked with Trik Alley, Limelight and The Palisades.
Joan Bonham - Died 2-9-2011 - Illness - She was 81 years old - Singer - Was a member of The Zimmers (They did remakes of, “Lust For Life” and “Fight For Your Right (To Party)”) - Mother of drummer, John Bonham.
Harrison Dietrich (Harrison P. Dietrich) - Died 2-9-2011 in Reading, PA, U.S. (Country Rock) He was 73 years old - Born in Reading, PA, U.S. - Musician - Worked with Borderline.
Ray Bertsch (Raymond A. Bertsch) - Died 2-11-2011 in South Whitehall Township, PA, U.S. (Polka) Bassist and singer - Born in North Whitehall Township, PA, U.S. - Was a member of The Walt Groller Orchestra.
Paul Frappier (aka Bad News Brown, BNB and Briz Brown) - Died 2-12-2011 in Montreal, Canada - Murdered (Hip Hop) Born 5-8-1977 in Haiti - Played harmonica - (He did, “Born 2 Sin” and “Get Money”).
Peter Alexander (Peter Alexander Ferdinand Maximilian Neumayer) - Died 2-12-2011 in Vienna, Austria - Born 6-30-1926 in Vienna, Austria - Actor, TV host and singer - (He did, “Andrea” and “Die sussesten Fruchte”).
Betty Garrett - Died 2-12-2011 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. - Possible aortic aneurysm - Born 5-23-1919 in St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S. - Actress, dancer and singer - Appeared in the movie musicals, On The Town and Take Me Out To The Ball Game - Acted on TV’s, All In The Family and Laverne And Shirley - She was married to actor, Larry Parks.
Manuel Esperon (Manuel Esperon Gonzalez) - Died 2-13-2011 - Born 8-3-1911 in Mexico City, Mexico - Composer - (He wrote, “Yo Soy Mexicano” and “No Volvere”) - His songs have been recorded by Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante, Los Panchos and Chavela Vargas - Wrote music for both TV and films.
Eddie Joe Lewis (aka Eddie Joe Guess) - Died 2-13-2011 in Bettendorf - Cirrhosis (R&B) Born 11-26-1942 - Singer - (He wrote, “Son Of A Twister” for Jack Harris And The Arabians) - Worked with Ike And Tina Turner, The Jackson 5, Double Exposure, The Five Stairsteps, Bobby Taylor And The Vancouvers and The Chi-Lites.
George Shearing (Sir George Shearing) - Died 2-14-2011 in New York, NY, U.S. - Congestive heart failure (Jazz) Born 8-13-1919 in Battersea, London, England - Pianist - Led The George Shearing Quintet (They did, “September In The Rain” and “Lullaby of Birdland”) - Worked with Leonard Feather, Mel Torme, Stephane Grappelli, The Oscar Pettiford Trio, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, The John Pizzarelli Trio, Peggy Lee, Harry Parry, Buddy DeFranco, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson and Saxes ‘n’ Sevens - Performed for presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan and for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
James Phillips - Died 2-14-2011 - Cancer (Swing) He was 49 years old - Saxophonist - Was a member of The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (They did, “Pink Elephant” and “The Ding-Dong Daddy Of The D-CarLine”).
John Strauss (John Leonard Strauss) - Died 2-14-2011 in West Los Angeles - Parkinson’s disease - Born 4-28-1920 in New York, U.S. - Composer and pianist - (He wrote the theme for TV’s, “The Phil Silvers Show” and co-wrote the theme for, “Car 54, Where Are You?”) - Produced the soundtrack for the film Amadeus - Music editor for the films Bananas and The Blues Brothers - He was at one time married to actress, Charlotte Rae.
Eddie Galvan - Died 2-15-2011 (Jazz) He was 83 years old - Played saxophone - Led The Eddie Galvan Orchestra - Co-founded The Texas Jazz Festival - Was a president for The Texas Bandmasters Association and a vice-president for The Texas Jazz Festival Society - Texas Bandmasters Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Matthew Hall (Matthew John Hall) (aka Blaps Warmonger) - Died 2-15-2011 in Johnsonville - Stabbed (Metal) Born 8-22-1975 - Singer - Was a member of Backyard Burial (They did, “Lunatic Ruling Asylum” and “Spunking Batter Chunks”).
Rick Kulwicki - Died 2-15-2011 (Rock) Born 1961 - Guitarist - Was a member of The Fluid (They did, “Candy”) - Worked with Frantix and The Buckingham Squares.
Yiannis Karabesinis - Died 2-15-2011 (Pop) Born 11-29-1931 - Singer and bouzouki player.
Karin Stanek - Died 2-15-2011 in Gemany- Pneumonia (Pop - Rock) Born 8-18-1943 or 1946 in Bytom, Poland - Singer and guitarist - (She did, “Chlopiec z gitara” and “Wala twist”) - Worked with Czerwono-Czarni, The Samuels and Aryston.
Sergio Embrioni - Died 2-17-2011 in El Challao - Hanged himself - He was 50 years old (Rock) Guitarist - Worked with Enanitos Verdes (They did, “Aun sigo cantando”).
Phil Vane - Died 2-17-2011 (Metal) He was 46 years old - Singer - Was a member of Extreme Noise Terror - Worked with Napalm Death.
Marian Bednar - Died 2-17-2011 in Sigmaringen, Germany - Cancer (Pop - Rock) Born 8-12-1947 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia - Bassist, pianist, singer and trombone player - Founding member of The Beatmen (They did, “Let’s Make A Summer” and “Break It”) - Worked with Orchester Brana Hronca (They did, “Zmrzlinar” and “Zlta rieka”) and Night & Day.
Eddie Marie (Eddie Marie Kurgan) - Died 2-18-2011 - Cancer (Country) Born 2-19-1947 in Montgomery, Ala., U.S. - Singer - (She did, “Rock-a-Bye Hillbilly” and “Running Into Your Memory”).
Johnny Nitro (John Newton) - Died 2-19-2011 (Blues) Born 1951 - Guitarist - (He wrote Albert Collins’, “Dirty Dishes”) - Led Johnny Nitro And The Doorslammers (They did, “Flame Out” and “Trouble”) - - Worked with Albert King, Albert Collins and Sonny Rhodes - Husband of singer and saxophonist, Silvia Newton.
Mike Chambliss (aka Big Daddy Blue) - Died 2-20-2011 in Louisiana, U.S. - Lung cancer (Blues) He was 59 years old - Led Big Daddy And The Red Hots.
Terry Clements - Died 2-20-2011 - After a stroke (Folk Rock) Born 7-22-1947 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Guitarist - Worked with Gordon Lightfoot (“The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald” and “Carefree Highway”).
Buddy Jones (Harrel C. Jones) - Died 2-20-2011 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, U.S. (Rock) Born 6-18-1940 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, U.S. - Drummer - (Co-wrote The Gap Band’s, “You Can Count On Me”) - Worked with Wally Wiggins, Patsy Cline, Jimmy Karstein, Red Sovine, Faron Young, Benny Ketchum and Leon Russell.
Graham Bean (Kenneth Howard Graham Bean) - Died 2-21-2011 in St. Petersburg, FL. U.S. - He was 81 years old - Born in Bermuda - Guitarist - Was a member of The Four Bees - Worked with Dizzie Gilespie.
Rudy Robbins (Rudy Warner Robbins) - Died 2-21-2011 (Western) Born 11-17-1933 in Evergreen, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, U.S. - Singer, actor and stuntman - Was a member of The Spirit Of Texas.
Buster Magness (Gerald D. Magness) - Died 2-22-2011 (Country - Western Swing) He was 87 years old - Played steel guitar - Was a member of Johnnie Lee Wills & All The Boys (They did, “The Band’s A-Rockin”) - Worked with Merl Lindsay and Colleen Carroll.
Eddie Serrato (Eduardo Serrato) - Died 2-24-2011 - Heart attack (Rock) Born 12-5-1945 - Drummer - Was a member of Question Mark And The Mysterians (They did, “96 Tears” and “I Need Somebody”).
Frank Fifty Sr. (Francis Robert Fifty Sr.) - Died 2-24-2011 - Born 8-25-1946 in Manchester - Musician - Worked with The Sonny Lane Band and The Rhythm Kings.
Paul Aselin Jr. (aka King) - Died 2-24-2011 in Key West, FL, U.S. - Pulmonary fibrosis - Born 1-8-1925 in Jamaica, Ny, U.S. - Saxophonist - Was a member of The Cadets.
Jens Winther - Died 2-24-2011 - Stroke (Jazz - Fusion) Born 10-28-1960 in Naetved, Denmark - Played trumpet and flugelhorn - Led The Jens Winther Trio and JW Electrazz - Worked with The New Jungle Orchestra, Candentia Nova Danica, Max Roach, Tito Puente, Ernie Wilkins’ Almost Big Band, The Erling Kroner Tentet and The DR Big Band.
Clare Amory - Died 2-25-2011 - Cancer (Experimental Electronic Noise) Born 1975 - Musician - Was a member of Excepter (They did, “Telaportation: KAL” and “When You Call”).
Mark Tulin - Died 2-26-2011 (Rock - Psychedelic) Born 11-21-1948 - Bassist - Was a member of The Electric Prunes (They did, “I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night” and “Get Me To The World On Time”) - Worked with Billy Corgan in Spirits In The Sky, The Backwards Clock Society and The Smashing Pumpkins.
Jane Russell (Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell) - Died 2-28-2011 in Santa Maria, CA, U.S. - Respiratory related illness - Born 6-21-1921 in Bemidji, Minn., U.S. - Actress and singer - Was a member of The Four Girls (They did, “Do Lord”) - Worked with The Kay Kyser Orchestra (They did, “As Long As I Live” and “Boin-n-n-ng!”) and Frank Sinatra (“Kisses And Tears”) - Appeared in the films, His Kind Of Woman, The Paleface and Double Dynamite.
Rockstar Death Notices - September 2010
This Month is dedicated to Catfish Collins. Click “Read More…” to see all of September’s listings.
Catfish Collins (Phelps Collins) - Died 8-6-2010 - Cancer (Funk - Soul) Born 1944 - Guitarist - Was a member of The Pacemakers, The J.B.‘s and The House Guests (They did, “What So Never The Dance” and “My Mind Set Me Free”) - Worked with James Brown (“Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine”) and “Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose”), Funkadelic (“You Hit The Nail On The Head” and “Loose Booty”), Deee-Lite, Freekbass, H-Bomb and Bootsy’s Rubber Band - Brother of singer and bassist, Bootsy Collins.
Rock Star Death Notices - June 2010
This Month’s Biggies: Ronnie James Dio (Dio, Black Sabbath, Rainbow), Paul Gray (Slipknot), Bill Hinkley (Buddha of the West Bank), Lena Horne, Bob Mercer (EMI exec) and many more!
Rock Star Death Notices - May 2010
This Month’s Biggies: Malcolm McLaren, Mississippi Slim, Georgia Lee, and many others
