Rock Star Death Notices - April 2013
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Robert Zildjian
Robert Zildjian - Died 3-28-2013 in Brunswick, ME, U.S. - cancer - Born 7-14-1923 - Founder of the Sabian cymbal company. Zildjian was a family man, naming his company using the first two letters of each of his three children’s names, Sally, Bill, and Andy, as well as an innovator in the cymbal industry, taking the opportunity to listen closely to his customers and create new products to meet their needs. Robert Zildjian had an infectious sense of fun and palpable sense of joy when speaking about cymbal making. He was also a philanthropist, establishing the PAS Larrie Londin Memorial Scholarship and the PAS/Sabian PASIC Scholarship Fund that enables young percussionists to attend PASIC. “He’s met a lot of people and made a difference in a lot of lives by motivating, counseling, and even investing in ideas, businesses, and more specifically, in people,” says his son Andy. Zildjian revolutionized cymbal-making and will be missed personally and professionally.
Michael Steldt - Died 3-7-2013 in Milwaukee, WI, U.S.- Born 4-17-1976 in Milwaukee, WI, U.S.- drummer - was a member of Splatter Matter, Malevolent, Hallucidence, Shrine, Big Dumb Dick, Disconekted, Seize The Day, Waxing Gibbous, and It Is Written. Michael was also a massage therapist who loved to help others though touch. He was a devoted husband to Kristin and proud father to Sonnet, 3, and twins Escher and Harmony, 10 months. An all-ages public benefit featuring many local musicians and bands will be held April 27th at The Richfield Chalet, 1271 State Road 175, Hubertus, Wisconsin, starting at 10 AM. All profits will be donated to his wife and children.
Barry Roberts - Died 3-23-2013 in Madison, WI, U.S. - Born 10-7-1969 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, U.S. - Musician - Barry had an inquisitive mind, spending most of his life pursuing knowledge, creating music, and making people laugh with his stand-up comedy. Family was most important to Barry, and he loved spending time with people, bringing them together, and especially throwing a good party. Barry’s final quote, “If you would like to buy one of Barry’s CD’s, please see him after the show”, illustrates his humor and good attitude about the next great adventure, and he will be missed by his wife, Pam, loving family and many friends.
Richard Street (Richard Allen Street) - Died 2-27-2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. - Pulmonary embolism (Soul) Born 10-5-1942 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of Otis Williams & The Distants (They did, “Come On”), The Monitors (They did, “Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)”) and The Temptations (They did, “Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)” and “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone”) - At one time married to singer, Carolyn “Cal” Gill.
Armando Trovajoli (aka Armando Trovaioli) - Died 2-28-2013 (Jazz - Musicals) Born 9-2-1917 - Composer and pianist - (He wrote Sophia Loren’s, “Che m’e mparato a ffa”) - Wrote over 300 scores for movies including Ciao Rudy and Rugantino - He had been married to actress, Pier Angeli.
Walti Schneider (Walter Schneider) - Died 2-28-2013 (Rock - Blues) Bassist and singer - Was a member of Ihre Kinder and The NC Brown-Band.
Kellogs Kalinowski (John Kalinowski) - Death announced 3-1-2013 - He was 66 years old - Managed Madness, The Kinks and Van Morrison - He was a tour manager for The Paramounts - Played bosun whistle on Procol Harum’s, A Salty Dog album.
Magic (Awood Johnson) (aka Mr. Magic) - Died 3-1-2013 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S. (Rap) Born 8-6-1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. - (He did, “Ghetto Godzilla” and “Money Don’t Make Me”) - Was a member of Body Head Bangerz (They did, “Don’t Start It” and “You A Freak”).
Jewel Akens (Jewel Eugene Akens) - Died 3-1-2013 in Inglewood, California, U.S. - Complications from back surgery (R&B) Born 9-12-1933 in Houston, TX, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “The Birds And The Bees” and “Georgie Porgie”) - He was half of Jewel And Eddie - Worked with The Medallions, The Four Dots, The Feathers and Eddie Cochran.
Bonnie Franklin (Bonnie Gail Franklin) - Died 3-1-2013 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. - Pancreatic cancer - Born 1-6-1944 in Santa Monica, California, U.S. - Actress - (She did, “Applause” the title song for Broadway’s Applause) - Starred on TV’s, One Day At A Time - She had been married to playwright, Ronald Sossi and film and TV producer, Marvin Minoff.
Bobby Rogers (Robert E. Rogers) - Died 3-3-2013 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. - Illness (Soul) Born 2-19-1940 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Miracles (They did, “Shop Around” and “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me”) - At one time married to singer, Wanda Young - Grandfather of singer, Brandi Williams - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Barmani Choge (Hajia SA’adatu Aliyu) - Died 3-2-2013 in Funtua, Katsina State, Nigeria - Illness (Hausa) She was 80 years old - Born in Gwaigwaye, Funtua, Katsina State, Nigeria - Singer - (She did, “Mai Soso ke Wanka” and “A Kama Sanaa Mata”).
Muslum Gurses (Muslum Akbas) (aka Muslum Baba) - Died 3-3-2013 - Complications of heart bypass surgery (Turkish Folk - Pop - Rock) Born 5-7-1953 in Fistokozu Halfeti, Sanliurfa Province, Turkey - Singer and actor - (He did, “Sevda Yuklu Kervanlar” and “Olmadi Yar”) - He had been married to singer and actress, Muhterem Nur.
Fran Warren (Frances Wolfe) - Died 3-4-2013 (Big Band) Born 3-4-1926 in The Bronx, New York, U.S. - Singer - (She did, “It’s Anybody’s Heart”) - Worked with Randy Brooks, Tony Martin (“I Said My Pajamas (And Put On My Pray’rs)), Art Mooney, Joe Cabot, Billy Eckstine, Lisa Kirk, Harry James, Charlie Barnet and Claude Thornhill (“A Sunday Kind Of Love”).
John LaChapelle - Godfather of jazz guitar - Died 3-5-2013 in Richland (Jazz) He was 91 years old - Guitarist.
Melvin Rhyne - Died 3-5-2013 (Jazz) Born 10-12-1936 in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. - Organist and pianist - Led The Melvin Rhyne Trio - Was a member of The Dixon-Rhyne Project - Worked with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Herb Ellis and Wes Montgomery.
Norma Barrington - Died 3-5-2013 in Santa Rosa (Rock) Born 9-30-1925 in Hoisington, Kan., U.S. - Bassist and guitarist - Was a member of Don Gils (They did, “‘Bad Bass Boogie” which she wrote) and The Barringtons.
Alvin Lee (Graham Alvin Barnes) - Died 3-6-2013 - Complications from a routine surgical procedure (Rock - Blues Rock) Born 12-19-1944 in Nottingham, England - Singer, guitarist and bassist - (He did, “City Lights” and “Every Blues You’ve Ever Heard”) - Was a member of The Jaybirds who were renamed Jaybird and then renamed Blues Yard and finally renamed Ten Years After (They did, “I’d Love To Change The World” and “50, 000 Miles Beneath My Brain”) - Worked with Mylon LeFevre (“Riffin’” and “Rockin’ ‘Til The Sun Goes Down”) George Harrison, John Mayall, Steve Gould, Steve Winwood, Albert Lee, Mick Taylor, Peter Frampton, Bo Diddley, Rory Gallagher, Jim Capaldi, Mick Fleetwood and Ron Wood.
Chorao (Alexandre Magno Abrao) - Died 3-6-2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil (Rock) Born 4-9-1970 in Sao Paulo, Brazil - Singer - Was a member of Charlie Brown Jr. (They did, “Quinta-Feira” and “Lombra”).
Stompin’ Tom Connors (Thomas Charles Connors) (aka Tommy Messer) - Died 3-6-2013 in Ballinafad, Ontario, Canada - Natural causes (Country - Folk) Born 2-9-1936 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Sudbury Saturday Night” and “Bud The Spud”) - Cousin of fiddler, Ned Landry.
Tam Kearney - Died 3-6-2013 - Complications of diabetes (Folk) Born 3-17-1940 in Leicester, England - Sang and played guitar, banjo and mandolin - Co-founder of Toronto’s folk club, Fiddler’s Green - Was a member of The Friends Of Fiddler’s Green.
Kenny Ball (Kenneth Daniel Ball) - Died 3-7-2013 in Basildon, Essex, England - While being treated for pneumonia (Jazz) Born 5-22-1930 in Ilford, Essex, England - Trumpeter and singer - Led Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen (They did, “Samantha” and “Midnight In Moscow”) - Worked with Terry Lightfoot, Sid Phillips, Eric Delaney and Charlie Galbraith.
Claude King - Died 3-7-2013 in Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. (Country) Born 2-5-1923 in Keithville, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Wolverton Mountain” and “Big River, Big Man”).
Peter Banks (Peter William Brockbanks) - Architect of Progressive Music - Died 3-8-2013 in London, England - Heart failure (Rock - Prog) Born 7-15-1947 - Guitarist, keyboardist and singer - (He did, “Get Out Of My Fridge” and “Vision Of The King”) - Was a member of Yes (They did, “Astral Traveller” and “Time And A Word”), Flash (They did, “Small Beginnings” and “Lifetime”) and Harmony In Diversity - Worked with The Syn, Neat Change, Toy Shop, Blodwyn Pig, Chris Harwood, Zox & The Radar Boys, Lonnie Donegan, The Teabags, Funky Monkey and Jakob Magnusson - At one time married to singer, Sydney Foxx.
Sammy Masters (Samuel Lawmaster) - Died 3-8-2013 (Rockabilly) Born 7-18-1930 in Sasakwa, Oklahoma, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “Lost Little Nickel In The Big Juke Box” and “Pink Cadillac”) - Worked with Bob Wills, Spade Cooley and Ole Rasmussen - His songs have been recorded by Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Bobby Darin and Wayne Newton.
Rune Carlsson - Died 3-9-2013 (Jazz) Born 12-4-1940 in Stockholm, Sweden - Drummer and singer - Worked with Bo Hansson, Arne Domnerus, Putte Wickman, Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Eric Dolphy, The Sven Douglas Quintet, Gunnar Almstedt, Chet Baker, Eje Thelin and Monica Zetterlund.
Laszlo Bodi (aka Cipo) - Died 3-11-2013 - Heart failure (Rock) Born 5-3-1965 - Singer and pianist - Was a member of Cipofuzo and Republic (They did, “Valaszd a legrosszabbat” and “Repul a balna”).
Clive Burr - Died 3-12-2013 (Metal) Born 3-8-1957 in East Ham, London, England - Drummer and singer - Was a member of Clive Burr’s Escape who became Stratus (They did, “Run For Your Life” and “Never Say No”) - Worked with Samson, Trust, Gogmagog (They did, “I Will Be There” and “It’s Illegal, It’s Immoral, It’s Unhealthy, But It’s Fun”), Alcatrazz, Elixir, Praying Mantis, Desperado (They did, “Hang ‘em High” and “Son Of A Gun”) and Iron Maiden (They did, “Run To The Hills” and “Children Of The Damned”).
Di Anne Price - Storytelling Piano Player - Died 3-13-2013 - Illness (Blues) Born in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Singer and pianist - Led Di Anne Price And Her Boyfriends (They did, “Livin’ Alone” and “Ruff ‘n Ready Man”).
Chopper McKinnon (Allan Lindsay McKinnon) - Died 3-14-2013 - Natural causes - Born 1946 in Rivers, Manitoba - Folk radio host for Canadian Spaces for 33 years, Canada’s longest running folk music radio program.
Jack Greene (aka Jolly Green Giant) - Died 3-15-2013 - Complications of Alzheimer’s Disease (Country) Born 1-7-1930 in Maryville, Tennessee, U.S. - Singer, guitarist and drummer - (He did, “There Goes My Everything” and “Statue Of A Fool”) - Was a member of The Peach Tree Boys, The Tennessee Mountain Boys and The Jolly Green Giants - Worked with Jeannie Seely (“Wish I Didn’t Have To Miss You” and “There’s A Lot About A Woman A Man Don’t Know”), Santana Maria (“You Have Won My Heart”) and with Ernest Tubb in The Texas Troubadors.
Terry Lightfoot - Died 3-15-2013 - Prostate cancer (Jazz) Born 5-21-1935 in Potters Bar, Middlesex, England - Clarinettist, saxophonist and singer - Led Terry Lightfoot’s New Orleans Jazzmen - Was a member of The Wood Green Stompers (They did, “True Love” and “King Kong”) - Worked with Kenny Ball and Ginger Baker - Father of singer, Melinda Lightfoot.
Hardrock Gunter (Sidney Louie Gunter Jr.) - Died 3-15-2013 - Complications of pneumonia (Rockabilly) Born 2-27-1925 in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Hoot Owl Ramblers, The Golden River Boys and The Pebbles (They did, “Birmingham Bounce” and “Gonna Dance All Night”) - Worked with The Delmore Brothers and Fiddling Arthur Smith - The song Birmingham Bounce is considered by some to be the first rock and roll record.
Bobbie Smith (Robert Smith) (aka Bobby Smith) - Died 3-16-2013 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. (Soul) Born 4-10-1936 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Spinners (aka The Detroit Spinners) (They did, “I’ll Be Around” and “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love”) - Worked with Dionne Warwick (“Then Came You”).
Jason Molina - Died 3-16-2013 - Organ failure (Metal - Alternative Country - Lo-Fi - Folk) Born 1973 in Oberlin, Ohio, U.S. - Singer, bassist and guitarist - Was a member of Songs: Ohia, Songs: Radix, Songs: Unitas, Amalgamated Sons Of Rest and The Magnolia Electric Co. (They did, “Peoria Lunch Box Blues” and “Farewell Transmission”).
Matthew Suhar (Matthew J. Suhar) - Died 3-16-2013 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. - Fell out of a moving taxi cab - He was 46 years old - Manager, singer and bassist - Ran Tantrum Management - Was a member of The Blind Venetians - Worked with Steve Wyn - Managed Michael McDermott - Appeared in videos of Anthrax, Public Enemy, Liz Phair and Jesus Lizard.
Jantje Koopman - Died 3-17-2013 - He was 89 years old - Singer - (He did, “Rode Rozen”).
Eivind Rolles - Died 3-17-2013 - Cancer (Pop - Ska) He was 54 years old - Guitarist - Was a member of Broadway News - Was half of the duo The Monroes (They did, “Sunday People” and “Cheerio”).
Sean Hannan - Died 3-18-2013 in San Rafael, CA, U.S. - Cancer (Folk Rock) He was 45 years old - Drummer - Was a member of The Mad Hannans (They did, “I Thought I Was You” and “Blind Man”).
Buddy McRae (Floyd McRae) - Died 3-19-2013 in The Bronx, New York, U.S. (Doo-Wop) He was about 80 years old - Singer - Member of The Keynotes and The Chords (They did, “Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)” and a version of “Cross Over The Bridge”) - The Chords became The Chordcats after another group called The Chords was found to exist and then became The Sh-Booms.
Eddie Bond - Died 3-20-2013 - Complications of Alzheimer’s disease (Rockabilly) Born 7-1-1933 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Led Eddie Bond And His Stompers (They did, “Slip, Slip, Slippin’ In” and “Rockin’ Daddy”) - Rejected Elvis Presley who auditioned for his band - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Emilio Santiago - Died 3-20-2013 in Botafogo, Rio de Janiero, Brazil - Complications from an earlier stroke - He was 66 years old - Singer - (He did, “Saygon” and “Remember Me”).
George Barrow - Died 3-20-2013 (Jazz) Born 9-25-1921 - Played saxophone, clarinet and flute - Was a member of The Amram-Barrow Quartet - Worked with Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Oliver Nelson, Eric Dolphy, Paul Chambers, Roy Haynes, Freddie Hubbard and Bill Evans.
Cotton Voigt (Lawrence Voigt) - Died 3-21-2013 in Arizona, U.S. - Heart attack (Rock) He was 73 years old - Bassist and singer - Was a member of The Moods (They did, “Little Alice” and “Teenagers Past”).
Bebo Valdes (Ramon Emilio Valdes Amaro) - Died 3-22-2013 in Sweden (Jazz) Born 10-9-1918 in Quivican, Cuba - Pianist - Was a member of Sabor de Cuba - Worked with Rita Montaner, Nat King Cole, Benny More and Pio Leyva - Father of pianist, Chucho Valdes.
Derek Watkins (aka Mr Lead) - Died 3-22-2013 in Esher, Surrey, England (Jazz) Born 3-2-1945 in Reading, Berkshire, England - Played trumpet - Worked with The Spring Gardens Brass Band, The Beatles, A-HA, Eric Clapton, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Georgie Fame, Elton John, Tears For Fears, The BBC Big Band, Bjork, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Billy Ocean, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman and The London Symphony Orchestra - Played on every James Bond film soundtrack.
Sukhraj Aujla - Died 3-23-2013 in Amritsar - Car accident (Punjabi Folk) Singer - (He did, “Nimi nimi tarian di lo” and “Rangli Madhani”) - Was half of The Aujla Brothers.
Larry Robinson (Edward Robinson) - Died 3-23-2013 in California, U.S. - After being assaulted in a robbery at a music store where he worked (Blues - Country - Rock) He was 64 years old - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Old California Town” and “Steinbeck’s Ghost”) - Was a member of The Barons, Things To Come, Blue Heaven And The Rainbow Girl and The Dorados (They did, “Fishing The Lupe” and “Tellin’ Lies And Tyin’ Flies”).
Gordon Stoker (Hugh Gordon Stoker) - Died 3-27-2013 in Brentwood, Tennessee, U.S. - Illness ( Gospel - Country - Rock ) Born 8-3-1924 in Gleason, Tennessee, U.S. - Singer and pianist - Was a member of The Jordanaires - Worked with Elvis Presley (“Don’t Be Cruel” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight”), Ferlin Husky, Jim Reeves, Connie Francis, Julie Andrews, Johnny Horton, Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Paul Williams (Paul Steven Williams) - Father of rock criticism - Died 3-27-2013 in Encinitas, San Diego County, CA, U.S. - Complications related to a bicycle accident in 1995 - Born 5-19-1948 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. - Music journalist - Created the rock music magazine, Crawdaddy! - He wrote the books, Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys – How Deep Is The Ocean? and Bob Dylan: Performing Artist - He had been married to singer, Sachiko Kanenobu, illustrator, Donna Nassar and singer, Cindy Lee Berryhill.
Hugh McCracken (aka Mack Pierce) - Died 3-28-2013 - Leukemia ( Rock - Jazz ) Played guitar and harmonica and was an arranger and producer - Was a member Mike Mainieri’s White Elephant Orchestra, The Funatics and Mario & The Funatics - Worked with Donald Fagen, Jimmy Rushing, Billy Joel, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Steely Dan, Roberta Flack, Idris Muhammad, B. B. King, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, James Taylor, Phoebe Snow, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, The Left Banke, Linda McCartney, Kenny Loggins, Graham Parker, Eric Carmen, Lou Donaldson, Aretha Franklin, Laura Nyro, Van Morrison, Loudon Wainwright III, Dr. John, Hank Crawford, Jerry Jemmott, Gary Wright, The Monkees, Carl Perkins, Gordon Lightfoot, Graham Parker and The Four Seasons.
Charles Evans - Died 3-28-2013 in Detroit, MI, U.S. ( Doo-Wop ) Singer - Was a member of The Del-Torros and The Five Dollars (aka The Don Juans) (They did, “That’s The Way It Goes” and “Doctor Baby”).
Enzo Jannacci (Vincenzo Jannacci) - Died 3-29-2013 - Cancer ( Rock - Jazz ) Born 6-3-1945 - Singer, keyboardist, songwriter, actor and comedian - (He did, “Vengo anch’io (no tu no)” and “Il cane con i capelli”) - Was a member of Rocky Mountains and The Rock Boys - Worked with Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Franco Cerri and Bud Powell.
Franco Califano - Died 3-30-2013 ( Pop ) Born 9-14-1938 in an airplane above Tripoli, Libya - Lyricist and singer - (He wrote, “La musica e finita” and “E la chiamano estate” and sang, “Tutto il resto e noia”).
Phil Ramone (Philip Ramone) - Died 3-30-2013 in Manhattan, NY, U.S. - Brain aneurysm - Born 1-5-1934 in South Africa - Violinist, producer and recording engineer - Produced Paul McCartney, Clay Aiken, Burt Bacharach, The Band, Bono, Laura Branigan, Ray Charles, Karen Carpenter, Chicago, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Sheena Easton, Sinead O’Connor, Melissa Errico, Rod Stewart, Peter Paul And Mary, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Elton John, Dionne Warwick, John Coltrane, Quincy Jones, B. B. King, The Guess Who, Julian Lennon, Madonna, Barry Manilow, Richard Marx, George Michael, Carly Simon, Anne Murray, Olivia Newton-John, Luciano Pavarotti, Liza Minnelli, Andre Previn, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder - Co-founded A&R Recording Inc. and META (The Music & Engineering Technology Alliance) - He was married to singer and actress, Karen Ichiuji-Ramone.