Rock Star Death Notices - February 2009
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Billy Powell, keybordist/pianist for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Rosington Collins Band
Terry Frank - of Milwaukee, Died in January in Florida at age 52. He was a guitarist and singer. He led Black Cat Bone (They did, “Loaded To Fire”) and Terry Frank And Bone Deluxe (They did, “The Handyman” and “Stompin”). Was a regular at Milwaukee’s Up n Under Pub, Mamies. Terry played a significant role in raising money for Milwaukee radio station WMSE and promoting blues in Milwaukee.
Ron Asheton (Ronald Franklin Asheton, Jr.) – Was found dead January 6 at age 60 in Ann Arbor, Michigan of a possible heart attack. He played guitar, bass and accordion and was a songwriter. He was a member of The Stooges (They did, “I Wanna Be Your Dog” and “1969”) . He worked with Destroy All Monsters, New Race, The Empty Set, The Wylde Ratttz, Dark Carnival and The New Order.
Billy Powell (William Norris Powell) - Died January 27 at age 56 in Orange Park of a heart attack. He was a keyboardist. He was a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Rossington-Collins Band and The Allen Collins Band. He worked with Alice Marr, Aliasand Vision. He was father of guitarist, Brandon Powell. He was a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Ricardo Montalban (Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalban Merino) - Died January 14 at age 88 in Los Angeles, CA of congestive heart failure. He was an actor. He did the first recorded version of, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Esther Williams and also did, “Monkey In The Mango Tree” and “Sun At My Window, Love At My Door.” He played Mr. Roarke on TV’s, Fantasy Island and portrayed Khan Noonien Singh on TV’s, Star Trek and in the film, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He was named a Knight by the Vatican.
Jack Rather (Robert Jack Rather) - Died January 1 at age 65 in San Juan Capistrano, CA of cancer. He was a singer and guitarist. He worked with The National Soul Review Band, BB King, The Rather Love Band, The Funk Bunnies and Bobby Bland.
Valentina Giovagnini - Died January 2 at age 28 in Siena, Italy in a car accident. She was a singer. She did “Il passo silenzioso della neve” and “Senza origine.”
Charles Camilleri - Died January 3 at age 77. He was a composer. He wrote, “Cosmic Visions” and “Wine of Peace.” His early works were based on folk music and legends of Malta while his later works were improvisational.
Tonderai Phiri (aka Tonde 1) - Died January 3 in Norton - Dysentery and was born in 1976. Was a hosho player, mbira player, body percussionist and dancer and a member of Mbira DzeNharira and Mawungira Enharira. (They did, “Ninga Huru” and “Gona Rehushavi”).
Tommy Ellison (Thomas Ellison) - Died January 3 at age 76 in Columbia, MD. He was a singer. He led Tommy Ellison And The Singing Stars. He worked with The Five Singing Stars, The Chosen Gospel Singers, The Harmonizing Four. He recorded for Gotham, Nashboro, Revelation, HOB, HSE, A. I. R. Gospel and Malaco Records.
Greg Pineda - Died January 3 at age 54 of pancreatic cancer. He was a guitarist and a member of The Aluminum Marshmallow. He owned All Media Services where he created concert and backstage DVDs for REO Speedwagon and Chuck Negron.
Chuck Leaton (Charles Leaton) - Died January 3 at age 63 of a heart attack. He was a musician. He worked with Dennis McMurrin, Frederick “Toots” Hibbert, Niah Bingi Boppa Band, Marty Christianson, Elery Temple, Jim Hawkins, River City and Steve Gaines.
Olga San Juan - The Puerto Rican Pepperpot - Died January 3 at age 81 in Burbank, CA of kidney failure. She was a singer and dancer. She appeared in the Broadway musical, Paint Your Wagon (“How Can I Wait?” and “All For Him”) and the film, The Barefoot Contessa. She worked with Bing Crosby (“I’ll See You In C-U-B-A”), Fred Astaire (“Heat Wave”) and Tito Puente. She had been married to actor, Edmond O’Brien.
Ray Topping (Raymond Keith John Topping) - Died January 3 at age 65 in Romford, Essex, UK of pneumonia and supranuclear palsy. He was an authority on American recorded music for the post war period of 1945 through 1975. He contributed discographies to many specialist magazines. He unearthed thousands of rare and unissued master recordings while working for Ace Records Ltd., a reissue label.
Kriston Docker - Died January 3 of cystic fibrosis. Guitarist and member of The Titanic Lounge Lizards and The Penmachno Pig Convention Stompers.
Sam Taylor (Sam Willis Taylor Jr.) (aka The Bluzman) - Died January 4 at age 74 in Islandia, NY due to complications associated to heart disease. He was a singer, songwriter and guitarist. He did, “Drinking Straight Tequila” and “Voice Of The Blues.” He worked with Joey Dee & The Starlighters (“Peppermint Twist”), Otis Redding, B.T. Express (“Do It (Til You’re Satisfied)”), The Drifters, Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Sam And Dave, Tracy Nelson, Mother Earth and The Isley Brothers. He was a Long Island Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.
29-E (Joseph Michael Ryan) - Died January 4 in Seattle, WA. He was shot after a concert. He was born in 1984. He did, “Let It All Out” and “Every Day I Sit Down.”
Rusty Jones (Russell Jones) - Died January 4 in Pensacola FL of a brain aneurysm. He was born in 1952. He was a bassist and a member of The Blackwater Band.
Jiri Sindelar (aka Dedek) - Died January 5 at age 60 in Prague, Czech Republic of chronic lung disease. Was a bassist and worked with Svinak, Black Stars and The Rebels. Founding member of Mahagon, which later became Katapult (They did, “Hlupak vaha”, “Pulnocni zavodni draha” and “Vojin XY hlasi prichod”).
Willa Mae Dorsey - Died January 5 at age 75 in Portland, Oregon after a series of strokes. She was a singer and pianist. She worked with The Mighty Faith Increasers Choir and was a regular on Lawrence Welk’s TV show.
Jim Willis - Died January 5 at age 87 of an illness. He was a pianist and a member of The Gateway Jazz Band.
Claude Jeter (Claudis Augusta Jeter) - Died January 6 at age 94 in the Bronx, NY. He was a founding member of The Swan Silvertones (They did, “I’m Gonna Walk That Milky White Way” and “Mary, Don’t You Weep”). He worked with Paul Simon. He recorded for King, Specialty, Vee Jay and HOB Records.
Maria Dimitriadi - Died January 6 at age 58 of lung disease. She was a singer. She did, ” O Fasismos.” She was sister of singer, Aphrodite Manou.
Manny Castillo (Manuel Diosdado Castillo Jr.) - Died January 6 at age 40 in San Antonio, TX of cancer. He was a drummer. He worked with Snowbyrd (They did, “Snowbyrd” and “Uvalde Socialite”), Scarecrow, The River City Playboys, El Santo and The Cleofus Trujillo Trio - Founder of San Antonio Cultural Arts.
Pev Pevitt (Stuart Pevitt) - Died January 6 at age 56 of cancer. Sang and played harmonica and was a member of The Purple Gang (They did, “Granny Takes A Trip” and “Sunset Over The Mersey”).
Alex van Heerden - Died January 7 at age 34 in a car accident. He was a trumpet and accordion player. He worked with Mac Mckenzie, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, The Delta Optel Band, Hilton Schilder, Magnus Johansson and Robbie Jansen.
Al Westcott - Died January 7 at age 61 of a heart attack. He was a guitarist. He did, “Soldiers, Sailors And Tired Old Men” and “Do You Wanna.” He was a member of Broken Arrow.
Steve Edgson - Died January 7 at age 53 of cancer. He played guitar and clarinet. He worked with Analog, The Reluctant Stereotypes (They did. “The Lull”), The Pink Umbrellas (They did, “Raspberry Rainbow”), The Giraffes (They did, “Pass Me By” and “Lazy Hazel Heart”) and The Two Giraffes (They did, “Silvery Trees” and “Providence Street”).
Cornelia Wallace (Cornelia Ellis Wallace) (Cornelia Ellis Snively) - Died January 8 at age 69 in Sebring, FL of cancer. She was a singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. She did, “It’s No Summer Love” and “Baby With The Barefoot Feet.” She worked with Roy Acuff. She was the niece of Governor James Folsom and was the second wife of Governor George Wallace.
Rob Geraghty - Died January 8 at age 33 in Spain of a possible heart attack. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of Meg. They did, “Kelly, You’re The Teacher” and “Firework In Progress.”
Bonakele Nomkonwana (aka Showbiz) - Died January 8 at age 80 in Thembalethu, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth of cardiac failure. He was a trumpeter and led The Jazz Maniacs.
Irving Bush - Died January 8 at age 78 in Los Angeles, CA due to complications of multiple myeloma. He was a trumpeter. He worked with Harry James, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, George Shearing, Sarah Vaughan, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Nat King Cole and Nelson Riddle. He wrote the book, Artistic Trumpet Technique And Study.
Andrew Travis (Andrew D. Travis Jr.) - Died January 9 at age 81 in Bemus Point, NY. He was a trombonist and singer. He was a member of Horizon and Dixie On The Deck. He worked with The Max Davis Orchestra, The Four-tune Hunters and The Stardusters.
Dave Dee (David Harman) - Died January 9 at age 65 in Alderley Edge, Cheshire of cancer. He was a singer. He was a member of Dave Dee And The Bostons who were renamed Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. They did, “Bend It” and “Hold Tight.” He worked for WEA records, where he signed AC/DC and Gary Numan.
Jon Hager - Died January 9 at age 67 in Nashville, TN. He was a singer, guitarist, comedian and drummer. He was half of the duo, The Hager Twins. They did, “Gotta Get To Oklahoma (‘Cause California’s Gettin’ To Me.)” He was a regular on TV’s, Hee Haw. He worked with Buck Owens.
Lewis M. Brumberg Sr. - Died January 9 in Salisbury, MD, U.S. - He was 87 years old - Born in Clayton, NJ, U.S. - Musician - Led The L.B. Trio - Worked with The Tony Villani Orchestra.
Robbie Johns (aka Rob Johns) - Died January 9 at age 56. He was a drummer, guitarist and singer. He was a member of Diamond Reo (They did, “Ain’t That Peculiar”) who became The Diamonds. He worked with The Yardleys, The Silencers, Rocket 88 and R.J. And The Blues Welders.
Anabel Bosch - Died January 10 at age 32. She was in a coma after an operation for a brain aneurysm. She was a singer. She worked with Elektrikcoolaid, Spy and Analog and Tropical Depressin. She was wife of actor, Jamie Wilson.
Billy Brown (William George Brown) - Died January 10 in New Smyrna Beach. He was born in 1930 in Princeton, West Virginia. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “Meet Me In The Alley, Sally” and a version of, “He’ll Have To Go.”
Ahmed El Ghrabaoui - Died January 10 at age 71 in Casablanca, Morocco of an illness. He was a singer. He wrote, “Innaha moulhimati.”
Butch Baldassari (Jerome Baldassari) - Died January 10 at age 56 in Nashville, TN of brain cancer. He played mandolin. He led The Butch Baldassari Trio. He worked with The Weary Hearts, The Lonesome Standard Time and The Grass Is Greener. He founded The Nashville Mandolin Ensemble. He owned the label, SoundArt Recordings.
Mick Lahaza (Michael Lahaza) - Died January 10 at age 45 in Deepdale, Preston, UK of an industrial accident. He was a guitarist and a member of Kick The Can. He worked with Eye 2 Eye.
Gary Craddock - Died January 10 at age 57 of stomach cancer. He was a bassist. He worked with The Swinging Bucket, Southern Country Nights, The Dixie Jubilee, Thrift Shop Jack, The Dan Ramsey Jazz Ensemble and Organix.
Chad Percy (aka Cadillac Fraf) - Died January 10 at age 36 from injuries he suffered from a scooter accident in September. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of Mockingbird Cartel. They did, “Empty Bellies” and “Avoid The Kind Of Night.”
Peter Basoa - Died January 10 in Moscow, Idaho due to complications related to brain cancer. He was a DJ and promoter. He helped the careers of Sagin’ Time and Lotus. He worked for The Palouse Folklore Society and Moscow (Music) Renaissance Fair.
Bob Meyers (Robert G. Meyers) - Died January 10 at age 76 in East Setauket of colon cancer. He was a pianist. He led The Bobby Meyers Orchestra and The Bob Meyers Big Band.
Konrad Heidkamp - Died January 11 in Hamburg, Germany. He was born in 1947 in Munich, Germany. He was a rock and jazz journalist and critic for the weekly, Die Zeit.
Freddie Mack (aka Mr. Superbad) - Died January 11 at age 74. He was a singer. He did, “Kung Fu Man.” He led The Mack Sound. He was a boxer and also a sparring partner for Muhammed Ali.
Andy DeMize (Andrew Martinez) - Died January 11 at age 25 in a car accident. He worked with Up Syndrome, Nekromantix (They did, “Voodoo Shop Hop” and “Panic At The Morgue”) and The Rocketz.
Tom O’Horgan - Died January 11 at age 82 in Venice, FL. He was a composer, singer, actor, and musician. He composed the score for the film, Futz! He was the director for Broadway’s musicals, Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Donnie McCormick (Donald Eugene McCormick) - Died January 11 in Marietta of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was born in 1944. He was a drummer and singer. He was a member of The Kings and Eric Quincy Tate (They did, “When I’m Gone” and “On The Loose”).
Victor Leon - Died January 12 at age 63 in Indian Wells, CA in a car accident. He was a singer and an executive producer for the Musical Chairs concert series.
Alejandro Sokol - Died January 12 in Río Cuarto, Argentina of cardio respiratory failure. He was a bassist and drummer. He led El Vuelto S.A. and worked with Sumo and Las Pelotas.
Macavine Hayes - Died January 12 at age 65. He was a guitarist and singer. He did, “Sweet Little Angel” and “Snatch That Thing.” He worked with Guitar Gabriel, Cool John Ferguson, Ardie Dean, Michael Parrish and Tim Duffy.
Mansour Rahbani - Died January 13 in Beirut, Lebanon after a bout with pneumonia. He was born in 1925 in Antelias, Lebanon. He was a musician and songwriter. He was one of The Rahbani Brothers. He worked with his sister in-law singer, Fairuz.
David Hill - Died January 13 of liver cancer. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of The Sensations, N.C.M. (Non Compos Mentis) (They did, “Ultimate Orgasm” and “Six Feet Under”) and Jackpot! He was a guitar tech for Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. He also painted under the name, John Miller.
Gary Kurfirst - Died January 13 in Nassau, Bahamas. He was born in 1947 in Forrest Hills, Queens, NY. He was a manager for The Ramones, Talking Heads, The B-52’s, The Eurythmics, Blondie, Big Audio Dynamite, Mountain, Jane’s Addiction and Live . He operated The Village Theatre which became known as The Fillmore East promoting Jimi Hendrix, The Yardbirds, The Who, Janis Joplin and The Doors.
Billy Romans (William Burczyk) - Died January 13 at age 77. He was born in Milwaukee, WI. He led The Billy Romans Trio. He worked with Frankie Yankovic – Accordionist. He was a Columbus Senior Musicians Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Donald True Van Deusen - Died January 13 at age 79. He wrote the newspaper column, Keeping Jazz In Philadelphia Alive and for the website All About Jazz. He was a Chris’ Jazz Cafe Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Don Truesdail - Died January 1 in California. He was hit by a truck. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “Sweet August” and “Dragon Swan Song.” He worked with Dornob and Cafe Moliendo.
Angela Morley (Born Wally Stott) - Died January 14 at age 84 in Arizona. She was a composer, conductor and saxophonist. She wrote music for TV’s, Dynasty, Dallas and Wonder Woman. She played in the band of Bert Clegg and with Oscar Rabin’s Band and The Geraldo Orchestra. She wrote arrangements for Benny Goodman and Nelson Riddle. She worked with Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Shirley Bassey and Dusty Springfield and collaborated with John Williams.
Kelvin Pope (aka The Mighty Duke and Mr Carnival) - Died January 14 in St. Clair, Port Of Spain, Trinidad of myelofibrosis. He was born in 1930 in Point Fortin, South Trinidad. He was a singer and songwriter. He did, “Social Bacchanal” and “Brotherhood Of Man.”
Kenny Bye (Kenneth Bye) - Died January 14 at age 82 in a car accident. He played trumpet and was a member of The Grumpy Old Men.
Lisa Flaxman (Lisa Judith Flaxman) - Died January 14 at age 43 in Chevy Chase, Maryland of breast cancer. She was a singer and pianist. She worked with The Washington Savoyards and The Washington Chorus. She was the founder of musiKids a music program for infants and children.
Gabes Amunyela - Died January 14 in Ongwediva, Oshana Region, Namibia of liver complications. He was a singer and sound engineer. He did, “Thank You Mama.”
Rene Coll (Pierre-Rene Colombies) - Died January 15 in Carcassonne, France of an illness. Was born in 1942 in Narbonne, France. Was a saxophone player and musical director. Worked with Michel Sardou, Patrick Sebastien, Johnny Hallyday, Eddy Mitchell, Julio Iglesias, Veronique Samson, Liane Foly and on many TV shows.
Leroy Cooper - Died January 15 at age 80 in Orlando, FL of heart failure. He was a saxophonist. He worked with Ray Charles (“Crying Time”), Lowell Fulson (“Reconsider Baby”), Dr. John, Wayne Newton, Rhythm Release, Cher, The Righteous Brothers, The Smokin’ Torpedoes, Kenny Neal, Joe Cocker and Lightnin’ Hopkins.
Leroy Smith (aka Chicken George) - Found dead January 15 at age 56 in Manchester, England of bronchopneumonia. He was a keyboardist and a member of The Sweet Sensation (They did, “Purely By Coincidence” and “Sad Sweet Dreamer”).
Jean Adebambo - Died January 15 at age 46. She committed suicide. She was a singer and guitarist. She did, “Paradise” and “‘Reaching For A goal.’
Whitey Mitchell (Gordon B. Mitchell) - Died January 16 at age 76 of cancer. He played bass, clarinet and tuba. He worked with The Elinor Sherry Quartet, The Shep Fields Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Oscar Pettiford, Aubrey Tadman, Charlie Ventura, Herbie Mann, Betty Roche and Lester Young. He also was a comedy writer for TV’s, Get Smart, All in the Family, The Jeffersons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Odd Couple and Mork And Mindy. He was brother of bassist, Red Mitchell
Susanna Foster (Suzanne DeLee Flanders Larson) - Died January 17 at age 84 in Englewood, NJ. She was a singer and actress. She appeared in the films, The Climax and The Phantom Of The Opera.
Raju Ananthaswamy - Died January 17 at age 35 of kidney failure. He played harmonium, guitar, tabla and mandolin and was a singer. He did, “Madhava” and “Ratnana Padagalu.” He wrote music for the film, America America - Son of musician, Mysore Ananthaswamy.
Danai Stratigopoulou - Died January 18 in Athens, Greece. She was born in 1913 in Athens, Greece. She was a singer, songwriter and musician. She did, “San ki apopse” and “Skliri kardia.”
Enrique Dumas - Died January 18 at age 73 in Jesus Maria, Argentina of a heart attack. He was a singer. He worked with Carlos Figari, Libertad Lamarque, Anibal Troilo, Ikuo Abo and Ranko Fujisawa.
Ron McClelland - Died January 18 at age 33 on a cruise ship. He was a bass and keyboard player. He was a member of Storyside: B . They did, “Don’t Let It Go” and “Demons And Angels.”
Joao Aguardela - Died January 19 of cancer. Was a singer and a member of Sitiados.
Joaquim Antonio Candeias Junior - Died January 19 in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil of pulmonary edema. He was born in 1923 in Para, Belem, Brazil. He was a composer and violinist. He wrote, “Sassaricando” and “Lata d’agua na cabeca.” His songs have been recorded by Elizeth Cardoso and Emilinha Borba.
Chalky Virgil (Bernell Mansfield Virgil) - Died January 19 at age 78. He played upright bass and worked with Tony Bari and Tootsie Bean.
Ramon de Algeciras (Ramon Sanchez Gomez) - Died January 20 in Madrid, Spain. He was born in 1938 in Algeciras, Cadiz, Spain. He was a guitarist, songwriter and singer. He did, “Almoraina” and “Rosa María.” He worked with Antonio Mairena, Pepe Marchena, La Nina de los Peines and Pepe Pinto. He was the brother of singer, Pepe de Lucia and guitarist, Paco de Lucia.
David “Fathead” Newman (Davis Newman Jr.) - Died January 20 at age 75 in Kingston, NY of pancreatic cancer. He played saxophone and flute. He worked with The Ray Charles Band, Herbie Mann, Queen Latifah, Doug Sahm, Art Blakey, Dr. John, Eric Clapton, Natalie Cole, The Average White Band, B. B. King, Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville.
Herman Wilburn (Herman Daniel Wilburn) - Died January 20 at age 57 in San Antonio, TX of pancreatic cancer. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of The Wilburn Brothers Band. He worked with Augie Myers, Flaco Jimenez, Frenchie Burke and Johnny Rodriguez.
Mickey Gee (Michael Gee) - Died January 21 at age 65 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, South Wales of emphysema. He was a guitarist. He worked with Tom Jones, Joe Cocker’s Grease Band, Dave Edmunds (“I Hear You Knockin’” and “Girls Talk”), Love Sculpture, Rockpile, Willie And The Poor Boys (“Revenue Man (White Lightening)”) and Shakin Stevens (“Green Door” and “This Ole’ House”).
Paulette Attie - Died January 21 in New York of an illness. She was a singer and actress. She wrote, “United Are We.” She performed in the musicals Guys And Dolls and Can-Can and wrote Encore - Appeared on TV’s, All My Children and General Hospital.
Charlie Cooper (Charles Wesley Cooper III - Died January 22 at age 31 in Chicago, IL. His body found on January 27. He was a member of Telefon Tel Aviv (They did, “At The Edge Of The World You Will Still Float” and “John Thomas On The Inside Is Nothing But Foam”).
Linda Cohen - Died January 23 at age 61 in Center City of lung cancer. She was a guitarist. She did, “Midday Moon” and “Tommy Troller.” She worked with Michael Kac (“Valentine Suite” and “Escape Velocity”).
Hiroshi Oguchi (Sometimes spelled Ohguchi) - Died January 24 at age 58 in Tokyo, Japan of liver cancer. He was a drummer and actor. He was a member of The Tempters, PYG and Vodka Collins. They did, “Sands Of Time” and “Automatic Pilot.” He owned the fashion company, Practice Of Silence. He acted in the miniseries, Shogun and in the film, Strange Circus. He was married to actress, Kimie Shingyoji and is the father of musician and artist, Gento Oguchi.
Zhang Lu - Died January 24 of a stroke and multiple organ failure. She was a singer and actress. She was wife of singer, Ollie Delfino and mother of singer, Alex To.
Gerard Blanc - Died January 25 at age 61 of a brain hemorrhage. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “Une autre histoire.” He was a member of Les Windings, Balthazar and Martin Circus (They did, “Je m’eclate au Senegal” and “Marylene”).
Iyabo Alake (aka Iyabo Osanle) - Died January 25 in Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria of possible tuberculosis - Singer.
Kokoro (Pa Benjamin Aderounmu) - Died January 25 at age 84 in Akowonjo, Lagos, Nigeria. He was a singer and worked with Tunji Sotimirin.
Cookie Mariano (Florence Weir Mariano) - Died January 25 at age 66. She was a singer. She led Cookie And The Vagrantz.
Corey Daum (aka Corey James) - Died January 25 at age 39 in Nashville, TN in a car accident. He was a guitarist and singer. He worked with Lizzy Borden (He appeared in their video’s, “Love Is A Crime” and “We Got The Power”).
Gerry Merito - Died January 26 at age 70 in Waikato, New Zealand of a heart attack. He was a guitarist and singer. He was a member of The Howard Morrison Quartet (“They did, “The Battle Of Waikato”).
Mino Reitano (Beniamino Reitano) - Died January 27 at age 64 in Agrate Brianza, Monza of cancer. He played piano, violin and trumpet and was a singer. He did, “100 colpi alla tua porta” and “Una chitarra, cento illusioni.” He was a member of I Fratelli Reitano.
John McCarthy - Died in January at age 40. He was a singer. He was a member of Post Mortem (They did, “Armies Of The Dead” and “Caveman”).
Nicholas Carter-Leedham - Died January 28 at age 20 in a car accident. He played guitar and was a member of Last Chance Glory.
David Yancey - Died January 28 at age 56 in Daytona Beach, FL of lung cancer. He was a pianist. He worked with Tommy Brown, Reuben “Lounge Lizard” Morgan and The Cooljams Rhythm Section.
John Martyn (Iain David McGeachy) - Died January 29 at age 60 of pneumonia. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “London Conversation” and “Fly On Home.” He worked with Eric Clapton, Danny Thompson, David Gilmour, Ultan John and Phil Collins. He had been married to singer, Beverley Kutner.
Hank Crawford (Bennie Ross Crawford Jr.) - Died January 29 at age 74 due to complications from a stroke. He was a saxophonist and led Little Hank And The Rhythm Kings. He worked with The Tennessee State Jazz Collegians, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Ike Turner, Ray Charles, Dr. John, Eric Clapton, B. B. King and Jimmy McGriff. He did arrangements for Etta James and Lou Rawls.
Mike Francis (Francesco Puccioni) - Died January 30 at age 47 in Rome, Italy of lung cancer. He was a singer, guitarist and pianist. He did, “Let Me In” and “Survivor.”
Francisco Aguabella - Died February 1 at age 83. He was a conga player. He worked with The Doors (“Ships With Sails” and “Hang On To Your Life”) and Paul Simon.
Ralph Ortiz (aka Thumper) - Died February 2 at age 52 of cancer. He was a bassist. He worked with Prime Time Funk, Cabo Frio, The Hot Sweets, The Shakes, Mother Freedom, Sherman Robertson, The Legendary Dukes, Kicks, Saratoga, The Believers, Francine Reed and Greg Walker & The Powerglide Blues Band.