Rock Star Death Notices - January 2012
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Hubert Sumlin
Val Volk (Valentine Philip Volk) - Died 11-27-2011 ( Rockabilly ) Born 5-4-1936 - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Volk Brothers Band (They did, “Baby I Say Get Up” and “Pretty Girls Everywhere”).
Tom Roady - Found dead in a tour bus in Clemson, SC, U.S. - 11-28-2011 - Heart problem - He was 62 years old - Drummer - Worked with Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Chesney, The Dixie Chicks, Art Garfunkel, Etta James, Kenny Chesney (“When The Sun Goes Down”), Brooks & Dunn (“My Maria”), Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, The Sanford-Townsend Band, Paul Anka, John Denver, Emmylou Harris, Sara Evans, James Taylor, Vince Gill (“What The Cowgirls Do”) and Martina McBride.
Bryan Osper - Died 11-28-2011 - Car accident ( Bluegrass ) He was 26 years old - Played guitar, steel drum, ukulele, bass and mandolin - Was a member of The Bucky Walters - Worked with The HSU Calypso band.
Nelly Byl - Died 11-30-2011 in Ukkel, Belgium - Born 3-25-1919 in Dendermonde, Belgium - She wrote more than 2000 songs - He songs have been recorded by Will Tura, Conny Vandenbos (“Raak me niet aan”) and The Gibson Brothers (“Que Sera Mi Vida”).
J. Blackfoot (John Colbert) - Died 11-30-2011 in Germantown, TN, U.S. - Cancer ( Soul ) Born 11-20-1946 in Greenville, Mississippi, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “Taxi” and “Just One Lifetime”) - Worked with The Bar-Kays, The Soul Children and Ann Hines (“Tear Jerker”).
Kuldeep Manak (Latif Mohammed) - Died 11-30-2011 - Lung infection ( Kaliyan ) Born 11-15-1949 in Jalal, Bathinda, India - Singer - (He did, “Laung Karaa Mittra, Machhli Paunge Maape” and “Tere Tilley Ton”) - Worked with Harcharan Grewal and Seema.
Thomas Martel Brim Jr. - Died 11-30-2011 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Kidney failure ( Musicals ) Born 3-9-1936 in Louisiana, U.S. - Actor, singer and guitarist - Was a member of A Gentle Force - Worked with John Paul Jones and Richie Havens - Appeared in Broadway’s, The Iceman Cometh.
Bill Tapia (aka Uncle Bill and Tappy) (William Tapia) - Died 12-2-2011 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1-1-1908 in Honolulu, Hawaii - Guitarist and ukulele player - Worked with Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, King Bennie Nawahi, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Sol Ho’opi’i, and Andy Iona - Ukulele Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Al Vega (Aram Vagramian) - Died 12-2-2011 in Massachusetts, U.S. ( Jazz ) He was 90 years old - Born in Worcester, MA, U.S. - Pianist and vibraphonist - Led The Al Vega Trio - Worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Betty Carter, Lester Young, Stan Getz and Count Basie.
Howard Tate - Died 12-2-2011 in Burlington, New Jersey, U.S. - Complications of multiple myeloma and leukemia ( Soul - Gospel - R&B ) Born 8-13-1939 in Macon, Georgia, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “Ain’t Nobody Home” and “Look At Granny Run, Run”) - Was a member of The Gainors - Worked with Bill Doggett.
Fatis Burrell (Philip Burrell) - Died 12-3-2011 in Kingston, Jamaica - Born 7-23-1954 in Whitfield Town, Kingston, Jamaica - Producer - He produced Sugar Minott and managed Sizzla - Created The Kings & Lions, The Vena and The Exterminator labels which released recordings by Admiral Tibet, Ninjaman, Ini Kamoze, Cocoa Tea, Johnny Osbourne and Beres Hammond.
Chico Edwards (Edgar Edwards) - Died 12-3-2011 ( Soul ) Singer - Was a member of The Original Spinners aka The Detroit Spinners (They did, “I’ll Always Love You” and “That’s What Girls Are Made For”).
Paul Walsh - Died 12-3-2011 - After falling and hitting his head ( Irish Folk ) He was 38 years old - Sang and played mandolin and the bodhran - Was a member of Pholk Law. (They did, “I’ll Tell Me Ma” and “The Cobbler”).
Mike Smith - Died 12-3-2011 in Camberley, Surrey, England - Born 4-30-1935 in Barking, Essex, England - Record producer - He produced Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, Bridie Gallagher, Georgie Fame, Marmalade, The Applejacks, Dave Berry, Jeff Christie and Love Affair - He turned down The Beatles while working Decca Records.
Ron Mosely (Ronald Mosley) - Died 12-3-2011 in Akron, Ohio, U.S. ( R&B ) He was 72 years old - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Skarlettones (They did, “Do You Remember”) and Ruby And The Romantics (They did, “Our Day Will Come” and “Young Wings Can Fly”) - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Hubert Sumlin - Died 12-4-2011 in Wayne, New Jersey, U.S. - Heart failure ( Blues ) Born 11-16-1931 in Greenwood, Mississippi,, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Worked with Howlin’ Wolf (“Wang Dang Doodle” and “Shake For Me”), The Wolf Pack, Muddy Waters, Keith Richards, James Cotton, Levon Helm, David Johansen and Eric Clapton.
RJ Rosales (Roseo Jose Rosales) - Died 12-4-2011 in Sydney, Australia - Born 3-24-1974 in Manila, Philippines - Singer, actor and TV presenter - (He did, “Together Forever” with Carol Banawa).
Violetta Villas (Czeslawa Maria Cieslak) - The voice of the atomic age and The singing toast of the continent - Died 12-5-2011 in Lewin Klodzki, Poland - Born 6-10-1938 in Liege, Belgium - Singer, actress, pianist, violinist and trombonist - (She did, “Take Me From Barcelona” and “The Wild Woman”) - Acted in the films, Paint Your Wagon and Heaven With A Gun.
Dobie Gray (aka Leonard Ainsworth, Larry Curtis and Larry Dennis) (Born Lawrence Darrow Brown or Leonard Victor Ainsworth) - Died 12-6-2011 in Nashville, TN, U.S. - Cancer ( Soul - R&B - Pop - Country ) Born 7-26-1940 in Simonton, TX, U.S. - Singer, songwriter, guitarist, percussionist and keyboardist - (He did, “The ‘In’ Crowd” and “Drift Away”) - Was a member of Pollution - His songs have been recorded by Don Williams, Ray Charles, George Jones, Charley Pride and Johnny Mathis.
Barbara Orbison (Barbara Anne Marie Wellhoner Jakobs) - Died 12-6-2011 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Pancreatic cancer - Born 1-10-1950 in Bielefeld, Germany - Music producer and publisher - Produced Damien Leith - Managed her husband, Roy Orbison.
Charlie Russell (Charles Edward Russell) - Died 12-7-2011 ( Country ) Born 7-11-1937 in Nelson-Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada - DJ - (He recorded the album, “The Bricklin And Other Sound Investments”) - Canadian Country Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Bob Burnett (Robert Sherwin Burnett) - Died 12-7-2011 in East Providence, RI, U.S. - Brain cancer ( Folk ) Born 2-7-1940 in Providence, RI, U.S. - Was a member of The Highwaymen (They did, “Michael” and “Cottonfields”).
Bee Spears (Dan Spears) - Died 12-8-2011 near Nashville, TN, U.S. - Exposure after falling outside his home ( Country ) He was 62 years old - Bassist - Worked with George Chambers’ Country Gentlemen and Willie Nelson’s Family Band.
Alan Styles - Died 12-8-2011 - Pneumonia - He was 75 years old - Roadie for Pink Floyd - He did voice and sound effects for the Pink Floyd song, Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast - Appeared on the cover of Pink Floyd’s LP, Ummagumma.
Dick Sims (Richard Sims) - Died 12-8-2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. ( Rock - Country ) He was 60 years old - Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. - Keyboardist - Was a member of The Tulsa County Band - Worked with Eric Clapton (“I Shot The Sherriff” and “Lay Down Sally”), Bob Seger, J.J. Cale, Peter Tosh, Stephen Stills, Freddie King, Delaney Bramlett, Perry Farrell, B.B. King, Pure Prairie League, Albert King, Etta James, Carlos Santana, Joan Armatrading, Phil Driscol, Yurmama, Yvonne Elliman and Vince Gill.
Myra Taylor (Myra Jardine Taylor) - Died 12-9-2011 in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 2-24-1916 in Bonner Springs, Kansas, U.S. - Singer - (She did, “Spider And The Fly”) - Worked with Clarence Love, Warren “Baby” Dodds, Jimmy Keith, Lonnie Johnson, Harlan Leonard And His Rockets, Roy Eldridge, Eubie Blake, Lil Hardin Armstrong and The Wild Women Of Kansas City.
Rodney Lanier (Rodney Darren Lanier) (aka Big Bear) - Died 12-9-2011 - Cancer ( Rock ) Born 2-22-1967 in Forsyth County - Keyboardist and guitarist - Was a member of Jolene and The Sea Of Cortez (They did, “Tigerbird” and “Juniper Trees”).
Sotia Tsotou - Died 12-10-2011 - Cancer - Born 5-14-1942 in Livadeia, Greece - Lyricist - She co-wrote, “An varethikes, kyria” and “Ki ystera”).
Dave Astor - Died 12-10-2011 - Heart attack - He was 92 years old - Hosted the TV music program, For Teenagers Only.
Karryl Smith (aka Special One) - Died 12-10-2011 ( Hip Hop ) She was half of the duo, The Conscious Daughters (They did, “Somethin’ To Ride To (Fonky Expedition)” and “We Roll Deep”).
Malina Olinescu - Died 12-12-2011 - Possible suicide - Born 1-29-1974 - Singer - (She did, “Eu cred”).
Milly Ericson - Died 12-13-2011 in Santa Clarita, CA, U.S. - Hit by a car - Born 1928 - Singer and actress - Worked with Tommy Dorsey and Ray Anthony.
Nicholas G. Bliss - Died 12-13-2011 in Naperville - Kidney failure ( Jazz ) Born 6-11-1921 in Iowa, U.S. - Played trumpet - Led his band at Chicago’s Gaslight Club - Worked with George Quinlan.
Billie Jo Spears (aka Billie Jean Moore) - Died 12-14-2011 in Vidor, Texas, U.S. - Cancer ( Country ) Born 1-14-1937 in Beaumont, Texas, U.S. - Singer - (She did, “Blanket On The Ground” and “Too Old For Toys, Too Young For Boys”).
Ed Roman - Died 12-14-2011 - Illness - He was 61 years old - Singer, bassist and guitar maker - Ted Nugent, Eric Burdon and John Entwistle have used his guitars.
Carl Mottola (Carl A. Mottola) - Died 12-15-2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. - Multiple myeloma ( Jazz ) He was 70 years old - Drummer - Worked with Bobby Rydell, Mel Torme, Don Cornell, Johnny Desmond, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Elvis Presley, Sergio Franchi, Neil Sedaka, Peggy Lee, Anthony Newley, James Darren, The Carmen Dee Orchestra and Smokey Robinson.
Bob Brookmeyer (Robert Brookmeyer) - Died 12-16-2011 ( Jazz ) Born 12-19-1929 in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. - Played trombone and piano - Worked with Gerry Mulligan, Orrin Tucker, Stan Getz, Lou Levy, Tex Beneke and The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis big band
Slim Dunkin (Mario Hamilton) - Died 12-16-2011 in Atlanta - Shot in a recording studio. ( Rap ) He was 24 years old - (He did, “Twitter That”) - He was one of 1017 Brick Squad - Worked with Waka Flocka Flame, Gucci Mane, Roscoe Dash and Pastor Troy.
Cesaria Evora - (The Barefoot Diva and The Queen of Morna) - Died 12-17-2011 in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde - Respiratory failure and hypertension ( Morna - Coladeira ) Born 8-28-1941 in Mindelo, Portuguese Cape Verde - Singer - (She did, “Nova Sintra” and “Bia Lulucha”).
John Bishop (Gregory Ceurvorst) - Died 12-17-2011 in Oak Park - Heart attack ( Jazz - Soul - R&B ) Born 1946 in Davenport, Iowa, U.S. - Guitarist - (He did, “Way Out Back”) - Worked with his wife, violinist Georgia Frances in The Georgia Frances Orchestra and with Ray Charles, Donny Hathaway and Ramsey Lewis
Ralph MacDonald - Died 12-18-2011 in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S. - Lung cancer - Born 3-15-1944 in Harlem, NY, U.S. - Percussionist - (He co-wrote, “Just The Two Of Us” and “Where Is The Love”) - Worked with Harry Belafonte, Burt Bacharach, George Benson, David Bowie, Quincy Jones, Carole King, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett, Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, The Average White Band, James Taylor, Art Garfunkel, Billy Joel, Luther Vandross, Amy Winehouse, George Benson, Hall And Oates and The Brothers Johnson - Son of musician, Macbeth The Great.
Clem DeRosa - Died 12-20-2011 near Denton, Texas, U.S. - Cancer ( Jazz ) Born 5-20-1925 - Drummer - Worked with Claude Thornhill, Jimmy Dorsey, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Ben Webster, John LaPorta, Charles Mingus, Teo Macero, Coleman Hawkins, Kenyon Hopkins, Bobby Hackett, Thad Jones, Teddy Wilson and Marian McPartland - Co-founder of The International Association For Jazz Education (IAJE).
Sean Bonniwell (Thomas Harvey Bonniwell) (aka T.S. Bonniwell) - Died 12-20-2011 in Visalia, CA, U.S. - Lung cancer ( Rock - Folk ) Born 8-16-1940 in San Jose, CA, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Wayfarers (They did, “Crabs Walk Sideways ” and “Roll On, Tomorrow Is Coming”) and The Ragamuffins (They did, “Talk Me Down” and “Push Don’t Pull”) who became The Music Machine (They did, “Talk Talk” and “The People In Me”) - Worked with The Larksmen (“Burn Like A Boy” and “Out Of Darwin’s Mind”).
David Gold - Died 12-22-2011 near Barrie, Ontario, Canada - Car accident ( Metal ) He was 31 years old - Singer, guitarist, bassist and drummer - Was a member of Woods Of Ypres (They did, “The Sea Of Immeasurable Loss” and “Awaiting The Inevitable”).
Tony Williams - Died 12-24-2011 in Mermaid Waters, Australia - After a physical assault ( Rock ) He was 38 years old - Singer - Was a member of Sex ‘N’ Chocolate (They did, “Dreadlock Holiday” and “I Wanna Love I Can See”).
Mary Zsuzsi (Mary Zsuzsa) - Died 12-24-2011 in Budapest, Hungary - Suicide ( Pop ) Born 10-13-1947 in Szeged, Hungary - Singer - (She did, “Sodor a szel” and “Alom es vagy”).
Al Russell (Wilbert A. Russell) (aka Stumpy) - Died 12-24-2011 ( R&B - Jazz ) Born 10-18-1921 - Singer and pianist - Was a member of The Al Russell Trio (They did, “Let’s Get Together”), The Do Ray Me Trio (They did, “It’s So” and “Shy Ann”) and The Two Al’s - Worked with his brother, Isaac “Snookum” Russell and with Timmie Rogers (“Fla-Ga-La-Pa” and “Daddy-O”) and Mary Del (“A.B.C. Boogie”).
Jody Rainwater (Charles Edward Johnson) (aka Little Jody Rainwater) - Died 12-24-2011 in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. ( Bluegrass ) Born 1920 in Surry County, North Carolina, U.S. - Played mandolin and bass - Was a member of The Johnson Brothers and The Blue Ridge Mountain Boys - Worked with The Blue Star Boys and The Foggy Mountain Boys
Jim Sherwood (Euclid James Sherwood) (aka Motorhead) - Died 12-25-2011 ( Rock - Doo-wop ) Born 5-8-1942 in Arkansas City, Kansas, U.S. - Sang and did sound effects and played saxophone and tambourine - Was a member of The Black-Outs, The Omens, The Village Inn Band, The Mothers Of Invention and Ruben And The Jets - Worked with The Grandmothers.
Adrienne Cooper (Adrienne Khana Cooper) - Died 12-25-2011 in Manhattan, NY, U.S. - Adrenal cancer ( Klezmer )- Born 9-1-1946 - Singer and musician - Co-founder of KlezKamp - Mother of singer, Sarah Mina Gordon.
Sam Rivers (Samuel Carthorne Rivers) - Died 12-26-2011 in Orlando, Florida, U.S. - Pneumonia ( Jazz ) Born 9-25-1923 in Enid, Oklahoma, U.S. - Played saxophone, harmonica, flute, clarinet and piano - Worked with Tadd Dameron, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Quincy Jones. Miles Davis and Herb Pomeroy.
Betty McQuade - Died 12-26-2011 - Illness - Singer - (She did versions of, “Midnight Bus” and “Doggy In The Window”).
Marilyn Daye (Marilyn Beckman Niles) (aka Mrs. Spook) - Died 12-26-2011 in Naples, FL, U.S. ( Big Band ) Born 1926 - Singer - Led The Capital City Jazz Band, The Marilyn Daye Band and The Marilyn And Dan Duo - Worked with Chuck Selby’s Big Band and The WBNS Studio Band - She had been married to disc jockey and TV personality, Frederick “Spook” Beckman.
Dan Terry (Daniel Kostraba) - Died 12-27-2011 in Danville, Illinois, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-22-1924 in Kingston, Pennsylvania, U.S. - Played trumpet and flugelhorn - Worked with Muggsy Spanier, Sonny Dunham, The Count Basie Band and Lester Young - Wrote and performed music for the films The Hustler and The Manchurian Candidate.
Christine Rosholt - Died 12-28-2011 ( Jazz ) Born 1965 - Singer - (She did, “When You Look At Me” and “No Pleasing You”) - Worked with Beasley’s Big Band.
Kaye Stevens (Catherine Louise Stevens) - Died 12-28-2011 Orlando, FL, U.S. - Breast cancer - Born 7-21-1932 in Pittsburgh, PA, U.S. - Singer and actress - (She did, “You Light Up My Life” on TV’s, Days Of Our Lives and “Friends Are Friends Forever”).
Danny DeGennaro - Died 12-28-2011 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Shot ( Blues - R&B - Rock ) He was 56 years old - Guitarist - Was a member of Kingfish and Danny D And The Torpedoes - Worked with Billy Squier and Clarence Clemons.
Barbara Lea (Barbara Ann LeCocq) - Died 12-28-2011 in Raleigh, NC, U.S. - Complications of Alzheimer’s disease ( Jazz - Cabaret ) Born 4-10-1929 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. - Singer - Worked with George Wein, Bobby Hackett, Frankie Newton, Vic Dickenson, Johnny Windhurst and Marian McPartland.
Robert Lee Dickey (aka Bobby Purify) - Died 12-29-2011 in Tallahassee, FL, U.S. - Natural causes ( R&B ) Born 9-2-1939 - Singer - Was half of the duo, James & Bobby Purify (They did, “I’m Your Puppet” and “Shake A Tailfeather”).
Diego Rapoport - Died 12-30-2011 on the way to Río Negro, Argentina - Cardiovascular problem ( Rock ) He was 63 years old - Pianist - Worked with Spinetta Jade, Seru Giran, Raíces, Seleste and David Lebon.
Yafa Yarkoni (aka Yaffah Yarqoni) (Yafa Abramov) - Died 1-1-2012 in Tel Aviv, Israel - Born 12-24-1925 in Giv’at Rambam, Israel - Singer - (She did, “Bab al-Wad”) - Was a member of The Givati Brigade.
Nina Miranda (Nelly María Hunter) - Died 1-1-2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Illness ( Tango ) Born 11-8-1925 in Montevideo, Uruguay - Singer - (She wrote, “Cancion para mi amor” and “No hagas caso de la gente”) - Worked with The Swallows, Francisco Reinares, Emilio Pellejero, Lurati Cao, Juan Roberto Cao, Juan Esteban Martinez and The Donato Racciatti Orchestra.
Fred Milano - Died 1-1-2012 in New York, U.S. - Lung cancer ( Doo-wop ) Born 8-22-1939 in New York, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of Dion And The Belmonts (They did, “I Wonder Why” and “A Teenager In Love”) and The Belmonts (They did, “Come On Little Angel” and “We Belong Together”) - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Rhino Reinhardt (Larry Reinhardt) (aka El Rhino and Ryno) - Died 1-2-2012 ( Rock ) Born 7-7-1948 in Florida, U.S. - Guitarist - Was a member of The Load and Captain Beyond (They did, “Myopic Void” and “Raging River Of Fear”) - Worked with The Thunderbeats, The Second Coming, The Blues Messengers, Bobby Womac (“I Don’t Want To Get Hurt By Your Love Again” and “Don’t Let Me Down”) and Iron Butterfly.