Rock Star Death Notices - July 2011

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Clarence Clemmons

Clarence Clemmons

Greg Clarke - Died 5-?-2011 in Sydney, Australia - Possible heart attack - He was 50 years old - Was a tour manager for Billy Thorpe and Rose Tattoo.

Rudy Williams (Rudolph Williams) - The Mayor of Beale Street - Found dead 5-31-2011, he had been missing for a week ( Jazz ) He was 70 years old - Trumpeter.

Mark Smith (Mark Heber Smith) - Died 5-31-2011 in Bethlehem, PA, U.S. ( Rock ) Born 1959 - Sang and played harmonica - Was a member of The Creatures Of The Golden Dawn (They did, “Arabat Row” and “Feels Like The End Of The World”).

Steve Schmidt (aka Sharkey) - Died 6-?-2011 ( Doo-Wop ) He was 61 years old - Singer - Was a member of Reunion (They did a version of, “Wonderful Tonight”).

Manolo Otero (Manuel Otero Aparicio) - Died 6-1-2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil - Liver cancer - Born 6-25-1942 in Madrid, Spain - Singer and actor - (He did, “Maria no mas” and “Bella mujer”) - Was married to showgirl, Maria Jose Cantudo.

Bobby Fiocco (Robert J. Fiocco) - Died 6-2-2011 in North Providence, RI, U.S. - He was 74 years old - Born in Providence, RI, U.S. - Bassist - Was a member of The Blue Jays Band.

Ray Bryant (Raphael Homer Bryant) - Died 6-2-2011 in Queens, NY, U.S. - Illness ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 12-24-1931 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Pianist - (He wrote, “Blues Changes” and “Cubano Chant”) - Led The Ray Bryant Trio - Worked with Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Aretha Franklin, Coleman Hawkins, Jimmy Rushing, Dizzy Gillespie and Melba Liston - Uncle of musicians, Kevin Eubanks, Duane Eubanks and Robin Eubanks and singer, Jennifer Bryant - Brother of bassist, Tommy Bryant and drummer, Len Bryant.

Sergey Bogaev - Died 6-2-2011 ( Rock ) Born 12-22-1961 - Guitarist and singer - Was a member of Oblachnyj Kraj.

Dr. Jack Kevorkian (Jacob Kevorkian) (aka Doctor Death) - Died 6-3-2011 in Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S. - Kidney and heart problems and pneumonia ( Jazz ) Born 5-26-28 in Pontiac, Michigan, U.S. - Composer, flautist, organist, pathologist, painter and right to die activist - (He did, “A Very Still Life” and “In Strange Loops”) - Led The The Morpheus Quintet - Assisted in about 130 patients suicides.

Andrew Gold (Andrew Maurice Gold) - Died 6-3-2011 - Heart attack ( Pop - Rock ) Born 8-2-1951 in Burbank, CA, U.S. - Singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, drummer, saxophonist and trombonist - (He did, “Lonely Boy” and “Thank You For Being A Friend”) - Was a member of Bryndle (They did, “Woke Up This Morning”) and Wax (They did, “Right Between The Eyes” and “Bridge To Your Heart”) - Worked with Linda Ronstadt (“You’re No Good” and “When Will I Be Loved”), Stephen Bishop, John Lennon, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Paul McCartney, 10cc, Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Ringo Starr and Art Garfunkel - Son of singer, Marni Nixon and composer, Ernest Gold.

Benny Spellman (Benjamin J.  Spellman) - Died 6-3-2011 - Respiratory failure ( R&B ) Born 12-11-1931 in Pensacola, FL, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)” and “Fortune Teller”) - Worked with Allen Toussaint, Earl King (“Trick Bag”), Huey Piano Smith, Ernie K-Doe (“Mother-in-Law”), Wilson Pickett, The Neville Brothers and The O’Jays - Father of singer, Judy Spellman - Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Dimi Mint Abba (Loula Bint Siddaty Ould Abba) - Diva of the Desert - Died 6-4-2011 in Casablanca, Morocco - Brain hemorrhage due to a stage accident days earlier - Born 12-25-1958 - Sang and played the ardin - (She wrote, “Hailala” and “Koumba bay bay”).

Andreas P. Nielsen  - Died 6-4-2011 - Born 1953 in Kolding - Was half of the duo, Draesinebanden with his wife, Inge-Marie (They did, “Jeg havde engang en bad” a cover of Sloop John B and “Ah, disse minder”).

Martin Rushent (Martin Charles Rushent) - Died 6-4-2011 - Born 7-11-1948 in Enfield, Middlesex, England - Producer and keyboardist - (He did, “Itchy Hips”) - Produced or engineered records for David Essex, T. Rex, Pete Shelley, Fleetwood Mac, Gentle Giant, Altered Images, The Go-Go’s, Yes, Shirley Bassey, The Buzzcocks, Hazel O’Connor, Generation X, Killa Kela, XTC, 999 and The Stranglers - Father of singer and guitarist, James Rushent.

Frankie Toler (David Frankie Toler) - Died 6-4-2011 in Bradenton - Illness after a liver transplant ( Rock ) Born 6-28-1951 - Drummer - Was a member of The Toler Bro’s - Worked with Dickey Betts & Great Southern, The Allman Brothers Band (“Straight From The Heart”), Gregg Allman (“I’m No Angel”), Lynyrd Skynard, .38 Special and The Marshall Tucker Band - Brother of guitarist, Dan Toler.

Gavin O’Connor - Died 6-4-2011 in Drogheda ( Rock ) He was 22 years old - Assaulted by a gang as they stole his car - Guitarist and singer - Was a member of Climax.

Azam Khan (Mahbubul Haque Khan) - Died 6-5-2011 - Cancer ( Bengali Pop ) Born 2-28-1950 - Singer (He did, “Ami Jare Chaire” and “Ore Saleka”) - Was a member of Uchcharon.

Kevin Kavanaugh (Kevin W. Kavanaugh) - Died 6-4-2011 - Illness ( Rock ) Born 11-27-1951 in West Orange, NJ, U.S. - Keyboardist and singer - Was a member of Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes (They did, “Hearts Of Stone” and “Love On The Wrong Side Of Town”) - Worked with The Disciples of Soul, The High Voltage Brothers, Joel Krauss, Bob Burger, Marc Ribler, Billy Morris, Cats On A Smooth Surface, Harry Filkin and Bobby Bandiera.

Leon Botha (aka DJ Solarize) - Died 6-5-2011 in Cape Town, South Africa - Complications of progeria ( Electro Rap ) Born 6-4-1985 in Cape Town, South Africa - Musician and visual artist - Worked with Die Antwoord (They did, “Enter The Ninja”).

Gordon Lorenz - Died 6-5-2011 in Llandudno, Wales, UK - Born 1949 in Childwall, Liverpool, England - Songwriter and producer - (He wrote, “There’s No One Quite Like Grandma” and “Rejoice Rejoice”) - Produced Shirley Bassey, Petula Clark, Gloria Gaynor, Atomic Kitten, David Soul, Anthony Newley and Roger Whittaker.

Brook Porter (aka Chumly) - Died 6-5-2011 ( Punk Metal ) Born 11-24-1969 - Bassist - Was a member of D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) (They did, “Under The Overpass” and “Girl With A Gun”).

Buddy Gask (William Gask) (aka Bill Gask) - Died 6-7-2011 in Spain ( Rock ) Born 12-18-1948 in Leicester - Singer - Was a member of Showaddywaddy (They did, “Hey Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Good Timing”).

Alan Rubin (aka Mr. Fabulous) - Died 6-8-2011 in New York, NY, U.S. - Lung cancer ( Jazz - Blues - Rock - Disco ) Born 2-11-1943 in New York, NY, U.S. - Played trumpet and flugelhorn - Worked with The Blues Brothers, Robert Goulet, Blood Sweat & Tears, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, The Saturday Night Live Band, Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Frank Zappa, Paul Simon, Sting, James Taylor, Frankie Valli, Billy Joel, Yoko Ono, Dr. John and The Rolling Stones.

Steve Popovich - Died 6-8-2011 - Born 7-6-1942 in Nemacolin, PA, U.S. - Record company executive - Was a VP for Columbia Records promotion who’s staff helped with the careers of Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, It’s A Beautiful Day, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Johnny Mathis,  Mott The Hoople, Johnny Winter and many others - Was a founder and President for Cleveland International Records which released Meat Loaf’s, Bat Out of Hell album - National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Darryl Pandy - Died 6-10-2011 - Illness ( Gospel - House ) Singer - Worked with Farley “Jackmaster” Funk (“Love Can’t Turn Around”).

Jerry Mayo (Gennaro Meoli) - Died 6-10-2011 - Complications of a blood disorder ( Rock ) He was 76 years old - Played trumpet - Was a member of Freddy And The Bellboys (They did, “Giddy-Up-A-Ding-Dong” and a version of, “Hound Dog”).

Seth Putnam (Seth Edward Putnam) - Died 6-11-2011 - Heart attack ( Grindcore ) Born 5-15-1958 in Boston, MA, U.S. - Singer and guitarist- Was a member of Anal C*nt (aka AxCx and A.C.) (They did, “Jack Kevorkian Is Cool” and “You’re In A Coma”) - Worked with Pantera and Executioner.

Anet Mook - Died 6-11-2011 in Amsterdam - Hit by a train ( Rock ) Singer and guitarist - Was a member of Cay (They did, “Neurons Like Brandy” and “Nature Creates Freaks”).

Carl Gardner (Carl Edward Gardner Sr.) - Died 6-12-2011 in Port St. Lucie, Florida, U.S. - After congestive heart failure and vascular dementia ( R&B ) Born 4-29-1928 in Tyler, Texas, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Robins (They did, “If Teardrops Were Kisses” and “I Must Be Dreamin”) and The Coasters (They did, “Charlie Brown” and “Yakety Yak”) - Father of singer, Carl Gardner Jr. - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Mack Self (Wiley Laverne Self) - Died 6-14-2011 in West Helena ( Rockabilly ) Born 5-22-1930 in Calico Bottoms - Singer, guitarist and songwriter - (He did, “Easy To Love” and “Vibrate”) - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Mae Wheeler (aka Lady Jazz) - Died 6-15-2011 in Maryland Heights - Complications from colon cancer and leukemia ( Jazz - Cabaret ) Born 5-15-1934 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Singer.

Wild Man Fischer (Lawrence Wayne Fischer) - Godfather of outsider music - Died 6-15-2011 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Heart problems ( Rock Weirdness - Novelty ) Born 11-6-1944 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “My Name Is Larry” and “Don’t Be A Singer”) - Worked with Barnes & Barnes, Mark Mothersbaugh (“The Way We Were”) and Rosemary Clooney (“It’s A Hard Business”).

Mark Vaccacio (aka Farquar) - Died 6-15-2011 - Colon cancer ( Rock ) Born 7-18-1952 in the Bronx, NY, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Led Farquar And The Purple Gang (They did, “What It Takes To Be In Love” and “Wasted”) - He also protrayed George Harrison in the tribute band, Strawberry Fields and played John Lennon in the Broadway cast of Beatlemania.

Josie Jason - Died 6-15-2011 - Cancer ( Rock ) She was 49 years old - Guitarist and singer - Was a member of Jimi The Human, Spectre 7, Angry Anderson, The Dirty Rats, Mother, Goddess and Josie Jason And The Argonauts (They did, “It’s Alright For You”).

Harley Gaber - Died 6-16-2011 in Gallup, New Mexico, U.S. - Suicide - Born 1943 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. - Composer, film maker and visual artist.

Calvin Scott Sr. - Died 6-17-2011 - Born 1-6-1938 in Tuskegee,  Alabama, U.S. - Singer and pianist - Was a member of Clarence & Calvin And The Mello Men with Clarence Carter and Calvin And The Blockbusters (They did, “A Sadness For Things” and “Shame On The Family Name”) - Worked with his son, Calvin Scott Jr.

Clarence Clemons (Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr.) - Died 6-18-2011 in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. - Complications of a stroke ( Rock - R&B ) Born 1-11-1942 in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. - Played saxophone and sang - Led Clarence Clemons & The Red Bank Rockers - Was a member of The Vibratones and Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band (“Blinded By The Light” and “Born To Run”) - Worked with Jackson Browne (“You’re A Friend of Mine”), Nils Lofgren, The Four Tops, Todd Rundgren, Aretha Franklin (“Freeway Of Love”), Joan Armatrading, The Grateful Dead, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Ian Hunter, Twisted Sister (“Be Chrool To Your Scuel”), Alvin Lee, Joe Cocker, Roy Orbison, Gary U.S. Bonds, Janis Ian, Norman Seldin & The Joyful Noyze and Lady Gaga.

Graeme Fitzsimons - Died 6-18-2011 - Car accident ( Country ) He was 60 something years old - Singer - Worked with his wife Janice (They did, “Why Me Lord” and “My Elusive Dreams”) - Father of guitarist, Daniel Fitzsimons of The Smiles.

Gustaf Kjellvander (Jan Gustaf Lennart Kjellvander) - Died 6-18-2011 ( Rock - Folk - Pop ) Born 1980 in Sweden - Singer - Was a member of Sideshow Bob, Songs Of Soil (They did, “Kelly” and “Jesus”) and The Fine Arts Showcase (They did, “Friday On My Knees” and “Chemical Girl”) - Worked with Ossler, The Radio Dept. and David & The Citizens.

James Morris East - Died 6-19-2011 - Born 4-6-1942 - Musician - Was a member of The John Ford Band.

Simon Brint - Died 6-?-2011 - He was 61 years old - Keyboardist and composer - Was half of the duo, Raw Sex - Worked with Adrian Edmondson, Phill Jupitus, Rowland Rivron and Neil Innes - Wrote music for TV’s, Coupling, The Lenny Henry Show, Stella Street and The Mary Whitehouse Experience.

Khawaja Pervez (Ghulam Mohayudin) - Died 6-20-2011 in Lahore - Illness - Born 1932 in Amritsar - Composer and lyricist - (He wrote, “Tum hi ho Mehboob meray” and “Sun way Balori Akh waleya”) - Wrote music for films - He songs have been sung by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali khan,Ghulam Ali and Madam Noor Jahan.

Mike Waterson (Michael Waterson ) - Died 6-22-2011 ( Folk ) Born 1-16-1941 in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England - Singer - Was a member of The Watersons and Blue Murder.

Fred Steiner - Died 6-23-2011 - Stroke - Born 2-24-1923 in New York, NY, U.S. - Composer, conductor and orchestrator - (He wrote, the theme for The Rocky And Bullwinkle Show and “Park Avenue Beat” which was the theme song for TV’s, Perry Mason) - He also wrote music for TV’s, Lost In Space, Dynasty, The Twilight Zone and Amazing Stories - Father of singer, Wendy Waldman.

Gaye Delorme - Died 6-23-2011 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Possible heart attack ( Flamenco - Classical - Jazz - Country - Blues - Rock - Metal ) - Born 3-20-1947 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - Guitarist - (He did, “Can’t Cross Here” and “Thin Man”) - Was a member of The Window - Worked with Cheech And Chong (“Earache My Eye”), Jann Arden, Lenny Breau, David Foster, Billy Cobham, Airto Moreira, Stanley Clarke and The Powder Blues Band - Produced k.d. lang.

Goff Richards (aka Godfrey Richards) - Died 6-25-2011 in Cheshire - Illness - He was 66 years old - Born in Cornwall - Trombonist and composer - Was a member of The Goff Richards Orchestra, The Syncopated Six, The Burnished Brass, Percusssion Plus and The Arcadians - He wrote for The Swingle Singers, The Kings Singers, The Huddersfield Choral Society, The London Brass, Benjamin Luxon and Evelyn Glennie.

Maciej Zembaty - Died 6-27-2011 in Warsaw, Poland - Born 5-16-1944 in Tarnow, Poland - Singer, poet, comedian, artist and writer - He translated and recorded about 60 Leonard Cohen songs.