Rock Star Death Notices - May 2010

Elliot Willensky (Elliot A. Willensky) - Died 3-29-2010 in Summit, NJ, U.S. - Stroke - He was 66 years old - Songwriter and pianist - (He wrote, “If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful” and Michael Jackson’s, “Got To Be There”) - His songs have been done by Chaka Khan, Smokey Robinson, The Fifth Dimension, Gladys Knight, Jermaine Jackson, Whitney Houston, Thelma Houston, Syreeta and Jerry Butler.

Nicola Arigliano - Died 3-30-2010 in Calimera, Italy - Heart attack (Jazz) Born 12-6-1923 in Squinzano, Italy - Singer - (He did, “Un giorno ti diro” and “Amorevole”).

John Bunch - Died 3-30-2010 in Manhattan, NY, U.S. - Melanoma (Jazz) Born 12-1-1921 in Tipton, Ind., U.S. - Pianist - Worked with New York Swing, Pearl Bailey, Benny Goodman, Wes Montgomery, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Eddie Condon, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and Tony Bennett.

David Deckelbaum - Died 3-31-2010 in Montreal, Canada (Folk) He was 71 years old - Played banjo - Was a member of The Jerusalem Taverners (They did, “The Chicken Song” and “Shir Chara”).

Caresse Henry - Died 3-31-2010 in Irvine, CA, U.S. - She was 44 years old - Managed Madonna, Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, Jimmy Demers, Joss Stone and Paula Abdul.

Mirlan Doutov (aka Mikael) - Found dead 3-31-2010 in Bishkek - Stabbed (Pop) Born 1985 - Singer.

Rene Solis - Died 4-?-2010 (R&B - Rock - Soul) Born 9-?-1954 - Guitarist and singer - Was a member of NiteCry (They did, “Right By Me” and “Life On The Run”), The Groove Kings, The Persuaders and Lucky 13.

William Young - Died 4-?-2010 - Born 1921 in Belfast, Ireland - Organist - Worked with Dr. Havelock Nelson and Derek Bell.

Frank Babakaiff - Died 4-?-2010 - Guitarist - Was a member of The Questions and The Flashbacks.

Jimmy Helms (James H. Helms) - Died 4-1-2020 (Soul - R&B) Born 1944 - Singer - (He did, “I’m Gonna Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse” and “I’ll Take Good Care Of You”) - Was a member of Londonbeat (They did, “I’ve Been Thinking About You” and “A Better Love”) and New Londonbeat.

Mike Zwerin (Michael Zwerin) - Died 4-2-2010 in Paris, France (Jazz - Rock) Born 5-18-1930 - Trombonist, trumpeter and journalist - Worked with Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, The Mingus Big Band, Woody Shaw, John Scofield, Archie Shepp, Eric Clapton and Telephone - He wrote for Rolling Stone and Downbeat.

Tom Wisner - Bard of the Chesapeake Bay - Died 4-2-2010 in Prince Frederick, MD, U.S. - Lung cancer (Folk) He was 79 years old - Singer, guitatist and environmentalist - (He did, “Chesapeake Born” and “Equal Each Before All Kind”).

Kelvin Henderson - Died 4-2-2010 - Progressive supranuclear palsy (Country) He was 62 years old - Born in Bristol - Promoter, singer and guitarist - (He did, “I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight” and “Spanish Burguny”) - Led The Kelvin Henderson Band - Hosted radio’s, My Kind Of Country and TV’s, Country Comes West - British Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Pat Milliken - Died 4-2-2010 - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “The Hunt” and “Dad”) - He was one of the trio, Pat, Fin And Greg.

Ivan Balsamadziev - Died 4-3-2010 - Cancer - Born 2-19-1953 in Troyan, Bulgaria - Actor, singer and TV host.

Sugar Lee Hooper (Marja van der Toorn) - Died 4-4-2010 in The Hague, Netherlands - Complication from surgery (Pop - Rock) Born 2-23-1948 in The Hague, Netherlands - Singer and drummer - (She did, “De Wandelclub” and “Hooperdepoep”) - Worked with The Crazy Rockers.

Yolanda Castro - Died 4-5-2010 Havana, Cuba (Jazz) Born 1929 - Was a member of Orquesta Anacaona - She played saxophone, bongos, conga drums, clarinet, guitar and oboe.

Luigi Waites (Lewis Waites) - Died 4-6-2010 (Jazz) Born 7-10-1927 in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. - Drummer and vibraphonist - Led Luigi INC - Founded The Contemporaries - Worked with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and James Brown - Omaha Black Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Eddie Carroll - Died 4-6-2010 (Pop - Novelty) Born 9-5-1933 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - Actor and comedian - Led Eddie Carroll And The Kidney Stone Trio (They did, “I Hate Banjoes” and “Available For President”) - (Co-wrote The Lettermen’s, “How Is Julie”) - He took over the voice role of Disney’s Jiminy Cricket in 1973 - He was a Jack Benny impersonator for the show, Laughter In Bloom - Uncle of actress, Erika Eleniak.

Geraldine Gay - Died 4-6-2010 in Aurora - Complications from strokes (Gospel) She was 79 years old - Pianist - She was one of The Gay Sisters (They did, “God Will Take Care Of You” and “We’re Gonna Have A Good Time”) - Worked with Albertina Walker, Alex Bradford, The Artistics and Jessy Dixon.

Bhekumuzi Luthuli - Died 4-7-2010 in Durban, South Africa - Illness (Maskandi) He was 48 years old - Born in South Africa - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Impatha” and “Imilwanjwana”) - Worked with Oshimi.

Graciela Grillo-Perez (aka Graciela Grillo) - First Lady of Latin Jazz - Died 4-7-2010 in New York, NY, U.S. - Renal and pulmonary failure (Jazz) Born 8-23-1915 in Havana, Cuba - Singer and bassist - (She did, “Intimate And Sentimental” and “That’s The Way I Am”) - Was a member of Orquestra Anacaona - Worked with El Trio Garcia, The Orchestra Siboney, Xavier Cugat, The Afro-Cubans and Mario Bauza’s orchestra.

Neil Long (Neil A. Long) - Died 4-7-2010 in Evansville, IN, U.S. (Rock) Born 1-19-1945 in Vincennes, IN, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Corvettes (They did, “Our Love Won’t End” and “Tears Are Free”) and Free Reign.

Danny O’Brien - Died 4-7-2010 in Trim, Ireland - He was 56 years old - Born in Limerick, Ireland - He was an actor, photographer and politician and played drums, harmonica and guitar - Worked with Gerry Tully.

Eddie Johnson (Edwin Lawrence Johnson) - Died 4-7-2010 (Jazz) Born 12-11-1920 in Napoleonville, LA, U.S. - Saxophonist - (He did, “Twin Rock” and “Walk Softly”) - Worked with Johnny Long’s Orchestra, The Johnny Long Sextet, Coleman Hawkins, Milt Larkin, Cootie Williams, The Benson All Star Orchestra, Leo Parker, Edna McRaney, Louis Jordan, Johnny Pate, Duke Ellington, Geraldine de Haas and Willie Pickens.

Al Richards - Died 4-7-2010 - Played congas - Was a member of Phossil Phools and The Regents.

Malcolm McLaren (Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren) (aka Malcolm Robert Andrew Edwards) - Died 4-8-2010 in New York, NY, U.S. - Mesothelioma (Punk - Hip Hop) Born 1-22-1946 in Stoke Newington, London, England - (He did, “Buffalo Gals” and “Double Dutch”) - Managed The Sex Pistols, Bow Wow Wow and The New York Dolls.

Kenneth McKellar - Died 4-9-2010 in Lake Tahoe, CA, U.S. - Pancreatic cancer - Born 6-23-1927 in Paisley, Scotland - Singer - (He did, “A Man Without Love” and “Song Of The Clyde”).

George Cundari (George C. Cundari) - Died 4-9-2010 in Galloway Township, NJ, U.S. - He was 94 years old - Born in Newark, U.S. - Played banjo - Was a member of Just A Bunch Of Banjos.

Dixie Carter (Dixie Virginia Carter) - Died 4-10-2010 - Endometrial cancer (Cabaret) Born 5-25-1939 in McLemoresville, Tenn., U.S. - Actress and singer - (She did, “Cheap Decadent Drivel” and “There Used To Be”) - Appeared in the musicials, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Sextet - Was a cast member of TV’s, Designing Women - She had been married to actors, George Hearn and Hal Holbrook.

Chick Overington (Charles J. Overington) - Died 4-10-2010 in Newtown - He was 81 years old - Born in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Musician - Worked with The Kensington String Band, The Warminster Symphony, The Contemporary Music Group, The Grass Roots Band and The Hot Springs Band.

Carlo Alberto Rossi - Died 4-12-2010 in Milan, Italy - Born 8-30-1921 in Rimini, Italy - Singer, composer and producer - (He wrote “E se domani”) - Was a member of Barboni - Collborated with Natalino Otto, Joe Sentieri, Luciano Tajoli, Mina, Fausto Cigliano and Milva Biolcati,  - Brother of music producer, Alfredo Rossi.

Manos Xydous - Died 4-13-2010 - Cardiac arrest (Rock) Born 5-15-1953 in Greece - Singer, songwriter and producer - Was a member of Pix Lax also called Pix Lux - His songs have been recorded by Giannis Parios, Vasilis Karras, Giorgos Dalaras and Lakis Papadopoulos.

Steve Reid - Died 4-13-2010 in New York, U.S. - Throat cancer (Jazz) Born 1-29-1944 - Drummer - Worked with The Apollo Theatre House Band, Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet), Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Fela Kuti, Martha And The Vandellas, James Brown and Sun Ra - Founded the label Mustevic Sound Inc.

Joe Pelesasa - Died 4-13-2010 - He was 51 years old - Was half of the duo, Mike And Joe - Was a member of IDK (They did, “Rosa”).

Bob Gordon (Robert L. Gordon) - Died 4-13-2010 in Raritan Township, NJ, U.S. (Jazz) He was 85 years old - Pianist and singer.

Mississippi Slim (Walter Horn Jr.) - Died 4-14-2010 in Greenville, MS, U.A. (Blues) Born 8-13-1943 in Shelby, MS, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “Crying In The Arms Of Another Love” and “Cotton Candy”).

Peter Steele (Petrus T. Ratajczyk) - Died 4-14-2010 - Heart failure (Goth - Metal) Born 1-4-1962 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S. - Singer and bassist - Was a member of Type O Negative (They did, “I Like Goils” and “The Dream Is Dead”) - Worked with Fallout and Carnivore.

James Stellmaker Sr. - Died 4-14-2010 (Jazz) He was 76 years old - Played trombone - Worked with Don Ellis, Bud Brisbois, Doc Severinsen, Tom Jones, Sonny And Cher, Gisselle McKenzie and Dave Brubeck.

Aubrey Cummings - Died 4-14-2010 in Saint Michael, Barbados - Born 1947 - Musician - He was a member of Bumble And The Saints and Dominators.

George Melvin - Died 4-15-2010 (Jazz - Blues - Gospel) Born 5-23-1946 - Keyboardist - (He did, “Tippin Out” and “Nieama”) - Worked with Blue Indigo (They did, “Wessin’ It” and “Cat Walk”), Al Hirt, Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, Miles Davis, Charlie Daniels, Ray Charles, Pearl Bailey, The Moments and Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes.

Lee Altomare - Died 4-16-2010 - Complications from eye surgery (Metal) Born 1976 - Guitarist - Was a member of The Communion (They did, “Mecha Horripilation” and “Clock Halt”).

C. P. Rele (Chandrashekhar P. Rele) - Died 4-16-2010 (Khyal) Born in Mumbai, India - Singer and composer.

Rick Simpson (Richard Vincent Simpson) - Died 4-16-2010 (Country - Rock) Born 1948 in Connecticut, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “The Boatyard Song” and “This Daytona Life”) - Worked with Robert Thames.

Matt Wariner (Matthew Joseph Wariner) - Died 4-16-2010 - Single car accident (Country) Born 4-14-1982 - Played guitar and sang - Was a member of Gary Grant And The Matt Wariner Band (They did, “With A Woman” and “Too Young For What”).

Abdillah Murad Md Shaari (aka Achik) - Died 4-17-2010 - Car accident - He was 27 years old - Singer - (He did, “Janji Kita”) - Was a member of Spin.

Ashlee Madison - Died 4-17-2010 in Oklahoma City - Car accident (Jazz - Soul - Gospel) She was 24 years old - Singer - Worked with Cami Stinson, Shorttdogg and Jabee (“Picture On The Wall”).

Deven Clifford - Died 4-18-2010 in Vancouver, Canada - After he collapsed on stage from a brain hemorrhage (Alternative - Rock) Born 1979 - Drummer - Was a member of You Say Party! We Say Die! (They did, “Like I Give A Care” and “Laura Palmer’s Prom”).

Keith Elam (aka Guru) - Died 4-19-2010 (Hip Hop - Jazz) Born 7-17-1966 in Roxbury, Boston, MA, U.S. - (He did, “Down The Backstreets” and “Respectful Dedications”) - He was half of the duo, Gang Starr (They did, “Words I Manifest” and “Nice Girl, Wrong Place”) - Worked with Branford Marsalis, Roy Ayers, Herbie Hancock, Isaac Hayes and Donald Byrd.

Gustav Lorentzen (aka Ludvigsen) - Died 4-21-2010 outside of Bergen, Norway- Cardiac arrest - Born 9-28-1947 in Bergen, Norway - Singer, guitarist and drummer - Was half of the duo, Knutsen & Ludvigsen (They did, “Grevling I Taket” and “Dum Og Deilig”).

Ataollah Jangouk - Died 4-22-2010 in Tehran, Iran - He was 62 years old - Cardiac arrest - Played tar and setar - Worked with Shahram Nazeri.

Fred Panopio (Alfredo Panopio) - Died 4-22-2010 in Manila, Philippines - Cardiac arrest - Born 2-2-1939 in Nueva Ecija, Philippines - Musician, singer and yodeler - (He did, “Kawawang Cowboy” and “Markado”).

Gene Lees (Frederick Eugene John Lees) - Died 4-22-2010 in Ojai, CA, U.S. - Stroke (Jazz) Born 2-8-1928 in Hamilton, Ontario - Writer, critic and lyricist - Collaborated with Antonio Carlos Jobim (They co-wrote, “Corcovado” (known in English as “Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars”) which has been recorded by Diana Krall, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald).

Engin Yorukoglu - Died 4-23-2010 in Kyzylaoac, Muola - Respiratory failure and cardiac arrest due to cancer (Rock) Born 1-7-1945 in Kahramanmara, Turkey - Drummer -  Was a member of Mogollar (They did, “Gel Gel” and “Sor Kendine”) - Worked with Cahit Berkay, The Selcuk Alagoz Orchestra and Kurtalan Ekspress.

Georgia Lee (Dulcie Rama Pitt) - Died 4-23-2010 (Jazz - Blues) Born 1922 - Singer - Was a member of The Harmony Sisters - Worked with The Geraldo Dance Band, The Port Jackson Jazz Band, George Trevare, Max Williams, Bruce Clarke and The Graeme Bell Jazz Band.

Russ Johnson - Died 4-23-2010 in Live Oak, FL, U.S. - Illness (Rock - Punk) He was 50 years old - Guitarist - Was a member of The Doldrums - Worked with Stabilizer, All Star 69 and Dredge.

Paul Sherfick - Died 4-23-2010 - Shot after robbing a bank (Rock) He was 29 years old - Guitarist and promoter - Was a member of Dudes Of Lord.

Norman Wright Sr. - Died 4-23-2010 (R&B) Born 10-31-1937 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Dell-Vikings (aka The Del-Vikings) (They did, “Come Go With Me” and “Cool Shake”) - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Bo Hansson - Died 4-24-2010 (Rock - Prog - Jazz) Born 4-10-1943 - Played guitar and keyboards - (He did, “Shadowfax” and “Before The Rain”) - Was a member of The Merrymen - He was half of the duo, Hansson & Karlsson - Worked with Rock-Olga, Jimi Hendrix and Slim Notini’s Blues Gang.

Terry Titian - Died 4-24-2010 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada - Cancer (Rock) Born 1949 - Guitarist and singer - Worked with Bootleg, The Stutt Bros., Melrose and The Good Time Band.

J Uzzle (Jeremy Antonio Uzzle) - Died 4-24-2010 in Richmond, VA, U.S. - Shot (Hip Hop) Born 10-17-1989 - (He did, “Turn It Up A Knotch” and “Swag Drippin”).

Labella Dani - Died 4-?-2010 (R&B - Jazz) Born 10-?-1974 in Cape Town - Singer - (She did, “Still Lonely”) - Was a member of The Oaks - She was half of the duo, La Fancy - Worked with Jennifer Jones, Mandoza, Ringo Madlingozi, Judith Sephuma and Women Unite.

Isaac Molefe - Died 4-25-2010 in Dobsonville, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa - Shot (Gospel) He was 33 years old - Born in White City, South Africa - Singer - Worked with The Soweto Gospel Choir and The Barorisi ba Morena choir.

Susan Reed - Died 4-25-2010 in Greenport, NY, U.S. - Natural causes (Folk) Born 1-11-1926 in New York, NY, U.S. - Singer, harpist, zitherist and actress - (She recorded, “The Ridde Song” and “Looking Glass”) - Worked with Carl Sandburg - At one time married to actor, James Karen.

Dorothy Provine (Dorothy Michelle Provine) - Died 4-25-2010 in Bremerton, Washington, U.S. - Emphysema - Born 1-20-1935 in Deadwood, South Dakota, U.S. - Singer, dancer and actress - (She did, “Don’t Bring Lulu” and “Crazy Words, Crazy Tune”) - She played singer Pinky Pinkham on TV’s, The Roaring Twenties - Acted in the films, It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and Who’s Minding The Mint? - She was married to director, Robert Day.

Bobby Melody - Died 4-26-2010 in Nottingham, England - Born in Trelawny, Jamaica - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Jah Bring I Joy” and “Mutty Mutty Girl”) - Led Corner Stone and Roots Vibration.

Ljiljana Buttler - Died 4-26-2010 in in Dusseldorf, Germany - Born 12-14-1944 in Belgrade (former Yugoslavia) - Singer - (She did, “Mala Garava” and “Aonja”).

Morris Pert - Died 4-27-2010 in Balchrick, Kinlochbervie, Scotland (Orchestral - Rock) Born 9-9-1947 in Arbroath, Scotland - Percussionist and composer - (He did, “Tangier Nights” and “Baktra”) - Was a member of Suntreader (They did, “Sirian Blue” and “Eclipse And After”) - Worked with Stomu Yamash’ta, Phil Collins, Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Brand X, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, John Williams, Kate Bush, Elkie Brooks, Mike Oldfield, Peter Gabriel and Talk Talk.

Connie Codarini (Corrado Codarini) - Died 4-28-2010 in Concord, NC, U.S. (Pop - Gospel) He was 80 years old - Singer - Was a member of The Four Lads (They did, “Standin’ On The Corner” and “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”) - Canadian Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Ilya Alexandrov - Died 4-29-2010 - Cardiac arrest (Metal) Born 8-19-1974 - Singer - Was a member of Trizna (They did, “Fear Of Life” and “Unruly”) and Faktor Straha (They did, “Bezdna” and “Vyse Syl”).

Sister Priscilla McGruder (Priscilla Elaine McGruder) - Breast cancer - Died 4-29-2010 in Kennett, Missouri, U.S. (Gospel) She was 61 years old - Singer - (She did, “The Last Mile” and “Don’t Give Up On Him”) - She was one of The McGruders (They did, “From Heaven’s Point Of View” and “A Great Homecoming”) - Wife of singer and songwriter, Bishop Carroll McGruder.

Walter Sear - Died 4-29-2010 - Born 1930 - Played tuba and synthesizer and was a composer and recording engineer - Played in The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Symphony Of The Air, The Goldman Band and The Radio City Music Hall pit band - Played on the movie sound tracks for Midnight Cowboy and Zombi Holocaust - Owned and operated The Sear Sound recording studio where he recorded Steely Dan, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Wynton Marsalis, Muse, The Killers, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Sonic Youth and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Will Owsley - Died 4-30-2010 - Suicide (Pop) Born in Anniston, Alabama, U.S. - Sang and played guitar, bass, piano and mandolin - (He did, “Oh No The Radio” and “I’m Alright”) - Was a member of The Semantics - Worked with Amy Grant and Shania Twain.

Houston Caldwell - Died 4-30-2010 in Galax, Virginia , U.S. - Motorcycle accident (Bluegrass) He was 19 years old - Played banjo - Was a member of Broken Wire (They did, “Midnight Tears” and “The Guilty Go Free”).

Peter Lopez - Died 4-30-2010 in Encino Hills, CA, U.S. - Shot himself - He was 60 years old - Was an entertainment attorney working for Michael Jackson, The Eagles, Andrea Bocelli and Michael Buble - He co-produced the biopic film, Selena - Husband of actress, Catherine Bach.

Gilbert Ellman - Died 4-30-2010 in Naperville (Big Band ) Born 1925 in Gage Park, Chicago, Ill., U.S. - Played saxophone, harmonica, flute and clarinet - Played in orchestras backing performers that included Patti Page - Was a member of The Naperville Municipal Band - Was a repair technician for Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman.

Rob McConnell (Robert Murray Gordon McConnel) - Died 5-1-2010 in Toronto, Canada - Cancer (Jazz) Born 2-14-1935 in London, Ontario, Canada - Trombonist - Led The Rob McConnell Tentet and The Boss Brass - Worked with Mel Torme, The Singers Unlimited, Moe Koffman, Ed Bickert, Don Thompson, and Guido Basso - Canadian Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Danny Brown - Died 5-2-2010 - Pick up truck accident (R&B) He was 20 years old - Singer - Worked with Bobby Capri (“She’s A Killer”).

Roy Carrier (Joseph Roy Carrier) - Died 5-4-2010 - Complications of lung cancer (Zydeco) Born 1947 - Played drums, guitar and accordion - Led Roy Carrier And His Night Rockers (They did, “I’m A Hog For You” and “You Used To Call Me In The Morning”).