Rock Star Death Notices - April 2009
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Greg Six aka Grey Six
Greg Six (Grey Six) - Died March 5 at age 51 in Bellevue, Washington of brain cancer. He was a singer, poet and comedian. He was a member of The Highly Evolved Cosmic Beings (They did, “Black Sea Swan”) and The Dust Bunnies (with Max Ink’s David Kulczyk - They did, “Mayday” and “The Line”).
Grisha Sologub (Grigory Sologub) - Died February 27 at age 47 in St. Petersburg, Russia of heart failure. Was a singer and guitarist, a member of Stranniye Igry, Igry and Dva Samaliota, and worked with Israel, Narodnoye Opolcheniye, Mashninband and The Dolphins.
Uncle Al (Al Lewis) - Died February 28 in Hillsboro, Ohio at age 84. He played accordion, banjo and piano. He hosted TV’s, The Uncle Al Show, the longest running local children’s show in the U.S.
Charles Sekyanzi - Died in February. He was a member of The Afrigo Band.
Fred Masagazi (Fred Hannington Masagazi Muwonge) - Died in March at age 72 years old. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “Ayi lululu” and “Atanawa Musolo.” He led The UK Jazz Band.
Ramona Garcia Coronado - Died in March at age 104 in Boyle Heights, CA. She was a singer and actress. She appeared as the singing woman in the film, “Real Women Have Curves.
Jef Roberts (Jeffrey Burton) - Died March 1 at age 44 in Bristol, TN, while in a coma after a fight. He sang and played bass, drums and guitar. He was a member of Punchin’ Judy (They did, “Monsterlure” and “Warzone”) and Wormwood: Earth (They did, “Source” and “13 Exits.”) He worked with The Slash Marauders, Fatal Attraction, The Forgotten, Vivid Eminence, Zip Gun Angels, Trailer Park Picassos, Morpheus and The Dead Sea Surfers.
Tony Osborne (Edward Benjamin Osborne) - Died March 1 at age 86 in Sydney. He was a trumpeter, pianist, accordionist, composer and arranger. He worked with The Brass Hats, Josephine’s Gypsy Orchestra, Connie Francis, Shirley Bassey, Cyril Stapleton, Frank Weir, The BBC Orchestra, Judy Garland and Eartha Kitt.
Muriel Havenstein (aka the Midcoast Monster) - Died March 1 at age 85 in Nobleboro, Maine of cancer. She was a pianist and worked with Al Doane.
Anthony Levy (aka Dollar Bill) - Died March 2 at age 30 in Miami, FL. He was shot by police.
Ernie Ashworth (Ernest Bert Ashworth) - Died March 2 at age 80. He was a singer and songwriter. He did, “Each Moment (Spent With You)” and “Talk Back Trembling Lips.” His songs have been recorded by Little Jimmy Dickens, Paul Anka, Carl Smith and Johnny Horton . He was an Alabama Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Herbie Duncan (Herbert S. Duncan) - Died March 2 in Olathe, Kansas, U.S. (Rockabilly) Born 9-20-1937 - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Hot Lips Baby” and “Little Angel”).
Richard Pegue (aka Doctor Dusty) - Died March 3 at age 64 of heart failure. He was a DJ and singer. He wrote The Cheers’, “I’m Not Ready To Settle Down.” He was a member of The Belvederes and The Norvells.
David Halcrow (David Sutherland Halcrow) (aka Sonny) - Died March 4 at age 77 in Gretton Court of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a singer and drummer. He worked with Paul Daniels, Johnny Hammond, Bobby Thompson and Roy Chubby Brown.
John Cephas (John Dudley Cephas) - Died March 4 at age 78 in Woodford, Virginia of natural causes. He was a guitarist and singer. He was half of The duo Cephas & Wiggins. They did, “Flip, Flop And Fly” and ” Richmond Blues.” He worked with The Capitol Harmonizers and a founder of The Washington, D.C., Blues Society.
Mark Kuhn - Died March 4 at age 57 of Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was a bassist, saxophonist, painter and sculptor and a member of The Barking Men.
Irby Mandrell - Died March 5 in Nashville, TN, of a stroke. He was born in 1924. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of The Mandrell Family Band and a manager for and father of singer, Barbara Mandrell.
Johnithin Christ - Died March 5 of complications from pneumonia. He was born in 1958. He was a singer and songwriter. He was a member of Society Dog (They did, “Working Class People” and “Bad Dream”) and Code Of Honor (They did, “Not If I Can Help It” and “I Killed The Dove”).
Zubir Ali - Died March 6 at age 60 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia due to complications after a heart surgery. He was a singer and songwriter and a member of Harmoni (They did, “Penantian” and “Balada Seorang Gadis Kecil”).
Francis Magalona (aka FrancisM, Master Rapper and The Man From Manila) - King of Pinoy Rap - Died March 6 at age 44 in Pasig, Philippines of acute myelogenous leukemia. He was a rapper, songwriter, producer and actor. He did, “Mga Praning” and “Halalan.” He worked with Gloc 9, Stick Figgas, The Eraserheads and The Juan dela Cruz Band. He was the founder of Red Egg Records and son of actor, Pancho Magalona and actress, Tita Duran.
George McKelvey - Died March 6 at age 72 in Hemet, CA, of a stroke. He was a singer and comedian. He did, “My Teenage Fallout Queen.” He was a co-founder of Comedy Works.
David Williams - Died March 6 at age 58 in Hampton, VA, due to complications from high blood pressure. He was a guitarist. He worked with Acquisition Funk, Madonna, Michael Jackson (“Billie Jean”), Jessica Simpson, Van Halen, Chaka Khan and Lionel Richie.
Jimmy Boyd - Died March 7 at age 70 in Santa Monica, California of cancer. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and “God’s Little Candles.” He worked with Frankie Laine (“Tell Me A Story”) and Rosemary Clooney (“Dennis The Menace.” At one time, he was married to actress, Yvonne Craig.
Hank Locklin (Lawrence Hankins Locklin) - Died March 8 at age 91 in Brewton, Alabama. He was a singer and songwriter. He did, “Please Help Me I’m Falling” and “Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On.” He was a member of The Rocky Mountain Playboys. He worked with The Oak Ridge Boys and The Jordanaires. His songs have been recorded by Willie Nelson, Gene Autry, Dwight Yoakam, Charley Pride, Dolly Parton and Roy Rogers. He was a Florida Artists Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Willie King (Willie Earl King) - Died March 8 at age 66 in Old Memphis Road, Aliceville, Alabama of a heart attack. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “Sweet Potato Man” and “I Miss You When You’re Gone.” He was a Howlin’ Wolf Hall Of Fame Inductee.
George Kaufman - Died March 8 at age 58 due to a heart attack after surgery for an aneurysm. He was a bassist. He was a member of The Ravers who became The Nails. They did, “88 Lines About 44 Women” and “Things You Left Behind.” He worked with The Port Chester American Legion Post 93 Band and The Yonkers Military Band.
Johnny Dynamo (Manuel A. Gonzalez Galindo) - Died March 9 at age 64 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico due to complications of diabetes. He was a singer. He did, “Angel de la manana” and “Himno a la alegria.” He worked with Los Leos (They did, “Palabras” and “Muchachita”).
Ralph Mercado - King Midas of the Salsa - Died March 10 at age 67 in Hacensack, New Jersey due to brain cancer. He was a producer. He worked with Celia Cruz, Marc Anthony, Hector Lavoe, Charlie Palmieri, The Fania All Stars and Tito Nieves. He founded RMM Records and Video Corp.
Virgil Lay - Died March 10 at age 82. He founded Lay’s Guitar Repair who’s clientele included Joe Walsh, Bad Company Phil Keagy, The Outlaws and Jack Bruce. He formed S.I.T. (Stay In Tune) Strings after developing guitar strings that were resistant to stretching.
Marcus Russell - Died March 10 at age 21 in Richmond in a drive by shooting. He recorded the album, “Eagles Fly Alone.”
Freddy Frogs (Ferdinando Toscano) - Died March 10 at age 66 in Vero Beach, FL, of a heart attack. He did, “Do The Bop” and “Feelin’ No Pain.” He was a member of Frogs, The Ribitones, The BMT’s (“Crazy Little Mama”), The No Frills Band, Four On The Floor (“Days On Earth”) and The Rock’ n Roll Revue - Worked with Minstrel, The Fourth Dimension, The Hudson Dusters, Street Corner Society and Mr. Flood’s Party.
Mary Swan - Died March 11 of pancreatic cancer. She was a singer. She did, “My Heart Belongs To Only You” and “Crying In The Chapel.” She was mother of singer, Marti Carroll.
Rudy Laitkep - Died March 11 at age 84. He played accordion and led Rudy & His Czechmates.
Tony Cooper - Died March 11 at age 38 in Ewell of a heart attack. He was a singer and a member of The Bontempis.
Quintin Cabrera - Died March 12 at age 64 in Madrid, Spain due to complications after a lung transplant. He was a singer and songwriter. He did, “Cancion de mucho amor” and “Senor Presidente.”
Bill Minor (William Lee Minor Jr.) - Died March 12 at age 83 in Rochester, MN. He was a singer and drummer. He was a member of The Dozier Boys (They did, “She Only Fools With Me”, “All I Need Is You” and “Cold Cold Rain.” He recorded for the Aristocrat and United labels.
Harvey Geller - Died March 12 at age 86 in Woodland Hills, Tarzana, CA, of pneumonia. He was a journalist, music historian and lyricist. He co-wrote, “Blue Water Line” and “Deep Blue Sea.” His songs have been recorded by The Brothers Four, The River City Ramblers and The Kingston Trio. He worked for Cash Box and Billboard magazines. He founded Clarinet Music Publishing and was a promotion manager for Bobby Darin.
Alan Livingston (Alan Wendell Livingston) - Died March 13 at age 91 in Los Angeles, CA. He was a music executive. He was a president of Capitol Records. He brought The Beatles to America. He worked on children’s records for Disney and Warner Bros. He wrote, “I Tawt I Taw A Puddy Tat.” He formed Mediarts which released Don McLean’s, “American Pie.” At one time was married to actress, Betty Hutton. Brother of songwriter, Jay Livingston, and husband of actress, Nancy Olson.
Anne Brown (Anne Wiggins Brown) - Died March 13 at age 96. She was a singer and actress. She starred in the role of Bess in George Gershwin’s, Porgy And Bess in 1935. She appeared in Broadway’s, Mamba’s Daughters and in the movie, Rhapsody In Blue. She was married to Olympic skier, Thorleif Schjelderup.
Victor Vega - Died March 13 at age 25 in Duarte, California of leukemia. He was a singer and a member of Old School Crisis. They did, “The World I’ve Made” and “Dead And Gone.”
Alain Bashung (Alain Baschung)- Died March 14 at age 61 in Paris, France of lung cancer. He was a singer, songwriter and actor. He did, ” Vertige de l’amour” and “Osez Josephine.”
Richard Shulberg (Richard Stephen Shulberg) (aka Citizen Kafka and Sid Kafka) - Died March 14 at age 61 in Brooklyn, NY. He played violin and was a radio personality. He was a member of The Wretched Refuse String Band.
Louis Machacek (Louis Francis Machacek) - Died March 15 at age 87 in Timonium, MD, due to complications from an infection. He played saxophone and clarinet. He worked with The Peabody Dance Band, The Midshipmen and The Debonairs.
Edmund Hockridge - Died March 15 at age 89. He was a singer and actor. He did, “Hey There” and “No Other Love.” He worked with The Glenn Miller Band, Gerald Bright and George Melachrino. He appeared in the musicials, Can-Can and Pajama Game.
Jack Lawerence (Jack D. Lawerence)- Died March 15 at age 96 in Danbury, Connecticut due to complications after a fall. He was a songwriter. His songs have been sung by Frank Sinatra (“All Or Nothing At All”), Rosemary Clooney (“Tenderly”), The Ink Spots (“If I Didn’t Care”) and Bobby Darin (“Beyond The Sea.”) He was a Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Darnell Brittingham (aka King Tut) - Died March 17at age 23 in White Plains, New York. He shot himself during a police standoff. He worked with The Diplomats also known as The 730 Dipset.
Larry Plover - Died March 17 at age 65 in Poughkeepsie. He played banjo. He worked with The Last Chance Jazz Band and Pete Seeger. He was a proprietor of The Last Chance Saloon which hosted acts such as Muddy Waters, Gene Krupa, The Police and The Ramones.
Connie Zimet (aka Connie Z) - Died March 17 at age 67 in Plantation of Lou Gehrig’s disease. She was a jingle singer and voice over artist. She performed in Off Broadway plays and sang in nightclubs. She was “J” who narrated the album, “The Way To Become The Sensuous Woman” - She did commercial voice overs for Apple, Coke, Ajax, Chevrolet and Fresca. She was, at one time, married to pianist, Victor Ziskin.
Lester Davenport (Lessie D. Davenport) (aka Mad Dog) - Died March 17 at age 77 in Chicago, Ill. of prostate cancer. He sang and played harmonica, bass, drums and guitar. He did, “It Won’t Work Like That” and “I’m Gonna Give It Up.” He worked with Arthur “Big Boy” Spires, Homesick James, Jimmy Dawkins, Snooky Pryor, The Kinsey Report and Bo Diddley (“Pretty Thing”).
Ramkumar Chattopadhyay - Died March 18 in Kolkata of septicemia and multi-organ failure. He was a singer and scored the films, Streer Patra and Parikrama. He was a music director for Haimanti Shukla. He was father of singer, Srikumar Chattyopadhyay.
Kent Henry (Kent Henry Plischke) - Died March 18 at age 60 in Portland. He was a guitarist and singer. He worked with The Lost Souls, Steppenwolf (“Black Pit” and “For Ladies Only”), Blues Image (“Ride Captain Ride”), Lord Sutch, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Noel Redding, John Bonham and The Paul deLay Blues Band.
Moultrie Patten - The Gentleman of Jazz - Died March 18 at age 89 in Beaverton of pneumonia. He was a singer, pianist and actor. He released the album, “Give Away A Smile.” He played Walt Kupfer on TV’s, Northern Exposure.
Eddie Bo (Edwin Joseph Bocage) (aka Spider Bocage) - Died March 18 at age 79 of a heart attack. He was a singer and pianist. He did, “Hook & Sling” and “Check Mr Popeye.” He led The Spider Bocage Orchestra. He worked with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Willy DeVille, The Louisiana Legends, The District Court and The Hoodoo King. He produced and\or arranged records for Art Neville, The Vibrettes, Chris Kenner, The Explosions, Chuck Carbo, Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams, Robert Parker and Mary Jane Hooper.
Ed Dye - Died March 18 at age 72 in Montgomery, Alabama of cancer. He sang and played Dobro and bones. He did, “Alabama Jubilee.” He was a member of The Styx River Ferry, The Nashville Jug Band and The Bluegrass Band. He worked with The Taylor Grocery Band, The Kudzu Kings and The Sincere Ramblers.
Ion Dolanescu - Died March 19 at age 65 in Bucharest, Romania of a heart attack. He was a singer. He did, “M-am nascut langa Carpati” and “Mandro, cand ne iubeam noi.” He worked with Maria Ciobanu (“Au, lele, vino-ncoa”).
Mel Brown (Melvin R. Brown) - Died March 20 at age 69 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada due to complications from emphysema. He was a guitarist and pianist. He led The Homewreckers. He worked with Sonny Boy Williamson, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Johnny Guitar Watson, The Olympics, Bobby Darin, Buddy Guy, Snooky Pryor, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clifton Chenier, John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke, David Bowie, Dr. John, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Sonny And Cher, The Icebreakers, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Etta James, Herb Ellis, T- Bone Walker and Roy Brown.
Carl DePoy (Carl William DePoy) - Died March 20 at age 80 in Fishersville, VA. He played fiddle. He was a member of The Mountain Music Makers and The Skyline Pals. He was father of musician, Don DePoy. He was an America’s Old Time Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Vladimir Savcic (aka Cobi)- Died March 20 at age 60 in Belgrade, Serbia. He was a singer and a member of Pro arte.
Ted Jarrett (Theodore R. Jarrett) - Died March 21 at age 83 in Nashville, TN, of liver failure. He was a songwriter, musician and producer. He wrote, “You Can Make It If You Try” and “Love Love Love.” His songs have been recorded by Earl Gaines, Gene Allison, Fats Domino, Pat Boone, Jerry Butler, Johnnie Ray and The Rolling Stones.
Johnny Cox - Died March 21 in Charleston, S.C., of lung cancer. He played saxophone. He worked with The Rhythm Brothers, The Out Of Towners, Greg Moseley And The Carolina Players, Griff and The Swingin’ Medallion.
Rusti Love (Mary Shirrell Love) - Died March 22 at age 45 of breast cancer. She was a singer. She worked with Greg Hyde and Terry Cooper.
Scoobie Santino (Ian Newtion) - Died March 22 at age 45 in London, England. He was murdered. He was a singer. He did, “Cash Money.”
Uriel Jones - Died March 24 at age 74 in Dearborn, Mich., due to complications from a heart attack. He was a drummer and was one of The Funk Brothers. He worked with The Temptations (“Cloud Nine”), Marvin Gaye (“I Heard It Through The Grapevine”), Tammi Terrell, Stevie Wonder (“For Once In My Life”) and Smokey Robinson And The Miracles (“I Second That Emotion”).
Aubrey Mayhew - Died in March at age 81 in Nashville, TN. He co-wrote, “Don’t You Say Nothin’ at All” and “Jukebox Charlie.” He co-founded Little Darlin’ Records which released recordings by Bobby Helms and Jeannie C. Riley. He was the producer for Johnny Paycheck.
Dan Seals (Danny Wayland Seals) - Died March 25 at age 61 after being treated for mantle cell lymphoma. He was a singer, guitarist and saxophonist. He did, “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)” and “You Still Move Me.” He was a member of Southwest F.O.B. He was half of the duo, England Dan And John Ford Coley. They did, “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight” and “We’ll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again.” He worked with Marie Osmond (“Meet Me In Montana.”) He was brother of singer and guitarist, Jim Seals.
Sonny Munro (Carlis Munro) - Died March 25 in Detroit, Mich., due to complications of lukemia and pneumonia. He was a singer and a member of The Frenesis, The Fabulous Playboys (They did, “I Fooled You” and “Nervous”), The Ramblers (They did, “The Heaven And Earth “) and The Falcons (They did, “Standing On Guard” and “Lonely Nights”).
Alexander Lepak - Died March 25 at age 88 in Windsor of throat cancer. He was a percussionist and music educator. He worked with The Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Andrea Bocelli. He can be heard on Frank Sinatra’s Trilogy album. He played on the films, The Jerk and Star Trek: The Motion Picture and on the television miniseries, Shogun.
Manny Oquendo - Died March 25 at age 78. He was a percussionist. He had a hit with Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower.” He was a member of Conjunto Libre and Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental Nuevayorquino. He worked with Tito Puente, La Perfecta orchestra, Chano Pozo, Jose Budet, Juanito Sanabria, Tito Rodriquez, Vincentico Valdes, Marcelino Guerra, Jose Curbelo, and Pupi Campo.
Arne Bendiksen - Died March 26 at age 82 of heart failure. He was a singer, songwriter and producer. He did, “Jeg vil ha en bla ballong.” He was a member of The Monn Keys.