Rock Star Death Notices - August 2009
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John Dawson of New Riders of the Purple Sage - RIP
Rita Keane - Died June 28 at age 86 in Galway. She was a singer. She worked with her sister Sarah (They did, “Once I Loved” and “When Two Lovers Meet”) and with The Keane’s Ceili Band and Paddy Maloney.
Terry Black - Died June 28 at age 62 in Kamloops, B.C. of multiple sclerosis. He was a singer. He did, “Unless You Care” and “Kisses For My Baby.” He worked with his wife, Laurel Ward (They did, “Goin’ Down (On The Road To L.A.)” and “Waves Of Emotion”) and with Dr. Music, Glen Campbell and Leon Russell.
Abednego Nakale - Died June 28 at age 46 in Okongo in the Ohangwena Region, Namibia. He was hit by a car. He was a musician and a member of Ovakwaita VokOkongo.
Cary Jaquish - Died June 28 at age 32 in Phoenix, Arizona of a motorcycle accident. He was a bassist. He worked with Chrome, O-6, Shilo, The Northside Jazz Ensemble and Stoll Vaughn.
Tom Wilkes - Died June 28 at age 69 Pioneertown, CA, of a heart attack. He was an album cover designer. He worked on albums covers for The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Joe Cocker, Hugh Masekela, Captain Beefheart, King Curtis, Neil Young, Dave Mason, Barbra Streisand and George Harrison. He was an art director for the 1967 Monterey International Pop Music Festival.
El Brujo (Alfonso Cordoba) - Died June 29 in Quibdo, Choco, Colombia. Born in 1926 and was a singer, composer and a member of Los Mayorales Del Ritmo and Los Negritos Del Ritmo.
Sandra Warfield (Flora Jean Bornstein) - Died June 29 at age 88 in Manhattan, NY, due to complications of a stroke. She was a singer and worked at The Met and The Zurich Opera and performed cabaret at Manhattan’s, Don’t Tell Mama. She had been married to singer, James McCracken.
Harve Presnell (George Harvey Presnell) - Died June 30 at age 75 in Santa Monica, California of pancreatic cancer. He was an actor and singer. He did, “Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie” and “Streets Of Laredo.” He was in the Broadway musicals, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and Annie. He worked with Marilyn Horne and The Roger Wagner Chorale.
David Taylor - Died June 30 at age 44 in Texas of a car accident after a tire blew out. He was a singer. He was a member of Drive (They did, “I Need The Nights” and “Heroes Road”).
Joe Paquin (Joseph C. Paquin) - Died June 30 at age 61 in California of cancer. He was a guitarist and singer. He did, “Only Human” and “Little White Dot.” He was a member of The Sundogs (They did, “Treat Me Like A Dog” and “Hand to Hand Guitar”) and worked with his son guitarist, Luke Paquin.
Bobby Ubangi (Benjamin Jay Womack) - Died July 1 of lung cancer. He was born in 1974. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of Bobby And The Soft Spots (They did, “I Wanna Get Back To You” and “Where The Old Folks Go”), The Gaye Blades (They did, “Treat Me Like A Man” and “Bobby Is A Lover”), The Lids and The Carbonas.
Karl Malden (Mladen George Sekulovich) - Died July 1 at age 97 in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California of natural causes. He was an actor. He did, “You’ll Never Get Away From Me” with Lisa Kirk in the film Gypsy. He portrayed Lt. Mike Stone on TV’s, The Streets of San Francisco and acted in the films, A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront. He is well known for the line, “What will you do? What will you do?” for American Express.
Ludmila Zykina (Lyudmila Georgievna Zykina) – Died July 1 at age 80 in Moscow, Russia of cardiac arrest. She was a singer. She did, “Techot Volga” and “Orenburgskii Platok.”
Eileen O’Donovan (Eileen Blennerhassett) - Died July and was born in 1938. She was a singer and a member of The Troubadors. She was married to drummer, Donal O’Donovan.
Susan Fernandez (Susan Fernandez Magno) - Died July 2 in Pasig City, Philippines of ovarian cancer. She was born in 1956 or 1957. She was a singer. She did, “Babae Ako.” She hosted TV’s, Concert At The Park. She was married to columnist, Alex Magno.
Tom Keylock (aka Mr. Get-It-Together) - Died July 2 at age 82. He worked for The Rolling Stones as a road manager, chauffeur, bodyguard, procurer and cook. He sang in backing chorus of, “Sympathy For The Devil”.
Allen Klein (Allen. B. Klein) - Died July 4 at age 77 in New York, NY, of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a record label executive and owner of ABKCO Records. He was a co-manager for The Rolling Stones and worked for The Beatles, Sam Cooke, Bobby Darin, Connie Francis, George Harrison and Herman’s Hermits.
Drake Levin (Drake Maxwell Levinshefski) - Died July 4 at age 62 in San Francisco, CA, of cancer. He was a guitarist and singer. He was a member of The Sir Winston Trio, The Surfers, Paul Revere And The Raiders (They did, “Kicks” and “Just Like Me”), The Brotherhood and The American Rock All-Stars. He worked with with Emitt Rhodes, Ananda Shankar and Lee Michaels.
Julio Barreto - Died July 4 in Lima, Peru. He was shot. He was a singer. He did, “Quiereme” and was a member of La Sociedad de Barranco. He worked with Ramon Rodriguez (“El bautizo”) and Celia Cruz (“Regalos del alma”).
Jim Chapin (James Forbes Chapin) - Died July 4 at age 89 in Fort Myers, FL. He was a drummer. He worked with The Georgia Dons, Mike Riley, Babe Russin, Henry Jerome, Larry Bennett, Wingy Monone and Tommy Reynolds. He authored the books, Advanced Techniques For The Modern Drummer Volumes 1 and 2. He was grandfather of singers, Jen Chapin, Abigail Chapin and Lily Chapin and father of singers, Harry Chapin, Tom Chapin and Steve Chapin.
Kurtulus Turkguven - Died July 4 of pancreatic cancer. He was born in 1954. He was a singer, composer and guitarist.
Bob Mitchell (Robert Mitchell) - Died July 4 at age 96 in Hancock Park, Los Angeles, CA, of pneumonia. He was an organist and music director. He played organ during the silent film era. He was founder of The Mitchell Choirboys who can be heard in 100 films including, “Angels With Dirty Faces” and “Going My Way.” He was the first organist for Dodger Stadium.
George Fullerton (George William Fullerton) - Died July 4 at age 86 in Fullerton, CA, of congestive heart failure. He was a guitarist, innovator and technician. He worked with Leo Fender helping to design the Fender Stratocaster guitar. He was co-founder of G&L Musical Instuments.
Dee Dee Bellson (Dee Dee Jean Bellson) - Died July 4 at age 49 in Virginia. She was a singer. She worked with her father Louie Bellson and with The Rolling Stones, Tribe Of Gypsies, Sheryl Crow, Weather Report, Warrant and Sheena Easton. She was daughter of singer, Pearl Bailey.
Matt McIntosh (Matthew Paul McIntosh) (aka Skinny) - Died July 5 at age 19 in Cincinnati, OH, of swine flu. He was a drummer and a member of Strange On Display. They did, “Topless In The Rain” and “Plaster Coated Soul.”
Buck Miller (Oral William Miller) - Died July 5 at age 87 in Buckhannon, WV. He was a musician and a member of The Lazy Boys Bluegrass Gospel Band.
Jim Reid - Died July 6. He sang and played guitar and harmonica. He did, “The Wild Geese"and “Up The Noran Water.” He was a member of The Taysiders and The Foundry Bar Band. They did, “I’ll Follow The Ploo” and “The Magdalen Green. ” He worked with John Huband.
Johnny Collins (John Robert Collins) - Died July 6 at age 71 of a heart attack. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “Boys Of Killybegs” and “Farewell To The Fields.” He worked with Jim Mageean, Diz Disley, Martin Winsor, Redd Sullivan, Alex Campbell, Graeme Knights and Long John Baldry.
Larry Prentice (Laurel Earl Prentice) (aka The Lone Arranger) - Died July 6 at age 85. He played trumpet and piano and was an arranger. He worked with The C-Notes, Cass Preston and The Russ Linquist Sierra Swing Band.
Margo Henderson - Died July 7 in Estepona, Costa del Sol, Spain of a heart attack. She was a singer, pianist and comedian. She was a member of The Television Toppers and worked with her husband singer and musician, Sam Kemp as the duo, Kemp And Henderson.
Midnight (John Patrick McDonald Jr.) - Died July 8 in St. Petersburg, FL, of kidney and liver failure. He was born in 1962. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of Beowulf who became Crimson Glory (They did, “Lonely” and “Valhalla”).
Ross Florand (Ross Alan Florand) - Died July 9 at age 58 in Minneapolis, MN. He was a singer and bassist. He was a member of The Killer Hayseeds. They did, “Lonestar Fool ” and “Right Girl, Wrong Town.” He was a Minnesota Rock And Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee.
Bob Willis (aka Mr. Country-Gospel) - Died July 10 at age 75in Louisville, KY. He was a singer, songwriter and guitarist. He wrote, “Guilty Of Love (In The First Degree)” and “Two Glasses Of Buttermilk.” His songs have been recorded by Jimmie Davis, Carl And Pearl Butler, The Florida Boys, The Happy Goodman Family and Jody Miller.
Chris Hackett (Christopher B. Hackett) - Died July 10 at age 47 in North Stonington, Conn. in a motorcycle accident. He was a bassist. He worked with Signs Of Life (They did, “Earth’s Fingers” and “Drop That Stone”) and Joey Nigrelli.
Michal Majewski - Died July 11 at age 28 in the Upper Squamish Valley, British Columbia after a fall while hiking. He was a bassist and artist. He was a member of F.A.T.O. (Forever Annihilating The Obese.) They did, “The Hootenanny” and “Do Me A Favour And Kill.”
Graham Simpson - Died July 11 at age 76 in North Staffordshire of an illness. He was a pianist. He worked with The Phil May Band and The Robert Shirley Orchestra.
Paul Raven - Died July 11 of cancer. He played percussion and wind instruments. He did, “Coming Home” and “A Days Work.” He led KaSamba and worked with his wife Pauline and with Mohamed Bangoura, Freddy Poncin, Ba Cissoko and Habib Koite.
DJ Dee (Aleksei Tagancew) - Died July 12 at age 34 in a car accident. He worked with Timaty.
Pavel Smeyan - Died July 12 at age 52 in Germany of cancer. He was a singer and actor. He did, “Dzhovanna” and “Nepogoda.” He worked with Kris Kelmi’s Rock Atelje. He sang in the rock operas Star and Death Of Joaquin Murrieta.
Hella Heizmann - Died July 12 at age 58 in Eschenburg, Germany of cancer. She was a singer. She was one of the trio Hella, Melanie And Viola Heizmann with her daughters. She had been married to musician, Klaus Heizmann.
Angie Pirog - Died July 12 of bone cancer. She was a singer, guitarist, pianist, drummer and bassist. She did, “I’ll See You Tommorrow” and “All That We Have.”
Beverly Roberts (Beverly Louise Roberts) - Died July 12 at age 95 in Laguna Niguel, CA, of natural causes. She was an actress and singer. She worked with The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra. She acted in the films, The Singing Kid and God’s Country And The Woman.
Twyla Herbert - died in July. She was born on July 27-1921. She was a songwriter and pianist. She co-wrote Lou Christie’s, “Lightnin’ Strikes” and “Rhapsody In The Rain” and also co-wrote The Tammys’, “Egyptian Shumba.”
Kellie Greene (Lorraine Bobert) (aka Lorrie) - Died July 13 at age 74 in Palm Springs, CA. She played piano, vibes, and flute. She did, “Move On” and “No Moon At All.” She led Kellie Greene And Company. She worked with Fred Schaffer’s All-Girl Band , Tony Bennett, Vicki Carr, Frank Sinatra and Ray Anthony.
Michael Klenfner - Died July 14 at age 62 of complications of congestive heart failure. He was a record executive. He worked at Columbia Records, Arista Records and Atlantic Records and for Bill Graham at The Fillmore East. He worked with The Blues Brothers and Cher.
Hart McNee - Died July 14 at age 66 of liver cancer. He played flute and saxophone. He worked with Coco Robicheaux, Boz Scaggs, Steve Miller, The Naked Orchestra, Los Vecinos, Mas Mamones, Moyuba, The Bywater Brass Band, Otis Rush, John Lee Hooker, John Boutte, Michael Bloomfield and The Storyville Stompers.
Earma Thompson - Died July 14 of heart failure. She was born in 1923 in Chicago, Ill. She was a pianist. She did, “Back At The Chicken Shack” and “Softly, As In The Morning Sunrise.” She worked with Joe Williams and Billie Holiday. She was mother of drummer, Terry Thompson and wife of drummer and dancer, Marshall Thompson.
Graham Walker - Died July 14 at age 76. He played saxophone and accordion. He led The Graham Walker Showband. He worked with The Ron Burton Band and The Rhythm Quartet.
Lucha Nieto (Maria De La Nieto) - Died July 15 at age 79 in San Antonio, TX. She was a singer and songwriter. She did, “Tu Nombre” and “Guerra En El Desierto.”
Bob Eric Peterson (Robert Eric Peterson) - Died July 15 at age 85. He played saxophone, clarinet and bugle. He worked with The Jimmy White Orchestra.
Joe Christy (Joseph Christopher LoPreste) (aka Smokey Joe) - Died July 15 at age 75. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “Fool On A Bar Stool” and “Hurt.”
D. K. Pattammal (Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal) (aka Patta) - Died July 16 at age 90 in Chennai, India of an illness. Singer and sang for the films, Thyaga Bhoomi and Naam Iruvar.
Gordon Waller (Gordon Trueman Riviere Waller) - Died July 16 at age 64 in Connecticut of cardiac arrest. He was a singer and guitarist. He was half of the duo, Peter And Gordon (They did, “Knight in Rusty Armour” and “Lady Godiva.”) He worked with White Cloud.
Jerry Holland Jr. - Died July 16 at age 54 of cancer. He played fiddle. He did, “Brenda Stubbert’s” and “Mom’s Jig.” He worked with Winston Fitzgerald, Doug Mac Phee, Eddie Irwin, Mary Jessie Mac Donald, Angus Chisholm and Bert Foley.
Will Elliott (William David Elliott) - Died July 16 at age 56 in a car accident. He was a bassist and singer. He worked with Dakotah.
Khairil Khamis - Died July 17 at age 53 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia of a heart problem. He was a singer and actor. He was brother of singer, Azizul Khamis.
Tom Pfaeffle - Died July 17 at age 49 in Twisp, WA. He tried using his key in the wrong door at a hotel and was shot through the door. He was a sound engineer. He worked for B.B. King, The Black Crowes, Great White, Heart, The Scorpions, Nirvana, UB40, Queensryche, Aerosmith, Rodney Crowell and Alice Cooper.
Neil Meckelborg - Died July 17 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada of throat cancer. He was born in 1963. He was a producer, singer and recording engineer. He worked with May Run, Line-Up in Paris, Haulin’ Oats and The Knuckleheads. He produced Slab Drab, Feederchain, QED, Full Tilt and Ghost Town Drive.
Bob Cates (Robert Ross Cates) - Died July 17 at age 71. He was a musician. He worked with The Skyliners, The Noblemen and Clark Terry.
Carlos Canelhas - Died July 18 at age 81 in Lisbon. He was a musician and poet. He wrote, “Ele e Ela.”
Victor Miza - Died July 18 at age 70 of a heart attack. He was a trumpeter. He was a member of African Semi Brew and Soul Jazzmen. He worked with The Synco Down Beat Band, The Broadway Yanks, Black Slaves, Milton Mandinda’s Barnacle Bills, Chris McGregor, Feya Faku, Lulu Gontsana and Winston Mankunku Ngozi.
George de la Nux (George Francis Kekuhaupio de la Nux Jr.) - Died July 19 at age 29 in Kihei, HI, of an illness. He was a musician and worked with Hawaiian Times, Ekolu, Family Affair and Seast at Lele.
David Rawlinson - Died July 19 at age 65 in Scotland of a heart attack. He was a guitarist and violinist. He was a member of Tabula Rasa and The Bottle Bank Band.
Ria Brieffies - Died July 20 at age 52 in Westerland of lung cancer. She was a singer and led The Ria Brieffies Quintet. She worked with The Vips and The Dolly Dots (They did, “Love Me Just A Little Bit More”).
Pete Joyce - Died July 20 at age at age 31 of a suspected overdose. He played saxophone, oboe, penny whistle and flute. He worked with Home Brood.
Greg Scott (Greg Whitfield Scott) - Died July 20 at age 61 in North Routt County, Colorado. He sang and played harmonica and guitar. He wrote, “Hayden’s Where My Heart Is.” He was a member of The Whitfield Ward Jamboree (They did, “Big Thompson Flood” and A Night In Old Denver”).
Edwin Hampton – Died July 20 at age 81 of an illness. He played piano and saxophone. He was a member of The Royal Dukes Of Rhythm. He founded The St. Augustine High School’s Marching 100 who performed for Pope John Paul II and eight U.S. Presidents.
Gangubai Hangal (aka Baiji) - Died July 21 at age 96 in Hubli, Karnataka, India of a cardiac arrest. She was a singer and worked with her daughter, singer Krishna Hangal.
Heinz Edelmann - Died July 21 at age 75 in Stuttgart, Germany. He was a graphic designer. He worked on The Beatles film, Yellow Submarine and also designed book covers including the German edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s, Lord Of The Rings.
Marcel Jacob (aka Marre) - Died July 21 at age 45. He committed suicide. He played bass, guitar, drums and keyboards. He worked with Horny Strings, Rising Force, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Force, Europe, Talisman (They did, “All Or Nothing” and “Give Me A Sign”), Lion’s Share, Human Clay, Thomas Vikstrom and Last Autumn’s Dream.
Teddy Washington - Died July 21 at age 78 due to complications from a blood clot. He was a trumpet player and singer. He led Teddy Washington And The Point After. He worked with James Brown and B.B. King. He was a Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall Of Fame Inductee.
John Dawson (John Collins Dawson IV) (aka Marmaduke) - Died July 21 at age 64 in Mexico of stomach cancer. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of The New Riders Of The Purple Sage (They did, “Whatcha Gonna Do” and “Panama Red.”) He worked with Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions and The Grateful Dead.
Greg Camp (Gregory Dean Camp) - Died July 21 at age 59. He played guitar and sang. He worked with White Eyes, The Camp Harlow Band, River Rock, Blazing Saddles, Tom Hall and Rick Yord.
Sammy Spear (Bruce H. Spear) (aka Miami Sammy Spear) - Died July 21 at age 58 in Milton, VT. He played guitar and sang. He worked with The North End Rhythm Kings.
John Proa - Died July 21 at age 64 in Gonzales of an illness. He played trumpet and trombone. He worked with The Sands, Little Joe And The Sun Kings, The Latin Breed and Sunny And The Sunliners.
James Wells - Died July 22 at age 28 near Glenwood, Alta., in a car accident which also took the lives of three of his children. He was a musician and a member of The Blackfoot Confederacy (They did, “Tricky Chicken Dance” and “Honor Song”).
Tim Lamb (Timothy Lamb) - Died July 22 and was born in 1961. He was a guitarist and singer. He worked with The Buick City Blues Band and Argentucky Blues.
William DeRoin (William W. DeRoin Jr.) - Died July 22 at age 79 in Warwick, RI. He was a musician and worked with The Ralph Stuart Orchestra and The Drew Corcoran Orchestra.
Hank Summers (Henry A. Summers) - Died July 22 at age 60 in Long Branch, NJ. He played guitar and sang. He worked with The Cowboy Mafia.
Bob Thulman (Robert D. Thulman) - Died July 22 in Clarksville, MD, of cancer. He was born in 1930 in Westchester County, NY. He played clarinet and saxophone. He worked with The Bay City 7, The Baltimore Jazz Factory and The Last Chance Jazz Band.
Peter Grammatico (Peter Justin Grammatico) - Died July 22 at age 40. He was a drummer, guitarist, pianist and singer. He worked with Black Jack, Chasing Giants (They did, “Slitherr”) and Stranger.
Peter Hugget - Died July 22 at age 83 in Norfolk of lung and bowel cancer. He was a bassist and worked with The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group.
Futoshi Abe - Died July 22 at age 43 of epidural hematoma. He was a guitarist and a member of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant (They did, “Akage No Kelly” and “Abakareta-Sekai”).
Danny McBride (Daniel Hatton) (aka Dirty Dan McBride) - Died July 23 at age 63. He was a singer and guitarist and worked with Sha Na Na.
Frank Bailly (Frank Chesley Bailly) - Died July 23 at age 87. He played saxophone and clarinet. He led The Frank Bailly Band and The Frank Bailly Orchestra.
Douglas Alan Arau Jr. (aka D.J.) - Died July 23 at age 34 in Anchorage, Alaska of kidney disease. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of Dredgeseven.
Warren Suttles (aka Birdland) - Died July 24 at age 84 in New York of Parkinson’s Disease. He was a singer. He was a member of The Ravens (They did, “Send For Me If You Need Me” and “Bye Bye Baby Blues”), The Dreamers (They did, “These Things I Miss”) and The Warren Suttles Trio. He was a Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Foundation Inductee.
Henry Bloom (Henry F. Bloom) - Died July 24 at age 90. He was a pianist and worked with The Eddie Arnell Orchestra.
Theodore Tausek (Theodore S. Tausek) - Died July 25 at age 99 in Brewster, MA. He played piano and organ. He worked with Charlie Barnett.
Jessica Foxley - Died July 25 at age 21 in Colne, Lancashire, England in a car accident. She was a singer, pianist and model. She did, “The Other Half Of My Heart.”
Robert Roy (Robert D. Roy) - Died July 25 at age 54 in Watertown, NY, of an illness. He was a drummer and a member of Contraband.
Jim Ivan (Emery Ivan) - Died July 25 at age 80. He played mandolin, banjo and his creation, the Jany. He worked with The South Philadelphia String Band and The Mummers.
Frank Malley (Francis Joseph Malley) - Died July 25 at age 67 of cancer. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “Red Is The Rose” and The Month Of January.”
Bhaskar Chandavarkar - Died July 26 at age 73 in Erandawne, Pune, India of cancer. He played sitar and was a music director. He was a student of Ravi Shankar. He played music for over 40 films including, Aakrit and Saamna.
George Russell - Died July 27 at age 86 in Boston, MA, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was a drummer, pianist, composer and theorist. He wrote Buddy DeFranco’s, “Bird In Igor’s Yard” and Dizzy Gillespie’s, “Cubano Be, Cubana Bop.” He worked with The Collegians, Benny Carter and The Living Time Orchestra. He arranged for Artie Shaw and Charlie Ventura.
Kaori Kawamura - Died July 28 at age 38 in Tokyo, Japan of cancer. She was a singer. She did, “Zoo” and “Tsubasa wo Kudasai.” She was, at one time, married to guitarist, Motoaki.
Renato Pagliari - Died July 29 at age 66. He was a singer. He did, “Just One Cornetto.” He was half of the duo, Renee and Renato (They did, “Save Your Love” and “Just One More Kiss”).
Al Winn (Rubin Albert Winn) - Died July 29 at age 59 in Harmony of an illness. He played guitar. He worked with The Northwest Express, Ambush and Country Nomads. He was a Wabash Valley Musician’s Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Jerry Fox - Died July 31 at age 88 of an illness. He played trumpet. He worked with Horace Height, Ray Anthony, Leon Jordan And The Contentials, Fidgety Feet and Tommy Dorsey.
Baatin (Titus Glover) (aka Eazy-T and Scandalous-T) - Died July 31 and was born in 1974. He did, “Malakh.” He was a member of Ssenepod and Slum Village (They did, “Tainted” and “Get Dis Money”).