Rock Star Death Notices - Rökktober 2008
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Early Pink Floyd featuring Rick Wright (far right)
Rick Wright (Richard William Wright) - Died September 15 at age 65 in England of cancer. He was a keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He did, “Mad Yannis Dance” and “Against The Odds.” He was a member of The Pink Floyd Sound which became Pink Floyd (They did, “The Great Gig In The Sky” and “Astronomy Domine”) and Zee - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Richard Beckman (Richard E. Beckman) - Died August 28 at age 77 in Springfield, Il. He played saxophone and worked with The Jack Engler Orchestra and The Gary Dammer Orchestra.
Gilbert Moorer Jr. - Died August 28 at age 67 of throat cancer. He was a member of The Esquires. They did, “Get On Up” and “And Get Away.”
John Weatherwax (John Thomas Weatherwax) - Died August 29 at age 87. He was a singer and trombonist. He was a member of The Junk Yard Jazz band, The Jazzhaus Swing Band, The New Horizons Band, The Lawrence City Band, The Olathe Civic Band and The Handful Of Stars Band.
Loren Newton - Died August 29 at age 28 due to internal injuries after being hit by a motor home. He was a drummer and a member of The Shane Thomas Band.
Bill Chrystal (William A. Chrystal) - Died August 29 at age 77. He played piano and worked with The Pittsburgh Symphony, The Civic Light Opera, Bob Rawsthorne and Steve Allen.
Brian Gardner - Died August 30 at age 48. He was a member of Foolin.
Jed Cruz (James O’Toole) (James Edward O’Toole) - Died August 30 at age 26 in Vancouver, Canada. He was shot in the back seat of a taxi. He was born in Dublin, Ireland. He was a singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. He did, “This Is The End” and “Details Of Our Love.” He was a member of Napolean.
Eldon Rathburn (Eldon Davis Rathburn) - The dean of Canadian film composers - Died August 30 at age 92 from illness. He was a composer and pianist. He worked with Don Messer. He composed scores for 185 films including Labyrinth, The Last Buffalo and Pillar Of Wisdom.
Sammy Cohen - Died August 30 at age 70 due to complications of Hepatitis C. He was a drummer. He was the co-founder of The San Jose Jazz Society and producer of 19 San Jose Jazz Festivals.
Mariyamma John (aka Mariamma Chettathi) - Died August 31 at age 90 in Thottakkad in Changanassery. She was a singer.
George Young (George Terry Young) (aka Kanalu) - Died August 31 from an illness. He was born in 1954. He was a composer and musician.
Claude Watt - Died August 31 due to illness. He played banjo, mandolin and saxophone and was a singer and composer. He was the founder of Claymar Productions.
BJ Papa (William Jackson) - Died August 31 at age 72 in North Beach of liver disease. He was a pianist. He worked with John Handy, Marcus Shelby and Bishop Norman.
Reuben Bee Sithole - Died in August in Zimbabwe of an illness. He was born in 1952. He was a guitarist. He worked with Abraxas, The Big Four, The Jacaranda Jazz Cats, Socca Moruakgomo, The Unity Band, The Urban Brew Band and The Gem Band.
Rik Clay (Richard Clay) - Died in September at age 26 in Ilkley (Rock) He was a singer and guitarist. He led Somewhere Not Here. They did, “Adrift” and “At Peace.” He was a member of FULC (They did, “Wasting” and “Embrace Destroy”) and Tensecondsofchaos (They did, “Happy Is What I Should Be” and “Face The Problem”) He was son of guitarist John Clay.
Freddie King (Frederick Hyland King) - Died September 1 at age 72 of complications from diabetes. He was a singer, composer and arranger and played the ukulele, piano and drums. He was a member of The Oriole Four. He worked with Pro’s N Con’s, Premiere and Sage. He composed over 300 songs and is a Barbershop Harmony Society Hall of Fame Inductee.
Jerry Reed (Jerry Reed Hubbard) - Died September 1 at age 71 due to complications from emphysema. He was a singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor . He did, “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” and “Guitar Man.” He worked with Chet Atkins, Bobby Bare, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Elvis Presley. His songs have been recorded by Brenda Lee, Gene Vincent and Porter Wagoner. He appeared in all three, “Smokey And The Bandit” movies as the “Snowman” and is a Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Sheldon Keller - Died September 1 at age 85 in Valencia due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He played guitar and bass and was a founding member of The Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band. He was a comedy writer for the TV shows, Caesar’s Hour, Make Room For Daddy, The Dick Van Dyke Show and MASH.
Arne Domnerus (Sven Arne Domnerus) (aka Dompan) - Died September 2 at age 83 from illness. He was a saxophonist. He worked with The Swedish Radio Big Band, Bengt Hallberg, Charlie Parker, Quincy Jones, James Moody, Art Farmer, Clifford Brown and Clark Terry.
Pierre Van Dormael - Died September 3 in Brussels of cancer. He was born in 1952. He was a guitarist and singer. He was a member of The Nasa Na Band. He worked with Soriba Kouate and Herve Samb. He also provided the scores for his brother Jaco’s films, “Toto The Hero” and “The Eighth Day”.
May Shin (Daw May Shin) (aka Ma Than Shin) - Died September 3 at age 91 in Mandalay of pulmonary edema. She was an actress and singer. She did, “Shin Thi Wili” and “Pyo Hmar Tan.”
Geo Voumard - Died September 3 at age 87. He was a pianist and composer. He co-wrote, “Refrain” and “Nous aurons demain.” He was a co-founder of The Montreaux Jazz Festival.
Raul Ornelas - Died September 3 at age 66 in Temple, TX due to a heart attack during surgery for pancreatic cancer. He played trumpet and bass. He was a member of The Beaumont Jazz Group. He worked with The Symphony Of Southeast Texas, The Jimmy Simmons Band, The Lamar Brass Quintet, Keith Brion’s The New Sousa, Johnny Mathis, The Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Tommy Tune and Joan Rivers.
Waldick Soriano (Euripedes Waldick Soriano) - Died September 4 at age 75 in Vila Isabel of prostate cancer. He was a singer and composer. He wrote, “Quem es tu?” and “Eu nao sou cachorro nao.”
Eric Laufer - Died September 4 at age 25 in a motorcycle accident. He was a singer and a member of The Two Timin’ Three who became The Two Timin’ Four. They did, “Payin The Price” and “Tag Along.”
Fernest Arceneaux (John Fernest Arcenaux) - The Prince of Zydeco and The New Prince of Accordion - Died September 4 at age 68 in Lafayette, LA of natural causes. He played accordion and guitar and sang. He was a member of Fernest And The Thunders.
Richard Negus - Died September 5 at age 60. He was a multi-instrumentalist. He worked with The Hot Latkes Klezmer Band, Toronto’s Stringband and London Pro Musica.
Charles “Ray” Loring - Died September 6 at age 65 of a heart attack while hiking in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. He was a composer and pianist. He wrote the score for the film, “Ruby” and for about 100 episodes of NOVA’s, “Saving The National Treasures” series.
Berenice Chavez - Queen of the Colombian song - Died September 6 in Bogota, Colombia of illness. She was born in 1919. She was a singer and musician. She did, “Los Arrayanes” and “Tiplecito de mi vida.” She was a member of Hermanitas Chavez. She worked with her sister, singer Cecilia. She was the daughter of musician, Isidoro Chavez and wife of musician, Digno García.
Nick Masullo - Died September 6 of multiple sclerosis. He was born in 1952. He was a guitarist, singer and songwriter. He did, “Everything You’ve Got” and “One Hundred Years Ago.”
Phil White (Philip Edward White) - Died September 6 at age 58 of complications of heart disease. He was a bassist, pianist and songwriter and was a member of Space Opera (They did, “Holy River” and “Over And Over.”) He worked with T Bone Burnett, Bill Ham and Stephen Bruton.
Dino Dvornik (Miljenko Dvornik) - Died September 7 at age 44 in Zagreb. He was a musician and actor. He did, “Nista kontra Splita.” He was the founder of Kineski zid. He was son of actor, Boris Dvornik.
Rick Cicalo (aka Rico Cicalo) - Died September 7 at age 54 of liver cancer in Washington, Iowa. He was a bassist - Was a member of Patrick Hazell & The Mother Blues Band - Worked with Greg Brown, Big Wooden Radio, The Rhythm Rockers, The Moon Rockers and Bo Ramsey. He was a mayor of Washington, Iowa, a Iowa Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee and Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Chris Dudek (aka Witchhunter) - Died September 7. He was a drummer and a member of Sodom.
Richard Wylie (aka Popcorn) (Richard Wayne Wylie) - Found dead at age 69 on September 7 in Detroit, Michigan. He was a pianist and producer. He did, “Funky Rubber Band” and “Shimmy Gully.” He led Popcorn and The Mohawks. He worked with The Funk Brothers, The Miracles (“Shop Around”) and The Marvelettes (“Please Mr. Postman”).
Marvin Stuckett (aka Stuck, Stucky, Dubb and Mr.Chittchatta) - Died September 7 at age 28. He was shot. He was half of the duo, Needle In A Haystack. They did, “I Bet Yen Know” and “Feeling Myself.”
Matt Bachrach - Died September 7 at age 31 in a car accident. He was a pianist. He did, “Along For The Ride” and “Better Than Love (Brenda’s Song).” He worked with Jesses McGuire and Thano Sahnas.
Big Jim Morse (James Morse) - Died September 7 at age 65. He was a guitarist and singer. He worked with Whiskey River.
Kunnakudi S Vaidyanathan - Died September 8 in Chennai of multiple organ failure. He was born 1932 in Kunnakudi. He played violin and produced the film, Todi Ragam. Worked with Shri Ariyakudi, Shri Semmangudi and Shri Maharajapuram
Jason Stuart - Died September 8 of a brain hemorrhage. He was born in 1969. He was a keyboardist. He worked with Hawkwind. They did, “Greenback Massacre” and “To Love A Machine.”
Hector Zazou (Pierre Job) - Died September 8 at age 60 in Paris, France. He was a composer, musician and producer. He was a member of Barricades, ZNR and Slow Music. He worked with Robert Fripp, Siouxsie Sioux, PGR, Barbara Gogan, Laurie Anderson, Bjork, KatieJane Garside, Caroline Lavelle, Nils Petter Molvær, Suzanne Vega, John Cale and Jane Birkin.
Bheki Mseleku - Died September 8 in London, England of diabetes. He was born 1955 in Lamontville, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and was a keyboardist, saxophonist, composer and arranger. Also worked with Spirits Rejoice.
Merlin Littlefield - Died September 9 at age 65 in Nashville, TN of pancreatic cancer. He was a music executive for RCA Records. While working for the ASCAP, he signed Lyle Lovett, Reba McEntire, George Strait and Gary Burr. He served on the boards of The Country Music Association, The Academy Of Country Music and The Recording Academy.
David Winter - Died September 9 at age 25 when he fell from a roof. He was a member of SickStitches (They did, “Stuck In A Trap” and “Turn The Power On”) and Krittical Mass (They did, “A Beautiful Life” and “Scene Of A Burger”).
Christian Sylvain Denis - Died September 11 at age 52. He was a guitarist and worked with The Cruiser Band and The No Shame Band.
Morne Bouwer - Died September 12 at age 34 in Pretoria in a car accident (Rock) He was a singer and a member of Gravity’s Grace (They did, “A Million Miles From The Sun” and “Unbreakable”).
Charlie Walker - Died September 12 at age 81 Hendersonville, Tenn. of colon cancer. He was a singer and DJ. He did, “Don’t Squeeze My Sharmon” and “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down.” He worked with The Cowboy Ramblers and was a Country DJ And Radio Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Billy Ransom (William Ransom Hobbs Jr.) (aka Ransom Notes and Hobo) - Died September 13 at age 56 in a homicide. He was a musician.
Ray Overholt - Died September 14 at age 84 of heart failure. He was a guitarist and composer. He wrote, “He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels” and “Believe In Me Or I’ll Be Leaving You.” He led Ray Overholt And His Grand River Boys and hosted TV’s, Ray’s Roundup.
Grant Krueger (Grant W. Krueger) - Died September 14 at age 83. He played xylophone, glockenspiel, trombone, pipe organ and piano, He led Grant Krueger And The Executives. He worked with Heinie And His Grenadiers and Rosemary Clooney.
Willy Graves - Died September 14 and was born in 1980 in San Diego. He was a bassist - He was a member of The Plot To Blow Up The Eiffel Tower (They did, “Lawnmower Love” and “Exile On Vain Street”) and The Prayers.
Stefano Rosso (Stefano Rossi) - Died September 15 at age 59 in Rome, Italy. He was a singer, guitarist and songwriter. He did, “Una storia disonesta” and “La bambina di piazza Cairoli.” He was half of the duo, Remo e Romolo.
Warren Brown - Died September 15 at age 92 in Carlsbad, CA of illness. He played trombone and worked with his brother Les Brown. He worked for Leeds Music and MCA Music, Inc.
YT-De Wet - Died September 15 when he shot himself after killing his girlfriend, Ndapanda Eigowas who was also his manager. He was a musician.
Ndapanda Eigowas - Died September 15 when she was shot at age 21. She was the manager and girlfriend of YT-De Wet.
Norman Whitfield (Norman Jesse Whitfield) - Died September 16 at age 67 of diabetes and other illnesses in Los Angeles, CA. He was a songwriter, pianist and producer and worked for Motown. He collaborated with Barrett Strong. He worked with The Temptations (”(I Know) I’m Losing You”), Marvin Gaye (“Pride & Joy”), Gladys Knight & The Pips (“I Heard It Through The Grapevine”), Edwin Starr (“War”), Rare Earth, Rose Royce (“Car Wash”) and The Undisputed Truth (“Smiling Faces Sometimes”.) He formed Whitfield Records and is a Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Beryl Carnell - Died September 16 at age 78 of a stroke. She owned The Playroom which hosted INXS, Midnight Oil, Billy Thorpe, Johnny O’Keefe, Normie Rowe, John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes and Cold Chisel.
Cary Winscott - Died September 16 at age 38 of skin cancer. He was an actor, writer and guitarist. He appeared in the rock operas, “A Soap Opera” based on an album by the Kinks and “Speeding Motorcycle.” He was a member of Horseshoe, Blood Fart and Pork Belly Picnic.
Opal Courtney Jr. (Opal Leverte Courtney Jr.) - Died September 18 at age 71 of a heart attack. She was a founding member of The Spaniels (They did, “Goodnight Sweetheart” and “Baby, It’s You”) and a vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Lou Trebar - Died September 18- at age 88 in Cleveland, OH. He was an accordionist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He wrote, “Question And Answer Polka” and ” Snappy Fingers Polka.” He worked with The Johnny Pecon-Lou Trebar Orchestra, The Mis-Tre Orchestra and The Jeff Pecon Orchestra. He was an International Polka Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Paul Landerman - Died September 19 at age 92 in West Hartford. He was a bandleader and trombonist. He worked with The Landerman Brothers Orchestra.
Earl Palmer (Earl Cyril Palmer) - Died September 19 and age 83 in Banning, CA of an illness. He was a drummer. He worked with The Beach Boys, Little Richard (“Tutti Frutti”), Frank Sinatra, Ike And Tina Turner (“River Deep, Mountain High”), The Monkees, Fats Domino (“I’m Walkin”), Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Bobby Darin, Tom Waits, The Righteous Brothers (“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin”), Dizzy Gillespie, Sam Cooke (“Twistin’ The Night Away”) and Count Basie. He can be heard on music for TV’s, I Dream Of Jeannie, The Brady Bunch and Green Acres. He was a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Dick Sudhalter (Richard Merrill Sudhalter) - Died September 19 at age 69 in Manhattan, NY of an illness. He played trumpet and cornet and was a critic and writer. He worked with The New Paul Whiteman Band, The Classic Jazz Quartet and The New York Jazz Repertory Company. He co-wrote the books, Bix: Man And Legend and Lost Chords.
Nappy Brown (Napoleon Brown Goodson Culp) - Died September 20 at age 78 in Charlotte, NC. He was a singer, songwriter and musician. He did, “Don’t Be Angry” and “Night Time Is The Right Time.” He worked with The Heavenly Lights. He recorded for Savoy, Alligator, Bling Pig, Stockholm, Black Top, JSP, Meltone, Ichiban, and New Moon Records.
Steve Verwolf - Died August 6th at age 43 in Tacoma, WA of an apparent drug overdose. Steve Swad, as he was also known, was the lead singer for Ten Minute Warning in the early 1980s. An influential band to the latter Seattle grunge music scene which also featured members Paul Solger and Duff McKagan.