Rockstar Death Notices - December 2017
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Ted Offensive behind the console at WORT
Dana Pharo - D. 11-15-2017 - 28 - cancer - Madison music scene fan and bartender at Star Bar, Baldwin Street Grille, Mickey’s.
Charles Henry Mosley III - D. 11-9-2017 - 57 - American singer-songwriter, who was best known as the frontman for Faith No More from 1984 to 1988. During his tenure with the band, they released two albums, We Care a Lot and Introduce Yourself.
Malcolm Young - D. 11-18-2017 - 64 - suffered from dementia - Australian musician and songwriter, best known as a co-founder of AC/DC, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter. Young and the other members of AC/DC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
Charles Manson - D. 11-19-2017 - 83 - died in prison of natural causes - American criminal and cult leader. After Manson was charged with the crimes of which he was later convicted, recordings of songs written and performed by him were released commercially, starting with Lie: The Love and Terror Cult (1970). Various musicians have covered some of his songs.
Mel Tillis - D. 11-19-2017 - 85 - respiratory failure - an American country music singer and songwriter. Although he recorded songs since the late 1950s, his biggest success occurred in the 1970s, with a long list of Top 10 hits. Country Music Hall of Famer.
Della Reese - D. 11-19-2017 - 86 - American jazz and gospel singer, actress, and ordained minister. Her career spanned seven decades scoring a hit with her 1959 single Don’t You Know?
Wayne Cochran - D. 11-21-2017 - 78 - American soul singer, known for his outlandish outfits and white pompadour hairstyle. He was sometimes referred to as The White Knight of Soul. Cochran is best known today for writing the song “Last Kiss”, which he performed with the C.C. Riders.
David Cassidy - D. 11-21-2017 - 67 - liver failure - American actor, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was known for his role as Keith Partridge, the son of Shirley Partridge (played by his stepmother Shirley Jones), in the 1970s musical-sitcom The Partridge Family, which led to his becoming one of popular culture’s teen idols and pop singers of the 1970s.
Ted “Ted Offensive” Putnam - 11-21-2017 - natural causes - long time supporter of the Madison music scene as a DJ a WORT under the name of “Ted Offensive” - owner of Raizer X Records - former manager of San Francisco band The Witnesses, creator of the “Offensive?” local compilation CDs, DJ at Natt Spiel, Union Cab driver, former bartender at Genna’s, and writer at Maximum Ink.
Tommy Keene - D. 11-22-2017 - 59 - American singer-songwriter, best known for releasing critically acclaimed rock & roll/power pop songs in the 1980s.
George Mesrop Avakian - D. 11-22-2017 - 98 - American record producer, artist manager, writer, educator and executive. Best known for his work at Decca Records, Columbia Records, Warner Bros. Records, and RCA Records. Worked with Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Dave Brubeck, Eddie Condon, Keith Jarrett, Erroll Garner, Buck Clayton, Sonny Rollins, Paul Desmond, Edith Piaf, Bob Newhart, Johnny Mathis, John Cage, Ravi Shankar.