Rock Star Death Notices - January 2014

(4274) Page Views

Phil Everly, with brother Don, circa 1960

Phil Everly, with brother Don, circa 1960

Richard Coughlan - Died 12-1-2013 - Illness (Prog Rock) Born 9-2-1947 in Herne Bay, Kent, England - Percussionist - Was a member of The Wilde Flowers who became Caravan. (They did, “If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You” and “In The Land Of Grey And Pink”).

Martin Sharp (Martin Ritchie Sharp) - Died 12-1-2013 in Bellevue Hill, New South Wales, Australia - Emphysema - Born 1-21-1942 in Bellevue Hill, New South Wales, Australia - Artist and cartoonist - (Co-wrote Cream’s, “Tales Of Brave Ulysses”) - Created the LP covers for Cream’s Disraeli Gears and Wheels Of Fire - Produced posters of Bob Dylan, Donovan, Tiny Tim and Jimi Hendrix.

Junior Murvin (Murvin Junior Smith) (aka Junior Soul) - Died 12-2-2013 in Port Antonio, Jamaica (Reggae) Born about 1946 in Saint James, Jamaica - Singer - (He did, “Police And Thieves” and “Cool Out Son”) - Worked with The Hippy Boys, The Mighty Falcons and The Tornadoes.

Rex Garvin - Died 12-2-2013 (R&B) Born 7-24-1940 in New York, NY, U.S. - Singer and keyboardist - (He did, “Sock It To ‘Em J.B.” and wrote Johnnie And Joe’s, “Over The Mountain, Across The Sea”) - Led Rex Garvin And The Mighty Cravers (They did,“Go Little Willie” and “Emulsified”) - Worked with The Hearts.

Rafal Wloczewski - Died 12-3-2013 in Warsaw, Poland (Punk - Rock) Born 1963 - Guitarist - Member of Teenage Love Alternative which became T. Love. (They did, “Warszawa” and “Rewolucja”).

Werner Voss - Died 12-4-2013 in Hamburg - Liver cancer - Born 10-6-1941 - Radio personality - Hosted radio’s, Rock’n'Roll Museum for almost 40 years.

Andy Pierce (Anders Persson) - Died 12-5-2013 in Denmark - Brain hemorrhage (Rock) He was 45 years old - Singer - Was a member of The Nasty Idols (They did, “Don’t Walk From Love” and “Cool Way Of Living”).

Jack Purcell - Died 12-6-2013 (Big Band) He was 94 years old - Trombonist - Led The Jack Purcell Orchestra.

Stan Tracey (Stanley William Tracey) - Died 12-6-2013 - Cancer (Jazz) Born 12-30-1926 in Denmark Hill, South London, England - Pianist - Worked with MJ6, Kenny Baker, Cab Calloway, Ted Heath’s Orchestra, Tony Crombie, Carmen McRae, Vic Ash, Kenny Graham, Ronnie Scott’s Group and Dizzy Reece.

Jerry Steinholtz (aka The Godfather) - Died 12-7-2013 (Jazz) Born 7-29-1937 - Percussionist - Worked with Lee Ritenour, Diana Ross, The Four Tops, Louie Bellson, Chester Thompson, Emil Richards, Harvey Mason, Peter Erskine, John Guerin, Joe Porcaro, Lani Hall, The Carpenters, Gladys Knight, Paul Anka, Steve Lawrence And Eydie Gorme, Freda Payne, Phyllis Hyman, Steve Schaeffer, Larry Londin, Pete Christlieb, Conte Condoli, Bill Holman, Michael Franks, Chuck Findley, Bill Watrous, Lou Levy, Joe Pass, Frank Rosolino, Joe Farrell, Ralph Humphrey, Earl Palmer, Roy McCurdy, Buddy Rich and Mel Lewis.

Chick Willis (Robert Willis) - Died 12-7-2013 (Blues) Born 9-24-1934 in Cabaniss, Monroe County, Georgia, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “You’re Mine” and “Stoop Down Baby”) - Worked with with Elmore James - Cousin of singer, Chuck Willis and guitarist, Guitar Slim.

John Wyker (John Daniel Wyker III) - Died 12-8-2013 (Rock) Born 3-14-1945 in Florence, AL, U.S. - Was a member of Sailcat (They did, “Motorcycle Mama” and “Baby Ruth”) - Worked with The Magnificent Seven, The Rubber Band, Eddie Hinton, Dan Penn and Delany Bramlett.

Lynne Kieran - Died 12-8-2013 - Born 5-16-1960 - Singer - Led Lynne’s House - Was a member of The Rounder Girls (They did, “Lay Your Hand In His” and “For Friends”) - Worked with Beat 4 Feet, Black Rose, Prime Cut, Joe Sample and Count Basic.

Roger Tillison -  Died 12-9-2013 in Glenpool (Folk - Rock) He was 72 years old - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “One Good Friend” and “Lonesome Louie”) - Worked with The Songdogs, J.J. Cale, Leathercoated Minds and Gypsy Trips.

Jim Hall (James Stanley Hall) - Died 12-10-2013 in New York, New York, U.S. (Jazz) Born 12-4-1930 in Buffalo, New York, U.S. - Played guitar, double bass and piano - Worked with Chico Hamilton, The Jimmy Giuffre Three, Ben Webster, Bill Evans, Don Thompson, Terry Clarke, Paul Desmond, Ella Fitzgerald, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, George Shearing, Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, Red Mitchell, Itzhak Perlman, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Sonny Rollins and Art Farmer - Was a member of the house band for TV’s, The Merv Griffin Show.

Cole Williams (Martijn William Zimri Teerlinck) (aka The Child of Lov and Sun Patzer) - Died 12-10-2013 - Complications after surgery (Funk) Born 3-31-1987 in Lendelede, Belgium - Singer - (He did, “Fly” and “Give Me”) - Worked with Damon Albarn and Doom.

George Buck (George H. Buck Jr.) - Died 12-11-2013 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Born 12-22-1928 in Elizabeth, NJ, U.S. - Co-owned The Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Operated nine record labels; Jazzology, G.H.B., Circle, Southland, American Music, Black Swan, Audiophile, Progressive and Solo Art - Produced Wild Bill Davison and Tony Parenti.

Tommy Ruger - Died 12-11-2013 - Complications from diabetes and other health issues (Rock) He was 67 years old - Drummer - Was a member of The Nightcrawlers (They did, “The Little Black Egg” and “I Don’t Remember”) - Worked with Root Boy Slim And The Sex Change Band.

Zbigniew Karkowski - Died 12-12-2013 in Peru - Pancreatic cancer (Experimental) Born 3-14-1958 in Krakow, Poland - Musician - Was a member of Sensorband and MAZK (They did, “Visible” and “Exposed”).

David Wertman - Died 12-14-2013 in Northampton - Cancer (Jazz) He was 61 years old - Bassist - (He did, “You Are My Love”) - Was a member of The Lynne Meryl Band (Named after his wife, singer Lynne Meryl) and The Sun Ensemble - Worked with Billy Bang, Dave Pike, Arthur Blythe, Nancy Janoson, Charles Tyler, Ray Anthony, Erskine Hawkins, Les Elgart, Sy Zentner, Duffy Jackson, Melton Mustafa, Buddy Morrow, Patti Page, Joey Heatherton, Eugene Uman, Toni Tennile, Archie Shepp, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Wayne Newton, Ira Sullivan, Claire Arenius, The Four Freshmen, Marion Brown and Steve Reid.

Ray Price (Noble Ray Price) - Died 12-16-2013 in Mount Pleasant, Texas, U.S. - Pancreatic cancer (Country - Gospel) Born 1-12-1926 in Perryville, Texas, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Release Me” and “Crazy Arms”) - Was a member of The Cherokee Cowboys - Worked with The Drifting Cowboys, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Lolita Sevilla (Angeles Moreno Gomez) - Died 12-16-2013 in Madrid, Spain - Born 3-20-1935 in Seville, Spain - Singer and actress - (She did, “Ciego en Granada” and “La hija de Don Juan Alba”) - Worked with los Hermanos Murillo.

Paul Baumer - Died 12-17-2013 - Cancer (Dance) Was a member of the duo, The Bingo Players (They did, “Cry (Just a Little)” and “Rattle”).

Esther Gilmore - Died 12-17-2013 - Born 9-19-1918, in Havelock, Iowa, U.S. - Singer - Worked with The Glenn Gilmore Band - Co-owner of the Gilmore Music store.

Ronnie Biggs (Ronald Arthur Biggs) - Died 12-18-2013 in Barnet, London, England - Born 8-8-1929 in Stockwell, Lambeth, London, England - He took part in the Great Train Robbery of 1963 - (Sang for The Sex Pistols on, “No One Is Innocent”).

Papa Dom (Dominic Gamboa) - Died 12-18-2013 - Kidney failure (Reggae - Punk) Born 12-18-1965 - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of Tropical Depression (They did, “Kapayapaan” and “Bilog na Naman ang Buwan”) - Worked with Betrayed, Skavengers and Lokal Brown.

Eric “Guitar” Davis - Died 12-19-2013 in South Shore, Chicago, U.S. - Shot in his car (Blues) He was 41 years old - Guitarist and drummer - Led Eric Guitar Davis And The Troublemakers - Worked with Jr. Wells, Lefty Dizz, Buddy Guy, BB King, CoCo Taylor, Billy Branch, Big James and The Chicago Playboys, Little Ed And The Blues Imperials, Booker T And The MGs, Lefty Dizz, Chico Banks, Ronnie Baker Brooks, B.B. Odom and Tyrone Davis -  Son of drummer, Bobby “Top Hat” Davis.

Herb Geller (Herbert Arnold Geller) - Died 12-19-2013 in Hamburg, Germany - Pneumonia (Jazz) Born 11-2-1928 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. - Played saxophone and flute - Worked with Jack Fina, Paul Desmond,  Shorty Rogers, Maynard Ferguson, Bill Holman, Shelly Manne, Marty Paich, Barney Kessel, Andre Previn, Quincy Jones, Wardell Gray, Jack Sheldon, Kenny Clarke, Kenny Drew, Martial Solal, Rene Thomas, Chet Baker, Claude Thornhill, Jerry Wald, Billy May and Lucky Millinder - He had been married to pianist, Lorraine Walsh.

David Richards - Died 12-20-2013 - Born 1956 in London, England - Illness - Producer and pianist - Worked with John Barry, Queen, David Bowie, Yes, Magnum, Chris Rea, Jimmy Nail, Iggy Pop and Duran Duran.

Ricky “Lord Infamous” Dunigan - Died 12-20-2013 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - Heart attack (Rap) He was 40 years old - Was a member of Backyard Posse and Three 6 Mafia (They did, ““Da Summa” and “All Or Nothin”).

Reginaldo Rossi (Reginaldo Rodrigues dos Santos) - King of Brega - Died 12-20-2013 in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil - Lung cancer - Born 2-14-1944 in Recife, Brazil - Singer - (He did, “Garcom” and “Eu queria te odiar”).

Nelly Omar (Nilda Elvira Vattuone) (aka La Gardel con polleras) - Died 12-20-2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Cardiac arrest (Tango) Born 9-10-1911 in Guaminí City, Guaminí, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Singer and actress - (She did, “Amar y callar” and “Lloraras, lloraras”).

Bjorn J:son Lindh (Bjorn Johansson Lindh) - Died 12-21-2013 - Brain tumor - Born 10-25-1944 in Arvika, Sweden - Flautist and keyboardist - Worked with Ralph Lundsten, Janne Schaffer, Murray Head (“One Night In Bangkok”), Triangulus, Mike Oldfield and Staffan Scheja.

El Perlo de Triana (Eugenio Carrasco Morales) - Died 12-21-2013 in Seville, Andalusia, Spain (Flamingo) Born 1926 in Malaga, Andalusia, Spain - Singer and poet.

John Sibert - Died 12-21-2013 (Country) Born 11-24-1933 in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. - Worked with The Tunesmiths (“Are You Teasing Me” and “There She Goes”), Kitty Wells, Big Jeff Bess, Lefty Frizzell, Little Jimmy Dickens, Gene Autry and The Everly Brothers - Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Dave Higgs - Died 12-21-2013 (Rock - Post Punk) Guitarist - Was a member of Eddie And The Hot Rods (They did, “Teenage Depression” and “Horseplay”) - Worked with The Fix.

Diomedes Diaz (Diomedes de Jesus Díaz Maestre) (aka El Chivato and El Cacique de la Junta) - Died 12-22-2013 in Valledupar, Cesar, Colombia - Cardio respiratory arrest (Vallenato) Born 5-26-1956 in La Junta, La Guajira, Colombia - Singer - Worked with Nafer Duran, Colacho Mendoza, Juancho Rois, Juancho De la Espriella, Jorge Quiroz and Luciano Poveda.

Ricky Lawson (Richard David Lawson) - Died 12-23-2013 in Long Beach, California, U.S. - Brain aneurysm (Jazz) Born 1954 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. - Drummer - Was a member of The Yellowjackets (They did, “And You Know That” and “Sittin’ In It”) - Worked with The Sons of Soul, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Lionel Richie, George Duke, Michael Jackson, Babyface, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston (“I Will Always Love You”), Bette Midler, Sheila E., Al Jarreau, Russell Ferrante, Toto and Steely Dan.

Yusef Lateef (Yusef Abdul Lateef) (Born William Emanuel Huddleston) - Died 12-23-2013 in Shutesbury, Massachusetts, U.S. - Prostate cancer (Jazz) Born 10-9-1920 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. - Played saxophone, flute, oboe and bassoon - Worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Wilbur Harden, Cannonball Adderley, Herman Wright and Hugh Lawson.

German Coppini (German Coppini Lopez-Tormos) - Died 12-24-2013 in Madrid, Spain - Hepatic cancer (Pop) Born 1961 in Santander, Cantabria, Spain - Singer and musician - Worked with Golpes Bajos and Siniestro Total (They did, “Sexo chungo”).

Sarah Elizabeth Campbell - Died 12-26-2013 in Austin, Texas, U.S. - Liver cancer (Folk) Singer and guitarist - (She did, “I Never Meant To Fall” and “Heartache”) - Led Sarah Elizabeth Campbell And The Banned - Worked with Fiddlestix, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Marcia Ball.

Houston Wells (Andrew Smith) - Died 12-28-2013 (Country) Born 1938 in Northumberland, England - Singer - Led Houston Wells And The Marksmen (They did, “Only The Heartaches” and “Shutters And Boards”), Andy Smith And The Coasters and Houston Wells And The Premier Aces (They did, “Above And Beyond.

Ben Curtis (Benjamin Curtis) - Died 12-29-2013 - Lymphatic cancer (Rock) He was 35 years old - Guitarist, drummer, keyboardist and singer - Worked with Secret Machines (They did, “Pharaoh’s Daughter” and “First Wave Intact”), UFOFU, Tripping Daisy (They did, “Your Socks Have No Name” and “Waited A Light Year”) and School Of Seven Bells (They did, “Heart Is Strange” and “Babelonia”).

Tabby Thomas (Ernest Joseph Thomas) (aka Rockin’ Tabby Thomas) - Died 1-1-2014 (Blues) Born 1-5-1929 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana., U.S. - Sang and played guitar and piano - (He did, “Voodoo Party”) - Led The Mellow, Mellow Men - Ran the blues club, Tabby’s Blues Box.

Pierre Cullaz - Died 1-1-2014 (Jazz) Born 7-31-1935 in Paris, France - Guitarist and cellist - Worked with Art Simmons, Martial Solal, Guitars Unlimited, Eddy Louiss, Claude Bolling, Buck Clayton, Leon Francioli, Michel Gaudry, Jef Gilson, The Golden Gate Quartet, Guy Lafitte, Sir Charles Thompson, Sarah Vaughan, Andre Hodeir, Claude Nougaro and Ivan Jullien.

Herman Pieter de Boer (aka Johnny Austerlitz) - Died 1-1-2014 in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands - Illness - Born 2-9-1928 in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands - Lyricist, writer and journalist - (Wrote the lyrics for, “Oh Waterlooplein” and “Visite”).

Simone Bose - Died 1-1-2014 - Complications from pneumonia - He was 51 years old - Was a President of Universal Music, a co-founder of the music company BajaMusic and was a chairman of EMI Music Spain where he oversaw the development of artists like Bebe and Pablo Alboran.

Thomas Kurzhals - Died 1-2-2014 in Glauchau - Cirrhosis of the liver (Rock) Born 1953 in Ronneburg - Was a member of Stern-Combo Meissen which became The Stern Meissenand and Karat (They did, “Uber sieben Brucken musst du gehn”) - Worked with The Exitas Combo - Produced Katrin Sass.

Jay Traynor (John Traynor) - Died 1-2-2014 in Tampa, Florida, U.S. - Liver cancer (Pop - Doo-Wop) Born 3-30-1943 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “I Rise, I Fall” and “Up & Over”) - Was the original singer for Jay And The Americans (They did, “She Cried”) -  Worked with The Mystics (They did versions of, “The White Cliffs Of Dover” and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”) - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Li Tai-hsiang - Died 1-2-2014 - Thyroid cancer (Folk) He was 73 years old - Composer - (He wrote, “The Olive Tree” and “Because Fall Is Almost Ending”).

Javier de Cambra - Died 1-2-2014 in Madrid, Spain - Born 11-5-1954 in Barcelona, Spain - Music journalist.

Sam Ulano (aka Mr. Rhythm) - Died 1-2-2014 in New York, U.S. (Jazz) Born 8-12-1920 in New York, NY, U.S. - Drummer and drum teacher - Wrote instruction books for the drums - Worked with Moondog, Public Image Ltd., Bill Snyder, Tony Parenti, Dick Wellstood, Judy Garland, Sol Yaged, Bob Cantwell and Max Kaminsky - Father of sound engineer, Mark Ulano.

Phil Everly (Phillip Everly) - Died 1-3-2014 in Burbank, Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Rock - Country) Born 1-19-1939 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “She Means Nothing To Me” and “Louise”) - He was half of the duo, The Everly Brothers (They did, “Wake Up Little Susie” and “Cathy’s Clown”) - Worked with Roy Wood and Warren Zevon - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee and Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Saul Zaentz - Died 1-3-2014 - Born 2-28-1921 in Passaic, New Jersey, U.S. - Record company executive and film producer - Worked for Jazz At The Philharmonic managing concert tours for Duke Ellington and Stan Getz and also worked for Fantasy Records - He co-produced the film, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and produced the film Amadeus.

K. P. Udayabhanu - Died 1-5-2014 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India - Parkinson’s disease (Playback) Born 6-6-1936 in Tharoor, Palakkad district, Kerala, India - Singer - (He did, Enthinithra panchasara” and “Anuraga nadakathin”) - Was a member of Old Is Gold - He was married to singer, Vijayalekshmi.

Nelson Ned (Nelson Ned d’Avila Pinto) - El Pequeno gigante de la cancion - Died 1-5-2014 in Sao Paolo Brazil - Pneumonia - Born 3-2-1947 in Uba, Minas Gerais, Brazil - Singer - (He did, “Happy Birthday My Darling” and “Domingo a Tarde”).