As we come to end of the year, I'd like to reflect on some of the musical talent we've lost in 2013. The up and coming artists of today have some big shoes to fill.
- Lou Reed, founding member of rock band The Velvet Underground, hits include "Sweet Jane" and "Walk On the Wild Side". He was 71.
- J.J. Cale, a singer and songwriter who penned such classic songs as Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" and "After Midnight" as well as having a successful career of his own, has died of a heart attack. He was 74.
- Johnny Smith, a jazz guitarist and songwriter whose hits included "Walk, Don't Run", has died of natural cause. He was 90.
- Marshall Lytle, a bass player with Bill Haley & His Comets and a 2012 inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has died of lung cancer. He was 79.
- Mack Emerman, the founder of Criteria Recording Studios, has died of complications from pneumonia. Classic songs such as Eric Clapton's "Layla" as well as parts of legendary albums Hotel California and Rumours were recorded at Criteria. He was 89.
- Trevor Bolder, longtime bassist for Uriah Heep and David Bowie, has died of cancer. Bolder was 62.
- Ray Manzarek, founding member of legendary rock band The Doors, has died after a long fight with bile duct cancer. He was 74.
- Richie Havens, the singer/guitar player who opened the 1969 Woodstock Festival with a three-hour performance, has died at 72.
- Andy Johns, a record producer for such groups as Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, has died at 62.
- Phil Ramone, a record producer who worked with Frank Sintara, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, and Barbra Streisand among others, has died at 79.
- Peter Banks, the original guitar player for the band Yes, has died of heart failure. He was 65.
- Alvin Lee, the frontman of Ten Years After and an accomplished solo artist, has died of complications related to routine surgery. He was 68.
- Van Cliburn, the "rock star" classical pianist who won the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, has died of bone cancer. He was 78.
- Dan Toler, a guitar player and member of the Allman Brothers Band, has died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was 64.
- Rick Huxley, bass player for the British Invasion pop-rock band Dave Clark Five, has died at age 72.
- Reg Presley, the singer of the British band The Troggs, died of lung cancer. He was 71.
One of my very favorite classical tunes Claire de Lune by Debussey as played by a master, Van Cliburn
Van Cliburn: Claire de Lune
