 |
As we approach the end of another year, and the credits begin to roll... I am compelled to acknowledge the passing of musical greats that we have lost this year.
Peter Tork from The Monkees died age 77. The Monkees were brought together for an American sitcom TV series in 1966. Best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist, they had the 1967 UK & US Number 1 single ‘I’m A Believer’ plus other hits including ‘Last Train to Clarksville’, ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’, and ‘Daydream Believer’.
She
Drummer Hal Blaine, one of the most recorded musicians in pop music history died of natural causes at his home in Palm Desert, California age 90. As a member of the The Wrecking Crew his drumming can be heard on songs such as Presley’s ‘Return to Sender,’ the Byrds’ ‘Mr. Tambourine Man,’ the Beach Boys’ ‘Good Vibrations,’ Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water‘ and dozens of hits produced by Phil Spector, and the theme songs to ‘Batman,’ ‘The Partridge Family’ and dozens of other shows.
Massive Collection
American rock guitarist Dick Dale died of heart failure at the age of 81. He was known as the ‘King of the Surf Guitar’. He pioneered and created what many call the surf music style. Dale worked closely with Fender to produce custom made amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier. His song ‘Misirlou’ featured over the opening credits to Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction.
with SRV !
Singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor Leon Redbone died age 69. Redbone rose to fame in the ’70s folk scene when Bob Dylan sought him out at a Canadian music festival.
Diddy Wah Diddy
American singer and songwriter Dr John known for music combining blues, pop, jazz, boogie woogie and rock and roll died at the age of 77 after suffering a heart attack. Born Malcolm John Rebennack his career started in the late 1950s, when he became prominent as a pianist and singer on the New Orleans music scene. He played piano on the Rolling Stones’ 1972 song “Let It Loose”, and also worked with many other artists including Carly Simon, James Taylor, Neil Diamond, Ringo Starr, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Seger and Joe Walsh.
Goin Back to New Orleans
American drummer and record producer Jerry Carrigan died age 75. He first achieved widespread recognition by being part of the first wave of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and later as a first-call session musician in Nashville for over three decades. He recorded with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, Kenny Rogers Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Stevens and Dolly Parton.
American musician Dave Bartholomew died of heart failure age 100. Many musicians recorded Bartholomew’s songs, but his partnership with Fats Domino produced some of his greatest successes. In the mid-1950s they wrote more than forty hits for Imperial Records, including the Billboard number one pop chart hit “Ain’t That a Shame”. Bartholomew’s other hit songs as a composer include “I Hear You Knocking”, “Blue Monday”, “I’m Walkin'”, “My Ding-A-Ling”, and “One Night.”
American guitarist and singer Gary Duncan died after suffering a seizure and falling into a coma age 72. He was guitarist with The Brogues, then most notably with American psychedelic rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service, that formed in 1965 in San Francisco.
At Monterey Pop!
Brazilian singer, songwriter, and guitarist, João Gilberto died aged 88. He was a pioneer of the musical genre of bossa nova in the late 1950s. Around the world he was often called “father of bossa nova”, and in his native Brazil, he was referred to as “O Mito” (“The Legend”).
Samba de Minha Terra
American bass guitarist Larry Taylor died age 77. He is best known as a member of Canned Heat from 1967. Before joining Canned Heat he had been a session bassist for The Monkees and Jerry Lee Lewis. He was the younger brother of Mel Taylor, long-time drummer of The Ventures.
Let's Work Together
Peter Tork from The Monkees died age 77. The Monkees were brought together for an American sitcom TV series in 1966. Best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist, they had the 1967 UK & US Number 1 single ‘I’m A Believer’ plus other hits including ‘Last Train to Clarksville’, ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’, and ‘Daydream Believer’.
SheDrummer Hal Blaine, one of the most recorded musicians in pop music history died of natural causes at his home in Palm Desert, California age 90. As a member of the The Wrecking Crew his drumming can be heard on songs such as Presley’s ‘Return to Sender,’ the Byrds’ ‘Mr. Tambourine Man,’ the Beach Boys’ ‘Good Vibrations,’ Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water‘ and dozens of hits produced by Phil Spector, and the theme songs to ‘Batman,’ ‘The Partridge Family’ and dozens of other shows.
Massive CollectionAmerican rock guitarist Dick Dale died of heart failure at the age of 81. He was known as the ‘King of the Surf Guitar’. He pioneered and created what many call the surf music style. Dale worked closely with Fender to produce custom made amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier. His song ‘Misirlou’ featured over the opening credits to Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction.
with SRV !Singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor Leon Redbone died age 69. Redbone rose to fame in the ’70s folk scene when Bob Dylan sought him out at a Canadian music festival.
Diddy Wah DiddyAmerican singer and songwriter Dr John known for music combining blues, pop, jazz, boogie woogie and rock and roll died at the age of 77 after suffering a heart attack. Born Malcolm John Rebennack his career started in the late 1950s, when he became prominent as a pianist and singer on the New Orleans music scene. He played piano on the Rolling Stones’ 1972 song “Let It Loose”, and also worked with many other artists including Carly Simon, James Taylor, Neil Diamond, Ringo Starr, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Seger and Joe Walsh.
Goin Back to New OrleansAmerican drummer and record producer Jerry Carrigan died age 75. He first achieved widespread recognition by being part of the first wave of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and later as a first-call session musician in Nashville for over three decades. He recorded with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, Kenny Rogers Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Stevens and Dolly Parton.
American musician Dave Bartholomew died of heart failure age 100. Many musicians recorded Bartholomew’s songs, but his partnership with Fats Domino produced some of his greatest successes. In the mid-1950s they wrote more than forty hits for Imperial Records, including the Billboard number one pop chart hit “Ain’t That a Shame”. Bartholomew’s other hit songs as a composer include “I Hear You Knocking”, “Blue Monday”, “I’m Walkin'”, “My Ding-A-Ling”, and “One Night.”
American guitarist and singer Gary Duncan died after suffering a seizure and falling into a coma age 72. He was guitarist with The Brogues, then most notably with American psychedelic rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service, that formed in 1965 in San Francisco.
At Monterey Pop! Brazilian singer, songwriter, and guitarist, João Gilberto died aged 88. He was a pioneer of the musical genre of bossa nova in the late 1950s. Around the world he was often called “father of bossa nova”, and in his native Brazil, he was referred to as “O Mito” (“The Legend”).
Samba de Minha TerraAmerican bass guitarist Larry Taylor died age 77. He is best known as a member of Canned Heat from 1967. Before joining Canned Heat he had been a session bassist for The Monkees and Jerry Lee Lewis. He was the younger brother of Mel Taylor, long-time drummer of The Ventures.
Let's Work Together
American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Eddie Money died of cancer age 70. He released over ten albums and had a string of hits in the late Seventies including ‘Baby Hold On’, ‘Two Tickets to Paradise’ and ‘Take Me Home Tonight’.
Ric Ocasek the former lead singer with The Cars was found dead in his New York City apartment, he was 75. The Cars formed in Boston in the mid-1970s by Ocasek and band-mate Benjamin Orr after they met at high school. Their early hits included ‘Just What I Needed’, ‘My Best Friend’s Girl’ and ‘Good Times Roll’. Their 1984 ballad ‘Drive’ was used as background music for footage of the Ethiopian famine, and its re-release as a single after Live Aid helped raise money for the cause. After the band broke up in the late 1980s, Ocasek embarked on a solo career as well as working as a producer for artists including Weezer, Bad Religion and No Doubt.
Emotion in Motion
Emotion in Motion
Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer and co-founder of rock band Cream died at the age of 80. The drummer co-founded Cream in 1966 with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. The band released four albums before splitting in 1968, after which he formed the short-lived band Blind Faith with Clapton, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. Baker, one of the most innovative and influential drummers in rock music also played with Blind Faith, Hawkwind and Fela Kuti in a long and varied career. In 1962, joined Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated on the recommendation of Charlie Watts – who was leaving to join the Rolling Stones And later gained early fame as a member of the Graham Bond Organisation alongside bassist Jack Bruce.
Sunshine of Your Love
Sunshine of Your Love
And many more from other genres and those that work behind the scenes. RIP at the Great Gig in the Sky
