In Memoriam 2020: The Great Gig in the Sky

 

2020 was a particularly unique year with a global pandemic in full force. Certainly that affected all of our lives in many ways. This year as live music has been so hard to find especially, I offer my annual memoriam for musicians we have lost.  

Neil Peart of Rush died age 67. A Canadian musician, songwriter, and author, best known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. Peart earned numerous awards for his musical performances, including an induction into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame in 1983, making him the youngest person ever so honored.

  Solo on David Letterman

Viola Smith age 107. A swing-era musician who was promoted in the 1930s as the “fastest girl drummer in the world” and who championed greater inclusion of women in the almost completely male preserve of big bands.

The Snake Charmer

Kenny Rogers of Kenny Rogers and The First Edition died age 81. An American singer, songwriter, musician, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted more than 120 hit singles across various music genres, and topped the country and pop album charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States alone. He sold more than 100 million records worldwide during his lifetime, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His fame and career spanned multiple genres: jazz, folk, pop, rock, and country. He remade his career, and was one of the most successful cross-over artists of all time

 Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town

John Prine died age 73. An American country folk singer-songwriter. He was active as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor from the early 1970s until his death, and was known for an often humorous style of original music that has elements of protest and social commentary.

 Sam Stone

Little Richard age 87. Richard Wayne Penniman was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Nicknamed "The Innovator, The Originator, and The Architect of Rock and Roll", Richard's most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his charismatic showmanship and dynamic music, characterized by frenetic piano playing, pounding back beat and raspy shouted vocals, laid the foundation for rock and roll. Richard's innovative emotive vocalizations and uptempo rhythmic music also played a key role in the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. He influenced numerous singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to hip hop; his music helped shape rhythm and blues for generations.

 Long Tall Sally

Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk age 73. A German musician best known as one of the founding members and leaders of the electronic band Kraftwerk. Originally, Schneider's main instrument was the flute, which he would treat using electronic effects,[8] including tape echo, ring modulation, pitch-to-voltage converters, fuzz and wah-wah, allowing him to use his flute as a bass instrument. He also played violin (similarly treated), electric guitar (including slide guitar), and made use of synthesizers (both as a melodic instrument and as a sound processor). Later, he also created his own electronic flute instrument.

 Autobahn

Jorge Santana of Malo age 68. The band's debut album, called "Malo" was released in 1972 and included the song "Suavecito". The song, which had a smooth, melodic sound, made it to No.18 on the Billboard singles chart, and became a popular song for fans of Latin rock. After a long split, Santana toured with his brother, Carlos. The album Sacred Fire: Live in South America was recorded in Mexico City on this tour, featuring Jorge Santana, who played a personalized orange Paul Reed Smith guitar. In 1994 he recorded an album with his brother and Carlos Santana's nephew, Carlos Hernandez, called Santana Brothers.

 Suavecito

Charlie Daniels age 83. an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his contributions to Southern rock, country, and bluegrass music. He was best known for his number-one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". Much of his output, including all but one of his eight Billboard Hot 100 charting singles, was credited to the Charlie Daniels Band.

Daniels was active as a singer and musician from the 1950s until his death. He was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame in 2002, the Grand Ole Opry in 2008, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016

 Long Haired Country Boy

Peter Green of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac age 73. An English blues rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. As the founder of Fleetwood Mac, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Green's songs, such as "Albatross", "Black Magic Woman", "Oh Well", "The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)" and "Man of the World", appeared on singles charts, and several have been adapted by a variety of musicians.

Green was a major figure in the "second great epoch" of the British blues movement. Eric Clapton praised his guitar playing, and B.B. King commented, "He has the sweetest tone I ever heard; he was the only one who gave me the cold sweats." Green was interested in expressing emotion in his songs, rather than showing off how fast he could play. His trademark sound included string bending, vibrato, and economy of style.

 Albatross

Trini Lopez age 83. An American singer, guitarist, and actor. His first album included a cover version of "If I Had a Hammer", which earned a Golden Disc for him. His other hits included "Lemon Tree", "I'm Comin' Home, Cindy" and "Sally Was a Good Old Girl". He designed two guitars for the Gibson Guitar Corporation, which are now collectors’ items.

 Lemon Tree - medley

Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen age 65. Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Edward Lodewijk van Halen. In 1962, the Van Halen family moved from the Netherlands to the United States, settling in Pasadena, California. Van Halen was never taught to read music; instead, he would watch recitals of Bach or Mozart and improvise. From 1964 through 1967, he won first place in the annual piano competition held at Long Beach City College. His parents wanted the boys to be classical pianists, but Van Halen gravitated towards rock music. Consequently, when Alex began playing the guitar, Eddie bought a drum kit for himself; however, after he heard Alex's performance of the Surfaris' drum solo in the song "Wipe Out", he gave Alex the drums and began learning how to play the electric guitar. According to him, as a teen, he would often practice while walking around at home with his guitar strapped on or sitting in his room for hours with the door locked. Van Halen and his brother Alex formed their first band with three other boys, calling themselves The Broken Combs, performing at lunchtime at Hamilton Elementary School in Pasadena, when he was in the fourth grade. He would later cite this performance as key to his desire to become a professional musician.

 Les Paul with Eddie VH tribute to Les Paul, and NOT EVH Eruption, with Jan Hammer

Spencer Davis, Mac Davis, Helen Reddy. Jerry Jeff Walker, Chad Stuart...

And many more from other genres and those that work behind the scenes. RIP at the Great Gig in the Sky 

In Memoriam 2019: The Great Gig in the Sky

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

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

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

And many more from other genres and those that work behind the scenes. RIP at the Great Gig in the Sky 

In Memoriam: 2018: The Great Gig in the Sky

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.
Marty Balin (age 76): Founding member of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship. His contribution to "psychedelic rock" are great. The Surrealistic Pillow album is a classic.

3/5 Of A Mile in 10 Seconds

Aretha Franklin (age 76): The Queen of Soul. Here's a quote: Franklin recorded 112 charted singles on Billboard, including 77 Hot 100 entries, 17 top-ten pop singles, 100 R&B entries, and 20 number-one R&B singles, becoming the most charted female artist in history.

Rock Steady 1972

Roy Clark (age 85): He was a master of guitar, banjo and fiddle and made it looks easy and had fun doing it. He could switch from classical guitar, to country, to latin, or bluegrass and pop effortlessly. He played with a wide variety of fellow musicians, and appeared on TV and on Las Vegas and Branson stages regularly. He was a giant entertainer.

Malaguena

Bob Dorough (age 94): Contributions to music can be found everywhere... He was perhaps best known as the composer and performer of songs from Schoolhouse Rock!, a series of TV cartoons that appeared on Saturday mornings in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

 3 Is A Magic Number (pilot episode)

Nokie Edwards (age 82): guitarist with The Ventures, a surf rock band. He was the bassist on the Hawaii Five-O Theme and Walk Don't Run. He later became the smooth effortless lead guitar player with The Ventures.

Guitar Rag

Hugh Masekela (age 78): jazz musician composer and singer, player of trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet. He played on several guest appearances such as with The Byrds, Paul Simon, Herb Albert, Dave Matthews.

Grazing In The Grass

Dennis Edwards (age 74): frontman for The Temptations. Though it was a rough road, of several iterations of the group, Edwards was mainly with them from 1967-84. The choreographed style of the group is unmistakable.

I Can't Get Next To You

Joe Osborn (age 81): studio bassist best known for work in "the wrecking crew". His playing can be heard on records by such well-known groups as The Mamas & the Papas, The Association, The Grass Roots and The 5th Dimension. Osborn can be heard on Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water" and "Ventura Highway" by the group America.

2 Minute History

There were many more losses from lead singer with The Cranberries, Dolores O’Riordan to guitarist Ed King with Lynyrd Skynyrd and all the men and women behind the scenes that make it possible for the stars to shine!

In Memoriam: 2017: The Great Gig in the Sky

A tribute to a few of the greatest musicians that we lost this past year. It's astonishing the caliber of loss each year. The new generation has some mighty shoes to fill.

Tom Petty (age 66): We ain't no punk band, we ain't folk rock, jazz rock, or any of that bullshit. Just rock, and we don't put no other name on it than that. We'd be stupid if we did, he told Rolling Stone in the '70s of his style, which -- despite his knack for inventive songcraft -- would stay largely the same throughout his career. Tom also played in The Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne. 

 Traveling Wilburys

Chuck Berry (age 90): We lost a giant this year. Chuck Berry was innovative and created the elements of his style that became rock-n-roll.  

See my blog.

Malcolm Young (age 64): co-founder of hard rock AC/DC. Guitarist, songwriter and vocalist, Malcolm was a driving force in shaping the sound of early hard rock.

Glen Campbell (age 81): Glen was a master guitarist. A member of The Wrecking Crew that laid background for numerous artists. He had his own TV show. He acted in a couple movies. And was a great songwriter, singer, and performer. 

See my blog.

Fats Domino (age 89): His humility and shyness contributed to the underappreciation of many of his talents. Despite that, he sold over 65 million albums and had 10 number 1 hits in a 5 year stretch. His 1949 release "The Fat Man" is widely regarded as the first million-selling Rock 'n Roll record.

David Cassidy (age 67): For me, the inclusion of David Cassidy is sort of a realization of the lost of innocence. As the teenage girls heartthrob of The Partridge Family passes, so does a little of our youth.

Walter Becker (age 67): best known as co-founder of Steely Dan jazz rock band with Donald Fagen. Becker guitar playing was smooth, glossy, a perfect match with Fagen. Elusive and quiet, Steely Dan, and Becker/Fagen never became big touring acts and showmen. The music says it all.

 Deacon Blues

Gregg Allman:(age 69): Of course this southern rock pioneer was accomplished guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He admittedly struggled with alcohol and substance abuse.

 I'm No Angel

There were many more losses from jazz singer Al Jarreau to lead guitarist of the Surfaris Jim Fuller and all the men and women behind the scenes that make it possible for the stars to shine!

Charles Edward Anderson Berry

March 18, 2017 - I've been trying to get some perspective of Chuck Berry's life. When in 1955 the big hits were The Ballad Of Davy Crockett by Fess Parker, Mr. Sandman by the Chordettes or Tennessee Ernie Ford's Sixteen Tons... Chuck Berry comes up with songs such as "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957) and "Johnny B. Goode" (1958). He's been covered by all genres including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis and Linda Ronstadt, Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, and Count Basie, AC/DC, and Judas Priest. His song Johnny B Goode is on the Voyager spacecraft hurling through space to some distant rockers! Consistently listed in the 10 of any rock list, his only number 1 single was the novelty song "My Ding-a-Ling"?! He had just announced a new album to release this year. Hopefully there is enough finished that we can get one more from the master. Thanks so much for all you've given us. RIP

Here's a song that Chuck Berry wrote, as performed by Carlos Santana!

 https://youtu.be/DtgNHnF7CYI

RIP Glen Campbell

Although I knew it was coming, and perhaps, in some ways a relief, the death of Glen Campbell really saddens me. Much more than a country star, Glen Campbell left a big mark on the world. He was an extraordinary musician, one of the true masters of guitar. But he also came face to face with his demons and led a happy later life. Up until he was diagnosed with alzheimer's, then he led an exceptional life! His attitude and openness were positive and beneficial to the alzheimer's community. If you haven't seen the movie "I'll Be Me", I highly recommend it. It is a tearjerker about a man and his family dealing with alzheimer's, the man just happens to be Glen Campbell.

Of course, all the news posts and specials cover some of the highlights of Glen's career, "Wichita Lineman, Rhinestone Cowboy, TV show, etc.... But did you know he was a session musician with the Wrecking Crew and played on many early recordings including Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, the Monkees, Nancy Sinatra, Merle Haggard, Jan and Dean, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. Another great movie "The Wrecking Crew" 2008, also included Leon Russel!

Thanks Mr. Glen Campbell for sharing your amazing talents and life with us. One of my personal favorite songs is "Gentle On My Mind", written by John Hartford. You can find that all over and have a listen. But I'll leave you with some examples of his understated guitar mastery on this link. The first part is pretty rough recording, and basic rock n roll licks, but the later video country licks are ridiculous. 

 https://youtu.be/8fqN4zgqf78

In Memoriam 2016: The Great Gig in the Sky

I'm sure you've seen the posts, news segments, videos of icons we lost in 2016. There seemed to be an abnormal body count this past year, with public figures such as Muhammad Ali, John Glenn, Andy Grove and Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, the list of notables is way too long. I would like to focus on a few of the musicians that meant something special to me.


David Bowie and Prince: honestly, I was not a huge fan of either, but certainly loved the more popular songs and the diversity and re-inventing of each of these icons is incredible. They never stood still, never fit into a mold, they were unique.

The influence and legacy of The Fifth Beatle, George Martin, cannot be overstated. He had such a creative style with The Beatles and the early rock era.

It's beyond tragic that we lost both Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. The power trio ELP, including Carl Palmer, were masterful creators of electronic rock.

While classic artists such as Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane and Glenn Frey of the Eagles left us with songs we sing in the shower and on the highway for years to come.

Scotty Moore was the guitar behind Elvis for most of the early years and the first "That's All Right". Scotty also played with others including Ricky Nelson and Roy Orbison.

There are so many more, Maurice White, Merle Haggard, Leon Russell, Mose Allison and Gato Barbieri cover mixed genres of funk, country, blues, and jazz.

Thank you all, and all the others, so much for the gift of music. RIP.

 ELP : Knife Edge I was lucky to be able to witness the spectacle of  ELP a couple of times.