Carl Smith, Country Music Hall of Fame Member dies at age 82
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Teddy Pendergrass He died of complications of colon cancer Wednesday in suburban Philadelphia. He was 59
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Aaron Schroeder, died Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in Englewood, New Jersey.
who co-wrote Elvis Presley's biggest selling single as well as three other #1's by the King of Rock and Roll
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Al Martino, had a 25-year span of pop hits, died Tuesday (October 13, 2009)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Shelby Singleton, the legendary record mogul and producer behind four 1960's #1 hits.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Rev. John "Bootsie" Wilson, a former lead singer and last surviving member of the soul group The Silhouettes, has died. He was 69.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Arthur (Art) Ferrante, died on Saturday, (September 19, 2009) half of the piano-playing duo of Ferrante and Teicher
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MARY TRAVERS, of Peter, Paul and Mary, (September 16, 2009). She was 72. Danbury (Connecticut) Hospital of leukemia, which she had battled for several years
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ELAINE JOHNSON, who died September 8, 2009 in an Augusta, Ga. Cashbox Magazine has lost a member of our staff.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ELLIE GREENWICH, died of a heart attack at a New York hospital Wednesday (August 26, 2009).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JOHN E. CARTER, was the last surviving founding member of the Flamingos the R&B lead tenor and two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, died (August 21, 2009).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LARRY KNECHTEL died Thursday (August 20, 2009)
played guitar, bass, keyboards and harmonica for Bread
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LES PAUL August 13, 2009.
Even before the birth of rock and roll music…
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GORDON WALLER July 17th 2009
The Official Peter and Gordon Website
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Drake Levin
The lead guitarist for Paul Revere and The Raiders' three mid-60's top 10 hits, died Saturday (July 4, 2009)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael Jackson
The celebrated "King Of Pop" died today (Thursday, June 25, 2009
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bob Bogle, the Ventures, died Sunday (June 14, 2009).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bassist Donald "Ean" Evans of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd has died
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Country music singer Vern Gosdin dies in Nashville. Honky-tonk singer Vern Gosdin, 74, whose "Chiseled in Stone" became a classic in country music, has died, his assistant said on Wednesday.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
John Cephas - Died 03-04-2009 - Master blues guitarist and vocalist John Cephas died of natural causes on Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paul Skelton - Died 2-22-2009 - Lung cancer ( Country ) Born 9-28-1953 in El Paso TX, U.S. - Guitarist - Worked with Cornell Hurd And The Mondo Hot Pants Orchestra, The Cornell Hurd Band, Wayne Hancock, Libby Bosworth and The Texana Dames - Was a guitar builder for Collings Guitar.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kim Risburg (Kimberly Risburg) - Died 2-23-2009 in Franklin County, TN, U.S. - Hypothermia ( Rock ) She was 41 years old - Percussionist and freelance writer - Worked with Charles Alexander ("Twisted"). Freda Pritchard (Freda Hedrick) - Died 2-23-2009 in Henderson ( Bluegrass ) Born 3-10-1929 in Reeds Spring, Missouri, U.S. - Multi-instrumentalist - Was a member of The Pistol Hill Pickers Blue Grass Band.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vince Bilardo - Died 2-23-2009 ( Jazz ) Drummer - He was 80 years old - Worked with The Bilardo Brothers Band, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, The Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra, Marilyn Maye and Jim Snyder. Harry Wells - Died 2-23-2009 - Cancer ( Jazz ) He was 80 years old - Drummer - Worked with The Fusion Machine Big Band and Cab Calloway.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rizal Dondi Ledesma - Died 2-24-2009 - Heart failure ( Rock ) He was 50 years old - Bassist - (He did, "Down Under And Way Out" and "Catchy Stuff") - Worked with Wally Gonzalez, Joey "Pepe" Smith, Jun Lopito, Anakbayan, Chris Messer and Asin.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lyman Woodard (Lyman Elnathan Woodard III ) - Died 2-24-2009 in Owosso, MI, U.S. ( Jazz - Funk - Soul ) Born 3-3-1942 in Owosso, MI, U.S. - Organist - Led The Lyman Woodard Organization - Worked with The 8th Day, Martha Reeves, The Originals, James Jameson, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Mary Wells, Martha And The Vandellas and The Undisputed Truth.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ian Carr - Died 2-25-2009 in London, England - Complications after pneumonia and strokes ( Jazz - Fusion ) Born 4-21-1933 in Dumfries, Scotland - Played trumpet and flugelhorn - Was a member of The EmCee Five, The Rendell-Carr Quintet, Nucleus and The New Jazz Orchestra - Worked with The George Russell Orchestra, Michael Gibbs, The United Jazz Rock Ensemble, John McLaughlin, Nico, No-Man, Faultline, Alan Price and Eric Burdon - He wrote the book, Music Outside and co-wrote, The Rough Guide To Jazz - Brother of keyboardist, Mike Carr.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Randy Bewley (Randall Bewley) - Died 2-25-2009 - After a heart attack ( Rock ) Born 1955 or 1956 in Sarasota, Florida, U.S. - Guitarist - Was a member of Pylon (They did, "Cool" and "Beep"), Supercluster and Sound Houses who became The New Sound Of Numbers.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark Sallings - Died 2-25-2009 in Crittenden County - Car accident ( Blues ) Born 4-11-1952 in Searcy, Arkansas, U.S. - Played harmonica, saxophone and clarinet and sang - Led The Famous Unknowns (They did, "Up Close And Personal" and "Mojo Hoodoo").
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Leon Zachery (aka Zach) - Died 2-25-2009 in Cherry Hill, NJ, U.S. ( Soul ) He was 85 years old - Saxophonist, composer and arranger - Worked with The MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) Orchestra (They did, "Love Is The Message" and "T.S.O.P."), Teddy Pendergrass, Lionel Hampton, Sammy Davis Jr., The Mercer Ellington Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald and Patti LaBelle.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wendy Richard (Wendy Emerton) - Died 2-26-2009 - Breast cancer - Born 7-20-1943 - Actress - (She sang on Mike Sarne's, "Come Outside") - She portrayed Miss Brahms on TV's, Are You Being Served? and Pauline Fowler on EastEnders.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Philani Mkhanyawo (aka Amen) - Died 2-26-2009 in Umlazi, Durban, South Africa - Shot during a home invasion ( Gospel ) He was 32 or 35 years old - Singer - Was a member of Ithemba.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kasa Jahn (Karel Jahn) - Died 2-26-2009 in Prague, Czech Republic - Heart, kidney and liver failure ( Rock - Jazz ) Born 8-8-1949 in Prague - Drummer - Was a member of The Rebels (They did, "Sipkova Ruzenka" and "Creeque Alley") - Worked with Revival Jazzmen Prague, The Crown and Katapult.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Grisha Sologub (Grigory Sologub) - Died 2-27-2008 in St. Petersburg, Russia - Heart failure ( New Wave - Ska ) Born 7-19-1961 in Leningrad - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of Stranniye Igry, Igry and Dva Samaliota - Worked with Israel, Narodnoye Opolcheniye, Mashninband and The Dolphins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Uncle Al (Al Lewis ) - Died 2-28-2009 in Hillsboro, Ohio, U.S. - He was 84 years old - Played accordion, banjo and piano - Hosted TV's, The Uncle Al Show, the longest running local children's show in the U.S.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Charles Sekyanzi - Died 2-?-2009 - Was a member of The Afrigo Band.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fred Masagazi (Fred Hannington Masagazi Muwonge) - Died 3-?-2009 ( Jazz - Pop ) He was 72 years old - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Ayi lululu" and "Atanawa Musolo") - Led The UK Jazz Band.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ramona Garcia Coronado - Died 3-?-2009 in Boyle Heights, CA, U.S. - Born 10-9-1904 in Jalisco, Mexico - Singer and actress - Appeared as the singing woman in the film, "Real Women Have Curves.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jef Roberts (Jeffrey Burton) - Died 3-1-2009 in Bristol, TN, U.S. - While in a coma after a fight ( Metal ) Born 5-27-1968 in Bristol, TN, U.S. - Sang and played bass, drums and guitar- Was a member of Punchin' Judy (They did, "Monsterlure" and "Warzone") and
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wormwood: Earth (They did, "Source" and "13 Exits") - Worked with The Slash Marauders, Fatal Attraction, The Forgotten, Vivid Eminence, Zip Gun Angels, Trailer Park Picassos, Morpheus and The Dead Sea Surfers.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tony Osborne (Edward Benjamin Osborne) - Died 3-1-2009 in Sydney - Born in Cambridge 6-29-1922 - Trumpeter, pianist, accordionist, composer and arranger - Worked with The Brass Hats, Josephine's Gypsy Orchestra, Connie Francis, Shirley Bassey,
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cyril Stapleton, Frank Weir, The BBC Orchestra, Judy Garland and Eartha Kitt.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Muriel Havenstein (aka the Midcoast Monster) - Died 3-1-2009 in In Nobleboro, Maine, U.S. - Cancer ( Jazz ) She was 85 years old - Pianist - Worked with Al Doane.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anthony Levy (aka Dollar Bill) - Died 3-2-2009 in Miami, FL, U.S. - Shot by police ( Rap ) He was 30 years old.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ernie Ashworth (Ernest Bert Ashworth) - Died 3-2-2009 ( Country ) Born 12-15-1928 in Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (He did, "Each Moment (Spent With You)" and "Talk Back Trembling Lips") - His songs have been recorded by Little Jimmy Dickens, Paul Anka, Carl Smith and Johnny Horton - Alabama Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Herbie Duncan (Herbert S. Duncan) - Died 3-2-2009 in Olathe, Kansas, U.S. ( Rockabilly ) Born 9-20-1937 - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Hot Lips Baby" and "Little Angel").
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard Pegue (aka Doctor Dusty) - Died 3-3-2009 - Heart failure ( Doo-Wop )- Born 7-29-1944 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. - DJ and singer - (He wrote The Cheers', "I'm Not Ready To Settle Down") - Was a member of The Belvederes and The Norvells.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
John Cephas (John Dudley Cephas ) - Died 3-4-2009 in Woodford, Virginia, U.S. - Natural causes ( Blues - Gospel ) Born 9-4-1930 in Washington, D.C., U.S. - Guitarist and singer - He was half of The duo Cephas & Wiggins (They did, "Flip, Flop And Fly" and " Richmond Blues") - Worked with The Capitol Harmonizers - Was a founder of The Washington, D.C., Blues Society.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark Kuhn - Died 3-4-2009 - Lou Gehrig's disease ( Rock ) Born 6-18-1951 in Minneapolis , Minn., U.S. - Bassist, saxophonist, painter and sculptor - Was a member of The Barking Men.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greg Six (Grey Six) - Died 3-5-2009 in Bellevue, Washington, U.S. - Brain cancer ( Rock ) Born 12-9-1957 in Columbus, Ohio. U.S. - Singer, poet and comedian - Was a member of The Highly Evolved Cosmic Beings (They did, "Black Sea Swan") and The Dust Bunnies (They did, "Mayday" and "The Line").
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Irby Mandrell - Died 3-5-2009 in Nashville, TN, U.S. - Stroke - Born 1924 in Hot Springs, Ark., U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Mandrell Family Band - Was a manager for and father of singer, Barbara Mandrell.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Johnithin Christ - Died 3-5-2009 - Complications from pneumonia ( Punk ) Born 1958 - Singer and songwriter - Was a member of Society Dog (They did, "Working Class People" and "Bad Dream") and Code Of Honor (They did, "Not If I Can Help It" and "I Killed The Dove").
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Zubir Ali - Died 3-6-2009 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia - Complications after a heart surgery ( Folk ) He was 60 years old - Born in Alor Setar, Malaysia - Singer and songwriter - Was a member of Harmoni (They did, "Penantian" and "Balada Seorang Gadis Kecil").
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Francis Magalona (aka FrancisM, Master Rapper and The Man From Manila) - King of Pinoy Rap - Died 3-6-2009 in Pasig, Philippines - Acute myelogenous leukemia ( Rap - Rock ) - Born 10-4-1964 in Manila, Philippines - Rapper, songwriter, producer and actor - (He did, "Mga Praning" and "Halalan") - Worked with Gloc 9, Stick Figgas, The Eraserheads and The Juan dela Cruz Band - Founder of Red Egg Records - Son of actor, Pancho Magalona and actress, Tita Duran.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
George McKelvey - Died 3-6-2006 in Hemet, CA, U.S. - Stroke ( Folk ) Born 7-22-1936, in Chicago, Ill., U.S. - Singer and comedian - (He did, "My Teenage Fallout Queen") - Co-founder of Comedy Works.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
David Williams - Died 3-6-2009 in Hampton, VA, U.S. - Complications from high blood pressure ( Rock ) He was 58 years old - Guitarist - Worked with Acquisition Funk, Madonna, Michael Jackson ("Billie Jean"), Jessica Simpson, Van Halen, Chaka Khan and Lionel Richie.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jimmy Boyd - Died 3-7-2009 in Santa Monica, California, U.S. - Cancer - Born 1-9-1939 in McComb, Mississippi, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "God's Little Candles") - Worked with Frankie Laine ("Tell Me A Story") and Rosemary Clooney ("Dennis The Menace") - At one time married to actress, Yvonne Craig.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Willie King (Willie Earl King) - Died 3-8-2009 in Old Memphis Road, Aliceville, Alabama, U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 3-8-1943 in Prairie Point, MS, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Sweet Potato Man" and "I Miss You When You're Gone") - Howlin' Wolf Hall Of Fame Inductee.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
George Kaufman - Died 3-8-2009 - Heart attack after surgery for an aneurysm ( Rock ) Born 7-20-1950 in New York, NY, U.S. - Bassist - Was a member of The Ravers who became The Nails (They did, "88 Lines About 44 Women" and "Things You Left Behind") - Worked with The Port Chester American Legion Post 93 Band and The Yonkers Military Band.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Johnny Dynamo (Manuel A. Gonzalez Galindo) - Died 3-9-2009 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico - Complications of diabetes ( Rock - Ballads ) He was 64 years old - Born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico - Singer - (He did, "Angel de la manana" and "Himno a la alegria") - Worked with Los Leos (They did, "Palabras" and "Muchachita").
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ralph Mercado - King Midas of the Salsa - Died 3-10-2009 in Hacensack, New Jersey, U.S. - Brain cancer - Born 9-29-1941 in New York, U.S. - Producer - Worked with Celia Cruz, Marc Anthony, Hector Lavoe, Charlie Palmieri, The Fania All Stars and Tito Nieves - Founded RMM Records and Video Corp.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Virgil Lay - Died 3-10-2009 - He was 82 years old - Founded Lay's Guitar Repair who's clientele included Joe Walsh, Bad Company
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phil Keagy, The Outlaws and Jack Bruce - Formed S.I.T. (Stay In Tune) Strings after developing guitar strings that were resistant to stretching.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcus Russell - Died 3-10-2009 in Richmond - Drive by shooting ( Rap ) He was 21 years old - (He recorded the album, "Eagles Fly Alone").
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mary Swan - Died 3-11-2009 - Pancreatic cancer ( Pop ) Singer - (She did, "My Heart Belongs To Only You" and "Crying In The Chapel") - Mother of singer, Marti Carroll.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quintin Cabrera - Died 3-12-2009 in Madrid, Spain - Complications after a lung transplant ( Folk - Latin ) Born 4-25-1944 in Montevideo, Uruguay - Singer and songwriter (He did, "Cancion de mucho amor" and "Senor Presidente"). William Lee Minor Jr. - Died 3-12-2009 in Rochester ( Jazz )- Born 10-9-1925 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. - Musician - Was a member of The Dozier Boys.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alan Livingston - Died 3-13-2009 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Born 10-15-1917 in McDonald, Penn., U.S. - Music executive - Was a president of Capitol Records - He brought The Beatles to America - Worked on children's records for Disney and Warner Bros. - (He wrote, "I Tawt I Taw A Puddy Tat") - Formed Mediarts which released Don McLean's, "American Pie" - At one time married to actress, Betty Hutton - Brother of songwriter, Jay Livingston - Husband of actress, Nancy Olson.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anne Brown (Anne Wiggins Brown) - Died 3-13-2009 - Born 8-9-1912 - Singer and actress - She starred in the role of Bess in George Gershwin's, Porgy And Bess in 1935 - Appeared in Broadway's, Mamba's Daughters and in the movie, Rhapsody In Blue - She was married to olympic skier, Thorleif Schjelderup.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Victor Vega - Died 3-13-2009 in Duarte, California, U.S. - Leukemia ( Metal ) He was 25 years old - Singer - Was a member of Old School Crisis. (They did, "The World I've Made" and "Dead And Gone").
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni (6 July 1924 – 14 February 2009), better known by the stage name Louie Bellson (his own preferred spelling, although he is often seen in sources as Louis Bellson), was an Italian-American jazz drummer. He was a composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator, and is credited with pioneering the use of two bass drums. Bellson was an internationally-acclaimed artist who performed in most of the major capitals around the world. Bellson and his first wife, the late actress and singer Pearl Bailey (married 1952-1990), had the second highest number of appearances at the White House (only Bob Hope had more). He was a vice president at Remo, a drum company.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Estelle Bennett, sister of Ronnie Spector and one of the original Ronettes, died Wednesday February 11th, 2009. She was 67. Estelle, Ronnie and their cousin Nedra Talley grew up in Washington Heights and became national stars in the early 1960s with a sultry tight-skirt style and a series of hits that included "Be My Baby"and "Walkin'in the Rain."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dewey Martin Died 2009-02-07 The muscular, gregarious drummer and singer who helped found the pioneering country rock band Buffalo Springfield with Neil Young and Stephen Stills. He was 68.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tom Brumley (Thomas Rexton Brumley) - Died 2-3-2009 in San Antonio, TX, U.S. - Complications from a heart attack ( Country ) Born 12-11-1935 in Stella, MO, U.S. - Played steel guitar - Was a member of Buck Owens And The Buckaroos (They did, "Together Again" and "I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail") - Worked with Rick Nelson ("Garden Party") and Chris Hillman's The Desert Rose Band, Rod Stewart, Rose Maddox, Chris Isaak, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, Sara Evans, Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride and Ray Price - Son of songwriter, Albert E. Brumley - Texas Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame Inductee and International Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame Inductee.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lux Interior (Erick Lee Purkhiser) Died 2-4-2009 in Glendale, CA, U.S. - Heart condition ( Psychobilly ) Born 10-21-1946 in Stow, Ohio, U.S. - Singer - Was a founding member of The Cramps (They did, "Goo Goo Muck", "Bikini Girls With Machine Guns" and "Human Fly") - He was married to guitarist, Poison Ivy (Kristy Wallace).
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Harry Hammond (Harold Richard Hammond) - The father of pop photography - Died 2-4-2009 - Born 7-18-1920 in the East End of London, England - Photographer - He worked for the magazines, Melody Maker, Jazz Journal and The New Musical Express - He took pictures of Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, Bill Haley, Little Richard, Lonnie Donegan, The Everly Brothers, Billy Fury, Tommy Steele, Adam Faith, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Piney Brown - Died 2-5-2009 in Dayton, OH, U.S. ( Blues - R&B ) Born 1-20-1922 in Birmingham, Ala., U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (He did, "You Bring Out The Wolf In Me" and "Whispering Blue") - Worked with The Blue Jay Singers - Wrote songs for James Brown, Roscoe Gordon and Little Milton.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Blossom Dearie (Marguerite Blossom Dearie) - Died 2-7-2009 in Greenwich Village, NY, U.S. - Illness ( Jazz ) Born 4-29-1926 in East Durham, NY, U.S. - Singer and pianist - (She did, "The Riviera") - Was a member of The Blue Stars (They did, "Lullaby Of Birdland") and The Swingle Sisters - Worked with The Blue Flames, The Woody Herman Orchestra, The Blue Reys, Bob Dorough and Lyle Lovett - Collaborated with Cy Coleman and Johnny Mercer - Founder of Daffodil Records - She had been married to flutist and saxophonist, Bobby Jaspar.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jorge Reyes - Died 2-7-2009 in his studio in C. de Mexico, Mexico - Heart attack ( Rock - Progresive - Jazz ) Born 1952 in Urapan, Michoacan, Mexico - Sang and played guitar, flute and mellotron - (He did, "Comala" and "Ek Tunkul") - Led Chac Mool (They did, "Salamandra" and "En visitante") - Worked with Antonio Zepeda ("A la izquierda del colibrí"), Suso Saiz ("Lunajero") and Steve Roach - Husband of actress, Ariane Pellicer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Molly Bee (Mollie Gene Beachboard) (aka Molly Muncy) - Died 2-7-2009 in Oceanside, CA, U.S. - Complications related to a stroke ( Country ) Born 8-18-1939 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. - Singer - (She did, "Young Romance" and "5 Points Of A Star") - Worked with Tennessee Ernie Ford ("Don't Start Courtin' In A Hot Rod Ford") - Was a regular on TV's, Hometown Jamboree - At one time married to singer, Ira Allen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greg Woods - Died 2-8-2009 ( Jazz ) Was a house drummer for Jazz Central.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cachaito Lopez (Orlando Lopez) - Died 2-9-2009 in Cuba - Complications from prostate surgery ( Jazz ) Born 1933 in Havana, Cuba - Double bassist - (He did, "Conversacion " and "Redencion") - Worked with Arcana y sus Maravillas, Orquesta Riverside, Irakere and The Buena Vista Social Club ("Dos Gardenias" and "Chan Chan") - Nephew of bassist, Israel "Cachao" Lopez.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
David "Fathead" Newman (Davis Newman Jr.) - Died 1-20-2009 in Kingston, NY, U.S. - Pancreatic cancer ( Jazz - Blues - R&B ) Born 2-24-1933 in Corsicana, TX, U.S. - Played saxophone and flute - Worked with The Ray Charles Band, Herbie Mann, Queen Latifah, Doug Sahm, Art Blakey, Dr. John, Eric Clapton, Natalie Cole, The Average White Band, B. B. King, Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Herman Wilburn (Herman Daniel Wilburn) - Died 1-20-2009 in San Antonio, TX, U.S. - Pancreatic cancer ( Country ) Born 12-2-1951 in San Antonio, TX, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Wilburn Brothers Band - Worked with Augie Myers, Flaco Jimenez, Frenchie Burke and Johnny Rodriguez.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mickey Gee (Michael Gee) - Died 1-21-2009 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, South Wales - Emphysema ( Rock ) Born 12-31-1943 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, South Wales - Guitarist - Worked with Tom Jones, Joe Cocker's Grease Band, Dave Edmunds ("I Hear You Knockin'" and "Girls Talk"), Love Sculpture, Rockpile, Willie And The Poor Boys ("Revenue Man (White Lightening)") and Shakin Stevens ("Green Door" and "This Ole' House").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paulette Attie - Died 1-21-2009 in New York, U.S. - Illness ( Cabaret - Musicals - Opera ) Born in Brooklyn, NY, U.S. - Singer and actress - (She wrote, "United Are We") - She performed in the musicals Guys And Dolls and Can-Can and wrote Encore - Appeared on TV's, All My Children and General Hospital.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Linda Cohen - Died 1-23-2009 in Center City - Lung cancer ( Folk - Classical - Blues ) Born 2-4-1947 - Guitarist - (She did, "Midday Moon" and "Tommy Troller") - Worked with Michael Kac ("Valentine Suite" and "Escape Velocity").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hiroshi Oguchi (Sometimes spelled Ohguchi) - Died 1-24-2009 in Tokyo, Japan - Liver cancer ( Rock ) Born 11-28-1950 in Kawaguchi, Japan - Drummer and actor - Was a member of The Tempters, PYG and Vodka Collins (They did, "Sands Of Time" and "Automatic Pilot") - Owned the fashion company, Practice Of Silence - Acted in the miniseries, Shogun and in the film, Strange Circus - He was married to actress, Kimie Shingyoji and is the father of musician and artist, Gento Oguchi.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zhang Lu - Died 1-24-2009 - Stroke and multiple organ failure - Born in Shanghai - Singer and actress - Wife of singer, Ollie Delfino and mother of singer, Alex To.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerard Blanc - Died 1-25-2009 - Brain hemorrhage ( Rock - Disco ) Born 12-8-1947 in France - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Une autre histoire") - Was a member of Les Windings, Balthazar and Martin Circus (They did, "Je m'eclate au Senegal" and "Marylene").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iyabo Alake (aka Iyabo Osanle) - Died 1-25-2009 in Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria - Possible tuberculosis - Singer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kokoro (Pa Benjamin Aderounmu) - Died 1-25-2009 in Akowonjo, Lagos, Nigeria ( Jazz ) He was 84 years old - Singer - Worked with Tunji Sotimirin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cookie Mariano (Florence Weir Mariano) - Died 1-25-2009 ( Blues ) She was 66 years old - Singer - Led Cookie And The Vagrantz.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corey Daum (aka Corey James) - Died 1-25-2009 in Nashville, TN, U.S. - Car accident ( Rock ) He was 39 years old - Guitarist and singer - Worked with Lizzy Borden (He appeared in their video's, "Love Is A Crime" and "We Got The Power").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerry Merito - Died 1-26-2009 in Waikato, New Zealand - Heart attack - He was 70 years old - Guitarist and singer - Was a member of The Howard Morrison Quartet ("They did, "The Battle Of Waikato").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terry Frank - Died 1-?-2009 in Florida, U.D. ( Blues ) Guitarist and singer - Led Black Cat Bone (They did, "Loaded To Fire") and Terry Frank And Bone Deluxe (They did, "The Handyman" and "Stompin").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mino Reitano (Beniamino Reitano) - Died 1-27-2009 in Agrate Brianza, Monza - Cancer ( Rock - Pop ) Born 12-7-1944 in Fiumara - Played piano, violin and trumpet and was a singer - (He did, "100 colpi alla tua porta" and "Una chitarra, cento illusioni") - Was a member of I Fratelli Reitano.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billy Powell (William Norris Powell) - Died 1-27-2009 in Orange Park - Heart attack ( Rock ) Born 6-3-1952 in Corpus Christi, TX, U.S. - Keyboardist - Was a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Rossington-Collins Band and The Allen Collins Band - Worked with Alice Marr, Aliasand Vision - Father of guitarist, Brandon Powell - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John McCarthy - Died 1-?-2009 ( Metal - Punk ) He was 40 years old - Singer - Was a member of Post Mortem (They did, "Armies Of The Dead" and "Caveman").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Martyn (Iain David McGeachy) - Died 1-29-2009 ( Folk - Blues - Funk ) Born 9-11-1948 in New Malden, Surrey, England - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "London Conversation" and "Fly On Home") - Worked with Eric Clapton, Danny Thompson, David Gilmour, Ultan John and Phil Collins - He had been married to singer, Beverley Kutner.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Craddock - Died 1-10-2009 - Stomach cancer ( Jazz - Rock - Pop ) He was 57 years old - Born in in West Virginia, U.S. - Bassist - Worked with The Swinging Bucket, Southern Country Nights, The Dixie Jubilee, Thrift Shop Jack, The Dan Ramsey Jazz Ensemble and Organix.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad Percy (aka Cadillac Fraf) - Died 1-10-2009 - From injuries he suffered from a scooter accident in Sept ( Country ) Born 5-5-1972 - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of Mockingbird Cartel (They did, "Empty Bellies" and "Avoid The Kind Of Night").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Basoa - Died 1-10-2009 in Moscow, Idaho, U.S. - Complications related to brain cancer - DJ and promoter - Helped the careers of Sagin' Time and Lotus - Worked for The Palouse Folklore Society and Moscow (Music) Renaissance Fair.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Meyers (Robert G. Meyers) - Died 1-10-2009 in East Setauket - Colon cancer ( Swing ) He was 76 years old - Pianist - Led The Bobby Meyers Orchestra and The Bob Meyers Big Band.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Dimitriadi - Died 1-6-2009 - Lung disease - Born 4-11-1950 in Tavros, Athens, Greece - Singer (She did, " O Fasismos") - Sister of singer, Aphrodite Manou.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manny Castillo (Manuel Diosdado Castillo Jr.) - Died 1-6-2009 in San Antonio, TX, U.S. - Cancer ( Rock ) Born 11-23-1968 in San Antonio, TX, U.S. - Drummer - Worked with Snowbyrd (They did, "Snowbyrd" and "Uvalde Socialite"), Scarecrow, The River City Playboys, El Santo and The Cleofus Trujillo Trio - Founder of San Antonio Cultural Arts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pev Pevitt (Stuart Pevitt) - Died 1-6-2009 - Cancer ( Rock ) Born 12-27-1952 in Sale, Cheshire - Sang and played harmonica - Was a member of The Purple Gang, (They did, "Granny Takes A Trip" and "Sunset Over The Mersey").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alex van Heerden - Died 1-7-2009 - Car accident - ( Jazz ) He was 34 years old - Trumpet and accordion player - Worked with Mac Mckenzie, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, The Delta Optel Band, Hilton Schilder, Magnus Johansson and Robbie Jansen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Al Westcott - Died 1-7-2009 - Heart attack ( Country ) He was 61 years old - Born in Baltimore, MD, U.S. - Guitarist - (He did, "Soldiers, Sailors And Tired Old Men" and "Do You Wanna'") - Was a member of Broken Arrow.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Edgson - Died 1-7-2009 - Cancer ( Ska - Rock - Jazz ) He was 53 years old - Played guitar and clarinet - Worked with Analog, The Reluctant Stereotypes (They did. "The Lull"), The Pink Umbrellas (They did, "Raspberry Rainbow"), The Giraffes (They did, "Pass Me By" and "Lazy Hazel Heart") and The Two Giraffes (They did, "Silvery Trees" and "Providence Street").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cornelia Wallace (Cornelia Ellis Wallace) (Cornelia Ellis Snively) - Died 1-8-2009 in Sebring, FL, U.S. - Cancer ( Folk ) Born 1-28-1939 in Elba, Ala., U.S. - Singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist - (She did, "It's No Summer Love" and "Baby With The Barefoot Feet") - Worked with Roy Acuff - She was the neice of Governor James Folsom and was the second wife of Governor George Wallace.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Geraghty - Died 1-8-2009 - Possible heart attack ( Rock ) He was 33 years old - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of Meg (They did, "Kelly, You're The Teacher" and "Firework In Progress").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonakele Nomkonwana (aka Showbiz) - Died 1-8-2009 in Thembalethu, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth - Cardiac failure - He was 80 years old - Born in Grahamstown - Trumpeter - Led The Jazz Maniacs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Travis (Andrew D. Travis Jr.) - Died 1-9-2009 in Bemus Point, NY, U.S. ( Jazz - Babershop ) Born 4-12-1927, in Canisteo, NY, U.S. - Trombonist and singer - Was a member of Horizon and Dixie On The Deck - Worked with The Max Davis Orchestra, The Four-tune Hunters and The Stardusters.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lewis M. Brumberg Sr. - Died 1-9-2009 in Salisbury, MD, U.S. - He was 87 years old - Born in Clayton, NJ, U.S. - Musician - Led The L.B. Trio - Worked with The Tony Villani Orchestra.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robbie Johns (aka Rob Johns) - Died 1-9-2009 ( Rock - Blues ) He was 56 years old - Drummer, guitarist and singer - Was a member of Diamond Reo (They did, "Ain’t That Peculiar") who became The Diamonds - Worked with The Yardleys, The Silencers, Rocket 88 and R.J. And The Blues Welders.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anabel Bosch - Died 1-10-2009 - In a coma after an operation for a brain aneurysm ( Rock ) She was 32 years old - Singer - Worked with Elektrikcoolaid, Spy and Analog and Tropical Depression - Wife of actor, Jamie Wilson.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaney Bramlett passes away December 27th, 2008Delaney Bramlett learned the guitar in his youth, and migrated to Los Angeles in 1959. He became a session musician; his most notable early work was as a member of the Shindogs, the house band for the ABC-TV series Shindig! (1964-66), which also featured guitarist/keyboardist Leon Russell. Bonnie Bramlett (neé Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell, b. 8 November 1944, Alton, Illinois, USA) was an accomplished singer at an early age, performing with blues guitarist Albert King at age 14 and in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue at 15 - the first-ever white Ikette "for three days in a black wig and Man Tan skin darkener."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron Asheton ex-Stooges found dead at 60
Ron Asheton, a guitarist and founding member of the influential rock band The Stooges, was found dead at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Tuesday, police said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billy Brown (William George Brown) - Died 1-10-2009 in New Smyrna Beach ( Rockabilly - Country ) Born 1930 in Princeton, West Virginia, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Meet Me In The Alley, Sally" and a version of, "He'll Have To Go").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahmed El Ghrabaoui - Died 1-10-2009 in Casablanca, Morocco - Illness - He was 71 years old - Singer - (He wrote, "Innaha moulhimati").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mick Lahaza (Michael Lahaza) - Died 1-10-2009 in Deepdale, Preston, UK - Industrial accident ( Soul ) He was 45 years old - Guitarist - Was a member of Kick The Can - Worked with Eye 2 Eye.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Konrad Heidkamp - Died 1-11-2009 in Hamburg, Germany - Born 1947 in Munich, Germany - Rock and jazz journalist and critic for the weekly, Die Zeit - He wrote the books, "It's all over now - 40 Jahre Rock und Jazz" and "In The Mood".
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freddie Mack (aka Mr. Superbad) - Died 1-11-2009 ( Soul ) Born 9-15-1934 in Bennettsville,, SC, U.S. - Singer - (He did, "Kung Fu Man") - Led The Mack Sound - He was a boxer and also a sparring partner for Muhammed Ali.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy DeMize (Andrew Martinez) - Died 1-11-2009 - Near Fullerton, CA, U.S. - Car accident ( Rock ) Born 3-11-1983 - Drummer - Worked with Up Syndrome, Nekromantix (They did, "Voodoo Shop Hop" and "Panic At The Morgue") and The Rocketz.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom O'Horgan - Died 1-11-2009 in Venice, FL, U.S. - Born 5-3-1926 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Composer, singer, actor, and musician - Composed the score for the film, Futz! - Director of Broadway's musicals, Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Leon - Died 1-12-2009 in Indian Wells, CA, U.S. - Car accident - He was 63 years old - Born in the Bronx, NY, U.S. - Singer - Was an executive producer for the Musical Chairs concert series.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alejandro Sokol - Died 1-12-2009 in Río Cuarto, Argentina - Cardio respiratory failure ( Rock ) Bassist and drummer - Led El Vuelto S.A. - Worked with Sumo and Las Pelotas.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mansour Rahbani - Died 1-13-2009 in Beirut, Lebanon - After a bout with pneumonia - Born 1925 in Antelias, Lebanon - Musician and songwriter - He was one of The Rahbani Brothers - Worked with his sister in-law singer, Fairuz.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Hill - Died 11-13-2009 - Liver cancer ( New Wave ) Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Sensations, N.C.M. (Non Compos Mentis) (They did, "Ultimate Orgasm" and "Six Feet Under") and Jackpot! - Was a guitar tech for Pearl Jam and Soundgarden - He also painted under the name, John Miller.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Kurfirst - Died 1-13-2009 in Nassau, Bahamas - Born 1947 in Forrest Hills, Queens, NY, U.S. - Was a manager for The Ramones, Talking Heads, The B-52's, The Eurythmics, Blondie, Big Audio Dynamite, Mountain, Jane's Addiction and Live - Operated The Village Theatre which became known as The Fillmore East promoting Jimi Hendrix, The Yardbirds, The Who, Janis Joplin and The Doors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billy Romans (William Burczyk) - Died 1-13-2009 ( Polka ) He was 77 years old - Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. - Led The Billy Romans Trio - Worked with Frankie Yankovic - Accordionist - Columbus Senior Musicians Hall Of Fame Inductee.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angela Morley (Born Wally Stott) - Died 1-14-2009 in Arizona, U.S. - Born 3-10-1924 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England - Composer, conductor and saxophonist - Wrote music for TV's, Dynasty, Dallas and Wonder Woman - Played in the band of Bert Clegg and with Oscar Rabin’s Band and The Geraldo Orchestra - Wrote arrangements for Benny Goodman and Nelson Riddle - Worked with Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Shirley Bassey and Dusty Springfield and collaborated with John Williams.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kelvin Pope (aka The Mighty Duke and Mr Carnival) - Died 1-14-2009 in St. Clair, Port Of Spain, Trinidad - Myelofibrosis ( Calypso ) Born 1930 in Point Fortin, South Trinidad - Singer and songwriter - (He did, "Social Bacchanal" and "Brotherhood Of Man").
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rene Coll (Pierre-Rene Colombies) - Died 1-15-2009 in Carcassonne, France - Illness ( Jazz ) Born 1942 in Narbonne, France - Saxophone player and musical director - Worked with Michel Sardou, Patrick Sebastien, Johnny Hallyday, Eddy Mitchell, Julio Iglesias, Veronique Samson, Liane Foly and on many TV shows.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leroy Cooper - Died 1-15-2009 in Orlando, FL, U.S. - Heart failure ( R&B ) Born 8-31-1928 - Saxophonist - Worked with Ray Charles ("Crying Time"), Lowell Fulson ("Reconsider Baby"), Dr. John, Wayne Newton, Rhythm Release, Cher, The Righteous Brothers, The Smokin' Torpedoes, Kenny Neal, Joe Cocker and Lightnin' Hopkins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán Merino (November 25, 1920 – January 14, 2009) was a Mexican television, theatre, and film actor.
He had a career spanning decades and multiple notable roles. During the late 1970s, he was the spokesperson in automobile advertisements for the Chrysler Cordoba (in which he famously extols the "Corinthian leather" used for its interior).
From 1977 to 1984 he starred as Mr. Roarke in the television series Fantasy Island. He also played the villainous Khan Noonien Singh in both the 1967 "Space Seed" episode of the first season of the original Star Trek series, and the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
He won an Emmy Award in 1978, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild in 1993. Up until his 80s, he continued to perform, often providing voices for animated films and commercials.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Butch Baldassari Passes ALL ACCESS sends prayers and condolences to the family and friends of NASHVILLE mandolin virtuoso JEROME "BUTCH" BALDASSARI, who passed away SATURDAY (1/10) after a battle with brain cancer. BALDASSARI was a recording artist, producer, writer, bandleader and a teacher at VANDERBILT University's BLAIR SCHOOL OF MUSIC. He was 56 years old.
Details regarding the memorial service have not yet been announced. Condolences may be sent to his family at 125 43rd Ave. N, NASHVILLE, TN 37209.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former SESAC/Nashville Pres. Bob Thompson Passes ALL ACCESS sends prayers and condolences to the family of former SESAC/NASHVILLE President BOB THOMPSON, who passed away JANUARY 7th at his home in NASHVILLE.
A memorial service will be held JANUARY 16th at 2p (CT) at the MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE VETERANS CEMETERY.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former WXBQ Host Bill Blake Dies Condolences to family and friends of former BRISTOL BROADCASTING CO. Country WXBQ/BRISTOL-JOHNSON CITY-KINGSPORT morning host BILL BLAKE, who died FRIDAY in ABINGDON, VA, according to the Bristol Herald Courier. BLAKE hosted mornings at WXBQ in 1992 through his 2004 retirement and previously managed radio stations in WEST VIRGINIA, FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, TEXAS, and GEORGIA.
The paper reports that BLAKE's cremated remains will be scattered in the field by the WXBQ towers and studios.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radio-Canada's Valerie Letarte Dead At 47 Condolences to family and friends of MONTREAL radio personality and RADIO-CANADA "275-ALLO/ADOS-RADIO" children's show host VALERIE LETARTE, who died JANUARY 4 of cancer at 47, according to the Montreal Gazette.
LETARTE started at CINQ (RADIO CENTRE-VILLE)/MONTREAL and moved on to work in QUEBEC CITY before returning to MONTREAL at CORUS French Top 40 CKOI. She jumped to the TQS television network as an arts reporter before joining RADIO-CANADA as a member of the network's morning show and launched "275-ALLO/ADOS RADIO" in 2003.
( the urban survivor news networks reporting)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sixties pop star Dave Dee dies aged 67
Fri Jan 09 2009
LONDON (Reuters) - Sixties British pop star Dave Dee has died aged 67 after a long battle with cancer.
The former policeman was the lead singer with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich and enjoyed a string of chart hits including "The Legend of Xanadu," "Bend It, and "Save Me." He died shortly before 6 a.m. on Friday at Kingston Hospital in southwest London with family members at his bedside, fellow band member Ian "Tich" Amey told Reuters. Dee had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001 but continued to tour with the band, which had reformed in the 1990s. "The guy kept going ... he was an out and out grafter. He never let things get too much in the way," said Amey. "Three or four years ago he actually went in for little operations while he was on tour. "He was a very busy man over the years and very well liked."
Dee had left the band in 1969 to pursue a career as a soloist but rejoined in the 1970s and again in the 1980s. Dee also spent time working for WEA records, where he signed rock band AC/DC, pop group Boney M and electronic musician Gary Numan, and was a fundraiser for the Nordoff Robins Music Therapy charity. He was famous for cracking a whip during live performances of "The Legend of Xanadu." As a police cadet, Dee was the first on the scene at the 1960 car crash that killed American rocker Eddie Cochran and seriously injured singer Gene Vincent in Wiltshire. Dee retrieved Cochran's guitar from the wreck and kept it safe before it was sent back to his family in the United States.
(Reporting by Tim Castle)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon Hager of the Hager Twins Dies in Nashville
January 9, 2009
Hee Haw cast member Jon Hager, a member of the Hagers vocal duo, was found dead Friday morning (Jan. 9) in his Nashville apartment. Although an official cause of death has not been announced, the 67-year-old entertainer apparently died in his sleep.
He had reportedly been in poor health since his twin brother Jim died suddenly of a heart attack on May 1, 2008 in Nashville. Jon and Jim Hager appeared on Hee Haw's first episode in 1969 and remained on the popular TV series until 1988. Raised in the Chicago area, the brothers were adopted by a minister and his wife. As teenagers, the twins regularly performed on a Saturday morning music show for teens on WGN-TV/Chicago. After serving in the Army, they moved to California, where they played in clubs and eventually landed a job performing at the Disneyland theme park. Buck Owens attended one of their Disneyland shows and signed them to a management, recording and booking contract. They spent several years opening shows for Owens, who also co-hosted Hee Haw. The Hagers signed to Capitol Records in 1969 and charted five country singles.
source: CMT.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter Haynes - Died 1-1-2009 in in Tyler, TX, U.S. ( Country ) Born 12-14-1928 in Kingsport TN, U.S. - Steel guitarist and producer - (Co-wrote, "Girl On The Billboard") - Worked with Jimmy Dickens ('We Could"), Del Reeves, Ferlin Husky, Webb Pierce, The Everly Brothers, J.J. Cale, Jeanne Pruett and Patsy Cline ("Walkin' After Midnight") - Produced Marty Robbins and Bill Monroe - Was a a staff musician on The Grand Ole Opry - Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame Inductee. At the time of his death at the age of 80 in Tyler, Texas, he had been teaching music lessons in Bullard, Texas.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Mancini (Michael A. Mancini) - Died 1-1-2009 - Pancreatic and liver cancer ( Jazz ) He was 82 years old - Played saxophone, clarinet and flute - Worked with The Don Michaels Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tommy Ellison - Died 1-3-2009 in Baltimore, MD, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 1932 in Salley - Singer - Led Tommy Ellison And The Singing Stars - Worked with The Five Singing Stars, The Sensational Nightingales, The Chosen Gospel Singers and The Harmonizing Four.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Pineda - Died 1-3-2009 - Pancreatic cancer ( Rock ) He was 54 years old - Was a member of The Aluminum Marshmallow
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sam Taylor (aka The Bluzman,) - Died 1-4-2009 in Islandia, NY, U.S. - Complications associated to heart disease ( R&B - Blues ) Born 10-25-1934 in Mobile, Alabama, U.S. - Singer, songwriter and guitarist - (He did, "Drinking Straight Tequila" and "Voice Of The Blues") - Worked with Joey Dee & The Starlighters ("Peppermint Twist") - Otis Redding, B.T. Express ("Do It (Til You're Satisfied)"), The Drifters, Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Sam And Dave, Tracy Nelson, Mother Earth and The Isley Brothers - Long Island Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29-E (Joseph Michael Ryan) - Died 1-4-2009 in Seattle, WA, U.S. - Shot after a concert ( Rap ) Born 1984 - (He did, "Let It All Out" and "Every Day I Sit Down").
http://www.myspace.com/twenty9e
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rusty Jones (Russell Jones) - Died 1-4-2009 in Pensacola FL, U.S. - Brain aneurysm ( Country ) Born 1952 - Bassist - Was a member of The Blackwater Band.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claude Jeter (Claude A. Jeter) - Died 1-6-2009 in the Bronx, NY, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 10-26-1914 in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. - Was a member of The Four Harmony Kings and The Swan Silvertones (They did, "I'm Gonna Walk That Milky White Way" and "Mary, Don't You Weep") - Worked with Paul Simon.