R.I.P
OAF pay tribute to some of our late, great heroes.
Robert Johnson (Robert Leroy Johnson) - King Of The Delta Blues.
Born 5-8-1911 – Died 8-16-1938.
Singer and guitarist.
Blind Willie Johnson
Born 1902 – Died 1947
Singer and guitarist.
Leadbelly ( Huddie Ledbetter ) - The King of the Twelve-String Guitar -
Born 1-21-1888 Died 12-6-1949
Singer and guitarist.
Kurt Weill (Kurt Julian Weill)
Born 3-2-1900 Died 4-3-1950
Composer.
Hank Williams (Hiram King Williams) (aka Luke the Drifter)
Born 9-17-1923 – Died 5-16-1953
Singer and guitarist.
Django Reinhardt (Jean Baptiste Reinhardt)
Born 1-23-1910 - Died 5-16-1953
Guitarist.
Charlie Parker Jr. (aka Bird and Yardbird)
Born 8-29-1920 - Died 3-12-1955
Saxophonist.
Buddy Holly ( Charles Hardin Holley )
Born 9-7-1936 - Died 2-3-1959
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Ritchie Valens ( Ricardo Steven Valenzuela )
Born 5-13-1941 – Died 2-3-1959
Singer and guitarist.
Big Bopper (Jiles Perry Richardson Jr.)
Born 10-24-1930 – Died 2-3-1959
Singer and guitarist.
Billie Holiday (Eleanora Fagan Gough) (aka Lady Day)
Born 4-7-1915 - Died 7-17-1959
Singer.
Eddie Cochran ( Ray Edward Cochrane )
Born 10-3-1938 - Died 4-17-1960
Singer, guitarist, songwriter.
Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean Baker)
Born 1926 - Died 8-5-1962
Singer, actress.
Elmore James (Elmore Brooks) (aka Cleanhead and Joe Willie James)
Born 1-27-1918 - Died 5-24-1963
Singer and guitarist.
Cole Porter (Cole Albert Porter)
Born 6-9-1891 – Died 10-15-1964
Pianist and songwriter.
Sam Cooke (Samuel Cook)
Born 1-22-31 – Died 12-11-1964
Singer, songwriter.
Nat King Cole (Nathaniel Adams Coles)
Born 3-17-1919 – Died 2-15-1965
Singer.
Lenny Bruce (Leonard Alfred Schneider)
Born10-13-1925 – Died 8-3-1966
Comedian, surrealist.
Joe Meek ( Robert George Meek )
Born 4-5-1929 – Died 2-3-1967
Producer, songwriter.
Woody Guthrie ( Woodrow Wilson Guthrie )
Born 7-14-1912 – Died 10-3-1967
Singers, guitarist, songwriter.
Otis Redding (Otis Redding Jr.)
Born 9-9-1941 – Died 12-10-1967
Singer.
Judy Garland
Born 6-10-1922 – Died 6-22-1969
American Singer and Actress.
Brian Jones (Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones)
Born 2-28-1942 – Died 7-3-1969
Guitarist,songwriter.
Jimi Hendrix (James Marshall Hendrix) (aka Jimmy James)
Born 11-27-42 - Died 9-18-1970
Guitarist, singer, songwriter.
Janis Joplin (Janis Lyn Joplin)
Born 1-19-1943 - Died 10-4-1970
Singer.
Jim Morrison ( James Douglas Morrison ) The Lizard King
Born 12-8-1943 – Died 7-3-1971
Singer.
Gene Vincent ( Vincent Eugene Craddock )
Born 2-11-1935 - Died 10-12-1971
Singer, guitarist.
Billy Murcia
Born 1951 – Died 11-6-1972
Drummer for the New York Dolls.
Gram Parsons ( Cecil Ingram Connor )
Born 11-5-1946 – Died 9-19-1973
Singer, guitarist, songwriter.
Gene Krupa (Eugene Bertram Krupa)
Born 1-15-1909 – Died 10-16-1973
Drummer.
Zeke Zettner (Tommy Zettner)
Born 9-21-1948 - Died 11-10-1973
Bass player.
Bobby Darin ( Walden Robert Cassotto )
Born 5-14-1936 - Died 12-20-1973
Singer, songwriter and actor.
Duke Ellington (Edward Kennedy Ellington)
Born 4-29-1899 - Died 5-24-1974
Leader, composer, arranger and piano player.
Mama Cass Elliot ( Ellen Naomi Cohen )
Born 9-19-1943 - Died 7-29-1974
Singer.
Nick Drake
Born 6-18-1948 - Died 11-25-1974
Singer, songwriter.
T-Bone Walker (Aaron Thibeaux Walker)
Born 5-28-1910 - Died 3-16-1975
Singer, guitarist, pianist.
Tim Buckley (Timothy Charles Buckley III)
Born 2-14-1947 - Died 6-29-1975
Singer and guitarist.
Cannonball Adderley (Julian Edwin Adderley)
Born 9-15-1928 - Died 8-8-1975
Saxophonist.
Al Jackson Jr
Born 11-27-1935 - Died 10-1-1975
Drummer.
Dave Alexander (David Michael Alexander) (aka Zander)
Born 6-3-1947 - Died 2-10-1975
Bassist.
Bernard Herrmann
Born 6-29-1911 - Died 12-24-1975
Composer and conductor.
Howlin’ Wolf ( Chester Arthur Burnett )
Born 6-10-1910 - Died 1-10-76
Singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player.
Adolph Rickenbacker (aka Adolph Rickenbacher) (Adolf Adam Riggenbacher)
Born 4-1-1887 - Died 3-7-1976
Founder of The Rickenbacker Guitar Company and co-founder of The Ro-Pat-In Company.
Elvis Presley (Elvis Aron Presley) (aka Elvis Aaron Presley) (aka The Hilbilly Cat)
Born 1-8-1935 – Died 8-16-1977
Singer and guitarist.
Marc Bolan (Mark Feld) (aka Toby Tyler)
Born 9-30-47 - Died 9-16-1977
Singer and Guitarist.
Ronnie Van Zant
Born 1-15-1948 – Died 11-20-1977
Singer.
Keith Moon
Born 8-23-1947 - Died 9-7-1978
Drummer for The Escorts, The Beachcombers and The Who.
Johnny O’Keefe (John Micheal O’Keefe) - The Wild One, Australia’s ‘King of Rock’N'Roll’
Born 1-19-1935 – Died 10-6-1978
Singer.
Jacques Brel
Born 4-8-1929 - Died 10-9-1978
Singer and songwriter.
Charles Mingus Jr.
Born 4-22-1922 - Died 1-5-1979
Bassist.
Sid Vicious ( John Simon Ritchie )
Born 5-10-1957 – Died 2-2-1979
Bassist and singer.
Minnie Riperton (Minnie Julia Riperton)
Born 11-8-1947 – Died 7-12-1979
Singer.
Ian Curtis (Ian Kevin Curtis)
Born 7-15-1956 - Died 5-18-1980
Singer and guitarist.
John Bonham
Born 5-31-1948 – Died 9-25-1980
Drummer and Songwriter.
John Lennon (Born, John Winston Lennon)
Born 10-9-1940 – Died 12-8-1980
Singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter.
Bob Marley ( Robert Nesta Marley ) (aka Tuff Gong and Bobby Martell)
Born 2-6-1945 - Died 5-11-1981
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Lightnin’ Hopkins ( Sam Hopkins)
Born 3-15-1912 - Died 1-30-1982
Guitarist.
Thelonious Monk (Thelonious Sphere Monk)
Born 10-11-1917 - Died 2-17-1982
Piano player.
Randy Rhoads
Born 12-6-1956 – Died 3-19-1982
Heavy Metal Guitarist
Lester Bangs (Leslie Bangs)
Born 12-14-1948 - Died 4-30-1982
Rock Critic.
James Honeyman Scott
Born 11-4-1957 - Died 6-16-1982
Guitarist.
Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington Jr. aka Joseph Hazziez)
Born 8-8-1933 - Died 8-13-1982
Singer, songwriter.
Billy Fury (Ronald William Wynchley)
Born 4-17-1941 – Died 1-28-1983
Singer, Songwriter and Actor
Karen Carpenter (Karen Anne Carpenter)
Born 3-2- 1950 - Died 2-4-1983
Singer.
Muddy Waters ( McKinley Morganfield ) - The father of Chicago blues
Born 4-4-1915 - Died 4-30-1983
Singer and guitarist.
Jobriath Boone (Bruce Wayne Campbell) (aka Jobriath Salisbury and Cole Berlin)
Born 12-14-1946 - Died 8-3-1983
Singer, guitarist and keyboardist.
Klaus Nomi (Klaus Sperber)
Born 1-24-1944 - Died 8-6-1983
Singer.
Prince Far I (aka King Cry-Cry) (Michael Williams)
Born 1944 – Died 9-15-1983
Producer, Selector.
Dennis Wilson
Born 12-4-1944 – Died 12-28-1983
Singer and drummer, The Beach.
Jackie Wilson (Jack Leroy Wilson)
Born 6-9-1934 – 1-21-1984
Singer.
Marvin Gaye (Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.)
Born 4-2-1939 - Died 4-1-1984
Singer, drummer, songwriter and producer.
Count Basie (William James Basie)
8-21-1904 - Died 4-26-1984
Pianist, organist and composer.
Ricky Wilson (Ricky Helton Wilson)
Born 3-19-1953 - Died 10-13-1985
Guitarist – The B-52s.
Ricky Nelson ( Eric Hilliard Nelson )
Born 5-8-1940 - Died 12-31-1985
Singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor.
Tracy Pew
12-19-1957 – Died 7-5-1986
Bass player – The Birthday Party.
Stewie Speer
Born 6-26-1928 – Died 9-16-1986
Drummer – Max Merritt & The Meteors and The Brian Brown Quintet.
Cliff Burton (Clifford Lee Burton)
Born 2-10-1962 - Died 9-27-1986
Bassist and pianist.
Andy Warhol (Andrew Warhola)
Born 8-6-1928 - Died 2-22-1987
Artist and designer.
Peter Tosh (Winston Hubert MacIntosh) (aka Stepping Razor)
Born 10-9-1944 - Died 9-11-1987
Singer and guitarist.
Divine (Harris Glenn Milstead)
Born 10-19-1945 - Died 3-7-1988
Actor and singer.
Andy Gibb (Andrew Roy Gibb)
Born 3-5-1958 – Died 3-10-1988
Singer.
Hillel Slovak
Born 4-13-62 - Died 6-27-1988
Guitarist.
Nico (Christa Paffgen)
Born 10-16-1938 - Died 7-18-1988
Model, actress and singer.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Born 12-22-1960 - Died 8-12-1988
Artist, Dj.
Roy Orbison (Roy Kelton Orbison) (aka The Big O)
Born 4-23-1936 - Died 12-6-1988
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Sylvester (Sylvester James)
Born 9-6-1947 - Died 12-16-1988
Singer.
King Tubby (Osborne Ruddock)
Born 1-28-1941 - Died 2-6-1989
Producer, Engineer.
Pete De Freitas
Born 8-2-1961 - Died 6-14-1989
Drummer, Echo & the Bunnymen.
Del Shannon (Charles Weedon Westover)
Born 12-30-1934 - Died 2-8-1990
Singer and guitarist.
Johnnie Ray (John Alvin Ray) - Prince Of Wails
Born 1-10-1927 – Died 2-24-1990
Singer.
Stevie Ray Vaughan (Stephen Ray Vaughan)
Born 10-3-54 – Died 8-27-1990
Singer, Guitarist.
Martin Hannett
Born 1950 - Died 4-18-1991
Produceer – Joy Division, The Buzzcocks, New Order, U2, The Psychedelic Furs, John Cooper-Clarke and Magazine .
Steve Marriott (Stephen Peter Marriott)
Born 1-30-1947 - Died 4-20-1991
Guitarist and singer, The Small Faces.
Johnny Thunders ( John Anthony Genzale Jr.) (aka Johnny Volume)
Born 7-15-1952 – Died 4-23-1991
Guitarist and vocalist.
Gene Clark (Harold Eugene Clark)
Born 11-17-1944 - Died 5-24-1991
Singer, Siongwriter, Guitarist – The Byrds.
Freddie Mercury
Born 9-5-1946 – Died 11-24-1991
Musician, Singer and Songwriter.
Joe Cole
Born 1961 - Died 12-19-1991
Writer, Roadie.
Stefanie Sargent (Stefanie Ann Sargent)
Born 6-8-1968 - Died 6-27-1992
Guitarist.
Larry Levan
Born 7-18-1954 - Died 11-8-1992
DJ and Producer.
Dizzy Gillespie (John Birks Gillespie)
Born 10-21-1917 - Died 1-6-1993
Trumpet player.
Mick Ronson
Born 5-26-1946 - Died 4-29-1993
Guitarist, Producer.
Sun Ra (Herman Sonny Blount)
Born 5-22-1914 - Died 5-30-1993
Composer, pianist, philosopher.
G.G. Allin
Born 8-29-1956 - Died 6-28-1993
Singer, Songwriter.
Mia Zapata (Mia Katherine Zapata)
Born 8-25-1965 - Died 7-7-1993
Singer.
River Phoenix
Born 8-23-1970 - Died 10-31-1993
Actor, Guitarist.
Frank Zappa (Francis Vincent Zappa Jr.)
Born 12-21-1940 - Died 12-4-1993
Singer, composer and produce.r
Charizma (Charles Hicks)
Born 7-6-1973 - Died 12-19-1993
MC.
Bill Hicks (William Melvin Hicks)
Born 12-16-1961 - Died 2-26-1994
Comedian – Social Commentator.
Kurt Cobain (Kurt Donald Cobain)
Born 2-20-1967 – Died 4-5-1994
Singer and guitarist.
Kristen Pfaff
Born 5-26-1967 - Died 6-16-1994
Bass player.
Eazy E ( Eric Wright )
Born 9-7-1963 - Died 3-27-1995
MC.
Jerry Garcia (Jerome John Garcia)
Born 8-1-1942 - Died 8-9-1995
Guitarist, banjo and piano player.
Sterling Morrison (Holmes Sterling Morrison, Jr.)
Born 8-29-1942 - Died 8-30-1995
Guitarist.
Buffy The Human Beat Box ( Darren Robinson )
Born 6-10-1967 - Died 12-10-1995
MC.
Bradley Nowell
Born 2-22-1968 – Died 5-25-1996
Singer and Guitarist.
Timothy Leary
Born 10-22-1920 - Died 5-31-1996
Writer, Spoken Word Artist.
Ella Fitzgerald (Ella Jane Fitzgerald) (aka Lady Ella) The First Lady of Song
Born 4-25-1917 – Died 6-15-1996
Singer.
Rob Collins (Robert Collins)
Born 2-23-1963 - Died 7-22-1996
Organ player.
Tupac (2pac ) Shakur (Tupac Amaru Shakur) (aka Makaveli)
Born 6-16-1971 - Died 9-13-1996
MC.
Chris Acland (Christopher John Dyke Acland)
Born 9-7-1966 – Died 10-17-1996
Drummer.
Robert Racic
Born 1-8-1964 - Died 10-25-1996
Producer, DJ and arranger.
Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace)
Born 21-5-1972 – Died 3-9-1997
MC.
Allen Ginsberg - ( Irwin Ginsberg)
Born 6-3-1926 - Died 4-5-1997
Poet, Writer.
Jeff Buckley (Jeffrey Scott Buckley) (aka Scottie Moorhead)
Born 11-17-1966 - Died 5-29-1997
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Ronnie Lane (Ronald Frederick Lane) (aka Plonk)
Born 4-1-1946 - Died 6-4-1997
Singer, songwriter and bass player.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Born 10-13-1948 – Died 8-16-1997
Singer, composer, Multi-instrumentalist.
John Denver ( Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. )
Born 12-31-1943 - Died 10-12-1997
Guitarist, singer, songwriter.
Michael Hutchence
Born 1-22-1960 - Died 11-22-1997
Singer.
Carl Perkins (Carl Lee Perkings)
Born 4-9-1932 – Died 1-19-1998
Musician, songwriter.
Carl Wilson (Carl Dean Wilson)
Born 12-21-1946 - Died 2-6-1998
Singer and guitarist.
Falco (Johann H. Holzel)
Born 2-19-1957 - Died 2-6-1998
Singer.
Wendy O. Williams (Wendy Orlean Williams) (aka The Squirrel Lady)
Born 5-28-1949 - Died 4-6-1998
Singer and actress.
Linda McCartney (Linda Louise Eastman) (Lady McCartney)
Born 9-24-1941 - Died 4-17-1998
Singer and keyboardist.
Frank Sinatra (Francis Albert Sinatra) (aka Ol’ Blue Eyes) The Chaiman Of The Board
Born 12-12-1915 - Died 5-14-1998
Singer.
Marc Hunter
Born 9-07-1954 – Died 7-17-1998
Singer.
David McComb (David Richard Mccomb)
Born 2-17-1962 – Died 2-2-1999
Singer, songwriter.
Big L (Lamont Coleman)
Born 5-30-1974 – Died 2-15-1999
MC.
Dusty Springfield ( Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien )
Born 4-16-1939 - Died 3-2-1999
Singer.
Rob Gretton (Robert Leo Gretton)
Born 1-15-1953 - Died 5-15-1999
Manager, Impresario.
Augustus Pablo (Horace Swaby)
Born 06-21-1953 - Died 5-18-1999
Producer, keyboardist.
Curtis Mayfield
Born 6-3-1942 - Died 12-26-1999
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist.
Screamin Jay Hawkins (Jalacy J. Hawkins)
Born 7-18-1929 – Died 2-12-2000
Singer, Songwriuter, guitarist.
Ofra Haza
Born 11-19-1959 - Died 2-23-2000
Singer.
Ian Dury (Ian Robbins Dury)
Born 5-12-1942 – Died 3-27-2000
Singer.
DJ Screw (Robert Earl Davis Jr.)
Born 6-27-1971 - Died 11-16-2000
DJ.
Kirsty MacColl (aka Mandy Doubt)
Born 10-10-1959 - Died 12-18-2000
Singer, songwriter.
John Lee Hooker (aka John Lee Cooker, John Lee Booker, Delta John, Texas Slim, Birmingham Sam and the Boogie Man)
Born 8-22-1917 - Died 6-21-2001
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Chet Atkins (Chester Burton Atkins)
Born 6-20-1924 - Died 6-30-2001
Producer, vocalist, guitarist, arranger and fiddler.
Aaliyah (Aeliyatt Dani Haughton)
Born 1-16-1979 - Died 8-25-2001
Singer, actress.
Shirley Strachan (Graeme Strachan)
Born 1-2-1952 – Died 8-29-2001
Singer, Actor.
George Harrison (George Harold Harrison)
Born 2-24-1943 - Died 11-29-2001
Guitarist, sitar player and singer.
Stuart Adamson (William Stuart Adamson)
Born 4-11-1958 - Found dead 12-16-2001
Guitarist and singer.
Waylon Jennings (Waylon Arnold Jennings)
Born 6-15-1937 - Died 2-13-2002
Singer and guitarist.
Layne Staley (Layne Thomas Staley)
Born 8-22-1967 – died 4-5-2002
Singer and guitarist.
Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (Lisa Nicole Lopes)
Born 5-27-1971 - Died 4-25-2002
Singer.
Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Glenn Colvin) (aka Dee Dee King)
Born 9-18-1952 - Died 6-5-2002
Bassist, singer and songwriter.
Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell)
Born 1-21-1965 - Died 10-30-2002
DJ, Producer.
Mary Hansen
Born 11-1-1966 – Died 12-9-2002
Singer, keyboardist and guitarist.
Joe Strummer (John Graham Mellor) (aka Woody)
Born 8-21-1952 – Died 12-22-2002
Singer and guitarist .
Nina Simone (Eunice Kathleen Waymon) - High Priestess of Soul
Born 2-21-1933 – Died 4-21-2003
Singer and pianist.
June Carter Cash
Born 6-23-1929 - Died 5-15-2003
Singer, guitarist, autoharp player, composer.
Barry White (Barry Eugene Carter) - King of make out music
Born 9-12-1944 - Died 7-4-2003
Singer, keyboardists and arranger.
Wesley Willis
Born 5-31-1963 – Died 8-21-2003
Singer, Guitarist.
Warren Zevon (Warren William Zevon)
Born 1-24-1947 - Died 9-7-2003
Guitarist, Pianist, singer, Songwriter.
Johnny Cash (J. R. Cash) - The Man in Black
Born 2-26-1932 - Died 9-12-2003
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Robert Palmer (Alan Palmer)
Born 1-19-1949 - Died 9-26-2003
Singer and guitarist.
John McGeogh
Born 5-28-1955 - Died 3-5-2004
Guitarist.
Timi Yuro (Rosemarie Timotea Aurro)
Born 8-4-1940 - Died 3-30-2004
Singer.
Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson)
Born 9-23-1930 - Died 6-10-2004
Singer, bandleader and pianist.
Rick James (James Johnson Jr.)
Born 2-1-1948 – Died 8-6-2004
Singer, Songwriter, Producer.
Johnny Ramone (John William Cummings)
Born 10-8-1948 - Died 9-15-2004
Guitarist.
John Peel ( John Robert Parker Ravenscoft)
Born 8-30-1939 - Died 10-25-2004
DJ – Music Promoter.
Mac Dre (Andre Hicks)
Born 7-5-1970 - Died 11-1-2004
MC.
O.D.B. (Russell Tyrone Jones) (aka Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Joe Bannanas, Dirt Dog, Dirt McGirt and Big Baby Jesus)
Born 11-15-1969 - Died 11-13-2004
MC.
Lyn Collins - The Female Preacher
Born 6-12-1948 – Died 3-13-2005
Singer.
Paul Hester (Paul Newell Hester)
Born 1-8-1959 – Died 3-26-2005
Drummer, TV Personality.
Bob Moog (Dr. Robert Moog) (Robert A. Moog)
Born 5-23-1934 - Died 8-21-2005
Inventor of the Moog.
R.L. Burnside
Born 11-23-1926 - Died 9-1-2005
Guitarist and singer.
Willie Hutch (Willie McKinley Hutchison)
Born 12-6-1944 - Died 9-19-2005
Guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer.
Link Wray (Frederick Lincoln Wray)
Born 5-2-1929 - Died 11-5-2005
Guitarist and singer.
Wilson Pickett (aka the Wicked Pickett)
Born 3-18-1941 - Died 1-19-2006
Singer.
Jay Dee (aka J Dilla) (James Yancy)
Born 2-7-1974 – Died 2-10-2006
Producer and MC.
Pete Wells
Born 1948 – Died 3-27-2006
Guitarist.
Grant McLennan
Born 12-02-1958 – Died 5-6-2006
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Robbie “Rocket” Watts
Died 7-1-2006
Guitarist and banjo player.
Syd Barrett - (Roger Keith Barrett)
Born 1-6-1946 - Died 7-7-2006
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Arthur Lee (Arthur Taylor Porter)
Born 3-7-1945 - Died 8-3-2006
Singer and guitarist.
James Brown (James Joseph Brown Jr.) - Godfather of Soul - The Hardest Working Man in Show Business - Soul Brother Number One
Born 5-3-1933 - Died 12-25-2006
Singer, songwriter, bandleader and producer.
Billy Thorpe
Born 3-29-1946 - Died 2-28-2007
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Lee Hazlewood (Barton Lee Hazlewood)
Born 7-9-1929 - Died 8-4-2007
Singer, songwriter and producer.
Tony Wilson (Anthony Howard Wilson)
Born 2-20-1950 - Died 8-10-2007
Broadcaster, Label boss, impresario.
Pimp C (Chad Butler)
Born 12-29-1973 - Found dead 12-4-2007
MC.
Ike Turner (Izear Wister Turner)
Born 11-5-1931 - Died 12-12-2007
Producer, pianist, guitarist and singer.
Jackie Orszaczky (Miklos Orszacky)
Born 5-8-1948 - Died 2-3-2008
Bassist, singer and producer.
Bo Diddley (Otha Ellas Bates) (Ellas McDaniel) - the Originator
Born 12-30-1928 - Died 6-2-2008
Guitarist, songwriter and singer.
Isaac Hayes (Isaac Lee Hayes Jr.)
Born 8-20-1942 – Died 8-10-2008
Singer pianist, flautist, saxophonist, songwriter, producer, arranger and actor.
Levi Stubbs (Levi Stubbles Jr.)
Born 6-6-1936 - Died 10-17-2008
Singer.
Richey James Edwards (Richard James Edwards)
Born 12-22-1967 - Officially declared dead 11-23-2008
Songwriter, guitarist.
Eartha Kitt
Born 1-17-1927 – Died 12-25-2008
American Singer, Actress and Cabaret Star.
Ron Asheton (Ronald Franklin Asheton, Jr.)
Born 7-17-1948 – Found dead 1-6-2009
Guitarist, bass player, accordion player, songwriter.
Charlie Cooper (Charles Wesley Cooper III)
Born 4-12-1977 – Died 1-22-2009
Composer, songwriter.
Dean Turner (aka Dean Dirt)
Born 1-6-1972 - Died 8-21-2009
Guitarist.
Lux Interior (Erick Lee Purkhiser)
Born 10-21-1946 – Died 2-4-2009
Singer.
Eddie Bo (Edwin Joseph Bocage) (aka Spider Bocage)
Born 9-20-1929 - Died 3-18-2009
Singer and pianist.
Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson ) - The King Of Pop
Born 8-29-1958 - Died 6-25-2009
Singer, songwriter, dancer.
Les Paul (Lester William Polfuss) (aka Red Hot Red)
Born 6-9-1915 - Died 8-13-2009
Guitarist, banjo player and harmonica player.
DJ AM (Adam Goldstien)
Born 3-30-1973 - Died 8-28-2009
DJ, producer.
Roc Raida (Anthony Williams)
Born 5-18-1972 - Died 9-19-2009
DJ, producer.
Mr. Magic (John Rivas) (aka Sir Juice and Super Rocking Mr. Magic)
Born 3-15-1956 – Died 10-2-2009
DJ and promoter.
Liam Maher
Born 1968 – Died 10-20-2009
Singer.
Chris ‘Spacewolf’ Feinstein
Born 05-26-1967 – Died 12-15-2009
Musician.
Vic Chesnutt (James Victor Chesnutt)
Born 11-12-1964 - Died 12-25-2009
Singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Rowland S Howard (aka Rowie) ( Rowland Stuart Howard )
Born 10-24-1959 - Died 12-30-2009
Guitarist.
Jay Reatard (Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr.)
Born 5-1-1980 – Died 1-12-2010
Singer, percussionist, keyboardist and guitarist.
Teddy Pendergrass (Theodore DeReese Pendergrass Jr.) (aka Teddy P, TP and Teddy Bear)
Born 3-26-1950 – Died 1-13-2010
Singer and drummer.
Mark Linkous
Born 9-11-1962 – Died 03-06-2010
Singer and songwriter.
Alex Chilton (William Alexander Chilton)
Born 12-28-1950 – Died 03-17-2010
Songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer.
Malcolm McLaren
Born 01-22-1946 – Died 04-08-2010
Musician, band manager, entrepreneur, songwriter.
Ronnie James Dio
Born 07-10-1942 – Died 05-16-2010
Musician, singer-songwriter, producer.
Marvin Isley
Born 08-18-1953 – Died 06-06-2010
Bass player (The Isley Brothers).
Stuart Cable
Born 05-19-1970 – Died 06-07-2010
Drummer (Stereophonics), broadcaster.
Richard Bailey
Born 10-11-1957 – Died 06-15-2010
Photographer.
Phelps ‘Catfish’ Collins
Born 1944 – Died 8-6-2010
Musician.
Don Partridge
Born 10-27-1941 – Died 09-21-2010
English singer and songwriter.
Norman Wisdom
Born 02-04-1915 – Died 10-04-2010
English comedian, singer-songwriter and actor.
Solomon Burke
Born 03-21-1940 – Died 10-10-2010
American singer/songwriter, entrepeneur, mortician, archbishop of the United House of Prayer For All People.
“Ari Up” (Ariane Daniele Forster)
Born 01-17-1962 – Died 10-20-2010
English punk group The Slits.
Gregory Isaacs
Born 07-15-1951 – Died 10-25-2010
Jamaican reggae musician.
James Freud
Born 06-29-1959 – Died 11-4-2010
From Australian rock band Models.
Albert ‘Gentleman June’ Gardner
Born 1930 – Died 11-19-2010
Legendary New Orleans drummer.
Albert Abraham “Little Smokey” Smothers
Born 01-02-1939 – Died 11-20-2010
African American, Chicago blues guitarist and singer.
Peter Martin Christopherson
Born 02-27-1955 – Died 11-24-2010
Musician, video director, designer.
James Moody
Born 03-26-1925 – Died 12-09-2010
American jazz saxophonist.
Gerry Rafferty
Born 04-16-1947 – Died 01-01-2011
Scottish singer and songwriter.
Mick Karn
Born 07-24-1958 – Died 01-04-2011
English multi-instrumentalist musician/songwriter for the art rock band Japan.
Trish Keenan
Born 1969 – Died 01-14-2011
Lead singer of Broadcast.
Don Kirshner
Born 04-17-1934 – Died 01-17-2011
American song publisher/rock producer who is best known for managing pop groups, such as The Monkees and The Archies.
Buddy Charleton
Born 03-06-1938 – Died 01-25-2011
Elmer Lee “Buddy” Charleton, the musician and teacher whose pedal steel guitar work was an integral element in Country Music Hall of Famer Ernest Tubb’s famed Texas Troubadours band.
Gladys Horton
Born 05-30-1944 – Died 01-26-2011
American R&B and pop singer, famous for being the founder and lead singer of the popular Motown all-female vocal group The Marvelettes.
Charlie Louvin
Born 07-07-1927 – Died 01-26-2011
American country music singer and songwriter. He is best known as one of the Louvin Brothers, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1955.
John Barry
Born 11-03-1933 – Died 01-30-2011
Oscar-winning English film score composer.
Gary Moore
Born 04-04-1952 – Died 02-06-11
Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer.
Joseph A. Morello
Born 07-17-1928 – Died 03-12-2011
Jazz drummer best known for his 12½-year stint with The Dave Brubeck Quartet.
Loleatta Holloway
Born 11-05-1946 – Died 03-21-2011
American gospel & disco singer.
Joseph William ‘Pinetop’ Perkins
Born 07-07-1913 – Died 03-21-2011
American blues musician.
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond “Liz” Taylor
Born 02-27-1932 – Died 03-23-2011
One of the great screen actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Clarence Clemens, Jr.
Born 01-11-1942 – Died 06-18-2011
Saxophone Player for the E Street Band.
Amy Winehouse
Born 09-14-1983 – Died 07-23-2011
English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals & her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz.
Robert Whitaker
Born 11-13-1939 – Died 09-20-2011
English Photographer for bands like The Beatles and Cream.
Andy Rooney
Born 1-14-1919 – Died 11-4-2011
Television personality, writer.
Hubert Sumlin
Born 11-16-1931 – Died 12-04-2011
Chicago Blues guitarist and singer.
Larry ‘El Rhino’ Reinhardt
Born 7-7-1948 – Died 1-2-2012
Guitarist for Iron Butterfly and Captain Beyond.
Bob Weston
Born 11-1-1947 – Died 1-3-2012
Fleetwood Mac guitarist.
Mike Kelley
Born 10-27-1954 – Died 1-31-2012
Artist, musician.
Whitney Houston
Born 8-9-1963 – Died 2-11-2012
Singer, actress.
Dory Previn
Born 10-22-1925 – Died 2-14-2012
American lyricist, singer-songwriter and poet.
Michael Davis
Born 6-5-1943 – Died 2-17-2012
Bassist for MC5.
Billy Strange
Born 9-29-1930 – Died 2-22-12
Guitarist
David Thomas ‘Davy’ Jones
Born 12-30-1945 – Died 02-29-2012
English rock singer-songwriter and actor best known as a member of The Monkees.
Ronnie Montrose
Born 11-29-1947 – Died 3-3-2012
American rock guitarist, who led a number of his own bands as well as performed and did session work with a variety of musicians.
Robert Sherman
Born 12-19-1925 – Died 3-6-2012
Grammy Winning Songwriter, Disney Music Composer
Michael Hossack
Born 1-17-1946 – Died 3-12-2012
Drummer.
Vincent Lovegrove
Born 3-19-1947 – Died 3-24-2012
Singer for The Valentines, manager of The Divinyls, Crusader for HIV awareness, journalist and writer.
Earl Scruggs
Born 1-26-1924 – Died 3-28-2012
Bluegrass Musician.
Jimmy Little
Born 3-1-1937 – Died 4-2-2012
Australian Aboriginal Musician.
Bernard Noël “Banjo Barney” McKenna
Born 12-16-1939 – Died 4-5-2012
Irish musician who played the tenor banjo, mandolin, and melodeon. He was most renowned as a banjo player.
Cynthia Dall (born Cynthia Meggin Loya)
Born 3-12-1971 – Died 4-5-2012
Cynthia, sometimes known as “Cindy Dall”, was an American lo-fi musician and photographer.
Barbara Buchholz
Born 12-8-1959 – Died 4-10-2012
Berlin-based German musician and composer. She was one of the leading theremin players of the world.
Andrew Love
Born 11-21-1941 – Died 4-12-2012
Saxophone player based in Memphis, Tennessee, best known for being a member of The Memphis Horns.
James Charles “Jim” Marshall, OBE
Born 7-29-1923 – Died 4-5-2012
Known as The Father of Loudor The Lord of Loud, Jim Marshall was an English businessman, and pioneer of guitar amplification.
Dick Clark
Born 11-30-1929 – Died 4-18-2012
Legendary Television Personality.
Levon Helm
Born 5-26-1940 – Died 4-19-2012
Drummer and Vocalist.
Gregory Norman “Greg” Ham
Born 9-27-1953 – Died 4-19-2012
Australian songwriter, actor and saxophone player known for playing multiple instruments in the 1980s band Men at Work.
Herbert Maurice William ‘Bert’ Weedon, OBE
Born 5-10-1920 – Died 4-20-2012
English guitarist whose style of guitar playing was popular and influential during the 1950s and 1960s. He was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his “services to music”.
John Christopher “Chris” Ethridge
Born 2-10-1947 – Died 4-23-2012
American country rock bass guitarist. He was a member of the International Submarine Band (ISB) and The Flying Burrito Brothers and co-wrote several songs with Gram Parsons.
Tommy Marth
Born 11-23-1978 – Died 4-23-2012
American saxophone player, best known for his recordings and live performances with The Killers.
Charles “Skip” Pitts
Born 4-7-1947 – Died 5-1-2012
American soul and blues guitarist. He is best known for his distinctive “wah-wah” style, prominently featured on Isaac Hayes’ title track from the 1971 movie Shaft. He is widely considered to have been one of the architects of soul, R&B, and funk guitar.
Lloyd Brevett OD
Born 8-1-1931 – Died 5-3-2012
Jamaican double bassist, and a founding member of The Skatalites.
Adam Nathaniel (‘MCA’) Yauch
Born 08-05-1964 – Died 05-04-2012
American rapper, songwriter, and film director. He was best known as a founding member of hip hop trio the Beastie Boys.
Read a moving eulogy by Sydney musician SPOD here.
Maurice Sendak
Born 6-10-1968 – Died 5-8-2012
American Author.
Frank Parr
Born 6-1-1928 – Died 5-8-2012
Cricketer who played for Lancashire and a jazz trombonist with the Mick Mulligan Band.
Donald “Duck” Dunn
Born 11-24-1941 – Died 5-13-2012
American bass guitarist, session musician, record producer, and songwriter.
Chuck Brown
Born 8-22-36 – Died 5-16-12
Guitarist and Singer.
Douglas Flint “Doug” Dillard
Born 3-6-1937 – Died 5-16-2012
Banjo player for the Dillards, American bluegrass band from Salem, Missouri.
Donna Summer
Born 12-31-48 – Died 5-17-2012
Disco Queen.
Peter Robert Jones
Born 4-21-1963 – Died 5-18-2012
Liverpool-born Australiansession drummer, who replaced Paul Hester in Crowded House in 1994.
Robin Gibb
Born 12-22-49 – Died 5-20-12
Singer and Songwriter, Disco pioneer.
Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson
Born 3-3-1923 – Died 5-29-2012
American guitarist, songwriter and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues and gospel music.
Eduard Anatolyevich Khil
Born 9-4-1934 – Died 6-4-2012
Russian baritone singer and a recipient of the People’s Artist Award of the RSFSR. Khil became known to a western audience in 2010 when a 1976 recording of him singing a non-lexical vocable version of the song “I Am Glad, ‘Cause I’m Finally Returning Back Home” became an Internet meme, known as “Trololo.”
Herbert Reed
Born 8-7-1928 – Died 6-4-2012
American musician, vocalist and founding member of The Platters, who were known for their hits during the 1950s and 1960s.
Bob Welch
Born 8-31-1945 – Died 6-7-2012
Fleetwood Mac guitarist.
Mark Reale
Born 6-7-1955 – Died 1-25-2012
Riot guitarist and founder.
Perry Baggs
Born 1962 – Died 7-12-2012
Drummer of Jason & the Scorchers, archivist at the Tennessean, bass guitarist in the Scottsboro First Baptist Church Praise Band.
Robert ‘Bob Babbitt’ Kreinar
Born 11-26-1937 – Died 7-16-2012
American bassist, most famous for his work as a member of Motown Records’ studio band, the Funk Brothers.
John Douglas “Jon” Lord
Born 6-9-1941 – Died 7-16-2012
English composer, pianist, and Hammond organ player known for his pioneering work in fusing rock with classical or baroque forms, especially with Deep Purple, as well as Whitesnake, Paice, Ashton & Lord, The Artwoods, and The Flower Pot Men.
Ellen Muriel Deason
Born 8-30-1919 – Died 7-16-2012
Known professionally as Kitty Wells, was an American country music singer.
Adam Cullen
Born 10-09-65 – Died 07-28-12
Australian artist, best known for winning the Archibald Prize in 2000 with a portrait of actor David Wenham. He was also known for his controversial subjects or work which combine irreverent humour with an astute sensitivity to society.
Bill Doss
Born 9-12-1968 – Died 7-30-2012
American pop musician. He co-founded The Elephant 6 Recording Company in Athens, Georgia and was a key member of The Olivia Tremor Control. Following the band’s break-up, he led The Sunshine Fix and later became a member of The Apples in Stereo.
Jason Noble
Born 1971 – Died 8-4-2012
Former Rodan guitarist & member of Rachel’s, an American chamber music group that formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1991.
Johnnie Alexander Bassett
Born 10-9-1935 – Died 8-4-2012
Detroit-based American electric blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Isabel Vargas Lizano
Born 4-17-1919 – Died 8-5-2012
Better known as Chavela Vargas, Isabel was a Costa Rican-born Mexican singer.
Marvin Frederick Hamlisch
Born 6-2-1944 – Died 8-6-2012
American composer and conductor.
Bob Birch
Born 7-14-1956 – Died 8-15-2012
Elton John’s bassist.
Scott McKenzie
Born 1-10-1924 – Died 8-18-2012
American flower power singer.
Sean Bergin
Born 6-29-1948 – Died 9-1-2012
Avant-garde jazz saxophonist and flautist originally from South Africa.
Harold Lane “Hal” David
Born 5-25-1921 – Died 9-1-2012
American lyricist best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach and his association with Dionne Warwick.
John C. Marshall
Born 4-17-1941 – Died 9-2-2012
British guitarist, vocalist and songwriter in the jazz and blues vein. He was born in London, England.
José Curbelo
Born 2-18-1917 – Died 9-21, 2012
Cuban-born American pianist and manager. Curbelo was a key figure in Latin jazz in New York City in the 1940s and helped to popularize the cha cha dance in the 1950s.
Big Jim Sullivan
Born 2-14-1941 – Died 10-2-2012
English session guitarist.
Nick Curran
Born 9-30-1977 – Died 10-6-2012
American blues/rock & roll singer and guitarist. He has been likened to T-Bone Walker, Little Richard, The Sonics, Doug Sahm, Misfits, The Dinks and The Ramones.
Wiley Dean Reed
Born 1-5-1944 – Died 10-7-2012
Australian based African-American blues musician and songwriter, who sang and accompanied himself on the piano. He was a multi-award winning artist who played with some of the genre’s biggest artists.
Bill Dees (né William Marvin Dees Borger)
Born 1-24-1939 – Died 10-24-2012
American musician most famous for his song writing collaborations with singer Roy Orbison.
Terry Callier
Born 5-24-1945 – Died 10-27-2012
American jazz, soul and folk guitarist, and singer-songwriter.
Cleveland Duncan
Born 7-23-1935 – Died 11-7-2012
Lead singer of the 1950′s R&B group The Penguins.
Claude Nobs
Born February 4, 1936 – Died January 10, 2013
Swiss-born founder and general manager of the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Cecil Womack
Born 9 -25-1947 – Died 3-1-2013
American R&B singer, songwriter and record producer.
George Francis “Shadow” Morton
Born 9-3-1940 – Died 2-14-2013
American record producer and songwriter best known for his influential work in the 1960s.
Kevin Peek
Born 12-21-1946 – Died 2-11-2013
Australian guitarist playing both rock and classical music, best known for his work with the progressive rock band Sky.
