Rock Star Death Notices - September 2011

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David

David "Honeyboy" Edwards

Mac McDermott (Andrew McDermott) - Died 8-3-2011 (Metal) Born 1-26-1966 - Singer - Worked with Threshold (They did, “Life’s Too Good” and “Sunrise On Mars”), Sargent Fury, Harvest,  Renegade, Eliminator, Mr President, Powerworld, Yargos and Swamp Freaks.

Jorge Neri (Jorge Neri Rendon) - Died 8-3-2011 in Mexico City, Mexico - Cancer (Musicals) He was 67 years old - Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - Arranger and director - Worked with Jose Jose, Silvia Pinal, Lupita D’Alessio and Ana Gabrie.

Harold Armstrong - Died 8-3-2011 in Dubai - Lung infection from pneumonia (Rock) Singer - Was a member of Kingfish and Human Traffic - Worked with Cinderella Rockafella.

Jimmy Evans (aka Jimmy Dale Evans and Lattie Lane) (James G. Evans Jr.) - Died 8-3-2011 (Rockabilly - Country) Born 1936 or 1938 in Mariana, Arkansas, U.S. - Sang and played guitar, bass, piano, drums and steel guitar - (He did, “The Joint’s Really Jumpin’” and “Pink Cadillac”) - Worked with Charlie Rich, Mack Self, Jerry lee Lewis, Conway Twitty and Ronnie Hawkins - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Conrad Schnitzler (aka Conrad von Berlin) - Died 8-4-2011 - Stomach cancer (Electronic - Experimental) Born 1937 in Dusseldorf, Germany - Played synthesizer and keyboards - (He did, “Electric Garden” and “Zug”) - Was a member of Tangerine Dream, Kluster and Eruption.

Dale Beacock - Died 8-4-2011 near Garibaldi, Ore, U.S. - Hit by a truck’s trailer while riding his bicycle (Jazz) He was 81 years old - Played clarinet and saxophone - Director of The New Horizons Jazz Band - Founder of Beacock Music.

Cleve Best (Clevely Best) - Died 8-4-2011 in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada - Duodenal cancer (Country) Born 1935 - Sang and played guitar and accordion - Worked with Cy Brown, The Dipsy Doodlers and The Friends Of Rufus.

Leon Vaughn - Died 8-5-2011 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Cancer (Gospel) He was 65 years old - Organist and singer - Worked with Jo “Cool” Davis.

Fred Imus (Frederic Wayne Imus) - Found dead 8-6-2011 in Tucson, Arizona, U.S. - Born 1942 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. - (He co-wrote, “I Don’t Want To Have To Marry You” which was recorded by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius) - (He and his brother, talk show host Don Imus did, “I’m A Hot Rodder (And All That Jazz)” as Jay Jay Imus And Freddy Ford).

Marshall Grant - Died 8-6-2011 (Country) Born 5-?-1928 - Bassist - Was a member of Johnny Cash’s backing duo, The Tennessee Two - Managed The Statler Brothers - Musicians Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Joe Yamanaka (Akira Yamanaka) - Died 8-7-2011 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan - Lung cancer (Rock - Reggae) Born 9-2-1946 in Yokohama, Japan - Sang and played harmonica and was an actor - (He did, “Proof Of The Man” and co-wrote, “Sorrow Of Florence”) - Was a member of Flower Travellin’ Band (They did, “Spasms” and “Aw Give Me Air”) and sang for The Wailers after Bob Marley’s death.

Leo Mattioli (Leonardo Guillermo Mattioli) - Died 8-7-2011 in Necochea, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Cardiac arrest (Cumbia) Born 8-13-1972 in Santa Fe, Argentina - Singer - Was a member of Trinidad.

Jiri Traxler - Died 8-7-2011 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Jazz - Swing) Born 3-12-1912 in Tabor, Austria-Hungary - Pianist, composer and arranger - (He wrote, “A Little Rhythm”) - Worked with The Red Ace Players, The Gramoklub Orchestra (They did, “Feelin’ Low”), Jaroslav Jezek And His Swing Band, Blue Music, The Elit Club, The R. A. Dvorsky Orchestra and The Karel Vlach Orchestra (They did, “Jedu noci” and “Ruzove bryle”).

Hassan El-Asmar - Died 8-7-2011 - Heart attack (Egyptian Folk) Born 10-21-1959 in Qena, Egypt - Singer and actor - (He did, “Ketab Hayati” (The Book Of My Life) and “El Wad Da Eih?” (Who’s That Kid?)).

Eric Stevenson (Eric John Stevenson) - Died 8-9-2011 in Haverhill, MA, U.S. - Melanoma (Metal) He was 46 years old - Born in Tewksbury, MA, U.S. - Drummer, singer and guitarist - (He did, “Ash”) - Was a member of Formicide, Only Living Witness (They did, “December” and “Deed’s Pride”), Hank Crane (“Dead Horse Town” and “Lost Love”) and Two Sun System (“Bee Keeper”).

David Pratt - Died 8-9-2011 - Heart condition - He was 83 years old - Cornet player and singer - Was a member of The Bradford Brass Consort - Worked with The Black Dyke Band, The Bradford Festival Choral Male Voice Choir, The Thornton Vocal Singers and The Aire Valley Singers.

Rick Blaze (Richard Bloise) - Died 8-9-2011 (Punk) Born 1959 - Singer - Led Rick Blaze And The Ballbusters (They did, “‘Manhattan Babylon” and “Pretty Messed Up”).

Billy Grammer (Billie Wayne Grammar) - Died 8-10-2011 in Benton, Illinois, U.S. - Illness (Country) Born 8-28-1925 in Benton, Illinois, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Gotta Travel On” and “I Wanna Go Home”) - Led The Travel On Boys - Illinois Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Jani Lane (Born John Kennedy Oswald and later changed to John Patrick Oswald) (aka Mitch Dynomite) - Died 8-11-2011 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, CA, U.S. (Metal) Born 2-1-1964 in Akron, Ohio, U.S. - Sang and played piano, guitar and drums - (He did, “Back Down To One” and “6 Feet Under”) - Was a member of Cyren, Dorian Gray, Plain Jane, Warrant (They did, “Cherry Pie” and “Heaven”) and Saints Of The Underground (They did, “Dead Man’s Shoes” and “Exit”) - also worked with Great White.

Richard Turner - Died 8-11-2011 - Cardiac arrest (Jazz) Born 1984 - Played trumpet - Was a member of Round Trip (They did, “Alteration” and “3 Bar”) - Worked with Drive and Friendly Fires.

Topi Sorsakoski (Pekka Erkki Juhani Tammilehto) - Died 8-13-2011 in Seinajoki, Finland - Lung cancer (Rock - Blues) Born 10-27-1952 - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Kalle Kiwes Blues Band, The Boys, Agents (They did, “Salattu Suru” and “Eeva”) and Kulkukoirat - Son of singer Yrjo Tapio.

Talaat Zein - Died 8-14-2011 - Illness - 1955 in Alexandria - Singer - (He did, “Tikki Ta” and “O’ La La”) - Was a member of The Dreamers - Worked with Les Petits Chats and Transit Black.

Betty Thatcher (Betty Mary Newsinger) (aka Betty Brown) - Died 8-15-2011 - Cancer - Born 2-16-1944 in London, England - Lyricist - (She co-wrote Renaissance’s, “Northern Lights” and “Bonjour Swansong”) - She co-wrote songs for Annie Haslam and Don Airey.

Joel Chin - Died 8-16-2011 in St Andrew, Jamaica - Shot (Reggae) He was 35 years old - Born in Jamaica - Producer - Worked with Beenie Man, Sean Paul, TOK, Beres Hammond, Wayne Wonder, Sizzla, Morgan Heritage and Tarrus Riley - Wrote songs for Elephant Man and Etana - Son of producer, Clive Chin and grandson of VP Records founders, Vincent and Patricia Chin.

Kampane (Rhian H. Stoute) - Found dead 8-16-2011 in Paramus, New Jersey, U.S. - Shot (Rap) He was 33 years old - Born in Brooklyn, New York, U.S. - (He did, “What You Drinkin’ On”).

Akiko Futaba (Yoshie Kato) - Died 8-16-2011 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (Pop) Born 2-2-1915 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan - Singer - (She did, “Furuki Hanazono” and “Yume yo Mo Ichido”) - She avoided the atomic bombing of Hiroshima while riding a train through a tunnel during the explosion.

Joe Cooper - Died 8-16-2011 - Illness - He was 87 years old - Played ukulele - Founded The Yorkshire Ukulele Circle - Debunker of the famous Cottingley Fairies photographs.

Johnson - Died 8-18-2011 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India - Heart attack - Born 3-26-1953 in Thrissur, Kerala, India - Composer, music director, harmonium player, guitarist and singer - Wrote music for many films including Palangal and Ormakkayi.

Darren Grainger (aka Darren Danger) - Died 8-?-2011 (Punk) Born 1974 - Artist, singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Cobras (They did, “Heart Throb” and “Sid n Nancy”).

Giovanni Chi - Died 8-18-2011 in Belize City - Shot - Sang and played drums, maracas and the segunda - Worked with The Larubeya Boys, Paul Nabor and Andy Palacio.

Ross Barbour - Died 8-20-2011 in Simi Valley, CA, U.S. - Cancer (Pop - Jazz) Born 12-31-1928 in Burnsville, Indiana, U.S. - Singer, drummer and trumpeter - Was a member of Hal’s Harmonizers who became The Toppers and then The Four Freshmen (They did, “Graduation Day” and “Day By Day”) - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Jerry Leiber (Jerome Leiber) - Died 8-22-2011 - Cardiopulmonary failure - Born 4-25-1933 in Baltimore, MD, U.S. - Songwriter and producer - Collaborated with Mike Stoller - (Co-wrote, “Hound Dog” and “Stand By Me”) - His songs have been recored by The Coasters, Big Mama Thornton, The Drifters, Conway Twitty, Joni Mitchell, Count Basie, Dion, Elkie Brooks, The Robins, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Brown, The Monkees, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Cheers, Edith Piaf, The Clovers, Stealers Wheel, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters, The Everly Brothers, John Mellencamp, Ray Charles, John Lennon, Donald Fagen, Ben E. King, Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, Peggy Lee, Elvis Presley, Johnny Mathis, Buddy Holly and Bobby Darin - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Nickolas Ashford - Died 8-22-2011 in New York, U.S. - Complications from throat cancer (Soul - R&B) Born 5-4-1942 in Fairfield, South Carolina, U.S. - Singer and songwriter - He was half of the duo, Ashford & Simpson (They did, “Solid” and “I’ll Find You”) - He wrote songs with his wife Valerie Simpson that were recorded by Ray Charles, The 5th Dimension, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross,  Teddy Pendergrass,  Chaka Khan, Rufus, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Tony Ruffino (Anthony Ruffino)- Died 8-22-2011 - After a stroke - He was 74 years old - Concert promoter - Co-founder of Ruffino / Vaughn Productions and founder of New Era Productions - His bookings included Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, The Police, The Rolling Stones, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, R.E.M., Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Stevie Wonder, The Allman Brothers and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Cephas Mashakada - Died 8-23-2011 in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe - Kidney failure due to diabetes - Born 1960 in Chinhoyi - Singer - (He did, “Samson”) - Was a member of The Wild Ten and Muddy Face (They did, “Denga Rababa” and “Amai Mandigona”) who became Sounds Of The Muddy Face.

Glen Croker - Died 8-23-2011 in Lake Charles, LA, U.S. - Illness (Honky Tonk - Blues - R&B - Rockabilly) Born 1934 in Lake Charles, LA, U.S. - Singer and steel guitarist - Was a member of The Hackberry Ramblers - Worked with Eddie Shuler And The Reveliers.

Frank DiLeo (Frank Michael DiLeo) - Died 8-24-2011 in North Lima, Ohio, U.S. - Complications from heart surgery - Born 10-23-1947 in Pittsburgh, PA, U.S. - Music industry executive and actor - Worked for Epic, RCA and Bell Records - Managed Michael Jackson, Taylor Dayne, Laura Branigan and Richie Sambora - Acted in the films, GoodFellas and Wayne’s World.

Jack Hayes (Jack J. Hayes) - Died 8-24-2011 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, U.S. - Born 2-8-1919 in San Francisco, CA, U.S. - Composer trumpeter, bandleader and arranger - Wrote music for the films, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and The Color Purple - Worked with Leo Shuken on the films, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid and The Magnificent Seven and for TV’s, The Virginian and Gunsmoke - Worked with Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini, Louis Bellson, Randy Newman, Tom Scott, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans - Was an arranger for Pearl Bailey and Barbra Streisand.

Chango Farias Gomez (Juan Enrique Farias Gomez) - Died 8-24-2011 in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lung infection (Argentine Folk) He was 73 years old - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of Los Huanca Hua, Musicos Populares Argentinos and La Manija.

Pekelo Cosma - Died 8-24-2011 in Makawao, Hawaii, U.S. - Heart failure - He was 51 years old - Born in Hana, Hawaii, U.S. - Slack-key guitarist and singer - Worked with The Sons Of Hawaii.

Esther Gordy Edwards - Died 8-24-2011 - Born 4-25-1920 in Oconee County, Georgia, U.S. - Was a VP and a chief executive officer for Motown Records - Founded Hitsville U.S.A , the Motown museum - Sister of Berry Gordy.

Lorenzo Morales (aka Moralito) - Died 8-26-2011 - Respiratory and kidney problems (Vallenato) He was 97 years old - Singer, composer, and accordionist - (He did, “La Gota Fria” and “La Primavera”).

B. Jeff Stone - Died 8-26-2011 in Tyler, Texas, U.S. (Country - Rockabilly) Born 4-24-1936 in San Antonio, Texas, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Hello Mr. Heartache” and “Everybody Rock”) - Led Jeff Stone And His Texas Cut-ups, The Westernairs and The Newsboys - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame Inductee, Texas-Lone Star State Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee, The Colorado Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee, The Florida Greater Southern Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and The European ICMAG Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Dan Sicko - Died 8-28-2011 - Ocular melanoma - He was 42 years old - Music journalist - Wrote for Urb and Wired magazines and wrote the book, Techno Rebels: The Renegades Of Electronic Funk.

Johnny Giosa (aka Johnny G) - Died 8-28-2011 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Car accident (Rock) He was 42 years old - Drummer - Was a member of The Bulletboys.

Honeyboy Edwards (David Edwards) (aka Mr Honey) - Died 8-29-2011 (Blues) Born 6-28-1915 in Shaw, Mississippi, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Wind Howlin’ Blues” and “The Army Blues”) -  Worked with Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Tommy Johnson and Johnny Shines.