Rock Star Death Notices - November 2011

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Freddie Gruber

Freddie Gruber

Skip McQuinn - Died 10-2-2011 - Heart problem - He was 64 years old - Drummer, engineer, producer, and studio owner - Was a member of Johnny Barfield Jr. And The Men From S.O.U.L. (They did, “Mr. Starlight” and “We’ve Got That”) - Worked with Dr. Hook, Willie Nelson and Carla Thomas.

Kay Armen (Armenuh Manoogian) - Died 10-3-2011 in New York, NY, U.S. (Pop) Born 11-2-1915 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Singer - (She did, “Be Good To Yourself” and “My Love And I”).

Daisy DeBolt - Died 10-4-2011 - Cancer (Folk - Jazz - Avant-garde) Born 1945 - Sang and played mandolin, accordion and guitar - She was half of duo, Fraser & DeBolt - Daughter of musician, Marjorie DeBolt.

Bert Jansch (Herbert Jansch) - Died 10-5-2011 (Folk - Folk Rock) Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Veronica ” and “A Man I’d Rather Be”) - He was half of the duo, Bert And John (They did, “Stepping Stones” and “East Wind”) and a member of Pentangle (They did, “Train Song” and “Springtime Promises”).

Bess Bonnier - Died 10-6-2011 in Grosse Pointe, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. (Jazz) Born 1928 - Pianist - Worked with Jack Brokensha, Tommy Flanigan, Roland Hanna and Pepper Adams.

Chakanetsa Kumulani - Died 10-6-2011 in Domboshava - Illness - He was 41 years old - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Gakamoto Jumbo Stars (They did, “Chirangano” and “Mukuwasha Dondo”).

Donald Banks - Died 10-7-2011 - Complications of a stroke and cancer (R&B) Bassist - Was a member of The Latineers who became The Tymes (They did, “So Much In Love” and “Wonderful Wonderful”) - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Khumbulani Magaya - Died 10-12-2011 in Mhondoro - Illness - He was 41 years old - Singer - Was a member of Vabati VaJehovah (They did, “Chiripo Chikomo” and “Tirimo Munzira”).

Roger Willams (Louis Wertz) - Died 10-8-2011 in Los Angeles , CA, U.S. - Complications of pancreatic cancer (Pop - Easy Listening) Born 10-1-1924 in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. - He was 87 years old - Pianist - (He did, “Autumn Leaves” and “Born Free”) - Played for nine U.S. presidents - Hit Parade Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Mikey Welsh (Michael Edward Welsh) - Died 10-8-2011 (Rock) Born 4-20-1971 in Syracuse, New York, U.S. - Guitarist, bassist, singer and artist - Worked with Heretix, Juliana Hatfield, Chevy Heston, Jocobono, Verbena, Left Nut, The Rivers Cuomo Band, The Special Goodness, Slower and Weezer (They did, “Island In The Sun” and “Photograph”).

David Hess (David Alexander Hess) (aka David Hill and David Dante) - Died 10-8-2011 in Tiburon, California, U.S. - Heart attack - Born 9-19-1936 in New York , NY, U.S. - (He did, “Speedy Gonzales” as David Dante and the original version of, “All Shook Up”) - Composed music for the horror classic film, The Last House On The Left - His songs have been recorded by Sal Mineo (“Start Movin’”), The Ames Brothers (“Rockin’ Shoes”),  Andy Williams (“Your Hand, Your Heart, Your Love”), Pat Boone and Elvis Presley (“Come Along” and “Sand Castles”).

Piet Noordijk - Died 10-9-2011 in Hellevoetsluis, Holland - Illness - Born 5-26-1932 in Rotterdam, Holland - Saxophonist - Worked with Wynton Marsalis, The Ramblers, The Metropole Orchestra, Rita Reys, Nina Simone, Dexter Gordon and Toots Thielemans.

Tony Goodwin - Died 10-?-2011 in Lakes Road - Illness (Skiffle - Rock - Jazz) Born 1934 - Played guitar and banjo - Was a member of The Bogeymen - Led The Severn Valley Skiffle Kings.

Rosie Mello (aka Rosie Hall) - Died 10-10-2011 in Chico - Diabetes (Country) She was 71 years old - Singer.

Jagjit Singh (Jagmohan Singh)- The Ghazal King - Died 10-10-2011 in Mumbai, Bombay, India - After a stroke and coma - Born 2-8 1941 in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, India - Singer - Worked with his wife singer, Chitra Singh.

Jyohji Yanagi - Died 10-10-2011 (Blues) He was 63 years old - Singer and guitarist.

George Yanagi - Died 10-10-2011 in Yokohama, Japan - Kidney failure (Rock) He was 63 years old - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Ame ni naiteru” (Weeping In The Rain)  and “Hohoemi no hosoku” (Smile On Me)) - Led Yanagi George & Rainy Wood.

Eddie Balandas - Died 10-10-2011 - Congestive heart failure - He was 59 years old - Played trumpet - Worked with Chase, Looking Glass (“Brandy”) and The Village People (“YMCA” and “Macho Man”) - He worked security for Kiss, Weird Al Yankovic and Alice Cooper.

Alexander Lehrman - Died 10-10-2011 in Newark, Delaware, U.S. (Rock) Born 5-24-1952 - Singer and bassist - Worked with Araks, Sasha & Yura and Wesjolyje Rebjata.

Freddie Gruber - Died 10-11-2011 - Illness (Jazz) Born 5-27-1927 - Drummer and drum teacher - Worked with Charlie Parker, Terry Gibbs and Buddy DeFranco - His students included, Neil Peart, Vinnie Colaiuta, Bruce Becker, Steve Smith and Dave Weckl.

Kim Brown - Died 10-11-2011 in Helsinki, Finland - Cancer (Rock) Born 6-2-1945 in Birmingham, England - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Renegades and The Cadillacs - Worked with Hasse Walli and Markus Raivio.

Mojo Buford (George Buford) - Died 10-11-2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - Illness (Blues) Born 11-10-1929 in Hernando, Mississippi, U.S. - Played harmonica - Worked with The Savage Boys and Muddy Waters.

Taku Mafika - Died 10-11-2011 - Brain hemorrhage - Born 10-31-1983 - Mbira player - (He did, “Chikuru Rudo”) - Worked with Willom Tight, Alexio Kawara, Michael Mabwe, Tina Watyoka and Sam Mtukudzi.

Andre Minga - Died 10-11-2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil - Illness - Singer - (He did, “Mufete”).

Al Vescovo (Albert E. Vescovo) - Died 10-11-2011 in Van Nuys, CA, U.S.- Pulmonary difficulties - Born 2-27-1936 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Steel guitarist - Worked with Spike Jones, Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Johnny Mathis, Stanley Turrentine, Stan Kenton, Bill Cosby, Sonny And Cher, The Sons Of The Pioneers, The Mills Brothers, Sarah Vaughn, Pat Boone, Herbie Mann and Lawrence Welk.

Harold Davison - Died 10-11-2011 in Palm Springs, CA, U.S. - Congestive heart failure - Born 1922 in London, England - Talent agent, manager and producer - As a booking agent he worked with Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, The Rolling Stones, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and The Dave Clark Five - He was married to singer, Marion Ryan.

Colin Vokes - Died 10-11-2011 - Illness (Pop) Born 1945 in Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks - Artist, guitarist and keyboardist - Was a member of Speermint.

Taz DiGregorio (Joel DiGregorio) - Died 10-12-2011 in Tennessee, U.S. - Car accident (Country Rock) He was 67 years old - Keyboardist and singer -  (Co-wrote, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia”) - Was a member of The Charlie Daniels Band.

Buddy Sharpe (Bernard E. Gareis) - Died 10-12-2011 (Rock - R&B) Born 12-14-1937 in Atlasburg - Led Buddy Sharpe And The Shakers (They did, “Linda Lee” and “Bald Headed Baby”) - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Paul Leka - Died 10-12-2011 - He was 70 years old - Songwriter, pianist and arranger - (Co-wrote Steam’s, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” and The Lemon Pipers’, “Green Tambourine”) - Was a member of The Chateaus - Produced The Peppermint Rainbow and The Left Banke - Wrote and/or arranged for REO Speedwagon, Jimmie Spheeris, Lori Lieberman, Harry Chapin and Gloria Gaynor.

Pavlina Nikaj - Died 10-13-2011 - Born 5-15-1931 in Korca, Albania - Singer - (Did, “Trendafil mos u zemero” and “Udhet e lumturise”).

Marty Harris - Died 10-13-2011 (Jazz) Born 1933 - Pianist and music director - Worked with Benny Goodman, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Zoot Sims, Anita O’Day and Jack Sheldon.

Chuck Ruff - Died 10-14-2011 in San Francisco, California, U.S. - Illness (Rock) Born 5-25-1951 in Reno, Nevada, U.S. - Drummer - Led The Chuck Ruff Group and Geezerslaw - Worked with Sawbuck, The Edgar Winter Group (They did, “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride”) and Sammy Hagar (“Bad Reputation” and “Mommy Says, Daddy Says”).

Theron Brison (aka Thee-Ram Jam) - Died 10-14-2011 in San Jacinto - Murdered (Funk) He was 48 years old - Bassist - Worked with Bootsy Collins.

Octavis Berry (aka Esbe Da 6th St. Bully) - Died 10-14-2011 in Austin, TX, U.S. - Pulmonary embolism (Rap) He was 30 years old - (He did, “Go Hard Or Go Home” and “Da Buuly”) - Was half of the duo, Dred Skott - Worked with League Of Extraordinary Gz and Dead Prez.

Betty Driver (Elizabeth Mary Driver) - Died 10-15-2011 (Pop - Big Band) Born 5-20-1920 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England - Singer and actress - (She did, “Jubilee Baby” and “The Sailor With The Navy Blue Eyes”) - Appeared as Betty Williams on TV’s, Coronation Street.

Tongai Moyo (aka Dhewa) - Died 10-15-2011 in Harare - Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma - Born 3-12-1968 in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe - Singer - (He did, “Ndinotenda Dhiya” and “Ganda Remvura”) - Led The Utakataka Express - Worked with The Shirichena Jazz Band.

Pete Rugolo (Pietro Rugolo) - Died 10-16-2011 in Sherman Oaks - Born 12-25-1915 in San Piero Patti, Sicily, Italy - Played French horn and piano and was a composer and arranger - Worked for Stan Kenton, Johnny Richards, Nat King Cole, June Christy, Peggy Lee, Miles Davis, The Four Freshmen and Billy Eckstine - Contributed music for TV’s, Leave It To Beaver, The Fugitive and Run For Your Life.

Charles Hamm (Charles Edward Hamm) - Died 10-16-2011 in Lebanon, NH, U.S. - Pneumonia - Born in 4-21-1925 inCharlottesville, VA, U.S. - Author and trombonist - He wrote the books Yesterdays: Popular Song In America, Irving Berlin: Songs From The Melting Pot and Music In The New World - Founding member of The International Association For The Study Of Popular Music.

Johnny Dee (Keith Landers) - Died 10-17-2011 - After a dialysis treatment (Rock) He was 60 years old - Led Johnny Dee And The Rocket 88s.

Tommy Martin - Died 10-18-2011 in Lubbock, TX, U.S. - Cardiac arrest after his motorcycle struck a deer - Musician - Was a member of The Mixx Band.

Bob Brunning (Robert Brunning) - Died 10-18-2011 (Blues Rock) Born 6-29-1943 in Bournemouth, England - Bassist, guitarist and pianist - Led The Brunning Sunflower Blues Band - Worked with Fleetwood Mac (“Long Grey Mare”), Tramp, The DeLuxe Blues Band and Savoy Brown.

Reginald Curry - Died 10-18-2011 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Liver failure (Jazz) He was 59 years old - Born in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Bassist - Worked with The Sound Of Freedom (They did, “Suggie’s Soul ‘n’ Blues”), Wiusie Metribu, Khan Jamal and Sonny Murray

Mickey Goldsen - Died 10-19-2011 in Encino - He was 99 years old - Established The Association Of Independent Music Publishers - Founder of Criterion Music Corp. who published Don Ho’s, “Tiny Bubbles” and Jackson Browne’s, “Doctor My Eyes” - Worked for Capitol Records.

John-Alex Mason - Died 10-19-2011 - Complications after surgery (Blues - Roots - Rock) He was 35 years old - Singer and guitarist - Worked with Lionel Young, Gerry Hundt and Fara Tolno.

Earl Gilliam - Died 10-19-2011 in Tomball - Lung disease (Blues) Born 1-30-1930 in Lafayette, LA, U.S. - Pianist - (He did, “Wrong Doing Woman” and “Don’t Make Me Late”) - Led The Earl Gilliam Blues Revue - Worked with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Albert Collins, Albert King, Joe “Guitar” Hughes and Ivory Lee Semien.

Barry Feinstein - Died 10-20-2011 in Woodstock, NY, U.S. - Natural causes - He was 80 years old - Photographer - He did about 500 record covers - Best remembered for his photos of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and George Harrison.

Robert Hunter - Died 10-20-2011 - Cancer (Rap) Born 1975 - (He did, “Never Commit”) - Was a member of the MC collective Syllabolix Crew - Worked with Mortar.

Terry Span - Died 10-20-2011 - From injuries he received trying to break up a fight on October 7th (Metal) He was 48 years old - Guitarist and keyboardist - Was a member of Aleister Wilde (They did, “Child’s Play” and “Dracula”) - Worked with Robert Sweet, Kelle Rhoads, Rudy Sarzo, Kelly Garni and Carla Harvey.

Billy Diamond - Died 10-20-2011 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - He was 95 years old - Bass player, promoter and manager - Promotor for Shirley And Lee, Huey “Piano” Smith and James Booker - Gave Fats Domino one of his first gigs and nickname

Fred Ferrara - Died 10-21-2011 - Cardiac arrest (Rock - R&B) Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Brooklyn Bridge (“Worst That Could Happen”) and The Del Satins (They did, “I’ll Pray For You” and “Teardrops Follow Me”) who backed Dion (“Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer”) - Worked with Ernie Maresca (“Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)”) and Jack Scott - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee and Long Island Music Hall Of Fame.

Edmundo Ros - Died 10-21-2011 in Alicante, Spain (Rumba) Born 12-7-1910 in Trinidad, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies - Musician and singer - Led Edmondo Ros And His Orchestra (They did, “Los Hijos de Buda” and “‘The Wedding Samba”) - Worked with Don Marino Baretto’s Band and Fats Waller.

Gilani Taylor - Died 10-21-2011 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - After an October 8th car accident in which her daughter perished (R&B) She was 27 years old - Singer - (She did, “I Know”).

Aaron Beamish - Died 10-21-2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Hit by a truck while skateboarding (Rock) He was 25 years old - Drummer - Was a member of Slow Motion Victory (They did, “In The Beginning”).

Mark Hibbert - Died 10-22-2011 - Heart attack while loading music equipment in his driveway (Folk Rock) He was 62 years old - Guitarist and bassist - Was a member of Nomad Fish, Axis Drive, Superband and Merrilee Rush And The Turnabouts.

Bill Lee (William F. Lee III) - Died 10-23-2011 - Natural causes (Jazz) He was 82 years old - Pianist - Worked with Charlie “Bird” Parker, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Howard McGhee and Gerry Mulligan - Wrote biographies for Bill Evans, Billy Taylor, Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson - Father of bassist, Will Lee.

Gene Kurtz (Eugene Kurtz, Jr.) - Died 10-23-2011 - Metastatic lung cancer - Born 10-9-1943 in San Antonio, Texas, U.S. - Bassist - (Co-wrote Roy Head’s, “Treat Her Right”) - Worked with Denny Ezba & The Goldens, Edgar Winter, Johnny Nash, Johnny Bush, Miss Molly & The Whips, Bo Diddley, Booker T., Roy Head And The Traits, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Mose Allison, Percy Sledge, Bobby “Blue” Bland, The Coasters, Dale Watson & His Lonestars, The Fifth Dimension, Trini Lopez, Andy Williams, B.J. Thomas, Wanda Jackson, Pat Boone, Ezra Charles and Johnny Lee -  Texas Legacy Music Awards Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Henk Pleket - Died 10-23-2011 - Cancer Born 5-16-1937 in Arnhem - Singer - Was a member of El Mondo Combo and De Havenzangers (They did, “s Nachts na tweeen” and “Aan het strand stil en verlaten”).

Tommy Doss (Lloyd Thomas Doss) - Died 10-25-2011 in Enterprise, Oregon, U.S. (Country) Born 1920 in Weiser, Idaho, U.S. - Sang and played harmonica and guitar - Was a member of The Sons Of The Grande Ronde and The Sons Of The Pioneers - Worked with Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys, The Rhythm Busters and Ole Rasmussen And His Nebraska Cornhuskers - Western Music Association Hall of Fame Inductee.

Steve Harris - Died 10-?-2011 - Brain tumor (Rock) Guitarist - Was a member Trojan who became Shy.

Dave Donnelly - Died 10-26-2011 in Orange, Mass., U.S. - Heart attack (Country) Born 1941 in Washington, D.C., U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, “Whiskey Please Help Me Again”).

Phil Pollard (Phillip Andrew Pollard) - Died 10-29-2011 - Stroke - Born 10-27-1967 in Fort Benning, GA, U.S. - Drummer - Led Phil Pollard And The Band Of Humans (They did, “Beautiful Chords” and “Sylvia Plath”) and Phil Pollard And His Bonnaroompah Band - Worked with The Slomski Brothers, Sarah Schwabe And The Yankee Jazz Band, Splork, Dick Butt Kiss And The Tightends, The Lonetones, Hotel X, The Sean McCollough Band and The Bearded.