RIP - Music's recent losses - gone but never forgotten

RIP - Whitney Houston at 48

2012-02-11T18:55:00.000-08:00

Whitney Houston died today at age 48 in Los Angeles. One of the great female artists of all time.

Photo by Chris Walter/Photofeatures

Don Cornelius Soul Train Creator dirs at age 75

2012-02-01T08:09:00.000-08:00

Don Cornelius, the man who created Soul Train, was reportedly found dead Wednesday morning at his Los Angeles home.
He was 75. Cornelius created and hosted Soul Train from 1971 to 1993.

Photo by Chris Walter/Photofeatures

Etta James dies at age 73

2012-01-20T10:14:00.000-08:00

Etta James, the Legendary Blues Inger of 'At Last' died today in Riverside, California.The 73-year-old died on Friday
at Riverside Community Hospital from complications of leukemia, with her husband and sons at her side, her manager, Lupe De Leon said.

Photo by Chris Walter/Photofeatures.

Dobie Gray dies at age 69

2011-12-07T11:52:00.001-08:00

Dobie Gray, a smooth balladeer who recorded the timeless hit "Drift Away" in 1973, has died at his home in Nashville at age 69. More photos.

Laurie McAllister of The Runaways and Orchids

2011-09-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Laurie McAllister who played the bass in L.A. bands the Runaways and the Orchids, died Aug. 25 in Eugene, Ore.

Nick Ashford of Ashford & Simpson dies at age 70.

2011-08-22T23:11:00.000-07:00

Nick Ashford, one-half of the legendary Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson that penned elegant, soulful classics for the likes of Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye and funk hits for Chaka Khan and others, died Monday at age 70,

Though they had some of their greatest success at Motown with classics like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand" by Ross and "You're All I Need To Get By" by Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Ashford & Simpson also created anthems for others, like "I'm Every Woman" by Khan (and later remade by Whitney Houston).

Jerry Leiber of songwriting duo Lieber and Stoller died at age 78

2011-08-22T17:43:00.000-07:00

Jerry Leiber, who with longtime partner Mike Stoller wrote "Hound Dog," ''Jailhouse Rock," ''Yakety Yak" and other hit songs that came to define early rock 'n' roll, died Monday. He was 78.

Jani Lane of Warrant dies at age 47

2011-08-12T00:23:00.000-07:00

Jani Lane of Warrant was found dead today in a hotel room in Woodland Hills at age 47.

Dan Peek of America dies at age 60

2011-07-25T20:53:00.000-07:00

Dan Peek (right), original member of America died yesterday at age 60.

Clarence Clemons - The Big Man dies at age 69

2011-06-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

Sadly we lost the Soul of the East Street Band today - Clarence Clemons.

From Bruce -
"Clarence lived a wonderful life," The Boss writes. "He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage.
"His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music.
"His life, his memory and his love will live on in that story and in our band."

Andrew Gold - Singer and Songwriter dies at age 53

2011-06-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

Andrew Gold died June 3rd of a heart attack at age 53.

John Walker of Walker Brothers Dies

2011-05-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

John Walker ( John Maus) of the Walker Brothers has died in Los Angeles.

Elizabeth Taylor dies at age 79

2011-03-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Taylor died today at age 79

Ronnie Hammond of Atlanta Rhythm Section dies at age 60

2011-03-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

Ronnie Hammond, singer of Atlanta Rhythm section died March 14th of a heart attack.

Rapper Nate Dogg dies at 41

2011-03-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

Rapper Nate Dogg, partner with Snoop Dogg and Warren G has died at age 41.

Gary Moore - Guitarist

2011-02-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

The renowned rock guitarist Gary Moore has died in a hotel room in Spain.

Mr Moore, 58, was, originally from Belfast, and was a former member of the legendary Irish group Thin Lizzy.
Adam Parsons, who manages Thin Lizzy, told the BBC that Mr Moore had died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Bobby Farrell of Boney M dies at age 61

2010-12-30T07:34:00.000-08:00

Singer Bobby Farrell, of the 1970s European chart-topping group Boney M, was found dead in his hotel bed Thursday while on tour in Russia, his agent said. He was 61

Teena Marie dies at age 54

2010-12-26T21:57:00.000-08:00

R&B singer and songwriter Teena Marie, best known for the hit 1980s singles "Lovergirl" and "Ooo La La La," died at her home in Los Angeles on Sunday, according to news reports. She was 54.

Captain Beefheart - Don Van Vliet dies at 69

2010-12-17T20:15:00.000-08:00

SAN FRANCISCO – Musician and artist Don Van Vliet - Captain Beefheart, who performed a complex brand of experimental rock under the name Captain Beefheart, died Friday. He was 69.

Gregory Isaacs Reggae Pioneer

2010-10-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

Gregory Isaacs , the Jamaican reggae singer whose smooth style earned him the nickname "Cool Ruler," has died. He was 59. Isaacs' manager, Copeland Forbes, said the singer died Monday at his London home. Isaacs had been diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago, but continued performing until weeks before his death.

His wife Linda said Isaacs was "well-loved by everyone, his fans and his family, and he worked really hard to make sure he delivered the music they loved and enjoyed."

Solomon Burke dies at age 70.

2010-10-10T07:11:00.000-07:00

Solomon Burke the larger-than-life "King of Rock and Soul," whose songs blended soul, gospel, country and R&B, died early Sunday at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport at age 70.

He wrote "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" in 1964 and it was later featured in the Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi movie "The Blues Brothers." The Rolling Stones and Wilson Pickett also recorded it.
His song "Cry To Me" featured in the background as a bare-chested Patrick Swayze danced seductively with Jennifer Grey in one of the most memorable scenes from the movie "Dirty Dancing."

Photo is Solomon Burke in 1965 by Chris Walter.

Pete Quaife of The Kinks

2010-06-25T16:52:00.000-07:00

Pete Quaife, the original bass player on the 60's hits for the Kinks has died at age 66

Dennis Hopper

2010-05-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

Dennis Hopper dies at age 74. Not a music star maybe but Easy Rider is near enough! This was Dennis in 2005 at Alice Cooper's Golf Tournament in Scottsdale. Dennis was also a great photographer, check out his photo on the cover of the Ike & Tina Turner classic River Deep Album.

Ronnie James Dio - Rainbow / Dio/ Black Sabbath

2010-05-16T23:45:00.000-07:00

Ronnie James Dio, singer for metal bands Rainbow, Dio, and Black Sabbath died today in Los Angeles. One of the best music people I ever dealt with.

Jim Marshall - Legendary Rock Photographer Dies

2010-03-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

Until a few weeks ago I'd never met Jim Marshall. I knew his work, and his legendary ways, but until we both were on the panel with Graham Nash to launch the Taking Aim book and Exhibition, our paths had not crossed. Jim was friendly and sociable and I'm glad I finally met him before he and his beloved Leica left us. But with the picture at the right the legendary persona of Jim showed, most photographers don't like being photographed, and when the pressing of the shutter was taking too long he uttered the immortal words "Just take the f****** picture". A lasting final memory of a real character!

The photo is Neal Preston, Jim Marshall, Henry Diltz, Chris Walter and Graham Nash.