411 Music Presents...2008 Year In Review: Part 3 – Tributes
Posted by Mitch Michaels on 01.12.2009
411 Music takes a look back at the music heroes we lost in 2008, from a blues icon and some of country’s most notable gentlemen to a hip-hop producer on the rise and some punk/metal workhorses to some of rock’s most towering figures…
Several musical icons left us in the year 2008. 411 would like to take a moment now to look back at their stellar careers and the indelible mark they left on their fans.
Static Major
Who is Stephen Garrett aka Static Major?
Well, he was more than just the singer of the #1 hit "Lollipop" that helped catapult Lil Wayne to the forefront of mainstream music. Static Major was a pioneer in songwriting, penning hits for the likes of Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Nas, and Destiny's Child. Such songs in Static's discography include: "Pony"- Ginuwine, "Rock The Boat"- Aaliyah, "Try Again" – Aaliyah, "Come as You Are" – Brandy, "On the Hotline" – Pretty Ricky, "Lollipop" – Lil Wayne and "Tell Me" – Christina Aguilera feat. Diddy.
And that's just scratching the surface. The man produced many of the songs he wrote as well. Honestly, I didn't know much about Stephen Garrett until "Lollipop" and sadly even more until after his untimely death. After researching his discography, I found that some of the most popular R&B songs over the last decade or so have come from one man, who until this year, was unknown by most of the country. On February 25, 2008, Garrett died due to complications from a medical procedure at Baptist East Hospital in his native Louisville, Kentucky. Based on numerous reports by AllHipHop.com, Vibe, and other respectable hip-hop publications, sources state that Garrett could have still lived had he been treated properly.
While questions may still arise on the details of his premature death, one thing is for certain. Stephen Garrett will go down as one of the greatest songwriters of all time and a man who passed away before America could truly get to know him. He may be gone, but his legacy lives on through his spirit and most importantly—his music. - Fred Richani
Levi Stubbs
Levis Stubbs is best known as the lead singer of the Motown R&B group The Four Tops. He was the only baritone of the group with the others all being tenors. This was done to give the lead vocals a sense of urgency that can be found in great Four Tops hits like "Baby I Need Your Loving", "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar-Pie, Honey-Bunch)", and "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I Got)".
Stubbs dabbled in acting a bit. He provided the voice of the man-eating plant, Audrey II, in the 1986 motion picture version of Little Shop of Horrors. He also provided the voice of Mother Brain on the cartoon "Captain N: The Game Master".
The Four Tops signed to the legendary Motown label in 1963 and scored over a dozen hits within the next decade. They've sold over 50 million records worldwide and were inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Stubbs was forced to leave the group in 1995 after suffering a stroke. He died in his sleep at his home on October 17th, 2008 in Detroit. - Jasper Jones
Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed was seemingly a jack-of-all trades. He was a country singer, guitarist, session musician, songwriter, and even an actor. Musically, he is probably best known for his song "Amos Moses" (recently featured in the video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas") and the theme song for Smokey And The Bandit, "East Bound and Down".
Reed's first big hit was a song called "Guitar Man" in 1967, which Elvis Presley soon covered. He played guitar on Elvis' version of the song as well as Elvis' hit "Big Boss Man". In 1971, Reed hit it big with his highest charting single ever, "When You're Hot, You're Hot", which topped the charts. Even though he considered himself a songwriter first-and-foremost, Jerry Reed was such a great guitar-picker that Chet Akins bestowed upon him the award of "Certified Guitar Player", an award that Akins gave out only to those who had truly mastered the guitar.
Jerry Reed had a pretty successful career as an actor as well. He made appearances on "The New Scooby-Doo Movies", "Alice", "Mama's Family", had his own variety show, and even starred in a few made-for-TV films. As for the big screen, Reed co-starred in all three Smokey and The Bandit movies, was in Survivors with Robin Williams and Walter Matthau, and played the antagonist coach in Adam Sandler's 1998 movie The Waterboy.
Reed's life came to an end on September 1, 2008. He succumbed to a bout with emphysema at the age of 71 in Nashville, TN. - Jasper Jones
LeRoi Moore
LeRoi Moore passed away earlier this year from complications stemming from an ATV accident in June. Moore was an accomplished woodwind musician, and played baritone, bass, tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, along with the flute, bass clarinet, penny whistle, and oboe. Moore was a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, and, although he wasn't credited as a songwriter on many songs, was often key to helping arrange the music.
Moore met Dave Matthews while Matthews was working at a Virginia bar that Moore would often play at. Dave has often jokingly described their first meeting by saying that LeRoi was "leaning on the cash register because standing had become a chore." Matthews described Moore's rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at their first meeting as "the day I fell in love with him." Moore was the most private member of the Dave Matthews Band, often wearing sunglasses during shows and rarely speaking or giving interviews. He instead let his music speak for him, and rarely has a musician been so adept at letting emotion be shown through an instrument. Moore's versatility allowed the Dave Matthews Band to explore a variety of styles, from acoustic pop rock to mellow bluesy songs to heavy funk rock. Moore always contributed in a way that complemented the song, sometimes with subtle background harmonies and sometimes with blistering solos. While many may feel that a saxophone is nothing more than an accompanying background instrument in rock music, LeRoi Moore made it an integral part of the music of the Dave Matthews Band.
It's already been decided that DMB will continue without Moore, and I agree with this decision. However, no replacement, no matter how competent, will be able to take the place of LeRoi Moore. Personally, I'm going to miss his powerful versions of "All Along The Watchtower," and how he defined the ending of that song. I'm going to miss his extended solos in "#41." I'm going to miss his penny whistle in "Bartender" and his flute in "Dreaming Tree." More than anything, however, I'm going to miss the presence he had as he did nothing more than make amazing music. - Jeff Modzelewski
Eddy Arnold
Richard Edward "Eddy" Arnold died May 8, 2008, just days shy of his 90th birthday. To commemorate his passing, RCA records released "To Life" off of his 2005 album After All These Years. It debuted at #49 on the country charts, making Arnold the oldest person of any genre to chart on Billboard and gave him a hit single in seven decades. His biggest hits were "Cattle Call," "Make the World Go Away," "I'll Hold You in My Heart," "I Want to Go With You" and "Then You Can Tell Him Goodbye."
In his career as a country music artist he sold 85 million albums and had 147 songs on the country charts, including 28 #1 hits. In 2003 he ranked 22nd on CMT's list of the top 40 greatest men in country music. He received the Academy of Country Music's Pioneer Award in 1985 and was voted the Country Music Association's first Entertainer of the Year Award in 1967. He was voted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966.
Arnold was the originator of the "Nashville Sound," which incorporated strings and more pop sounding arrangements into country music. Arnold was not the traditional country and western star as he preferred modest suits, didn't wear a cowboy hat and searched for songs that explored love, romance and loss. Arnold also had a voice that was soft with control and he used good diction. Arnold was the Frank Sinatra of the country scene. - Leonard Hayhurst
Richard Wright
Whenever a band gains some measure of success, usually one or two members are chosen as the leaders or spokesmen of the band. The personalities of these leaders often overshadow their bandmates, which often leads to a band's breakup. Pink Floyd's leadership changed from Syd Barrett to Roger Waters and finally to David Gilmour, but always in the background, unassuming to a fault, was keyboard player Richard Wright.
Wright, who died of an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year, hovered behind the stronger personalities but remained with the band from its inception in the late 60's until his death. (There was a brief interlude during one of Water's more ego driven phases shortly after the recording of The Wall.) Wright wrote a handful of tunes over the years - two of the best are "Summer ‘68" from Atom Heart Mother and "Wearing The Inside Out" from The Division Bell - but his main contribution to the band was through his sense of melody and atmosphere on keyboards. Floyd classics such as "Great Gig In The Sky" and "Us and Them" likely wouldn't have become classics without Wright's input and jazz-influenced improvisational skills.
While Syd was eventually consumed by his shadows and Roger and David struggled to keep those shadows at bay, Richard and drummer Nick Mason, attempted, on every Floyd album, to create a recognizable horizon line for the rest of us to enter into the Floydian world of shadows and light with a certain degree of familiarity and safety. That line may be redrawn by other musicians in time, but never with Wright's artistry. - Paul Hollingsworth
Norman Whitfield
It all started from a conversation between Philly International Records co-owner Kenneth Gamble and Temptations member Otis Williams about the direction that black music was heading, especially with the buzz that Sly & the Family Stone was creating. The music was entering a more progressive, creative phase, and if the Tempts were to survive, they had to adapt to it. Eventually, Otis would approach Norman Whitfield, who was already providing them lots of definitive hits, and ask him to change his style to fit the new tone. Norman's original reaction: "I don't want to get into all that crazy shit!" However, slowly but surely, he would come around and give it a shot.
It was that decision that took him from "hit-making Motown songwriter/producer" to being one of the movers and shakers during that progressive period in Black Music. He would become a musical innovator that brought a lot out of the musicians and singers that he worked with...sometimes while dragging them kicking and screaming. He would develop the Psychedelic Soul sound, his take on the work that Sly and the Fam popularized, and wrote songs that delved into more socially conscious subjects that was a departure from the sweet love ballads that dominated the charts. Not only would this sound drive the Temptations' late 60's to early 70's output, but would also drive the work of artists like Edwin Starr, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and the Undisputed Truth. As the mid 70's rolled around and Disco became huge, he would successfully adapt to that as well, with his work with Rose Royce, Stargard, and the Car Wash soundtrack.
Norman Whitfield takes his place with other musical trendsetters of the time, like Gamble & Huff, Charles Stepney (the Rotary Connection and Earth Wind & Fire), Isaac Hayes, and Curtis Mayfield. - Phil Watts, Jr.
Isaac Hayes
December 9, 1967. On that day, a plane crash would rob Stax Records of some of its finest musicians (some of the original members of the Bar-Kays), and i's #1 draw (Otis Redding, one of the greatest soul singers of all time). This tragedy would leave Stax Records in complete disarray. It was also one of the things that symbolized the end of the classic 60's era of music, as the music world would begin to change to a more experimental, progressive phase. However, one man would rise above the ranks, and not only revitalize the label, but would also help set the standards of that progressive era of music.
Isaac Hayes was that man.
Hayes was famous for crafting what would be known as Cinematic Soul. He would orchestrate broad, sweeping arrangements to give his music that widescreen feel. He would also be one of the main artists that broke the 2-minute-and-some-change criteria that most songs followed and popularized the extended monologue (where the singer would speak to the listener during the course of the song). With this musical direction, he brought us many brilliant covers ("By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "Walk On By", "If Loving You Is Wrong", and many others), produce classic soundtracks (Shaft, Three Tough Guys, and Truck Turner--the latter two in which he actually starred in!) He also took part in a creative feud with fellow baritone loverman Barry White, which resulted in the both of them being considered sex symbols. As the 80's rolled around, most of his attention would be directed toward movies and TV shows, showing the world that he's not above making fun of himself (that was until the Scientologists got a hold of him, but we're not going to get into that...)
Before his death, he worked on the Sam Jackson vehicle, Soul Men, and made a return to his first love--the music--by helping to reestablish the label he had his start: Stax Records. - Phil Watts, Jr.
Buddy Miles
Although probably best known for his stint with Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles was an exceptional drummer and vocalist in his own right, known for his jazzy rhythms and soulful voice.
In 1947 George Allen Miles Jr. was born in Omaha, NE to a musical family. By the age of 12 he was already drumming in his father's jazz outfit The Bebops. After working as a session player in various jazz and R&B acts across the country, the drummer was spotted by Mike Bloomfield. The guitarist enlisted Miles in his new band the Electric Flag. The project was brief, but it allowed Miles to spread his creative wings, becoming bandleader for a while after Bloomfield's departure.
He formed The Buddy Miles Express in 1968, who recorded their debut album with a Mr. Hendrix in the producer's chair. Miles returned the favor, drumming on Hendrix's Electric Ladyland album later that year. After Hendrix disbanded The Experience in 1969, he joined up with Buddy Miles and bassist Billy Cox to form the Band of Gypsys. Although the trio only released the one self-titled live album, the band was successful and served as a springboard to the drummer's career.
Miles immediately followed this up by recording his most famous work Them Changes in 1971, an album which was on the charts for a full year. In 1972 Miles began touring and recording with Carlos Santana – releasing Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles Live! – an album recorded inside an inactive volcano. More solo work followed before Miles took an extended hiatus from the music business. In his later years, Miles became the front man for The California Raisins and Santana as well as working with Bootsy Collins. In his own words he wanted to be remembered as "The baddest of the bad. People say I'm the baddest drummer. If that's true, thank you world." - Rob Samuels
Steve Foley
Steve Foley was the last touring drummer for The Replacements and played in Tommy Stinson's post-Replacements band, Bash and Pop. Though he never recorded one note for The ‘Mats, his Vincent Pappalle (the walk on receiver for the Eagles)-like story of getting into the band is what dreams are made of.
From the oral history of the band, (All Over But the Shouting), Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson stopped off at a bar on the way to an audition, got drunk and needed a ride. Foley obliged and when they got into the car the band's new CD All Shook Down was blaring from his speakers. At that moment the pair declared Foley the new drummer for The Replacements. However after 6 months of touring the band broke up as Paul went solo and Tommy and Steve started Bash and Pop.
Bash and Pop's most notable song, "Making Me Sick", was on the Clerks soundtrack as well as featured in the movie. Foley was 49. - Tom Santoro
Mitch Mitchell
Renowned for his work with the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Mitch Mitchell was one of the greatest drummers of the 60's. Known for his wild playing style and irregular rhythms, Mitchell provided a stylish backbone to Jimi Hendrix's infamous psychedelic sound.
Born in 1946, Mitchell originally intended on being an actor – starring in a BBC children's show as a teen. In the end Mitchell found his true calling as a session drummer, working around London for many 60's artists including the Pretty Things. In 1966 he was invited by Chas Chandler to audition for the new band being formed around US import Jimi Hendrix. Apparently Mitchell won the job off the toss of a coin after Chandler and Hendrix could not decide between him and Aynsley Dunbar.
Clearly the pair made the correct decision, as Mitchell became a vital collaborator to the Experience. His on stage improvisations with Hendrix were electric and helped define the bands sound. Hugely praised for his recording work with The Experience, it is a huge shame that Mitchell's recording career died with Hendrix in 1970 - the drummer rarely entering a studio again. He will be forever remembered as one of the most innovative and stylish drummers of his generation. - Rob Samuels
Bo Diddley
"You don't know bo diddly", an old time southern African American colloquialism that translates into "You don't know ‘nothing at all'", might be ancient slang today, but it was also the nickname of a teenage Golden Gloves boxer by the name Ellas McDaniel. A nickname that would become a stage name when he would work the streets of Chicago playing the blues, eventually start his own band, cross blues into rock & roll - which helped launch the music revolution of every generation to follow, have a rhythm/beat named after him that would inspire generations of performers, and overall become a giant that created modern music culture.
Over the course of Diddley's enormous career, he was Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received a *Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame as "A recording of lasting qualitative or historical significance", received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, was paid tribute by the US Congress paid tribute in 2003 who called him "one of the true pioneers of rock and roll, who has influenced generations", ranked #20 on Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
In 2005, he celebrated his 50th year in music with a world tour at the age of 76. Sadly, in May of 2007, Bo Diddley had a stroke and was admitted to intensive care. It was the beginning of long health struggle that Bo sadly lost. Several months later Bo Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Florida.
Simple rhythms, Chicago and the Deep South traditions of the blues, nursery rhymes gone hip, and a single chord that would excite and motivate more than most people could do with all six strings.
It really was nothing…
But in the end it became everything.
I'm not sure I would be here writing this without Bo Diddley. Sure, my column is a metal/hard rock mesh of old school and new heavy music, but it all started with Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. And who where their idols? Old school rock. The blues. The founding fathers of Rock who put it all together – Men like Bo Diddley who made the guitar such a prominent part of that sound.
Born in Germany in 1946, Klaus Dinger first rose to prominence as the drummer for legendary outfit Kraftwerk. Dinger was brought in by founders Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider to play drums on the band's debut Beat Club. By the time Kraftwerk reconvened, Dinger was on to other projects.
In 1971, Klaus formed the prog-rock band Neu! with another Kraftwerk alumnus, Michael Rother. It was here that Dinger developed the drum sound that would define krautrock, dubbed Motorkik because its relentless 4/4 crash and smack was the audible equivalent of a trip down the Autobahn. The Motorkik style would go on to influence nearly every German prog-rock band of note.
Neu! released three albums before splitting in 1975. After that, Dinger would do a great deal of band hopping, with notable tenures in both La Düsseldorf and La Neu! Dinger passed away in March at the age of 61. - Mitch Michaels
Jeff Healey
Jeff Healey proved two things about being a guitarist: you don't necessarily have to be able to see and you don't necessarily have to stand up. Healey was born in Canada and lost his sight at the age of 1. Two years later, he began playing the guitar and, by the age of 17, he had his own blues band.
In 1988, the Jeff Healey Trio released their debut album, See The Light, which went platinum in the US thanks to the hit single "Angel Eyes". Healey's guitar style was instantly notable – rather than stand up, he held the guitar in his lap, which made his sound a hybrid of regular electric guitar, slide and steel.
The Jeff Healey Trio continued to release albums throughout the 90's, but by the new decade, Healey had begun to pursue an interest in jazz and playing the trumpet. Healey played regularly with the Jazz Wizards and released a few of his own jazz albums over the past years. 2008 would mark his return to the blues with the release of Mess Of Blues, but Healey unfortunately died of cancer a month before it hit shelves. - Mitch Michaels
John Rutsey
Before there was Neal Pert, there was John Rutsey. Rutsey helped found rock icons Rush in 1968 with guitarist Alex Lifeson and bassist Jeff Jones. In fact, it was John's brother who would give the band their name.
Rutsey, Lifeson and Geddy Lee (who quickly replaced Jeff Jones on bass) would appear on Rush's debut single (a cover of Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away") and album. Geddy and Alex placed the chief songwriting duties of Rush in the hands of Rutsey, but he found the job difficult, especially combined with his battle with diabetes. But it was the pressure he put on himself that would his undoing in the band.
Eventually, diabetes would leave Rutsey unable to tour. Not long later, he left Rush and was replaced by drummer Neal Pert. John soon gave up the drums altogether in favor of bodybuilding, though he kept in touch with his ex-bandmates at least until the 90's. Rutsey died in his sleep on May 11, 2008 due to complications from diabetes. - Mitch Michaels
Nathaniel Mayer
Nathaniel Mayer may be remembered by the industry as a one-hit wonder, but it was the sheer force behind that one hit and his follow-up singles and albums that will be his true legacy. Mayer exploded onto the Detroit music scene at the age of 18 with the single "Village Of Love" in 1962. With a gritty, raw soul band behind him (the Fabulous Twilights), Mayer's debut single was an instant classic.
Mayer produced several other singles for indie Fortune Records throughout the 60's, but none captured the public like "Village of Love". The next decades saw Mayer performing and recording only sporadically, though those who attended his live show in whatever decade could be guaranteed an wild night.
Mayer began a sort of career renaissance in the last several years after signing to Fat Possum Records. He released three albums there, including the critically praised I Just Want To Be Held, before suffering a series of strokes in 2007. He died in a nursing home in November of 2008.
Jerry Wexler
Jerry Wexler was a giant in the music industry – former Vice President of Atlantic Records, established songwriter, sought after producer and notable author. Born in 1918 New York City, Wexler let his early fascination with music severely cripple his education. A few years in the military changed this, as Jerry came out very driven. But still in the same direction – music.
He spent his formative years working for BMI and then as a writer for Billboard. Wexler became well connected and gained the attention of Atlantic Records heads Herb Abramson and Ahmet Ertegun. They wanted to bring him in as head of their publishing arm; he wanted to be made partner. It took a year, but Wexler soon turned up as the co-head of the company. By the early 60's, Atlantic was the leading R&B label. In a way, Jerry Wexler even invented R&B – coining the phrase during his stint at Billboard.
Wexler then left New York to head Stax Records, where he would develop the careers of Sam & Dave and Aretha Franklin (who he also produced). Wexler was named Record Executive of the Year in 1967, not long before Ertegun sold Atlantic Records. Wexler began to relax more, but still found time for producing and maintained a high position at the label.
The 70's saw acts like Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones filling arenas for Atlantic, but Wexler still preferred the southern soul sound of his past. He left for Warner Bros. in the late 70's, where he helped sign Dire Straits, the B-52s and Gang of Four.
Wexler would continue to produce throughout the 80's, but will always be best remembered for helping bring the Muscle Shoals, Memphis and Miami Sounds to the top of radio. - Mitch Michaels
Natasha Schneider
Alain Johannes. Chris Cornell. Josh Homme. Crockett and Tubbs. If it's true that a person can be judged by the company they keep, Natasha Schneider should be remembered as an eclectic, multitalented artist that worked with some of rock's biggest names.
Schneider and husband Johannes formed Eleven in the early 90's. Equal parts classic rock and classical, Schneider added powerful vocals and keyboards. Though Eleven only scratched the Billboard charts, the duo's musical prowess led to composing and recording work. Schneider was part of Cornell's backing band on his solo release Euphoria and later joined Queens of the Stone Age in both recording and touring.
I first saw Schneider at a QOTSA performance in 2005. Like many others, I had packed the Roxy in Boston to see America's best rock group. However, my attention kept drifting away from lead Queen Homme to the keyboardist in the corner. It's not often that a supporting band member (and a keyboardist at that) manages to steal the show, but I left that night struck by her enthusiastic performance.
Schneider died in July 2008 of cancer. Over the course of her career, Schneider toured in support of Pearl Jam, contributed the theme song to Halle Berry's Catwoman, and acted in an episode of "Miami Vice". She also left an indelible mark on the many musicians she worked with over the years. They gathered together in August alongside QOTSA to play a benefit show in Schneider's honor.
PJ Harvey. Brody Dalle, Jack Black. Jesse Hughes. Schneider was remembered in good company. - Morgan Marx
Danny Federici
Danny Federici picked up the accordion not long after he was born and continued to make music for the rest of his life. While trained classically, young Danny soon became interested in jazz and blues. It was following this path that he met a young Bruce Springsteen in a high school garage band.
Federici would become an integral part of Springsteen's E Street Band, toiling behind the keys to provide organ fills, electric piano and all other manor of sounds that became synonymous with the group's signature style. You can't hear a Bruce Springsteen hit without hearing a little or a lot of Danny Federici.
During his time away from E Street, Federici recorded a pair of jazz albums, but his most important work was part of the band he was a member of for over 40 years. In late 2007, Frederici was diagnosed with melanoma and forced to miss nearly an entire tour. He returned to the stage for one last show in March of 2008, but sadly died the next month. - Mitch Michaels
Ola Brunkert
Swedish drummer Ola Brunkert could play a myriad of styles. During the 60's, he bounced around several pop, jazz, rock and experimental groups, making a name for himself along the way. By the 70's, he was Sweden's most sought after session musician.
It was this heavy reputation that brought the four members of ABBA calling in 1970. While never an official member (there are only four letters after all), Brunkert would be one of two session players to appear on every ABBA album. His fingerprints are all over the group's work. He even toured with the band several times, and they always promised that someday we'd get to hear him sing.
When ABBA split in 1982, Brunkert more or less retired to Spain, living a happy life there with his wife. Tragically, Ola died in an accident at his home in March of 2008. He was 61 years old. - Mitch Michaels
Keith Baxter
Keith Baxter is one of the giants in the punk community who managed to leave his mark in several places in a tragically short amount of time. Born in the UK, his first band was the 90's folk-metal act Skyclad. Along with Bathory, Skyclad pioneered the folk-metal genre in the early 90's with some truly astonishing albums. Baxter would appear on the first five (and the best of them) before splitting in 1995.
Baxter would next take his powerful drumming to the punk act 3 Colours Red, who would produce two Top 20 albums in the UK. The band dissolved in 1999 and Baxter would spend his next several years bouncing around. He started a band called Elevation who sadly never produced an album, and then joined notable alt-metal band Therapy? in 2002. Over the last few years, he spent time in a reunited 3 Colours Red as well as his own band Baby Judas.
Keith Baxter died of a gastro-intestinal hemorrhage in January of 2008. He has since been remembered by all whose lives he touched as a fun bandmate and a powerhouse behind the drum kit. - Mitch Michaels
Gidget Gein
Bradley Stewart was a weird kid. He was raised on cartoons (thanks to his parents splitting), he dressed funny and liked to go to local shows and heckle bands. It was these seemingly negative character traits, though, that would attract the attention of a young guy name Brian Warner and take Stewart to the heights of music stardom and excess.
Bradley Stewart was rechristened Gidget Gein when he joined Warner's group, Marilyn Manson & The Spooky Kids as bassist in the late-80's. The group's alternative goth metal sound and even more so their creepy persona (a lot of which was thanks to Gein), got the attention of Trent Reznor, who offered to produce some of their music in 1993. Of course, the rest is history, as the band (shortened to simply Marilyn Manson) became a giant sensation on MTV in the mid-90's.
Unfortunately, Gidget's wild personality would prove his undoing, as drug abuse and chaotic behavior would force him out of the band at the height of their success. The split was so unfriendly that Gein's history there was all but written out. For his own part, Gein moved to New York City and then back to southern Florida where he would focus mainly on art. He took a job as a "bag boy" for a local medical examiner, which means he would retrieve bodies from the scenes of accidents and crime scenes. These experiments would fuel his art and, in 2000, after kicking drug addiction, he moved to LA to continue a career in art and fashion.
Gidget would be very successful as a fashion designer for his house GOLLYWOOD. He even mended bridges with Manson and helped him on the video for "(s)AINT" in 2004. Sadly, old demons returned to haunt him, and he died of a heroin overdose in October of 2008. - Mitch Michaels
Johnny Schou
The story of Johnny Schou will sadly always be the story of what might have been. Born in Fort Collins, CO, Schou helped form rock band Tickle Me Pink, who he played bass for. The band released a pair of independent albums, which garnered the attention of Wind-Up Records. Tickle Me Pink was set to release their debut there when Schou died tragically of a drug overdose at the age of 22.
Schou never got to see the release of the band's album Madeline, which he helped co-write, nor the progress they've made since, like being included on "Rock Band 2". He also never got to continue his career as a sound engineer, though he worked with everyone from NOFX to Rise Against to Puddle Of Mudd.
Schou's life will now be a cautionary tale of the dangers of drugs, rather than the tale of a rise to rock stardom. Intensely tragic. - Mitch Michaels
Mike Smith
It takes a big talent to take on the Beatles, but that was exactly what Mike Smith and his Dave Clark Five did in the early years of the British Invasion. Clark was born in London and working at a finance company when former schoolmate Dave Clark asked him to bring his Elvis-style vocals and classically trained keyboard to his new band. The young group fleshed out their line-up and released a single called "I Knew It All The Time", which generated a huge buzz on British radio.
The Dave Clark Five would catch fire and become rock superstars, peaking in the mid-60's with hits like "Glad All Over", "Catch Us If You Can" and "Over and Over". At one point, it was pondered which band was bigger – the Dave Clark Five or The Beatles.
Like all good things, Dave Clark Five met its end in 1970, though Smith and Clark continued to work together until 1973. Throughout the 80's and 90's, Smith found success as both a producer and songwriter, and he also spent time writing songs for TV ads. In the late 90's, he began to return to performing, playing the old DC5 songs to devoted fans. He even formed a touring band, Mike Smith's Rock Engine.
Smith was the victim of an auto accident in 2003 which left him paralyzed. After lengthy and expensive medical care, he died in February of this year, just days before the Dave Clark Five were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. - Mitch Michaels
Delaney Bramlett
A lot of people make their name as famous collaborators, artists you have to dig just below the surface to find are part of some of the greatest moments in rock history. Delaney Bramlett is perhaps one of the biggest of these types of talents, as his work has influenced icons like Eric Clapton, Duane Allman and George Harrison.
Bramlett got his start as a songwriter in LA. His early days saw him working with songwriters like Mac Davis and Jackie DeShannon, as well as recording with legends like Leon Russell and J.J. Cale. His songs like "Superstar" and "Never Ending Love Song" have been covered by multitudes of artists over the years to high degrees of success. He even co-penned Clapton's first solo hit, "Let It Rain", which still stands as one of his best known.
Bramlett performed with every notable classic rocker imaginable, from John Lennon to Jimi Hendrix. He taught George Harrison how to play slide guitar and encouraged Eric Clapton to step up to the microphone and sing. He had a few hits with his group Delaney & Bonnie (and sometimes Friends), but mostly worked in the background of music history.
Bramlett was active as a writer, performer and producer, up until the age of 69, when he died following gallbladder surgery. He will always be remembered as an unsung giant of the best years rock ever offered. - Mitch Michaels
Never forget the music.
And that wraps up our look at 2008. Thanks for joining us!
