R.I.P. 2025

Another year, another difficult list of dead musicians to compile. Among the heavier ones, Brian Wilson, the pop genious behind The Beach Boys, and Ozzy Osbourne whom no-one's ever called a genious, and yet has left a huge mark on rock and heavy metal. Just as influential, albeit in the narrow confines of Greek folk and rock, was the "Greek Dylan" Dionysis Savvopoulos. Other important losses include psychedelic soul wizard Sly Stone, and Marianne Faithfull - a wonderful lady whose voice sent more chills up one's spine as she progressed with age. Also, hugely underrated R&B guitarist Steve Cropper, neo-soul singers Angie Stone and D'Angelo and classic soul legend Roberta Flack, Kiss' spaceman Ace Frehley, reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff, and so many others who have given us so much. Please take a minute to read through the list, to give  a mental farewell, and to say 

Thanks For The Music 

to:

Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys, 82)

Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath, 76)

Sly Stone (Sly and the Family Stone, 82)

Marianne Faithfull (singer-songwriter, 78)

David Johansen (New York Dolls, 75)

Jimmy Cliff (Reggae singer, 81)

Ace Frehley ("Spaceman", Kiss guitarist, 74)

Dionysis Savvopoulos (Greek singer-songwriter, 80)

Steve Cropper (Booker T. & the M.G.'s/ Blues Brothers, 84)

Brian James (The Damned/ Lords of the New Church, 74)

Mick Ralphs (Mott the Hoople/ Bad Company 81)

Danny Thompson (folk jazz bassist, Pentangle 86)

Jesse Colin Young (The Youngbloods, 83)

Angie Stone (Hip-hop and soul singer, 63)

Roberta Flack (Singer and songwriter, 88)

D'Angelo (soul singer-songwriter, 51)

John Lodge (The Moody Blues, 82)

Roy Ayers (Jazz-funk vibraphonist 84)

Dave Cousins (lead singer, Strawbs)

Chris Dreja (The Yardbirds 79) 

Garth Hudson (The Band 87)

Bill Fay (Singer-songwriter, 81) 

Chris Jasper (The Isley Brothers 73)

Perry Bamonte (The Cure, 65)

Rick Buckler (The Jam, 69)

Sam Rivers (Limp Bizkit, 48)

David Ball (Soft Cell/ The Grid, 66)

Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary, 86)

Max Romeo (Jamaican reggae singer, 80)

Sam Moore (Soul duo Sam & Dave 89)

Amadou Bagayoko (of Malian duo Amadou & Mariam 70)

David Thomas (Pere Ubu/ Rocket from the Tombs 71)

Mick Abrahams (Jethro Tull/ Blodwyn Pig, 82)

Mani (The Stone Roses/Primal Scream, 63) 

Dave Allen (Gang of Four, 69)

Mike Peters (The Alarm/ Big Country, 66)

Lalo Schifrin (Argentinian pianist, 93)

Chuck Mangione (Jazz trumpeter, 84)

George Kooymans (Golden Earring, 77)

Clem Burke (drummer of Blondie, 70)

Joe Ely (country singer, 78) 

Chris Rea (Singer-guitarist, 74)

Terry Reid (singer-songwriter, 75)

Larry Tamblyn (The Standells, 82)

James Lowe (The Electric Prunes, 82)

Joseph Byrd (The United States of America, 87)

Serge Fiori (of Canadian prog band Harmonium, 73)

Flaco Jiménez (Texas Tornados/Los Super Seven, 86)

Simon House (Hawkwind violinist/ multi-instrumentalist, 76)

Mark Volman (The Turtles/ Mothers of Invention/ Flo & Eddie 78)

Bobby Whitlock (Derek and the Dominos/ Delaney & Bonnie 77)

Viv Prince (drummer, Pretty Things, The Jeff Beck Group 84)

John Palmer (Family, Blossom Toes, Bakerloo 82)

Rick Davies (singer/keyboardist, Supertramp 81)

Rick Derringer (rock guitarist, The McCoys, 77)

Eddie Palmieri (Jazz pianist, composer 88)

Barry Goldberg (The Electric Flag, 83)

Gabriel Yacoub (Malicorne, 72)

Chad Morgan (Country singer and guitarist, 91)

Sara Surkamp (Pavlov's Dog, 72)

Wayne Osmond (The Osmonds, 73)

Brenton Wood (Soul singer, 83)

Ed Askew (Folk singer, 84)

Bobby Hart (Boyce and Hart, 86)

Stephen Luscombe (Blancmange 70)

Sonny Curtis (The Crickets 88)

Beej Chaney (singer/guitarist of  The Suburbs 68)

Fredrik Lindgren (guitarist of Unleashed/Terra Firma, 53)

Ragne Wahlquist (Heavy Load 69)

P. Fluid a.k.a. Peter Forrest (24-7 Spyz, 64)

Jellybean Johnson (The Time, 69)

Linda Nolan (The Nolans 65)

Ornella Vanoni (Italian singer, 91)

Jamie Muir (King Crimson percussionist, 82)

Edweena Banger (The Nosebleeds/Slaughter & the Dogs, 65)

Sal Maida (bassist for Milk 'N' Cookies/Roxy Music/Sparks 76) 

Brigitte Bardot (French actress/singer, 91)

Gary Grier (60's R&B The Contours)

Bruce Howe (Fraternity 77)

Mungo Jerry (singer 82)

Tommy Hunt (The Flamingos 91)

Snowy Fleet (The Easybeats, 85)

Jerry Butler (The Impressions, 85)

Fred Bekky (Belgian pop group The Pebbles 81)

Linsey Alexander (Blues singer and guitarist, 82)

Robert John (Soft rock singer and songwriter, 79)

Coburn Pharr (Annihilator/ Omen 62)

Joey Molland (Badfinger 77)

Frank Maher (Folk musician 90)

Jeffrey Runnings (For Against 61)

Bob Rupe (Cracker, The Silos 68)

Randy Brown (R&B singer 72)

Troy Seals (singer and songwriter 86)

Danny Cox (singer-songwriter 81)

Bill Ashton (Jazz saxophonist 88)

Les Binks (Judas Priest drummer, 73)

Rob de Nijs (Dutch singer 82)

Rod Clark (The Moody Blues, 82)

Peter Farrelly (Fruupp 76)

Ian Lees (Moving Pictures)

Leanne Cowie (drummer of The Scientists)

Paul "Wags" Wagstaff (Black Grape/ Happy Mondays, 60)

Kevan Staples (of Canadian rockers Rough Trade, 74)

Johnny Tillotson (Singer and songwriter, 86)

Michael Hurley (Folk singer and songwriter, 83)

Mike Berry (English singer and actor 82)

Roger McLachlan (bassist; Little River Band 71)

David Briggs (Keyboardist, 82)

Roy Phillips (The Peddlers, 83)

Freddie Aguilar (Filipino singer-songwriter, 72)

James Baker (The Scientists/ Hoodoo Gurus/ Beasts of Bourbon, 71)

Billy Earheart (Country keyboardist; The Amazing Rhythm Aces, 71)

Larry Lee (The Ozark Mountain Daredevils 78)

Ray Mayhew  (Sigue Sigue Sputnik 60)

Tetsu Yamauchi (Free/ Faces, 79)

Chubby Tavares (Tavares, 80)

Graham Fenton (Matchbox, 76)

Sheila Jordan (Jazz singer 96)

Brent Hinds (Mastodon 51)

John Edwards (The Spinners 80)

Junior Byles (Jamaican reggae singer 77)

Douglas McCarthy (Nitzer Ebb 58)

John Reid (Nightcrawlers 61)

Lou Christie (singer-songwriter 82)

Ron Woodbridge (The Searchers 87)

James Prime (Deacon Blue 64)

Cavin Yarbrough (Yarbrough and Peoples 72)

David L. Hamilton (Pavlov's Dog, 74)

Patrick Walden (Babyshambles, 46)

Connie Francis (Singer and actress 87)

Michael Sumler (Kool & the Gang, 71)

Gigi Canu (Planet Funk 66)

David Kaff (Rare Bird, Spinal Tap 79)

Frank Maffei (Danny & the Juniors 85)

Jock McDonald (Bollock Brothers 69)

Livio Macchia (I Camaleonti 83)

Paul Mario Day (Iron Maiden/More/Wildfire/The Sweet, 69)

Kenny Marco (Canadian guitarist;  Blood, Sweat & Tears 78)

Robert Jaramillo (Cannibal & the Headhunters, 78)

Jim Kimball (Laughing Hyenas/The Jesus Lizard 59)

Chuck Girard (The Castells, The Hondells, 81)

Judy Cheeks (The Ikettes, 71)

Justin Baren (The Redwalls, 40)

Bob "Bongo Starr" Starkie (Skyhooks, 73)

Warren Williams (Australian rock pioneer, 85)

Billy Nichols (Musician and songwriter, 85)

Raul Malo (The Mavericks, 60)

Bruce Loose (Flipper 66)

Atomic Steif (drummer, Sodom 57)

Chris Doheny (Geisha 64) 

Jim McNeely (Jazz composer, pianist 76)

Dave Benton (Spooner guitarist, 77)

Paul Van Bruystegem (Triggerfinger, 66)

Terry "Buzzy" Johnson (The Flamingos, 86)

Thommy Price (drummer, Blue Öyster Cult/Scandal, 68)

Ian Watkins (Lostprophets 48)

Dave Burgess (The Champs, 90)

Marcie Free (King Kobra, Unruly Child, 71)

Vivian Jones (reggae singer, 68)

Andrew Metcalfe (Sound of Guns)

Scott Sorry (Amen/ The Wildhearts, 47)

Ray Drummond (Jazz bassist, bandleader 78)

Donna Jean Godchaux (singer, Grateful Dead 78)

Victor Conte (Pure Food and Drug Act, Tower of Power; 75)

Todd Snider (singer-songwriter, 59)

Thomas Klein (Warrant, 59)

Gilson Lavis (Squeeze, 74)

Hilly Michaels (Sparks, 77)

R.I.P. 2024

Once more we get to the most unpleasant task of the year, the one where we get to list musicians who left the world in the last year. Why do I do it, if it gives me no pleasure? It started early in 2016, when we lost a lot of my favorite artists in a period of a few weeks. Each death took me back to the artist's records, listening to them, and eventually presenting some of them in this blog. But after awhile the deaths kept piling up, and I decided to commemorate them all collectively in a special post. Since then, it seems unfair not to repeat this tiniest of tributes for other worthwhile artists, so here we are now. This year's list doesn't include any death as shocking to me as the first months of 2016 did (David Bowie and Prince were among the heavier and more unexpected ones) but it does include some of my favorites: the father of British blues John Mayall is one of them - but then again the man was 90, he was productive until the very end (his latest, critically acclaimed, album was released just two years ago) and venerated as a veritable blues institution. Who wouldn't like to go out like that? Someone else I'd like to make a special mention of: this year we lost the last two surviving members of MC5, Wayne Kramer and Dennis Thompson - but not before they completed Heavy Lifting, the first new band recording in more than 50 years! See? Silver linings! I see many other favorite names here, too, and probably you do too - so let's take a minute to read through the list and give them all a mental farewell.

Thank You For The Music,

January 2, Chris Karrer (Amon Düül, Amon Düül II, Embryo) 76
January 4, Glynis Johns (Actress and singer), 100
January 4, David Soul (Actor and singer), 80
January 5, Gene Deer (Blues guitarist and singer)  59
January 5, Del Palmer (Audio engineer, Kate Bush bassist) 71
January 6, Iasos (New-age musician) 76
January 7, Tony Clarkin (Magnum) 77  
January 9, James Kottak (Drummer for Scorpions, Kingdom Come, Warrant) 61
January 10, Audie Blaylock (Bluegrass musician) 61
January 12, Bill Hayes (Actor and singer) 98 
January 19, Marlena Shaw (Jazz and soul singer) 84
January 19, Mary Weiss (The Shangri-Las) 75

January 19, Luis Vasquez (The Soft Moon), 44

January 21, Cynthia Garrison (The Three Degrees)
January 23, Melanie (Singer-songwriter) 76
January 23, Anders "Dagger" Sandberg (Rednex), 55
January 23,Margo Smith (Country singer-songwriter) 84
January 26, Dean Brown (Jazz guitarist) 68
January 31, Paul Brett (rock guitarist) 76
February 2, Wayne Kramer (MC5) 75
February 2, Derrick McIntyre (Jamiroquai) 66
February 3, Aston "Family Man" Barrett (Bob Marley and the Wailers) 77
February 5, Toby Keith (Country singer) 62
February 6, Donald Kinsey (The Kinsey Report) 70
February 7, Henry Fambrough (The Spinners) 85                    
February 7, Mojo Nixon (alt-country singer)  66
February 9, Damo Suzuki (Can) 74
February 9, Jimmy Van Eaton (Rock and roll drummer) 86
February 11, Randy Sparks (The New Christy Minstrels) 90 
February 13,Kerry "Fatman" Hunter (New Orleans Nightcrawlers) 53
February 14, Ian Amey (Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich) 79

 February 16, Dexter Romweber (Flat Duo Jets), 57

February 16, Cynthia Strother (The Bell Sisters), 88
February 19, Bobby Tench (Singer, Jeff Beck Group, Van Morrison) 79
February 20, Vitalij Kuprij (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) 49  
February 22, John Lowe (Pianist for pre-Beatles band The Quarrymen) 81

February 22, Roni Stoneman (bluegrass banjo player, Hee Haw), 85

February 25, Peter "Peetah" Morgan (reggae band Morgan Heritage) 46

February 28 Cat Janice (American singer-songwriter), 31

March 1, Don Wise (R&B saxophonist) 81

March 2, Jim Beard (Keyboardist, Steely Dan) 63
March 2, W. C. Clark (Blues musician) 84
March 3, Brit Turner (Blackberry Smoke) 57
March 4, B. B. Seaton (The Gaylads) 79
March 5, Pavel Zajíček (DG 307) 72
March 10, Paul Nelson (Rock and blues guitarist) 63

 March 10, T. M. Stevens (bassist, The Pretenders), 72
March 10, Karl Wallinger (The Waterboys, World Party) 66 
March 11, Eric Carmen (Raspberries) 74

March 12, Russell Wilson (Junkhouse) 62

March 13, John Blunt (drummer, The Searchers)

March 13, Dick Allix (Drummer, Vanity Fare) 78
March 14, Angela McCluskey (Wild Colonials) 64    
March 17, Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel) 73

March 18, Jimmy Hastings (Caravan), 85

March 18, Kevin Toney (The Blackbyrds) 70
March 19, Greg Lee (Hepcat) 53
March 20, Gene Elders (Ace in the Hole Band) 80

March 24, Dennis Schiavon (The Rezillos), 63
March 25, Chris Cross (Ultravox) 71
March 26, Zero a.k.a. Clare Elliott (Suburban Reptiles) 66
March 29, Gerry Conway (Jethro Tull, Fairport Convention) 76
April 1, Michael Ward (The Wallflowers, School of Fish) 57
April 4, Keith LeBlanc  (drummer, Little Axe), 69

April 4, Graeme Naysmith (English guitarist,  Pale Saints), 57
April 5, C. J. Snare (FireHouse) 64
April 7, Clarence "Frogman" Henry (Rhythm and blues singer) 87

April 8, Jon Card (Canadian drummer, SNFU), 63

April 9, Max Werner (Dutch singer/drummer, Kayak), 70

April 12 Lucy Rimmer (British vocalist for The Fall)

April 14, Ben Eldridge (The Seldom Scene) 85 

   April 15, Eugene Wolfgramm (The Jets), 57
April 16, Arthur Tavares (Tavares), 81
April 16, Rusty Gauthier (New Riders of the Purple Sage), 73    

       April 16,  Gavin Webb (The Masters Apprentices), 77  

April 18, Dickey Betts (The Allman Brothers Band), 80

April 18, Larry Page (pop singer, producer), 86

April 18, Jack Green (T. Rex, Pretty Things, Rainbow), 73

April 19 Eddie Sutton (Leeway singer), 59

April 20,Tony Tuff (Reggae singer, The African Brothers), 69

  April 21 Jean-Marie Aerts (Belgian guitarist for TC Matic), 72

April 22 Chan Romero (Rockabilly singer "The Hippy Hippy Shake") 82
April 24, Mike Pinder (The Moody Blues) 82

 April 26 Robin George (British guitarist, singer and producer), 68

 April 26 Frank Wakefield (Bluegrass mandolin player), 89

April 30, Duane Eddy (Rock and roll guitarist) 86
May 1,Richard Tandy (Electric Light Orchestra) 76

May 2, Gary Floyd (The Dicks, Sister Double Happiness), 71

May 7, Steve Albini (Big Black/Shellac, record producer) 61
May 8, John Barbata (Drummer, The Turtles/ CSN&Y,/ Jefferson Airplane) 79
May 8, Dennis Thompson (MC5) 75      
May 12, David Sanborn (Saxophonist) 78
May 14, Jimmy James (Singer) 83
May 15, John Hawken (Renaissance, Strawbs) 84
May 16, Randy Fuller (The Bobby Fuller Four) 80
May 17, Charlie Colin (Train, The Side Deal) 57  
May 18, "Spider" John Koerner (Folk and blues singer) 85
May 18, Jon Wysocki (Staind) 53
May 24,Mark Gormley (Singer-musician) 67  
May 24, Doug Ingle (Iron Butterfly) 78

May 29, Mansour Seck (Senegalese singer), 69
May 30, Doug Dagger (The Generators) 56
May 31, Ed Mann (Keyboardist and percussionist, Frank Zappa band) 69

June 2, Colin Gibb (Black Lace) 70        
June 3, Brother Marquis (2 Live Crew) 57
June 11, Françoise Hardy (French Singer-songwriter) 80
June 11, Arthur "Gaps" Hendrickson (The Selecter), 73
June 18, James Chance (James Chance and the Contortions) 71   
June 24, Shifty Shellshock (Crazy Town) 49
June 26, Kinky Friedman (Country singer-songwriter) 79

June 28, Betty Veldpaus (Pussycat) 72

July 1, Laurie Lindeen (Zuzu's Petals)
July 2, Tom Fowler (The Mothers of Invention, It's a Beautiful Day) 73

July 6, Joe Egan (Stealers Wheel) 77
July 9, Joe Bonsall (The Oak Ridge Boys) 76
July 10, Dave Loggins (Singer-songwriter) 76
July 16, Bernice Johnson Reagon (The Freedom Singers, Sweet Honey in the Rock) 81
July 17, Pinche Peach (Brujeria) 57
July 19, Toumani Diabaté (griot, kora player) 58
July 20, Jerry Miller (Moby Grape) 81
July 20, Sandy Posey (Country singer) 80
July 21, Evelyn Thomas (Disco singer) 
July 22, Duke Fakir (Four Tops) 88

July 22, John Mayall (John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers) 90
July 24, Bill Crook (Spiritbox, Living with Lions)
July 26, Jason Clark (50) , Kelly Nelon Clark (64), Amber Nelon Kistler (35)
July 27, Danny Clarke (The Meditations) 72
July 27, Pat Collier (The Vibrators) 72
July 28, Martin Phillipps (The Chills) 61
July 28, Mick Underwood (The Herd, Episode Six, Quatermass)
July 29,Joey Gilmore (Guitarist for James Brown, Etta James)
August 2,Nicu Covaci (Transsylvania Phoenix) 77
August 3, Shaun Martin (Snarky Puppy) 45
August 5, Maurice Williams (The Zodiacs) 86
August 7,Jack Russell (Great White) 63
August 9, Carl Bevan (60 Ft. Dolls) 51
August 9, Carl Weathersby (Guitarist for Albert King, Billy Branch) 71
August 13, Greg Kihn (The Greg Kihn Band) 75
August 15, Joe Chambers (The Chambers Brothers) 81
August 16, Bobby Hicks (Bluegrass fiddler) 91

August 16, Tore Ylwizaker (Norwegian keyboardist for Ulver), 54

August 17,  Johnny "Dandy" Rodríguez (bongo player for Tito Puente), 78

August 21,  Russell Stone (Brotherhood of Man) 77
August 23, Catherine Ribeiro (French folk psych singer, The Alps) 82

July 27 Mísia (Portuguese fado singer), 69
September 5, Herbie Flowers (Blue Mink, T. Rex, Sky) 86 
September 5, Sérgio Mendes (Bossa nova musician) 83

September 6, Screamin' Scott Simon (Sha Na Na) 75

September 6, Mark Moffatt (The Monitors) 74

September 7 Jimmy Gilmer (The Fireballs), 83

September 8, Zoot Money (The Animals, Humble Pie) 82
September 10, Frankie Beverly (Maze) 77
September 13, Chalmers Davis (Keyboardist for Little Richard, Johnny Cash) 73

September 14 Gerry Robinson (The Purple Gang), 76
September 15, Kenny Hyslop (Simple Minds, Slik) 73         
September 15, Tito Jackson (The Jackson 5) 70
September 15, Roli Mosimann (Swans, Wiseblood) 68     
September 17, JD Souther (Singer and songwriter) 78       
September 18, Juan Brujo (Brujeria) 61
September 18, Dick Diamonde (The Easybeats) 76 
September 18, Nick Gravenites (Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Electric Flag) 85
September 21, Eddie Low (Country singer) 81
September 21, Roger Palm (Drummer, ABBA) 75
September 23, Freddie Salem (Outlaws) 70        
September 24, Cat Glover (Prince's band) 62
September 27, Pit Passarell (Viper) 
September 28, Kris Kristofferson (Country songwriter and singer) 88

September 29, Martin Lee (Brotherhood of Man) 77
September 30, Dave Allison (Anvil) 68
October 2, Ken Tobias (Singer and songwriter) 79

October 5, Mimis Plessas (Greek composer and pianist), 99

October 5, Nell Smith (The Flaming Lips collaborator), 17

October 6, Johnny Neel (The Allman Brothers Band) 70

October 7, Cissy Houston (Singer, mother of Whitney Houston)  91
October 16, Liam Payne (One Direction) 31
October 20, Barbara Dane (Folk Singer, activist) 97
October 21, Paul Di'Anno (singer, Iron Maiden, Battlezone) 66
October 23, Linda LaFlamme (It's a Beautiful Day) 85 
October 23, Jack Jones (Singer), 86
October 25, Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead) 84

October 28, Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal (Buena Vista Social Club) 91

October 30, Richard Andrew (Underground Lovers drummer) 58

November 3, Quincy Jones (Record producer, songwriter, and arranger) 91
November 3,Andy Leek (Dexys Midnight Runners) 66
November 4, Tyka Nelson (Singer; sister of Prince) 64
November 9, Lou Donaldson (Jazz alto saxophonist) 98  
November 9, Ella Jenkins (Folk singer) 98
November 12, Roy Haynes (Jazz drummer) 99
November 14, Dennis Bryon (Bee Gees, Amen Corner) 75
November 14, Peter Sinfield  (Lyricist, King Crimson) 80
November 13, Shel Talmy (producer, The Kinks, Who)

November 18, Colin Petersen (Drummer, The Bee Gees) 78
November 20, Andy Paley (The Paley Brothers, The Modern Lovers) 72
November 20, Mike Pinera (Blues Image, Iron Butterfly) 76

November 21, Willy Quiroga (Argentine musician for Vox Dei), 84

November 22, Harry Williams (Bloodstone) 80

November 22, Toni Price (country blues singer), 63
November 24, Bob Bryar (My Chemical Romance) 44
November 29, Will Cullen Hart (Olivia Tremor Control) 53

December 16, Steve Lewinson (Simply Red) 58
December 16, Ruth McArdle (Belgian singer, Lords of Acid)
December 17, Alfa Anderson (Chic) 78
December 17, Mike Brewer (Brewer & Shipley)  80
December 18, Slim Dunlap (The Replacements) 73
December 20, Helena Zeťová (Black Milk) 44
December 20, Sugar Pie DeSanto (R&B Singer) 89
December 21, Casey Chaos (Amen, Christian Death) 59 
December 25, Dulce (Mexican Actress and singer) 69 
December 29, Eric Carlson a.k.a. Sickie Wifebeater (The Mentors) 66

R.I.P. 2023

Another year is over, which inevitably means more loss for music lovers everywhere. We don't live in the 70's anymore when every pop star death was a shock; many of our music idols aren't young any more, and their passing is less of a surprise. Still, however full their lives have been and great the artistic legacy they leave behind, it's sad to have to say goodbye to, among others, legends like Tina Turner, David Crosby, and Jeff Beck. Music-wise 2023 was an especially bad year for Brazil and Ireland: Within a few months, we lost the three great ladies of Brazilian music (Gal Costa, Rita Lee, and Astrud Gilberto), while Irish singers Sinead O' Connor and Shane Mac Gowan, both only middle-aged, also passed away. The latter's best-known song has become a holiday season classic, and I guess it's only fitting for it to be the last video I post this year:

So, please take a moment to celebrate their work and art, and to give a mental

Thanks for The Music to:

[January 1] Fred White (Earth, Wind & Fire), 67

[January 1] Sebastian Marino (Overkill/ Anvil), 57

[January 1] Gangsta Boo (Three 6 Mafia), 43

[January 3] Alan Rankine (The Associates), 64

[January 3] Notis Mavroudis (Greek guitarist),77

[January 5] Gordy Harmon (The Whispers), 79

[January 6] Jeff Blackburn (Moby Grape/The Ducks), 77

[January 10] Dennis Budimir (The Wrecking Crew), 84

[January 10] Jeff Beck (The Yardbirds/The Jeff Beck Group), 78

[January 11] Yukihiro Takahashi (Yellow Magic Orchestra/Sadistic Mika Band), 70

[January 12] Lisa Marie Presley (singer, daughter to the King), 54

[January 12] Robbie Bachman (drummer, Bachman-Turner Overdrive), 69

[January 12] Keith "Duke" Beaton (Blue Magic), 72 

[January 16] Johnny Powers (Rockabilly guitarist and singer), 84

[January 17] Larry Morris (Larry's Rebels), 75

[January 17] Renée Geyer (Singer), 69

[January 18] Van Conner (Screaming Trees), 55

[January 19] David Crosby (The Byrds), 81

[January 19] Alex Napier (Uriah Heep), 75

[January 20] Marshall Tucker (The Marshall Tucker Band), 99

[January 23] Anthony "Top" Topham (The Yardbirds), 75

[January 26] Dean Daughtry (Atlanta Rhythm Section/Classics IV), 76

[January 27] Floyd Sneed (drummer, Three Dog Night), 80

[January 27] Daniel Boone (Pop musician), 80

[January 28] Tom Verlaine (Television), 73

[January 28] Barrett Strong (Singer-songwriter), 81

[January 31] Charlie Thomas (The Drifters), 85

[February 2] Tim Quy (Cardiacs), 61

[February 2] Butch Miles (Jazz drummer), 78

[February 3] Paul Janovitz (Cold Water Flat), 54

[February 3] Lillian Walker-Moss (The Exciters), 78

[February 6] Phil Spalding (GTR/Original Mirrors/Toyah), 65

[February 8] Burt Bacharach (songwriter and pianist), 94

[February 12] David Jude Jolicoeur (De La Soul), 54

[February 13] Huey "Piano" Smith (R&B pianist), 89

[February 14] Tim Aymar (Pharaoh/Control Denied), 59

[February 16] Chuck Jackson (R&B singer), 85

[February 16] Alberto Radius (Formula 3), 80

[February 17] Kyle Jacobs (Country singer), 49

[February 17] Michael "Majk Moti" Kupper (Running Wild), 65

[February 19] Davis Causey (Sea Level), 74

[February 20] Bruce Barthol (Country Joe & the Fish), 75

[February 21] Ron Altbach (King Harvest), 76

[February 25] François Hadji-Lazaro (Pigalle, Los Carayos), 66

[February 27] Ismaïla Touré (Touré Kunda), 73

[March 1] Leon Hughes (The Coasters), 92

[March 2] Steve Mackey (bassist, Pulp), 56

[March 2] Wayne Shorter (Miles Davis Quintet/Weather Report), 89

[March 3] David Lindley (Kaleidoscope, multi-instrumentalist), 78

[March 4] Robert Haimer (Barnes & Barnes), 68

[March 4] Michael Rhodes (The Notorious Cherry Bombs), 69

[March 4] James "Owl" Walsh (Gypsy), 74

[March 5] Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd), 71

[March 9] Robin Lumley (Brand X/The Spiders from Mars), 74

[March 10] Napoleon XIV (Singer, "They're coming to take me away haha"), 84

[March 13] Canisso (Bassist, Raimundos), 57

[March 13] Paul Beasley (Blind Boys of Alabama), 78

[March 13] Simon Emmerson (Afro Celt Sound System), 67 

[March 13] Jim Gordon (Derek and the Dominos/Traffic), 77

[March 14] Bobby Caldwell (Singer-songwriter), 71

[March 14] Dix Denney (guitarist,The Weirdos/Thelonious Monster), 65

[March 16] Tony Coe (Jazz musician), 88

[March 17] Fuzzy Haskins (Parliament-Funkadelic), 81

[March 17] Mick Slattery (Hawkwind's original guitarist), 77

[March 20] Dima Nova (Cream Soda), 35

[March 22] Tom Leadon (Mudcrutch), 70

[March 22] Wayne Swinny (guitarist, Saliva), 59

[March 27] Howie Kane (Jay and the Americans), 81

[March 28] Ryuichi Sakamoto (Yellow Magic Orchestra), 71

[March 29] Brian Gillis (LFO),47

[March 29] Sweet Charles Sherrell (The J.B.'s), 80

[March 30] Ray Shulman (Gentle Giant), 73

[April 4] Vivian Trimble (Luscious Jackson), 59

[April 6] Guy Bailey (The Quireboys), 61

[April 6] Paul Cattermole (S Club 7), 46

[April 7] Ian Bairnson (The Alan Parsons Project/Pilot), 69

[April 7] John Regan (Frehley's Comet), 71

[April 7] Lasse Wellander (ABBA Guitarist), 70

[April 14] Mark Sheehan (The Script), 46

[April 16] Ahmad Jamal (Jazz pianist), 92

[April 18] Ivan Conti (Brazilian jazz-funk trio Azymuth), 77

[April 19] Otis Redding III (soul singer), 59

[April 21] Mark Stewart (The Pop Group), 62

[April 22] Ron Cahute (singer, accordionist), 68

[April 23] Isaac Wiley Jr. (drummer, Dazz Band), 69

[April 24] Lilian Day Jackson (singer, Spargo), 63

[April 25] Harry Belafonte (Calypso/folk Singer), 96

[April 25] Ralph Humphrey (drummer, The Mothers of Invention), 79

[April 26] Billy "The Kid" Emerson (Singer-songwriter), 97

[April 28] Tim Bachman (guitarist, Bachman-Turner Overdrive), 71

[April 28] John Fean (guitarist, Horslips),71

[May 1] Gordon Lightfoot (Singer-songwriter), 84

[May 3] Linda Lewis (Singer-songwriter), 72

[May 4] Rob Laakso (Kurt Vile and the Violators), 44

[May 7] Seán Keane (fiddler, The Chieftains), 76

[May 8] Rita Lee (Os Mutantes), 75

[May 9] Jon Povey (Pretty Things), 80

[May 11] Francis Monkman (Curved Air/Matching Mole/Sky), 73

[May 14] John Giblin (bass player for Kate Bush), 71

[May 17] Algy Ward (bassist, The Damned/The Saints), 63

[May 19] Pete Brown (Singer/Lyricist, Cream) 82

[May 19] Andy Rourke (The Smiths), 59

[May 22] Kirk Arrington (drummer, Metal Church), 61

[May 22] James Lewis (Trans-Siberian Orchestra), 63

[May 22] Chas Newby (The Quarrymen, pre-Beatles), 81

[May 23] Mark Adams (bassist, Saint Vitus), 64

[May 23] Redd Holt (Ramsey Lewis Trio),91 

[May 23] Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist, Commodores/Earth, Wind & Fire), 63

[May 24] Tina Turner (Singer), 83

[May 25] Jean-Louis Murat (French singer), 71

[May 26] Jack Lee (The Nerves), 71

[May 26] Reuben Wilson (Willis Jackson/Melvin Sparks), 88

[May 31] Dickie Harrell (drummer, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps), 82

[June 1] Cynthia Weil (songwriter), 82

[June 1] Jeff Blackburn (Blackburn and Snow), 77

[June 5] Astrud Gilberto (Brazilian singer), 83

[June 6] Tony McPhee (The Groundhogs), 79

[June 10] Yannis Markopoulos (Greek composer), 84

[June 12] Lee Clayton (Country singer-songwriter), 80

[June 13] Blackie Onassis (drummer, Urge Overkill), 57

[June 18] Teresa Taylor (drummer, Butthole Surfers), 60

[June 20] John Waddington (The Pop Group/Maximum Joy), 63

[June 22] Robert Black (Bang on a Can All Stars), 67

[June 23] Lee Rauch (drummer, Megadeth), 58

[June 30] Rick Froberg (Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes),55

[June 30] Lord Creator (Trinidadian singer), 87

[July 5] George Tickner (Journey), 76

[July 16] Jane Birkin (chanteuse, Serge Gainsbourg's muse), 77

[July 17] João Donato (bossa nova pianist), 88

[July 21] Tony Bennett (Singer), 96

[July 23] Patty Ryan (Eurodisco singer), 62

[July 24] Brad Houser (Edie Brickell & New Bohemians), 62

[July 26] Sinéad O'Connor (Singer-songwriter), 56

[July 26] Randy Meisner (Eagles/Poco), 77

[August 3] John Gosling (keyboardist, The Kinks), 75

[August 6] David LaFlamme (It's A Beautiful Day), 82

[August 7] Erkin Koray (Anatolian rock legend), 82

[August 7] Toussaint McCall (R&B singer), 89

[August 9] Robbie Robertson (The Band), 80

[August 9] Sixto Rodriguez (subject of the "Sugarman" documentary), 81

[August 11] Ron Peno (Died Pretty), 68

[August 17] Bobby Eli (Songwriter and guitarist), 77

[August 17] Gary Young (drummer, Pavement), 70

[August 24] Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake/UFO), 72

[August 26] John Kezdy (The Effigies), 64

[August 30] Jack Sonni (Dire Straits), 68

[August 31] Curtis Fowlkes (Jazz Passengers), 73

[September 1] Jimmy Buffett (Singer-songwriter), 76

[September 4] Steve Harwell (Smash Mouth), 56

[September 4] Gary Wright (Spooky Tooth), 80

[September 5] Larry Chance (The Earls), 82

[September 5] Charles Gayle (Jazz musician), 84

[September 5] Bruce Guthro (Runrig), 62

[September 10] Brendan Croker (The Notting Hillbillies), 70

[September 13] Roger Whittaker (Singer-songwriter), 87

[September 15] Paul Woseen (The Screaming Jets), 56

[September 16] John Marshall  (Nucleus/Soft Machine), 82

[September 19] Lou Deprijck (singer, producer "Ca Plan Pour Moi"), 77

[September 20] Katherine Anderson (The Marvelettes), 79

[September 20] Kent Stax (Scream), 61

[September 22] Dave Pahoa (The Plimsouls), 67

[September 23] Terry Kirkman (The Association), 83

[September 29] Ron Howden (drummer, Nektar), 78

[September 30] Russell Batiste Jr. (The Funky Meters/Vida Blue), 57

[September 30] Carol Buschmann (singer, The Chordettes), 96

[October 9] Buck Trent (Country instrumentalist), 85

[October 10] Michael “Ibo” Cooper (Inner Circle/Third World), 71

[October 11] Rudolph Isley (The Isley Brothers), 84

[October 17] Carla Bley (Jazz composer and pianist), 87

[October 18] Dwight Twilley (Singer-songwriter), 72

[October 22] Gregg Sutton (Lone Justice), 74

[October 23] Mervin Shiner (Country singer), 102

[October 23] Angelo Bruschini (guitarist, Massive Attack), 62

[October 24] Paul Harris (Manassas/Souther–Hillman–Furay Band),  78

[October 24] Steve Riley (W.A.S.P./L.A. Guns), 67

[October 29] Heath (X Japan), 55

[November 3] Pete Garner (The Stone Roses' original bassist), 61

[November 6,] Sean Martin (The Night Café), 26

[November 9] Gal Costa (Brazilian singer), 77

[November 11] Conny Van Dyke (Singer and actress), 78

[November 16] George Brown (Kool & the Gang), 74

[November 17] Charlie Dominici (singer, Dream Theater), 72

[November 20] Mars Williams (saxophonist, Psychedelic Furs), 68

[November 22] Jean Knight (Soul singer), 80

[November 25] Les Maguire (Gerry and the Pacemakers), 81

[November 25] Julio Anderson (Chilean bassist, Los Jaivas), 74

[November 26] Brian Godding (Blossom Toes), 78

[November 26] Geordie Walker (guitarist, Killing Joke), 64

[November 29] Scott Kempner (Dictators/Del-Lords), 69

[November 30] Shane MacGowan (The Pogues), 65

[December 3] Myles Goodwyn (April Wine), 75

[December 4] Vlado Pravdić (keyboardist, Bijelo Dugme), 73

[December 5] Denny Laine (Wings/The Moody Blues), 79

[December 11] Jeffrey Foskett (Beach Boys), 67

[December 11] Essra Mohawk (Singer-songwriter), 75

[December 14] Giorgos Tolios (drummer, Trypes), 58

[December 16] Colin Burgess (early AC/DC, The Masters Apprentices), 77

[December 17] Amp Fiddler (Parliament/Funkadelic ), 65

[December 22] Laura Lynch (Dixie Chicks), 65 

[December 28] Tommy Talton (We the People), 74

R.I.P. 2022

Time for the most difficult post of the year, the one where we remember all the musicians we lost this year. Certainly the old Guard of rock-'n'-roll disappearing was inevitable - I believe Jerry Lee Lewis was the last of the great rock and roll pioneers left standing. His passing was to be expected, I just count myself lucky to have seen him perform, 30-something years ago. But others I expected to be able to see play again, and to listen to new records by them. Rachel Nagy from The Detroit Cobras was a personal favorite, even though she's not that well known. An even more beloved artist to me was Mark Lanegan, arguably the finest voice of his generation. He had only recently come back from COVID - related coma and written an inspirational book about his experience, but apparently was still too frail and succumbed a few months later, aged 57. Terry Hall, and the reunited Specials, were another band I was eager to see when the concerts restarted, post-lockdown. Alas, this was also not meant to be - he died of cancer, aged 63. Depeche Mode are playing in Amsterdam in a few months, but without Andy Fletcher, who died before his 61st. Not to mention Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie, and so many others whose music has been the soundtrack of my life.

So let's take a moment for a silent "goodbye, and thanks for the music" to:

[31 Dec 2022]  Jeremiah Green (drummer, Modest Mouse), 45

[31 Dec 2022] Anita Pointer (The Pointer Sisters), 74

[30 Dec 2022] Don Williams (Williams Brothers), 100

[29 Dec 2022] Ian Tyson (Ian & Sylvia), 89

[28 Dec 2022] Black Stalin (Trinidadian calypso musician), 81

[27 Dec 2022] Jo Mersa Marley (Jamaican musician, Bob's grandson), 31

[25 Dec 2022] Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson (Blues guitarist), 83

[23 Dec 2022] Maxi Jazz (Faithless), 65  

[21 Dec 2022] Harvey Jet (Black Oak Arkansas), 73 

[20 Dec 2022] Iain Templeton (drummer, Shack/The La's), 50+

[19 Dec 2022] Terry Hall (The Specials/ Fun Boy Three), 63 

[18 Dec 2022] Martin Duffy (Primal Scream/Felt), 55 

[17 Dec 2022] Charlie Gracie (50's rock'n'roller), 86

[16 Dec 2022] Bertha Rick Anderson (The Tubes), 75

[16 Dec 2022] Barbee-McNeal (girl group The Velvelettes ), 82

[15 Dec 2022] Dino Danelli (The Rascals), 78

[13 Dec 2022] Benjamin Bossi (Romeo Void), 69

[13 Dec 2022] Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown), 75

[13 Dec 2022] Sol Amarfio (Ghanaian-British drummer for Osibisa), 84

[13 Dec 2022] Grand Daddy I.U. (American rapper), 54

[13 Dec 2022] Lalo Rodríguez (Puerto Rican salsa singer), 64

[11 Dec 2022] Angelo Badalamenti (film composer, Twin Peaks/Blue Velvet), 85

[10 Dec 2022] J. J. Barnes (American R&B singer), 79

[08 Dec 2022] Yitzhak Klepter (Israeli singer-guitarist, The Churchills), 72

[06 Dec 2022] Jet Black (drummer, The Stranglers ), 84

[06 Dec 2022] Hamish Kilgour (The Clean), 65

[04 Dec 2022] Manuel Göttsching (Ash Ra Tempel), 70

[03 Dec 2022] Svenne Hedlund (Swedish singer for Hep Stars), 77

[30 Nov 2022] Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac), 79

[25 Nov 2022] Irene Cara (of "Fame" fame), 63

[23 Nov 2022]  Shel Macrae (The Fortunes), 77

[21 Nov 2022] Wilko Johnson ( Dr. Feelgood), 75

[19 Nov 2022] Danny Kalb (Blues Project), 80

[17 Nov 2022] B. Smyth (American R&B singer), 28

[11 Nov 2022] Keith Levene (Public Image Ltd/The Clash), 65

[11 Nov 2022] Rab Noakes (Stealers Wheel), 75

[10 Nov 2022] Nik Turner (Hawkwind), 82

[10 Nov 2022] Chris Koerts (Dutch guitarist for Earth and Fire), 74

[09 Nov 2022] Gal Costa (Brazilian singer), 77

[08 Nov 2022] Pierre Kartner (Dutch musician and songwriter), 87

[08 Nov 2022] Garry Roberts (Boomtown Rats), 72

[08 Nov 2022] Dan McCafferty (Nazareth), 76

[07 Nov 2022] Jeff Cook (Alabama), 73

[06 Nov 2022]  Dan Fawcett (Helix), 52

[05 Nov 2022] YOSHI  (Japanese singer and actor), 19

[05 Nov 2022] Mimi Parker (Low), 54

[05 Nov 2022] Tyrone Downie (Bob Marley and the Wailers), 66

[05 Nov 2022] Aaron Carter (American singer), 34

[03 Nov 2022] Noel McKoy (British soul singer), 62

[02 Nov 2022] Atilio Stampone (Argentine pianist, composer and arranger), 96

[01 Nov 2022] Takeoff (Migos), 28

[28 Oct 2022] D. H. Peligro (Dead Kennedys), 63

[28 Oct 2022] Jerry Lee Lewis ("the killer"), 87

[24 Oct 2022] Gregg Philbin (REO Speedwagon)

[18 Oct 2022] Robert Gordon (rockabilly singer), 75

[18 Oct 2022] Franco Gatti (Ricchi e Poveri), 80

[15 Oct 2022] Joyce Sims (soul singer/songwriter), 63

[15 Oct 2022] Noel Duggan (Clannad), 73

[10 Oct 2022] Anita Kerr (jazz singer), 94

[08 Oct 2022] Steve Roberts (The Exploited/U.K. Subs), 68

[04 Oct 2022] Loretta Lynn (country singer), 90

[28 Sep 2022] Coolio (rapper), 59

[24 Sep 2022] Pharoah Sanders (jazz saxophonist) 81

[22 Sep 2022] John Hartman (Doobie Brothers), 72

[21 Sep 2022] Anton Fier (Golden Palominos/The Feelies), 66

[14 Sep 2022] Irene Papas (Greek actress/singer), 93

[13 Sep 2022] Jesse Powell (soul singer/songwriter), 51

[12 Sep 2022] Ramsey Lewis (jazz pianist), 87

[2 Sep 2022] Drummie Zeb (Aswad), 62

[26 Aug 2022] Luke Bell (country singer), 32

[25 Aug 2022] Mable John (Motown recording artist), 89

[22 Aug 2022] Jerry Allison (The Crickets), 82

[21 Aug 2022] Stuart Anstis (Cradle of Filth), 48

[08 Aug 2022] Olivia Newton- John ("Grease" soundtrack), 73

[15 Aug 2022]  Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper/Onslaught), 62

[08 Aug 2022]  Lamont Dozier (soul singer/songwriter), 81

[08 Aug 2022] Darryl Hunt (The Pogues), 72

[07 Aug 2022] Gord Lewis (Teenage Head), 65

[05 Aug 2022] Judith Durham (The Seekers), 79

[04 Aug 2022] Ray Majors (Mott/The Yardbirds), 73

[04 Aug 2022] Sam Gooden (The Impressions), 87

[29 Jul 2022] Jim Sohns (The Shadows of Knight), 75

[27 Jul 2022] Tom Springfield (The Springfields/The Seekers), 88

[24 Jul 2022] Bob Heathcote (Suicidal Tendencies), 58

[20 Jul 2022]  Frederick Waite Jr. (Musical Youth), 55

[20 Jul 2022] Jody Abbott (Fuel)

[19 Jul 2022]  Michael Henderson (jazz soul bassist/vocalist),72

[15 Jul 2022] Paul Ryder (Happy Mondays), 58

[14 Jul 2022] William Hart (The Delfonics), 77

[09 Jul 2022] Barbara Thompson (Colosseum), 77

[05 Jul 2022] Manny Charlton (Nazareth), 81

[23 Jun 2022] Massimo Morante (Goblin), 70

[19 Jun 2022] Jim Schwall (Siegel–Schwall Band) , 79

[19 Jun 2022] Brett Tuggle (Fleetwood Mac), 70

[09 Jun 2022] Julee Cruise (Twin Peaks, B52's), 65

[06 Jun 2022] Jim Seals (Seals and Crofts), 80

[05 Jun 2022] Alec John Such (Bon Jovi), 70

[30 May 2022] Hempo Hildén (Dokken), 69

[29 May 2022] Steve Broughton (Edgar Broughton Band), 72

[29 May 2022] Ronnie Hawkins (rock'n'roll singer), 87

[26 May 2022] Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode), 60

[26 May 2022] Alan White (Yes), 72

[18 May 2022] Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney/The Fatima Mansions), 61

[17 May 2022] Vangelis (Greek composer, keyboard player), 79

[13 May 2022] Rosmarie Trapp (Trapp Family), 93

[12 May 2022] Ben Moore (The Blind Boys of Alabama), 80

[10 May 2022] Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder), 41

[04 May 2022] Howie Pyro (D Generation), 61

[01 May 2022] Ric Parnell (Spinal Tap/Atomic Rooster) 70

[30 Apr 2022] Naomi Judd (The Judds), 76

[30 Apr 2022] Ray Fenwick (Spencer Davis Group/Ian Gillan Band), 75

[27 Apr 2022] Judy Henske (folk singer), 85

[26 Apr 2022] Randy Rand (Autograph), 62

[26 Apr 2022] Klaus Schulze (Tangerine Dream/Ash Ra Tempel), 74

[25 Apr 2022] Susan Jacks (Poppy Family), 73

[25 Apr 2022] Andrew Woolfolk (Earth, Wind & Fire), 71

[20 Apr 2022]  Guitar Shorty (blues guitarist), 87

[18 Apr 2022]  Jerry Doucette (Canadian singer-songwriter), 70

[17 Apr 2022] Rick Turner (Autosalvage), 78

[17 Apr 2022] Roderick "Pooh" Clark (Hi-Five), 49

[14 Apr 2022] Stavros Logaridis (Greek rocker, Poll/Akritas), 68

[12 Apr 2022] Charles E. McCormick (Bloodstone), 75

[09 Apr 2022] Chris Bailey (The Saints), 65

[08 Apr 2022] Con Cluskey (The Bachelors), 80

[07 Apr 2022] Ken West (Big Day Out), 64

[05 Apr 2022] Bobby Rydell (rock'n'roll singer), 80

[04 Apr 2022] Joe Messina (Funk Brothers), 94

[03 Apr 2022] Pamela Rooke (aka Jordan, Adam and the Ants) 66

[01 Apr 2022]  Bunny Simpson (Mighty Diamonds), 71

[30 Mar 2022] Tom Parker (The Wanted), 33

[30 Mar 2022] Yanick Étienne (Haitian singer, Roxy Music back.voc.), 64

[29 Mar 2022] Tabby Diamond (Mighty Diamonds), 67

[25 Mar 2022] Bobby Hendricks (The Drifters), 84

[25 Mar 2022] Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), 50

[24 Mar 2022]  Bert Ruiter (Focus/Earth and Fire), 75

[112022] Timmy Thomas, (R&B singer) 77

[10 Mar 2022] Bobbie Nelson (Willie Nelson's band), 91

[09 Mar 2022] Richard Podolor (The Pets), 86

[06 Mar 2022] Mike Cross (Sponge), 57

[05 Mar 2022] Jeff Howell (Foghat bassist), 61

[22 Feb 2022] Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees), 57

[19 Feb 2022] Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), 76

[17 Feb 2022] Dallas Good (The Sadies), 48

[14 Feb 2022] Sandy Nelson (jazz drummer), 83

[13 Feb 2022] King Louie Bankston (Exploding Hearts), 49

[11 Feb 2022]  Chet McCracken (The Doobie Brothers), 75

[09 Feb 2022] Ian McDonald (King Crimson), 75

[09 Feb 2022] Betty Davis (soul singer), 77

[06 Feb 2022] Syl Johnson (blues singer),85

[02 Feb 2022] Willie Leacox (America), 74

[31 Jan 2022]  Jimmy Johnson  (blues guitarist, Syl's brother), 93

[30 Jan 2022] Hargus Pig Robbins (session keyboard player) 84

[30 Jan 2022] Norma Waterson (The Watersons), 82

[22 Jan 2022] Don Wilson (The Ventures), 88

[20 Jan 2022] Meat Loaf, 74

[18 Jan 2022] Dick Halligan (Blood, Sweat & Tears), 78

[15 Jan 2022] Rachel Nagy (Detroit Cobras), 48

[14 Jan 2022] Dallas Frazier (country singer), 83

[13 Jan 2022] Fred Parris (Five Satins), 85

[12 Jan 2022] Ronnie Spector,78

[11 Jan 2022] Rosa Lee Hawkins (Dixie Cups), 76

[10 Jan 2022] Burke Shelley (Budgie), 71

[7 Jan 2022]  R. Dean Taylor (Motown recording artist), 82

[7 Jan 2022] Bobby Harrison (Procol Harum/Freedom/Snafu), 82

[6 Jan 2022] Calvin Simon (Parliament-Funkadelic), 79

R.I.P. 2021

Another year under the shadow of the pandemic, another year away from rock concerts. I still have my tickets for gigs and festivals that were supposed to take place in the spring & summer of 2020 - they have been postponed for 2021, and then again for 2022. You get the impression that time stands still, but that's not quite true: this year, time has robbed us of some of our favorite musicians. Everyone is waiting for politicians and scientists to give the green light for performing in front of a public again. The Rolling Stones and ZZ Top have big tours ahead of them, but Charlie Watts and Dusty Hill will not be there. So let's make the most of the time we still have with our favorite artists, and take some time to mentally say goodbye to those that fell.

Thank you for the music,

Charlie Watts (drummer, The Rolling Stones)

Lee "Scratch" Perry (reggae, dub pioneer)

Phil Spector (producer, creator of "The Wall Of Sound")

John Lawton (singer, Uriah Heep/Lucifer's Friend)

Vic Briggs (guitarist, Eric Burdon And The Animals)

Hilton Valentine (The Animals)

Dusty Hill (bassist, ZZ Top)

Sylvain Sylvain (New York Dolls)

Jimmie Rodgers (country singer)

Mary Wilson (The Supremes)

Chick Corea (jazz pianist)

Nanci Griffith (country singer)

Ron Bushy (drummer, Iron Butterfly)

Gerry Marsden (Gerry & the Pacemakers)

Mike Mitchell (singer/guitarist, The Kingsmen)

Tim Bogert (bassist, Vanilla Fudge/Cactus)

Jon Mark (Mark-Almond, John Mayall)

Michael Nesmith (singer, The Monkees)

Gary "Chicken" Hirst (Drummer, Country Joe and the Fish)

Don Everly (singer, The Everly Brothers)

Gil Bridges (singer/saxophonist, Rare Earth)

Anita Lane (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)

Sean Kilkenny (Dog Eat Dog/Mucky Pup guitarist)

Dee Pop (Bush Tetras drummer)

Hank von Helvete (singer, Turbonegro)

Bill Tsamis (guitarist, Warlord)

Susan Anyway (singer, The Magnetic Fields)

Franco Battiato (Italian singer-songwriter)

John Miles (singer, guitarist)

János Kóbor (singer, Hungarian prog rockers Omega)

Robbie Shakespeare (bassist, Sly and Robbie)

Lew Lewis (vocals/harmonica, Eddie and the Hot Rods) 

Mick Bolton (Mott the Hoople, Dexys Midnight Runners)

David Donato (singer, has played with Black Sabbath, White Tiger)

John 'Hutch' Hutchinson (jazz guitarist, David Bowie collaborator)

Alan Cartwright (bassist, Procol Harum)

Chris Barber (British jazz pioneer)

Françoise Cactus (Stereo Total)

Prince Markie Dee (The Fat Boys)

Eric Wagner (singer, Trouble)

Al Collins (Jason & The Scorchers)

Chuck E Weiss (singer/songwriter)

Bob James (singer, Montrose)

Ralph Tavares (singer, R&B band Tavares)

Bunny Wailer ([Bob Marley &] The Wailers)

Keith Allison (bassist, Paul Rever & The Raiders)

Gene Taylor (pianist, Fabulous Thunderbirds/Blasters)

Michael Fonfara (Electric Flag/Lou Reed keyboardist)

Stefan Cush (vocalist/guitarist, Men They Couldn't Hang) 

Mark Keds (singer, Senseless Things/ The Wildhearts)

Anne Feeney (singer-songwriter/activist)

Philip Margo (singer, The Tokens)

Alan Cartwright (bassist, Procol Harum)

James MacGaw (guitarist, Magma)

B.B. Dickerson (bassist,War)

Pat Rizzo (Sly & The Family Stone/War)

Tony Pola (drummer, Beasts of Bourbon)

Phil Chen (bassist, Butts Band)

Neal Ford (singer, Neal Ford & The Fanatics)

Thomas 'Mensi' Mensforth (singer, Angelic Upstarts)

Ralph Schuckett (keyboardist [Todd Rundgren's'] Utopia)

Les Emmerson (singer/guitarist, Five Man Electrical Band)

Brett Bradshaw (drummer, Faster Pussycat) 

LG Petrov (singer, Entombed A.D.) 

Graeme Edge (drummer, The Moody Blues)

Bob Petric (Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments)

Paul Cotton (guitarist/singer, Poco)

Rusty Young (guitarist, Poco)

Barby Kelly (The Kelly Family)

DMX (rapper)

Steve Bronski (singer, Bronski Beat)

Sophie Xeon (DJ, electro-pop musician)

Double K (People Under the Stairs)

Paul Oscher (Muddy Waters' harmonica player ) 

Lars Ratz (bassist, Metallium)

Jim Steinman (producer, songwriter)

Les McKeown (singer, Bay City Rollers) 

Joe Long (bassist, The Four Seasons)

Denny Freeman (blues guitarist)

Paul Couter (guitarist, TC Matic)

Michael Chapman (folk singer/guitarist)

John Hinch (drummer, Judas Priest/Bakerloo)

Lloyd Price (singer, R&B pioneer)

Dr. Lonnie Smith (jazz organist)

Everett Morton (drummer, The Beat)

Nick Kamen (singer)

Louis Clark (keyboardist, ELO/Ozzy Osbourne)

Alix Dobkin (folk singer, songwriter)

Florian Pilkington-Miksa (drummer, Curved Air)

John Davis (the [real] voice of Milli Vanilli)

B. J. Thomas (60's hit singer)

Phil Johnstone (musician, Robert Plant collaborator)

Lil Loaded (rapper)

Don Hill (Saxophonist, The Treniers)

Ellen McIlwaine (singer,songwriter)

Johnny Solinger (singer, Skid Row [post-'99])

Jon Hassell (jazz trumpet player)

Sanford Clark (country/rockabilly singer)

Rick Laird (jazz bassist, Mahavishnu Orchestra)

Raffaella Carrà (Italian pop diva)

Jeff LaBar (guitarist, Cinderella)

Gary Corbett (Keyboardist, Cinderella/Kiss)

Robby Steinhardt (violinist, Kansas)

Joey Jordison (drummer, Slipknot)

Mike Howe (singer, Metal Church)

Johnny Ventura (Dominican singer/bandleader)

Pervis Staples (The Staple Singers)

Roger Hawkins (session drummer, Muscle Shoals studio)

Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas (saxophonist, Kool & the Gang)

Joey Ambrose (saxophonist, Bill Haley & His Comets)

Brian Travers (saxophonist, UB40)

Eric Wagner (singer, Trouble/The Skull/Probot)

Timo Kaltio (bassist, Hanoi Rocks)

Rickie Lee Reynolds (guitarist, Black Oak Arkansas)

Sarah Harding (Girls Aloud)

María Mendiola (singer, Baccara)

Ron Leejack (guitarist, Cactus)

Sarah Dash (singer, LaBelle)

Julz Sale (lead singer, Delta 5)

Tom Stevens (bassist, Long Ryders)

Richard H. Kirk (Cabaret Voltaire)

Pee Wee Ellis (saxophonist, James Brown Band)

Alan Lancaster (bassist, Status Quo)

Richie Albright (drummer, Waylon Jenkins)

George Frayne (pianist/singer AKA "Commander Cody")

Barry Ryan (60's pop singer)

Greg Gilbert (singer, Delays)

Grady Gaines (R&B saxophonist)

Pat Fish (The Jazz Butcher)

Andrea Meyer (Cradle of Filth)

Richard H Kirk (Cabaret Voltaire)

Fritz McIntyre (keyboards, Simply Red)

Ron Tutt (drummer for Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley)

Mike Finnigan (keyboards, Hendrix/CS&N)

John Drake (singer, The Amboy Dukes)

Don Maddox (contry singer/fiddler)

Tom T Hall (country singer)

Einár (Swedish rapper)

Deon Estus (bassist, Wham!)

Jay Black (singer, Jay and the Americans)

Willie Cobbs (blues singer)

Randy Parton (country singer)

Tony Markellis (bassist, Trey Anastasio Band)

Will Mecum (guitarist, Karma to Burn)

Wondress (singer, Mantronix)

Alvin "Seeco" Patterson (percussionist, Wailers)

Ronnie Wilson (The Gap Band)

Terence "Astro" Wilson (Percussion/trumpet/vocals, UB40)

Andrew Barker (keyboardist /bassist, 808 State)

John Goodsall (guitarist, Brand X/ Atomic Rooster)

Billy Hinsche (member of The Beach Boys touring band)

David Longdon (singer, Big Big Train)

Darrell Bath (guitarist. Ian Hunter) 

Alexi Laiho (singer, Children Of Bodom)

Melvin Parker (drummer, James Brown)

Stonewall Jackson (country singer)

Roger Newell (bassist, Rick Wakeman's band)

John Rossall (saxophonist, The Glitter Band) 

Jem Targal (Third Power bassist/co-vocalist)

Hank Carter III (saxophonist, George Thorogood’s Destroyers)

David Lasley (singer/background vocalist for Chic)

Charles Connor (drummer, Little Richard)

Joe Simon (soul/R&B singer)

Billy Conway (drummer, Morphine)