Rainbow 1975, L-R: Soule, Dio, Gruber, Blackmore, Driscoll By Steve Newton Craig Gruber, former bassist for '70s rock acts Elf and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, passed away yesterday after a battle with prostate cancer. News of Gruber's passing was posted on the Facebook page of his former Elf bandmate, keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule: Very sad to hear of … Continue reading Former Elf and Rainbow bassist Craig Gruber dies of prostate cancer at 63
Category: obituaries
Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member Bob Burns dies in car crash at 64
By Steve Newton Sad news for Southern-rock fans--and Lynyrd Skynyrd freaks, in particular. Original Skynyrd drummer Bob Burns--who played drums on the band's first two albums--died last night after a single-car accident near Catersville, Georgia, when his car went off the road and hit a tree. Hardcore fans of the tragedy-prone band know too well that … Continue reading Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member Bob Burns dies in car crash at 64
Sax great Bobby Keys was much more than a sideman for the Stones
Bobby Keys passed away this morning at the age of 70 after battling cirrhosis. He was best known as the saxophonist for the Rolling Stones, having blasted out that unforgettable solo on "Brown Sugar". He also blew like crazy on such Stones gems as "Happy" (from Exile on Main Street) and "Live With Me" (from Let It … Continue reading Sax great Bobby Keys was much more than a sideman for the Stones
Remembering the Commodore’s Drew Burns: Best. Promoter. Ever.
By now most everyone who follows the Vancouver music scene has heard the sad news about the passing of local concert-biz legend Drew Burns. The longtime proprietor of the Commodore Ballroom died on Saturday, leaving scores of friends and fans feeling down--until memories of him got them up again. The last time I saw Drew was backstage … Continue reading Remembering the Commodore’s Drew Burns: Best. Promoter. Ever.
Marilyn Burns, star of the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, dies at 65
Some sad news out of Texas today. Marilyn Burns--star of the groundbreaking fright flick Texas Chain Saw Massacre--died yesterday in her Houston home of undisclosed causes. She was 65. Burns will always be remembered by horror fans for her portrayal of the sole survivor of Leatherface's gruesome rampage in Tobe Hooper's classic 1974 film, which … Continue reading Marilyn Burns, star of the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, dies at 65
R.I.P. Johnny Winter, one of the world’s all-time greatest guitarists, dead at 70
Just heard in a tweet from Nanaimo blues-rocker David Gogo that blues legend Johnny Winter has died. The awful news was first broken a few hours ago by Jenda Derringer, the wife of former Winter bandmate Rick Derringer, on her Facebook page. It's a very sad day for fans of blues and rock guitar. Winter's never … Continue reading R.I.P. Johnny Winter, one of the world’s all-time greatest guitarists, dead at 70
H.R. Giger rocked my world with the Alien monster and the Brain Salad Surgery cover
I was shocked and saddened to hear that revered Swiss artist H.R. Giger passed away yesterday at the age of 74, apparently after a fall. I got my first look at his work in 1973 when, as a teenager perusing new albums at a record store, I came across Brain Salad Surgery, the latest release by British prog-rockers Emerson, Lake … Continue reading H.R. Giger rocked my world with the Alien monster and the Brain Salad Surgery cover
Blue Öyster Cult cofounder Allen Lanier dead at 67
Lanier (far left) in a B.O.C. promo shot from the '70s, which they ruled. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 15, 2013 By Steve Newton Sad news for fans of one of the greatest hard-rock bands of all time. Allen Lanier, founding keyboardist-guitarist for Blue Öyster Cult, died yesterday after being hospitalized with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which restricts … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult cofounder Allen Lanier dead at 67
Former David Bowie bassist Trevor Bolder dies of cancer at 62
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 21, 2013 First we got the sad news yesterday that former Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek had died from cancer at the age of 74. Now comes word that bassist Trevor Bolder, former member of David Bowie's amazing backup band the Spiders from Mars, has succumbed to the Big C at … Continue reading Former David Bowie bassist Trevor Bolder dies of cancer at 62
Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dead at 56
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 28, 2009 By Steve Newton Original Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell died early this morning at his home in Orange Park, Florida, apparently due to a heart attack. He was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m. after paramedics responded to a 911 call in which Powell, who has a history of … Continue reading Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dead at 56
Legendary guitar creator Les Paul dies
Ir ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 13, 2009 Les Paul, famed guitar player and creator of the solid-body Gibson guitar that bears his name, died today (August 13) at the age of 94 in White Plains, New York. Paul, the electronics mastermind who also created multitrack recording and tape delay, first gained popularity in the … Continue reading Legendary guitar creator Les Paul dies
Metal legend Ronnie James Dio dead at 67
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 16, 2010 Heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio, best known for his work with Rainbow and Black Sabbath, passed away today at the age of 67. He had been battling stomach cancer. His wife Wendy posted the following message on his web site. "Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed … Continue reading Metal legend Ronnie James Dio dead at 67
Little Feat drummer and founding member Richie Hayward dies of liver cancer
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 13, 2010 Richie Hayward, the founding drummer and longtime member of rootsy southern-rock greats Little Feat, passed away yesterday at the age of 64 after a long battle with liver cancer. Hayward formed the band in 1969 with keyboardist Bill Payne and former Mothers of Invention members Lowell George (guitar) … Continue reading Little Feat drummer and founding member Richie Hayward dies of liver cancer