Dead Rock Stars: Kevin DuBrow, Casey Calvert.
November 27th, 2007 by KarenGrim as it is, the music buzz this morning has been all about dead rock stars.
Earlier this week Kevin DuBrow, lead singer of ‘70s/’80s rock band Quiet Riot was found dead in his Las Vegas, NV home. The fun-loving heavy metal band was best known for songs such as “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” and a cover of Slade’s “Cum On Feel The Noize.” An early line-up of the band also featured legendary guitarist Randy Rhodes, later of Ozzy Osbourne fame.
On November 23, 25-year-old guitarist Casey Calvert of Hawthorne Heights was found dead on the band’s tour bus in Washington, D.C. The emo-core band hailed from Dayton, OH and had recently been making headlines due to contract disputes with its record label, Victory Records. The group was best known for songs such as “Ohio is for Lovers.”
They say deaths come in groups of three, but let’s hope that isn’t the case.
However, we have lost many other notable musicians in 2007, so let’s take a minute to remember a few of them now.
1. Lee Hazelwood—August 4 at age 78. Known for making Nancy Sinatra a star with songs such as “These Boots Were Made for Walking,” and the psychedelic masterpiece, “Some Velvet Morning,” the reclusive singer’s eerie drawl and innovative songwriting skills made him an enduring cult classic.
2. Max Roach—August 15 at age 83. Innovative Jazz percussionist known for his work with Duke Ellington, Anthony Braxton and Dizzy Gillespie.
3. Frankie Laine—February 6 at age 93. Pop singer of the 1950s known for swinging pop songs such as “Jezebel” and “That’s My Desire.”
4. Joe Hunter—February 2 at age 79. Hunter was the bandleader/pianist of the Funk Brothers, the house band of Motown Records, home to artists such as the Temptations, the Supremes and Marvin Gaye.
5. Hilly Krystal—August 28 at age 75. Helped the New York punk scene and bands like the Ramones, Talking Heads and Blondie flourish in the ‘70s thanks to his music venue, CBGB’s.
6. “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow—January 6 at age 72. Famed pedal steel guitarist for pioneering country-rock band, the Flying Burrito Brothers (featuring members of the Byrds). Kleinow also contributed to recordings by John Lennon, Stevie Wonder and Frank Zappa, among others.
7. Denny Doherty—January 19 at age 66. Doherty was a member of the ‘60s group, the Mamas and the Papas, famous for songs such as “California Dreaming” and “Monday Monday.”
8. Alice Coltrane—January 12 at age 69. In addition to being an accomplished pianist, Coltrane was the widow of legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane.
9. Tony Wilson—August 10 at age 57. Legendary UK music producer and promoter behind Factory Records and notable groups such as New Order, Joy Division and Happy Mondays.
10. Porter Wagoner—October 28 at age 80. Member of the Grand Ole Opry beloved for his rhinestone-adorned western outfits and memorable duets with with Dolly Parton. Wagoner recently launched a successful comeback, winning over young fans and playing Madison Square Garden with garage-rock duo, the White Stripes.
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