Music News Net

MICHAEL BEEN of The Call, Dead at 60

MUSIC NEWS-  Michael Been, 60, the leader, vocalist and guitarist of the 1980's alt-rockers,  The Call, as well as father of bassist Robert Been of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the sound engineer for BRMC, passed away on Thursday after suffering a heart attack backstage at one of BRMC concerts.

Michael was the sound engineer and mentor for BRMC was backstage at Pukkelpop Music Fest in Belgium and suffered a medical incident. “The first aid was immediately administered by the workers of the Flemish Cross and the doctors present backstage.” says festival organizer Chokri Mahassine. “The Medical Emergency Team was immediately on the spot.” He was rushed to the Salvator Hasselt hospital where he later died.

Our condolences to Robert, Michael's other family members and close friends.  More @ The-Call-Band.com .

KENNY EDWARDS, An Original Stone Poney Member, Dead at 64

MUSIC NEWS- One of original members of the groundbreaking country rock band, The Stone Poneys,  KENNY EDWARDS, died on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in California at age 64.  As part of the Poneys, and his solo career, he was a longtime collaborator with singer-songwriters Linda Ronstadt and Karla Bonoff

The L.A. Times reported that Edwards was hospitalized in Denver, CO earlier this month after he collapsed while on tour with Ms Bonoff.  He was then air-lifted to a hospital near his home in Santa Barbara, where he died.  Edwards was diagnosed with the blood disorder thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, or TTP, and had been undergoing chemotherapy for prostate cancer.

Richie Hayward, LITTLE FEAT Drummer, Passes Away

MUSIC NEWS - Richie Hayward, 64, the original drummer for Little Feat, died onThursday after a long battlecancer.   Before the Feat, Hayward worked with The Family Of Man and The Factory, which is where he met future Little Feat frontman Lowell George (dead since 1979). The two joined up with Bill Payne and Roy Estrada and formed the original Little Feat in 1969.

5th KISS Member, Manager Bill Aucoin, Dead at 66

MUSIC- Rock manager, Bill Aucoin, the man behind KISS who built the band into the musical and merchandising legend it became, died this week, June 28 at Aventura (FL) Hospital and Medical Center as a result of complications from prostate cancer surgery, according to his website, Aucoin.biz. He was 66.

He was formerly a television cameraman, for WGBH in Boston, and met Kiss in NYC in 1973.  He was their second manager,  and helped build the fire-breathing, makeup-wearing, explosive filled quartet into a huge moneymaking operation. He financed the band's initial tour on his personal American Express card when funding was difficult to come by and helped get them their first record deal.  "He was the fifth Kiss," said drummer Peter Criss, at whose second wedding Aucoin serve as the best man. "If it wasn't for Bill, there would be no Kiss."

Original KINKS Band Member, Bassist, Pete Quaife, Dead at 66

MUSIC NEWS- Former Kinks bassist, Pete Quaife passed away on June 23, 2010 at age 66 of kidney failure.  He had been undergoing kidney dialysis for over ten years.   He played on the band's earlier hits including the classic tunes, You Really Got Me, All Day and All of the Night and Dedicated Follower of Fashion.

A co-founding member of the group, Quaife played with them for five years on several of their biggest hits before leaving in 1969. More @ BBC.com.

Country Music Legend (and Breakfast Meat King) JIMMY DEAN Dead at 81

MUSIC NEWS - Country music Hall of Famer, TV show host and country singer Jimmy Dean, best known for his hit 'Big Bad John', died on Sunday at his home in Henrico County, Virginia reports his wife,  Donna Meade Dean.  She said to the Associated Press that Mr Dean had some health problems but was still functioning well, and his death came as a shock. She said he was eating in front of the tv and left the room for a time.  When she returned to the room he was unresponsive. Dean was pronounced dead at 7:54PM.

His big hit, the tune, 'Big Bad John' was released in 1961, and later covered by Johnny Cash and Sammy Davis Jr.  Dean later began The Jimmy Dean Meat Company in 1969, selling the company in 1984 to the Sarah Lee corportation, but stayed on as their chairman and TV spokesperson (until 1983 when they dumped him). 

Texas born Dean should also be foundly remembered as giving The Muppets one of their early big breaks. He introduced Jim Henson to the public through the piano playing dog Rowlf who he featured regularly on his 1950s TV show.

RONNIE JAMES DIO Succumbs to Stomach Cancer at 67

MUSIC NEWS- Sad news, rocker, Ronnie James Dio, 67,  whose gift of amazing, wailing vocals and mythic tales of a constant struggle between good & evil that broke new ground in the world heavy metal music, died on Sunday, May 16, 2010 according to a statement from his wife and manager, Wendy Dio.

Wendy Dio wrote today on Dio's website ; "Today my heart is broken," noting that Ronnie died at 7:45am. "Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.  "Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all," she continued. "We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us ... Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

Lastyear, after ending a tour in Atlantic City, NJ, Dio revealed he was suffering from stomach cancer .  At the time, he had been touring with the latest version of Black Sabbath under the name Heaven And Hell and vowed to fight the disease.

Sex Pistols Manager, Malcolm McLaren, Dead at 64

Music News - The former Sex Pistols manager, Malcolm McLaren, died this morning of mesothelioma.  He had been suffering from cancer and died from complications of the illness.  Spokesperson Les Molloy said: 'He had been suffering from cancer for some time, but recently had been full of health, which then rapidly deteroriated."   'He died in New York this morning. We are expecting his body to be brought back to London and buried in Highgate Cemetery.'

McLaren was born in London in 1946. He is best knows as manager of the punk rock band The Sex Pistols and one of the earliest promoters of the punk movement, as well as opening London clothing store Let It Rock with Vivienne Westwood.  He also managed the New York Dolls and released his own music.

Of McLaren's passing, Johnny Rotten today said; "For me Malc was always entertaining, and I hope you remember that. Above all else he was an entertainer and I will miss him, and so should you.”  Steve Jones tells us;  “I was upset when I heard the news, as I’ve always had a soft spot for Malcolm.  I knew him since I was 17 before the Pistols formed--I used to drive him around in Vivienne Westwood’s car to the tailors in London in the days of the ‘Let It Rock’ clothing store.  Malcolm was definitely the Brian Epstein of punk—without him it wouldn’t have happened the way it did. I stayed friends with him throughout the years despite some of our differences. He came on ‘Jonesy’s Jukebox’ a couple of years ago, and that’s a good memory.  But my fondest memory of Malcolm, and I loved the guy, was his birthday gift to me when I turned 21—he got me a hooker and some heroin.”

More @ Guardian.co.uk

Madonna's Former Manager, Caresse Henry, Dead at 44

MUSIC NEWS - CNN has reported receiving the following statement from Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, regarding the passing of Caresse Henry (Madonna's former manager).

"Caresse Henry, 44, of Laguna Beach, California died suddenly on March 31st in Irvine, California. Despite rumors to the contrary, the cause of death has not been determined and is currently under investigation. Born in Los Angeles, Ms. Henry managed Madonna’s career for 10 years. She went on to briefly manage Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone, Paula Abdul and Andrew Dice Clay.

Henry is survived by her two children, Honour Kristen Norman and Ava Caresse Hinojosa who both reside in Los Angeles. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Yvette and Steve Dobbie of Laguna Beach, brother Patrick Henry, Jr. of San Diego, mother Angelica Henry of Newport Beach and father Patrick Henry, Sr of Wexford, Ireland. Services will be held on Friday, April 9th at 11:00 am at St. Paul’s Church in Westwood, California. “The family has requested that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” stated Liz Rosenberg, longtime friend and spokeperson for the family. "

The Orange County, CA coroner's office says she died of a self-inflicted gunshot at her home. Ms Henry managed Madonna for 10 years until the early 1990s.

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HALL & OATES Bassist, Tom "T Bone" Wolk Dead of Heart Attack

MUSIC NEWS - Tom "T-Bone" Wolk, 58, bass player with Daryl Hall and John Oates for over 30years died Saturday, February 27 of an apparent heart attack. Wolk was to have performed with Hall and Oates today, Monday, March 1, on the one-year anniversary show for "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" on NBC.

He was a Yonkers, NY, nativ and was best known for his work with Hall and Oates. Of T Bones passing, Daryl Hall said; "To say that I am shocked is the ultimate understatement.  T-Bone was my musical brother and losing him is like losing my right hand.  It’s not if I will go on, but how.  T-Bone was one of the most sensitive and good human beings that I have ever known. And, I can truly say that I loved him." 

RIP, DOUG FIEGER of the Knack

MUSIC NEWS - THE KNACK lead singer Doug Fieger died today at his home in Woodland Hills, CA after a long battle with brain and lung cancer reports the band's manager Jake Hooker.  He was 57.  “I’ve had 10 great lives,” Fieger told the Detroit News in a January 2010 interview. “And I expect to have some more. I don’t feel cheated in any way, shape or form.” Get the Knack, the album that featured “My Sharona,” spent six weeks at #1 back in 1979.

He is survived by his sister, Beth Falkenstein, and brother, MI attorney Geoffrey Fieger of Southfield, who is known for representing assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian.

A L.A. memorial service for family and friends is being arranged.

More @ Knack.com

 

Folk Singer Kate McGarrigle Dead at 63

MUSIC NEWS- Talented Canadian folk and roots music singer Kate McGarrigle, who was best known for her music with sister, Anna (the McGarrigle Sisters), died on Monday evening at the age 63 at her Montreal home, just a few weeks before her birthday.  Kate was born in Montreal had been disagnosed with sarcoma three and a half years ago but preferred to keep it private, died after a battle with the rare form of cancer.  The news has been confirmed by  journalist Dane Lanken, her brother in law and by her doctor, Robert Tabah who and said: "Kate McGariggle passed away yesterday (Monday 18 January) as a result of sarcoma, a form of cancer that she was first diagnosed with three and a half years ago." Ms McGarrigle was the mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright from her prior marriage to singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III.

The McGarrigle sisters recorded 10 albums, with several of their songs covered by artists Linda Ronstadt, Billy Bragg, Emmylou Harris and others

News of the seriousness of her illness was circulated over the weekend as Rufus cancelled his February tour of Australia and New Zealand, to be with her.

No word yet on funeral arrangements, in the meantime, donations to the Kate McGarrigle Fund can be made by telephoning 514-931-5656 or online at Muhcfoundation.

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Legendary R&B, Soul Singer TEDDY PENDERGRASS Dead at 59

MUSIC NEWS - TEDDY PENDERGRASS, one of best known and respected  soul singers of all time and R&B’s reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and ‘80s, died last night at 59, following a prolonged illness.  The legendary, Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter, whose powerful vocals helped define The Sound of Philadelphia, first with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes then later as a solo performer, passed away at Bryn Mawr Hospital in suburban Philadelphia, PA where he had been hospitalized since August.  

Pendergrass is survived by his mother, Ida Pendergrass; his wife Joan; his children, Teddy Pendergrass II, Trisha Pendergrass and La Donna Pendergrass; daughters from his marriage to Joan, Sherilla Lestrade and Jessica Avila; and grandchildren Montaurius Driane, Desaray Drane, Teddy Pendergrass III, Alana Nida Sky Pendergrass, Gabriel Gomes, Jasmine Lestrade and Jeremiah Sanford.  Additionally, Pendergrass is survived by his daughter-in-law, Felicia Pendergrass, as well as relatives Francine Pendergrass, Georger Mouzon and Neverland Dent.  Funeral arrangements will be announced later today.

JAY REATARD, Dead at 29 !!!

MUSIC NEWS - The tweets and rumors earlier this AM were correct, sad news- Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr, the Memphis musician better known by his punk-rocker stage name Jay Reatard died on Tuesday.   Goner Records announced on Wednesday via their website; goner-records.com stated :

 “It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our good friend Jay Reatard. Jay died in his sleep last night. We will pass along information about funeral arrangements when they are made public.”

And one of his other labels, Matador Records posted the following on their site: "We are devastated by the death of Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., aka Jay Reatard. Jay was as full of life as anyone we’ve ever met, and responsible for so many memorable moments as a person and artist. We’re honored to have known and worked with him, and we will miss him terribly."  Matador released Reatard's last album, Watch Me Fall, in August 2009.

Jay was born on May 1, 1980 in Memphis, TN and spent time with The Reatards and Lost Sounds but had been a rising solo artist of late with his second studio album, Watch Me Fall, released last August (via Matador Records). More @ Commercial Appeal

RIP

UPDATE 1/14/10- According the local Fox news affiliate, Memphis, TN police are searching for a possible suspect in the Wednesday death of Jay at his Cooper-Young home. Police have also asked the public for information and tips in what has been described as a possible homicide.  MNN Note- This is standard police investigative procedure pending outcome of the autopsy to determine if someone has been murdered.

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Jimmy "the Rev" Sullivan of AVENGED SEVENFOLD Dead at 28

MUSIC NEWS - Jimmy Owen Sullivan, drummer for heavy metal rockers AVENGED SEVENFOLD, died on Monday, December 28 at his home in Huntington Beach, CA from natural causes, he was 28.  Nicknamed The Rev, the band posted the news of their fellow member's death on their website early this AM (December 29), and paid tribute to the "THE REV".

"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan," they wrote.   "Jimmy was not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time. Jimmy you are forever in our hearts. We love you."

His death remains under investigation by the Orange County Coroner's Office.  More on Jimmy and the band @ avengedsevenfold.com

(photo: drummerworld.com)