Recently Deceased 2011-2012 : Rock ‘n’ Roll Stars. Big & Small.

/in /by

As a disc jockey, I read the liner notes on vinyl records, CD’s and on-line. Many names have appeared on this kind of “final” hit-list recently. You will recognize most names and bands listed here. Some are world famous, others hold a smaller place in music history. Here are some.
Which ones meant something to you? Comments welcome on FACEBOOK.

ROBIN GIBB
62, 05/20/12
One of Gibbs brothers trio, The Bee Gees.
See “The Record” (2-cd)

DONNA SUMMER
63, 05/17/12
Called “The Queen Of Disco”.
See “Anthology”(2-cd), “On The Radio”, “Gold”.

DONALD “Duck” DUNN
70, 05/13/12
Booker T. & the MG’s
Also, legendary recording session bass player for Otis Redding, Sam & Dave
and the Blues Brothers.

ADAM “MCA” YAUCH
47, 05/04/12
The Beastie Boys, a hard-rocking rap trio.
See “ Solid Gold Hits”.

TOMMY MARTH
33, 04/23/12
(The Killers) Saxophone. “Somebody Told Me”, “ Mr. Brightside”.

GREG HAM
58, 04/19/12
(Men At Work) See “Contraband” (hits)

LEVON HELM
71, 04/19/12
The Band, drummer.
See “Music from Big Pink” by The Band. See Bob Dylan sessions with The Band (w/Helm). See “The Last Waltz” 1976 film.

DICK CLARK
82, 04/18/12
TV legend.“American Bandstand” CLICK HERE

EARL SCRUGGS
88, 03/28/12
Flatt & Scruggs. Legendary country banjo player. Essential bluegrass classic: ” Foggy Mountain Breakdown”

MICHAEL HOSSACK
65, 03/12/12
Doobie Brothers, drummer, (also specializing in 2-drummer performances) 1971-73, 1987-2012

DAVY JONES
66, 02/29/12
The Monkees. See “Greatest Hits” by The Monkees (1995)
CLICK HERE

WHITNEY HOUSTON
48, 02/11/12
See “The Ultimate”, “The Greatest Hits (2-cds), “The Essential”, “Whitney Houston” debut LP.
CLICK HERE

DON CORNELIUS
75, 02/01/12
TV legend. “Soul Train”, producer/host. CLICK HERE

ETTA JAMES
73, 01/20/12
“At Last”, “Something’s Got A Hold On Me”. See “The Definitive”, “20th Century Masters”.
CLICK HERE

DOBIE GREY
71, 12/06/11
“Drift Away” (1973)

JERRY LIEBER
78, 08/22/11. Songwriter. Partner of Mike Stoller.
Leiber/ Stoller wrote: Hound Dog, Kansas City, On Broadway, Yakety Yak, Charlie Brown, Stand By Me, Is That All There Is, Jailhouse Rock, Love Potion #9 and many more…
See “ Smokey Joe’s Cafe” (Broadway musical revue).

DAN PEEK
60, 07/24/11
America, guitar vocals. 1970-1977. See “History” (hits, 1975) by America. See “The Complete” (hits, 2001)

AMY WINEHOUSE
27, 07/23/11
See “Frank”, “Back To Black”.

BOB GRILL
67, 07/11/11
Grass Roots: vocals, bass & songwriter. See All-Time Greatest Hits, Anthology 1965-75 (1991, 2-cd)

CLARENCE CLEMONS
69, 06/18/11
Saxophone. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
See “ Friend Of Mine” (1985, #18 pop single) w/ Jackson Browne.
Session work included : Aretha Franklin’s “Who Zoomin’ Who?”, Gary US Bonds “This Little Girl” and many Southside Johnny sessions.

DON KIRSHNER
76, 01/17/11
TV legend . Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert. A weekend, late night, showcase for rock stars in the pre-MTV era. Manager of The Monkees.

GERRY RAFFERTY
63, 01/04/11
Steelers Wheel’s: “Stuck In The Middle With You” and “Star”.
Solo: See “Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty, (import, 2002), “Best of” 1970-82.

DICK GRIFFEY
72, 09/24/10
Solar Records, founder. Solar Records label (purple label w/ the sun w/ a comet tail) included The Whispers, Lakeside (Fantastic Voyage), Midnight Star, Calloway (I Wanna Be Rich), The Deele (Babyface & L.A. Reid), Carrie Lucas (Dance With Me) and Shalamar.

THE DISSAPPEARING SOUL MEN , including,
“Teddy Pendergrass”
59, 01/14/10
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, solo.

Written by Ed Mullen (May 2012) www.DJMrEdHQ.com
Find me on FACEBOOK.

Information: Www.wikipedia.com , www.amazon.com , www.billboard.com , www.music.barnesandnoble.com , www.cnn.com & www.djmredhq.com .