On July 26, 2015, John Weldon Cale aka J.J. Cale, died aged 74. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, regarded as one of the originators of the “Tulsa Sound”, a style based on blues, country, rockabilly, and jazz. His unique singing and guitar playing style influenced big number of music artists including Mark Knopfler, Neil Young, and Eric Clapton who described him as “one of the most important artists in the history of rock”. Songs composed by Cale have been recorded by many famous artists including Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Mayer, Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare, Jerry Garcia, Waylon Jennings, Dr. Hook, Captain Beefheart, Freddie King, Beck, Lucinda Williams, Iron and Wine, Ben Bridwell, and Asha Puthli.
Tag Archives: 2015
Chris Squire
On June 27, 2015, Christopher “Chris” Russell Edward Squire, died aged 67. He was musician (bass guitar), songwriter, and singer, best known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist of “Yes”. Squire was the only “Yes” member to appear on each of their 21 studio albums, released from 1969 to 2014. In 1975, Squire released his only solo album “Fish out of water”. He was regarded as one of the most respected and most influential bass players in the history of rock music. From 1991 to 2000, “Rickenbacker” company produced a limited edition signature bass of his trademark instrument, in his name, the “4001 CS”.
Louis Johnson
On May 21, 2015, Louis Johnson died aged 60. He was musician (bass), founding member of funk band the “Brothers Johnson” and one of the most demanded bass players. Johnson performed on Quncy Jones albums “Body Heat” and “Mellow Madness”, Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall”, “Thriller” and “Dangerous” and hit songs “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. Johnson also performed on George Benson’s album “Give Me the Night”.
B. B. King
On May 14, 2015, Riley B. King alias B.B. King died aged 89. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, known as the “King of the blues” and one of the most important artists in the history of modern music.
Erol Brown
Lester Errol Brown MBE died today aged 71. Brown was a British-Jamaican singer and songwriter, best known as thefrontman of soul band Hot Chocolate. Hot Chocolate’s hits included “You Sexy Thing”, “Emma”, “So You Win Again” and “Brother Louie”.
Ben E. King
On April 30, 2015, Ben E. King died aged 76. He was singer, one of the lead singers of the soul vocal group “Drifters”, best known as the singer and co-composer of “Stand by Me”, song number 25 on the “RIAA’s” list of “Songs of the Century”.
Steve Marriott
On April 20.1991, Stephen Peter “Steve” Marriott died aged 44. He was musician (guitar), songwriter and producer, leader of Small Faces (The) and Humble Pie. In 2012, Marriott was inducted posthumously into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of Small Faces (The).
Clark Terry
On February 21, 2015, Clark Terry died aged 94. He was musician (trumpet, flugehorn) and composer, pioneer of the flugehorn in Jazz, educator, and “NEA Jazz Masters” inductee. His career spanned more than seventy years and in which he played with Charlie Barnet (1947), Count Basie (1948–1951), Duke Ellington (1951–1959) and Quincy Jones (1960). He is among the most recorded Jazz musicians ever.
Steve Strange
On February 12, 2015, Steve Strange died aged 55. He was singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and frontman of the group “Visage”. Since the late 70’ was also a prominent nightclub host and promoter, one of the leading figures behind the New Romantic movement in the 1980.
Kim Gordon: Girl In A Band
On February 24, 2015, “Harper Collins Publishers” released “Girl in a Band”, the Kim Gordon autobiography. She was founding member of “Sonic Youth” and one of the most important women in the Rock’n’Roll history. Written after the breakdown of her marriage with Thurston Moore and “Sonic Youth” split, Gordon’s autobiography is story of extraordinary person and a great artist.
