On October 16, 2021, Ron Tutt died aged 83. He was musician (drums), recorded and performed with Elvis Presley, the Carpenters, Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond, Jerry Garcia, Billy Joel, Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons.
Tag Archives: 2021
Pee Wee Ellis
On September 24, 2021, Alfred James Ellis aka Pee Wee Ellis died aged 80. He was musician (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, flute, keyboards), arranger and composer, worked as musical director and arranger with George Benson, Hank Crawford and Esther Phillips. Ellis recorded and performed with David Liebman, Jack McDuff, Rebirth Brass Band, Shirley Scott, Sonny Stitt, Leon Thomas, Van Morrison, Ginger Baker’s jazz Confusion, The JB Horns, Maceo Parker, Brass Fever, Ali Farka Touré and The Dapps, but was best known as longtime collaborator of James Brown. He co-wrote and recorded some of Brown’s best-known songs like “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” and “Cold Sweat”. As leader Ellis released 13 albums.
Ron Bushy
On August 29, 2021, Ron Bushy died aged 79. He was musician (drums) and graphic artist, member of the bands Voxmen, Magic and Gold, but was best known as drummer of Iron Butterfly. Bushy was the only Iron Butterfly member to appear on all band’s studio albums.
Charlie Watts
On August 24, 2021, Charles Robert Watts died aged 80. He was musician (drums) and songwriter, member of Blues Incorporated and The Charlie Watts Tentetm, but was best known as a drummer of The Rolling Stones since 1963. Watts was featured on all the Rolling Stones albums. In 2006, he was inducted into the “Modern Drummer Hall of Fame”, and in 2016, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at number 12 on its “100 Greatest Drummers of All Time” list. In addition to his work with The Rolling Stones, Watts has released eleventh albums.
Don Everly

On August 21, 2021, Don Everly died aged 84. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, member of the Everly Brothers (with his brother Phil). Regarded as pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll, they began recording music in 1956, and had the first hit “Bye Bye Love” in 1957. In the period from 1958 to 1960, Everly Brothers had number of hits including “Wake Up Little Susie”, “All I Have to Do Is Dream”, and “Problems”. In the 1960s their vocal harmonies influenced many musicians and bands including the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel. In 1986, Everly Brothers were the first group to be inaugurated in the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame” (together with Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis).
Nanci Caroline Griffith
On August 13, 2021, Nanci Caroline Griffith died aged 68. She was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, toured and recorded with The Crickets, John Prine, Iris DeMent, Suzy Bogguss, Judy Collins, Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, John Prine, Don McLean, Jimmy Buffett, Dolores Keane, Willie Nelson, Adam Duritz, The Chieftains, John Stewart, Darius Rucker and Buddy Holly’s band. In 1994, Griffith won “Grammy Award” for “Best Contemporary Folk Album”, in 1995, she was awarded the “Kate Wolf Memorial Award” by the “World Folk Music Association”, and in 2008, the “Americana Music Association” awarded her its “Americana Trailblazer Award”. Griffith released 18th studio and 2 live albums.
Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill
On July 28, 2021, Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill died aged 72. He was musician (bass guitar, keyboards), singer and songwriter, performed and recorded with Willy & the Wolves, Freddie King, The Warlocks, The Cellar Dwellers, American Blues, but was best known as bassist and vocalist of ZZ Top. In 2004, as member of ZZ Top he was inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Jon Hassell
On June 26, 2021, Jon Hassell died aged 84. He was musician (trumpet) and composer, best known as creator of the “Fourth World” music concept. He recorded and performed with artists such as Brian Eno, Terry Riley, the Theatre of Eternal Music, Talking Heads, Farafina, Peter Gabriel, Tears for Fears, Ani DiFranco, Techno Animal, Ry Cooder, Moritz von Oswald, Carl Craig, Francesco Guccini, La Monte Young, David Sylvian, Lloyd Cole, Alice, Marc Beacco, Les Nouvelles Polyphonies Corses, Hector Zazou, Stina Nordenstam, David Toop, Jackson Browne, K. D. Lang, Holly Cole, Mandalay, Hal Wilner, Nick Wood, Rick Cox, Frou Frou, Ibrahim Ferrer and John Balke. As leader, co-leader, Hassell released 18 albums.
Anita Lane
On April 28, 2021, Anita Louise Lane died aged 61. She was singer-songwriter, best known for her collaboration with Nick Cave and Mick Harvey. Lane was member of The Bad Seeds, and co-wrote some of the Birthday Party most memorable songs. As leader she released two albums.
Bunny Wailer
On March 2, 2021, Neville O’Riley Livingston, OM aka Bunny Wailer died aged 73. He was musician (percussion), singer and songwriter, also known as Bunny Livingston and Jah B. Three time “Grammy Award” winner, best known as an founding member of reggae group The Wailers along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. In 2017, Wailer was awarded the prestigious “Order of Merit” by the Jamaican Government, for his contribution for the Jamaican music. The legendary reggae singer whose career reached across seven decades, released 30 albums as leader.