On April 5, 2025, David Geoffrey Allen died aged 69. He was musician (bass), vocalist and primary songwriter of the band The Elastic Purejoy, played bass guitar in Low Pop Suicide, was member and bass player of the band Gang of Four and founding member of Shriekback.
Tag Archives: died aged 69
Martin Griffin
On January 6, 2020, Martin Griffin died aged 69. He was musician (drums), during the seventies he ran “Roche” recording studios in Cornwall, recording many upcoming artists including ABC, Elvis Costello and Secret Affair, but was best known as drummer of Hawkwind and spin-off project Hawklords.
Peter Frederick Way
On August 14, 2020. Peter Frederick Way died aged 69. He was musician (bass guitar) and songwriter, founding member of Fastway, and Waysted, member of The Plot, and Michael Schenker Group, performed with Ozzy Osbourne, but was best known as member and bass player of UFO. As leader, he released three albums.
Luther Ingram
On March 2007, Luther Thomas Ingram died aged 69. He was singer and songwriter, best known for his song 1972 “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right”, and as composer of the Staple Singers classic “Respect Yourself”. Ingram released five albums.
Peter Watts
On January 22, 2017, Peter Overend Watts died aged 69. He was musician (bass), vocalist, and record producer, member of the British Lions, but best known as the founding member and bass player of Mott the Hoople. As producer he worked with Hanoi Rocks and Dumb Blondes.
Derek Wadsworth
On December 3, 2008, Derek Wadsworth died aged 69. He was musician (cornet, trombone, keyboards), composer and arranger. He was musical director for Diana Ross, Dusty Springfield, and the musical “Hair”. As a musician and arranger he worked with Maynard Ferguson, Georgie Fame, Nina Simone, David Essex, Judy Garland, Humphrey Lyttelton, Graham Collier, Tonny Bennett, George Harrison, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Mike Oldfield, Simply Red, Kate Bush, Cat Stevens, Small Faces, Manferd Mann, and the Rolling Stones.
Lawrence Knechtel
On August 20, 2009, Lawrence William Knechtel died aged 69. He was a musician (keyboards, bass), a member of the Wrecking Crew, a collection of Los Angeles-based session musicians, and the band Bread. He recorded with big number of renowned artists including Elvis Presley, The Byrds, Barbra Streisand, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Cher, Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, The Mamas & the Papas, The Monkees, the Partridge Family, Paul Simon, Chet Baker, Jerry Garcia, Dave mason, Nancy Sinatra, Howard Roberts, Thelma Houston, Glen Campbell, Peter Allen, Barry Mann, Lalo Schifrin, Jimmy Webb, José Feliciano, Jackie DeShannon, Brian Cadd, Bobby Darin, Art Garfunkel, Stephen Bishop, David Clayton-Thomas, Billy Joel, Barry McGuire, Paul Young, Dolly Parton, Al Kooper, Johnny Rivers, John Denver, Chet Atkins, Helen Reddy, Joan Baez, Alen Roth, and Neil Diamond. Knechtel released two solo albums.
Arthur Crier
On July 22, 2004, Arthur G.L. Crier died aged 69. He was singer, songwriter, and music producer, member of The Halos, worked with The Four Tops, The Temptations, Little Eva, Gene Pitney, Ben E. King, The Coasters, and Johnny Nash.
Skip Battin
On July 6, 2003, Clyde “Skip” Battin died aged 69. He was songwriter and musician (bass), member of the New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Flying Burrito Brothers, but was best known as the bass player and songwriter of The Byrds.
Obie Benson
On July 1, 2005, Renaldo “Obie” Benson died aged 69. He was singer and songwriter, best known as a founding member and the bass singer of the Four Tops, a band that sold over 50 million records and had hits including “Reach Out (I’ll be There)” and “I Can’t Help Myself”. In 1971 Benson co-wrote “What’s Going On” for Marvin Gaye and song that “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked at no. 4 on their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
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