On November 14, 2024, Peter John Sinfield died aged 80. He was poet and songwriter, founding member of the band A Bowl of Soup, but was best known as co-founder and lyricist of King Crimson. He wrote lyrics for Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Angelo Branduardi, Andy Hill, McDonalds and Giles, Robert Sheckley, Brian Eno, Gary Brooker, Nikka Costa, Buck Fizz, Moon Martin, Leo Sayer, Five Star, Flairck, Agnetha Fältskog, Cher, Celine Dion, David Cross, and Ian McDonald. Sinfield released book of lyrics and poems titled “Under the Sky”, and as leader he released one album.
Tag Archives: died aged 80
Dickey Betts
On April 18, 2024, Forrest Richard Betts aka Dickie Betts died aged 80. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, member of the bands Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Betts, Hall, Leavell and Trucks, but was best known as founding member, guitarist and singer of The Allman Brothers Band.
Michael Chapman
On September 10, 2021, Michael Chapman died aged 80. He was musician (guitar, banjo, bass, piano, percussion), well known in the folk clubs of the late 60s, and on the UK progressive music scene. As leader Chapman released more than 50 albums.
Michael Lang
On August 5, 2022, Michael Anthony Lang died aged 80. He was musician (piano, keyboards, organ, synthesizer) and composer, recorded more than 2500 film scores, and worked with some of the biggest names of modern music such as Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Vince Gill, Milt Jackson, Lee Konitz, Diana Krall, Arturo Sandoval, Josh Groban, Frank Zappa, Lee Ritenour, Oliver Nelson, Bud Shank, Kenny Rogers, Barbra Streisand, Solomon Burke, Tom Waits, Peggy Lee, Vanessa Williams, Jose Feliciano, Bette Midler, Russell Watson, Michael Bolton, Don Ellis, Robbie Williams, Paul Anka, Sarah Vaughan, Amy Grant, Willie Nelson, Natalie Cole, Dusty Springfield, Melissa Manchester, Neil Diamond, Shelly Manne and Stan Kenton.
Graeme Edge
On November 11, 2021, Graeme Charles Edge died aged 80. He was musician (drums, percussion), songwriter and poet, best known as co-founder and drummer of the Moody Blues. He also had his own band, Graeme Edge Band, with whom he released 13 albums. In 2018, as member of the Moody Blues, Edge was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
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.
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.
Johnny Nash
On October 6, 2020, John Lester Nash Jr. aka Johnny Nash died aged 80. He was a singer, songwriter, one of the first non-Jamaican artists to record reggae music in Kingston. He was best known for his 1972 song, the million-selling anthem “I Can See Clearly Now”. Nash recorded 17 albums.
Samuel Phillips
On July 30, 2003, Samuel Cornelius Phillips died aged 80. He was record producer, radio DJ, and founder of “Sun Records” and “Sun Studio”, in Memphis, Tennessee. In the 1940s, Phillips worked as a DJ for “Muscle Shoals”, Alabama radio station “WLAY”. In 1951, Phillips recorded what is considered to be the first rock and roll record, “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats. He discovered and produced recordings by Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Howlin’ Wolf.
Tony Allen
On April 30, 2020, Tony Oladipo Allen died aged 80. He was composer, songwriter and musician (drums), regarded as one of the primary co-founders of the genre of Afrobeat music. He has recorded and performed with Fela Kuti, Roy Ayers, Ernest Raanglin, Zap Mama, Sébastien Tellier, Chicago Afrobeat Project, Moritz Von Oswald Trio, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jimi Tenor, Rocket Juice & The Moon, Gonjasufi and Hugh Masekela. Brian Eno described Allen as “perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived”.
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