On January 20, 2026, Robert George Hirst died aged 70. He was musician (drums, percussion, guitar, keyboards), singer, song-writer and producer. Hirst was member of the bands Farm, Ghostwriters, Backsliders, the Angry Tradesmen, and the Break, but was best known as founding member and drummer of Midnight Oil.
Tag Archives: founding member
Ralph Towner
On January 18, 2026, Ralph Towner died aged 85. He was musician (guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion, trumpet, and French horn), composer, arranger and bandleader. He was member of the bands Paul Winter Consort, Atmosphere, but was best known as founding member of Oregon. Towner has performed and recorded with Azimuth, Bill Bruford, Salvatore Bonafede, Horace Arnold, Jerry Granelli, Vince Mendoza, Maria Pia De Vito, Gary Burton, Larry Coryell, Pino Daniele, Cyrus Faryar, Robben Ford, David Friesen, Jan Garbarek, Charlie Haden, Egberto Gismonti, Gerri Granger, Trilok Gurtu, Tim Hardin, Keith Jarrett, Maria Joao, Joseph LoDuca, Andy Middleton, Duke Pearson, Terry Plumeri, Michael Portal, Kenny Wheeler and Weather Report. As leader he released 27 albums.
Mick Abrahams
On December 19, 2025, Michael Timothy Abrahams died aged 82. He was musician (guitar), singer and song-writer, member of the band Wommett, founding member of Blodwyn Pig and Mick Abrahams Band, but was best known as the original guitarist for Jethro Tull 1967 – 1968). As leader he released 17 albums.
Joe Ely
On December 15, 2025, Joe Ely died aged 78. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, considered as one of the main creators of the progressive country scene in the 1970s and 1980s. He was founding member of the band The Flatlanders, performed and recorded with Bruce Springsteen, Uncle Tupelo, Los Super Seven, The Chieftains, James McMurtry, The Clash, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt and Guy Clark. As leader, Ely released 22 albums.
Ozzy Osbourne
On July 22, 2025, John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, died aged 76. He was singer, songwriter, and media personality, best known as the founding member, front-man and lead singer of Black Sabbath. Back in 70s he adopted the nickname “Prince of Darkness”, and became the most important figure in creation of Heavy Metal genre. As leader he released 13 albums.
David Cousins
On July 13, 2025, David Joseph Cousins died aged 85. He was musician (guitar, banjo, Appalachian dulcimer), singer and song-writer, best known as the founding member and leader of The Strawbs. As leader, Cousins released ten albums.
Mick Ralphs
In June 2025, Michael Geoffrey Ralphs died aged 81. He was musician (guitar), vocalist and songwriter, member of the bands Buddies, Doc Thomas Group and Mick Ralphs Blues Band, but was best known as founding member of Mott the Hoople and Bad Company. As leader, he released three albums.
Dave Allen
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.
Peter Farrelly
On March 15, 2025, Peter Farrelly, died aged 76. He was musician (bass, flute) and singer, founding member of the band The Crowd, but was best known as vocalist, bass player and flautist of Fruupp.
Brian James
On March 6, 2025, Brian James died aged 70. He was songwriter, musician (guitar) and singer, member of the bands London SS, Tanz Der Youth, Bastard, The Dripping Lips, The Racketeers, The Lords of the New Church, The Brian James Gang, but was best known as the founding member of Damned. As leader, James released five albums.
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