On June 25, 1988, Hillel Slovak died aged 26. He was musician (guitar) and singer, member of bands Anthem and What Is This?, best known as founding member and guitarist of Red Hot Chili Peppers. His guitar work primarily rooted in funk and hard rock is considered to have been a major influence on the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s early sound.
Tag Archives: founding member
Hideto Matsumoto
On May 2, 1998, Hideto Matsumoto, died aged 33. He was singer-songwriter, musician (guitar) and record producer. He was the lead guitarist of the rock band X Japan, founding member of the band Zilch, and had a successful solo career. X Japan rose to prominence in the late 80s and early 90s, credited as founders of the Japanese visual kei movement. Hide was seen as an icon of the Japanese youth rebelling against the country’s conformist society, and his death was labeled “the end of an era”. More than 70,000 people attended his funeral on May 7th, with security of 100 police officers, 170 security guards, police boats and helicopters. 21 people were hospitalized for injuries caused by the massive crowd at the funeral.
Pete Farndon
On April 14, 1983, Peter Granville “Pete” Farndon died aged 30. He was musician (bass), worked with Cold River Lady and The Bushwackers, but was best known and founding member and bass player of The Pretenders.
J. Geils
On April 11, 2017, John Warren Geils Jr. aka J. Geils, Died aged 71. He was singer, songwriter, musician (guitar) and record producer, member of Snoopy and the Sopwith Camels, best known as founding member and leader of the J. Geils Band. In 2015, Geils was named to the “Wall of Honor” at his alma mater, “Bernards High School” in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
Adam Schlesinger
On April 1, 2020. Adam Lyons Schlesinger died aged 52. He was singer-songwriter, musician (guitar) and record producer, founding member of the bands Fountains of Wayne, Ivy, and Tinted Windows. Lately he was key songwriting contributor and producer for the duo Fever High. Schlesinger won three “Emmys”, a “Grammy” and the “ASCAP Pop Music Award”.
Dick Dale
On March 16, 2019, Richard Anthony Monsour aka Dick Dale died aged 81. He was musician (guitar), pioneer of surf music, known as “The King of the Surf Guitar”. As product of his work with the manufacturer Fender, was the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier. He was the founding member and leader of the band Dick Dale & his Del-Tones.
Andy Fraser
On March 16, 2015, Andrew McLan Fraser died aged 62. He was songwriter and musician (bass), worked with Alexis Korner, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Toby and Sharks, but was best known as founding member and bassist of Free.
Andy Gill
On February 1, 2020, Andrew James Dalrymple Gill aka Andy Gill, died aged 64. He was musician (guitar) and record producer (The Stranglers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Jesus Lizard, The Futureheads, Michael Hutchence, Killing Joke, Polysics, Fight Like Apes, Therapy?, Young Knives), best known as guitarist and founding member of Gang of Four.
Terry Jones
On January 21, 2020, Terence Graham Parry Jones aka Terry Jones died aged 77. He was actor, writer, comedian, screenwriter, film director and historian, best known as founding member of the Monty Python team. He co-created and co-wrote with Michael Palin the series “Ripping Yarns”, co – directed with Terry Gilliam the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, and directed the Python movies “Life of Brian” and “The Meaning of Life”. In 2016, at the “BAFTA Cymru Awards”, Terry Jones received a “Lifetime Achievement award” for his outstanding contribution to television and film.
Roky Erickson
On May 31, 2019, Roger Kynard “Roky” Erickson died aged 71. He was singer-songwriter, musician (harmonica, guitar and piano), best known as founding member of The 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre. As leader, Erickson released 17 albums.
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