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.
Tag Archives: founding member
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.
Christopher Bell
On December 27, 1978, Christopher Branford Bell died aged 27. He was songwriter and musician (guitar, singer), best known as founding member, guitarist and singer of the band Big Star. His work has inspired, and his songs were covered by many musicians and bands including R.E.M., Wilco, Teenage Fanclub, Primal Scream, Afghan Whigs, Pete Yorn, Beck The Posies, and The Replacements. In 2013, “Magnolia Pictures” released documentary “Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me”, which documented his life and work. In 2018, the book “There Was a Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star”, was published, also dealing with his life and music. Bell’s album “I Am the Cosmos” was posthumously released in 1992.
Tony T-Bone
On December 25, 2009, Robert Anthony Bellamy aka Tony “T-Bone” Bellamy died aged 63. He was musician (guitar, piano, vocals), performed with Dobie Gray, was a member of Peter and the Wolves (San Francisco band that evolved into Moby Grape), but was best known as founding member, vocalist, guitarist and pianist for Redbone.