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.
Tag Archives: founding member
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.
Bojan Hreljac
On December 18, 2018, Bojan Hreljac died aged 70. He was musician (bass) and producer, member of Elipse, but best known as founding member and bass player of the Yugoslavian progressive rock band Korni grupa.
Jon Hiseman
On June 12, 2018, Philip John “Jon” Hiseman died aged 73. He was musician (drums, percussion), recording engineer, record producer and music publisher, regarded as one of the best and most influential drummers in the history of the rock music. He has worked with many musicians and bands including Jack Bruce, John Mayall, Tempest, United Jazz + Rock Ensemble, JCM, but was best known as founding member and drummer of Colosseum. As leader he released two solo albums.
Clarence Fountain
On June 3, 2018, Clarence Fountain died aged 88. He was a founding member and leader of the gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama. Fountain and the group have worked with many famous musicians including Tom Waits, Lou Reed, Justin Vernon, k.d. Lang and Mavis Staples. Blind Boys of Alabama won five “Grammy Awards”, and received the “Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award”, and were inducted into the “Alabama Music Hall of Fame” in 2010.
Gene Clark
On May 24, 1991, Harold Eugene “Gene” Clark died aged 46. He was singer-songwriter and musician (tambourine, harmonica, guitar), member of McGuinn, Clark and Hillman, best known as founding member of the Byrds, and author of some of the band’s best-known originals “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better”, “Eight Miles High”, “She Don’t Care About Time”, and “Set You Free This Time”. Clark released six solo albums.
John Berry
On May 19, 2016, John Berry died aged 52. He was musician (guitar) and singer, best known as the founding member of the band Beastie Boys, and creator of the band’s name. In 1978 he formed the band Young Aborigines, who later became the Beastie Boys.
Jeffrey Hanneman
On May 2, 2013, Jeffrey John “Jeff” Hanneman died aged 49. He was guitarist and singer, best known as a founding member of the band Slayer. Hanneman had his own signature guitar, the “ESP Jeff Hanneman Signature” model.
Butch Trucks
On January 24, 2017, Claude Hudson “Butch” Trucks died aged 69. He was musician (drums), worked with The 31st of February, Les Brers, Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band and Frogwings, but was best known as founding member and drummer of The Allman Brothers Band.
Peter Bardens
On January 22, 2002, Peter Bardens died aged 57. He was musician (keyboards, piano) singer and song writer, member of Them, Shotgun Express, Keats, Mirage, best known as founding member of Camel. Bardens has also worked with Mick Fleetwood, Rod Stewart and Van Morrison. As leader he released eleven albums.
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