On January 10, 2023, Geoffrey Arnold Beck aka Jeff Beck died aged 78. He was musician (guitar), in all lists of the 100 Greatest guitarists of all time, he was ranked in the top five. Beck’s innovative guitar sound spanned various styles ranging from blues rock, jazz fusion and guitar rock and influenced generations of young guitarists. He received “Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performances” six times, and “Best pop Instrumental Performance” once. In 1992, as member of The Yardbirds he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, and as solo artists in 2009. In 2014 he received the “British Academy’s Ivor Novello Award” for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Beck was member of the Yardbirds, founder and leader of Jeff Beck Group, and member of Beck, Bogert and Appice. As leader he released fourteen albums.
Tag Archives: guitar
Taylor Hawkins
On March 25, 2022, Oliver Taylor Hawkins died aged 50. He was musician (drums, percussion, guitar, piano), singer and songwriter, worked with Sass Jordan, Alanis Morissette and band Sylvia. In 2004, Hawkins formed his project Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, but was best known as drummer of Foo Fighters. In 2005, magazine ”Rhythm” voted him “Best Rock Drummer”.
Thomas Stevens
On January 23, 2021, Thomas Howard Stevens died aged 64. He was musician (bass, guitar) and singer, recorded with Magi, Danny and Dasty, Jack Waterson, Donovan’s Brain, associated with the Paisley Underground, but was best known as member and bass player of The Long Ryders. As leader he released on EP and six albums.
Michael Nesmith
On December 10, 2021, Robert Michael Nesmith died aged 78. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter, actor, producer, and novelist. Nesmith was member of the bands The Strangers and The First National Band, but was known as member of The Monkees. In 1981, he won the first “Grammy Award” given for “Video of the Year” for his hour-long television show “Elephant Parts”.
David Longdon
On November 20, 2021, David Longdon died aged 56. He was musician (guitar, flute, keyboards, bass, mandolin, lute, banjo, accordion, dulcimer, psaltry, vibraphone, theremin, glockenspiel, percussion, singer and song-writer, member of the band The Gift Horse, recorded with Louis Philippe, The Tangent, The Charlatans, Dave Kerzner, Nick Beggs, Rob Reed, Nick D’ Virgilio, Christina Booth and Steve Hackett, but was best known as member and the lead singer of the band Big Big Train. As leader, Longdon released one album (Wild River, 2004).
Melvin Ragin
On October 24, 2018, Melvin M. Ragin aka Wah Wah Watson died aged 67. He was musician (guitar), famous for his unique skills with wah-wah pedal. He was member of The Funk Brothers, the studio band for “Motown Records”, recorded and performed with Dizzy Gillespie, John Lee Hooker, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, Thelma Houston, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Michael Jackson, Maxwell, The Beach Boys, George Benson, Bobbi Humphrey, Janet Jackson, Yung Berg, Blondie, Norman Whitfield, The Undisputed Truth, Donald Byrd, Labelle, Love Unlimited, Cher, Meshell Ndegeocello, Gloria Gaynor, The Temptations (his guitar work on “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”), Pointer Sisters, Martha Reeves, Rose Royce, Bob Scaggs and Herbie Hancock. As leader, Wah Wah Watson released one solo album (Elementary, 1976).
Alan Lancaster
On September 26, 2021, Alan Lancaster died aged 72. He was musician (bass, guitar, drums, vocal), member of The Scorpions, The Spectres, Traffic Jam, The Party Boys and The Bombers, but was best known as bass player, vocalist of Status Quo.
Robert Palmer
On September 26, 2003, Robert Allen Palmer died aged 54. He was musician (guitar),singer, songwriter and music producer, member of bands Joe Vinegar and The Power Station. He had powerful, distinctive, gritty, soulful voice and sartorial elegance, his music combined soul, jazz, rock, pop, reggae and blues elements. Palmer had successful solo career, received a number of awards, including “ASCAP Pop Music Award” for “Most Performed Songs” (1986 and 1990), two “Grammy Awards” for “Best Male Rock Vocal Performance” (1989), “MTV Video Music Award” (1986), “Pollstar Concert Industry Awards” for “Small Hall Tour Of The Year” (1987). As leader, Palmer released 15 albums.
Gary Richard
On September 13, 2015, Gary Dean Richard died aged 65. He was musician (guitar, slide guitar), singer, songwriter and producer, member of the band Suburban 9 to 5, but was best known as the lead guitarist and songwriter of REO Speedwagon (1970 – 1989). As leader, Richard released one album.
Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert
On September 11, 2020, Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert, died aged 77. He was musician (guitar, Hammond organ), singer and songwriter, regarded as reggae pioneer, with six decades long career. He had major influence on popularizing reggae music with songs like “Monkey Man”, “Funky Kingston” and “Pressure Drop”. Even the genre’s name is credited as genesis from his 1968’s song “Do the Reggay”. With his band Toots and the Maytals, he won “Grammy Award” in 2006, for his album “True Love”.
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