On November 24, 2025, James Chambers (aka Jimmy Cliff) died aged 81. He was singer, musician (guitar, piano, keyboards, congas) and actor, one of the most important figures in worldwide promotion of the Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae music. He was the only living reggae musician to hold the “Order of Merit”, the highest honor that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievements in the arts and sciences. In 2010, Jimmy Cliff was inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Tag Archives: keyboards
Mark Volman
On September 5, 2025, Mark Randall Volman died aged 78. He was musician (guitar, tambourine, keyboards), vocalist and songwriter. He was member of the duo Flo & Eddie (under pseudonym Flo, short for The Phlorescent Leech), member of The Mothers of Invention, but best known as a founding member of the band Turtles (The).
Mike Ratledge
On February 5, 2025, Michael Roland Ratledge died aged 81. He was musician (keyboards, flute), member of the Daevid Allen Trio, but was best known as founding member of Soft Machine. Regarded as one of the most influential members of the Canterbury scene, he recorded with Daevid Allen Trio, Kevin Ayers, Daevid Allen, Syd Barrett, David Bedford, Wilde Flowers, Planet Earth, Rubber, Rollercoaster, Karl Jenkins.
Andy Fletcher
On May 26, 2022, Andrew John Leonard Fletcher died aged 60. He was musician (keyboards, synthesizers, bass, samplers), DJ and manager, member of the band No Romance, but was best known as founding member of Depeche Mode. In 2020, Fletcher was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of Depeche Mode.
Peter Tork
On February 21, 2019, Peter Halsten Thorkelson aka Peter Tork, died aged 77. He was musician (keyboards, piano, bass guitar, banjo, guitar), songwriter and actor, performed with James Lee Stanley and his band Shoe Suede Blues, recorded wit George Harrison, formed the band Peter Tork Release, but was best known as keyboards and bass player of The Monkees. As leader Tork released one album.
Louis Clark
On February 13, 2021, Louis Clark died aged 73. He was musician (keyboards) and arranger, member of the band The Buccaneers (later Monopoly), worked with The Raymond Froggatt Band, Renaissance, Annie Haslam and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, but was best known for his work Electric Light Orchestra and Hooked on Classics.
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. He 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 .
Hugh McDowell
On November 6, 2018, Hugh Alexander McDowell died aged 65. He was musician (cello, keyboards), member of the chamber groups Harmonie Band and Quorum, bands Radio Stars, Cornelius Cardew Ensemble and Wizzard, recorded with Simon Apple, Saint Etienne, Welton Downes, Asia and Port Mahadia, but was best known as member of Electric Light Orchestra.
Pee Wee Ellis
On September 24, 2021, Alfred James Ellis aka Pee Wee Ellis died aged 80. He was musician (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, flute, keyboards), arranger and composer, worked as musical director and arranger with George Benson, Hank Crawford and Esther Phillips. Ellis recorded and performed with David Liebman, Jack McDuff, Rebirth Brass Band, Shirley Scott, Sonny Stitt, Leon Thomas, Van Morrison, Ginger Baker’s jazz Confusion, The JB Horns, Maceo Parker, Brass Fever, Ali Farka Touré and The Dapps, but was best known as longtime collaborator of James Brown. He co-wrote and recorded some of Brown’s best-known songs like “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” and “Cold Sweat”. As leader Ellis released 13 albums.
Lee Kerslake
On September 19, 2020, Lee Kerslake died aged 73. He was musician (drums, percussion, keyboards, trumpet, kazoo, vocal), recorded and performed with The Gods, Head Machine, Toe Fat, National Head Band, Ken Hensley, David Byron, Living Loud, Ozzy Osborne, but was best known as drummer of Uriah Heep. With Swedish singer Stefan Berggren he formed Berggren Kerslake Band.
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