On December 3, 2008, Derek Wadsworth died aged 69. He was musician (cornet, trombone, keyboards), composer and arranger. He was musical director for Diana Ross, Dusty Springfield, and the musical “Hair”. As a musician and arranger he worked with Maynard Ferguson, Georgie Fame, Nina Simone, David Essex, Judy Garland, Humphrey Lyttelton, Graham Collier, Tonny Bennett, George Harrison, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Mike Oldfield, Simply Red, Kate Bush, Cat Stevens, Small Faces, Manferd Mann, and the Rolling Stones.
Tag Archives: musician
George Harrison
On November 29, 2001, George Harrison died aged 58. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter, and music and movie producer, lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of The Beatles. His interest in folk music and especially in Indian music had serious influence on the band’s Hindu-aligned spirituality in the later years. Some of his songs composed for the band include “Here Comes the Sun”, “Something”, “Taxman”, “Within You Without You”, and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. After The Beatles broke-up in 1970, Harrison released the album “All Things Must Pass” which included the track “My Sweet Lord”, his most successful single, and the first solo single by any member of The Beatles that sold over million copies. In 1971, together with Ravi Shankar he organized “Concert for Bangladesh”, the first big benefit concert in the music history. In 1974, Harrison founded the music label “Dark Horse Records”, and co-founded movie label “Hand Made Films” in 1978. In 1988, with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison, he co-founded the supergroup The Travelling Wilburys. As a guitarist he recorded for Badfinger, Billy Preston, Bob Dylan, Duane Eddy, Randy Newman, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, and Tom Petty. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked Harrison at number 11 in their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. In 1988, as a member of The Beatles he was inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, and in 2004, posthumously for his solo career. As leader, Harrison released twelve studio and two live albums.
Don DeVito
On November 25, 2011, Don DeVito died aged 72. He was musician (guitar), record producer and music business executive. He started playing guitar on tours with Al Kooper, and has his own band The Sabres. He worked with Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Aerosmith, but was best known as producer of some of the most important Bob Dylan’s albums, including “Blood on the Tracks”, “Desire”, “Street Legal”, “Hard rain”, and “Bob Dylan at Budokan”. In 1989 DeVito won “Grammy Award” for “Best Traditional Folk Recording”.
Greg Ridley
On November 19, 2003, Alfred Gregory “Greg” Ridley died aged 56. He was musician (bass), member of bands Dino & the Danubes, Ramrods, The V.I.P.’s, Art, and Spooky Tooth, but was best known as founding member and bass player of Humble Pie.
Mitch Mitchell
On November 12, 2008, John Graham “Mitch” Mitchell died 62. He was musician (drums) and child actor, member of band Soul Messengers, has performed and recorded with Pete Nelson and the Travelers, Frankie Reid and the Casuals, Johnny Harris and the Shades, the Pretty Things, Bill Knight & the Sceptres, the Riot Squad, the Who, Georgie Fame, Roger Chapman, Junior Brown, Jack Bruce, David Torn, Larry Coryell, Ramatam, Greg Parker, Terry Reid, Martha Velez, Jeff Beck, Noel Redding, but was best known as member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. In 2009, he was inducted into the “Modern Drummer Hall of Fame”.
Anthony Thompson
On November 12, 2003, Anthony Terrence Thompson died aged 48. He was musician (drums), member of bands the Distance, That Hideous Strength, Labelle, The Power Station, and Chic, has performed and recorded with Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Jody Walley, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Crown of Thorns, and Rod Stewart.
Allen Toussaint
On November 10, 2015, Allen Toussaint died aged 77. He was musician (vocal, piano), songwriter, arranger, and record producer, an influential figure in New Orleans rhythm and blues from the 1950s to the end of the century. His compositions were recorded by many musicians, and he was producer of hundreds of recordings. Toussaint recorded and performed with many musicians including Irma Thomas, Lee Dorsey, The Meters, Ernie K Doe, Rosemary Butler, Merry Clayton, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Venetta Fields, Etta James, Labelle, John Mayall, Paul McCartney, The Meters, Bonnie Raitt, and The Band. As leader Toussaint released eleven studio albums.
Whitey Glan
On November 7, 2017, Pentti “Whitey” Glan died aged 71. He was musician (drums), member of the band The Rogues (later Mandala), performed and recorded with Bette Midler, John Kay, American Flyer, Bush, Klaatu, Anne Murray, Domenic Trolano, David Wilcox, Downchild Blues Band, Alice Cooper, and Lou Reed.
Rick Rosas
On November 6, 2014, Rick Rosas aka “Rick the Bass Player” died aged 65. He was musician (bass), one of the most south after studio session musicians in California. He performed and recorded with Neil Young, Ron Wood, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Rivers, Etta James, Buffalo Springfield, Joe Walsh, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
Link Wray
On November 5, 2005, Fred Lincoln “Link” Wray Jr. died aged 76. He was songwriter singer, and musician (guitar, steel guitar, bass guitar), known for his rock and roll, and rockabilly musical style. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him at number 45 on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. Wray released 23 albums as a leader.