On June 13, 2018, Dominic Joseph Fontana aka D.J. Fontana died aged 87. He was musician (drums, percussion), best known as the drummer for Elvis Presley. In 14 years Fontana played on over 460 “RCA”cuts with Elvis. He played on all Elvis greatest hits including Heartbreak Hotel / Blue Suede Shoes/ Hound Dog / Don’t Be Cruel / Love Me Tender / All Shook Up / Jailhouse Rock / It’s Now or Neve / Are You Lonesome Tonight / Can’t Help Falling in Love / Rock-a-Hula Baby / Good Luck Charm / Return to Sender / (You’re the) Devil in Disguise / Viva Las Vegas and Crying in the Chapel.
Tag Archives: musician
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.
Carl Radle
On May 30, 1980, Carl Dean Radle died aged 37. He was musician (bass, guitar) and music producer, best known as the bass player with Derek and the Dominoes. Radle has worked with many influential artists including Gary Lewis & the Playboys, George Harrison, Joe Cocker, Dave Mason, Delaney and Bonnie, Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon, Duane Allman, Bobby Whitlock, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson. J. J. Cale, Leon Russell, and Buddy Guy. In 2006, he was posthumously inducted to the “Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame”.
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.
Dennis Edwards
On February 2, 2018, Dennis Edwards died aged 74. He was singer and musician (piano), member of The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Dennis Edwards and the Fireballs, The Contours, but was best known as lead singer in The Temptations. Edwards was leading vocal on some of the group’s biggest hits including “I Can’t Get Next to You”, “Ball of Confusion” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”. In the period between 1984 -1993, Edwards released three solo albums.
Hugh Masekela
On January 23, 2018, Hugh Ramopolo Masekela died aged 78. He was musician (trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet), singer and composer, known as “Father of South African Jazz.” As leader Masekela released 49 albums, and received many awards, including:
- 1968 – Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Pop Performance – instrumental
- 2002 – BBC Radio Jazz Awards: International Award of the Year
- 2005 – Channel O Music Video Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2007 – Ghana Music Awards: 2007 African Music Legend Award
- 2010 – Order of Ikhamanga: South African National Orders Ceremony
- 2014 – University of York Honorary Doctorate in Music
- 2015 – Rhodes University: Doctor of Music
JImmy Bain
On January 23, 2016, James Stewart Bain aka Jimmy Bain, died aged 68. He was musician (bass), has worked with Phil Lynott, Wild Horses, Gary Moore, World War III and Scorpions, but was best known for playing bass in bands Rainbow and Dio.
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.
Dolores O’Riordan
On January 15, 2018, Dolores Mary Eileen O’Riordan died aged 46. She was singer, songwriter and musician (guitar, bass, and keyboards), best known as vocalist and leader of The Cranberries. She released seven studio albums with The Cranberries, two solo albums: Are You Listening? (2007) and No Baggage (2009). In 2016 as member of the band D.A.R.K. she released the album Science Agrees.
Sneaky Pete Kleinow
On January 6, 2007, Peter E. “Sneaky Pete” Kleinow died aged 72. He was musician (pedal steel guitar), songwriter and a motion picture special effects artist, best known as a member of the Flying Burrito Brothers. He worked as a session musician for Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, Ringo Starr, Stevie Wonder, Spencer Davis, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, The Byrds, Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge, Eagles, The Everly Brothers, George Harrison and The Steve Miller Band.