On March 10, 2019, Asa Brebner died aged 65. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, one of the main figures of the Boston alternative music scene. He supported and worked with Robin Lane & the Chartbusters, Mickey Clean & the Mezz, the Grey Boys, The Family Jewels, and the Naked I’s. He was founding member and leader of Asa Brebner’s Idle Hands, but was best known as member and guitarist of Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers.
Tag Archives: singer
Bunny Wailer
On March 2, 2021, Neville O’Riley Livingston, OM aka Bunny Wailer died aged 73. He was musician (percussion), singer and songwriter, also known as Bunny Livingston and Jah B. Three time “Grammy Award” winner, best known as an founding member of reggae group The Wailers along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. In 2017, Wailer was awarded the prestigious “Order of Merit” by the Jamaican Government, for his contribution for the Jamaican music. The legendary reggae singer whose career reached across seven decades, released 30 albums as leader.
Paul Williams
On March 1, 2019, Paul Nigel Vincent Yarlett aka Paul Williams died aged 78. He was musician (bass, keyboards, harmonica, percussion), singer and songwriter, worked with Zoot Money, Aynsley Dunbar, Juicy Lucy, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Allam Holdsworth, Micky Moody, John Mayall and Blue Thunder, but was best known as member of Tempest.
Damon Harris
On February 18, 2013, Otis Robert Harris Jr. aka Damon Harris died aged 62. He was singer, founding member of the Temptations tribute band The Young Tempts (a.k.a. The Young Vandals), later performed under the name Impact, but was best known as member of The Temptations from 1971 to 1975.
Henry Gray
On February 2010, Henry Gray died aged 95. He was musician (piano) and singer, credited as one of the creators of the distinctive sound of the Chicago blues piano. In his seven decades long career he performed with many artists including Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Robert Lockwood Jr., Billy Boy Arnold, Morris Pejoe and The Rolling Stones. As leader Gray released more than 50 albums. In 2017, he was inducted into the “Blues Hall of Fame”.
Dale Hawkins
On February 13, 2010, Delmar Allen “Dale” Hawkins died aged 73. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter and record producer, known as the architect of swamp rock boogie. His song “Susie Q.” was chosen as one of “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”.
Mark E. Smith
On January 24, 2018, Mark Edward Smith died aged 60. He was singer and songwriter, founder and leader of the band The Fall. During its 42 years existence, The Fall released 32 albums. Alongside his work with The Fall, Smith released two spoken-word solo albums.
Dinah Washington
On December 14, 1963, Ruth Lee Jones aka Dinah Washington died aged 39. She was musician (piano) and singer, known as the “the most popular black female recording artist of the ’50s”, and “Queen of the Blues”. Her music was mixture of R&B, and traditional pop, but she was primarily a Jazz singer. She performed and recorded with Fats Waller, Clifford Brown, Clark Terry, Cannonball Adderley, Ben Webster, Lionel Hampton, and Nat King Cole. In 1986, Washington was inducted in the “Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame”, and in 1993 was inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”. In 1959, she won “Grammy Award” for “Best Rhythm & Blues Performance”. As a leader Washington released 17 albums.
Roy Loney
On December 13, 2019, Roy Loney died aged 73. He was singer, member of the bands Phantom Movers, and the Longshots, but was best known as the lead singer of the Flamin’ Groovies,
Johnny Hallyday
On December 5, 2017, Jean-Philippe Léo Smet aka Johnny Hallyday died aged 74. He was musician (piano, guitar), singer and actor, the pioneer of the French rock and roll scene. He was called “The French Elvis”, and described as “The biggest rock star you’ve never heard of in English-speaking countries”. In 1997, he was made “Chevalier of the Legion of Honour”, and in 2001, Officer of the “Order of the Crown” in Belgium. In his more than four decades long career he worked with many famous musicians including Mick Jones, Jimmy Page, Tony Joe White, Dalida, Bon Jovi, Michael Bolton, Sylvie Vartan, Bono, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Tommy Brown, Connie Francis, and Laura Pausini. In his lifetime Hallyday released 81 studio and live albums.
