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”.
Tag Archives: songwriter
Charlie Watts
On August 24, 2021, Charles Robert Watts died aged 80. He was musician (drums) and songwriter, member of Blues Incorporated and The Charlie Watts Tentetm, but was best known as a drummer of The Rolling Stones since 1963. Watts was featured on all the Rolling Stones albums. In 2006, he was inducted into the “Modern Drummer Hall of Fame”, and in 2016, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at number 12 on its “100 Greatest Drummers of All Time” list. In addition to his work with The Rolling Stones, Watts has released eleventh albums.
Don Everly
On August 21, 2021, Don Everly died aged 84. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, member of the Everly Brothers (with his brother Phil). Regarded as pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll, they began recording music in 1956, and had the first hit “Bye Bye Love” in 1957. In the period from 1958 to 1960, Everly Brothers had number of hits including “Wake Up Little Susie”, “All I Have to Do Is Dream”, and “Problems”. In the 1960s their vocal harmonies influenced many musicians and bands including the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel. In 1986, Everly Brothers were the first group to be inaugurated in the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame” (together with Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis).
Edward Calhoun King
On August 22, 2018, Edward Calhoun King died aged 68. He was musician (guitar, bass) and songwriter, member of the bands Hunger and Strawberry Alarm Clock, but was best known as the guitarist and bassist of Lynyrd Skynyrd. In 2006, as member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, King was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Nanci Caroline Griffith
On August 13, 2021, Nanci Caroline Griffith died aged 68. She was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, toured and recorded with The Crickets, John Prine, Iris DeMent, Suzy Bogguss, Judy Collins, Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, John Prine, Don McLean, Jimmy Buffett, Dolores Keane, Willie Nelson, Adam Duritz, The Chieftains, John Stewart, Darius Rucker and Buddy Holly’s band. In 1994, Griffith won “Grammy Award” for “Best Contemporary Folk Album”, in 1995, she was awarded the “Kate Wolf Memorial Award” by the “World Folk Music Association”, and in 2008, the “Americana Music Association” awarded her its “Americana Trailblazer Award”. Griffith released 18th studio and 2 live albums.
Peter Frederick Way
On August 14, 2020. Peter Frederick Way died aged 69. He was musician (bass guitar) and songwriter, founding member of Fastway, and Waysted, member of The Plot, and Michael Schenker Group, performed with Ozzy Osbourne, but was best known as member and bass player of UFO. As leader, he released three albums.
Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill
On July 28, 2021, Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill died aged 72. He was musician (bass guitar, keyboards), singer and songwriter, performed and recorded with Willy & the Wolves, Freddie King, The Warlocks, The Cellar Dwellers, American Blues, but was best known as bassist and vocalist of ZZ Top. In 2004, as member of ZZ Top he was inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Robert Welch Jr.
On June 7, 2012, Robert Lawrence Welch Jr. died aged 66. He was musician (vocal, guitar, bass guitar) and songwriter, member of the bands Seven Souls, Head West and Paris, but was best known as vocalist and guitarist of Fleetwood Mac (1971 – 1974). As leader Welch released seven studio albums.
Rupert Hine
On June 4, 2020, Rupert Neville Hine died aged 72. He was musician (various instruments), songwriter and record producer. As producer he worked with Kevin Ayers, Bob Geldof, Howard Jones, Saga, Thompson Twins, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner, Chris de Burgh, Suzanne Vega and Rush. Under his real name, under the pseudo-band name Thinkman, and as a member of the band Quantum Jump, Hine released eleven albums.
Stephen Priest
On June 4, 2020, Stephen Norman Priest died aged 73. He was singer, musician (bass) and songwriter, best known as vocalist and bass player of Sweet.
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