A Tribute to the Wonderful Musicians we have lost.
Talk Talk’s Mark Hollis was born in Tottenham in north London in 1955 and has died after a short illness aged 64. Mark David Hollis (January 4, 1955 – February 25, 2019) was an English musician and singer-songwriter and co-founder, lead singer and main songwriter of Talk Talk. He wrote or co-wrote most of Talk Talk’s music including their hits “It’s My Life” and “Life’s What You Make It”. Not much is known about his…
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James Ingram (February 16, 1952 – January 29, 2019) was an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer. He was also a multi Grammy nominated artist, a two-time Grammy Award-winner and a two-time Oscar nominee for the Best Original Song. James Edward Ingram was born in Akron, Ohio, and attended Akron’s East High School and the University of Akron. Ingram was a promising enough athlete and was offered a track scholarship but he opted for…
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Several excellent musicians passed away in 2018, here we celebrate some of their lives and contributions to the world of music January 11, 2018: Fast Eddie Clarke Edward Allan Clarke (known as Fast Eddie) (October 5, 1950 – January 10, 2018), the last remaining member of the classic Motörhead line-up, died aged 67. He began playing the guitar at an early age and by 15 had already played in several local bands. In 1973 he turned…
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Pete Shelley (The Buzzcocks) died aged 63. He was an English singer, songwriter and guitarist who formed the Buzzcocks with Howard Devoto in 1976, and was the lead singer and guitarist from 1977 when Devoto left. The Buzzcocks released the classic “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)” in 1978. They broke up in 1981, and reformed in 1989.
Ray Owen died on October 31, 2018 from bone cancer and complications from it, aged 71. Ray Owen (July 14, 1947 – October 31, 2018) lived in London and first play in a band at a hospital where he worked. He was heard by a producer who put him with The Misunderstood, who were an American psychedelic rock band originating from Riverside, California in the mid-1960s. The band moved to London early in their career,…
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Otis Rush Jr. (April 29, 1935 – September 29, 2018) was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. His distinctive guitar style featured a slow-burning sound and long bent notes. With qualities similar to the styles of other 1950s artists Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, his sound became known as West Side Chicago blues and was an influence on many musicians, including Michael Bloomfield, Peter Green and Eric Clapton. Rush was left-handed and played left handed,…
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Aretha Franklin (March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. On March 25, 1942, Aretha Louise Franklin was born at 406 Lucy Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, to Barbara (née Siggers) and Clarence LaVaughn “C. L.” Franklin. Her father was a Baptist minister and circuit preacher originally from Shelby, Mississippi, while her mother was an accomplished piano player and vocalist. The family moved to Buffalo, New York, when Aretha was just two, and then, before her fifth birthday, to Detroit, where her…
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Amy Winehouse: A Soulful Legacy Amy Winehouse, born on September 14, 1983, in Southgate, London, was one of the most iconic musicians of her generation. Known for her deep, soulful voice and raw lyrics, she became a symbol of authenticity in an increasingly commercialized music industry. Her short life was marked by an extraordinary rise to fame, personal struggles, and an untimely death that left the world mourning the loss of a musical talent gone…
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Jimi Hendrix: The Legacy of a Guitar Icon Jimi Hendrix is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative guitarists in the history of rock music. His brief but impactful career revolutionized the electric guitar’s role in popular music and left an indelible mark on the world of music, culture, and performance. From his virtuosity to his flamboyant stage presence, Hendrix broke boundaries and set new standards for what could be achieved with…
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Jim Morrison: The Lizard King and His Mythic Legacy Jim Morrison was more than just a rock star; he was a cultural icon, a poet, and a symbol of the rebellious spirit of the 1960s. As the lead singer of The Doors, Morrison’s electrifying stage presence, provocative lyrics, and magnetic persona catapulted him to fame. But Morrison’s life and career were short-lived, punctuated by his premature death at the age of 27, a fate he…
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