Tag Archive: dead musicians
Chris Cross: A Pioneer of New Wave Music (July 14, 1952 – March 25, 2024) Christopher Thomas Allen, known professionally as Chris Cross, was a seminal figure in the New Wave music scene, best known as the bass guitarist for the band Ultravox. His dynamic presence, technical prowess, and ability to meld traditional rock instrumentation with electronic innovation helped define a transformative era in British music. From his early life in the vibrant cultural melting pot of London to his international fame with Ultravox, Cross’s contributions left an indelible mark on the music industry and popular culture. Early Life and…
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Steve Harley was born Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice on February 27, 1951 and was a pioneering English singer-songwriter and the dynamic frontman of the glam rock group Cockney Rebel. Harley’s life and career spanned more than five decades, leaving an indelible mark on the British music scene, especially during the 1970s glam rock era. Early Life and Influences Steve Harley was born in Deptford, London, and grew up in the nearby New Cross area. He came from a working-class family, and his early years were marked by health challenges. As a child, Harley suffered from polio, which resulted in him…
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Aston Family Man Barrett was born Aston Francis Barrett on November 22, 1946, in Kingston, Jamaica, and emerged from humble beginnings to become a pivotal figure in the reggae music scene. As a member of the Barrett family, Aston grew up in a musical environment that nurtured his talents and instilled in him a deep appreciation for the rhythms and melodies that characterized Jamaican music. Raised in a Rastafarian household, Barrett’s early influences included not just the vibrant sounds of ska and rocksteady but also the spiritual teachings of Rastafari, which would inform his artistic journey throughout his life. Barrett’s…
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William Foster Hayes III, known professionally as Bill Hayes, was an American actor and recording artist whose career spanned over seven decades. Born on June 5, 1925, in Harvey, Illinois, Hayes left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry with his versatile talents in acting and singing. Hayes’ early years were marked by a profound engagement with music and performance. He attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he honed his singing skills, graduating with a double major in music and English. His education was briefly interrupted by his service in the United States Navy during World War II, where…
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James Kottak (December 26, 1962 – January 9, 2024) was an American drummer renowned for his tenure with the German hard rock band Scorpions. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Kottak’s career in music was marked by both his technical proficiency and his charismatic stage presence. His contributions to the Scorpions were pivotal during his nearly two-decade-long association with the band, cementing his reputation as a prominent figure in rock drumming. Kottak’s early life was steeped in music. He began playing drums at an early age, demonstrating a natural aptitude that would shape his future career. Before joining the Scorpions, Kottak was…
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David Soul, born David Richard Solberg on August 28, 1943, and passing away on January 4, 2024, was a distinguished American-British actor and singer who left a lasting impact on both the television and music industries. Renowned for his charismatic screen presence and vocal talent, Soul’s career spanned several decades, marked by a blend of popular success and critical acclaim. Early Life and Career Beginnings David Soul was born in Chicago, Illinois, to a family with a strong cultural and academic background. His father, Dr. Richard Solberg, was a Lutheran minister, professor, and an executive at the Lutheran World Federation,…
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Jeffrey Foskett (February 17, 1956 – December 11, 2023) was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was best known as a touring and studio musician for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys since the 1980s and was described as the Beach Boys’ “vice principal” by its touring members. Jeffrey Foskett was born and raised in San Jose, California, and began his first band in the 1970s known as Cherry, after the Willow Glen area street on which he lived. Foskett played mostly surf music covers in the same market as Papa Doo Run Run, with whom Foskett would…
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Denny Laine (October29, 1944 – December 5, 2023) was born Brian Frederick Arthur Hines and was a highly influential and versatile English musician, singer, and songwriter, known as a founder of two major rock bands: the Moody Blues, with whom he played from 1964 to 1966, and Wings, with whom he played from 1971 to 1981, and despite the group’s constant personnel changes along with the McCartneys he remained the only constant during the band’s tenure, post-Wings he continued to feature on McCartneys solo albums. Laine worked with a variety of artists and groups over a six-decade career, and continued…
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Myles Goodwyn (June 23, 1948 – December 3, 2023) was born Myles Francis Goodwyn and was a Canadian musician, lead vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter of April Wine. He released 16 studio albums with April Wine, and two albums as a solo artist. Myles Goodwyn stands as a living testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and musical innovation. Best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for the iconic rock band April Wine, Goodwyn has left an indelible mark on the Canadian and international music scene. Early Life and Musical Beginnings Myles Francis Goodwyn was born on…
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Shane MacGowan was an Irish singer and songwriter and legendary figure in the world of music, known for his distinctive voice, poetic lyrics, and best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the Celtic punk band The Pogues. Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan was born in Pembuty, Kent, England, to Irish parents on Christmas Day, 1957. MacGowan was a troubled but talented musician who struggled with alcoholism and mental health issues throughout his life. Despite his struggles, he wrote some of the most iconic songs in Irish music, including “Fairytale of New York,” “Fiesta,” and “The Saltiest Sea.” MacGowan’s musical…
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