2015 in review

In deze eerste post van 2016 kijken we terug op 2015 en een groot aantal beroemdheden die ons afgelopen jaar zijn ontvallen… R.I.P.

JANUARI:

5 – Sporty King
Noel George Williams (19 September 1943 – 5 January 2015), br known as King Sporty, was a Jamaican DJ, reggae musician, and record producer for the Tashamba and Konduko labels. He is best known for co-writing the song, “Buffalo Soldier”, made famous by Bob Marley

10 – Timothy Lee Drummond
(20 April 1940 – 10 January 2015) was an American musician born in Canton, Illinois.[1] Drummond’s primary instrument was bass guitar and he toured and recorded with many notable artists including Conway Twitty, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Ry Cooder, J. J. Cale, Mother Earth,Lonnie Mack, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Joe Cocker, Albert Collins, Joe Henry, Jewel, Essra Mohawk, and many others.Drummond co-wrote songs with many of the artists he worked with, including: “Saved” (Bob Dylan), “Who’s Talking” (J.J. Cale), “Saddle Up The Palomino” (Neil Young), and “Down In Hollywood” (Ry Cooder).

18 – Dallas Woodrow Taylor Jr.
(April 7, 1948 – January 18, 2015) was an American session drummer who played on several rock records of the 1960s and 1970s. He achieved some success first with 1960s band Clear Light, but is best known as the drummer on Crosby, Stills and Nash’s debut album, Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969) and their follow-up with Neil Young, Déjà Vu (1970) and was given a front-sleeve credit along with Motown bassist Greg Reeves.As well as appearing on Stills’ eponymous first solo album in 1970, Taylor was the drummer for Stills’ group Manassas in 1972 and 1973. He also played with Van Morrison at the 1974 Montreux Jazz Festival, in a quartet along with keyboardist Pete Wingfield and bassist Jerome Rimson, a performance issued on the 2006 DVD, Live at Montreux 1980/1974. He briefly appeared again in the mid 1970s, drumming for Paul Butterfield’s touring band. In 1970, Dallas sat in with The Doors accompanying John Densmore on drums. Jim Morrison acknowledges him on The Doors Live at Felt Forum Second Show CD. Taylor died of complications from viral pneumonia and kidney disease, aged 66

25 – Demis Roussos
(June 15, 1946 – January 25, 2015) Artemios “Demis” Ventouris-Roussos aka Greek singer Demis Roussos, who sold more than 60 million records throughout the world, died in an Athens hospital at the age of 68. The Egyptian-born singer became a global superstar with his solo hits Forever and Ever, Mr Reason, Goodbye My Love, Goodbye, Velvet Mornings, Lovely Lady Of Arcadia and Quand je t’aime. His theatrical figure, with a flowing dark beard, intense dark eyes and long hair thinning on top, became one of the musical faces of the Seventies.

29 – Rod McKuen
Rodney Marvin McKuen (April 29, 1933- January 29, 2015) one of the best-selling poets in history and a successful songwriter, died in Los Angeles at the age of 81. His most celebrated songs, Seasons in the Sun, was a worldwide hit for Terry Jacks in 1974, selling more than 10 million copies worldwide.

29 – Danny McCulloch
Daniel Joseph McCulloch (18 July 1945 – 29 January 2015) was an English musician best known as the bassist of the 1960s psychedelic rock group Eric Burdon & The Animals.

31 – Don Covay
Donald James Randolph (March 24, 1936 – January 31, 2015), better known by his stage name Don Covay, was an AmericanR&B, rock and roll and soul singer and songwriter most active from the 1950s to the 1970s. His most successful recordings included “Mercy, Mercy” (1964), “See-Saw” (1965), and “It’s Better To Have (And Don’t Need)” (1974). Other songs written by Covay included “Pony Time”, a US #1 hit for Chubby Checker, and “Chain of Fools”, a Grammy-winning song for Aretha Franklin. He received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1994.

FEBRUARI

12 – Steve Strange
Stephen John Harrington, the Welsh pop singer found fame in the 1980s as frontman for Visage whose best known hit was Fade To Grey, died of a heart attack in Egypt at the age of 55

16 – Lesley Gore
Lesley Sue Goldstein (May 2, 1946 – February 16, 2015) was an American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist. At the age of 16, in 1963, she recorded the pop hit “It’s My Party”, and followed it up with other hits including “Judy’s Turn to Cry”, “You Don’t Own Me”, and “California Nights”.

21 – Clark Terry
Clark Virgil Terry Jr. (December 14, 1920 – February 21, 2015), one of the finest trumpet and fluegelhorn players in the history of jazz, died on February 21, 2015, at the age of 94. Terry was a music educator and had a deep and lasting influence on the course of jazz. Terry became a mentor to generations of jazz players, including Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis and composer-arranger Quincy Jones.

MAART

8 – Lew Soloff
Lewis Michael Soloff (20 February, 1944 – 8 March 2015), who was best known for his work with Blood, Sweat and Tears, and who played trumpet on the Paul Simon hit You Can Call Me Al, dies in New York on March 8 of a heart attack.

15 – Michael Joseph Porcaro
Michael (May 29, 1955 – March 15, 2015) was an American bass player known for his work with Toto. He retired from touring in 2007 as a result of being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease

16 – Andy Fraser
Andrew McLan Fraser (3 July 1952 – 16 March 2015) was an English songwriter and bass guitarist whose career lasted over forty years and includes a notable period as one of the founding members of the rock band Free in 1968, at age 15. Andy Fraser, who co-wrote the hit song All Right Now when he was the teenage bassist for the rock band Free, died in California at the age of 62.

20 – A.J. Pero
Anthony Jude Pero (October 14, 1959 – March 20, 2015) was an American drummer, in American heavy metal bands Twisted Sister and Adrenaline Mob. Pero died of what appears to be a massive heart attack, his longtime agent Dan Stanton told CNN. “He had been complaining of a sore arm all week and took a few days off from his tour with the band Adrenaline Mob,” says Stanton.

21 – Jackie Trent
Yvonne Ann Burgess (6 September 1940 – 21 March 2015), the British singer-songwriter died at the age of 74, her spokesman has confirmed. In the later years of her life, Trent was best known for writing the theme tune of the Australian soap opera Neighbours, but she also had earlier success writing songs for Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark, Des O’Connor, Val Doonican, Dean Martin and many more. She died in Menorca.

23 – Lil’ Chris
Christopher James Hardman (26 August 1990 – 23 March 2015), was an English singer-songwriter, actor, and television personality. He came to prominence in 2006 after appearing on the Channel 4 series Rock School, which saw KISS vocalist and bassist Gene Simmons make a rock band at Lil’ Chris’ school. Later that year he released the single “Checkin’ It Out”, which charted at number 3, and a self-titled album. In 2008 he hosted his own series, Everybody Loves Lil’ Chris. He took his own life in March 2015 at his home in Lowestoft after a period of depression

APRIL

3 – Bob Burns
Robert Burns Jr (November 24, 1950 – April 3, 2015), aged 64, was the original drummer in Lynyrd Skynyrd. Burns helped to form the Southern rock band in 1964 with Gary Rossington and Larry Junstrom but left in 1974 after being overwhelmed by life on the road. He rejoined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2006 for one performance as he played alongside Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, Ed King, Artimus Pyle and the Honkettes at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

14 – Percy Sledge
Percy Tyrone Sledge (November 25, 1940 – April 14, 2015), who had a worldwide hit with When a Man Loves a Woman, died at the age of 73. Sledge recorded When a man Loves a Woman in 1966 at Norala Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama. It reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts.

28 – Jack Ely
Jack Brown Ely (September 11, 1943 – April 28, 2015), the singer best known for Louie Louie, has died at his home in Redmond, Oregon at the age of 71. Ely was the lead singer of a Portland band formed in 1959 called the Kingsmen (along with Lynn Easton on drums, Mike Mitchell on guitar, Bob Nordby on bass and Don Gallucci on pian, who played local concerts and performed cover versions. Their big break came in 1963 when they recorded Louie Louie, a song that was written by Richard Berry in 1957 and had already been recorded by a host of bands. Reports said that it cost $36 for the Kingsmen to record what has become the definitive version. It became an instant hit and cult classic.

30 – Ben E King
Benjamin Earl King (September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015) aka R&B and soul singer Ben E King, best known for the classic song Stand By Me, has died at the age of 76. King started his career in the late 1950s with The Drifters, singing on hits including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me.

MEI

5 – Craig Gruber
Craig M. Gruber (June 15, 1951 – May 5, 2015) was an American rock bassist, best known as the original bassist in Rainbow and most recently was a member for the band Zvekan. He also played in Elf, consisting of vocalist Ronnie James Dio, keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule, drummer Gary Driscoll and guitarist David Feinstein.Elf released three albums before they joined Ritchie Blackmore in his newly formed band Rainbow in mid-1975. Gruber played on Rainbow’s first album, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow. Soon after the album was released, Blackmore fired everyone except Dio.Gruber played live with Gary Moore on his supporting tour for his album Victims of the Future, and featured on Moore’s 1984 live album We Want Moore. In 1980 he formed Bible Black with former Elf and Rainbow drummer Gary Driscoll. The band produced two albums before Driscoll’s murder in 1987.

6 – Errol Brown
Erroll Brown (12 November 1943 – May 6, 2015), Hot Chocolate’s lead singer died on May 6. Brown was a British-Jamaican singer and songwriter, best known as the frontman of the soul and funk band Hot Chocolate. In 2004, Brown received the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music

14 – BB King
Riley B. King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015), was an American blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending, shimmering vibrato and staccato picking that influenced many later blues electric guitar players. AllMusic recognized King as “the single most important electric guitarist of the last half of the 20th century”.King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and is one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the nickname “The King of the Blues”, and is considered one of the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar”. He was best known for his song “The Thrill Is Gone”.

JUNI

4 – Albert West
Albertus Petrus Enricus Gerardus Westelaken (2 September 1949 – 4 June 2015), better known by his stage name Albert West, was a Dutch pop singer and record producer. He was the lead singer of The Shuffles from 1963 to 1973.

9 – James Last
Hans Last (17 April 1929 – 9 June 2015) aka Big Band leader James Last died at the age of 86. His Non Stop Dancing albums were hugely popular in the UK and he sold more than 80 million albums worldwide. The German-born musician was also a big fan of jazz and an accomplished bass player.

11 – Ornette Coleman
Randolph Denard Ornette Coleman (March 9, 1930 – June 11, 2015) Jazz saxophonist and composer Coleman, died aged 85. His pioneering performances often abandoned the chordal and harmony-based structure found in bebop, instead emphasizing a jarring and avant-garde approach to improvisation.

13 – Drs P.
Heinz Hermann Polzer (24 August 1919 – 13 June 2015), better known under his pseudonym Drs. P was a Swiss singer-songwriter, poet, and prose writer in the Dutch language.Other pseudonyms were Geo Staad, Coos Neetebeem (a variant of the name of Dutch writer Cees Nooteboom) and drandus P. He had a characteristic, cracking, voice.

23 – Thé Lau
Matheus J. Lau (17 July 1952 – 23 June 2015) was a Dutch musician and writer. Besides his solo career, he was the lead singer of the Dutch band The Scene. He was born in Bergen, North Holland

27 – Chris Squire
Christopher Russell Edward Squire (4 March 1948 – 27 June 2015), the bassist and co-founder of the progressive rock band Yes, died aged 67. Squire was born in London. He was the only member to play on all of Yes’ albums, and he co-founded the band with its former lead singer, Jon Anderson. The group released its self-titled debut album in 1969.

JULI

22 – Eddie Hardin
Edward Hardin (19 February 1949 – 22 July 2015) was an English rock pianist and singer-songwriter. He was best known for his associations with the Spencer Davis Group, Axis Point also Hardin & York. Hardin, along with the drummer, Pete York, left the Spencer Davis Group on 26 October 1968, due to ‘differences over musical policy’. He died following a heart attack at the age of 66.

AUGUSTUS

8 – Sean Price
Sean Duval Price (March 17, 1972 – August 8, 2015) was an American rapper and member of the hip hop collective Boot Camp Clik. He was half of the duo Heltah Skeltah, performing under the name Ruckus (sometimes abbreviated as Ruck), along with partner Rock

31 – Joy Beverley
Joycelyn Victoria Chinery (5 May 1924 – 31 August 2015), the eldest of singing trio The Beverley Sisters, died aged 91 after suffering a stroke on 30 August 2015. The Beverley Sisters were an English female close harmony pop vocal and light entertainment trio, consisting of three siblings from London. They were most popular during the 1950s and 1960s, and became well-known through their radio and television appearances. Their style was loosely modelled on that of their American counterparts, The Andrews Sisters. Their notable successes included the Irving Berlin-penned “Sisters” and the Christmas songs “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, “Little Donkey”, and “Little Drummer Boy”.

SEPTEMBER

4 – Rico Rodriguez
Emmanuel “Rico” Rodriguez (17 October 1934 – 4 September 2015) who was a member of the Specials, died age 80. During his career, the Cuban-born Jamaican ska trombonist recorded with many producers, including Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, Jools Holland and others. He is, however, perhaps best known for his appearance on The Specials’ 1979 cover of Dandy Livingstone’s A Message to You, Rudy. He was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2007, and Jamaica’s Silver Musgrave Medal in recognition of his contribution to Jamaican music in 2012.

12 – Bryn Merrick
Bryn Merrick (12 October 1958 – 12 September 2015) was a bass guitar player who was a member of Cardiff-based punk band Victimize. He later joined The Damned between 1983 and 1989, replacing Paul Gray. Merrick’s first release with The Damned was the single “Thanks for the Night” b/w “Nasty”. He was The Damned’s bassist on its albums, Phantasmagoria and Anything. Merrick died of cancer, at University Hospital Llandough aged 56.

16 – Peggy Jones
Peggy Malone (Married Name) (July 19, 1940 – September 16, 2015), known on stage as Lady Bo in recognition of her relationship with Bo Diddley, was an American musician. A pioneer of rock and roll, Jones played rhythm guitar in Bo Diddley’s band in the late 1950s and early 1960s, becoming one of the first (perhaps the first) female rock guitarists in a highly visible rock band, and was sometimes called the “Queen Mother of Guitar”

29 – Phil Woodsa
Philip Wells Woods (November 2, 1931 – September 29, 2015) was a jazz alto saxophonist who played on pop songs by Billy Joel and Paul Simon. Woods had been a protégé of Dizzy Gillespie. He was recommended to Paul Simon by producer Phil Ramone and played on the 1975 album Still Crazy After All These Years. Woods won four Grammy Awards.

OKTOBER

9 – Koopsta Knicca
Robert Cooper Phillips (April 27, 1975 – October 9, 2015), was an American rapper. He was best known as one of the original members of the Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia, as well as a member of the rap collective Da Mafia 6ix alongside DJ Paul and Crunchy Black

10 – Steve Mackay
(September 25, 1949 – October 10, 2015) noted for his saxophone playing with Iggy and the Stooges, died at the age of 66. He met Iggy Pop at art school and, in his brief tenure with The Stooges, contributed memorable tenor saxophone parts to songs such as Fun House and 1970. Mackay left the band near the end of 1970, but appeared with them in concert throughout the years and rejoined officially during their 2003 reunion.

20 – Cory Wells
Emil Lewandowski (February 5, 1941 – October 20, 2015) Founding member of the popular 1970s band Three Dog Night and lead singer on such hits as ‘Never Been to Spain’ and ‘Mama Told Me (Not to Come), died aged 74 in Dunkirk. Wells, Hutton and Chuck Negron formed Three Dog Night in 1967, lifting the name from Australian slang for especially cold weather. Wells, a Polish-American with several polka players among his relatives, was born in Buffalo. He moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1960s and while in the house band for the popular club the Whiskey A-Go-Go he met Hutton, a writer and producer at the time with Hanna-Barbera Records. Wells and Three Dog Night continued to record and tour, in various incarnations. Wells’ death comes seven months after longtime keyboard player Jimmy Greenspoon died of cancer.

NOVEMBER

7 – Eddie Hoh
Edward Hoh (October 16, 1944 – November 7, 2015) was an American rock drummer who was active in the 1960s. Although primarily a studio session and touring drummer, Hoh exhibited a degree of originality and showmanship that set him apart and several of his contributions have been singled out for acknowledgment by music critics. Often uncredited and unknown to audiences, he played the drums on several well-known rock songs and albums, including those by Donovan and the Monkees. He also performed at the seminal 1967 Monterey Pop Festival as a member of the Mamas and the Papas touring band. In 1968, he participated in the recording of Super Session, the highly successful 1968 Mike Bloomfield/Al Kooper/Stephen Stills collaboration album. However, his flurry of activity came to an end by the early 1970s and he since remained out of the public eye until his death in 2015.

9 – Andy White
Andrew McLuckie “Andy” White (27 July 1930 – 9 November 2015), who replaced Ringo Starr at a 1962 recording for the unknown Beatles, died on aged 85. White, who also played drums on the Tom Jones song It’s Not Unusual, persuaded producer George Martin that he should play drums on the track on the Beatles first release, Love Me Do, while Starr played the tambourine.

10 – Allen Toussaint
Allen Richard Toussaint (January 14, 1938 – November 10, 2015) was an American musician, songwriter, arranger and record producer, who was an influential figure in New Orleans R&B from the 1950s to the end of the century, described as “one of popular music’s great backroom figures.” As a producer, his credits included Dr John’s hit “Right Place, Wrong Time” and Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade”.

12 – Philthy Animal Taylor
Philip John Taylor (21 September 1954 – 12 November 2015), the former Motorhead drummer, died age 61. Taylor replaced Motörhead’s first drummer, Lucas Fox, during the recording of On Parole in 1975 and remained with the British rock band until 1984. He rejoined in 1987 for a second five-year stint alongside frontman Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister and guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke. Together they recorded 10 studio albums and the live album No Sleep ’til Hammersmith.

17 – David VanLanding
William David Van Landingham, (October 6, 1964 – November 17, 2015), known professionally as David VanLanding or David Van Landing, was an American rock music singer, who worked with Michael Schenker Group and Crimson Glory. In mid-90s he auditioned with Michael Schenker Group, which resulted in three tours during 1997–1999 (USA, Japan, Europe). He was invited by Michael Schenker again for 2011 (Temple Of Rock South American Tour), and 2012 (Temple Of Rock North American Tour), to replace Robin McAuley. Also, Schenker wrote that he and Van Landing were planning a special show together on the Axes and Anchors cruise in February 2016… Between the tours VanLanding was teaching voice, fronting various bands and taking part is some cover bands. VanLanding died in a car accident, collision with a dump truck in Clearwater, Florida.

19 – Armand
Herman George van Loenhout (10 April 1946 – 19 November 2015), was a Dutch protest singer. His greatest hit song was “Ben ik te min” (“Am I not good enough?”). Armand came to the fore during the hippie generation and was well-known as an advocate of cannabis.

23 – Cynthia Robinson
Cynthia Robinson (January 12, 1944 – November 23, 2015) was an American musician, best known for being the trumpeter and vocalist in Sly and the Family Stone. Her voice and presence were featured in the hit “Dance To The Music”.

DECEMBER

3 – Scott Weiland
Scott Richard Weiland (October 27, 1967 – December 3, 2015) the former frontman for the Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, died age 48 while on tour with his current band, Scott Weiland & the Wildabouts. The toxicology report later showed that his death was an accident, after taking a toxic cocktail of ecstacy, cocaine and alcohol. He was noted for his time as the lead singer of the Grammy Award-winning Stone Temple Pilots, whose hits include “Interstate Love Song,” “Plush,” and “Vasoline.”The band broke up in 2003 and Weiland went on to front Velvet Revolver, whose members included former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash.

24 – William Guest
William Franklin Guest (July 2, 1941 – December 24, 2015) a member of Gladys Knight and the Pips, has died aged 74 of congestive heart failure. Guest performed throughout the lifespan of the Grammy-winning group from 1953 to 1989. He performed background vocals on hits such as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Midnight Train to Georgia.” After the group ended, Guest and another member, the late Edward Patten, formed a production company. Guest later served as CEO of Crew Records.

27 – Stevie Wright
Stephen Carlton Wright (20 December 1947[3] – 27 December 2015), the lead singer of rock and roll band The Easybeats, died aged 68. The Easybeats, seen here in 1966, were widely regarded as the greatest Australian pop band of the 1960s, with a string of hits including She’s So Fine, I’ll Make You Happy and Friday on My Mind. After The Easybeats disbanded in 1969, Wright fronted numerous groups including Stevie Wright Band and Stevie Wright & the Allstars; his solo career included the 1974 single Evie (Parts 1, 2 & 3). On July 14, 2005, The Easybeats, with Wright as a member, were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

28 – Lemmy
Ian Fraser Kilmister (24 December 1945 – 28 December 2015), Mötörhead frontman died, aged 70, following a short battle with cancer. The rock star, was diagnosed with the disease on Boxing Day. Lemmy, who was born in Stoke-on-Trent on Christmas Eve 1945, founded Motorhead in 1975 after being fired from previous band Hawkwind. The Grammy-award winners are perhaps best known for their single Ace Of Spades, while the fanged face that appears on their album artwork has become one of rock’s most recognisable figures. It took several years for the band to break into the popular charts, which came when they achieved critical acclaim with the 1980 Ace of Spades album, which reached number four in the UK chart.

28 – Guru Josh
Paul Walden, who had a hit with Infinity in 1990 as rave culture swept the UK, died age 51. Josh died in Ibiza for suicide. Infinity (1990s … Time for the Guru) peaked at No5 in the UK charts. He also had success with the singles ‘Freaky Dreamer’, ‘Holographic Dreams’ and ‘Whose Law (Is it anyway?)’. He worked later as part of a band called the Guru Josh Project.

29 – John Bradbury
John “Brad” Bradbury (16 February 1953 – 28 December 2015) multi-instrumentalist with The Specials, whose drumming inspired the 2 Tone sound, died aged 62. The Specials posted the news on their Twitter account, writing: “It is with deep regret that we say goodbye to our great friend, the world’s greatest drummer, our beloved Brad. RIP.”

31 – Natalie Cole
Natalie Maria Cole (February 6, 1950 – December 31, 2015), daughter of jazz great Nat “King” Cole, died aged 65. At the age of six, Natalie sang on her father’s Christmas album and later began performing at age 11. The singer and songwriter rose to musical success in the mid-Seventies with the hits This Will Be, Inseparable and Our Love. After a period of failing sales and performances due to drug addiction, Cole re-emerged as a pop artist with the 1987 album, Everlasting, and her cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Pink Cadillac. In the Nineties, she re-recorded standards by her father, resulting in her biggest success, Unforgettable… with Love, which sold over seven million copies and also won Cole numerous Grammy Awards. She sold over 30 million records worldwide. The track Unforgettable saw her voice remixed with her father’s, 25 years after his death.