Died On This Date (November 14, 2012) Laura Kennedy / Bassist For Bush Tetras

Laura Kennedy
DOB Unknown – November 14, 2011

Laura Kennedy is perhaps best remembered as the original bassist for influential New York post punk band, Bush Tetras.  Formed in 1979, the no wave band built a legion of loyalists thanks in part to their early ’80s club hits, “Too Many Creep,” and “Can’t Be Funky/Cowboys In Africa.”  The band is often recognized as the first all female post punk band and for their part in developing a scene that also included Television, Sonic Youth, and Lydia Lunch.  As reported on prefix, Laura Kennedy died on November 14, 2011 as a result of Hepatitis C which she had been living with for nearly two decades.

 

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Happy - Bush Tetras

Died On This Date (November 4, 2010) James Freud / Lead Singer of The Models

James Freud (Born Colin McGlinchey)
June 29, 1959 – November 4, 2010

James Freud is best remembered as the lead singer and bassist for ’80s Australian new wave rock band, the Models. Formed in Melbourne (originally without Freud) in 1979, musically the Models had much in common with fellow countrymen, INXS, including  a handsome and charismatic front man in Freud.  Over the next ten years, the group scored a handful of moderate hits, both in Australia and the U.S., but they never quite broke out of cult status.   Freud was just 16 when he formed his first band, and after hearing the Sex Pistols a year later, he realized rock ‘n roll was his true calling.  By the end of the ’70s, James Freud & the Radio Stars were causing a local stir and were quickly signed to Australia’s storied Mushroom Records.  Their first single “Modern Girl” was successful enough to land them on a Gary Numan tour.  Freud then joined the Models in 1982, and went on to write a some of their biggest hits.  Records like “Barbados” and “Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight” helped them become one of Australia’s post-punk bands.  After they broke up in 1988, Freud embarked on a solo career which included Mushroom’s most expensive album to date, Step Into The Heat.  He also wrote two autobiographies, I Am The Voice Left From Drinking and I Am The Voice Left From Rehab, in which he chronicled his career in music and his struggles with substance abuse.   On November 4, 2010, 51-year-old James Freud was found dead from what was reported to be a suicide.  Just several days earlier, he and the Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.

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Died On This Date (October 7, 2010) Ian Morris / Popular New Zealand Musician; Co-founded Th’Dudes

Ian Morris
DOB Unknown – October 7, 2010

Ian Morris was a respected musician, songwriter and producer from New Zealand.  He is perhaps best remembered as the founding guitarist for early ’80s new wave band, Th’ Dudes.  Formed in the late ’70s while the band mates were in college, Th’ Dudes quickly built a sizable following thanks in part to their catchy pop sound that has been compared to the likes of Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.  In 1979, the band were named New Zealand’s Group of the Year.  The band experienced a resurgence in popularity during the ’90s and again in the mid 2000s, prompting them to reunite and tour from time to time.  Outside of Th’ Dudes, Morris earned his living by writing commercial jingles and producing others.  He also successfully recorded under the moniker, Tex Pistol.  On October 7, 2010, 53-year-old Ian Morris died suddenly and unexpectedly.  Cause of death was not immediately released.



Died On This Date (September 24, 2010) John Hanson / The Slickee Boys

John Hanson
DOB Unknown – September 24, 2010

John Hanson was the sound man, roadie and sometime rhythm guitarist for Washington DC new wave band, the Slickee Boys.  Formed in the mid ’70s, the Slickee Boys soon became heroes of the local underground scene.  Hanson was just 16 years old when he went to work for the band as the decade was drawing to a close.  Besides acting as the band’s roadie and sound man while on the road, Hanson filled in on rhythm guitar, taking over the slot officially in 1988.  The band broke up, for the most part, in 1991 after which Hanson played in such groups as the Septic Twins, the Zones, and the Upsetters.   He also worked the soundboard at the legendary DC venue, the 9:30 Club.  John Hanson reportedly committed suicide on September 24, 2010.  He was 47.

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Live at Last / Fashionably Late - The Slickee Boys

Died On This Date (August 28, 2007) Hilly Kristal / Owned CBGB’s

Hilly Kristal
September 23, 1931 – August 28, 2007

Hilly with Little Steven
Hilly Kristal with Little Steven

Opened in 1973, Hilly Kristal’s CBGB became the epicenter of the punk and new wave movement thanks to his early bookings of such acts as Blondie, Talking Heads, New York Dolls, Patti Smith, Television and the Ramones.  After moving to New York City after serving in the Marines, Kristal became manager of the storied Village Vanguard jazz club where he booked such acts as Miles Davis.  In 1968, he co-founded the Central Park’s Schaefer Music Festival which, over the next decade, hosted the likes of the Who, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, the Doors and Aerosmith.  In 1973, he opened CBGB – OMFUG, which stood for  “Country, BlueGrass, Blues and Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers.”  He closed the club during a much publicized rent dispute in 2006.  Hilly Kristal died of lung cancer at the age of 75.