Bert Schneider
May 5, 1933 – December 12, 2011
Bert Schneider was an American movie producer whose credits include Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and The Last Picture Show. His contribution to pop music was huge and came by way of The Monkees television series he created with Bob Rafelson in 1966. The weekly comedy followed the hi-jinks of a fictional rock band as they tried to build a music career in Los Angeles. The show starred Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, and Michael Nesmith as the band loosely based on the Beatles. The show obviously launched their music careers even though in the beginning, they contributed very little musically. Many of the program’s songs, which were showcased like music videos every week, became hits and future staples of oldies radio. They included “(Theme From) The Monkees,” “Last Train To Clarksville,” and “I’m A Believer.” The show won two Emmys in 1967 and continued on in reruns ever since. Bert Schneider was 78 when he died of natural causes on December 12, 2011.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
David Astor’s contribution to popular music was the regional teen dance program he created and hosted for many years. In 1956, Portland, Maine television viewers were introduced to The Dave Astor Show: For Teenagers Only, a weekly dance program that Astor developed and hosted on WMGE. The American Bandstand type show, which aired every Saturday at 5pm, was an instant hit with the city’s youth and stayed on the air until 1971. The show featured area high school kids singing, lip-synching, and/or dancing to popular hits played by a student band – if they maintained good grades, of course. David Astor passed away on December 10, 2011. He was 92.
Ken Russell was a celebrated British director who courted controversy in both film and television for his use of sexuality and the church within his themes and imagery. Russell made a huge mark on popular music as well with his 1975 rock film Tommy, based on the Who’s album of the same name. The landmark movie starred the band’s Roger Daltrey as Tommy, Pete Townshend, 
Robert Champion was the drum major for the prestigious Florida A&M Marching Band, also known as the Marching 100. On November 19, 2011, Champion’s unresponsive body was discovered on a chartered bus following the school’s football game in Orlando, Florida. Reports indicate that he had been vomiting and was having trouble breathing prior to collapsing. Many close to the investigation have speculated that hazing may have led to his death. Robert Champion was 26 when he passed away.
Barry Feinstein was world renowned photographer who captured many of rock music’s most iconic images of the ’60s and ’70s. From Bob Dylan to