Arturo Vega was a graphic designer who is best remembered for his 20+ years of creative service for the Ramones. Originally from Mexico, Vega emigrated to the United States during the ’70s, and settled in New York City. He soon became friends with the band and even let Joey Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone live in his loft for at time. As the band’s artistic director since 1974, Vega created many of the band’s logos including their iconic “Hey Ho Let’s Go” shield logo. For many years, t-shirts that were adorned with the shield where the main source of income for the band. His handy work can be seen on such albums as Ramones, Leave Home, and Ramones Mania as well. Vega also worked as the Ramone’s lighting director and claimed to have been at all but two of the their 2200+ shows. In later years, he managed the band’s website. Arturo Vega was 65 when he passed away on June 8, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Ben Todd was a Nashville musician who played bass in local punk band, D. Watusi. He was also the founder of Nashville’s Dead, a punk rock blog and record label. Launched in 2009, Nashville’s Dead quickly build a legion of followers thanks to its focus on Nashville’s indie rock, punk, and garage scene. Every year in March, the site puts on the popular Freakin’ Weekend music festival. Ben Todd was 24 when he passed away on February 12, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Jon Cook was a rock bassist who is best remembered for his tenure in ’90s post-hardcore band, Crain. The Louisville, Kentucky band released three albums including the Steve Albini-produced Speed in 1992. The band ultimately broke up in 1996 but reunited as their pre-Crain outfit, Cerebellum in 2010. Outside of Crain, Cook played with Rodan, and Experimental Pollen, amongst others. During Cook’s teenage years, he helped out-of-town bands get booked in local clubs and played a key role in the development of Louisville’s ’90s punk scene. Jon Cook was 40 when, on February 9, 2013, he passed away following a long illness.
Bryan Gregory February 20, 1951 – January 10, 2001
Bryan Gregory is best remembered as the founding guitarist for influential psychobillyists, the Cramps. Formed while he and lead singer, Lux Interior worked together at a New York City record store, the band were instrumental in the development of the early punk scene whose centerpiece was the CBGB’s club. The band in those days also included lead guitarist, Poison Ivy and Gregory’s sister, Pam Balaam on drums. It was Gregory’s unique guitar sound and crazy stage antics that endeared him to early fans. He played on the band’s first two albums, Gravest Hits and Songs The Lord Taught Us before leaving in 1980. Gregory spent the next few years in a band called the Beast before playing a zombie in George Romero’sDawn of the Dead and moving to Florida where he ran an adult book store. The early ’90s found him in Los Angeles where he formed the Dials and played in Shiver. Bryan Gregory was 49 when he suffered “multiple systems failure” after driving himself to a Southern California hospital emergency room. He had reportedly been in ill-health after previously suffering a heart attack, but official cause of death was not released.
Kent Abbott was a guitarist who is best remembered for his tenure with Canadian pop punk bands, Grade and Somehow Hollow. Abbott joined Grade just after the band released what would become their final album, 2001’s Headfirst Straight To Hell. The group disbanded the following year. They have since been recognized as one of hardcore’s influential bands. Although Somehow Hollow formed in 2000, it wasn’t until the break up of Grade that Abbott committed to them full-time. They released Busted Wings And Rusted Halo on Victory Records in 2003, but called it quits in 2004. In later years, Abbott played with the .45 Goodbye. Kent Abbott was 32 when he died on January 7, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Arturo Vega was a graphic designer who is best remembered for his 20+ years of creative service for the Ramones. Originally from Mexico, Vega emigrated to the United States during the ’70s, and settled in New York City. He soon became friends with the band and even let Joey Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone live in his loft for at time. As the band’s artistic director since 1974, Vega created many of the band’s logos including their iconic “Hey Ho Let’s Go” shield logo. For many years, t-shirts that were adorned with the shield where the main source of income for the band. His handy work can be seen on such albums as Ramones, Leave Home, and Ramones Mania as well. Vega also worked as the Ramone’s lighting director and claimed to have been at all but two of the their 2200+ shows. In later years, he managed the band’s website. Arturo Vega was 65 when he passed away on June 8, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Jon Cook was a rock bassist who is best remembered for his tenure in ’90s post-hardcore band, Crain. The Louisville, Kentucky band released three albums including the Steve Albini-produced Speed in 1992. The band ultimately broke up in 1996 but reunited as their pre-Crain outfit, Cerebellum in 2010. Outside of Crain, Cook played with Rodan, and Experimental Pollen, amongst others. During Cook’s teenage years, he helped out-of-town bands get booked in local clubs and played a key role in the development of Louisville’s ’90s punk scene. Jon Cook was 40 when, on February 9, 2013, he passed away following a long illness.
Bryan Gregory is best remembered as the founding guitarist for influential psychobillyists, the Cramps. Formed while he and lead singer, 
Kent Abbott was a guitarist who is best remembered for his tenure with Canadian pop punk bands, Grade and Somehow Hollow. Abbott joined Grade just after the band released what would become their final album, 2001’s Headfirst Straight To Hell. The group disbanded the following year. They have since been recognized as one of hardcore’s influential bands. Although Somehow Hollow formed in 2000, it wasn’t until the break up of Grade that Abbott committed to them full-time. They released Busted Wings And Rusted Halo on Victory Records in 2003, but called it quits in 2004. In later years, Abbott played with the .45 Goodbye. Kent Abbott was 32 when he died on January 7, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.