Died On This Date (March 10, 2010) Micky Jones / Lead Singer & Guitarist For Man

Micky Jones
June 7, 1946 – March 10, 2010

Micky Jones was the founding lead singer and influential guitarist for ’70s Welsh rock band, Man.  They were one of the acts that helped popularize what became known as British “pub rock,” a back-to-basics trend in rock that was also being cultivated by the likes of Brinsley Schwarz, Graham Parker, and Dave Edmunds.   As time passed, Man’s sound grew more psychedelic, often drawing comparisons to the Grateful Dead or Quicksilver Messenger Service.  In fact, it could be argued that they were the world’s first jamband.  Though relatively unknown in the U.S., the band had several moderate hits in the U.K. and were very popular concert draws.  The original group split up in 1976, but Jones reformed a variation of it in 1980 and continued to make a solid living along the pub rock circuit through the ’90s.  In 2005, Micky Jones was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which lead him to permanently leave the group for treatment.  The cancer ultimately took his life on March 10, 2010.  He was 63.



Died On This Date (November 18, 2007) Jim Ford / Country Soul Singer

Jim Ford
August 23, 1941 – November 18, 2007

Jim Ford was an American singer songwriter who some have called the “Godfather of Pub Rock,” a back-to-basics form of rock ‘n roll that popped up in the UK during the late ’70s.  Ford’s mix of soul, country and folk was an influence on the likes of Graham Parker, Dave Edmunds and Brinsley Schwarz.  Ford’s songs have been recorded by Schwarz, Edmunds, Bobby Womack, Nick Lowe, Aretha Franklin, Ronnie Wood, and onetime girlfriend, Bobbie Gentry.  By all accounts, Ford seems to have fallen into obscurity after the ’70s only to resurface in 2004.  After a deluxe re-issue of his 1969 Harlan County album in 2007, new interest in Ford’s music lead to talks of a new album to be produced by the legendary Jim Dickinson. But before that could come to fruition, Jim Ford was found dead in his home.  Cause of death is not known.

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Jim Ford