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Musician Rock Southern Rock

Died On This Date (August 12, 2010) Richie Hayward / Drummer For Little Feat

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Richie Hayward
February 6, 1946 – August 12, 2010

Richie Hayward is perhaps best remembered as the founding drummer for legendary southern rock band, Little Feat.  Formed by Lowell George in 1969, the band quickly built a sizable following thanks to their seamless merging of rock, jazz, blues, country and R&B.  Albums like Little Feat, Sailin’ Shoes and Dixie Chicken are now classic rock staples while there 1978 live album, Waiting On Columbus, is widely considered one of the greatest live albums ever released.  Hayward also kept very busy outside of Little Feat.  As a session player, he worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, the Doobie Brothers, Robert Palmer, Warren Zevon, and many more.  Richie Hayward was 64 when he died of liver cancer on August 12, 2010

Thanks to Ed Maxin for the assist

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Waiting for Columbus (Live) - Little Feat

Musician Rock

Died On This Date (April 26, 2006) Danny McKenna / Guitarist For Toby Beau

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Danny McKenna
April 14, 1952 – April 26, 2006

Courtesy of Margie McKenna
Courtesy of Margie McKenna

Danny McKenna was the founding guitarist for Texas rock band, Toby Beau who scored a 1978 hit with “My Angel Baby.”   It was a #1 hit on the Easy Listening charts and reached #13 on the overall singles chart.  The single would eventually achieve gold status and was recognized by BMI for receiving over 1 million radio plays.  Due in part to the success of the single, Toby Beau toured with the likes of Bob Seger, Steve Miller Band and the Doobie Brothers.  McKenna left the band before the release of their follow-up album and returned to Texas, got married and had two children.  He started a successful business as a luthier, repairing and refurbishing all kinds of stringed instruments for local musicians, as well as others throughout Texas.  He also handmade several guitars and instruments of his own invention, such as an electric “J-fiddle” and a hybrid between an electric guitar and a mandolin.  McKenna always remained active as a musician and formed several local bands throughout the years, and he was extremely generous when sharing his love of music, often doing free repairs for churches or students who couldn’t afford it.  He passed away on April 26, 2006 at the age of 54.  – Additional information courtesy of Emily McKenna.

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Musician Rock Singer

Died On This Date (February 3, 2004) Cornelius Bumpus / Doobie Brothers; Steely Dan

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Cornelius Bumpus
January 13, 1946 – February 3, 2004

cornelius-bumpusCornelius Bumpus is best remembered as the saxophonist for the Doobie Brothers and later, Steely Dan.  In 2000, he won the Best Album Grammy for his work on Steely Dan’s Two Against Nature.  As an in-demand session player, Bumpus has performed or recorded with the likes of Michael McDonald, Jeff Lorber, Lacy J. Dalton, Patrick Simmons, Phoebe Snow, Ambrosia and Boz Scaggs.  While flying from New York to Los Angeles for a gig, Bumpus suffered a fatal heart attack.  He was 58.



Country Rock Singer

Died On This Date (December 16, 1997) Nicolette Larson / Popular Country Singer

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Nicolette Larson
July 17, 1952 – December 16, 1997

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Nicolette Larson was a country and pop singer who is perhaps best remembered for her 1978 hit single, “Lotta Love,” a cover of the Neil Young song.  Larson’s angelic voice lead to numerous vocal sessions over the years.  She can be heard singing back-up on records by the likes of Commander Cody, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young and the Doobie Brothers.  In 1978, Larson released her debut album, Nicolette, which prompted Rolling Stone magazine to cite her as the best female vocalist of 1978.  Larson’s last hit single was a country one, 1985’s duet with Steve Wariner, on “That’s How You Know When Love is Right.”   Later vocal credits include records by Dolly Parton, Weird Al Yankovic, and Jimmy Buffett.  Nicolette Larson was 45 when she died on December 16, 1997 from complications of cerebral edema.

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Nicolette - Nicolette Larson

Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (October 30, 2009) Norton Buffalo / Rock Harmonica Great

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Norton Buffalo
September 28, 1951 – October 30, 2009

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Norton Buffalo was a San Francisco Bay area singer, songwriter and musician who is mostly associated with the Steve Miller Band with whom he played harmonica for over three decades.  His career started taking off during the ’70s when he first started playing with the likes of Elvin Bishop and Clover.  In the following years, he performed or recorded with a who’s who of rock, blues and country artists.  That list includes Bonnie Raitt, Commander Cody, Jerry Garcia, the Doobie Brothers, Mickey Hart, Merl Saunders, and of course, Steve Miller.  He can be heard on nearly 200 albums.  Buffalo also appeared in a few films, mostly as a musician.  Buffalo released a handful of his own albums as well.  He can be seen in 1979’s The Rose alongside Bette Midler, and Heaven’s Gate with Kris Kristofferson.  Buffalo was diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to his brain in September of 2009.   He succumbed to the cancer on October 30, 2009 at the age of 58.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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King of the Highway - Norton Buffalo & The Knockouts

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