Died On This Date (August 14, 2011) Tom Tilton / Former Capitol Records Executive

Tom Tilton
December 1, 1935 – August 14, 2011

Tom Tilton was a long time sales executive for Capitol Records and later, its distribution arm which was renamed Cema Distribution during the late ’80s.  Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Tilton went to work for Capitol as a young man, and ultimately found himself running the Cema sales branch in Dallas, Texas where he was loved and respected by his staff and colleagues throughout the entire company.  During his tenure with Capitol-EMI Music, Tilton played a key role in the successes of such artists as varied as the Beatles, Duran Duran, Bob Seger, Tina Turner, Garth Brooks, Iron Maiden, and the Beach Boys. Tilton left the music industry during the mid ’90s, but stayed in the Dallas area where he farmed and raised horses and cattle for the rest of his working life.  Tom Tilton was 75 when he passed away peacefully on August 14, 2011.

Thanks to Alexis Kelley for the assist.



Died On This Date (August 9, 2002) Paul Samson / Heavy Metal Great

Paul Samson
June 4, 1953 – August 9, 2002

With his band, Samson, Paul Samson helped usher in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal of the late ’70s. With contemporaries like Iron Maiden, Motorhead and Girlschool, Samson brought a cleaner, more progressive sound to the metal that originated from the likes of Black Sabbath. Forming the band in 1978, Samson built a steady cult following over it’s six-year existence. At one point, the band was fronted by Bruce Bruce who later changed his name back to Bruce Dickinson and left to join Iron Maiden. Samson’s guitar could also be heard on Ram Jam’s 1977 hit, “Black Betty.” Samson died of cancer while recording a Samson comeback album in 2002.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

P.S.... - Paul Samson

Died On This Date (July 27, 2008) Graeme Crallan / White Spirit; Tank

Graeme Crallan
1958 – July 27, 2008

Grame Crallan on left

Graeme Crallan was a British heavy metal drummer who first came to prominence during the New Wave of British Metal of the mid ’70s. In 1975, he and future Iron Maiden guitarist, Janick Gers formed White Spirit who released one Deep Purple influenced album in 1980.  They parted ways about a year later.  A few years later, Crallan joined another metal band, the more aggressive Tank who’s fate was not much different from that of White Spirit’s.  Graeme Crallan died of head injuries he sustained when he collapsed and fell while walking along a London street.  The cause of his collapse is unknown.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Tank

Died On This Date (July 15, 2007) Kelly Johnson / Girlschool

Kelly Johnson
June 20, 1958 – July 15, 2007

Kelly Johnson was, most famously, lead guitarist and sometime lead singer for Girlschool, arguably the first major all-female heavy metal band.  Formed in 1977 out of the ashes of London’s Painted Lady, Girlschool released a series of classic metal albums and played in front of huge crowds alongside the likes of Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Saxon and the Scorpions.   Having recorded on four albums, Johnson left Girlschool in 1983 to move to Los Angeles.  She reunited with the band in 1993 and stayed through 2000, around the time she learned she had spinal cancer, of which she died in 2007.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Girlschool


Died On This Date (October 29, 2008) Mike Baker / Fronted Shadow Gallery

Mike Baker
September 2, 1963 – October 29, 2008

mike-bakerMike Baker was the lead singer of ’80s progressive metal band, Shadow Gallery.  Formed in 1985 as Sorcerer, the band soon changed their name before signing to independent progressive rock label, Magna Carta Records in 1991.  Shadow Gallery, and Baker’s vocals had more in common with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Queensryche than the pop metal bands that were more in fashion at the time.  During the late ’90s, the band formed a kinship with like-minded band, Dream Theater, whose James LaBrie sang on Shadow Gallery’s 1998 song, “I Believe.”   Mike Baker, 45, died of a heart attack on October 29, 2008.

What You should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Carved In Stone - Shadow Gallery