Died On This Date (December 3, 2014) Ian McLagan / Legendary Rock Keyboardist

Ian McLagan
May 12, 1945 – December 3, 2014

Photo by Theresa Dimenno
Photo by Theresa Dimenno

Ian McLagan was a much respected and highly influential English keyboard player who is perhaps best remembered for his years in the Small Faces/Faces, and for his collaborations with the Rolling Stones.  He also recorded several albums with his own band throughout the years.  Launching his career during the early ’60s, McLagan’s first band of note was Boz People, playing alongside Boz Burrell of future King Crimson and Bad Company fame. In 1965, McLagan was invited to join the Small Faces which morphed into the Faces when Rod Stewart joined the group in 1969.  Each version of the group had numerous hits during their runs while influencing a generation of musicians along the way. When the Faces broke up in 1975, McLagan continued on primarily as a session player and touring keyboardist for the Rolling Stones – a position he would hold for decades.  He also recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few.  He also released nearly a dozen albums with his own band over the course of his career, the most recent being 2014’s United States, for Yep Roc Records.  Ian McLagan ultimately passed away on December 3, 2014, and according to an official statement by Yep Roc, he died “surrounded by family and friends in his adopted hometown of Austin, TX, due to complications from a stroke suffered the previous day.  He was 69 years old. His manager Ken Kushnick says,  ‘He was a beloved friend to so many people and a true rock n roll spirit. His persona and gift of song impacted the music across oceans and generations.’ Ian’s bandmate in Small Faces and Faces, Kenney Jones said, ‘I am completely devastated by this shocking news and I know this goes for Ronnie [Wood] and Rod [Stewart] also.'”

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Died On This Date (September 11, 2012) Johnny Perez / Sir Douglas Quintet

Johnny Perez
DOB Unknown – September 11, 2012

Johnny Perez is perhaps best remembered as the original drummer for one of Texas’ greatest rock bands, the Sir Douglas Quintet.  Formed by Doug Sahm in 1965, the group took a more regal sounding name in order to give the illusion they were less American during the peak of the British Invasion.  Due to their name-trickery or not, the Sir Douglas Quintet had some of the most popular home-grown rock songs of the era, including “She’s About A Mover,” and “Mendocino.”  Hardly anglo sounding, the band dished out a tamale-hot musical stew of country, jazz, cajun, blues, psychedelic and rock ‘n roll that is often credited as the birth of Americana music.  And it was Perez who provided its back beat for many years.  During the early ’70s, after the band relocated to Los Angeles, Perez opened Topanga Skyline Studios in the storied Topanga Canyon area just northwest of L.A.  Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne and T-Bone Burnett, to name a few, all recorded there at one point or another.  As a songwriter, Perez shared credit on several songs with Joe “King” Carrasco.  They co-wrote “Pachuco Hop” and “Buena,” both now considered Tex-Mex staples.  The Sir Douglas Quintet broke up in 1973, but reunited on occasion throughout the years with Perez participating.  On September 11, 2012, Johnny Perez died from complications of cirrhosis of the liver.  He was 69.

 

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The Best of Douglas Sahm & The Sir Douglas Quintet (1968-1975) - Doug Sahm & The Sir Douglas Quintet

Died On This Date (July 24, 2012) Larry Hoppen / Co-Founder Of Orleans

Larry Hoppen
1951 – July 24, 2012

Larry Hoppen was the founding guitarist and singer for Orleans, a popular soft rock band that formed in Woodstock, New York in 1972.  The band is best remembered for their ’70s pop hits, “Still the One” and “Dance With Me.”  As early as 1977, “Still the One” has been played on numerous television shows and films.  Throughout their early years, Orleans were a popular opening act for the likes of Jackson Browne, Little Feat and Melissa Manchester.  Hoppen was beloved by fans for his beautiful tenor voice, and was the only original member to stay with the group until his passing.  Their last album with him was 2008’s Obscurities.  Hoppen released two solo albums as well, HandMade and Looking For The Light.   Larry Hoppen was 61 when he passed away on July 24, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (April 23, 2012) Chris Ethridge / International Submarine Band; Flying Burrito Brothers

Chris Ethridge
1947 – April 23, 2012

Chris Ethridge was an American musician who is best remembered for playing in the International Submarine Band and the Flying Burrito Brothers.  Born in Meridian, Mississippi, Ethridge was already playing in local bands by the time he moved to Los Angeles at 17.  It was there that he joined the International Submarine Band, playing alongside with Gram Parsons.  The year was 1967, and Ethridge played on that year’s release, Safe At Home.  Parsons left ISB the following year and Ethridge followed suit.  He worked with Parsons on solo projects even co-writing several of his songs.  In 1968, Ethridge co-founded the Flying Burrito Brothers with Parsons, Chris Hillman, and Sneaky Pete Kleinow. Although Ethridge played on just the band’s first album, The Gilded Palace Of Sin before leaving in 1969, it can’t be denied that he played a role in the birth of country rock while influencing the likes of the Eagles, Wilco, and Ryan Adams.  In 1975, he participated in a reformed version of the Burrito Brothers for the recording of Flying Again.  Over the course of his career, Ethridge played on records by such acts as Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Randy Newman, and Ry Cooder.  He also spent more than seven years playing in Willie Nelson’s live band. Chris Ethridge was 65 when he passed away on April 23, 2012. He was 65.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour at Slipped Disc Entertainment for the assist.

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The Gilded Palace of Sin and Burrito Deluxe - The Flying Burrito Brothers

Died On This Date (December 6, 2011) Barbara Orbison / Widow Of Roy Orbison

Barbara Orbison (Born Barbara Jakobs)
1951 – December 6, 2011

Barbara Orbison is best remembered as the longtime wife of rock ‘n roll pioneer, Roy Orbison.  She was also a successful entrepreneur, producer and music publisher.  Born in Germany, Barbara Jakobs was just 17 when on July 21, 1968, she met her future husband when he was on tour in Leeds, England.  Although Roy was nearly twice her age, the pair married the following year.  The couple raised three sons and stayed together until Roy passed away in 1988.   During the ’80s, Barbara managed Roy’s career and was instrumental in the revival of his career, serving as Executive Producer for the popular television concert special, Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night, which featured among others,  Bruce Springsteen, k.d. lang, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and Jackson Browne performing alongside Roy.  After Roy died, Barbara took over his business dealings and successfully kept his music and image alive for generations to come.   Barbara also owned Still Working Music, a publishing company in Nashville, and was very active in philanthropic causes.  Barbara Orbison was 60 when she passed away on December 6, 2011 – 23 years to the day after Roy passed away.  Cause of death was attributed to cancer.