Andy Johns was an English record producer and engineer whose resume reads like an encyclopedia of rock. Still in his teens, Johns hit the ground running working as Eddie Kramer‘s second engineer on recordings by the likes of Jimi Hendrix. Over the next four decades, Johns left his mark on such iconic albums as Led Zeppelin‘s IV, Physical Graffiti, and Houses Of The Holy; the Rolling Stones‘ Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St., and Goat’s Head Soup; Free‘s Highway; and Television’s Marquee Moon. He also produced or engineered albums for Van Halen, Humble Pie, Ron Wood, L.A. Guns, Cinderella, Chickenfoot, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Miller, Mott The Hoople, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, and many more. Albums on which he worked have reportedly sold more than 160 million copies in all. He was the younger brother of the equally impressive producer and engineer, Glyn Johns. Andy Johns was 61 when he died on April 7, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Once called “The Architect Of Progressive Music,” Peter Banks was the original guitarist for prog rock pioneers, Yes. Raised in North London, Banks first learned the guitar when his father gave him an acoustic one as a child. By his teens, he was also playing the banjo. The first band of note he played in was the Syn, which also counted future Yes members, Chris Squire and Steve Howe as members. The band’s biggest claim to fame was opening for Jimi Hendrix‘s legendary Marquee Club show that was witnessed my just about every member of England’s rock royalty of the day. After the Syn broke up in 1967, Banks joined Mabel Greer’s Toy Shop who eventually morphed into Yes, a name suggested by Banks as temporary, until a better one presented itself. Banks was a member of the band until 1970, playing on their self-titled debut as well as Time And A Word. In later years, he joined the band on stage on occasion and participated in a 1997 tribute album to them. He was also involved in later album and documentary projects. Banks went on to play in Flash, Empire, and Harmony Of Diversion as well as do session work well into the 2000s. On March 7, 2013, Peter Banks died of heart failure. He was 65.
Johnnie Bassett was an American electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter who, over the course of a career that spanned some 60 years, worked as a band leader as well as an in-demand session player for many of music’s biggest names. The list of those that the self-taught guitarist played with includes B.B.King, T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Smokey Robinson, and Ruth Brown. After moving from Florida to Detroit during the mid ’40s, Bassett began making a name for himself at area talent shows and backing local singers. After a stint in the Army, he found work back in Detroit as a session player for the great Fortune Records and later, Chess Records. It was while at Chess that Barrett played on The Miracles’ first single, 1958′s “Get A Job.” He eventually found himself in Seattle where he played with Ike & Tina Turner and Little Willie John. He also ran with a young local up-and-coming guitarist by the name of Jimi Hendrix. Bassett landed back in Detroit where, during the mid ’90s, he began releasing his own albums. His last album was the excellent I Can Make That Happen, released just a few weeks before he passed away. Johnnie Bassett died of cancer on August 4, 2012. He was 76.
Bob Babbitt was a Pittsburgh-born journeyman bassist who can rightfully claim to have played on more than 25 gold and platinum albums along with over 200 top 10 hits. As part of the legendary Motown house band known as the Funk Brothers from 1966 to 1972, Babbitt can be heard playing on such timeless classics as Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” the Temptations‘ “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” Edwin Starr’s “War,” and Smokey Robinson & the Miracles‘ “The Tears Of A Clown” to name just a few. Prior to his stint at Motown, Babbitt played on several Del Shannon records, including “Little Town Flirt” and “I Go To Pieces.” Following his run at Motown, Babbitt continued his hit-record contributions as part of Philadelphia International Records’ answer to the Funk Brothers, MFSB. Within that capacity, for instance, he played on several hits by the Spinners. Babbitt also recorded or performed live with such superstars as Jimi Hendrix, Phil Collins, Jim Croce, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, and Bonnie Raitt. During the ’80s, he played on several prominent commercial jingles and even dabbled in jazz with Herbie Mann and Stanley Turrentine. In 2002, he was profiled in the award-winning Funk Brothers documentary, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown. In March of 2011, Babbitt made his last television appearance with Jacob Lusk during American Idol’s Motown Week. Bob Babbitt died of brain cancer on July 16, 2012. He was 74.
Charlie Phillips was a beloved bassist and drummer who, during the ’60s, played in several bands, including the Hampton Grease Band. The group was fronted by Bruce Hampton and included Phillips’ brother, Glenn Phillips. Hampton Grease Band built a sizable underground following for their unconventional blues rock sound and shared the stage with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, the Allman Brothers and the Grateful Dead. They have been likened to Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart. Outside of music, Phillips worked as a teacher, played competitive softball, and practiced law, working with many bands and musicians over the years. Charlie Phillips was 65 when he passed away in his sleep on November 13. 2011. Cause of death was initially believed to be heart failure.
Andy Johns was an English record producer and engineer whose resume reads like an encyclopedia of rock. Still in his teens, Johns hit the ground running working as Eddie Kramer‘s second engineer on recordings by the likes of Jimi Hendrix. Over the next four decades, Johns left his mark on such iconic albums as Led Zeppelin‘s IV, Physical Graffiti, and Houses Of The Holy; the Rolling Stones‘ Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St., and Goat’s Head Soup; Free‘s Highway; and Television’s Marquee Moon. He also produced or engineered albums for Van Halen, Humble Pie, Ron Wood, L.A. Guns, Cinderella, Chickenfoot, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Miller, Mott The Hoople, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, and many more. Albums on which he worked have reportedly sold more than 160 million copies in all. He was the younger brother of the equally impressive producer and engineer, Glyn Johns. Andy Johns was 61 when he died on April 7, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Once called “The Architect Of Progressive Music,” Peter Banks was the original guitarist for prog rock pioneers, Yes. Raised in North London, Banks first learned the guitar when his father gave him an acoustic one as a child. By his teens, he was also playing the banjo. The first band of note he played in was the Syn, which also counted future Yes members, Chris Squire and Steve Howe as members. The band’s biggest claim to fame was opening for 
Johnnie Bassett was an American electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter who, over the course of a career that spanned some 60 years, worked as a band leader as well as an in-demand session player for many of music’s biggest names. The list of those that the self-taught guitarist played with includes B.B.King, 
