Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF
Peppie Marchello was the front man of the group Rolling Stone once called “the world’s most famous unknown band,” Long Island, New York’s the Good Rats. Formed while Marchello was in college during 1964, the group, originally called U-Men, achieved moderate success but remained largely a cult band throughout their run. In 1969, now going by the Good Rats, they released their self-titled debut which was followed by their most popular album, 1974’s Tasty. Meanwhile, the band built a sizable following thanks to their live performances fronted by the charismatic Marchello. More solid albums followed throughout the ’70s and ’80s along with key opening slots for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Rush, and KISS, but none of that was quite enough to push the band beyond cult status – to the amazement of many. Since then, Marchello continued on with one variation of the band or another right up until the time of his passing. He also spent some years performing, writing and producing with his son, Gene Marchello under the band name, Popzarocca. On July 10, 2013, Peppie Marchello suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 68.
Gary Cox is best remembered as the founding lead guitarist for legendary American power pop band, Artful Dodger. Formed in Fairfax, Virginia in 1973, the band enjoyed a brush with fame and a loyal cult following thanks to their Beatles/Stones/Faces influenced sound. They were often compared to the Raspberries. In 1975, the band was signed to Columbia Records who released their debut self-titled album which was produced by Jack Douglas of Aerosmith fame. Even though the album was a critical fave and the band toured nearly non-stop – even opening several 1976 dates for KISS, the album failed to sell much beyond their core fan base. A couple more albums followed before Cox left the group in 1981. He rejoined the Artful Dodger for a reunion in 1991 and then again in the mid 2000s. In between, Cox ran his own professional event disc jockey service and worked as a physical therapy assistant. Gary Cox died of a brain tumor on August 12, 2012. He was 59.
Tonmi Lillman was a Finnish musician who is perhaps best remembered as the most recent drummer in the outrageous metal band, Lordi. Formed in 1996, Lordi gained a worldwide fan base thanks in part to their elaborate monster costumes and live shows that drew influence from the likes of KISS and Alice Cooper. Lillman joined the band in 2010 under the character name, Otus, and stayed with them until his passing. He unfortunately never had the chance to play on one of their albums. Other bands he played with include To/Die/For, Sinergy, and Kylähullut. Lillman was an in-demand studio player as well, performing on countless hard rock albums throughout his career. He was also a talented graphic artist who worked on package design and/or videos for Mind Of Doll, Vanguard, Sinergy, and many more. Tonmi Lillman was 38 when he passed away on February 14, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF
Mark Reale was a guitarist who is best remembered as the founder of and creative force behind influential hard rock band, Riot. Born in New York City, Reale began putting the group together in 1975. Two years later, they released their acclaimed debut album, Rock City. Before they knew it, they were touring with the likes of KISS, Molly Hatchet, AC/DC, Sammy Hagar, and Rush. In 1981, they released Fire Down Below which is considered their masterpiece and one of the defining metal albums of the early ’80s. Reale disbanded Riot in 1984 and started another band, Narita, but reformed it a couple of years later. Riot continued to perform and record through the fall of 2011 when they released their latest album, Immortal Soul. Mark Reale, was 56 when he died from complications of Crohn’s Diseased on January 25, 2012. Former band mate Rhett Forrester was the victim of an unsolved carjacking/murder in 1994, while original lead singer, Guy Speranza died of pancreatic cancer in 2003.
Own A Piece Of Rock ‘n Roll History
Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF
Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF
Phil Lynott was the lead singer, bassist and primary songwriter for the popular ’70s Irish rock band, Thin Lizzy. Formed in 1969, the band gained international fame during the mid ’70s with such rock hits as “The Boys are Back in Town,” “Jailbreak,” and “Dancing in the Moonlight (It’s Caught Me in its Spotlight).” Their 1978 live album, Live and Dangerous sits alongside Frampton Comes Alive and Kiss Alive as one of the definitive albums of its generation and one of the best live rock albums of all time. Lynott released a handful of solo albums beginning in 1980, the best of which being Solo in Soho. Thin Lizzy called it quits in 1984. On Christmas Day, 1985, Lynott collapsed in his home, and was brought to an area hospital where it was discovered he was suffering from a kidney and liver infection, a result of his drug and alcohol abuse. He died while still in the hospital’s intensive care unit on two weeks later as a result of heart failure and pneumonia. Phil Lynott was 36 when he passed away on January 4, 1986.
Gary Cox is best remembered as the founding lead guitarist for legendary American power pop band, Artful Dodger. Formed in Fairfax, Virginia in 1973, the band enjoyed a brush with fame and a loyal cult following thanks to their Beatles/Stones/Faces influenced sound. They were often compared to the Raspberries. In 1975, the band was signed to Columbia Records who released their debut self-titled album which was produced by Jack Douglas of Aerosmith fame. Even though the album was a critical fave and the band toured nearly non-stop – even opening several 1976 dates for KISS, the album failed to sell much beyond their core fan base. A couple more albums followed before Cox left the group in 1981. He rejoined the Artful Dodger for a reunion in 1991 and then again in the mid 2000s. In between, Cox ran his own professional event disc jockey service and worked as a physical therapy assistant. Gary Cox died of a brain tumor on August 12, 2012. He was 59.
Tonmi Lillman was a Finnish musician who is perhaps best remembered as the most recent drummer in the outrageous metal band, Lordi. Formed in 1996, Lordi gained a worldwide fan base thanks in part to their elaborate monster costumes and live shows that drew influence from the likes of KISS and Alice Cooper. Lillman joined the band in 2010 under the character name, Otus, and stayed with them until his passing. He unfortunately never had the chance to play on one of their albums. Other bands he played with include To/Die/For, Sinergy, and Kylähullut. Lillman was an in-demand studio player as well, performing on countless hard rock albums throughout his career. He was also a talented graphic artist who worked on package design and/or videos for Mind Of Doll, Vanguard, Sinergy, and many more. Tonmi Lillman was 38 when he passed away on February 14, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released.
