Died On This Date (June 16, 1983) Buzz Shearman / Moxy

Douglas “Buzz” Shearman
March 8, 1951 – June 16, 1983

Buzz Shearman at left

Buzz Shearman was the lead singer of popular Canadian hard rock band, Moxy.  Forming in 1974, the band released their self-titled debut the following year.  It became a quick hit thanks in part to guest guitar play by Tommy Bolin and the strength of its first single, “Can’t You See I’m A Star.”  The new-found airplay helped the band land more and more tour dates throughout Canada as well as the US, where they shared the stage with AC/DC, and eventually Black Sabbath, Styx, Rainbow, the Runaways, and Boston.  In 1977, Shearman left the band due, in part, to trouble he was having with his vocal chords.  He was replased by Mike Reno, who would later front Loverboy.   Shearman returned to Moxy in 1979, and when Bon Scott of AC/DC died in 1980, he was strongly considered for the job that ultimately went to Brian Johnson.  On June 16, 1983, Buzz Shearman was killed in a motorcycle accident.

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Died On This Date (May 17, 1999) Bruce Fairbairn / Producer

Bruce Fairbairn
December 30, 1949 – May 17, 1999

Bruce Fairbairn was a Canadian trumpet player, but made a huge mark on popular music as a rock producer. Fairbairn hit his stride in the ’80s producing such albums as Loverboy’s Get Lucky, Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet, Aerosmith’s Permanent Vacation,   and later, Bon Jovi’s New Jersey, Aerosmith’s Pump, Poison’s Flesh and Blood, Van Halen’s Balance, AC/DC’s The Razor’s Edge Kiss’ Psycho Circus, and many more.  It was while working on Yes’ Ladder, in May of 1999 that Jon Anderson discovered Bruce Fairbairn’s body in his home.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Died On This Date (November 30, 2000) Scott Smith / Loverboy

Scott Smith
February 13, 1955 – November 30, 2000

scottsmith

Scott Smith is best remembered as the original bassist for the Canadian rock band, Loverboy who had a string of hits during the ’80s.  Learning to play the guitar as a child, Smith switched over to bass just as he was hitting his teen years.  While in college in 1980, he was asked to join Loverboy.  The band’s debut self titled album was a hit, selling over 2 million copies in the U.S. alone and helping the band land tours with such superstar acts as Journey, ZZ Top, and Cheap Trick.  The band released a series of hit singles that included “Working For The Weekend,” “Turn Me Loose,” and “The Kid Is Hot Tonight.”  The band would become synonymous with ’80s arena rock.  The band broke up in the late ’80s, but reunited in 1991.  On November 30, 2000, Scott Smith lost his life at sea after being swept overboard by an unexpected wave while sailing with friends off the coast of San Francisco.  He was 45 years old.

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