Died On This Date (February 19, 2013) Art Boerke / South Carolina Club Booker & Disc Jockey

Art Boerke
DOB Unknown – February 19, 2013

art-boerkeArt Boerke was a Columbia, South Carolina booking agent for one-time hot spot, Rockafella’s.  Opened in 1984, Rockafella’s hosted many up-and-coming touring acts before briefly shutting down and retooling in closing its doors in 1988.  Boerke was soon hired on as the club’s booker, promoter and all-around public face and was responsible for bringing acts like Marilyn Manson, Jewel, and the Dave Matthews Band into the venue until it closed for good in January of 1998.  Prior to his run at Rockafella’s, Boerke was a DJ at local stations, WUSC-FM, FOX-102, and K-95.  In later years, he taught history at High Point University.  On February 19, 2013, Art Boerke died following brain surgery after hitting his head during a fall.

Thanks Joey Savitz for the assist.

Died On This Date (January 4, 2008) Keith Baxter / 3 Colours Red

Keith Baxter
February 19, 1971 – January 4, 2008

keith

Keith Baxter was the drummer for popular ’90s British rock band, 3 Colours Red. Formed in 1995, the band found moderate success with the 1999 release of Revolt which included the band’s biggest hit, “Beautiful Day.”  The popularity of that album helped them secure tour dates with the likes of Aerosmith and Marilyn Manson.  In 1999, the band split due to internal politics and Baxter went on to form the band, Elevation and later collaborated with Therapy?.  3 Colours Red briefly reformed in 2002.  On January 4, 2008, 38-year-old Keith Baxter died of a gastro-intestinal hemorrhage.


Died On This Date (October 9, 2008) Gidget Gein / Bassist For Marilyn Manson

Gidget Gein (Born Bradley Stewart)
September 11, 1969 – October 9, 2008

Gidget Gein is best remembered for his time as bassist in Marilyn Manson’s band.  Just as the band started to make some noise,  Gein’s addiction to heroin and other erratic behavior lead to his being fired just as they began working with Trent Reznor who was producing their first album.  After recovering from the shock of being kicked out of the band couple with a heroin overdose, Gein moved to New York and became enveloped by the underground art scene.  He formed a band, the Dali Gaggers and recorded one album, Confessions of a Spooky Kid.  But the underbelly of the scene began taking its toll on Gein, so he moved back home to Florida to sober up.  While back in Florida, he went to work for a coroner, cleaning up after the dead.  That experience seemed to fuel his artistic demons, so he moved to Hollywood where he began to make a name for himself with his sculptures, clothing and music.   Apparently clean for a few years, the 39-year-old Gidget Gein died of a heroin overdose at a friend’s home.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.