Died On This Date (June 4, 2015) Allan Fryer / Lead Singer of Heaven

Allan Fryer
DOB Unknown – June 4, 2015

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Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Allan Fryer is perhaps best remembered as the lead singer of popular ’80s Australian heavy metal band, Heaven.  Following the death of Bon Scott in 1980, Fryer auditioned to replace him in AC/DC.  It was believed he secured the role until a surprise announcement (at least to him) that Brian Johnson had in fact been given the job.  Fryer went on to form Heaven whose sound was definitely cut from the same cloth as AC/DC, at least on the early records.  They  eventually grew into a more NWOBHM sound.  Heaven found some success in the US, enough to tour with Dio and Motley Crue in 1982.  Throughout their run, the band released four albums and also toured with Judas Priest, KISS, and Iron Maiden.  On June 4, 2015, Allan Fryer died following a long struggle with cancer.  He was 60.

Thanks to David Plastik for the assist.

Own a Piece of Rock ‘n Roll History

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What You Should Own

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Click to find at amazon.com


Died On This Date (June 4, 2012) George Marino / Legendary Recording Engineer

George Marino
1947 – June 4, 2012

George Marino was a much-respected mastering engineer whose talents can be heard on such iconic albums as AC/DC’s Highway To Hell, Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions, Guns N’ Roses Appetite For Destruction, Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet, John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy, and Whitney Houston’s Whitney.  Marino’s began his career as a musician, playing guitar in various bands in New York City. In 1967, he was hired by Capitol Records as a librarian and assistant in their New York studio.  After Capitol closed the studio, he went to work at the Record Plant before landing at Sterling Sound in 1973.  It was there that he worked on many of the most iconic albums of the rock era.  Besides those mentioned above, Marino worked on albums by Metallica, Coldplay, Cyndi Lauper, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, and many more.  Throughout his career, he was recognized with three Grammys including Arcade Fire’s Suburbs in 2011.  George Marino died of lung cancer on June 4, 2012.



Died On This Date (October 3, 2011) Davy Kirkwood / Respected Audio Engineer

David “Davy” Kirkwood
DOB Unknown – October 3, 2011

Davy Kirkwood was a respected Scottish audio engineer and sound mixer whose resume reads like a who’s who of rock and pop music.  After an early career that found him working as a telephone engineer, Kirkwood set his sights on music.  He first sang in a band called the Beings, but then eventually moved behind the board.  Over the years, Kirkwood worked with such musical greats as Supertramp, Motley Crue, Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Joss Stone, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Ronnie James Dio, and many more.  As reported by Roadie For Life, Davy Kirkwood, who was 63, passed away on October 3, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

Died On This Date (March 26, 2002) Randy Castillo / Drummer For Ozzy Osbourne

Randy Castillo
December 18, 1950 – March 26, 2002

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Drummer Randy Castillo became famous throughout the rock world as the drummer for Ozzy Osbourne for ten years (and on his biggest albums) and then briefly replacing Tommy Lee in Motley Crue. He was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 2000 and lost his life to it just two years later. Besides his stints with Ozzy and the Crue, Castillo also played behind the Motels and Lita Ford.

What You Should Own

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Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (January 28, 2010) Geoff Workman / Respected Rock Producer

Geoff Workman
DOB Unknown – January 28, 2010

Geoff Workman was a record producer and engineer who was partly responsible for some of rock’s greatest albums during the ’70s and ’80s.  He began his career working with King Crimson in 1970.  Over the course of his career he either engineered or produced some of rock’s most celebrated releases.  That list includes Motley Crue’s Shout at the Devil, Journey’s Infinity and Departure, the Cars’ self-titled debut and Candy-O, Queen’s Jazz, Foreigner’s Head Games, and Twisted Sister’s Stay Hungry.  His credits also include recordings by, to name a few, Toto, Jason & the Scorchers, Sammy Hagar, Dwight Twilley, and Tommy Tutone.  Geoff Workman passed away peacefully in his home on January 28, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.