Died On This Date (November 13, 2009) Maurice Jones / Artist Manager & Promoter Of Live Aid

Maurice Jones
DOB Unknown – November 13, 2009

Maurice Jones began his career as an artist manager, overseeing the career of English rock band, Slade.  He eventually started his own promotion company, helping popularize such bands as Def Leppard, the Eurythmics, AC/DC, and Simple Minds.  In 1984, Jones joined forces with Bob Geldolf and Midge Ure to promote Live Aid, the massive fund raising concerts that were held in Philadelphia and London and seen by an estimated 400 million people world wide.  The concerts featured the biggest acts in popular music at the time.   After the success of Live Aid, Jones went on to create the Monsters Of Rock festival that ran for many years outside of England’s Castle Donnington and other locations from time to time.  The festivals featured the biggest names in hard rock music.  Maurice Jones was 64 when he died of cancer on November 13, 2009.



Died On This Date (November 13, 1999) R.J. Vealey / Atlanta Rhythm Section

R.J. Vealey
1962 – November 13, 1999

R.J. Vealey is best remembered as one of the more recent drummers for southern rock band, the Atlanta Rhythm Section.   Although the once popular band came together in the early ’70s, it wasn’t until 1995 that Vealey came on board.  Atlanta Rhythm Section were on tour promoting their recently released fourteenth album, Eufala, when Vealey, 37, died suddenly of a heart attack shortly after a performance in Orlando, Florida.



Died On This Date (November 12, 2008) Mitch Mitchell / Drummer For Jimi Hendrix

John “Mitch” Mitchell
July 9, 1947 – November 12, 2008

mitch-mitchell

Mitch Mitchell is best remembered as the drummer in the Jimi Hendrix Experience.  Coming from a jazz background, Mitchell was also credited for being one of the pioneers of jazz fusion. Prior to his work with Hendrix, Mitchell lived in London and did session work for such ’60s rock acts as the Pretty Things, Georgie Fame, and the Riot Squad.  He hooked up with Hendrix in 1966 and played on all three legendary Experience albums,  Axis: Bold as Love, Are You Experienced?, and Electric Ladyland.  He also backed Hendrix at Woodstock.  Although he was officially out of Hendrix’s band by 1969, Mitchell can still be heard playing on his posthumous releases of the early ’70s.   Through the ’80s and ’90s, Mitchell stayed fairly active performing with other musicians and doing session work.  Just before his passing, Mitchell participated in a Hendrix tribute tour alongside the likes of David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Eric Johnson.  In less than a week after the tour ended, Mitch Mitchell, 62, died of natural causes in his sleep.

Thanks to Stephen Brower for the assist.

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Died On This Date (November 12, 1998) Kenny Kirkland / Noted Jazz Pianist

Kenny Kirkland
September 28, 1955 – November 12, 1998

Kenny KirklandKenny Kirkland was one of the most influential jazz pianist of recent years.  Kirkland was just six years old when he began learning to play the piano.  and by the time he reached his early 20s, Kirkland was touring Europe professionally.  Although Kirkland’s career was cut short after just 25 years, he performed or recorded with many of the top names of contemporary jazz.  That list includes Tom Scott, Ernie Watts, Stanley Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, Kevin Eubanks, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, and Stanley Clarke.   He even spent a short period playing piano in the Tonight Show band.  Kenny Kirkland died of congestive heart failure at the age of 43.

Thanks to jazz historian, Steve Myers for the assist.



Died On This Date (November 12, 1997) Rainer Ptacek / Guitar Great

Rainer Ptacek
June 7, 1951 – November 12, 1997

ranier

Rainer Ptacek was one of those rare breeds that was known as a “musician’s musician.”  As a guitarist he developed the ability to use loops, picking, the slide and other such manipulations to raise him above his peers.  Guitar gods no less than Jimmy Page and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons held Ptacek in the highest regard.  He released several albums during his 20+ year career.  Rainer Ptacek learned he had a brain tumor and lymphoma in early 1996 prompting Robert Plant and fellow guitarist, Howe Gelb to arrange benefits to help with medical bills.  Ptacek, 46, succumbed to the disease in November of 1997.