Died On This Date (December 31, 1994) Leigh Bowery / Australian Performance Artist

Leigh Bowery
March 26, 1961 – December 31, 1994

Leigh Bowery was a popular Australian performance artist, actor, model and pop star whose influence was felt in the ’80s and ’90s London and New York City.   After graduating from high school, Bowery moved to London where he began building a following due to his dance and music performances as well as his outlandish costumes.  In 1985, Bowery launched his weekly disco club night called Taboo, which quickly became London’s answer to Studio 54.  It was also very influential to the city’s fashion scene until it closed in 1987.  In 1993, Bowery formed the band, Minty who scored a minor hit in the Netherlands, but failed to ignite much excitement beyond the controversy surrounding the theatrics of their shock-horror laden concerts.  Bowery is said to have influenced the likes of Boy George, Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons, and the Scissor Sisters.  On New Year’s Eve of 1994, Leigh Bowery died of AIDS related conditions.  He was 33 years old.



Died On This Date (Decemeber 31, 2009) Earl Gaines / Nashville Soul Star

Earl Gaines
August 19, 1935 – December 31, 2009

Earl Gaines was a Nashville soul singing legend who is best remembered for his lead vocals on the 1955 hit, “It’s Love Baby (24 Hours a Day)” for Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers.  In later years, Gaines scored R&B hits of his own with “Hymn Number 5” and “The Best of Luck to You.”  He retired from the business in 1975 but made a welcome comeback in the early ’90s.  Earl Gaines was 74 when he passed away on December 31, 2009.

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Earl Gaines

Died On This Date (December 30, 2009) Rowland S. Howard / The Birthday Party

Rowland S. Howard
October 24, 1959 – December 30, 2009

Photo by Simon Schluter

Rowland S. Howard was an Australian guitarist and songwriter who is best remembered for his work with Nick Cave in the Birthday Party, a proto-punk / art-rock band that formed from the ashes of the new wave band, the Boys Next Door.  The band created a loyal cult following thanks in part to Howard’s aggressive guitar and feedback.  After leaving the group in 1983, Howard collaborated with numerous artists including Lydia Lunch, Henry RollinsJeffrey Lee Pierce, Epic Soundtracks, and Nikki Sudden.  Howard released just two solo albums, Teenage Snuff Film and Pop Crimes, both of which were positively received by fans and critics.  In later years he was relatively inactive due to personal and health reasons.  On December 30, 2009, Rowland S. Howard died of liver cancer at the age of 50.

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Prayers On Fire - The Birthday Party

Died On This Date (December 30, 1967) Bert Berns / Legendary Songwriter and Label Head

Bert Berns
November 8, 1929 – December 30, 1967

Photo From bertburns.com
Photo From bertburns.com

Bert Berns was a prolific songwriter and record producer whose impact on popular music cannot be denied.   His most celebrated songs as a songwriter include “Hang on Sloopy” (the McCoys), “Twist and Shout” (the Isley Brothers, the Beatles), “Tell Him” (the Exciters), “I Want Candy” (the Strangeloves, Bow Wow Wow), “Piece of My Heart” (Emma Franklin, Janis Joplin), and “Here Comes the Night” (Lulu, Them, David Bowie).  He also produced such hits as Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” Them’s “Gloria,” and “Under the Boardwalk” by the Drifters.  Berns also ran his own Atlantic affiliated label, Bang Records who was the one-time home to Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, the McCoys and many more.  Bert Berns was just 38 when he died of heart failure on December 30, 1967.



Died On This Date (December 30, 1998) Johnny Moore / The Drifters

Johnny Moore
December 14, 1934 – December 30, 1998

Johnny Moore is best remembered as the lead singer for famed doo-wop vocal group, the Drifters.  He was asked to join the group in 1951 but was soon drafted and had to leave the group.  In 1964, he rejoined after the group’s singer, Rudy Lewis had recently died.  Moore recorded the lead vocal of what would become the Drifters’ biggest hit, “Under the Boardwalk.”  He also sang on such records as “Come on Over to My Place” and “Saturday Night at the Movies.”  Johnny Moore stayed with the group until he passed away in 1998.