Died On This Date (September 18, 1992) Earl Van Dyke / Motown’s Funk Brothers
themusicsover Earl Van Dyke
July 8, 1930 – September 18, 1992
Earl Van Dyke is best remembered as the second keyboardist for the Funk Brothers, the legendary house band on so many great Motown hits. Van Dyke was in the band during the late ’60s and early ’70s, playing on such R&B staples as “Bernadette” (the Four Tops) and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye). He also toured with many Motown acts as part of a small band that would open their shows and recorded a handful of instrumental soul albums on his own. Earl Van Dyke died of prostate cancer at the age of 62.
What You Should Own
Rob Tyner was the lead singer of Detroit garage rock band, the MC5 who were a heavy influence on the punk movement to soon follow. More than just another loud blues-rock band, the MC5 were endeared by fans for their anti-establishment lyrics. The band’s use of itself as a political voice inspired future generations to do the same. Later bands like the Clash and Rage Against the Machine have cited them as an influence for doing just that. The MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams” is one of the era’s most covered songs by countless young garage bands to follow. Even Tyner’s spirited “Kick out the jams motherfucker!” intro that he spontaneously shouted on a live recording is often repeated on cover versions. The MC5 broke up in 1972 and Tyner formed another band or two but was never able to get much going commercial. He did however, build himself a nice reputation as a manager, producer and concert promoter in the Detroit area. On September 17, 1991, Rob Tyner, according to his New York Times obituary, died in a Royal Oak, Michigan hospital after suffering a heart attack while driving near his home. He was 46. MC5 band mates 
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