Died On This Date (December 31, 2002) Kevin MacMichael / The Cutting Crew
themusicsover Kevin MacMichael
November 7, 1951 – December 31, 2002
Kevin MacMichael was a Canadian born songwriter, musician, and producer who is perhaps best remembered as the co-founder of, and lead guitarist for ’80s rock band, the Cutting Crew. Formed in England in 1985, the band scored a huge MTV-powered hit with “(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight” in 1986. The worldwide hit from the album, Broadcast, helped the band secure a Best New Artist Grammy nomination in 1987. After the band broke up in 1993, MacMichael went on to play guitar on and compose songs for Robert Plant’s Fate Of Nations of that same year. He also toured behind the album with Plant. MacMichael eventually moved from England back to Nova Scotia where he worked with such acts as the Rankin Family and Sons Of Maxwell. Kevin MacMichael died of lung cancer on December 31, 2002. He was 51.
Thanks to Roch Parisien for the assist.
What You Should Own
Rudy Guess was a talented guitarist, producer, and composer who is perhaps best known as the longtime touring guitarist for Carole King. He also helped produce many of King’s studio recordings. As a composer, Guess’ music has been featured on such television shows as Extreme Makeover, Law & Order, and The Practice. Rudy Guess was 57 when he passed away on December 31, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Bobby Farrell was a Dutch vocalist in German Euro-disco group, Boney M. Formed in 1975 by music producer, Frank Farian, Boney M became a dance music phenomenon across Europe throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, but failed to find much of an audience in the United States. During their run, they released eight studio albums and numerous hit singles which included, “Rasputin,” “Ma Baker,” and “Rivers Of Babylon.” It was later revealed that Farrell rarely, if at all, sang on the group’s studio records, but in fact did so during their live performances. On December 30, 2010, Bobby Farrell, age 61, was found dead in his hotel room while on tour in St. Petersburg, Russia. Cause of death was not immediately released, although he had apparently complained of breathing problems during the previous evening’s performance.
Billy Taylor was a highly respected jazz pianist, composer, and educator whose career spanned the better part of seven decades. A disciple of 
Hank Garland was respected session guitarist who was part of country music’s legendary Nashville A-Team who played on most of the greatest records during the ’50s and ’60s. Garland picked up the guitar at the age of six, and by the time he was 12 he was playing on local radio stations, and within two years of that, he moved to Nashville to further his career. Like his friend 