Died On This Date (January 22, 1994) Rhett Forrester / Riot
themusicsover Rhett Forrester
September 22, 1956 – January 22, 1994
Rhett Forrester was most famously, the lead singer of American hard rock band, Riot from 1981 to 1984. A charismatic stage performer, Forester likely took the best of his tennis and ballroom dance training into the hard rock arena where he helped lead Riot to the top of the US metal scene as a much-in-demand live act. Riot split up in 1984 and Forrester went on to release a well received solo album in 1986. Forrester’s life came to a tragic end in the early morning of January 22, 1994 in what is believed to be an act of random violence. While sitting at a stop light in Atlanta, Forrester was approached by two apparent strangers. According to a witness, there was a brief altercation, prompting one of the men to pull out a gun and shoot Forrester in the back. He drove a few blocks where he died as a result of the shooting. The perpetrator was never apprehended.
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Helno was the lead singer of French alternative world rock band, Les Negresses Vertes. Formed in 1987, the group members had never played their instruments prior to starting the band. But their skills and style soon evolved into an exciting mix of gypsy, punk, Mediterranean and South American, often augmented with the use of traditional instruments. By the early 90s the band was expanding their audience thanks in part to their dymanic performances at Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD Festival. Meanwhile, Helno was struggling with a heroin addiction, finally losing his life to an overdose at his parents’ house on January 22, 1993.
Tommy Tucker was an early R&B singer-songwriter and pianist who gave us the oft-covered 1964 hit, “Hi Heel Sneakers.” The upbeat tune shot all the way to #11 on the pop singles chart. His follow-up, “Long Tall Shorty,” written with Don Covay, was a modest hit. Tucker retired from the music business during the late ’60s and went to work selling real estate and writing for a local newspaper. On January 22, 1982, Tommy Tucker died after inhaling deadly fumes while refinishing his hardwood floors. He was 48 years old.
Born in Scotland, Billy MacKenzie is best remembered as one-half of the post-punk duo, Associates. Formed with Alan Rankine out of the ashes of the Ascorbic Ones, Associates released a handful of moderately successful records between 1981 and 1990. On January 22, 1997, Billy MacKenzie took his own life by ingesting a lethal dosage of antidepressants and other prescribed medicine. He was 39.