Died On This Date (February 25, 2009) Randall Bewley / Pylon

Randall Bewley
July 25, 1955 – February 25, 2009

randall-bewleyRandall Bewley was the lead guitarist for Athens, Georgia alternative rock band, Pylon.  Formed in 1979, Pylon were one of the fabled college town music scene’s most popular bands of their time.  Even local musical icons the B-52s and R.E.M. championed Pylon whenever they could.  Over the course of their career, Pylon released three albums along with an ep and a few singles. All of which became a fixture on college radio,  and were part of the blueprint from which today’s indie rock was built.  On February 23, 2009, Randall Bewley suffered a heart attack while driving near his home.  The resulting accident put him in a coma.  Two days later, he was taken off life support and passed away.  He was 53 when he died.

Thanks to Stephen Brower for the assist.

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Died On This Date (February 25, 1993) Toy Caldwell / Marshall Tucker Band

Toy Caldwell
November 13, 1947 – February 25. 1993

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Toy Caldwell is best remembered as a founding guitarist for southern rock’s Marshall Tucker Band.  In 1973, he helped form the band with his brother, bassist and lead singer, Tommy Caldwell.   During the ten years with the group, Caldwell played on what would become the band’s most successful albums.  He also wrote most of the group’s  songs during their prime years.  After leaving the Marshall Tucker Band in 1983, he formed the less successful Toy Caldwell Band.  Toy Caldwell was 45 when he died of respiratory failure on February 25, 1993.

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Died On This Date (February 25, 2009) Lyman Woodard / Respected Jazz Organist

Lyman Woodard
March 3, 1942 – February 25, 2009

lyman-woodardLyman Woodard was a much respected Detroit jazz organist who, if he weren’t living in the shadow of Motown, might have been more of a household name.  Woodard kept busy during the late ’60s and ’70s by either fronting his own Latin and Afro-Cuban influenced jazz band, or by recording with many of the Motown acts.  He also served as the musical director for Martha Reeves and the Vandellas during that time.  On stage with his own band, Woodard was legendary for his rousing and rollicking live shows.  Lyman Woodard was 66 when he passed away due to ill health.



Died On This Date (February 25, 2009) Mark Sallings / Blues Harpist

Mark Sallings
April 11, 1952 – February 25, 2009

mark-sallings Mark Sallings was a gifted Delta blues harmonica player who was one of the most sought-after Memphis side men throughout his career.  Sallings learned to play the harmonica while in his early years of high school, and soon after he graduated, he went to work as a session player at Stax studios.  During the ’80s, he worked with country singer, David Lynn Jones with whom he toured and recorded.  In the ’90s, Sallings formed his own band, the Famous Unkowns and recorded a couple of his own albums.  On February 25, 2009, 56-year-old Mark Sallings died as a result of a car accident.



Died On This Date (February 25, 2010) David Soyer / Cellist For Guarneri String Quartet

David Soyer
February 24, 1923 – February 25, 2010

david-soyerDavid Soyer was a brilliant cellist who formed the respected  Guarneri String Quartet in 1964.  He played until his retirement in 2001, after which, the group continued on for another eight years.   Soyer launched his musical life at the age of nine when he took up the piano, but he switched to the cello two years later.  Outside of the Guarneri String Quartet, he played in the Army band during WWII and the NBC Studio Orchestra.  Soyer was also a faculty member at such prestigious music schools as Julliard and the Manhattan School of Music.  David Soyer passed away on February 25, 2010, the day after his 87th birthday.