Died On This Date (February 6, 2010) Richard Delvy / Drummed In The Challengers & The Belairs

Richard Delvy (Born Richard Delvecchio)
April 20, 1942 – February 6, 2010

Richard Delvy is best remembered as the founder and drummer for pioneering surf rock band, the Challengers.  Prior to that band, Delvy played in the Belairs, a popular southern California surf band whose “Mr. Moto” was later covered by Dick Dale and the Ventures.  In early 1963, the Challengers released their debut album, Surfbeat, and almost overnight, the Southern California beach culture became a craze across the U.S.   That release, along with the Beach Boys’ “Surfing Sufari” and the release of Dale’s Surfer’s Choice – all within a few months of each other – are considered the flash point of surf rock.  In later years, Delvy worked as a producer, owned his own publishing company, and worked at such labels as MGM and Bell.  He was 67 when he passed away on February 6, 2010 following a long illness.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at number 1 albums for the assist.

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Surfbeat - The Challengers

Died On This Date (February 5, 1998) Tim Kelly / Slaughter

Tim Kelly
January 13, 1963 – February 5, 1998

Tim Kelly is best remembered as lead guitarist for early ’90s  multi-platinum metal band, Slaughter.  As one if its original members, Kelly played on such hits as “Up All Night” and “Fly To The Angels.”  Kelly taught himself to play the guitar as a child and by the time he was middle-school age, he was playing in bands.  In 1988, he joined up with Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum who had both recently left the Vinnie Vincent Invasion to start their own band, Slaughter.    Over the next few years they released a handful of albums that sold in excess of four million albums combined.  On February 5, 1998, Kelly was killed in a head-on collision with a big rig.  The truck’s driver was under the influence of drugs and was later sentenced to prison.  Tim Kelly was 35 years old when he died.

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Slaughter

Died On This Date (February 5, 2009) Piney Brown / Blues Pioneer

Piney Brown
1922 – February 5, 2009

piney-brownPiney Brown was a blues singer and songwriter who was not only known for his dynamic performances but for his skills as a songwriter.  Over the years, his songs have been recorded by the likes of Little Milton and James Brown.  His career spanned the better part of sixty years, and over the course of that time, he shared the stage with such greats as Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry.  He released several singles but never had nothing more than a regional hit or two.  Piney Brown was 87 when he passed away on February 5, 2009.

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Piney Brown

Died On This Date (February 4, 1987) Liberace / World Famous Entertainer

Wladziu Liberace
May 16, 1919 – February 4, 1987

liberace

Liberace was an immensely popular and flamboyant entertainer whose successful career spanned some fifty years.  He was reportedly the highest paid entertainer in the world during the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.  Beyond all the glitz however, Liberace was first and foremost, a world-class classical pianist.  That, along with his showmanship and personal interaction with his audiences that endeared him to his many fans.  As he put it, he didn’t put on concerts, he put on shows.  Throughout most of his career, Liberace was a constant face on television, whether it was on his own show and specials, or as a guest star on countless others.  He released many albums as well, generally tied in with his television programs and made up of standards.  During the final months of Liberace’s career and life, it became known that he was battling AIDS.  He gave his final live performance at Radio City Music Hall in November of  1986, and made his final television appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show that aired on the following Christmas Day.  Liberace was 67 years old when he died of AIDS related complications.  It was never disclosed how and when he became HIV-positive.

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Best of Liberace - Liberace

Died On This Date (February 4, 2009) Lux Interior / The Cramps

Lux Interior (Born Erick Purkhiser)
October 21, 1946 – February 4, 2009

lux-interior Lux Interior, lead singer of psychobilly stalwarts The Cramps died Wednesday, February 9, 2009. According to the band’s official press release, Interior passed away due to an existing heart condition in the early morning hours at Glendale (California) Memorial Hospital. Born Erick Purkhiser in Ohio, Interior eventually landed in Sacramento, California where he reportedly picked up hitch-hiking college student, Kristy Wallace. The two soon became soul mates over shared interests in obscure music and wild fashion and formed the nucleus of the Cramps. By 1975, the couple were in New York City helping define the original punk scene that also gave us the Ramones, Talking Heads and Patti Smith. But the Cramps sound was very different from the others. By combining equal elements of surf, rockabilly, camp, horror and fetish, along with Lex’s passionately reckless vocals and stage theatrics, the Cramps quickly built a legion of loyalists that would stay true to the band for decades to come. It should be noted that the Cramps are likely the only band in history who have performed at both the Napa State Mental Hospital AND on Beverly Hills, 90210.

Thanks to Stephen Brower and Craig Rosen at Number1Albums

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Songs the Lord Taught Us - The Cramps