Irby Mandrell was the patriarch of the Mandrell family, making him the father of popular country singers, Barbara Mandrell, Irlene Mandrell, and Louise Mandrell. With a background in music himself, Irby and his wife taught all of their daughters from an early age to appreciate music. Oldest child, Barbara learned to play multiple instruments as a young child thanks to the tutelage of Irby, who owned a musical instrument shop at the time. By the time she was 11 Barbara landed her first gig. And from those early days on, Irby managed her successful career as one of country music’s first ladies. Their business partnership lasted the better part of three decades. On March 5, 2009, Irby Mandrell died following a stroke. He was 84.
Victor “Vivian” Stanshall
March 21, 1943 – March 5, 1995
Vivian Stanshall was, among other things, an eccentric English musician, songwriter and singer. He is perhaps best remembered a founding member of the eclectic psychedelic jazz rock band, Bonzo Dog Band. Formed in 1962 while Stanshall was in art school, the ensemble soon became popular thanks, in part to its vaudeville-type live shows and revolving group of invited guests. That list included Eric Clapton, Elton John, and Eric Idle. Of note to current indie rock fans, Death Cab For Cutie is also the title of a song written by Stanshall. As the band’s popularity increased, so did the demand for their live show. It has been reported that Stanshall battled with stage fright and increasing panic attacks so he turned to prescription drugs and alcohol for release. That, plus the others getting burned out by the heavy touring schedule, lead to their break-up in 1970. Following the Bonzo Dog Band, Stanshall continued to form other, but less notable bands over the next several years. On March 5, 1995, Vivian Stanshall died in his bed as the result of a fire due to faulty wiring. He was 51 years old.
Richard Manuel was a Canadian multi-instrumentalist and singer who is best remembered as a long-time member of perhaps the greatest “back up” band in history, the Band. Manuel first started working with his former Band mates when, at just 17, he joined rockabilly great, Ronnie Hawkins’ backing band, the Hawks. About two years later, that unit morphed into the Band, which would count Manuel, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson and Garth Hudson as its most celebrated members. Manual mostly played piano in the group. When Bob Dylan decided to go electric during the mid ’60s, it was the Band he called to serve as his backing band. And when he went on hiatus after being injured in a motorcycle accident in 1967, the Band holed up in a big pink house in Woodstock, New York to record what would become their acclaimed debut album, Music From Big Pink. Manuel wrote its “Tears of Rage” (with Dylan), “In A Station,” “We Can Talk,” and “Lonesome Suzy.” The band continued to release respected albums and collaborate with other performers, all culminating in a remarkable “farewell concert” on Thanksgiving Day, 1976. In front of an unsuspecting audience, the Band gave the show like no other, sharing the stage with such invited guests and admirers as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Neil Diamond, Dylan, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Van Morrison and more. Each artists’ performance was arguably the single greatest of their careers. The evening was captured on film by Martin Scorsese and released as The Last Waltz, considered one of rock music’s greatest concert films. Sadly however, Manual was a chronic substance abuser along the way. His inner demons finally got the best of him when, on March 4, 1986, he hung himself in his hotel room after a show. Richard Manual was 42 when he died.
Lolly Vegas (Born Lolly Vasquez)
October 2, 1939 – March 4, 2010
Lolly Vegas was the founding lead singer and guitarist for Redbone, a popular rock band who was somewhat unique in that it was made up of Native Americans. Formed in 1969, by Vegas and his brother, Patrick (Vasquez) Vegas, the band achieved it’s most success during the early ’70s. In 1974 they scored their biggest hit single with “Come and Get Your Love,” which reached the top 5 on the Billboard singles chart. Other popular singles included “The Witch Queen of New Orleans” and “Maggie.” Prior to Redbone, the brothers worked as a duo, Pat & Lolly Vegas who, during the mid ’60s, released one album Pat & Lolly Vegas at the Haunted House. It has been reported that Jimi Hendrix suggested at the time that they form an all-Native American rock band. During the mid 90s, Vegas suffered a stroke from which he never fully recovered. It resulted in his leaving the band. He also was reportedly suffering from cancer at the time of his death. On March 4, 2010, Lolly Vegas, age 70, died at home in his sleep. Redbone’s Tony Bellamydied on December 25, 2009.
Glenn Hughes (not to be confused with Glenn Hughes of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple) was an original vocalist in one of disco music’s most famous and most lasting institutions, the Village People. He was primarily known for his leather biker outfits and awesome handlebar mustache which made him a pop culture icon well beyond the group. And although straight himself, Hughes was cast in a gay leather archetype, thereby becoming a face of that subculture. Around 1976, Hughes responded to producer, Jacques Morali an ad looking for “macho” types for a new disco vocal group. Immediately hired and taught to dance, he became bass voice that can be heard in such disco staples as “In The Navy,” “Y.M.C.A.,” and “Macho Man.” Those songs, along with numerous television appearances and their starring roles in the film, Can’t Stop The Music, helped the Village People become icons of the disco era, and be affectionately parodied ever since. Hughes left the group in 1996 and formed a successful cabaret act. He also managed the Village People in later years. On March 4, 2001, Glenn Hughes died of lung cancer at the age of 50.