Herb Mayfield
December 20, 1920 – May 29, 2008
Herb Mayfield was a guitar and mandolin picker who, along with his two brothers, made up the Mayfield Brothers, who made a name for themselves throughout Texas in the late ’40s. They were generally chosen as opening acts for when such acts as Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Maddox Brothers, and Hank Snow came to Amarillo or Lubock. Mayfield died of renal failure on May 29, 2008.
John Cipollina
August 24, 1943 – May 29, 1989
John Cipollina is perhaps best known as the lead guitarist for San Francisco psychedelic rock band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, but his great talent was was shared by a list of no fewer than 24 other acts, including the Grateful Dead. He was renowned for the unique sound he developed for his guitar and is considered one of the true architects of the San Francisco psychedelic sound. His impact was later recognized by Rolling Stone who ranked him as the 32nd greatest guitarist of all time. Cipollina died of as a result of chronic emphysema at the age of 45.
Jerry Cole
September 23, 1939 – May 28, 2008
Jerry Cole was one of surf music’s original guitar gods. Besides being a much in demand session player, Cole had his own group, the Spacemen, with whom he released four classic albums of “space age surf music.” As a sideman, Cole played on the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, and the Byrds‘ “Mr. Tamborine Man. He was also part of Phil Spector’s “wrecking crew,” affording him the opportunity to play on countless other songs. Cole could also be heard as part of the house band on TV’s “Shindig” and “Hullabaloo.” He died of a heart attack on May 28, 2008.
Derek Frigo
July 26, 1966 – May 28, 2004
Derek Frigo was the son of jazz musician Johnny Frigo and singer-actress Brittney Browne. He was also the lead guitarist for 80’s glam band, Enuff Z’nuff who had a couple of hits with “New Thing” and “Fly High Michelle.” He was considered by many to be one of the unsung guitar greats of hard rock. Forming in 1984, Enuff Z’nuff signed to Atco Records who released their self titled debut that was loaded with neo-psychedelic pop rock songs. Their music became popular enough to warrant an appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman and numerous visits to the Howard Stern show. Rolling Stone even called them the “hot band of the year” upon the release of their 1991 follow-up, Strength. But despite regular rotation on MTV and critical praise, their albums failed to sell the numbers they deserved, so Atco and then Arista Records dropped them. It was about this time that Frigo left the band and sadly let the effects of drugs and alcohol take control of his life. He moved to Los Angeles where he played with a few local bands and was reportedly working with Stone Temple Pilots on some of their material, but nothing seemed to click for him. Frigo was found dead of an overdose outside the apartment of a friend on May 28, 2004.
Ortega “Tega” Henderson
DOB Unknown – May 27, 2009
Ortega Henderson, known as Tega was an up-and-coming rapper/MC who was closely associated with Nelly. He recently worked on an a soon-to-be-released album with St. Louis hip hop group, Da Camp. Ortega Henderson died on May 27, 2009 of injuries he sustained during a shooting the previous May 16th. He was just 25.
themusicsover