Died On This Date (July 21, 2009) Marcel Jacob / Bassist For Talisman, Rising Sun

Marcel Jacob
January 30, 1964 – July 21, 2009

Marcel_JacobBorn in Sweden, Marcel Jacob was a heavy metal bassist who is best remembered for his work in Talisman and  with Yngwie Malmsteen.   He has been called “The Swedish King Of Bass.”  Jacob helped form Rising Sun in 1978 along with Malmsteen.   He soon moved on to the band Force and by the late ’80s he was playing alongside vocalist, Jeff Scott Soto in Talisman.  Marcel Jacob reportedly took his own life on July 21, 2009.  He was 45.

Thanks to Alessandro Bonino for the assist



Died On This Date (July 21, 2009) John “Marmaduke” Dawson / New Riders of the Purple Sage

John Dawson
June 16, 1945 – July 21, 2009

marmadukeJohn Dawson was a co-founder and leader of New Riders Of The Purple Sage, a psychedelic country rock band that made the scene during San Francisco’s scene of the ’60s.  By the early ’70s, Dawson formed the New Riders with Dave Nelson, with it’s original line up including Garcia, Phil Lesh and Mickey Hart.  Dawson guested on a handful of Dead albums, including Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty.  He also co-wrote their classic “Friend of the Devil.”  New Riders continued well into the ’90s with Dawson calling it quits in 1997.  The band was resurrected by Nelson in 2005 with Dawson making guest appearances at a some shows.   John Dawson died of stomach cancer at the age of 64.



Died On This Date (July 21, 2005) Long John Baldry / British Blues Great

John Baldry
January 12, 1941 – July 21, 2005

Long John Baldry was an English born blues singer who played a pivotal role in the British blues rock scene of the 1960s.  A towering presence at 6′-7”, Baldry was nicknamed Long John and had a booming voice to go with it.  He was one of the first British singers of note to perform in blues clubs.  As part of Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated during the early ’60s, Baldry sang on the first ever British blues album, R&B From The Marquee.  During those early years, Baldry performed with a who’s who of future rock superstars including Rod Stewart, Jack Bruce, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards.  In fact, it is Baldry voice you hear introducing the Rolling Stones on their album Got Live If You Want It.  In 1967, Baldry released the single, “Let The Heartaches Begin” which shot to #1 on the UK charts.  Not long after, he found himself consoling a distraught Elton John (with whom he performed in Bluesology) who had tried to commit suicide after a failed relationship with a woman.  Baldry, who was openly gay, talked John out of marrying the woman and helped him come to terms with his sexuality.  John returned the favor by writing one of his beloved songs, “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” about Baldry.  Baldry eventually migrated to and became a citizen of Canada where he continued to make records and launched a lucrative career as a voice-over actor.  His final album, 1997’s Right To Sing The Blues earned the Juno Award for Best Blues Album.  But his voice could still be heard in animated features until 2003.  Long John Baldry died of a lung infection on July 21, 2005.  He was 64.

What You Should Own

It Still Ain't Easy - Long John Baldry

Died On This Date (July 21, 2008) K-Swift / Popular Baltimore Hip Hop DJ

K-Swift (Born Khia Edgerton)
October 19, 1980 – July 21, 2008

kswift2Khia Edgerton, aka DJ K-Swift was a popular Baltimore area DJ.   She died after fracturing her neck in what was ruled a swimming accident when she dived into her backyard pool.  Edgerton first interned at local radio station 92Q, while in college, and soon went to work for them full time.  In 1998, she began co-hosting a program which became Baltimore’s highest rated radio show.  Edgerton was also a popular draw at the local clubs and owned her own label, graphics company and management company.  She was 27 when she died.