Jason Thirsk
December 25, 1967 – July 29, 1996
Jason Thirsk had been the bassist for southern California pop-punk band, Pennywise until, for reasons unknown, he left the band. Thirsk had been suffering from alcoholism and battling depression in those days, and had been in and out of rehab. It has been reported that he was in a deep depression about parting ways with the band, leading him to shoot and kill himself at the age of 28.
Cass Elliot (Born Ellen Cohen)
September 19, 1941 – July 29, 1974
Mama Cass, as she was known, is best remembered as one of the singing women of ’60s folk rock band, The Mamas & The Papas. She, along with Michelle Philips, John Phillips and Denny Doherty made records that are considered to be staples of the psychedelic pop scene of the late ’60s and early ’70s. Such hits included “California Dreamin'” and “Monday Monday.” Born in Baltimore, Elliot moved to New York City to pursue a career on Broadway. After appearing in a few musicals, Elliot set her sights on the local folk music scene, eventually falling in with Doherty who would later recruit the Phillips’ to form The Mamas & The Papas. The group worked together until 1971, after which Elliot released solo records, including the hit, “Dream A Little Dream of Me.” She was also a popular personality on television, appearing regularly on such programs as Hollywood Squares, The Mike Douglas Show and Match Game. Contrary to the popular myth that she choked to death on a sandwich, Mama Cass died of a heart attack in her sleep following a London performance. She was just 32. The Who’s Keith Moon died in the same room four years later.
Jack Sanbower
September 14, 1960 – July 29, 2008
Known as “Maryland’s Five String King,” Jack Sanbower and his No Leeway Band have been entertaining bluegrass fans for over 15 years. Teaching himself to play the banjo, guitar and bass at an early age, Sanbower quickly built a name for himself throughout the northeast due to his fierce picking on the 5-string banjo. In 1990, Sanbower formed the No Leeway Band who, over the next 15 years, dazzled audiences along the east coast bluegrass circuit and recorded close to a dozen albums for the Buck Hallow label. In 2006, Sanbower joined Rattlesnake Hill, quickly becoming their on-stage focal point for his rapid fire picking and lively antics. But the fun would not last long as Sanbower soon became diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. He died as a result of the cancer on July 29, 2008. He was 47.
Marge Ganser
1947 – July 28, 1996
Marge Ganser was one of the four singers in the ’60s girl group, the Shangri-Las. She, along with identical twin, Mary Ann Ganser, and another set of sisters, Mary Weiss and Betty Weiss, recorded such hits as “Leader Of The Pack” and “Remember (Walking In The Sand).” Even though Mary Weiss was the lead singer, the outspoken Marge was seen as the leader of the group. After record label problems and a downturn in their popularity, the Shangri-Las called it quits in 1968. Marge Ganser later went to work for the telephone company and died of breast cancer on July 28, 1996.
Derf Scratch (Born Fred Milner III)
DOB Unknown – July 28, 2010
Derf Scratch is best remembered as the founding bassist for legendary Los Angeles hardcore punk band, Fear. Formed with Lee Ving in 1977, the band would become one of the foundations on which hardcore was built. During their early years, Fear found a fan in John Belushi who championed them enough to get them a coveted spot on a 1981 episode of Saturday Night Live. That performance became that on which rock legends are built, as it quickly devolved into a partially planned mini-riot. Meanwhile, Scratch and Belushi became good friends and partners in substance abuse. Later that year, Scratch and the band were prominently featured in Penelope Spheeris’ landmark punk documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization. In May of 1982, Fear released its debut album, The Record, which generally lands high upon lists of the most influential punk, if not overall rock albums, ever recorded. Scratch and the band parted ways later that year. On July 28, 2010, Derf Scratch passed away reportedly following a long illness. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
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