2010

Died On This Date (March 27, 2000) Ian Dury / English Protopunk Great

Ian Dury
May 12, 1942 – March 27, 2000

Ian Dury was one of rocks most beloved cult heroes. Besides making quirky music, he had a somewhat odd appearance partially due to childhood polio, and that endeared him to his devoted fans. Dury signed to the legendary Stiff Records in 1978 where he began to release songs that combined elements of punk and disco which at the time were mortal enemies. Songs like “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” and “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” made him a star in England and built him that cult following in the US. His quirky lyrics and thick cockney accent kept him from breaking out of that cult status beyond the UK. The 80s found Dury devoting more time to his other passion, acting as he appeared in several TV shows and movies, including The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover and Roman Polanski’s Pirates. In 1998 Dury made public his battle with colon cancer and that the disease had spread to his liver. He lost his battle to the disease on March 27, 2000.

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Ian Dury

Died On This Date (March 27, 2010) Peter Herbolzheimer / German Jazz Musician

Peter Herolzheimer
December 31, 1935 – March 27, 2010

Peter Herolzheimer was a German jazz musician who played the trombone and lead his own band for many years.  Over the course of his career, he has played with the likes of Al Jarreau, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz and Art Farmer.  As a composer, Herolzheimer wrote music that was performed during the opening ceremonies of 1972’s summer Olympics in Munich.  Peter Herolzheimer passed away on March 27, 2010.  He was 74.



Died On This Date (March 26, 1995) Eazy-E / N.W.A.

Eazy-E (Born Eric Wright)
September 7, 1963 – March 26, 1995

eazy-eEazy-E was a groundbreaking rapper who, along with his group, N.W.A. was a pioneer of the gangsta rap genre.  During the mid ’80s, Eazy-E co-formed N.W.A. while also starting his own label, Ruthless Records, through which he released the group’s records.  In 1988, N.W.A. released their landmark album, Straight Outta Compton, which made a massive impact on both music and pop culture in general.  With its hard hitting lyrics strewn with violence and profanity, it offered a glimpse of the inner city life, appealing to both urban kids and those from the suburbs alike.  The album sold over three million copies and is often cited as one of the most important albums of all time.  Shortly after the release of it, Eazy-E released his own Eazy-Duz-It which also sold in the multi-million copy range.  N.W.A.  group broke up in 1991, reportedly over money issues.  Eazy-E continued to release solo albums through the early ’90s.  On March 16, 1995, Eazy-E went to the hospital complaining of what he assumed were asthma-related issues.  But to the shock of friends, family and fans, he was diagnosed with AIDS and died as a result of it just ten days later.  He was 31 years old.

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Straight Outta Compton: 20th Anniversary - N.W.A.

Died On This Date (March 26, 2005) Paul Hester / Crowded House

Paul Hester
January 8, 1959 – March 26, 2005

Photo by David Plastik - Click To Order Quality Prints - Discount code: 10OFF
Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Paul Hester was the much-adored drummer Australian new wavers Split Enz for about a year before they called it quits. Split Enz leader, Neil Finn and Hester went on to form Crowded House with bassist Nick Seymour. The band’s catchy pop tunes would help usher in what we now know as “Alternative Rock” and would gain them world-wide fame. But ten years into the ride, Hester decided to leave the group to devote more time to his new daughter. His post-House life was just as, if not more, productive. He opened a restaurant and made numerous regular appearances on Australian radio and television including a recurring role as Paul the Cook on The Wiggles. He also hosted a popular ten-part variety-type show called Hessie’s Shed followed by the concert series, The Max Sessions. Tragically, Hester hanged himself on March 26, 2005. To many fans it was a shock to learn that Hester reportedly suffered from depression, since he always seemed so happy and fun-loving on stage.

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Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

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Died On This Date (March 26, 2006) Nikki Sudden / English Post Punk Singer-Songwriter

Nikki Sudden
July 15, 1956 – March 26, 2006

nikkiNikki Sudden was an English post-punk singer-songwriter who, along with his brother Epic Soundtracks, built a loyal following in Swell Maps and later Nikki Sudden & the Jacobites.  Fans gravitated toward Sudden’s music due in part to its sound that was noticeably influenced by early Stones, Faces, T.Rex and Johnny Thunders.   Sudden died after a show on March 26, 2006.  He had been working on a new album which was released later that year.

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Treasure Island - Nikki Sudden