Died On This Date (December 7, 1982) Dave Torbert / New Riders Of The Purple Sage
themusicsover Dave Torbert
June 7, 1948 – December 7, 1982
Dave Torbert was a bassist who is perhaps best remembered for his time playing in the New Riders of the Purple Sage. He was also a founding member of Kingfish who, at one point or another also employed Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Danny DeGennaro. Grateful Dead fans may be familiar with Torbert’s talent since he played on American Beauty’s “Box Of Rain.” Dave Torbert was 34 when he died of a heart attack on December 7, 1982.
Jimy Rogers was the lead singer of Chicago-area rock unit, the Mauds. Formed in 1965, the band built a sizable regional following thanks to their rockin’ R&B sound and the charisma of Rogers. While other local bands were mimicking the British Invasion of the time, the Mauds stuck by their soul roots. By some accounts, they were the first all-white band to play at the legendary Chess Studios. On stage, it was Rogers who wowed the audiences with his all-out sweat drenched performances. During the late ’60s, the band scored a handful of regional hits which included “Hold On,” “Soul Drippin,” and “Knock On Wood.” Over the course of an on-and-off run that spanned over 40 yars, they recorded for such labels as Mercury, Philips, and RCA. Jimy Rogers died of cancer on December 4, 2010. He was 63.
Armando Acosta was the founding drummer for doom metal band, Saint Vitus. Formed in Los Angeles in 1979, Saint Vitus was one of the genre’s earliest and most influential bands. They called it quits in 1996 but reformed briefly in 2003 and then again in 2008. Over the years, they released seven albums, four of which on the great SST Records. Acosta left the band in 2009. Armando Acosta was 58 when he passed away on November 25, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Albert Collins was an electric blues guitarist so great, that he was awarded not one, but three nicknames – the Iceman, the Master of the Telecaster, and the Razor Blade. Born in a small Texas town mid-way between Dallas and Houston, Collins took an early shine to the music he heard around him. When he was 7, he and his family moved to Houston, and it was there that he eventually began making a name for himself by playing a style that was equal parts Texas, Mississippi, and Chicago blues. In 1952, Collins formed his first band and within two years, he was headlining clubs in and around Houston. He began making records in 1958, and went on to record for such respected labels as Imperial, Alligator, and Point Blank. Collins was also an in-demand side man and be heard playing on records by the likes of David Bowie, B.B. King, 
Known by the stage name, Sleazy, Peter Christopherson is best remembered as a founding member of British avant-garde industrial band, Throbbing Gristle. He was also part of such projects Psychic TV, Coil, Soisong, and The Threshold HouseBoy’s Choir. Throbbing Gristle formed in 1975, with Christopherson mostly handling synthesizers and vibraphone. The group developed a very loyal following thanks in part to their sometimes controversial shows that often included disturbing visuals of Nazi concentration camps and pornography. Throbbing Gristle were pioneers of incorporating prerecorded tapes, or “samples” into their shows, and paved the way for such bands as Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Front 242. The group broke up in 1981 but then reformed in 2004. Remarkably prolific, they recorded numerous albums for the highly influential Mute Records, also the one-time home for Depeche Mode, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and Erasure, to name a few. While he wasn’t making music, Christopherson was a video director, graphic artist, and photographer. Peter Christopherson passed away in his sleep on November 24, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 55.