Died On This Date (March 22, 2011) Frankie Sparcello / Bassist For Exhorder

Frankie Sparcello
DOB Unknown – March 22, 2011

Frankie Sparcello was the recent bassist for the re-formed New Orleans groove metal band, Exhorder.  Originally formed in 1985, Although pioneers of a sound that would later include the likes of Machine Head, White Zombie, and Pantera, Exhorder never quite reached the level of success found by those bands.   After the group’s original bassist left in 1990, Sparcello signed on to replace him.  Exhorder soon disbanded, but would later reunite with Sparcello coming back into the fold in 2010.  Frankie Sparcello passed away on March 22, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.



Died On This Date (March 22, 2011) Zoogz Rift / Experimental Musician; Professional Wrestling Personality

Zoogz Rift (Born Robert Pawlikowski)
July 10, 1953 – March 22, 2011

Zoogz Rift was an experimental rock musician and professional wrestling personality.  Musically influenced by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart, Rift began making records at the tail end of the ’70s.  He recorded for Snout and later, the influential SST Records.  Described as experimental and free-form, Rift’s music found an audience with fans of less conventional rock music.  His involvement with professional wrestling included a run as Vice President of the Universal Wrestling Federation and as host of the online wrestling program, Puke-A-Mania, a weekly review of the goings-on of the WWE and TNA leagues.  Zoogz Rift was 57 when he passed away on March 22, 2011.  His death was attributed to diabetes.

Thanks to Mike Woodford and Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.