Died On This Date (April 21, 2011) Joe Pennell / The Rivieras; Had Hit With “California Sun”

Joe Pennell
November 15, 1944 – April 21, 2011

Joe Pennell was the lead guitarist for the Rivieras, a rock ‘n roll band whose only hit, “California Sun,” helped define what became known as “frat rock.”  Formed in 1962 while its members where still in high school in South Bend, Indiana, the group was initially called the Playmates until they learned of another band using the same name.  In 1964, they released “California Sun,” which quickly rose to #1 on the U.S. singles chart thanks to its driving beat and instantly recognizable surf guitar riff.  Unfortunately, the record holds the dubious honor of being knocked from the top spot by “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” the first American hit for the Beatles It would be one of the last hits by an American rock ‘n roll band before the British Invasion tightened its grip around the U.S.  Shortly after he recorded the song, Pennell joined the Marines and didn’t learn of the record’s release until he heard it on the radio while serving.  By all accounts, he never went back to a career in music, but went on to work for many years as a painter at AM General, a heavy vehicle manufacturer and future assembly line for the civilian Hummer.  Joe Pennell was 66 when he passed away on April 21, 2011.

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The Rivieras

Died On This Date (April 20, 2011) Gerard Smith / Bassist For TV On The Radio

Gerard Smith
DOB Unknown – April 20, 2011

Gerard Smith was the bassist for New York City art rock band, TV on the Radio.  Formed in 2001, the band was both a critical and fan favorite – SPIN magazine chose their Return To Cookie Mountain as the Album of the Year for 2006.  Fans of the band include David Bowie, David Byrne and Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) who have all appeared on their records.  In March of 2011, the band announced that Smith was suffering from lung cancer, and on April 20, 2011, he died from the disease.  He was 36.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at number1albums for the assist.

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Return to Cookie Mountain - TV On the Radio

Died On This Date (April 19, 2011) Jim Dickson / Managed The Byrds

Jim Dickson
DOB Unknown – April 19, 2011

Jim Dickson was a recording engineer, producer,  and eventual manager of the Byrds.  He is often cited as one of the foundations of the ’60s folk-rock movement, particularly that which was coming out of Southern California.  During his early years, Dickson produced records by the likes of Hamilton Camp, David Crosby, and the Dillards.  He soon began managing a new band formed by Crosby and Chris Hillman who at first went by the Beefeaters and then the Jet Set.  It was their desire to become Los Angeles’ answer to the Beatles.  In 1964, Dickson was sent a demo of Bob Dylan’s then-unreleased “Mr. Tamborine Man,” which the band, now known as the Byrds, recorded and released.  It would became one of the era’s definitive songs and helped launch a sound that inspired countless other musicians.  To help the band build a following in those early days, Dickson enlisted the help of such famous friends as Jack Nicholson and Albert Grossman to champion them. After Dickson split with the group in 1967, he went on to manage and produce the Flying Burrito Brothers which included Hillman,  Michael Clarke, and Gram Parsons.  He later worked with Parsons on his solo albums as well as Gene Clark and eventually retired to Hawaii where he became a competitive sailor.  Jim Dickson was 80 when he passed away on April 19, 2011.

Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.



Died On This Date (April 15, 2011) Kent Morrill / Thee Fabulous Wailers

Kent Morrill
April 2, 1941 – April 15, 2011

Kent Morrill was the lead singer and keyboardist for Seattle, Washington-area ’60s rock band, the Fabulous Wailers.  Having been with the group since inception, Morrill was the only original member still playing with the group in recent years.  Formed at the tail end of the ’50s, many consider the Fabulous Wailers THE first garage rock band due to their down-and-dirty mix of saxophone driven R&B and rave-up rock ‘n roll.  The band released several albums and 45s throughout the years, but it was their late 50s/early 60s output that is generally included in any respectable first generation garage rock collection.  Records like “Tall Cool One,” “Dirty Robber,” and “Out Of Our Tree” received significant airplay during their peak years, but it was their recording (with Rockin’ Robin Roberts) of Richard Berry’s “Louie Louie”  that inspired Paul Revere & the Raiders to do the same, and lead to fellow Northwest band, the Kingsmen to ultimately record its definitive version.  In more recent years, Morrill was also performing as a Roy Orbison impersonator in Las Vegas and other parts of the world.  Kent Morrill was 70 when he passed away on April 15, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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The Fabulous Wailers - The Wailers

Died On This Date (April 11, 2011) Billy Bang / Jazz Violinist

Billy Bang (Born William Walker)
September 20, 1947 – April 11, 2011

Billy Bang was a respected jazz violinist and Vietnam vet who has been recognized as a driving force of New York City’s experimental jazz movement of the 1970s.  Bang picked up the violin while still in school, but only because he was assigned the smaller instrument due to his smallish stature.  Bang ultimately left high school early and was drafted by the US Army just in time to serve a tour of combat duty during the Tet Offensive.  Upon his return home, Bang, like so many others like him, had a hard time adjusting to civilian life, so he became politically active and began working with a group of underground revolutionaries.  While on an outing to gather weapons at a pawn shop, Bang couldn’t help but notice the violins hanging on a wall, so he bought one and changed his life path.  Bang eventually found himself playing in Sun Ra’s band and later, formed his own.  Over the course of his career, Bang released several influential albums including two that were directly influenced by his time in Vietnam, Vietnam: The Aftermath and Vietnam: Reflections.  On April 11, 2011, Billy Bang died following a battle with lung cancer.  He was 63.

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Billy Bang