Died On This Date (June 10, 2011) Jamie Toulan / Guitarist For Old Skull

Jamie Toulan
DOB Unknown – June 10, 2011

Jamie Toulan is perhaps best remembered as the guitarist for ’90s pre-teen punk band, Old Skull.  Formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1989, the band was initially made up of Toulan (age 9), his brother J.P. Toulan (age 10), and friend Jesse Collins-Davies (age 10).  In 1989, the band signed with respected indie label, Restless Records who released their debut, Get Outta School.  The fact that the boys were not even in their teens yet sang of such themes as AIDS, homelessness, and Reagan-era politics, many critics wrote them off as a novelty act.  Meanwhile, they continued a to build a solid fanbase throughout the skate punk community.  And perhaps due to their novelty, they were asked to support such acts as Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth and GWAR, and were profiled in such media as “A Current Affair,” MTV News, Life and Newsweek.  In 1992, the band released their second album, CIA Drug Fest but soon broke up.  Toulan went on to play in several other bands, including Apox, Doomsday Cauldron, Star Fucking Hipsters, and Planned Collapse with his brother, J.P.   In 2010, it was revealed that Toulan was battling drugs and living on the streets, and in August of that year, J.P. died of reasons that were not immediately made clear.  On June 10, 2011, just seven months later, Jamie Toulan also died.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Mike Woodford and Jesus Crust for the assist



Died On This Date (June 10, 2011) Darryl Pandy / Popular House Music Singer

Darryl Pandy
DOB Unknown – June 10, 2010

Darryl Pandy was a Chicago, IL area singer who has been credited for helping bring house music to a much wider audience. Known for his six-octave voice, Pandy sang lead on Farley Jackmaster Funk’s 1986 cover of Isaac Hayes’, “Love Can’t Turn Around,” the first house record to chart on the UK singles chart.  When it was re-released in 1996, it again charted in the UK, making it one of the few singles to hit the Top 40 there twice.  Farley and Pandy released other singles together as well, including “Free Man” and “He’s My Best Friend.”  Pandy recorded numerous other records away from Pandy as well.  Darryl Pandy passed away following a long illness on June 10, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

What You Should Own

Farley Jackmaster Funk - Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk

Died On This Date (June 11, 2011) Steve Popovich / Music Industry Legend

Steve Popovich
July 6, 1942 -June 8, 2011

Steve Popovich was a long-time music industry powerhouse who, over a career that spanned some 50 years wore many hats.  He started in the Columbia Records warehouse in 1962, and quickly moved into radio promotion, sales, TV promotion and even inventory control.  In those early years, he helped promote the likes of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Simon & Garfunkel, and Paul Revere & The Raiders.  In 1972, he became Columbia’s Vice President of Promotion – appointed by Clive Davis. At just 26, he was the youngest VP there ever.  In 1974, he moved over to Epic Records where he helped launch the careers of Boston, Cheap Trick, and Ted Nugent, to name just a few.  In 1977, Popovich founded Cleveland International Records where he would release Meat Loaf’s landmark album Bat Out Of Hell, which went on to sell upwards of 40 million copies during an era when most new releases sold at best, 5000 copies.  He later went on to work as Sr Vice President at Polygram Nashville where he was responsible for numerous other successes.  In recent years, Popovich found himself embroiled in a legal battle with Sony Music over royalties and failure to put the Cleveland International logo on millions of CDs.  Steve Popovich died of an apparent heart attack on June 8, 2011.  He was 69.

Thanks to John Harrison and Ed Maxin for the assist


Died On This Date (June 8, 2011) Alan Rubin / Mr. Fabulous; The Blues Brothers Band

Alan Rubin
February 11, 1943 – June 8, 2011

Alan Rubin as an American trumpet player who was commonly referred to as Mr. Fabulous.  A gifted musician since childhood, Rubin started at the esteemed Julliard School of Music on a scholarship at the age of 17.  In 1975, he was hired on as the trumpet player in the original Saturday Night Live band.  In 1980, he backed fellow cast members, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in the Blues Brothers, in both the film and beyond.  His resume throughout the years reads like a pop music VIP list, having played with likes of Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, the Rolling Stones, Duke Ellington, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Miles Davis, Sting, James Brown, Ray Charles, and Eric Clapton.  Alan Rubin died of cancer on June 8, 2011.  He was 68.

Thanks to Benji Isabel for the assist

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Briefcase Full of Blues - The Blues Brothers

 

Died On This Date (June 5, 2011) Leon Botha / South African DJ; Collaborated With Die Antwoord

Leon Botha
June 4, 1985 – June 5, 2011

Leon Botha was a visual artist and turntablist who is perhaps best remembered for his collaborations with fellow South African alt-Hip Hop outfit, Die Antwoord.  Performing under the name, DJ Solarize, Botha appeared in Die Antwoord’s immensely popular video, “Enter The Ninja,” and toured with them as opening act.  In 2007, Botha presented his first art exhibit, Liquid Sword: I am HipHop, which revolved around his love of the music.  Botha suffered from the rare genetic disorder, progeria which produces rapid aging and generally leads to death of the afflicted by their early teens.  In Botha’s case however, he beat the odds for several years.  On June 5, 2011, just one day past his 26th birthday, Leon Botha died of heart failure, a by-product of progeria.