Betty Driver was an English singer, author, and actress who is best known for her 2800+ appearances on the popular British soap opera, Coronation Street. Prior to that, Driver starred in numerous musicals where she was able to show off her skills as a singer, mostly of ballads. She also entertained millions via the radio for many years. During the ’40s, Driver fronted big bands with whom she traveled around Europe entertaining WWII soldiers. Betty Driver was 91 when she passed away on October 15, 2011.
Kevin Mahoney September 6, 1965 – October 14, 2011
Kevin Mahoney was the lead singer for Boston, Massachusetts area thrashcore band, Siege. Formed in the early ’80s, the band built a sizable local following before they broke up in 1985. Although short lived, the band was later cited as a direct influence on the likes of Napalm Death and Dropdead due in part to their fiercely fast tempos and Mahoney’s wild screeching. Siege’s earliest recordings were in 1984 for a demo produced by Lou Giardano (Husker Du, Goo Goo Dolls). The oft-bootlegged record took on a life of its own throughout the thrash underground until it found its proper release by Relapse Records in 1994. After the group split in 1985, Mahoney went on to do local live theater among other things. In later years, he worked in IT at various local hospitals. During the early ’90s, Siege briefly reunited, but with Seth Putnam of Anal Cunt fame on lead vocals. As reported by Maximum Rock N Roll, 46-year-old Kevin Mahoney passed away on October 14, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Taz DiGregorio is perhaps best remembered as the keyboardist for the iconic country southern rock outfit, the Charlie Daniels Band. A member of the internationally famous group for over 40 years, DiGregorio also handled backing vocals and co-wrote many of the band’s hits, including “Simple Man,” “The Legend Of Wooley Swamp,” and their signature song, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” As reported by A Taste of Country, Taz DiGregorio died of injuries sustained in a single car accident on October 12, 2011. He was 67. The group’s Tommy Crain passed away in 2011 as well.
Paul Leka was an American multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and songwriter who is perhaps best remembered for collaborating on two of the 1960’s most famous “one-hit wonders.” Leka was just a child when he first took up the piano, and by his mid-teens, he was already writing songs. His first major hit came in 1967 with the Lemon Pipers’ bubblegum hit, “Green Tambourine.” The song, co-written with Shelley Pinz, ultimately reached #1 on the pop charts and was later recorded by Status Quo, Tripping Daisy, and Lawrence Welk, to name a few. His next hit came in 1969 when “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,” written with Gary DeCarlo and Dale Frashuer, topped the charts for Steam, which was actually a group of studio musicians fronted by DeCarlo. The song has since been covered by the likes of the Nylons, the Belmonts, and Bananarama who made it a hit for the MTV generation in 1983. The popular chorus of the song – reportedly written by Leka – has since become a standard at sporting events around the world, used primarily as a victory chant over the opposing teams. In 2011, the chorus was sung by American crowds in celebration of the death of Osama Bin Laden. Throughout his career, Leka also collaborated with the Left Banke, REO Speedwagen, Gloria Gaynor, Harry Chapin, and many others. Paul Leka died of lung cancer on October 12, 2011. He was 68.
Kim Brown was a British guitarist and singer who fronted the ’60s Finnish rock band, the Renegades. The band released several albums that sold very well throughout Sweden and beyond. Their hits included “Matelot,” “Cadillac,” and “Thirteen.” In the mid ’70s, Brown formed an oldies band, Kim & the Cadillacs who also found popularity thanks in part to the nostalgia craze ushered in by Grease and Happy Days. Brown reunited the Renegades during the ’90s. Kim Brown died of esophageal cancer on October 11, 2011. He was 66.