but the songs live on forever

2011

Metal Musician Rock

Died On This Date (August 28, 2012) Johnny Giosa / Drummer For The BulletBoys

themusicsover No Comments

Johnny Giosa
DOB Unknown – August 28, 2011

Johnny Giosa was a rock drummer from Los Angeles, CA (by way Pennsylvania) who is perhaps best remembered as a recent drummer for the revitalized ’80s metal band, BulletBoys. Over the course of his career, Giosa played with several other acts and still found time to model, act, and style hair, reportedly “for the stars.”  During the early morning hours of August 28, 2011, Johnny Giosa was killed when his car swerved into a pillar along the 405 freeway.  Cause of the accident was not immediately released.  Giosa was 42.

Thanks to David Plastik at eRockPhotos for the assist.



Country Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (August 28, 2012) George Green / Longtime John Mellencamp Writing Partner

themusicsover No Comments

George Green
January 28, 1952 – August 28, 2011

George Green was a successful songwriter who is most often associated with John Mellencamp for whom he wrote the lyrics for such pop hits “Hurts So Good,” and “Crumblin’ Down.”  A boyhood friend of Mellencamp, Green’s collaborations also include “Thundering Hearts,” “Rain On The Scarecrow,” and “Minutes To Memories.”  Throughout the years, Mellencamp has recorded over a dozen songs co-written with him.  Green also has had his songs recorded by Barbra Streisand, Kenny Chesney, Ricky Skaggs, Hall & Oates, Vanessa Williams, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Dwight Yoakam, to name a few.   George Green was 59 when he died of lung cancer on August 28, 2011.



Bluegrass Folk Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (August 26, 2011) Liz Meyer / Contemporary Bluegrass Singer-Songwriter

themusicsover No Comments

Liz Meyer
March 7, 1952 – August 26, 2011

Liz Meyer was an American born guitarist, singer, and songwriter who ultimately settled in the Netherlands and became one of the Europe’s most respected bluegrass artists.  Born and raised in Washington DC, Meyer moved to the Netherlands in 1985.  Over the course of her career, she released numerous albums and had her songs recorded by the likes of Del McCoury, Emmylou Harris, and Laurie Lewis.  She was a tireless champion of the European bluegrass scene and produced upwards of 30 albums for others over the years.  Her most recent album, The Storm features some of bluegrass and folk’s biggest names – Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, and Stuart Duncan to name a few.   Liz Meyer was 59 when she died on August 26, 2011, after a long battle with cancer.

Musician Punk Rock

Died On This Date (August 25, 2011) Laurie McAllister / Bassist For The Runaways & The Orchids

themusicsover No Comments

Laurie McAllister (Born Laurie Hoyt)
June 26, 1957 – August 25, 2011

At left with Joan Jett & Lita Ford

Laurie McAllistar was a bassist who is perhaps best remembered for being the last one to play in the influential all-girl rock band, the Runaways.  Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, McAllister landed in Hollywood where she played in such local punk outfits as the Rave Ons and Baby Roulette.  In 1978, McAllister was asked to join the Runaways (replacing Vickie Blue), whose line-up at the time was Joan Jett, Cherie Curie, and Sandy West.  She never had the chance to record with the group, but played several gigs before quitting several months later.  The Runaways broke up shortly thereafter.  McAllister went on to play in another Kim Fowley affiliated all-girl rock band, the Orchids, who released one album on MCA Records in 1980.    After the Orchids broke up, McAllister moved to Amsterdam where she lived with Dutch musician and artist, Herman Brood.  She became a veterinary technician and eventually settled back in her hometown of Eugene, Oregon.  Laurie McAllister died from complications of asthma on August 25, 2011.  She was 57.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour at Slipped Disc Entertainment for the assist.



Manager Record Label

Died On This Date (August 22, 2011) Frank DiLeo / Label Veteran; Managed Michael Jackson

themusicsover No Comments

Frank DiLeo
October 23, 1947 – August 22, 2011

With Michael Jackson

Frank DiLeo was a longtime and sometimes controversial music industry executive as well as a part-time actor.  Launching his music career just after high school, DiLeo first worked as a rack jobber in Pittsburgh. He went on to work for several labels in radio promotion, while along the way, building a reputation for getting records played.  He held high-ranking positions at CBS Records, Bell, RCA and ultimately, for Walter Yetnikoff at Epic, where during the ’80s, he was credited for taking the label from #14 in the U.S. to #2.  He was largely responsible for the success of such acts as Michael Jackson, Quiet Riot, REO Speedwagon, Ozzy Osbourne and Cyndi Lauper, to name a few.  His methods may have been considered less than above-board by some, but he clearly got results.  After the success of Jackson’s Thriller, the singer asked DiLeo to be his manager in a partnership that lasted until 1989.  Over the years, DiLeo also managed Richie Sambora, Taylor Dane and Laura Branigan.  He also formed a business relationship with Prince.  As an actor, DiLeo appeared in Wayne’s World, Wayne’s World 2, and Goodfellas in which he played Tuddy Cicero, based on real life organized crime figure, Vito “Tuddy” Vario.  In March of 2011, Frank DiLeo had heart surgery.  He died from complications on August 22, 2011.



« Previous Page — Next Page »

You Missed

Americana Folk Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Country Joe McDonald, Voice of the Vietnam Protest Era, Dies at 84

Blues Musician Singer Songwriter

John Hammond Jr., acclaimed blues musician, dies at 83

Musician Pop Singer Songwriter

Neil Sedaka, a songwriter’s songwriter dies at 86

Latin Latin Jazz Musician Salsa Singer Songwriter

Willie Colón, Architect of Modern Salsa, Dead at 73