2011

Died On This Date (June 4, 2011) Kevin Kavanaugh / Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

Kevin Kavanaugh
DOB Unknown – June 4, 2011

Kevin Kavanaugh was a New Jersey keyboardist who is perhaps best remembered for his many years playing alongside John Lyon in his legendary band, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes.  Kavanaugh can be heard on the Jukes’ outstanding This Time It’s For Real, Hearts Of Stone, and I Don’t Want To Go Home albums.  In Kavanaugh’s early days as a musician, it was Bruce Springsteen who inspired him to look for a band that would command the same adulation from its audience.  It wasn’t long before he was actually playing with Springsteen, in his Dr. Zoom & the Sonic Boom, and eventually in the Jukes.  In 1982, Kavanaugh played on Little Steven’s first album away from Springsteen, Men Without Women.  After leaving Southside Johnny in the early ’90s, Kavanaugh continued to play with numerous Jersey Shore bands like the Bobby Bandiera Band, High Voltage Brothers and Cats On A Smooth Surface, the so-called house band of Asbury Park’s storied Stone Pony club.  Kevin Kavanaugh passed away on June 4, 2011 following a long illness.

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Hearts of Stone - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

 

Died On This Date (June 3, 2011) Benny Spellman / R&B Singer Who Gave Us “Fortune Teller”

Benny Spellman
December 11, 1931 – June 3, 2011

Benny Spellman was an R&B singer who released two significant hits during the 1960s.  His “Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette),” written by Allen Toussaint, cracked the Top 30 on the R&B charts, while his original version of “Fortune Teller” went on to be recorded by the likes of the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Hollies, and more recently, as a duet by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.  Spellman also collaborated with Huey “Piano” Smith and sang back up on the Ernie K-Doe hit, “Mother In Law.”  Although he went on to work outside the music business by the early ’70s, Spellman continued to perform at festivals and such for many years.  Benny Spellman died of respiratory failure on June 3, 2011.  He was 79.

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Benny Spellman Selected Favorites - Benny Spellman


Died On This Date (June 3, 2011) Andrew Gold / Popular ’70s Singer-Songwriter

Andrew Gold
August 2, 1951 – June 3, 2011

Andrew Gold was an American Singer-Songwriter who, over a career that spanned nearly four decades, scored hits with “Oh What A Lonely Boy,” “Thank You For Being A Friend,” “Never Let Her Slip Away,” and “Final Frontier.”  Born into a show business family – his mother, Marni Nixon provided the singing voices for many actresses in musicals, while his father, Ernest Gold was an Oscar-winning composer, Gold joined their ranks by his early 20s.  His first band of note, Bryndle, included Kenny Edwards, Karla Bonoff, and Wendy Waldman.  During that period, he played a key role in the early popularity of Linda Ronstadt.  Gold played on most of her early solo albums, including Heart Like A Wheel.  He was also a part of her band for several years.   As a solo artist, Gold released (and wrote for others) numerous singles that helped define the ’70s southern California sound and later found homes on popular television and film soundtracks.  “Lonely Boy” can be heard during pivotal scenes in Boogie Nights and Water Boy, while “Thank You For Being A Friend” became the iconic theme song to The Golden Girls.   His “Final Frontier” went on to become the theme to another hit show, Mad About You, and was the wake-up call aboard the Mars Pathfinder in 1996.  Over the course of his career, Gold played on countless major hits for a who’s who of popular music.  That list includes Art Garfunkel, Eric Carmen, Stephen Bishop, Cher, 10cc, and Jackson Browne.  Andrew Gold died of a heart attack on June 3, 2011.  He was 59.

Thanks to David Plastik of eRockPhotos for the assist.

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Thank You for Being a Friend: The Best of Andrew Gold - Andrew Gold


Died On This Date (June 2, 2011) Ray Bryant / Acclaimed Jazz Pianist

Ray Bryant
December 24, 1931 – June 2, 2011

Known primarily as a bop pianist, Ray Bryant was also recognized for his ability to bring elements of Gospel, blues, and boogie-woogie into his style.  Launching his career in the late ’40s, Bryant soon found himself in the house band at The Blue Note in Philadelphia.  Before long he was playing with the likes of Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, and later, Aretha Franklin.  He eventually settled in New York City where he formed his own trio with whom he recorded several jazz hits.  Ray Bryant was 79 when he passed away on June 2, 2011.

Thanks to Morgana Kennedy for the assist.

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Key One Up - Ray Bryant

Died On This Date (May 28, 2011) Tyler Gunn / Guitarist For Flannelette

Tyler Gunn
March 26, 1986 – May 28, 2011

L-R: Gordon Patterson, Matty Campbell, Tyler Gunn, Mick Fisher

Tyler Gunn was the guitarist for up-and-coming Brisbane, Queensland band, Flannelette.  Formed in 2010, the hard rock group had been building a regional following thanks for their dynamic live shows and recently self-released EP.  The band members were driving home from a gig on the Gold Coast when their van was reportedly struck by a semi-trailer as they were attempting to pull off the road after experiencing engine trouble.  Tyler Gunn (age 24), bassist Mick Fisher (age 30), and a female companion died as a result of their injuries.  Singer/guitarist Matt Campbell, who was reportedly driving the van, survived the accident.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.