Diane Izzo
1967 – February 25, 2011
Diane Izzo was a respected Chicago-raised singer-songwriter who, upon the release of her 1999 debut, One, was called one of the best to come out of that city in recent years. She never released another album, but left behind several worth in unreleased songs. On February 25, 2011, Diane Izzo passed away after a brave battle with cancer. She was 43.
Eddie Serrato
December 5, 1945 – February 24, 2011
Eddie Serrato was the original drummer for the legendary Michigan garage band, ? and the Mysterians. It is he you can hear playing on their classic hit, “96 Tears.” Formed when Serrato was recruited from a local Mexican band in 1962, ? and the Mysterians went on to be called by some as the world’s first punk band – if not exactly that, they were without a doubt one of the first Latin rock bands to score a #1 pop hit in America. The success of that record – which has been covered live or recorded by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Iggy Pop, Garland Jeffreys, and Aretha Franklin – was enough to get the band a nationally televised performance on American Bandstand. The group released several more moderately successful records throughout the rest of the ’60s, many of which were co-written by Serrato. He left the band 1968, with ? and various configurations of the Mysterians, both with and without him, continuing to perform well into the 2000s. Serrato himself went on to produce Tejano music during the latter part of his life. On February 24, 2011, Eddie Serrato died of a heart attack at a local hospital where he had been recuperating from an undisclosed surgery. He was 65.
Thanks to Su for the assist.
Clare Armory
1975 – February 24, 2011
Clare Armory was a vocalist and dancer for New York City underground experimental noise merchants, Excepter. Formed in 2002, the group built a sizable following thanks in part to their noise-riddled improvisational live shows and recordings. Many fans and critics considered them to be at the top of the Brooklyn noise heap which also included the likes of Animal Collective. Excepter released several records over the past few years on such labels as the highly regarded experimental Load Records, and Animal Collective’s own Paw Tracks label. Clare Armory was 35 when she passed away from cancer on February 24, 2011.
Joseph Campbell
March 27, 1942 – February 21, 2011
Joseph “Red Dog” Campbell was the beloved longtime roadie for the Allman Brothers Band. While in college after returning for Vietnam, Campbell was so moved by the electrifying guitar work in Aretha Franklin’s recording of “The Weight,” that he sought out the young guitar player, Duane Allman. And after seeing the Allmans perform, he offered to go to work for them. He even went as far as to help support the band with his monthly disability checks during their lean early years. Over the next 30-odd years, Campbell was a loyal and hard-working member of their crew. He later wrote of his exploits in his memoirs, The Legendary Red Dog: A Book Of Tails. In the 2000 film Almost Famous, the roadie for the film’s fictional band, Stillwater was named Red Dog in honor of Campbell. Joseph “Red Dog” Campbell died of cancer on February 21, 2011. He was 68.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.
Terry Clements
July 22, 1947 – February 20, 2011
Terry Clements is perhaps best remembered as the longtime guitarist for folk legend, Gordon Lightfoot. He joined up with Lightfoot in 1970 and continued to play with him for some 40 years. Clements was just five years old when he picked up the guitar, and over the years his playing would be influenced by the likes of Doc Watson, Ricky Skaggs, and Dick Dale. After high school, he served in the US Navy for a couple of years and then returned to his music career, first playing with Golden Sunflower while working as a session player for Lou Adler, and later joining forces with Lightfoot with whom he stayed until the final years of his life. Terry Clements was 63 when he died on February 20, 2011. The cause was attributed to a stroke he had recently suffered.
Thanks to Su, Erica, and Lisa for the assist.
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