Died On This Date (January 15, 2011) Harvey James / Australian Pop Legend, Guitarist For Sherbet
themusicsover Harvey James
September 20, 1952 – January 15, 2011
Harvey James was an Australian rock guitarist who, beginning in the early ’70s, played in such groups as Mississippi, Ariel, the Party Boys, and most famously, Sherbet. It was with Sherbet that James found the most success, as they were one of the most popular bands during the ’70s. Songs like “Howzat,” “Summer Love,” and “Cassandra” were big hits in their home country, and in many cases, found fans all over the world. The group had several Australian gold and platinum albums and were reportedly the first from there to reach over $1 million dollars in sales. The group was managed by the legendary Roger Davies who has also counted such clients as Tina Turner, Olivia Newton-John, Cher, and Janet Jackson. Sherbet disbanded in 1979 but reunited throughout the years with James participating. Harvey James was 58 when he died of cancer on January 15, 2011. Former band mate, Clive Shakespeare died of prostate cancer a year later.
Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.
What You Should Own
Trish Keenan was the ethereal lead vocalist for popular English space age electronic band, Broadcast. Often compared to groups like Stereolab, Broadcast and Keenan were however, more influenced by American psychedelic bands of the ’60s. Formed in the mid ’90s, the band has released several albums, EPs and singles to both critical and fan praise. In 2010, Matt Groening of The Simpsons and Futurama fame personally selected Broadcast to perform at England’s popular All Tomorrow’s Parties music festival. Trish Keenan passed away on January 14, 2011 following a two-week bout of pneumonia. She was 42.
Alex Kirst was a rock drummer who is best remembered for his time playing in Iggy Pop’s band. Prior to working with Pop, he played in L.A. glam rock band, the Nymphs. After the Nymphs disbanded during the early ’90s, Krist, along with his brother Whitey Kirst, played in a band called the Trolls who backed Pop on his Skull Ring and Beat ’em Up albums. On January 13, 2011 Alex Kirst was alegedely struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking along a road near his home in the deseart outside of Los Angeles. Hew was 47. Sources say a passerby spotted Kirst on the road and contacted the police thinking he was passed out drunk.
Tommy Crain was, simply put, one of the foundations of Southern Rock. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Crain first took up the piano at just six years of age. After a neighbor soon taught him to play the ukulele, he won a talent contest at his school and decided to devote his life to music. Next, he mastered the guitar and banjo, and began playing in local rock bands throughout high school. During the early ’70s, he formed a band called Buckeye who was invited to play the opening slot at Charlie Daniels’ very first Volunteer Jam Festival there in Nashville. And when Daniels needed a new guitarist about a year later, he hired Crain. Crain played in the Charlie Daniels Band for the better part of the next twenty years and co-wrote more than 50 of the band’s songs including Daniels’ signature tune, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” The song earned Crain a Grammy in 1980. He left Daniels in 1989 to work on his own projects which most recently included Tommy Crain & the Crosstown Allstars. Crain died in his sleep on January 14, 2011, just days before what would have been his 60th birthday. Cause of death was not immediately released. The group’s 
