Died On This Date (December 9, 2011) Dustin Hengst / Drummer For Damone

Dustin Hengst
October 14, 1972 – December 9, 2011

Dustin Hengst was the drummer for the popular Boston-area pop-punk band, Damone.  Formed in 2001, Damone quickly built a local following that was hungry for their skate punk attitude and crunchy guitars.  Within a couple of year, the band was signed to RCA Records and was sharing the stage with the likes of the Ataris and the Juliana Theory.   They released their well-received debut, From The Attic in 2003.  They were eventually let go by RCA but bounced back with their solid Island/Def Jam release of Out Here All Night in 2006.  Hengst left the group in 2008.  He also played behind the band, Bleu.   On December 9, 2011, Dustin Hengst, 39, died in a Texas hospital where he had reportedly been struggling with health related issues for a few weeks.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Steve Cabral for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Out Here All Night - Damone

Died On This Date (December 8, 2011) Alan Styles / Roadie For Pink Floyd

Alan Styles
DOB Unknown – December 8, 2011

At left with Peter Watts and Roger Waters

Alan Styles was a long time roadie for legendary rock act, Pink Floyd.  More than just a roadie for the band, Styles built somewhat of his own following, due in part from being memorialized on Atom Heart Mother’s “Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast.”   The song features the band playing behind Styles talking about breakfast and such.  He can also be seen on the cover of Ummagumma.  Alan Styles was 75 when he passed away on December 8, 2011.  He had been in a local hospital being treated for pneumonia.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



Introducing TMO Radio!

Hello Friends!

You might have noticed the TMO RADIO tab at the upper right of this blog.  Well, if you click on that you will be taken to my brand new New Music page where you can check out the best of each week’s new releases!  As much as I appreciate you visiting to check out the music made by those we’ve lost over the years, there is plenty of great new music still coming out each week.  And now you can learn about, listen to, and even purchase some on my TMO Radio.

Either click the tab above, or right here – TMO Radio

Died On This Date (December 8, 2011) Dan “Bee” Spears / Longtime Bassist For Willie Nelson

Dan “Bee” Spears
August 11, 1949 – December 8, 2011

Bee Spears was a Nashville bassist who is perhaps best remembered for his long tenure in Willie Nelson’s band.  Born into and raised by a musical family, Spears was just 19 when he began playing, and occasionally singing, with Nelson.  The year was 1968, and Spears went on to stand by Nelson’s side for more than 40 years.   Even when Nelson transitioned from “Nashville” to “Outlaw,” it was Spears that remained the constant.   Besides playing on such Nelson landmark  albums as Stardust and Red Headed Stranger, Spears can be heard on tracks by the likes of Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Guy Clark.  Bee Spears died on December 9, 2011 from exposure to the elements after slipping and falling near his property.  He was 62.

Thanks to Ken McCullagh for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Red Headed Stranger - Willie Nelson

Died On This Date (December 7, 2011) Bob Burnett / The Highwaymen

Bob Burnett
February 7, 1940 – December 8, 2011

Photo by Mark Swirsky

Bob Burnett was an original member of the Highwaymen, an influential collegiate folk group whose “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore” and “Cotton Fields” were two of the most significant songs to come along during the ’60s folk scene.  Formed in 1958, the group drew sizable crowds along the college circuit while popularizing traditional American music to a whole new generation.  In 1961, the group scored its biggest hit with “Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore,” which reached #1 on the singles chart and sold over a million copies.  That was followed by the nearly as successful, “Cotton Fields.”  The Highwaymen broke up in 1964, freeing up Burnett to pursue a law degree from Harvard.  After accomplishing that, he went on to have a long and successful career in law and banking.  In 1990, the Highwaymen reunited for a second run which found them doing weekend concerts and recording several more albums.  Bob Burnett, 71, died as the result of brain cancer on December 7, 2011.  He follows band mates Chan Daniels, Dave Fisher, and later member, Gil Robbins (father of actor, Tim Robbins), who have all passed away as well.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Folk Hits Collection - The Highwaymen