Died On This Date (April 5, 2012) Scott Ricciuti / Boston Area Musician

James “Scott” Ricciuti
DOB Unknown – April 5, 2012

Scott Riccuiti was a respected Boston, Massachusetts area singer-songwriter and guitarist who had been entertaining folks throughout the area going back to at least the mid ’80s. As a member of Childhood, Riccuiti successfully competed in Boston battle-of-the-bands, culminating in their victory in radio juggernaut, WBCN’s Rock ‘n Roll Rumble in 1987.  That lead to respectable video play on MTV for the band.   Childhood ultimately disbanded in 1993.  Other groups in which Riccuiti played included Pistol Whipped, A Pony For My Birthday, Huck, and Preacher Roe.  And other acts he performed with on stage over the years include Shana Morrison and Jim Carroll.  Scott Riccuiti was 48 when he was killed in what initially appeared to have been a single-car accident on April 5, 2012.



Died On This Date (April 5, 2012) Barney McKenna / The Dubliners

Bernard “Barney” McKenna
December 16, 1939 – April 5, 2012

Barney McKenna was an influential Irish musician who is best remembered as the banjo player in the legendary folk group, the Dubliners, since its formation in 1962.  He was, in fact, the only living original member up until the time of his death.  Formed by Ronnie Drew out of Friday night jam sessions at a Dublin pub, the Dubliners went on to become one of the most popular Irish folk groups of all time.  Their influence can be heard in such acts as Bob Dylan, the Pogues, Bruce Springsteen, Sinead O’Connor, U2, Dropkick Murphys, and Thin Lizzy.  A fan favorite on stage, McKenna often humored the crowds with colorful and sometimes not-so-true anecdotes between songs. The Dubliners had just finished a tour of the UK during the month prior to his passing, and McKenna gave his final public performance at a funeral the day before he died.  Barney McKenna was 72 when he passed away on April 5, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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The Dubliners

Died On This Date (April 5, 2012) Jim Marshall / Founder Of Marshall Amps

Jim Marshall
July 29, 1923 – April 5, 2012

Photo by Ralph Orlowski

Jim Marshall, or has he was commonly known throughout the rock world, “The Lord of Loud,” was the founder of Marshall Amplification.  It was while he owned a London music shop in the early ’60s that Marshall and a young apprentice began tinkering with designs that would soon become the Marshall amp.  The idea was born out of complaints from such young customers as Pete Townshend and Ritchie Blackmore that they couldn’t get the sound they were looking for out of their own amps.   With s new prototype in hand, Marshall launched Marshall Amplification in 1962 and ran the company ever since.  Over the decades, Marshall amp loyalists have included almost every notable rock guitarist the world has ever known.  Marshall, along with Leo Fender, Les Paul, and Seth Lover, has been called one of the four forefathers of rock music.  Jim Marshall was 88 when he passed away on April 5, 2012.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.