Died On This Date (December 29, 2013) Ben Curtis / Secret Machines, School Of Seven Bells
Ben Curtis
September 23, 1978 – December 29, 2013
Ben Curtis was a founding member of the two popular indie rock bands, Secret Machines and School Of Seven Bells. Born in Layton, Oklahoma, Curtis moved to Dallas, Texas while still in junior high. A gifted guitarist, drummer and songwriter, he and his brother, Brandon Curtis, formed Secret Machines in 2000 and moved the band to New York City. The space rock group released several acclaimed singles, EPs and albums and even opened for u2 during a 2006 show in Mexico. In 2007, Curtis and identical twins, Claudia Deheza and Alejandra Deheza launched School Of Seven Bells, a popular shoegaze band who went on to release numerous records to critical acclaim as well. Their most recent LP, Ghostory, came out in 2013. Curtis also played in UFOFU and Tripping Daisy during his career. In early 2013, it was announced that he had been diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma but initially, that it was treatable. In August of 2013, several musicians held a benefit concert to raise money to help with his medical expenses. Devendra Banhart along with members of Interpol and the Strokes took part. Ben Curtis ultimately died from the cancer on December 29, 2013. He was 35.
What You Should Own
























Yusef Lateef was a highly influential jazz multi-instrumentalist who, primarily through the flute and tenor saxophone, is best remembered for seamlessly integrating of jazz and Eastern music. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Lateef was exposed to the playing of such local greats as Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell and 
Lord Infamous was an American rapper and co-founding member of the popular rap group, Three 6 Mafia who is credited with coining “crunk” to describe the style of southern hip hop they came to exemplify. Formed in 1991, the group built a sizable underground following for their music that some have labeled “horrorcore” due to its darker elements. Lord Infamous’ lyrics in particular, generally revolved around the occult, murder, suicide and Satanism. Three 6 Mafia’s fourth album, 2000’s When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1, reached #6 on the Billboard Top 200 on its way to selling well over a million copies. In 2006, Lord Infamous and Three 6 Mafia parted ways due to a contractual breach with their record label. Lord Infamous went on to form a label, Black Rain Entertainment, with longtime friend, II Tone. The company released numerous albums by Lord Infamous and other hip hop acts from the Memphis area. Earlier in 2013, Lord Infamous with original Three 6 Mafia members, DJ Paul, Crunchy Black, Koopsta Knicca, and Gangsta Boo formed Da Mafia 6ix. They released their first mix tape, 6ix Commandments in November of 2013 while working on a new studio album to be released in 2014. On December 20, 2013, Lord Infamous died at the age of 40. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Ray Price was a legendary country singer, musician and songwriter whose smooth baritone was one of the finest that country music has ever known. Born in eastern Texas, Price began singing for an Abilene radio station upon his return from WWII. He moved to Nashville during the early ’50s and even roomed with 