Died On This Date (March 6, 2013) Alvin Lee / Ten Years After

Alvin Lee (Born Graham Barnes)
December 19, 1944 – March 6, 2013

alvin-lee-1
Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Alvin Lee was an English rock musician who is best remembered as founder and lead singer of the influential blues rock band, Ten Years After.  Considered one of rock’s greatest guitarists, Lee began playing at age 13.  In 1962, he formed his first band, the Jaybirds, who haunted the same Hamburg clubs that had recently hosted the pre-fame Beatles.  By the late ’60s, the Jaybirds morphed into Ten Years After who quickly built a sizable following throughout Europe and scored a record deal with Deram Records.  Finding their way to the San Francisco airwaves, songs from their self-titled debut caught the ear of Bill Graham who invited them to tour the US in 1968.  The following year, they played the Woodstock Festival and appeared in the iconic film documentary of the event.  Soon, the band found themselves playing arenas and stadiums all over the world, and Lee’s remarkable talent as a guitarist could not be denied.  After recording 10 albums with the group, Lee decided to move on in 1974.  What followed were a series of solo albums and collaborations with the likes of George Harrison, Mylon LFevre, Bo Diddley, and Jerry Lee Lewis.  He reunited with Ten Years After for a couple of albums and tours during the late ’70s.  Lee continued recording and touring until the release of his final album, 2012’s Still On The Road To Freedom.  Alvin Lee died unexpectedly on March 6, 2013.   According to a post on his website, he “unexpectedly passed away early this morning after unforseen complications following a routine surgical procedure.”  He was 68.

Thanks to David Plastik of eRockPhotos for the assist.

Own A Piece Of Rock ‘N Roll History

Photo by David Plastik - Click To Order Quality Prints - Discount code: 10OFF
Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (March 3, 2013) Bobby Rogers / Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Bobby Rogers
February 19, 1940 – March 3, 2013

bobby-rogersAs an original member of Motown’s legendary R&B group, the Miracles, Bobby Rogers sang on some of popular music’s most lasting songs.  Born on the same day and in the very same hospital as Smokey Robinson, Rogers wouldn’t meet his future band mate until 15 years later.  In 1959, the Miracles became the first group signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown/Tamla Records, and within a year, they had the label’s first million seller with “Shop Around.”  The group went on to release countless hit singles with Rogers singing on “You Really Got A Hold Of Me,” “The Tracks Of My Tears,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “I Second That Emotion,” and many many more.  He was also reportedly responsible for the group’s onstage choreography.  Rogers remained in the Miracles until 1978, but participated in reunions in 1980 and 1993.  He ultimately retired from the group in 2011.  As a Motown songwriter, Rogers wrote or co-wrote such hits as “The Way You Do The Things You Do” (the Temptations), “What Love Has Joined Together” (Mary Wells), and “One More Heartache” (Marvin Gaye), among others. He was elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Miracles in 2012.  Bobby Rogers was 73 when he passed away on March 3, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released, but he had reportedly been suffering from an undisclosed illness for some time.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (March 1, 2013) Jewel Akens / Had Pop Hit With “The Birds And The Bees”

Jewel Akens
September 12, 1933 – March 1, 2013

jewel-akensJewel Akens was an American singer who is best remembered for his 1965 hit, “The Birds and the Bees” which is often included in so-called one-hit-wonder lists.  Born in Houston, Texas, initially recorded with doo-wop groups, the Medallions and the Four Dots.  After going solo, Akens recorded “The Birds and the Bees” for Era Records.  The single ultimately reached #3 on the Billboard charts, #3 on the Australian charts, and #29 on the UK charts on its way to selling over one million copies.  He released several more records – many with Eddie Cochran on guitar – but none achieved near the success brought on by “The Birds And The Bees.”  Akens toured and later made special appearances throughout most of his life, even touring with the Monkees during the ’70s.   Jewel Akens died from complications of a back surgery on March 1, 2013.  He was 79.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.



Died On This Date (February 27, 2013) Richard Street / The Temptations

Richard Street
October 5, 1942 – February 27, 2013

richard-streetRichard Street is best remembered for his 20-year tenure with legendary Motown group, the Temptations.  Born in Detroit, Michigan, the first group of note that Street sang with was the Distants along with future Temptations, Otis Williams, Al Bryant, and Melvin Franklin.  After the Distants disbanded,  Street joined another Motown singing group, the Monitors who scored a minor hit with “Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)” in 1966.  During the late ’60s, Street was invited to travel with the Temptations and sing for Paul Williams from backstage.  Williams was battling health issues at the time and couldn’t quite hit the notes, so he basically lip-synched and danced on stage.  Street ultimately replaced Williams in 1971 after Williams and Eddie Kendricks left the group.  Street’s lead vocals can be heard on such Temptations classics as “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” “Hey Girl (I Like Your Style),” and “Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are).”  After leaving the Temptations in 1993, Street performed and recorded as a solo act.  He enjoyed a successful career up until the time of his death.  On February 27, 2013, Richard Street died as a result of a pulmonary embolism.  He was 70.  Fellow Temptation, Damon Harris died just nine days earlier.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (February 25, 2013) Dangerous Dan Toler / The Allman Brothers

Dan Toler
1948 –  February 25, 2013

Photo by JC Juanis
Photo by JC Juanis

Dan Toler was an American guitarist who is perhaps best known for his years playing with the Allman Brothers Band.  Born in Indiana, Toler took up the guitar at a young age.  During the ’70s, he took up residence in Dickey Betts & Great Southern.  He played with Betts on his third album, Atlanta’s Burning Down.  The following year, he and Betts joined the Allman Brothers where he played on their “comeback” album, Enlightened Rogues, as well as Reach for the Sky and Brothers of the Road.  In later years, he played in the Gregg Allman Band, the Townsend Toler Band (with John Townsend), and the Renegades of Southern Rock.  Dan Toler was 65 when he died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease on February 25, 2013.

Thanks to Ben Anderson for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com