Died On This Date (October 10, 2013) Jan Kuehnemund / Lead Guitarist For Vixen
themusicsover Jan Kuehnemund
November 15, 1961 – October 10, 2013
Jan Kuehnemund is perhaps best remembered as the founding lead guitarist for Vixen, an all-female glam metal band who achieved a worldwide fan base during the late ’80s. Originally formed with Kuehnemund was in high school in 1974, the band quickly split up but then reformed in 1980. After settling in Los Angeles, the group – often referred to as “the female Bon Jovi” started building a sizable following throughout the flourishing Sunset Strip scene. In 1987, they appeared in Penelope Spheeris’ acclaimed rock doc, The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years. That was quickly followed by a recording contract with EMI Records who released their self-titled debut in 1988. The album, which included the Richard Marx-penned hit single “Edge Of A Broken Heart,” rose to #41 on the Billboard charts and was nearly as chart-successful in the UK. Rev It Up followed in 1990, while the band was taking the hair metal world by storm. Throughout those couple of years, the band toured with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, KISS, and Scorpions. The band split up in the middle of 1991 and then reformed a few times over the next several years with Kuehnemund not coming back to the fold until 2001. A version of the band with just Kuehnemund from the original line up released two albums in 2006. The classic late ’80s/early ’90s edition got together for VH1’s Bands Reunited series in 2004. Jan Kuehnemund passed away following a courageous battle with cancer on October 10, 2013. She was 51.
What You Should Own
Own A Piece Of Rock and Roll History
Phil Chevron was an Irish singer, songwriter and musician who was considered to be one of the most influential musicians in all of Irish punk rock. Born outside of Dublin, Chevron first gained exposure as a member of the Radiators From Space, widely regarded as Ireland’s first punk band. In 1984, Chevron joined the Pogues, initially as a temporary banjoist but soon moved over to guitar when leader, Shane MacGowan decided he wanted to focus more on singing. Chevron stayed in the band until leaving to focus on his health in 1994. During his first run with the Pogues, he played on their now legendary album, Rum, Sodomy and the Lash among others. He is also credited for writing the band’s iconic “Thousands Are Sailing.” During his break from the Pogues, Chevron reformed the Radiators From Space and released the critically acclaimed LP, Trouble Pilgrim. In 2001, he rejoined the Pogues and stayed on board until the time of his passing. In 2004, in the unofficial capacity of lead spokesman for the band, Chevron oversaw the reissues of the Pogues entire back catalog. In 2007, it was announced that he was suffering from esophageal cancer. The following year, believing he had beaten it, Chevron joined the band for a US tour. In May of 2013, the cancer returned with a vengeance and ultimately took his life on October 8, 2013. He was 56.
Polly Anthony was a highly respected music industry executive who, over a career that spanned nearly 30 years, held high level positions at Epic and Geffen Records. Anthony broke into the business as an assistant at CBS Records back in 1978. She eventually rose to the position of senior vice president of promotion at the company’s sister label, Epic/550 Music. From there, Anthony rose to the position of president of the Epic Records Group. In 2004, she became co-president of Geffen Records, and in later years, involved herself with film and television projects. Polly Anthony passed away from pancreatic cancer on September 29, 2013.
Pat Fear is best remembered as the singer and guitarist for the influential Los Angeles-area punk band, White Flag. Formed in 1982 as a sort of antithesis to the angrier local punk outfits, White Flag members took on the parodiable monikers of Jello B. Affro, Mike Mess, and of course, Pat Fear. The band released two seminal albums over the next couple of years, R is for Rocket and S is for Space while performing countless shows throughout California. Over the next three decades, the band released more than a dozen albums as well as numerous EPs and singles. Throughout the band’s run, its lineup included several members who went on to play in other notable bands. The list includes Jim Laspesa (The Muffs, Dave Davies, Bob Cowsill), Greg Hetson (Redd Kross, Circle Jerks), Steven Shane McDonald (Redd Kross), Kim Shattuck (The Muffs, The Pandoras), Ken Stringfellow (The Posies), Eric Erlandson (Hole), A lifelong fan of music, Fear was known to lend his support and even champion other up-and-coming musicians and bands. Two of his early favorites were Os Mutantes and Shonen Knife, both of whom he helped bring to the United States for their first American tours. During breaks from White Flag, Fear worked as a police reservist and bull rider. On September 24, 2013, Pat Fear was found dead in his home at the age of 52. Although his death came as a surprise, reports indicate that he had been in ill health in recent years. Initial coroner findings attribute his death the natural causes.