2014

Died On This Date (April 11, 2014) Jesse Winchester / Respected Singer-Songwriter

themusicsover April 11, 2014 5 Comments

James “Jesse” Winchester
May 17, 1944 – April 11, 2014

jesse-winchester Jesse Winchester was an American singer-songwriter who made his biggest mark on popular music during the early ’70s. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Winchester moved to Montreal in 1967 in order to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War. It was while in Canada that he launched his career in music thanks to early encouragement and support from the Band’s Robbie Robertson. Winchester released his debut self-titled album in 1970 and continued to record acclaimed albums on and off over the next 40 years. Since he couldn’t tour the U.S. as a draft resister during the peak years of his output, Winchester became better known as a songwriter than a live performer and recording artist. The long list of those who recorded his songs includes Elvis Costello, George Strait, Jimmy Buffet, Joan Baez, the Everly Brothers, and Wynona Judd. In 1976, President Jimmy Carter pardoned many so-called draft dodgers, so Winchester was allowed back into the US. His first show back on US soil was in April of 1977, a performance that prompted Rolling Stone magazine to declare him “the Greatest Voice of the Decade.” He permanently relocated back to America in 2002 and continued to record and tour throughout the remainder of his life. Jesse Winchester died of cancer on April 11, 2014. He was 69.

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Metal Musician Rock Singer

Died On This Date (March 23, 2014) Dave Brockie / Performed As Oderus Urungus In GWAR

themusicsover March 23, 2014 2 Comments

Dave Brockie
August 30, 1963 – March 23, 2014

dave-brockie Dave Brockie is best remembered as lead singer for the popular theatrical shock metal band, GWAR. Going under the stage name, Oderus Urungus, Brockie co-formed the band in 1984. GWAR went on to build a legion of fans due in part to their over-the-top sci-fi inspired costumes and comic book violence that ran through their lyrics and live shows. They released their debut album, Hell-O, in 1988 and 11 more leading up to the 2013 release of, Battle Maximus. 2014 found the band touring in celebration of their 30th anniversary. Dave Brockie was 50 when he was found dead in his home on March 23, 2014. Cause of death was not immediately released. GWAR band mate, Cory Smoot (aka Flattus Maximus) passed away in 2011.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.

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Musician Punk Rock

Died On This Date (March 16, 2014) Scott Asheton / Drummer For Iggy Pop & The Stooges

themusicsover March 16, 2014 No Comments

Scott Asheton
August 16, 1949 – March 16, 2014

Scott Asheton was the drummer for Detroit group the Stooges, a garage band lead by the wildly charismatic Iggy Pop. With the Stooges, Asheton was considered by many as ground zero for what would become known as punk rock some ten years later. Born in Washington DC, Asheton was 14 when his family moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where he eventually co-founded the Stooges with brother, Ron Asheton, Iggy Pop and David Alexander. After its inception, the band quickly established itself as a must-see act in and around the Detroit area for their aggressive playing and Pop’s shocking stage antics. It must be noted that this was still the late ‘60s, a time when such blistering noise and in-your-face singing was difficult for many of the Woodstock generation to swallow. But the Stooges persevered and soon landed on Elektra Records who released their brilliant self-titled debut in 1969. Another album followed before some line-up changes and a third album for Columbia Records. The band broke up in 1974, so the Asheton brothers continued on, both together and in support of other acts for the next several years. In 2003, the Ashetons and Pop reformed the group. They released The Weirdness in 2007. In 2011, Asheton suffered a severe stroke following a show in France. Although it forced him off the road, he contributed to the band’s 2013 release, Ready To Die. Scott Asheton was 64 when he died on March 16, 2014. Cause of death was not immediately released

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

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Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (February 25, 2014) Paco de Lucía / World Renowned Flamenco Guitarist

themusicsover February 25, 2014 No Comments

Paco de Lucía (Born Francisco Sánchez Gomes)
December 21, 1947 – February 25, 2014

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

Paco de Lucía was a Spanish musician who was considered THE greatest Flamenco guitarist in the world during most of his lifetime. Born into a musical family in Algeciras, Spain, de Lucía began learning the guitar as early as 5 years old, often practicing 12 hours a day upon his father’s strict orders. Pretty much done with school at the age of 11 due to his family’s poverty, De Lucía began earning his keep playing on the streets of Algeciras and beyond. By the 1960s, De Lucía, who had no formal music training, had pretty much single-handedly reinvented Flamenco by incorporating jazz, classical and salsa into it. During the ’70s, he began collaborating with the likes of Al Di Miola, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin and Larry Coryell much to the delight of jazz fans around the world. His 1981 album with McLaughlin and Di Miola, Friday Night in San Francisco, is one of the most celebrated of the genre. Throughout his 50 year+ career, de Lucía was presented with two Grammys and numerous awards and recognitions. De Lucía all but retired during the mid 2000s, but continued to release an occasional project and perform live at special events. While vacationing on February 25, 2014, Paco de Lucía suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 66.

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With Al Dimeiola & John Mclaughlin Photo by David Plastik - Click To Order Quality Prints - Discount code: 10OFF — With Al Dimeiola & John Mclaughlin
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Musician New Wave Rock

Died On This Date (February 17, 2014) Bob Casale / Devo

themusicsover February 17, 2014 No Comments

Bob Casale
DOB Unknown – February 17, 2014

bob-casale Bob Casale was a founding guitarist for influential new wave band, Devo. Formed with his brother, Gerald Casale, brothers, Mark Mothersbaugh and Bob Mothersbaugh, and Alan Myers in 1972, Devo went on to become one of the most popular bands of the era thanks to such hits as “Girl U Want,” “Freedom Of Choice,” “Working In A Coal Mine,” and “Whip It.” The latter was one of the most recognizable songs of the ’80s and helped propel the album Freedom Of Choice to Platinum in the US. The song’s video was one of the most popular on MTV at the time. The band continued to release album throughout the ’80s but slowed down as the public’s taste changed during the ’90s and 2000s. In 2010, they released Something For Everybody to critical acclaim. It reached #30 on the Billboard album charts, their first charting album since 1988. Also in 2010, Devo performed during a televised broadcast from the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Bob Casale died of heart failure on February 17, 2014. He was 61.

Died On This Date (April 11, 2014) Jesse Winchester / Respected Singer-Songwriter

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Died On This Date (March 23, 2014) Dave Brockie / Performed As Oderus Urungus In GWAR

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Died On This Date (March 16, 2014) Scott Asheton / Drummer For Iggy Pop & The Stooges

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Died On This Date (February 25, 2014) Paco de Lucía / World Renowned Flamenco Guitarist

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Died On This Date (February 17, 2014) Bob Casale / Devo

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