January 2017 – Page 2 – The Music's Over

Died On This Date (January 22, 2017) Pete Overend Watts / Founding Bassist For Mott The Hoople

themusicsover January 22, 2017 0 Comments

Pete Overend Watts
May 13, 1947 – January 22, 2017

Pete Overend Watts was the founding bassist for British glam rock band, Mott the Hoople. The band, which featured Ian Hunter on lead vocals during their “classic years,” had originated as the Buddies, made a few more name changes, until finally settling on Mott the Hoople when Hunter joined in 1969. After failing to find a large audience after the release of four albums, the band was on the verge of disbanding when David Bowie stepped in and convinced them to give it another go with him producing. The resulting album, All The Young Dudes and the Bowie-penned single of the same name kicked the band into overdrive and helped solidify their place as deities of the glam rock movement of the mid-’70s. West continued to play in different incarnations of Mott the Hoople through 1981 and then again for two reunions during the 2010s. He also worked as a producer, most famously for Hanoi Rocks. Pete Overend Watts died of throat cancer on January 22, 2017. He was 69.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour for the assist.

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Folk Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 21, 2017) Maggie Roche / The Roches

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Maggie Roche
October 26, 1951 – January 21, 2017

Maggie Roche, along with her sisters, Terre and Suzzy, wrote and performed primarily folk music as the Roches. Formed in Park Ridge, New Jersey in 1973, the group went on to release numerous critically acclaimed albums. They got their first break when Maggie and Terre were invited to sing harmony on Paul Simon‘s There Goes Rhymin’ Simon. Before they knew it, the due was signed to Columbia Records who released their debut in 1975. Suzzy soon joined and they re-christened themselves as the Roaches and released their Robert Fripp produced self-titled debut in 1979. The album included two of their best known songs, “Hammond Song” and “The Married Men,” both written by Maggie. In later years, they slowed down in terms of touring but continued recording as a trio, as duos, and individually. Their last studio album as the Roches, Moonswept, was released in 2007. Maggie Roche died of cancer on January 21, 2017. She was 65.

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Musician New Wave Producer Rock

Died On This Date (January 19, 2017) Mike Kellie / Drummer For Spooky Tooth & The Only Ones

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Mike Kellie
March 24, 1947 – January 19, 2017

Mike Kellie was an English drummer who found acclaim with, primarily, Spooky Tooth and the Only Ones. Born in Birmingham, England, Kellie was self-taught and began playing in the St. Michael’s Youth Club Band while in his teens. It wasn’t long before he was asked to join Wayne and the Beachcombers, his first “real” band. In 1967, Spooky Tooth was launched with Kellie on drums. Although it would change line-ups throughout the years, at the time it included Gary Wright, Greg Ridley and Keith Emerson. The band’s second album, Spooky Two is considered a classic rock staple and spawned their most popular songs, “Waiting For The Wind,” “Evil Woman,” and “Feelin’ Bad.” In 1976, Kellie joined the Only Ones, an influential power pop/new wave band that was a far cry from the more proggy sounds of Spooky Tooth. The band released three studio albums for CBS Records. Their most famous record was 1978’s “Another Girl, Another Planet.” The song has since been heard in numerous movies and commercials, and has been recorded by Blink-182, the Lightning Seeds, and the Replacements to name a few. Throughout the balance of his career, Kellie was on board for a reunion or two by Spooky Tooth and the Only Ones, while being in demand as a session player. He can be heard drumming on records by the likes of Johnny Thunders, the Who, Joe Cocker, Peter Frampton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Traffic and George Harrison. Mike Kellie was 68 when he passed away on January 19, 2017. Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

What You Should Own

International Latin Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 19, 2017) Loalwa Braz / Brazilian Singer; Sang Lead On Hit Single, “Lambada”

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Loalwa Braz
June 3, 1953 – January 19, 2017

Loalwa Braz was a Brazilian singer and songwriter who is perhaps best remembered for singing lead on Kaoma‘s international hit of 1989, “Lambada.” Although Kaoma was a French group, Braz sang the song’s Portuguese lyrics on the record, which went on to sell over 5 million copies worldwide and help break Latin music into many non-Latin markets around the world. Born into a musical family, Braz took up the piano at the age of four. Singing followed, and before she knew it, she was performing in the hottest clubs of Rio de Janeiro. After the success of “Lambada,” Braz performed all over the world and was invited to collaborate with many top Brazilian and European recording artists. She continued to record and perform up until the time of her death. In the morning hours of January 19, 2017, Loalwa Braz, age 63, was discovered deceased by Rio police in a burnt up car about 45 miles outside of the city. Actual cause of death and other circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

Musician Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 16, 2017) Steve Wright / Greg Kihn Band

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Steve Wright
1950 – January 16, 2017

Steve Wright at right. Photo credit: gregkihn.com

Steve Wright was a bassist and songwriter who spent many years playing in the Greg Kihn Band, the band he co-founded with Kihn in 1975. As Kihn’s writing partner, Wright co-wrote the band’s biggest hits, including “The Break Up Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em)” and “Jeopardy,” as well as other lesser known gems. “Jeopardy,” a #2 hit for the band, had the dubious honor of being parodied by Weird Al Yankovic who’s version, “I Lost on Jeopardy” became a massive hit as well thanks to heavy video play on a young MTV. The band went on to have several successful albums throughout the ’80s which afforded them to graduate from clubs to arenas around the world. Steve Wright died of a heart attack on January 16, 2017.

Died On This Date (January 22, 2017) Pete Overend Watts / Founding Bassist For Mott The Hoople

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Died On This Date (January 21, 2017) Maggie Roche / The Roches

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Died On This Date (January 19, 2017) Mike Kellie / Drummer For Spooky Tooth & The Only Ones

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Died On This Date (January 19, 2017) Loalwa Braz / Brazilian Singer; Sang Lead On Hit Single, “Lambada”

Died On This Date (January 16, 2017) Steve Wright / Greg Kihn Band

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