Died On This Date (November 28, 2011) Tom Roady / Drummer For Ricky Skaggs
Tom Roady
DOB Unknown – November 28, 2011
Tom Roady was a much respected drummer and percussionist who is perhaps best remembered for his recent work with Ricky Skaggs. Roady can be heard playing on Skaggs’ latest offering, A Skaggs Family Christmas, Volume 2, and was gearing up to go out on tour with Skaggs. Throughout his long career, Roady played with the likes of Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Dixie Chicks, Joan Baez, Bob Seger, and Kenny Chesney. Earlier in his career, Roady was a session player at the storied Muscle Shoals studio, working for Jerry Wexler, and playing on tracks by Lynyrd Skynrd, James Brown, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, and many more. As reported by CMT, Tom Roady was 62 when he passed away in his sleep on November 28, 2011. Cause of death was reportedly attributed to heart problems, although he had been battling cancer.

Know professionally as J-1 and The Dear, Los Angeles based musician and producer Jovan Coleman was the drummer in Dam Funk’s trio, Master Blazter which also counted Computer Jay as a member. Coleman also played in Animal Kingdom as well as Shafiq Husayn’s En’AFreeKa Ensemble. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Coleman ultimately settled in L.A. where he quickly became part of the city’s vibrant funk/soul/boogie scene. He released The Yellow (EP) in June of 2011. Jovan Coleman passed away in Sweden on November 27, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Ken Russell was a celebrated British director who courted controversy in both film and television for his use of sexuality and the church within his themes and imagery. Russell made a huge mark on popular music as well with his 1975 rock film Tommy, based on the Who’s album of the same name. The landmark movie starred the band’s Roger Daltrey as Tommy, Pete Townshend, 



Known as “Mama Jazz” to fans throughout Southwest Ohio, Phyllis Campbell was a longtime on-air personality at WMUB-FM out of Miami University. A lifelong fan of jazz, Campbell was working at the school as a secretary when she dropped by the station during a fund raiser to talk music. Within a few hours, she was offered a job. Since 1979, Campbell has built a legion of fans thanks in part to her eclectic playlists on such programs as “Traditional Jazz Night” and “The Gospel According to Mama.” All the while, Campbell retained her “day job” at the University, often putting in over 60 hours a week between the two gigs. She retired from her administrative job in 1994 but continued on air until health issues brought that to a close in 2006. Phyllis Campbell was 89 when she passed away on November 26, 2011.