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Died On This Date (January 24, 2016) Jimmy Bain / Bassist For Dio, Rainbow & More

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Jimmy Bain
December 19, 1947 – January 24, 2016

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Jimmy Bain was a rock bassist who is best remembered for his years playing with Rainbow and Dio. Born in Highland, Scotland, Bain caught the attention of Ritchie Blackmore when Bain was playing a gig at London’s Marquee. Blackmore quickly hired him to play on Rainbow’s 1976 metal masterpiece, Rising and on the tour that followed. That tour, with Bain on bass, was recorded for Rainbow’s popular On Stage album that came out the following year. After leaving Rainbow in 1978, Bain formed Wild Horses who received moderate success with two albums. During the early ’80s, Bain co-wrote songs for Phil Lynott‘s two solo albums and toured as part of his backing band. In 1983, he joined forces with former Rainbow singer, Ronnie James Dio in the latter’s new band, Dio. Bain wrote several of the band’s hits, including “Holy Diver” and “Rainbow In The Dark.” He played on The Last In Line and Dream Evil, among other Dio classic albums. In 1985, Bain founded Hear ‘n Aid which was metal’s effort to raise money for famine relief. The all-star collective recorded, “Stars,” co-written by Bain, which reportedly raised over $1 million in its first year of release. Bain continued to record and tour with various members of metal’s elite up until the time of his death. It was while traveling as a performer on Def Leppard‘s Hysteria On The High Seas cruise on January 24, 2016, that Jimmy Bain passed away unexpectedly His cause of death was not immediately released and was believed to have been health related. He was 68.

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Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 18, 2016) Glenn Frey / The Eagles

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Glenn Frey
November 6, 1948 – January 18, 2016

Glenn Frey was best known for being a founding member of the hugely popular American rock band, the Eagles. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Frey initially studied the keyboards and formed his first band while still in high school. His first break came by way of local up-and-comer, Bob Seger, who asked Frey to play acoustic guitar and sing background vocals on his 1968 single, “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.” Soon after, Frey moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his career and quickly gravitated toward a collective of musicians that were starting to make some noise with their twangy folk rock songs that would later be dubbed the “Laurel Canyon Sound.” In 1970, Linda Ronstadt was looking for a band to play one gig at Disneyland. As fate would have it, that band turned out to be Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner, and Bernie Leadon. Frey and Henley clicked, so after appearing on Ronstadt’s self-titled album, she encouraged them to form their own band, and the Eagles were born. With their country-tinged soft rockers, tight musicianship, and exquisite harmonies, the band took America by storm. They went on to become one of the most successful rock bands in the world with Frey writing or co-writing many of their biggest hits. That list of songs includes, “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Already Gone,” “New Kid In Town,” and “Tequila Sunrise.” But in less than a decade, their run was over. Frey went on to achieve a successful solo career fueled by hit singles he recorded for the soundtracks of Beverly Hills Cop (“The Heat Is On”), and Miami Vice (“You Belong To The City” and “Smuggler’s Blues”). His 1982 debut album, No Fun Aloud, did well also, hitting #32 on the US charts and achieving Gold status. During this period, Frey also dabbled in acting, most notably as a drug smuggler in the first season of Miami Vice. He also appeared on such TV shows as Wiseguy and Arli$$, and films, Let’s Get Harry and Jerry Maguire. The Eagles reformed to much acclaim in 1994 and have continued to tour on occasion ever since. In 2007, they reunited to record their first album since 1979, The Long Road Out Of Eden. Joining Frey and Henley on this album and tour to follow were fellow Eagles, Timothy B. Schmit and Joe Walsh. In late 2015, it was announced that Frey was suffering from serious health issues but was expected to recover, at least publicly. On January 18, 2016, Glenn Frey died from a combination of complications following an intestinal surgery in November. He was 67.

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Musician Pop Producer Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 10, 2016) David Bowie

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David Bowie (Born David Jones)
January 8, 1947 – January 10, 2016

David Bowie was one the most revered rock stars the world has ever known. In fact, some have gone as far to call him the world’s ONLY rock star. What can’t be argued is that his originality, influence, creativity, and ability to adapt to, AND buck pop music trends for over four decades is beyond rival. Throughout his career, he sold over 140 million albums and received a staggering amount of awards and accolades. From the release of his first album, David Bowie, in 1967, through 2003’s Reality, Bowie created records that were for the most part embraced by fans and critics alike. His many hits included such pop music staples as “Heroes,” “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “The Jean Genie,” “Young Americans,” “Rebel, Rebel,” “Let’s Dance,” and “China Girl.” In 2004, Bowie suffered a relatively minor heart attack which greatly curtailed his recording and performing output for the next several years. And then seemingly out of nowhere, on January 8, 2013 – his 66th birthday, Bowie surprised the masses with an announcement that an all-new album would be released that following March. The Next Day, was a welcome return to his art rock roots and quickly shot to the top of the UK charts and #2 on the US charts. The album was adored by fans and critics. In late 2015, it was this time announced, that his latest album, Blackstar would be released on his 69th birthday, January 8, 2016. Unbeknownst to most of the world, Bowie was diagnosed with liver cancer just 18 months prior. But rather than have us pity; rather than fade away, Bowie created his own poignantly personal eulogy by way of album and video for “Lazarus.” Again, the release came out to great praise. Two days later, David Bowie gone, having successfully elevated his own death to an art form like no other.

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Jazz R&B Rap Singer

Died On This Date (December 31, 2015) Natalie Cole / R&B Great

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Natalie Cole
February 6, 1950 – December 31, 2015

Natalie-Cole Natalie Cole was an American R&B singer who, over the course of a career that spanned 6 decades, sold over 30 million albums and earned nine Grammys. Born into a show business family – her father was Nat King Cole and her mother was Maria Hawkins Cole, a one-time singer for Duke Ellington, Cole followed her parents into show business at a very early age. When she was just six, she sang on her father’s iconic Christmas album, and within five years, she was performing on stage. After graduating from college, Cole began singing in clubs and soon caught the ear of a couple of producers who recorded a few tracks and shopped them around. Capitol Records signed her and released her first album, Inseparable, in 1975. The album contained her first top 10 single, “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” which resulted in Cole’s first two Grammys, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best New Artist. The balance of the ’70s were extremely prosperous for Cole as she released several more hit records; performed to sell-out crowds; and made numerous TV appearance including her own two specials. The early ’80s were less kind to her as record sales dwindled and she battled her own personal demons. But by 1987, Cole’s career was bouncing back. Her 1987 dance album, Everlasting, brought her back to the charts with such hit singles as, “Everlasting,” “Jump Start,” “I Live For Your Love,” and her pop crossover version of Bruce Springsteen‘s “Pink Cadillac.” The hits continued through the early ’90s and beyond, with Cole’s style maturing into that which made her father famous, jazz vocals/traditional pop. She continued to record and perform to adoring fans over the next two decades, but in December of 2015, it was later revealed, she had to cancel several shows due to ongoing health problems. On December 31, 2015, Natalie Cole died of congestive heart failure at the age of 65.

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Metal Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 28, 2015) Lemmy Kilmister / Motorhead

themusicsover December 28, 2015 3 Comments

Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister
December 24, 1945 – December 28, 2015

Lemmy Lemmy Kilmister was the lead singer, bassist, primary songwriter, and only original member of Motorhead, the legendary English rock band he formed in 1975. Over the course of four decades, the band, which was equal parts punk rock and heavy metal, released over 22 albums, which sold upwards of 30 million worldwide. Kilmister was born in Straffordshire, but spent most of his early years in North Wales. After leaving high school early, he worked various menial jobs while learning to play the guitar. When he was 16, he saw one of the Beatles‘ iconic Cavern Club shows and instantly knew he wanted to make music. The next day, he bought Please Please Me and learned to play the guitar while playing along with it. After performing in a series of local bands, Kilmister moved to London where he shared a flat with Noel Redding of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and the band’s manager. They hired him to roadie for them throughout the UK in 1967. In 1968, Kilmister joined Hawkwind, a space rock band that would later prove to be highly influential to countless prog rock, metal and punk bands. He sang lead on several Hawkwind records, including their biggest hit, “Silver Machine,” which reached #3 in 1972. He was ultimately fired from Hawkwind after being arrested trying to carry drugs across the Canadian/US border in 1975. He ended up not being charged or convicted of a crime once it was determined that he was holding speed, which was legal in Canada at the time. Kilmister soon formed Motorhead, who quickly found a cult following for its hard, fast, and loud rock – a sound that appealed to the growing punk scene of the UK as well as the older hard rock fans of Hawkwind and such. Motorhead, and particularly Kilmister’s fierce playing and vocal delivery has been credited for laying the foundation for what would be called thrash and speed metal. On the other side of the metal spectrum, Motorhead was arguably flash point of what would later be known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Over the next 40 years, the band’s lineup changed several times, while their music fell in and out of favor as tastes around the world changed. But Kilmister forged on and seemed indestructible in spite of his vices. In 2010, the documentary film, Lemmy was released to both critical and fan acclaim. The poignant film focused on Kilmister’s private life, which was mostly spent either on tour or sitting at the bar at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip. The documentary introduced and reintroduced Motorhead to fans around the world, leading to the two critically acclaimed and commercially successful late-career albums, Aftershock (2013) and Bad Magic (2015). And although he suffered a few health setbacks over the past few years, Kilmister seemed as if he’d continue to outlive many of his peers. On December 26, 2015, he reportedly learned he was suffering from a very aggressive form of cancer. Lemmy Kilmister was just eight days past his 70th birthday when the cancer took his life on December 28, 2015.

themusicsover

Died On This Date (January 24, 2016) Jimmy Bain / Bassist For Dio, Rainbow & More

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Died On This Date (January 18, 2016) Glenn Frey / The Eagles

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Died On This Date (January 10, 2016) David Bowie

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Died On This Date (December 31, 2015) Natalie Cole / R&B Great

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Died On This Date (December 28, 2015) Lemmy Kilmister / Motorhead

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