Charlie Cooper
April 12, 1977 – January 22, 2009
Charlie Cooper and Joshua Eustis made up Chicago electronic duo, Telofon Tel Aviv. Formed in 1999, the group released three albums, the last of which, Immolate Yourself, reached #17 on the Billboard Electronic Music chart. On January 22, 2009, Charlie Cooper, age 31, died of what is believed to have been an accidental overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol.
Larry Weir
1953 – January 13, 2010
Larry Weir was a longtime disc jockey on St. Louis’ KDHX radio station. A community radio leader in the market, KDHX continues to introduce new and vital music to its listeners. Weir joined the staff in 1985 and went on to become a driving force and mentor to the other staffers. His weekly Songwriters Showcase program was a popular stop for some of Americana and Folk music’s brightest stars. Over the course of his career, he hosted James McMurtry, Guy Clark, Peter Case, and Tom Russell, to name a few. Larry Weir suffered a stroke on December 31, 2009 and died as a result of it on January 13, 2010. He was 57 years old.
Bill Drake (Born Philip Yarbrough)
January 14, 1937 – November 29, 2008
Bill Drake was a pioneering radio programmer and disc jockey who, along with his partner Gene Chenault, developed the popular ’60s format of Boss Radio. Beginning his career during the ’50s, Drake joined up with Chenualt by the early ’60s and created a format that was more focused on the immediate hits and the hip personalities of such DJs as the Real Don Steele and Robert W. Morgan. They helped bring fun and excitement to radio with the help of boss radio jingles, less commercials, shorter DJ segments between songs, and of course, more music. Drake also introduced market research into the radio business to make sure his stations were playing what the kids wanted to hear. It was still Top 40 radio, only better for its era. The excitement of the British Invasion in 1964 only helped solidify the format and turn dying radio stations into local powerhouses. One of those stations was Los Angeles based 93 KHJ, where Drake worked until 1973. Bill Drake was 71 when he died of lung cancer on November 29, 2008.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
DJ Peachez (Born Terika Grooms)
DOB Unknown – November 25, 2009
DJ Peachez was a popular DJ for Richmond, VA radio station, iPower WCDX 92.1. After graduating with honors from James Madison University where she began DJing at the school’s station as a freshman, DJ Peachez was hired by WCDX in 2006. Colleagues have said she was an inspiration to young women with dreams of being a DJ. She was also a popular draw at clubs throughout the area. DJ Peachez reportedly died after recently being hospitalized for meningitis.
Jam-Master Jay (Born Jason Mizell)
January 21, 1965 – October 30, 2002
Jason Mizell, who went by the stage name, Jam-Master-Jay, was a musician in and DJ for Run D.M.C., arguably the most influential rap group ever. In 2009, they would become the first hip-hop act to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. An accomplished drummer, keyboardist and bass player, Mizell performed in a handful of bands before joining up with Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels to form Run D.M.C. in 1983. The group, who sold upwards of seven million albums, was positioned at number 48 in Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest musical acts of all time. They were even instrumental in bridging the gap between rap and rock. Their cover of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” with guests, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, was one of the most popular songs of the era. On October 30, 2002, Jam-Master-Jay, 37, was in his recording studio when two assailants came in and shot and killed him. The murder remains unsolved.
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