Died On This Date (September 7, 2008) Chris “Witchhunter” Dudek / Sodom
themusicsover Witchhunter (Born Chris Dudek)
DOB Unknown – September 7, 2008
Chris Dudek, who went by the stage name, Witchhunter was the original drummer for German thrash metal band, Sodom. Formed in 1982, the band would become a major influence on the black metal scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Influenced by such bands as Motorhead, Venom, and Accept, Sodom recorded a couple of demos that eventually got them signed to Steamhammer Records. Dudek played in the band until 1992 but reunited to guest with the band on their 2008 release, The Final Sign Of Evil. Apparently suffering for many years with alcohol and drug abuse, Chris Dudek died of liver failure on September 7, 2008.
What You Should Own
Mickie Jones was the co-founder of and bassist for pioneering ’70s glam metal band, Angel. Formed with guitarist, Punky Meadows in in 1975, Angel would be the link between Bowie and heavy metal. It was Gene Simmons of Kiss who helped the band get signed to Casablanca Records, and in an ironic twist, the members of Angel chose to market themselves dressed in all white as sort of the “anti-Kiss.” The band’s slick pop metal and androgynous image helped pave the way for such ’80s hair bands as Poison, Warrant and Motley Crue. Even the band’s own keyboardist, Gregg Guiffria would go on to have ’80s metal hits of his own. Even though Angel released some of the most memorable hard rock albums of the ’70s, (IE: Helluva Band and On Earth As It Is In Heaven), they never reached much beyond a cult status. Outside of Angel, Jones played in BUX with Meadows and Joe Perry Project singer, Ralph Morman, and Empire with LA Guns drummer, Steve Riley. It has also been reported that Jones was once asked to join the New York Dolls. In recent years, he was working in the film industry. Mickie Jones died of liver cancer on September 5, 2009.