Musician

Died On This Date (July 11, 2011) Rob Grill / The Grass Roots

Rob Grill
November 30, 1943 – July 11, 2011

Rob Grill is likely best remembered as the singer, bassist and songwriter for iconic American rock band, the Grass Roots.  He fronted the band during its most celebrated years of 1967 to 1971.  Born and raised in Hollywood, California, Grill jumped into the music business shortly after high school by going to work at American Recording Studios. It wasn’t long before he joined forces with P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri in the Grass Roots, who went on to chart nearly 30 singles and earn two gold and two platinum albums.  In all, Grill played or sang on 16 of their albums and 32 singles.  Their hits with Grill included “Let’s Live For Today,” “Midnight Confessions,” and “Sooner Or Later.”  After parting ways with the band in the late ’70s, Grill launched a solo career that included a 1979 album with that included members of Fleetwood Mac.  During the ’80s, he formed The Grass Roots, Featuring Rob Grill and toured the US and beyond for the better part of the next three decades.   Reportedly in ailing health in recent weeks, Rob Grill passed away peacefully in his wife’s arms on July 11, 2011 as they listened to “Let’s Live For Today.” He was 67.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour and Kevin Walsh for the assist.

What You Should Own

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20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Grass Roots - The Grass Roots


Died On This Date (July 9, 2011) Michael Burston aka Wurzel / Motorhead

Wurzel (Born Michael Burston)
October 23, 1949 – July 9, 2011

Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Known professionally as Wurzel, Michael Burston is best remembered as the guitarist for iconic heavy metal band, Motorhead from 1984 to 1995.  Prior to successfully auditioning for Lemmy and the band in 1984, Burston was virtually unknown, having played in just a handful of local bands and serving in the English Army just prior.  During his tenure with Motorhead, he played on Orgasmatron, Bastards, and Sacrifice, and a live album or two, to name a few.  He left the group in 1995, but reunited with them for a few live gigs since.  In recent years, Burston released a couple of solo albums and was recording music for his new band, Leader Of Down just prior to is death.  Michael “Wurzel” Burston was 61 when he passed away on July 9, 2011.  Cause of death was attributed to cardiomyopathy.

Thanks to Ed Maxin and Bruce Kilgour for the assist.

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Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF
Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

What You Should Own

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Sacrifice - Motörhead


Died On This Date (July 8, 2011) Kenny Baker / Bluegrass Fiddler

Kenny Baker
June 26, 1926 – July 8, 2011

Kenny Baker was a legendary bluegrass fiddle player who is perhaps best remembered for the 25 years he served in Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys.  He was called the “Greatest Fiddler in Bluegrass.”  Baker learned to play the fiddle at a young age, and after working in the coal mines of Kentucky and serving in U.S. Navy, he decided to make a career out of playing the instrument.  He was soon hired on by country great, Don Gibson who took him on the road.  Along one of Gibson’s tours, Baker met Monroe who asked him to join his band, with whom he made his first records December of 1957.  By the time he left Monroe in 1984, Baker had played with him more than any other musician before or since.  He went on to record numerous albums, both his own and as a sideman for many years on such iconic roots labels as County and Rounder.  His most recent, Darkness On The Delta, came out in 2004.   Kenny Baker passed away on July 8, 2011 as a result of a stroke he suffered earlier that week.  He was 85 years old.

What You Should Own

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Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe - Kenny Baker

Died On This Date (July 7, 2011) Manuel Galban / Buena Vista Social Club

Manuel Galban
January 14, 1931 – July 7, 2011

Photo by Susan Titelman

Manuel Galban was a Grammy winning musician and arranger who is perhaps best remembered for his work with Ry Cooder, Las Zafiros, and as a member of the popular Latin collective, Buena Vista Social Club.  Born and raised in Cuba, Galban was still just a child when he began playing guitar in local bands, and when he was 14, he was hired on by Orchestra Villa Blanca for his first professional job.  In 1963, he joined the immensely popular group, Las Zafiros, with whom he played for the better part of the next decade.  Galban went on to perform with Cuba’s national music ensemble and then Grupo Batey for over 20 years.  During the late ’90s, his talents reached an international audience when he performed as part of the Buena Vista Social Club ensemble in Wim Wenders‘ critically acclaimed documentary of the same name.  That led to a partnership with Cooder who also participated in the film.  In 2001, Galban and Cooder released Mambo Sinuendo which earned the pair a Grammy.   Manuel Galban died of cardiac arrest on July 7, 2011.  He was 80.

Thanks to Benjie Gordon for the assist

What You Should Own

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Mambo Sinuendo - Manuel Galban & Ry Cooder


Died On This Date (July 5, 2011) Alphonso “Fonce” Mizell / Motown Hit Maker

Alphonzo Mizell
January 15, 1943 – July 5, 2011

Alphonzo “Fonce” Mizell was an American record producer and songwriter who, as part of the Corporation production team at Motown, penned and produced virtually every Jackson 5 hit between 1969 and 1971.  That list includes “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “The Love You Save.”  Mizell was also an accomplished musician dating back to his childhood when he, his brother, Larry Mizell and a school friend performed and recorded demos as a doo-wop group, the Nikons.  After high school, Mizell attended Howard University where he studied the trumpet under the great Donald Byrd.   Around this time, the Mizell brothers founded their own record label, Hog Records where they produced and released just one record, the Moments’ “Baby, I Want You,” which has been known to go for as much as $2500 to collectors.  Fonce eventually went to work for Berry Gordy at Motown where, besides the Jackson 5, he worked on hits by the likes of Edwin Starr and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.  Following his tenure at Motown, Fonce and his brother Larry formed their own production team, known affectionately as the Mizell Brothers, but professionally as Sky High Productions.  They went on to produce several classic jazz albums for Blue Note which were recognized for their influence on jazz fusion and acid jazz.  Albums of note included Byrd’s Black Byrd and Bobbi Humphrey’s Blacks And Blues.  They also scored several disco-era hits including A Taste Of Honey’s “Boogie-Oogie-Oogie,” and L.T.D.’s “Love Ballad.”  The Mizell Brothers’ influence continued to reach a new generation of fans well into the 2000s thanks to samples popping up in songs by the likes of Guru, A Tribe Called Quest and J Dilla.  Alphonso Mizell was 68 when he passed away on July 5, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

What You Should Own

The Mizell Brothers At Blue Note Records (1973 - 1977 and Beyond) - The Mizell Brothers