Musician

Died On This Date (April 20, 2011) Gerard Smith / Bassist For TV On The Radio

Gerard Smith
DOB Unknown – April 20, 2011

Gerard Smith was the bassist for New York City art rock band, TV on the Radio.  Formed in 2001, the band was both a critical and fan favorite – SPIN magazine chose their Return To Cookie Mountain as the Album of the Year for 2006.  Fans of the band include David Bowie, David Byrne and Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) who have all appeared on their records.  In March of 2011, the band announced that Smith was suffering from lung cancer, and on April 20, 2011, he died from the disease.  He was 36.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at number1albums for the assist.

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Return to Cookie Mountain - TV On the Radio

Died On This Date (April 15, 2011) Kent Morrill / Thee Fabulous Wailers

Kent Morrill
April 2, 1941 – April 15, 2011

Kent Morrill was the lead singer and keyboardist for Seattle, Washington-area ’60s rock band, the Fabulous Wailers.  Having been with the group since inception, Morrill was the only original member still playing with the group in recent years.  Formed at the tail end of the ’50s, many consider the Fabulous Wailers THE first garage rock band due to their down-and-dirty mix of saxophone driven R&B and rave-up rock ‘n roll.  The band released several albums and 45s throughout the years, but it was their late 50s/early 60s output that is generally included in any respectable first generation garage rock collection.  Records like “Tall Cool One,” “Dirty Robber,” and “Out Of Our Tree” received significant airplay during their peak years, but it was their recording (with Rockin’ Robin Roberts) of Richard Berry’s “Louie Louie”  that inspired Paul Revere & the Raiders to do the same, and lead to fellow Northwest band, the Kingsmen to ultimately record its definitive version.  In more recent years, Morrill was also performing as a Roy Orbison impersonator in Las Vegas and other parts of the world.  Kent Morrill was 70 when he passed away on April 15, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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The Fabulous Wailers - The Wailers

Died On This Date (April 11, 2011) Billy Bang / Jazz Violinist

Billy Bang (Born William Walker)
September 20, 1947 – April 11, 2011

Billy Bang was a respected jazz violinist and Vietnam vet who has been recognized as a driving force of New York City’s experimental jazz movement of the 1970s.  Bang picked up the violin while still in school, but only because he was assigned the smaller instrument due to his smallish stature.  Bang ultimately left high school early and was drafted by the US Army just in time to serve a tour of combat duty during the Tet Offensive.  Upon his return home, Bang, like so many others like him, had a hard time adjusting to civilian life, so he became politically active and began working with a group of underground revolutionaries.  While on an outing to gather weapons at a pawn shop, Bang couldn’t help but notice the violins hanging on a wall, so he bought one and changed his life path.  Bang eventually found himself playing in Sun Ra’s band and later, formed his own.  Over the course of his career, Bang released several influential albums including two that were directly influenced by his time in Vietnam, Vietnam: The Aftermath and Vietnam: Reflections.  On April 11, 2011, Billy Bang died following a battle with lung cancer.  He was 63.

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Billy Bang

Died On This Date (April 11, 2011) Lacy Gibson / Respected Chicago Blues Guitarist

Lacy Gibson
May 1, 1936 – April 11, 2011

Lacy Gibson was a gifted Chicago blues guitarist who over a career that spanned six decades came to be known as a musician’s musician thanks in part to his flashy jazz-influenced guitar skills.  He was also revered for his soulful voice. After moving to Chicago from North Carolina in 1949, Gibson immediately immersed himself in the city’s storied blues scene, learning directly from the likes of Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.  During the ’60s, he became a popular session player for the local labels, including Chess, where he actually sang on at least one recording by Buddy Guy.  Over the course of his career, Gibson recorded or performed with the likes of Sun Ra (his brother-in-law), Jimmy Reed, Son Seals, and Otis Rush.  He released three of his own albums between 1971 and 1996, and continued to be a mainstay on local stages until his ill health kept him away in recent years.  Lacy Gibson died of a heart attack on April 11, 2011.  He was 74.

Thanks to Joel Oberstein at New Releases Now! for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (April 8, 2011) Bill Pitcock IV / Dwight Twilley Band

Bill Pitcock IV
December 7, 1952 – April 8, 2011

Photo by Karen Momme - Poughkeepsie, NY April 6,1984

Bill Pitcock IV was a highly respected rock guitarist who is perhaps best remembered for his many years playing lead for the Dwight Twilley Band as well as on many of Twilley’s solo records.  He also played with fellow Twilley band member, Phil Seymour.  Pitcock was still in his early teens when, in 1964 he began playing in his parents’ dance band, Billy Pitcock & His Orchestra.  By the early ’70s he was working with Twilley and Seymour, playing on such classic power pop songs as “I’m On Fire,” (Twilley), “Girls, (Twilley), and “Precious To Me” (Seymour).  Pitcock also played in the Mystery Band from 1983 to 1998.  Most recently, he could be heard playing on Twilley’s 2010 release, Green Blimp.  Bill Pitcock IV was 58 when he died as a result of cancer on April 8, 2011.

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Dwight Twilley