Died On This Date (April 5, 2011) Gil Robbins / The Highwaymen; Father Of Actor, Tim Robbins
themusicsover Gil Robbins
April 3, 1931 – April 5, 2011
Gil Robbins was a folk singer-songwriter and bassist who is best remembered as part of the influential folk group, the Highwaymen. Prior to Robbins joining the group, they had significant pop hits with “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore” and “Cottonfields.” Born in Washington state and raised in Southern California – where he was the drum major of the UCLA marching band, Robbins eventually found himself immersed in the thriving folk scene of Greenwich Village in New York City. He was a member of the Belafonte Singers (Harry Belafonte’s touring group), and the Cumberland Three. For a time, he and Tom Paxton were writing and performing partners. Robbins joined the Highwaymen in 1962 and played on five albums until they split up in 1964. He has been credited for taking the band in a more political direction. His children include actor, Tim Robbins. Gil Robbins died of prostate cancer on April 5, 2011. He was 80.
Thanks to Ed Hardy for the assist.
Scott Columbus is best remembered as a two-time drummer for popular American metal band, Manowar. Formed in 1980, the band eventually built a worldwide following for their raw and heavy sound that has been likened to that of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Hawkwind. Their songs have tended to be aggressive and thematically violent, with the band dawning animal skins in concert to add to their primal image. The band was once recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for putting on the loudest concert, and for performing the longest metal concert which clocked in at just over five hours. Columbus joined the band in 1983 but was forced to leave in 1990 to care for his ill son. He rejoined the group in 1996 and stayed on board until 2008. He made occasional concert appearances with them in recent years. Scott Columbus was 56 when he passed away on April 4, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Richard Patterson was a Canadian drummer who is perhaps best remembered for his time playing in the Esquires, a popular Ottawa band during the 1960s. Formed in 1962, the band also included Bruce Cockburn at the tail end of its run. A year after forming, the band signed with Capitol Records, making them one of the first if not THE first Canadian band to sign with a major label. Over the next few years, the band released such hit records as “Atlantis” and “So Many Other Boys.” In 1964, the band won an RPM award, which was basically a Canadian Grammy in those days. And when major recording artists of the day came to Canada, it was likely that the Esquires opened for them. Such acts included the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, and the Dave Clark Five. The band broke up in 1967, but briefly reunited in 1987. Richard Patterson, who had been suffering from a neurological disorder, passed away on April 3, 2011.
Harley Allen was a country singer and highly sought-after songwriter. Born to bluegrass legend