Claude “Butch” Trucks May 11, 1947 – January 25, 2017
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Butch Trucks was a founding drummer for legendary Southern rock band, the Allman Brothers Band. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Trucks first played in several local bands including the 31st of February before settling in with Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Berry Oakley, Dickey Betts, and Jamoie Johanson as the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. They went on to become one of the most influential rock bands America has ever produced. Albums like The Allman Brothers Band, At Fillmore East, and Eat A Peach are considered landmark recordings of the rock era. Butch Trucks reportedly died from a gunshot to the head on January 24, 2017. He was 69.
Jaki Leibezeit was the founding drummer for the influential German avant-garde rock band, Can. Initially performing free jazz during the early- to mid-’60s, Leibezeit moved more toward experimental rock when he co-founded Can in 1968. Can incorporated elements of world music, psychedelic rock, jazz, and electronic, with Leibezeit providing the prominent drum beat along the way. By doing so, Can helped build the foundation of Germany’s krautrock movement. Over the years, they released several albums including two of their most popular, Tago Mago and Ege Bamyası. Outside of Can, Leibzeit collaborated with Jah Wobble, Depeche Mode and Brian Eno, to name a few. Jaki Leibezeit was 78 when he died of pneumonia on January 22, 2017.
Pete Overend Watts May 13, 1947 – January 22, 2017
Top row center, with Mott the Hoople.
Pete Overend Watts was the founding bassist for British glam rock band, Mott the Hoople. The band, which featured Ian Hunter on lead vocals during their “classic years,” had originated as the Buddies, made a few more name changes, until finally settling on Mott the Hoople when Hunter joined in 1969. After failing to find a large audience after the release of four albums, the band was on the verge of disbanding when David Bowie stepped in and convinced them to give it another go with him producing. The resulting album, All The Young Dudes and the Bowie-penned single of the same name kicked the band into overdrive and helped solidify their place as deities of the glam rock movement of the mid-’70s. West continued to play in different incarnations of Mott the Hoople through 1981 and then again for two reunions during the 2010s. He also worked as a producer, most famously for Hanoi Rocks. Pete Overend Watts died of throat cancer on January 22, 2017. He was 69.
Maggie Roche, along with her sisters, Terre and Suzzy, wrote and performed primarily folk music as the Roches. Formed in Park Ridge, New Jersey in 1973, the group went on to release numerous critically acclaimed albums. They got their first break when Maggie and Terre were invited to sing harmony on Paul Simon‘s There Goes Rhymin’ Simon. Before they knew it, the due was signed to Columbia Records who released their debut in 1975. Suzzy soon joined and they re-christened themselves as the Roaches and released their Robert Fripp produced self-titled debut in 1979. The album included two of their best known songs, “Hammond Song” and “The Married Men,” both written by Maggie. In later years, they slowed down in terms of touring but continued recording as a trio, as duos, and individually. Their last studio album as the Roches, Moonswept, was released in 2007. Maggie Roche died of cancer on January 21, 2017. She was 65.
Mike Kellie was an English drummer who found acclaim with, primarily, Spooky Tooth and the Only Ones. Born in Birmingham, England, Kellie was self-taught and began playing in the St. Michael’s Youth Club Band while in his teens. It wasn’t long before he was asked to join Wayne and the Beachcombers, his first “real” band. In 1967, Spooky Tooth was launched with Kellie on drums. Although it would change line-ups throughout the years, at the time it included Gary Wright, Greg Ridley and Keith Emerson. The band’s second album, Spooky Two is considered a classic rock staple and spawned their most popular songs, “Waiting For The Wind,” “Evil Woman,” and “Feelin’ Bad.” In 1976, Kellie joined the Only Ones, an influential power pop/new wave band that was a far cry from the more proggy sounds of Spooky Tooth. The band released three studio albums for CBS Records. Their most famous record was 1978’s “Another Girl, Another Planet.” The song has since been heard in numerous movies and commercials, and has been recorded by Blink-182, the Lightning Seeds, and the Replacements to name a few. Throughout the balance of his career, Kellie was on board for a reunion or two by Spooky Tooth and the Only Ones, while being in demand as a session player. He can be heard drumming on records by the likes of Johnny Thunders, the Who, Joe Cocker, Peter Frampton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Traffic and George Harrison. Mike Kellie was 68 when he passed away on January 19, 2017. Cause of death was not immediately released.
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