Died On This Date (January 25, 2011) Buddy Charleton / Pedal Steel Great
themusicsover Buddy Charleton
March 6, 1938 – January 25, 2011
Buddy Charleton was a highly respected steel guitar player who is perhaps best remembered for his days playing in Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours. Charleton was just 23 when he began playing with Tubb, and he would continue to perform live and on record with his band until 1973. He then went on to become a sought-after instructor and session player for the likes of Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Reba McIntire. Buddy Charleton was 72 when he passed away on January 25, 2011. He had been battling lung cancer.
Brendan Majewski was an artist and musician who is perhaps best remembered as the bassist for Washington DC area art-punk band, Quix*o*tic. Playing with band from 1998 to 2001, Majewski helped the band break out of the DC underground scene thanks in part to their self-released album, Night For Day. Along the way, they made fans out of such alternative rock icons as Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. After he left Quix*o*tic, Majewski formed the critically acclaimed Orphan as an outlet for his music and visual art. Brendan Majewski took his own life on January 20, 2011. He was 37.
James O’Gwynn, known to fans as “The Smiling Irishman,” was a country singer who made a name for himself during the late ’50s and early ’60s. Over the course of his career, O’Gwynn recorded for labels like United Artists and Mercury, charting no less than six times on the country singles chart. His most famous song was the #7 hit, “My Name Is Mud.” James O’Gwynn was 82 when he passed away on January 19, 2011.
Steve Prestwich was a drummer and songwriter who was the long-time member of Cold Chisel, one of Australia’s most popular rock bands of the late ’70s and ’80s. Born in Liverpool, Prestwich and his family moved to Adelaide, South Australia while still in his teens. He was soon playing in a few local bands before settling in with up-and-coming pub rock greats, Cold Chisel in 1974. The band also included Jimmy Barnes who would find solo success years later. Prestwich wrote several songs for the group, including their hits, “Forever Now” and “When The War Is Over.” After leaving Cold Chisel in 1983, Prestwich briefly played for Little River Band and later released a couple of solo albums. He also reunited with Cold Chisel on a few occasions. In early 2011, Steve Prestwich discovered he had a brain tumor and died as a result on January 16, 2011, less than two weeks later. He was 56.
Joe Forrester was a bluegrass pioneer. He is perhaps best remembered for playing alongside his brother, Howdy Forrester, in