Musician

Died On This Date (September 4, 1995) Chuck Greenberg / Shawdofax

Chuck Greenberg
March 25, 1950 – September 4, 1995

Chuck Greenberg was a musician, producer and composer who is best remembered as the leader of Shadowfax, a Grammy-winning band that is generally thought of as “New Age.”  Greenberg launched his music career during the ’70s and was soon was tapped to perform in the Bee Gees’ back-up band on one of their U.S. tours.  He soon moved to Los Angeles where he formed Shadowfax.  The band built a loyal fanbase thanks to it’s ability to marry elements of rock, world, jazz and folk music.  They would become one of the few New Age bands to cross over to a pop audience.  The band traveled the world playing to adoring fans until Septembe 4, 1995 when Chuck Greenberg died unexpectedly of a heart attack.  He was 44.

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Shadowfax

Died On This Date (September 3, 2010) Mike Edwards / Cellist In The Electric Light Orchestra

Mike Edwards
May 31, 1948 – September 3, 2010

Mike Edwards was a respected English cellist who is perhaps best remembered for his years playing with the Electric Light Orchestra.  He joined the group for their earliest gigs of 1972, but departed roughly three years later.   Classically trained, Edwards apparently had little interest in any music outside of baroque, let alone rock, but made an exception to play of several of ELO’s most famous albums.  That list includes ELO II, On The Third Day, and Eldorado.   On September 3, 2010, Mike Edwards was driving near his home in Devon, England, when a 1300 pound bale of hay accidentally came loose from a tractor, rolled down a hill, landed on his van and crushed it, killing him instantly.  He was 62.

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Eldorado - Electric Light Orchestra

Died On This Date (September 3, 2010) Noah Howard / Jazz Saxophonist

Noah Howard
April 6, 1943 – September 3, 2010

Noah Howard was a New Orleans-born saxophonist who is best remembered for his contributions to free jazz.  Howard played with Louis Armstrong in his early years and by the time he was in his early 20s, he was leading the Noah Howard Quartet.  Howard moved to Europe in the early ’70s and proceeded to release nearly 30 albums, the most recent being in early 2010.  He also owned and operated a jazz club and record label while living in Belgium during the ’80s.  Noah Howard, age 67, died unexpectedly on September 3, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Noah Howard

Died On This Date (September 2, 2008) Arne Domnerus / Swedish Jazz Great

Arne Domnerus
December 20, 1924 – September 2, 2008

As an alto saxophonist and clarinetist, Arne Domnerus was one of Sweden’s most influential jazz musicians.  Domnerus came to prominence during the ’50s, in part because he would invite American musicians who were touring in Sweden to play on his recordings.  Such collaborators included James Moody, Art Farmer and Clifford Brown.  He also performed with such greats as Clark Terry, Quincy Jones and Charlie Parker.  In declining health in recent years, Arne Domnerus passed away at the age of 83.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Arne Domnerus

Died On This Date (September 2, 2003) Bruce Waibel / Firehouse, Allman Brothers

Bruce Waibel
July 9, 1964 – September 2,2003

Bruce Waibel was a rock bass guitarist who played for numerous bands, but most notably, the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, and Firehouse.  Basically a professional musician by the time he turned 13, Waibel began his career as a roadie for Gregg Allman who later added him to the band, first as guiarist then ultimately, their bassist.  Waibel also played with Rick Derringer and Stevie Ray Vaughan.   In 2000, he was invited to join Firehouse, with home he played for the next three years, when he left the band to spend more time with his family.  On September 2, 2003, Bruce Waibel was found dead in his home of an apparent suicide.