Guy Babylon
December 20, 1956 – September 2, 2009
Guy Babylon was a composer and keyboardist who, in 1989 was hired by Elton John to tour and record with him. He won a Grammy in 2001 for his work on Aida, a rock musical by John and Tim Rice. While swimming in a pool on September 2, 2009, Guy Babylon suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 52.
Jerry Reed (Born Jerry Hubbard)
March 20, 1937 – September 1, 2008
Jerry Reed was a country singer, songwriter and musician who may be just as well known for his string of supporting actor roles throughout the ’70s and ’80s. Reed was already writing music while in high school and by the time he was 18, he already had a publishing deal. His first breakthrough came when Gene Vincent made his “Skinny Legs” a rockabilly hit in 1958. After a two-year term in the military, Reed headed to Nashville where his career really took off. He became a popular session player and his songs were starting to get noticed. He released his first significant country hit with “Guitar Man” in 1967. Elvis Presley soon covered it, making it an even bigger hit. Presley would go on to record three more of Reed’s songs. Reed went on to have many big country hits over the couple of decades including “Amos Moses,” “When You’re Hot You’re Hot,” “Lord Mr. Ford,” and “She’s Got The Goldmine (I Got The Shaft.” In the mid ’70s, began a film career that included the three popular Smokey and The Bandit films alongside his friend, Burt Reynolds. Reed died of emphysema at the age of 71.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
Barry Cowsill
September 14, 1954 – September 1*, 2005
Barry Cowsill was drummer (and later, guitarist) brother of the Cowsills, the real life inspiration for the Partridge Family. The family began playing together in the late ’50s and began making records in 1965. In 1967, the group was signed to MGM Records. Their first album included the single, “The Rain, The Park and Other Things” which climbed to #2 on the pop charts and sold in the neighborhood of three million copies. Over the next few years, the group scored million-selling hits with “Indian Lake” and “Hair.” In 1969, the family were offered their own sitcom playing themselves, but that the part of mother, Barbara Cowsill, would be played by actress, Shirley Jones. They declined the offer without Barbara, so the show was re-cast and re-christened The Partride Family. Barry eventually settled in New Orleans where he performed in local clubs and was apparently working on making a comeback of sorts when Hurricane Katrina hit the city. Barry Cowsill was last heard from on September 1st, 2005. His body was discovered when it washed up on a New Orleans wharf on December 28. Cause of death was ruled a drowning at the hands of Katrina. Date of passing is assumed to be September 1, 2005.
Robert “R.L.” Burnside
November 23, 1926 – September 1, 2005
R.L. Burnside was a Mississippi back country blues musician who remained in relative obscurity until he was championed by alternative blues rocker, Jon Spencer in the mid ’90s. Born in Mississippi, Burnside spent his early adult life as a sharecropper and fisherman, playing at parties on the weekends. After a stint living in Chicago, Burnside moved back to Mississippi and was soon convicted of murder for shooting a man in the head. He was sentenced to six months at the notorious Parchman prison. Upon release, Burnside began making records for roots label, Arhoolie. During the ’90s, Burnside began recording for Fat Possum Records, a label that specialized in “rediscovering” aging and relative obscure blues artists from the southern region. He then hooked up with Spencer to record and tour, exposing him to a whole new generation of underground “punk blues” fans. Burnside had heart surgery in 1999 and a heart attack in 2001. He passed away at the age of 78 in a Memphis hospital.
Jake Brockman
DOB Unknown – September 1, 2009
Keyboardist Jake Brockman was a longtime touring member of Echo & the Bunnymen, when he joined the band in 1989. Prior to his official tenure in in the band, Brockman was affectionately known as the “Fifth Bunnyman.” He played with the band during their “golden” years, but his first album as a full time member was 1990’s Reverberation. The band broke up following its release. 53-year-old Jake Brockman was killed on September 1, 2009 when his motorcycle collided with an ambulance on the Isle Of Man. Original Echo & The Bunnymen drummer Pete de Freitas also died in a motorcycle accident.
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