Musician

Died On This Date (July 29, 1988) Pete Drake / Pedal Steel Legend & Successful Producer

Roddis “Pete” Drake
October 8, 1932 – July 29, 1988

L-R: Pete Drake, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Billy Preston

Pete Drake was an in-demand Nashville producer and pedal steel guitarist during the ’60s and ’70s.  In 1950, Drake formed an Atlanta-based  band that included Joe South, Doug Kershaw, Jerry Reed and Roger Miller.  He later moved to Nashville where he played on hits by the likes of Bob Dylan, Lynn AndersonTammy Wynette, Joan Baez, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.  While in Nashville he developed a unique device to play his guitar through – it was called a “talk box” and it would reach the masses in later recordings  by Peter Frampton and Joe Walsh.  Drake died of lung cancer on July 29, 1988.

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For Pete's Sake - Pete Drake

Died On This Date (July 29, 1996) Jason Thirsk / Pennywise

Jason Thirsk
December 25, 1967 – July 29, 1996

Jason Thirsk had been the bassist for southern California pop-punk band, Pennywise until, for reasons unknown, he left the band.  Thirsk had been suffering from alcoholism and battling depression in those days, and had been in and out of rehab.  It has been reported that he was in a deep depression about parting ways with the band, leading him to shoot and kill himself at the age of 28.



Died On This Date (July 29, 2008) Jack Sanbower / Respected Bluegrass Picker

Jack Sanbower
September 14, 1960 – July 29, 2008

Known as “Maryland’s Five String King,” Jack Sanbower and his No Leeway Band have been entertaining bluegrass fans for over 15 years.  Teaching himself to play the banjo, guitar and bass at an early age, Sanbower quickly built a name for himself throughout the northeast due to his fierce picking on the 5-string banjo.  In 1990, Sanbower formed the No Leeway Band who, over the next 15 years, dazzled audiences along the east coast bluegrass circuit and recorded close to a dozen albums for the Buck Hallow label.  In 2006, Sanbower joined Rattlesnake Hill, quickly becoming their on-stage focal point for his rapid fire picking and lively antics.   But the fun would not last long as Sanbower soon became diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus.  He died as a result of the cancer on July 29, 2008.  He was 47.



Died On This Date (July 28, 2010) Derf Scratch / Founding Bassist Of Fear

Derf Scratch (Born Fred Milner III)
DOB Unknown – July 28, 2010

Derf Scratch is best remembered as the founding bassist for legendary Los Angeles hardcore punk band, Fear.  Formed with Lee Ving in 1977, the band would become one of the foundations on which hardcore was built.  During their early years, Fear found a fan in John Belushi who championed them enough to get them a coveted spot on a 1981 episode of Saturday Night Live.  That performance became that on which rock legends are built, as it quickly devolved into a partially planned mini-riot.   Meanwhile, Scratch and Belushi became good friends and partners in substance abuse.   Later that year, Scratch and the band were prominently featured in Penelope Spheeris’ landmark punk documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization.  In May of 1982, Fear released its debut album, The Record,  which generally lands high upon lists of the most influential punk, if not overall rock albums, ever recorded.  Scratch and the band parted ways later that year.  On July 28, 2010, Derf Scratch passed away reportedly following a long illness.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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The Record - Fear

Died On This Date (July 28, 1995) Eddie Hinton / Muscle Shoals Guitarist

Eddie Hinton
June 15, 1944 – July 28, 1995

Eddie Hinton was one of those great unknowns. As a session guitarist within the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section, his brilliance can be heard on hits by the likes of Wilson Pickett, Arthur Conley, Aretha Franklin, Joe Tex, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge, The Staple Singers, The Dells, Johnnie Taylor, Elvis Presley, the Box Tops, Boz Scaggs, and Otis Redding. And as a songwriter, he penned a few hits as well, including “Breakfast In Bed” which has been recorded by the Pretenders, Dusty Springfield and UB40. During the early ’80s however, Hinton’s career and personal life took a drastic turn for the worse, at one point, leading him to a life on the streets. But with the help of friends, he was able to rebound and get back to doing what he did best – writing, recording and touring. Things were going pretty smooth for Hinton until July of 1995. He had just come of the road and was finishing up a new album when he suffered a fatal heart attack on July 28. He was 51.

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Eddie Hinton