Slava Giebel
February 13, 1989 – May 23, 2009
Slava Giebel was the guitarist for German metal band, StrydegoR. The band formed in 2005. Giebel was killed in a car accident just a couple of weeks before the release of the band’s debut album.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
Jimmy Fernandez
DOB UNK – May 23, 1994
Jimmy Fernandez was the bassist for alterna-metal band, the God Machine. Though formed in San Diego in the early ’90s, the God Machine spent most of their career living in the UK where they had moderate success. Alternative Press called their second album, One Last Laugh In A Place Of Dying one of the “90 Best Albums Of The ’90s.” While recording their third album, Fernandez fell into a coma and later died of what was thought to be a brain tumor. The remaining members of the band decided the couldn’t go on without Fernandez.
Ashton Savoy
1928 – May 22, 2009
Ashton Savoy was a talented blues guitarist and singer who eventually made the Houston area his home. Born in Louisiana, Savoy took his homegrown Creole sound and moved south in 1960. He settled in the heart of the Texas blues scene of Houston. Though diffiicult to find these days, Savoy made several recordings in the ’50 and ’60s. He also toured, both regionally and throughout Europe well into the 1990s. Ashton Savoy passed away after a long illness at the age of 80.
Michelle Meldrum
September 28, 1968 – May 21, 2008
Michelle Meldrum was a hard rock guitarist who was in Phantom Blue and her own Meldrum. Born in Detroit, Meldrum moved with her family to Los Angeles when she was 13. It was around that time that she picked up the guitar. It was only a matter of time before Meldrum formed her first band, Wargod, followed by Phantom Planet, an all-girl metal band that she co-founded. The band was signed to Shrapnel Records and later, Geffen Records. The band became very popular with metal fans thanks in part to tours with Black Label Society, Sepultura and Danzig. On May 16, 2008, Michelle Meldrum fell into an unexpected coma due to a cerebral hemorrhage. She died three days later due to a cystic growth on her brain. She was 39.
Larry Dale (Born Ennis Lowery)
January 7, 1923 – May 19, 2010
Larry Dale was an in-demand session guitarist and singer who made his mark on numerous recordings during the ’50s and ’60s. He was also a popular side man on the road for many touring artists of that era. Over the years he worked with the likes of R&B saxophonist Paul Williams, Bob Gaddy, Cootie Williams, and Big Red McHouston. Dale also made several recordings of his own during the ’60s. His biggest hit was “Drinkin’ Wine (Spo-Dee-O-Dee)” Larry Dale was 86 when he passed away in his home on May 19, 2010
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