Musician

Died On This Date (May 3, 1977) Helmut Kollen / Triumvirat

Helmut Kollen
March 2, 1950 – May 3, 1977

Helmut Kollen at right
Helmut Kollen at right

Member of the 27 Club

Helmut Kollen played bass and sang for the German prog-trio, Triumvirat during the mid-’70s. With a sound akin to Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Triumvirat attained modest commercial success which pretty much peaked with the 1975 release of Spartacus, an album that many consider a prog rock essential. After leaving the band after Spartacus, Kollen embarked on a solo career. Sadly that career was cut short on May 3, 1977 when Kollen went into his car to listen to some new tracks he had recorded. With the motor running and the car parked in his garage, Kollen died of carbon monoxide poisoning at age 27.

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Died On This Date (May 2, 2009) Jon Blank / Bassist For Rezin

Jon Blank
1974 – May 2, 2009

jonblankJon Blank was the bassist for Washington DC area metal band, Rezin.  In recent months he was playing on a project for Scott “Wino” Weinrich.   A band on the rise, Rezin has been building a fan base along the mid-Atlantic coast due to their live shows and airplay on area hard rock stations.  Blank died of a an apparent drug overdose on May 2, 2009.



Died On This Date (May 2, 1998) Hide Matsumoto / Japanese Rock Star

Hideto Matsumoto
December 13, 1964 – May 2, 1998

hideHide Matsumoto was the guitarist for popular Japanese hard rock band, X Japan from 1987 to 1997.  As a child, Matsumoto learned several instruments, the bass, guitar, clarinet and trumpet.  Ater spending most of the ’80s going to cosmetology school and playing in another band or to, Matsumoto helped revive Japan X who had been on hiatus for a few years.    He also had some success with a few solo albums during this period.  After a night of drinking, Matsumoto was found hanging from a twisted towel in his apartment.  His death was officially ruled a suicide, but friends and family insist he died accidentally using a method of pain relief akin to traction for his sore back and shoulder.  His funeral drew over 50,000 fans.



Died On This Date (May 1, 2010) Rob McConnell / Canadian Jazz Great

Rob McConnell
February 14, 1935 – May 1, 2010

Rob McConnell was a decorated jazz trombonist and composer who lead one of Canada’s most celebrated big bands, the Boss Brass.  McConnell began his career during the 1950s, at one point playing with Maynard Ferguson.  Over the course of his long career, he released over two dozen albums, earning himself three Grammys along the way.  Rob McConnell was 75 when he died of cancer on May 1, 2010.

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Our 25th Year - Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass

Died On This Date (May 1, 1965) Spike Jones / Novelty Hit Maker

Lindley “Spike” Jones
December 14, 1911 – May 1, 1965

Spike Jones was a musical genius who specialized in creating satirical versions of popular songs by injecting them with crazy sound effects made by anything from cowbells and whistles to oddball noises out of his own mouth. Although he achieved most of his fame and fortune in the ’40s and ’50s, his timeless novelties continued to reach new generations of fans thanks to such radio personalities as Dr. Demento.   Spike Jones died at the age of 53 as a result of many years of heavy smoking.

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Greatest Hits - Spike Jones