Jay Hening
DOB Unk – April 18, 1997
Jay Hening was a guitarist in the ’90s glam/punk band, Star Star. He was later asked to join former Hanoi Rocks singer, Michael Monroe’s band, Demolition 23. Their Little Steven produced debut was released in 1993. Jay Hening shot and killed himself on April 18, 1997.
Devon Clifford
DOB Unknown – April 18, 2010
Devon Clifford was the drummer for popular Canadian dance punk band, You Say Party! We Say Die!. Formed in 2004, the band quickly built a solid following throughout Canada thanks in part, to their dynamic shows. They released a handful of albums and built upon their base along tours of the U.S., the U.K., and Germany. While playing a show in Vancouver on April 16, 2010, Devon Clifford suffered an apparent brain hemorrhage and collapsed on stage during the band’s sixth song. After members of the audience called 911, Clifford was rushed to an area hospital where he slipped into a coma and was placed on life support. Clifford was 30 years old when he passed away two days later.
Danny Federici
January 23, 1950 – April 17, 2008
Danny Federici was one of the foundations of Bruce Springsteen’s legendary E Street Band. Backing Springsteen, his organ fills can be heard in many of popular music’s greatest songs. He has been by Springsteen’s side both live and on record since the late ’60s. But it was Federici who actually gave Springsteen one of his earliest jobs when he asked him to join his band, Child. Springsteen later, of course, asked Federici to join his own band which would eventually become the E Street Band. Federici made a handful of his own albums during the E Street Band hiatus of the ’90s. In November of 2007, it was announced that Federici would be taking a medical leave from to band to pursue treatment for melanoma. He passed away because of the cancer on April 17, 2008. Longtime E Street Band mate Clarence Clemons died on June 18, 2011 following a stroke.
Eddie Cochran
October 2, 1938 – April 17, 1960
Eddie Cochran was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who was one of the early foundations on which rock and roll was built. He played a raved-up union of country and rock that was dubbed rockabilly. To many, he was the flash point of the genre. In 1956, Cochran performed “Twenty Flight Rock” in the film The Girl Can’t Help It. The song continues to be a staple for many of today’s rockabilly performers. Other classic recordings by Cochran include “C’mon Everybody,” and “Nervous Breakdown,” but it was his “Summertime Blues” that will always be remembered as his signature song. Rolling Stone ranked it #73 in their list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Covered by countless acts, its most famous versions by Blue Cheer and the Who. Sadly, Eddie Cochran died when the taxi he was riding in crashed into a lamp-post while on tour in the UK. He was just 21 years old.
Carlton “Carly” Barrett
December 17, 1950 – April 17, 1987
Carlton Barrett was a reggae drummer and songwriter as well as brother of Aston “Family Man” Barrett. The Barrett brothers started out together, forming a session band first called Soul Mates, then Rhythm Force and finally the Hippy Boys that featured Max Romeo on vocals. By the early ’70s, the Hippy Boys were officially the house band for the great Lee “Scratch” Perry who renamed them the Upsetters. Barrett played behind Perry on some of reggae’s greatest instrumentals, such as “Clint Eastwood” and “Cold Sweat.” It was around this time that Barrett brothers met Bob Marley who had formed a trio with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. Carlton and Aston were hired to play on several early tracks and soon became permanent members of the Wailers. Carlton stayed in the Wailers until Marley’s death in 1981. Carlton Barrett was shot to death outside his home on April 17, 1987. His wife, her then lover, and another man were implicated in the murder. She ended up serving just one year for conspiracy.
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