John Poulos
DOB Unknown – March 26, 1980
John Poulos was the original drummer for the Buckinghams, one of the best-selling American rock bands of the late ’60s. The band scored several Top 20 hits in 1967 including “Kind of a Drag” which sat atop the charts for two weeks. In later years, Poulos got into artist management. He passed away on March 16, 1980, apparently of drug related causes.
Alvis “Buck” Owens
August 12, 1929 – March 25, 2006
Buck Owens was a country music legend who, over the course of a forty-five year career almost single-handedly popularized what became known as the “Bakersfield sound.” Drawing on traditional honky-tonk, the “Bakersfield sound” is best described as a more twangy and electrified rock ‘n roll version of country. It was the antithesis of the popular “countrypolitan” of the era. In all, Owens released nearly 40 studio albums along with 9 live albums, from which came 21 #1 singles. His most celebrated are “Act Naturally” and “I’ve Got the Tiger By the Tail.” Throughout the years, his songs have been covered by the likes of the Beatles (with Ringo Starr on lead vocals), Dwight Yoakam, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Rivers and Cake. Owens was also a popular sight on television for many years. Besides being the host for the popular variety program Hee Haw for nearly twenty years, he was a regular guest on many other television programs during the ’70s and ’80s. Owens also owned several radio stations along with the Crystal Palace, his popular nightclub/restaurant/museum in Bakersfield, California, where he made regular appearances literally up until his death. On March 25, 2006, 76-year-old Buck Owens died in his sleep just hours after one such performance. It is believed that he suffered a heart attack.
Dan Seals
February 8, 1949 – March 25, 2009
Dan Seals had a string of pop and country hits both as a solo artist and as one half of England Dan & John Ford Coley. Seals’ hits included “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight” (England Dan & John Ford Coley), “Bop,” “Meet Me In Montana” (with Marie Osmond), and “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold).” Seals was born in Texas on February 8, 1949 into a musically talented family that included brother Jim Seals (Seals & Crofts), and cousins Johnny Duncan, Troy Seals, Chuck Seals and Brady Seals of Little Texas. Dan Seals was 61 when he died of lymphoma on March 25, 2009.
John Ciambotti
DOB Unknown – March 24, 2010
John Ciambotti was a respected bass player who, as part of the ’70s group Clover, played in Elvis Costello’s band for the recording of My Aim is True. Clover formed in 1967, and while building a San Francisco following, it served as a launching pad for the likes of Huey Lewis and Jeff Porcaro. In 1977, the group was hired to back Costello on what would be his much-lauded debut album. When Clover broke up in 1978, Ciambotti went on to be one of the industry’s most reliable session players. He has played on landmark recordings by the likes of Carlene Carter, John Prine and Lucinda Williams. In recent years, Ciambotti worked as a chiropractor and holistic healer specializing on musicians. On March 24, John Ciambotti, age 67, died of an apparent abdominal aneurysm.
Uriel Jones
June 13, 1934 – March 24, 2009
Uriel Jones was the phenomenal drummer for the Funk Brothers, Motown’s house band, throughout the ’60s and early ’70s. There were of course, other drummers during this time period, but it was Jones’ funky beats that were heard on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell and Diana Ross), “I Second That Emotion” (Smokey Robinson), and “For Once In My Life” (Stevie Wonder) among others. Uriel Jones died on March 24, 2009 of complications from an earlier heart attack. He was 74.
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