Died On This Date (September 7, 1978) Keith Moon / The Who

Keith Moon
August 23, 1946 – September 7, 1978

Keith Moon was one of rock’s greatest drummers.  Playing behind  the Who, Moon’s sloppy yet spectacular playing fueled some of the greatest songs in rock history.  Moon began playing the drums at the age of 12, and at 16 he was asked to join the Who after Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend and John Entwistle witnessed him nearly destroy his drum kit at the audition.  That lead to the band doing the same to their instruments at the end of their early shows, a practice that has been imitated by rock bands ever since.  Moon was also just as destructive off stage as many a hotel manager can attest to.  Legend has it that he was banned for life from Holiday Inn, Sheraton and Hilton Hotel chains.   Keith Moon died of an accidental overdose on September 7, 1978, just two weeks after the release of the classic Who Are You album.  The drug he overdosed on was prescribed to help him in his battle against alcoholism.  He died in a flat owned by Harry NilssonMama Cass Elliot died in the same room of that flat four years earlier.

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Tommy (Deluxe Edition) - The Who

Died On This Date (September 7, 2008) Chris “Witchhunter” Dudek / Sodom

Witchhunter (Born Chris Dudek)
DOB Unknown – September 7, 2008

witchhunterChris Dudek, who went by the stage name, Witchhunter was the original drummer for German thrash metal band, Sodom.  Formed in 1982, the band would become a major influence on the black metal scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s.  Influenced by such bands as Motorhead, Venom, and Accept, Sodom recorded a couple of demos that eventually got them signed to Steamhammer Records.  Dudek played in the band until 1992 but reunited to guest with the band on their 2008 release, The Final Sign Of Evil.  Apparently suffering for many years with alcohol and drug abuse, Chris Dudek died of liver failure on September 7, 2008.

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Died On This Date (September 7, 2009) Kyle Woodring / Session Drummer

Kyle Woodring
February 7, 1967 – September 7, 2009

kyleKyle Woodring was a concert and studio drummer who has been playing since he was four years old.   In the late ’80s, Woodring began drumming for Survivor, playing on their 1988 hit, “Didn’t Know It Was Love.”  In later years, he played or toured with John Mellencamp, Deana Carter and for one-time Styx lead singer, Dennis DeYoung.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (September 6, 1994) Nicky Hopkins / Remarkable Session Keyboardist

Nicky Hopkins
February 24, 1944 – September 6, 1994

Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins has been called one of the greatest rock session players of all time.  Because he suffered from Chron’s disease since childhood, it was difficult for Hopkin’s to be part of a touring band, so he decided he make his mark as a studio musician instead.  After cutting his chops with Screaming Lord Sutch and Cyril Davies during the hay day of British R&B of the ’60s, went on to become one of the most favored session men in London.  Over the course of his career, he’s played on records by the likes of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, the Kinks, and John Lennon, as well as those by such American artists as Steve Miller and Jefferson Airplane.  Nicky Hopkins died at the age of 50 due to complications from intestinal surgery.



Died On This Date (September 6, 1990) Tom Fogerty / Creedence Clearwater Revival

Tom Fogerty
November 9, 1941 – September 6, 1990

Tom Fogerty is best remembered as the founding guitarist for Creedance Clearwater Revival alongside his younger brother, John Fogerty.  Prior to his days in CCR, Fogerty had a group, Spider Webb & The Insects that were signed to Del-Fi Records, but broke up before they could release any records.  In the mid ’60s, Fogerty joined up with his brother in the Golliwogs who eventually changed their name to Creedance Clearwater Revival.  CCR went on to become one of America’s most popular rock bands, releasing such huge hits as “Bad Moon Rising,” “Proud Mary” and “Fortunate Son.”  Over the course of just five years, the band released a series of albums that are now considered classic rock staples.  In spite of the band’s success, Fogerty quit the band in 1971 partly due to his strained relationship with his brother.   Fogerty’s solo debut album of 1971 was a minor hit which reached #78 on the Billboard charts.  Tom Fogerty died of AIDS at the age of 48.  He had been infected with HIV from a blood transfusion.

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Creedence Clearwater Revival