Died On This Date (April 15, 2013) Scott Miller / Game Theory; The Loud Family
themusicsover Scott Miller
April 4, 1960 – April 15, 2013
Scott Miller was the founder and lead singer for Northern Californian ’80s college rock band, Game Theory. Formed in 1981, the critically acclaimed group released several albums including their 1987 classic, Lolita Nation. Although the album received near universal praise, it failed to succeed at the cash registers so eventually went out of print. Due to its influence on more recent bands, original copies of the CD have since become highly collectible and valuable. The band released four proper albums before calling it quits in 1989. Miller went on to for the Loud Family in 1991, and again, the band released several critical faves but eluded much success beyond a cult following. He was reportedly planning to reunite with Game Theory and record a new album during the summer of 2013. Scott Miller was 53 when he passed away on April 15, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.
Vincent Montana was an American percussionist and band leader who is best remembered as the founder of popular ’70s disco group, the Salsoul Orchestra. He was also a member of another disco standout band, MFSB. Both groups, which counted members of each within their folds, released some of the era’s most recognized hits. MFSB was assembled as the house band for Philadephia’s legendary Sigma Sounds Studios affording Montana the opportunity to play on hits by the O’Jays, the Stylistics, 
Chi Cheng was the founding bassist for California alt-metal band, Deftones. Formed in Sacramento in 1988, it didn’t take long for the band to build a loyal following and catch the ear of Madonna‘s label, Maverick Records. What followed was a series of albums that helped define the nu metal movement of the late ’90s/early 2000s. The band’s first trio of albums easily went platinum with Cheng playing on all three as well as their next two. In 2008, Cheng was in a serious automobile accident which left him in a coma. In 2010, he began showing signs of recovery after which he began undergoing additional operations and extensive rehabilitation. In early 2012, more signs of improvement surfaced and Cheng was allowed to go home from the hospital only to suffer a setback with pneumonia. On April 13, 2013, it was announced that Chi Cheng passed away earlier that day. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 42.
Jimmy Dawkins was a Chicago blues great who earned the somewhat ironic nickname of “Fast Fingers” in that his performances were generally more deliberate and less flashy than that name might convey. Think Eric Clapton. Born about 75 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, Dawkins moved to Chicago in 1955 and began gigging around town while establishing himself as an in-demand session player. In 1969, he signed with Delmark Records who released his critically acclaimed debut album, Fast Fingers. His follow-up, All For Business, featured Otis Rush on second guitar. Over the course of his career, Dawkins released over 20 albums. He also wrote a column for Living Blues magazine. During the ’80s, Dawkins started his own label, Leric Records. As a sideman, he can be heard on recordings by the likes of Buddy Guy, 
Neil Smith was an early bassist for legendary Australian rock band, AC/DC. As the replacement for original bassist, Larry Van Kriedt in 1974, Smith was in the band for less than a year before being replaced by Rob Bailey. In 1979, Smith joined Rose Tattoo, another popular Australian hard rock band of the day, for a brief period. Neil Smith lost his battle with cancer on April 7, 2013.