Died On This Date (August 4, 2012) Stuart Swanlund / Marshall Tucker Band Guitarist
themusicsover Stuart Swanlund
April 3, 1958 – August 4, 2012
Stuart Swanlund was a guitarist who is best remembered as the longtime slinger for southern rock legends, the Marshall Tucker Band. Joining the group in 1985, Swanlund held the longest tenure outside of founding member, Doug Gray. He can be heard on such albums as Southern Spirit, Still Smokin’, and Walk Outside The Lines. Swanlund also played in Chicago rock band, Tone Generators. Stuart Swanlund was 54 when he reportedly died in his sleep of natural causes. He was preceded in death by other Marshall Tucker Band members, George McCorckle, Tommy Caldwell, Toy Caldwell, Frankie Toler, and Bruce Waibel.
Thanks to Ben Anderson for the assist.
What You Should Own
Shimrit Shoshan was an up-and-coming pianist who had been taking the New York jazz scene by storm over the past few years. Born near Tel Aviv, Israel, Shoshan took to music at an early age. Naturally gifted, she was accepted to a prestigious arts high school even though she had had no prior music training. After graduating, Shoshan served in the Israeli Army and then moved to New York where she continued her education. In 2010, Shoshan released her first and only album, Keep It Movin’ to critical acclaim. Shimrit Shoshan was 29 when she died of cardiac arrest on August 19, 2012.
Byard Lancaster was a revered jazz multi-instrumentalist whose primary instruments were the alto saxophone and flute. Born in Philadelphia, Lancaster received his training at Berklee College of Music before settling in New York City. Throughout his career, Lancaster performed with such jazz luminaries as 
Gary Cox is best remembered as the founding lead guitarist for legendary American power pop band, Artful Dodger. Formed in Fairfax, Virginia in 1973, the band enjoyed a brush with fame and a loyal cult following thanks to their Beatles/Stones/Faces influenced sound. They were often compared to the Raspberries. In 1975, the band was signed to Columbia Records who released their debut self-titled album which was produced by Jack Douglas of Aerosmith fame. Even though the album was a critical fave and the band toured nearly non-stop – even opening several 1976 dates for KISS, the album failed to sell much beyond their core fan base. A couple more albums followed before Cox left the group in 1981. He rejoined the Artful Dodger for a reunion in 1991 and then again in the mid 2000s. In between, Cox ran his own professional event disc jockey service and worked as a physical therapy assistant. Gary Cox died of a brain tumor on August 12, 2012. He was 59.
Scott McKenzie is perhaps best remembered for his 1967 hit, “San Francisco (Be Sure To Where Flowers In Your Hair).” Written by 