Musician

Died On This Date (April 10, 2012) Barbara Buchholz / Respected Theremin Player & Composer

Barbara Buchholz
December 8, 1959 – April 10, 2012

Photo by Gregor Hohenberg

Barbara Buchholz was a German composer and musician who is considered one of the finest theremin players the world has ever known.  The instrument, patented in 1928 by inventor, Leon Theremin, is an electronic device that is played by running one’s hand between its two antennas without ever making contact with the instrument.  It transmits an eerie whistle type sound that was common in old science fiction films and television programs.  Buchholz began playing the guitar, bass, and flute early in life, and it wasn’t until the late ’90s that she took up the theremin after meeting Lydia Kavina, a grandniece of Theremin.  She soon became one of Kavina’s star pupils and collaborated with her on 2006’s Touch! Don’t Touch!.  Barbara Buchholz was 52 when she died of cancer on April 10, 2012.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.



Died On This Date (April 5, 2012) Scott Ricciuti / Boston Area Musician

James “Scott” Ricciuti
DOB Unknown – April 5, 2012

Scott Riccuiti was a respected Boston, Massachusetts area singer-songwriter and guitarist who had been entertaining folks throughout the area going back to at least the mid ’80s. As a member of Childhood, Riccuiti successfully competed in Boston battle-of-the-bands, culminating in their victory in radio juggernaut, WBCN’s Rock ‘n Roll Rumble in 1987.  That lead to respectable video play on MTV for the band.   Childhood ultimately disbanded in 1993.  Other groups in which Riccuiti played included Pistol Whipped, A Pony For My Birthday, Huck, and Preacher Roe.  And other acts he performed with on stage over the years include Shana Morrison and Jim Carroll.  Scott Riccuiti was 48 when he was killed in what initially appeared to have been a single-car accident on April 5, 2012.



Died On This Date (April 5, 2012) Barney McKenna / The Dubliners

Bernard “Barney” McKenna
December 16, 1939 – April 5, 2012

Barney McKenna was an influential Irish musician who is best remembered as the banjo player in the legendary folk group, the Dubliners, since its formation in 1962.  He was, in fact, the only living original member up until the time of his death.  Formed by Ronnie Drew out of Friday night jam sessions at a Dublin pub, the Dubliners went on to become one of the most popular Irish folk groups of all time.  Their influence can be heard in such acts as Bob Dylan, the Pogues, Bruce Springsteen, Sinead O’Connor, U2, Dropkick Murphys, and Thin Lizzy.  A fan favorite on stage, McKenna often humored the crowds with colorful and sometimes not-so-true anecdotes between songs. The Dubliners had just finished a tour of the UK during the month prior to his passing, and McKenna gave his final public performance at a funeral the day before he died.  Barney McKenna was 72 when he passed away on April 5, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (April 2, 2012) Jimmy Little / Australian Aboriginal Singer-Songwriter

Jimmy Little
March 1, 1937 – April 2, 2012

Jimmy Little was a popular Australian aboriginal singer-songwriter who, over a career that spanned some 60 years, became one of the first indigenous musicians to find mainstream success in that country. Influenced by the likes of Nat King Cole, Jim Reeves, and Johnny Mathis, Little’s repertoire seemed to know no bounds. He was equally at home whether he was performing folk, country, or even reggae.  Although he released no fewer than 30 albums since he was first signed to a Regal Zonophone Records in 1956, his most popular proved to be 1999’s Messenger, which reached #26 on the Australian albums chart.  A tireless supporter of education for indigenous children, Little spent many hours teaching and mentoring.  He also started the Jimmy Little Foundation to promote good health and diet for the indigenous.  In 2004, the Australian people voted him a National Living Treasure, and in 2010, the APRA Awards recognized him for Outstanding Services To Australian Music.  Jimmy Little was 75 when he died of various health conditions on April 2, 2012.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.

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Died On This Date (March 28, 2012) Earl Scruggs / Bluegrass Icon

Earl Scruggs
January 6, 1924 – March 28, 2012

Photo: Mark Humphrey / AP

Earl Scruggs was a world-renowned and highly influential bluegrass musician whose three-finger style of banjo picking has since become the standard by which all other pickers are judged.  In fact, the particular practice of using picks on the thumb, index finger, and middle finger is now commonly referred to as Scruggs Style.  Scruggs got his start as part of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys during the mid ’40s.  But it wasn’t long until he and fellow band mate, Lester Flatt left to form the Foggy Mountain Boys.  In 1962, Flatt & Scruggs (as they were known when performing as a duo) and singer, Jerry Scoggins, recorded “The Ballad Of Jed Clampett” for  a new weekly television comedy, The Beverly Hillbillies.  The tune quickly became a country hit and remains one of the most recognizable TV theme songs to this day.  In 1969, Flatt & Scruggs won a Grammy for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” and Scruggs won one again for his 2001 remake with such guests as Steve Martin, Vince Gill, and Marty Stuart. In 2008, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys. Scruggs remained a popular concert draw well into the 2000s whether he was playing at bluegrass festivals or sharing the stage with bands like String Cheese Incident whom he greatly influenced.  Earl Scruggs died of natural causes on March 28, 2012.  He was 88.

Thanks to Eric Foss at Secret Stash Records for the assist.

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