Musician

Died On This Date (February 8, 2012) Wando / Brazilian Singer-songwriter

Wando (Born Wanderley Alves dos Reis)
October 2, 1945 – February 8, 2012

Wando was a popular Brazilian singer-songwriter who launched his career in 1969.  A classically trained guitarist, he went on to release numerous albums over the next three decades.  Throughout his career, his songs were recorded by several other Brazilian singers, and one even appeared in a popular Brazilian soap opera.  His last album, Fêmeas was released in early 2012.  On February 8, 2012, Wando died in a local hospital of heart related issues.  He was 66.

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



Died On This Date (February 4, 2012) Snuffy Smith / Respected Banjo Maker

Thomas “Snuffy” Smith
DOB Unknown – February 4, 2012

Snuffy Smith was a notable luthier as well as a banjo picker himself who, over the course of his career, was entrusted by countless musicians for repairs and such.  Working out of North Carolina, Smith developed the Snuffy Smith Bridge which is the preferred bridge of banjo pickers of all stripes and is sold all over the world.  In fact, some Gibson banjos come already fitted with his bridge.  Smith was reportedly suffering from different health issues in recent year and died of an apparent heart attack on February 4, 2012.

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



Died On This Date (February 2, 2012) Phil Brown / The Records

Phil Brown
September 13, 1953 – February 2, 2012

Phil Brown was the bassist for the English power pop band, the Records.  After earlier being considered to play in Free and Mott the Hoople, Brown was hired by the Records.  Formed during the late ’70s, the band went on to build a formidable cult following with some loyalists going as far as calling them the “British Big Star.” Drawing inspiration from the likes of Badfinger and the Raspberries, the Records began putting out records in 1979.  That year’s Shades In Bed included the catchy single, “Starry Eyes,” which went on to become one of power pop’s most enduring songs.  Although signed to Virgin Records, the band failed to catch on beyond cult status in the US, and split up in 1982.  After the Records, Brown collaborated with Kirsty MacColl, Mark Nevin, and Jane Aire.  He formed his own band, the Hurt in 1984, and later played in Hollywood Killers.  In 2001, Phil Brown was diagnosed with an undisclosed degenerative illness which ultimately took his life on February 2, 2012.

Thanks to Belinda Rawlins at Bubbles In The Think Tank for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses - The Records

Died On This Date (February 1, 2012) Mike Kelley / Influential Visual Artist & Musician

Mike Kelley
1954 – February 1, 2012

Mike Kelley was a respected visual artist as well as a founding member of Detroit underground noise rock band, Destroy All Monsters.  Formed while Kelley was an art student in 1973, the band built a sizable cult following even though they never released a proper album.  Kelley left the group in order to attend California Institute of the Arts in 1976. Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth released a 3-CD anthology of the band in 1994.  Perhaps Kelley’s most notable contribution to popular music however, came by way of the iconic cover art he created for Sonic Youth’s 1992 album, Dirty (see below).  Mike Kelley was 57 when he apparently took his own life on February 1, 2012.

What You Should Own

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Dirty (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered] - Sonic Youth

Died On This Date (January 29, 2012) Tony Tecumseh / Founder of ’60s Psych Band, Afterglow

Tony Tecumseh
DOB Unknown – January 29, 2012

Tony Tecumseh was the founder, guitarist a lead singer of influential ’60s psychedelic pop band, Afterglow.   Tecumseh, who was a Modoc Indian, was a direct descendent of Winema.  Formed during the mid ’60s, Afterglow recorded their self-titled debut album,in San Francisco during 1967.  They were, at the time, a popular draw at parties, school dances and such throughout Northern California, and they opened for such acts as the Turtles and the Beau Brummels.   Unfortunately, Afterglow broke up shortly after the release of Afterglow, which went on to become highly coveted by collectors of psych rock.  The album was re-issued by Sundazed Records in 1995.  The band reunited in 2007 but Tecumseh was unable to participate due to health issues, while a PBS documentary about the band is expected to air in 2012.  Tony Tecumseh was 71 when he passed away on January 29, 2012.

Thanks to Paul Moshay for the assist.