Musician

Died On This Date (November 26, 2011) Keef Hartley / Replaced Ringo Starr in Rory Storm & The Hurricanes

Keith “Keef” Hartley
April 8, 1944 – November 26, 2011

Photo by Jan Persson

Keef Hartley was a British drummer whose first notable gig came when he replaced Ringo Starr in Rory Storm and the Hurricanes when Starr was hired away by the Beatles.  It wouldn’t be a stretch in fact, to call Storm and his band equally popular as the Beatles throughout England – albeit during their early days only.  Following his tenure with Storm, Hartley went on to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.  He can be heard on such Mayall albums as The Blues Alone and Crusade.   Hartley went on to form the Keef Hartley Band – a jazz rock combo in the vein of Chicago.  In 1969, the group played Woodstock, but unfortunately followed Santana who had just played one of their greatest sets ever, so needless to say, they didn’t leave as lasting an impression as they might have otherwise.  Hartley went on to release several albums that did moderately well over the years.  Keef Hartley was 67 when he passed away on November 26, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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

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Keef Hartley Band

Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Don DeVito / Longtime Columbia Records Executive & Bob Dylan Producer

Don DeVito
September 6, 1939 – November 25, 2011

Getting a shave from Johnny Cash

Don DeVito was a respected producer and label executive who, over a career that spanned five decades, produced landmark albums by Bob Dylan and played a key role in the successes of Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Johnny Cash, Aerosmith, and Simon & Garfunkel, to name a few. After an early career as a musician – he played guitar for Al Kooper – DeVito went to work for CBS Records as part of their Executive Training Program.  The year was 1967, and by 1971, he was running the marketing department of what had recently been re-named Columbia Records.  He later moved over to A&R where he worked more closely with Columbia’s jaw-dropping stable of artists.  In the studio, DeVito produced Dylan’s Desire and Street Legal, among others.   He was nominated for five separate Grammys, winning in 1989 for Folkways: A Vision Shared – A Tribute to Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly.  After the 9/11 attacks on New York City, DeVito was instrumental to the success of The Concert For New York City which raised over $1 million dollars for the victims and their families.  On November 25, 2011, Don DeVito passed away following a long battle with prostate cancer.  He was 72.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Ross MacManus / English Musician & Singer; Father of Elvis Costello

Ronald “Ross” MacManus
October 20, 1927 – November 25, 2011

Ross MacManus was an English musician and singer who made his mark performing with the Joe Loss Orchestra beginning in 1955.  He had several children, including pop music icon, Elvis Costello.  For a decade beginning in 1973, MacManus could be heard on British television singing the jingle he penned for R. White’s Lemonade.  A young Costello is featured playing drums and singing back-up on the track.  MacManus also sang and penned several songs for the British film, Secrets of a Superstud (1975).   In 1997, he released the album Elvis’ Dad Sings Elvis, but in this case the Elvis he honored was Elvis Presley.  Of his son’s albums, MacManus played on Out Of Our Idiot and Mighty Like A Rose.  Ross MacManus passed away following a long illness on November 25, 2011.  He was 84.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

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Ross Mac Manus

Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Coco Robicheaux / New Orleans Blues Great

Coco Robicheaux (Born Curtis Arceneaux)
October 25, 1947 – November 25, 2011

Coco Robicheaux was a popular New Orleans blues musician who built a loyal following for his Tom Waits-like gravelly voice, swampy guitar, and mystical subject matter.  A familiar face throughout the clubs that lined the streets of Crescent City, Robicheaux entertained both on and off the stage thanks to his colorful personality.  He often held court outside nightclubs for tourists and locals alike when he wasn’t performing.  Beloved by New Orleans music and blues fans around the world, Robicheaux was a popular draw at festivals far and wide – particularly the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Festival.  Over the years, he released several albums and appeared on recordings by the likes of Dr. John.  In 2010, he made a memorable appearance on HBO’s Treme, where he sacrificed a “live” chicken over the air of a local radio station.  He also played a musician on USA’s Big Easy series.   On November 25, 2011, Coco Robicheaux collapsed while in hanging out at a New Oleans club.  He died after being taken to a hospital.  Cause of death was not immediately released.  He was 64.

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

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Louisiana Medicine Man - Coco Robicheaux

Died On This Date (November 23, 2011) Horacio “Gamexane” Villafañe / Todos Tus Muertos

Horacio Villafañe
DOB Unknown – November 23, 2011

Horacio “Gamexane” Villafañe was the founding guitarist for popular yet politically charged Argentine punk band, Todos Tus Muertos.   The group, which formed in 1985, found a sizable following thanks in part to their seamless marriage of punk, reggae and hip-hop. After being named Best International Group by La Banda Elastica,  Todos Tus Muertos signed with Grita! Records, the label founded by ex-Bad Religion drummer, Jay B. Ziskraut.  The band, who has recorded with Manu Chao and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, to name just a couple, took a hiatus in 2000, but relaunched in 2004.  They continued to tour and record until Villafañe fell ill while on a recent tour of Mexico.  As was reported in Tiny Mix Tapes, Horacio Villafañe was diagnosed with a digestive hemorrhage which ultimately lead to his death on November 23, 2011.  He was 48.

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Todos Tus Muertos - Greatest Hits - Todos Tus Muertos