Died On This Date (September 4, 1995) Chuck Greenberg / Shawdofax

Chuck Greenberg
March 25, 1950 – September 4, 1995

Chuck Greenberg was a musician, producer and composer who is best remembered as the leader of Shadowfax, a Grammy-winning band that is generally thought of as “New Age.”  Greenberg launched his music career during the ’70s and was soon was tapped to perform in the Bee Gees’ back-up band on one of their U.S. tours.  He soon moved to Los Angeles where he formed Shadowfax.  The band built a loyal fanbase thanks to it’s ability to marry elements of rock, world, jazz and folk music.  They would become one of the few New Age bands to cross over to a pop audience.  The band traveled the world playing to adoring fans until Septembe 4, 1995 when Chuck Greenberg died unexpectedly of a heart attack.  He was 44.

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Shadowfax

Died On This Date (February 27, 1986) Robbie Basho / Progressive Folk Guitarist

Robbie Basho
August 31, 1940 – February 27, 1986

robbie-bashoRobbie Basho was a folk guitarist who is best remembered for his skills on the steel string guitar.  Unlike similar contemporaries like John Fahey, Sandy Bull and Leo Kottke, Basho generally incorporated elements of Indian, or raga music into his compositions. Over the course of his career, Basho released several albums on such respected labels as Vanguard, Windham Hill and Fahey’s Takoma.  On February 27, 1986, Robbie Basho died accidentally when a chiropractor’s adjustment ruptured blood vessels in his neck, causing him to die from a stroke.  He was 45.

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Robbie Basho

Died On This Date (December 2, 1997) Michael Hedges / Acoustic Guitar Great

Michael Hedges
December 31, 1953 – December 2, 1997

Michael Hedges was a New Age multi-instrumentalist who is mostly remembered for his stellar acoustic guitar work.  Hedges was still in college when he was signed to respected folk, acoustic and new age label, Windham Hill, in the early ’80s.  His first two albums for the label can, as far as acoustic guitar records are concerned, rightfully stand alongside the best of John Fahey or Leo Kottke.  In later recordings, he occasionally branched out to include vocals and more pop leaning songs and instrumentation.  Guitar greats no less than Pete Townshend, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Vai and David Crosby have all praised his guitar talent.  On December 2, 1997, Michael Hedges, age 43, was killed when he lost control and crashed his car while driving along a slick and windy road along the coast north of San Francisco.

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Breakfast In the Field - Michael Hedges