Died On This Date (January 19, 2017) Mike Kellie / Drummer For Spooky Tooth & The Only Ones

Mike Kellie
March 24, 1947 – January 19, 2017

Photo credit: Joe Vitale

Mike Kellie was an English drummer who found acclaim with, primarily, Spooky Tooth and the Only Ones.  Born in Birmingham, England, Kellie was self-taught and began playing in the St. Michael’s Youth Club Band while in his teens. It wasn’t long before he was asked to join Wayne and the Beachcombers, his first “real” band.  In 1967, Spooky Tooth was launched with Kellie on drums. Although it would change line-ups throughout the years, at the time it included Gary Wright, Greg Ridley and Keith Emerson.  The band’s second album, Spooky Two is considered a classic rock staple and spawned their most popular songs, “Waiting For The Wind,” “Evil Woman,” and “Feelin’ Bad.”  In 1976, Kellie joined the Only Ones, an influential power pop/new wave band that was a far cry from the more proggy sounds of Spooky Tooth.  The band released three studio albums for CBS Records. Their most famous record was 1978’s “Another Girl, Another Planet.”  The song has since been heard in numerous movies and commercials, and has been recorded by Blink-182, the Lightning Seeds, and the Replacements to name a few.  Throughout the balance of his career, Kellie was on board for a reunion or two by Spooky Tooth and the Only Ones, while being in demand as a session player.  He can be heard drumming on records by the likes of Johnny Thunders, the Who, Joe Cocker, Peter Frampton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Traffic and George Harrison.  Mike Kellie was 68 when he passed away on January 19, 2017.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

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Died On This Date (February 12, 2015) Steve Strange / Lead Singer Of Visage

Steve Strange (Born Steven Harrington)
May 28, 1959 – February 12, 2015

steve-strangeSteve Strange is perhaps best remembered as the front man for the popular ’80s new wave band, Visage.  Like many young people in the UK during the mid ’70s, Strange couldn’t resist the pull of punk rock.  After witnessing a Sex Pistols show in 1976, he began setting up gigs for punk bands in and around his Welsh neighborhood. Soon thereafter, he formed his own punk band, the Moors Murderers that counted future Pretenders leader Chrissie Hynde and future Clash drummer, Topper Headon, as members during it’s rather short lifespan. Strange soon moved to London where he worked for Malcolm McLaren before forming Visage in 1978.  The group helped pioneer the New Romantic movement which also included such acts as Duran Duran, Culture Club and Spandau Ballet.  Visage’s second single, 1980’s “Fade To Grey,” was a big hit across the UK and beyond.  More hit singles and albums followed until Strange closed the initial chapter on the band in 1985.  During the late ’80s and early ’90s, Strange developed into a popular club DJ, helping to popularize the trance movement in its early days.  In 2004, he reformed Visage which continued on in one form or another through the remainder of his life.  Steve Strange passed away following a heart attack on February 12, 2015.  He was 55.

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Died On This Date (February 17, 2014) Bob Casale / Devo

Bob Casale
DOB Unknown – February 17, 2014

bob-casaleBob Casale was a founding guitarist for influential new wave band, Devo.  Formed with his brother, Gerald Casale, brothers, Mark Mothersbaugh and Bob Mothersbaugh, and Alan  Myers in 1972, Devo went on to become one of the most popular bands of the era thanks to such hits as “Girl U Want,” “Freedom Of Choice,” “Working In A Coal Mine,” and “Whip It.”  The latter was one of the most recognizable songs of the ’80s and helped propel the album Freedom Of Choice to Platinum in the US.  The song’s video was one of the most popular on MTV at the time.  The band continued to release album throughout the ’80s but slowed down as the public’s taste changed during the ’90s and 2000s.  In 2010, they released Something For Everybody to critical acclaim. It reached #30 on the Billboard album charts, their first charting album since 1988.  Also in 2010, Devo performed during a televised broadcast from the Vancouver Winter Olympics.  Bob Casale died of heart failure on February 17, 2014.  He was 61.

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Died On This Date (June 24, 2013) Alan Myers / Former Drummer For Devo

Alan Myers
DOB Unknown – June 24, 2013

alan-myersAlan Myers is best remembered as the drummer for Devo during their most successful period.  Brought into the fold to replace Jim Mothersbaugh in 1976, Myers played on Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo and Freedom of Choice. Are We Not Men reached #14 on the Billboard charts and spawned the band’s biggest hit, “Whip It.”.  By 1987, Myers had left the group to pursue other musical interests.  He went on to play with such bands as Babooshka, Jean Paul Yamamoto, Skyline Electric, and Swahili Blonde.  Alan Myers lost his battle with cancer on June 24, 2013.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

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Died On This Date (June 18, 2013) Alastair Donaldson / aka William Mysterious of the Rezillos

Alastair Donaldson
April 27, 1955 – June 18, 2013

Alastair-DonaldsonAlastair Donaldson is perhaps best remembered as the bassist – though under the moniker William Mysterious, for the Scottish punk/new wave band, the Rezillos.  Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Donaldson picked up the bass at an early age and in 1975, joined Silly Wizard, a folk band.  He soon left the group to join the Rezillos, one of punk rock’s first generation bands.  Initially working as the group’s saxophonist, Donaldson soon switched to bass.  One Donaldson disciple, J Mascis once noted that his contributions to Can’t Stand The Rezillos could very well be the best bass playing ever from any recording from the storied Sire Records catalog.  That album – the band’s first and only studio release – reached #16 on the UK charts and has been called one of the best 50 punk albums from the original era. The LP spawned three charting singles in England. Following its release, the Rezillos landed the opening slot for the Ramones UK tour after which, Donaldson left the group.    The Rezillos broke up on 1978 but quickly regrouped with new members as the Revillos and released Rev Up in 1979.  Donaldson played on that album put parted ways with the band for good in 1980.  He went on to release one single under the name, William Mysterious with Alastair Donaldson, in 1982, but stayed semi-retired from music for the remainder of his life.  Alastair Donaldson was 58 when he passed away on June 18, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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

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