Died On This Date (April 5, 2012) Jim Marshall / Founder Of Marshall Amps
themusicsover Jim Marshall
July 29, 1923 – April 5, 2012
Jim Marshall, or has he was commonly known throughout the rock world, “The Lord of Loud,” was the founder of Marshall Amplification. It was while he owned a London music shop in the early ’60s that Marshall and a young apprentice began tinkering with designs that would soon become the Marshall amp. The idea was born out of complaints from such young customers as Pete Townshend and Ritchie Blackmore that they couldn’t get the sound they were looking for out of their own amps. With s new prototype in hand, Marshall launched Marshall Amplification in 1962 and ran the company ever since. Over the decades, Marshall amp loyalists have included almost every notable rock guitarist the world has ever known. Marshall, along with Leo Fender, Les Paul, and Seth Lover, has been called one of the four forefathers of rock music. Jim Marshall was 88 when he passed away on April 5, 2012.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
Don Cornelius was the creator, writer, producer, and host of the extremely influential American dance program, Soul Train. Launched in October of 1961 after Cornelius noticed a void of nationally broadcast television shows that catered to the African-American audience, Soul Train ran until March of 2006. Cornelius hosted the program from its inception until 1993. Soul Train has been praised for influencing countless African-American kids while bringing black music into the white neighborhoods. Over the years, the show featured lip-synched performances by everyone from 
Esme Barrera was an Austin, Texas music lover who became a familiar face throughout the city’s fabled music venues and just about anywhere music could be heard. Barrera worked with special needs students at a local elementary school, but still found time to work part-time at Austin’s venerable record store, Waterloo Records. She also volunteered as a counselor at a summer music camp known as Girls Rock Austin. After ringing in the New Year at a nearby club, Barrera reportedly walked home alone. At 2:45 am, her badly beaten body was discovered by a friend inside her home. She died of her injuries a short time later. Initial reports indicated that the incident may have been related to other attacks reported in the area that same day. A suspect was not immediately apprehended though composite sketches were distributed throughout the area. Barrera’s brutal death quickly spread throughout the indie rock world and condolences soon followed. Indiana singer Ted Leo tweeted “I was privileged to briefly know an inspirational person from Austin, Tx., who was murdered this NYE. Her name was Esme & she’ll be missed.” YACHT posted, “The world’s lost a shining light, music cheerleader, and great human. Our hearts go out to the friends and family of Esme Barrera. No words,” while Okkervil River tweeted info on how fans can contribute to cover funeral costs. Esme Barrera was 29 years old when she passed away. [UPDATE] In December of 2012, the Austin Police Department announced that the Esme Barrera case was officially closed due to the “death of the offender.” Police reportedly discovered the prime suspect dead of apparent self-asphyxiation in his own apartment a few weeks following Barrera’s death. The alleged perpetrator was found with a plastic bag over his head. He was also a suspect in at least five other similar attacks on women in the area.
Ed Roman was a fiercely independent Las Vegas guitar builder whose creations were lovingly played by Ted Nugent, 
Bert Schneider was an American movie producer whose credits include Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and The Last Picture Show. His contribution to pop music was huge and came by way of The Monkees television series he created with Bob Rafelson in 1966. The weekly comedy followed the hi-jinks of a fictional rock band as they tried to build a music career in Los Angeles. The show starred Micky Dolenz,