Rock

Died On This Date (June 16, 1982) James Honeyman-Scott / The Pretenders

themusicsover June 16, 2010 1 Comment

James Honeyman-Scott
November 4, 1956 – June 16, 1982

James Honeyman-Scott is best remembered as the founding guitarist for the Pretenders. Thanks in part to his inventive guitar playing, the Pretenders were one of a handful of new wave acts that truly transcended the genre. In June of 1982, while on break from touring and house hunting in Austin, TX, Honeyman-Scott was called back to the UK for a band meeting with Chrissie Hynde and Martin Chambers. It was there that they agreed to fire band mate Pete Farndon due to his excessive drug use. Unfortunately it was James Honeyman-Scott that would succumb to his drug dependency. He died of heart failure related to his cocaine use just two days after Farndon was let go from the band. Farndon died during a heroin binge less than a year later.

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27 Club Musician Rock

Died On This Date (June 16, 1994) Kristen Pfaff / Played Bass For Hole

themusicsover June 16, 2010 1 Comment

Kristen Pfaff
May 26, 1967 – June 16, 1994

Member of the 27 Club

Kristen Pfaff was a late bloomer when it came to playing the bass. Although she studied piano and cello in college, it wasn’t until after she graduated that she taught herself how to play the bass. Pfaff soon co-founded Minneapolis local faves, Janitor Joe who would eventually sign to hip indie label Amphetamine Reptile Records. While on a west coast tour with Janitor Joe, Pfaff was approached by Courtney Love and Eric Erlandson to join their band, Hole. Pfaff reluctantly agreed and packed her bags and moved to Seattle, where she helped ignite the grunge movement. While in Seattle, Pfaff struggled with herion addiction just as the band was becoming popular outside the Northwest. And then in April of 1994, close friend Kurt Cobain was found dead of what was ruled a suicide and everything changed. Pfaff packed up and moved back to Minneapolis to rejoin Janitor Joe. Sadly, Kristen Pfaff was found dead of an apparent accidental heroin overdose.

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Musician Rock

Died On This Date (June 16, 1997) John Christian Wolters / Played Drums For Dr. Hook

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John Christian Wolters
April 28, 1945 – June 16, 1997

John Christian Wolters was a drummer who was best known as the drummer for Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show from 1974 to 1984. They had a massive hit with “Cover Of The Rolling Stone” which did in fact, get them on the cover of Rolling Stone. John Christian Wolters died of liver cancer on June 16, 1997.

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Metal Rock Singer

Died On This Date (June 16, 1983) Buzz Shearman / Moxy

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Douglas “Buzz” Shearman
March 8, 1951 – June 16, 1983

Buzz Shearman at left

Buzz Shearman was the lead singer of popular Canadian hard rock band, Moxy. Forming in 1974, the band released their self-titled debut the following year. It became a quick hit thanks in part to guest guitar play by Tommy Bolin and the strength of its first single, “Can’t You See I’m A Star.” The new-found airplay helped the band land more and more tour dates throughout Canada as well as the US, where they shared the stage with AC/DC, and eventually Black Sabbath, Styx, Rainbow, the Runaways, and Boston. In 1977, Shearman left the band due, in part, to trouble he was having with his vocal chords. He was replased by Mike Reno, who would later front Loverboy. Shearman returned to Moxy in 1979, and when Bon Scott of AC/DC died in 1980, he was strongly considered for the job that ultimately went to Brian Johnson. On June 16, 1983, Buzz Shearman was killed in a motorcycle accident.

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Musician Rock Singer

Died On This Date (June 16, 1999) Screaming Lord Sutch / Influential ’60s British Rock Singer

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David “Screaming Lord” Sutch
November 10, 1940 – June 16, 1999

Screaming Lord Sutch was a vocally challenged ’60s era British rock singer who helped lay the foundation of what would be called garage rock. His recordings are mostly associated with famed UK producer, Joe Meek. On stage, Sutch’s performances included horror theatrics that likely influenced Alice Cooper to do the same. His songs have been covered by such bands as the White Stripes and the Black Lips, despite the fact that his Lord Sutch And Heavy Friends album has been called the worst album of all times in at least two places. The “heavy friends” in this case were Nicky Hopkins, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Jeff Beck and Noel Redding. Reported to suffer from depression, Sutch hung himself on June 16, 1999.

Died On This Date (June 16, 1982) James Honeyman-Scott / The Pretenders

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Died On This Date (June 16, 1994) Kristen Pfaff / Played Bass For Hole

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Died On This Date (June 16, 1997) John Christian Wolters / Played Drums For Dr. Hook

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Died On This Date (June 16, 1983) Buzz Shearman / Moxy

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Died On This Date (June 16, 1999) Screaming Lord Sutch / Influential ’60s British Rock Singer

What You Should Own

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