Died On This Date (May 23, 1994) Jimmy Fernandez / Bassist For The God Machine
themusicsover Jimmy Fernandez
DOB UNK – May 23, 1994
Jimmy Fernandez was the bassist for alterna-metal band, the God Machine. Though formed in San Diego in the early ’90s, the God Machine spent most of their career living in the UK where they had moderate success. Alternative Press called their second album, One Last Laugh In A Place Of Dying one of the “90 Best Albums Of The ’90s.” While recording their third album, Fernandez fell into a coma and later died of what was thought to be a brain tumor. The remaining members of the band decided the couldn’t go on without Fernandez.
Ian Curtis was the troubled singer and main songwriter for the Manchester rock band, Joy Division. Even as a young boy, Curtis showed signs of being a gifted writer, and by his late teens, he was turning his focus on becoming a rock performer. By 1978 he was fronting Joy Division. His lyrics were dark, sad and intensely hopeless. On stage, Curtis, who was epileptic, would mimic those fits while dancing. Unless of course he was having an actual seizure on stage. Fans sometimes didn’t know the difference. On May 18, 1980, two weeks after what would be Joy Division’s final show, Ian Curtis hanged himself in his kitchen. Some have speculated that the drugs he took for epilepsy and the exhaustive touring may have contributed to his desire to take his life. Others claim it was his disappointment over his failed marriage. Following the death of Curtis, the other members of Joy Division went on to form New Order.
Bruce Fairbairn was a Canadian trumpet player, but made a huge mark on popular music as a rock producer. Fairbairn hit his stride in the ’80s producing such albums as Loverboy’s Get Lucky, Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet, Aerosmith’s Permanent Vacation, and later, Bon Jovi’s New Jersey, Aerosmith’s Pump, Poison’s Flesh and Blood, Van Halen’s Balance, AC/DC’s The Razor’s Edge Kiss’ Psycho Circus, and many more. It was while working on Yes’ Ladder, in May of 1999 that Jon Anderson discovered Bruce Fairbairn’s body in his home. Cause of death was not immediately released.