Rock

Died On This Date (May 14, 1976) Keith Relf / The Yardbirds

Keith Relf
March 22, 1943 – May 14, 1976

At left with Andy Warhol & Jimmy Page

Keith Relf was the lead singer and harmonica player for the Yardbirds, the British blues rock band that launched Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. After the breakup of the Yardbirds, Relf worked in such bands as Renaissance and Armageddon as well as produced the likes of Amber, Saturnalia and Medicine Head. Relf’s life was tragically cut short at 33 when he was electrocuted while playing an improperly grounded guitar.

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Five Live Yardbirds - The Yardbirds

Died On This Date (May 11, 2003) Noel Redding / Jimi Hendrix Experience

David “Noel” Redding
December 25, 1945 – May 11, 2003

Noel Redding is best remembered as the bassist for the Jimi Hendrix Experience from 1966 to 1969.  He played on the three landmark albums, Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold As Love, and Electric Ladyland.  Redding first learned to play the violin when he was just nine, and soon became proficient on the mandolin and guitar as well.  But it was the bass that he finally settled on, and by the time he was 16, he was playing it in his first local bands.  Five years later, he became the first to join Hendrix in the Experience.  He left the group in 1969.  Redding also recorded with a handful of other projects as well, the Loving King, Fat Mattress, Road, and the Noel Redding Band, which was sometimes referred to as the Clonakilty Cowboys.   He all but retired from music in 1972, resurfacing occasionally to play at special occasions, including at a 1993 Phish show.  On May 11, 2003,  Noel Redding died from complications of cirrhosis of the liver.  He was 57 years old.

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Died On This Date (May 11, 2008) John Rutsey / Original Drummer For Rush

John Rutsey
1953 – May 11, 2008

John Rutsey was the drummer and founding member of Rush who was replaced by Neil Peart after the release of their first album. It was the summer of 1968 when Rutsey along with Alex Lifeson and Jeff Jones built the foundation for one rock’s most beloved power trios. Vocalist Jones was soon replaced by Geddy Lee. Rutsey, Lifeson and Lee later went into the studio and recorded Rush’s self-titled debut, but since Rutsey suffered from diabetes, he decided to leave the band as he feared a life on the road would take a heavy toll on his body. Ironically, his post-rock life found him turning to competitive body building on the regional amateur level. Rutsey died of a heart attack in his sleep on May 11, 2008.

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

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Died On This Date (May 10, 2009) Gary Finneran / Ex-Idols

Gary Finnerman
April 17, 1964 – May 10, 2009

garyGary Finneran was the leader of ’90s Orange County punk band, the Ex-Idols.  Signed to Relativity Records, the Ex-Idols released their debut Social Kill in 1994.  It garnered positive reviews and received moderate airplay around the US.  Finneran later moved on to such acts as Tuscaurora, She Died and Tragedy Club.  Gary Finneran passed away on May 10, 2009 at the age of 45.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.