Rock

Died On This Date (May 6, 2006) Grant McClennan / The Go-Betweens

Grant McClennan
February 12, 1958 – May 6, 2006

Grant McClennan was an Australian singer-songwriter who is best remembered for co-founding the critically acclaimed alternative rock back, the Go-Betweens.  Formed with Robert Forster in 1977, the band released six albums until disbanding in 1989.  During their time together, McClennan and Forster were celebrated as their time’s greatest songwriting team by no less than the Village Voice.  As is often the case, despite such accolades and a rabid core fan base, the Go-Betweens never found the success they deserved.  Following the band’s break-up, McClennan released a handful of albums as both a solo artist and under collaboration with others.   In 2000, he reunited with the Go-Betweens for three more albums.  On May 6, 2006, Grant McClennan died of a fatal heart attack in his home.  He was 48.

What You Should Own

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Died On This Date (May 6, 2009) Ean Evans / Lynyrd Skynyrd; The Outlaws

Ean Evans
September 16, 1960 – May 6, 2009

ianEan Evans was most recently the bassist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, having joined the band in 2001, replacing Leon Wilkeson who had recently passed away.  Evans started playing the guitar at 15 and in no time he was gigging around the southeast in various cover bands.  He later switched to bass.  In 1988 he was asked to join the Outlaws by Hughie Thomasson.  Thomasson eventually folded the group to join Lynyrd Skynyrd.  Wilkeson followed in 2001.  He was diagnosed with cancer in late 2008  and died of the disease on May 6, 2009.

Thanks to Ed Maxin for the assist.

Died On This Date (May 3, 1972) Les Harvey / Stone The Crows

Les Harvey
1945 – May 3, 1972

Member of the 27 Club

Les Harvey was the guitarist for the Scotland blues-rock band Stone The Crows. Despite being Glasgow pub favorites and having the support of Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant as their producer, they were never able to attract much more than their loyal cult following. On May 3, 1972, while performing at Swansea Top Rank, Harvey grabbed an ungrounded microphone with wet hands and was electrocuted to death.

Died On This Date (May 3, 1977) Helmut Kollen / Triumvirat

Helmut Kollen
March 2, 1950 – May 3, 1977

Helmut Kollen at right
Helmut Kollen at right

Member of the 27 Club

Helmut Kollen played bass and sang for the German prog-trio, Triumvirat during the mid-’70s. With a sound akin to Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Triumvirat attained modest commercial success which pretty much peaked with the 1975 release of Spartacus, an album that many consider a prog rock essential. After leaving the band after Spartacus, Kollen embarked on a solo career. Sadly that career was cut short on May 3, 1977 when Kollen went into his car to listen to some new tracks he had recorded. With the motor running and the car parked in his garage, Kollen died of carbon monoxide poisoning at age 27.

What You Should Own

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Died On This Date (May 2, 2009) Jon Blank / Bassist For Rezin

Jon Blank
1974 – May 2, 2009

jonblankJon Blank was the bassist for Washington DC area metal band, Rezin.  In recent months he was playing on a project for Scott “Wino” Weinrich.   A band on the rise, Rezin has been building a fan base along the mid-Atlantic coast due to their live shows and airplay on area hard rock stations.  Blank died of a an apparent drug overdose on May 2, 2009.