Rock

Died On This Date (January 22, 2017) Jaki Liebezeit / Drummer For Can

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Jaki Liebezeit
May 26, 1938 – January 22, 2017

Photo Credit: Hpschaefer / www.reserv-art.de

Jaki Leibezeit was the founding drummer for the influential German avant-garde rock band, Can. Initially performing free jazz during the early- to mid-’60s, Leibezeit moved more toward experimental rock when he co-founded Can in 1968. Can incorporated elements of world music, psychedelic rock, jazz, and electronic, with Leibezeit providing the prominent drum beat along the way. By doing so, Can helped build the foundation of Germany’s krautrock movement. Over the years, they released several albums including two of their most popular, Tago Mago and Ege Bamyası. Outside of Can, Leibzeit collaborated with Jah Wobble, Depeche Mode and Brian Eno, to name a few. Jaki Leibezeit was 78 when he died of pneumonia on January 22, 2017.

What You Should Own

Musician Producer Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 22, 2017) Pete Overend Watts / Founding Bassist For Mott The Hoople

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Pete Overend Watts
May 13, 1947 – January 22, 2017

Pete Overend Watts was the founding bassist for British glam rock band, Mott the Hoople. The band, which featured Ian Hunter on lead vocals during their “classic years,” had originated as the Buddies, made a few more name changes, until finally settling on Mott the Hoople when Hunter joined in 1969. After failing to find a large audience after the release of four albums, the band was on the verge of disbanding when David Bowie stepped in and convinced them to give it another go with him producing. The resulting album, All The Young Dudes and the Bowie-penned single of the same name kicked the band into overdrive and helped solidify their place as deities of the glam rock movement of the mid-’70s. West continued to play in different incarnations of Mott the Hoople through 1981 and then again for two reunions during the 2010s. He also worked as a producer, most famously for Hanoi Rocks. Pete Overend Watts died of throat cancer on January 22, 2017. He was 69.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour for the assist.

What You Should Own

Musician New Wave Producer Rock

Died On This Date (January 19, 2017) Mike Kellie / Drummer For Spooky Tooth & The Only Ones

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Mike Kellie
March 24, 1947 – January 19, 2017

Mike Kellie was an English drummer who found acclaim with, primarily, Spooky Tooth and the Only Ones. Born in Birmingham, England, Kellie was self-taught and began playing in the St. Michael’s Youth Club Band while in his teens. It wasn’t long before he was asked to join Wayne and the Beachcombers, his first “real” band. In 1967, Spooky Tooth was launched with Kellie on drums. Although it would change line-ups throughout the years, at the time it included Gary Wright, Greg Ridley and Keith Emerson. The band’s second album, Spooky Two is considered a classic rock staple and spawned their most popular songs, “Waiting For The Wind,” “Evil Woman,” and “Feelin’ Bad.” In 1976, Kellie joined the Only Ones, an influential power pop/new wave band that was a far cry from the more proggy sounds of Spooky Tooth. The band released three studio albums for CBS Records. Their most famous record was 1978’s “Another Girl, Another Planet.” The song has since been heard in numerous movies and commercials, and has been recorded by Blink-182, the Lightning Seeds, and the Replacements to name a few. Throughout the balance of his career, Kellie was on board for a reunion or two by Spooky Tooth and the Only Ones, while being in demand as a session player. He can be heard drumming on records by the likes of Johnny Thunders, the Who, Joe Cocker, Peter Frampton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Traffic and George Harrison. Mike Kellie was 68 when he passed away on January 19, 2017. Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

What You Should Own

Musician Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 16, 2017) Steve Wright / Greg Kihn Band

themusicsover January 16, 2017 No Comments

Steve Wright
1950 – January 16, 2017

Steve Wright at right. Photo credit: gregkihn.com

Steve Wright was a bassist and songwriter who spent many years playing in the Greg Kihn Band, the band he co-founded with Kihn in 1975. As Kihn’s writing partner, Wright co-wrote the band’s biggest hits, including “The Break Up Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em)” and “Jeopardy,” as well as other lesser known gems. “Jeopardy,” a #2 hit for the band, had the dubious honor of being parodied by Weird Al Yankovic who’s version, “I Lost on Jeopardy” became a massive hit as well thanks to heavy video play on a young MTV. The band went on to have several successful albums throughout the ’80s which afforded them to graduate from clubs to arenas around the world. Steve Wright died of a heart attack on January 16, 2017.