Died On This Date (March 21, 1987) Dean Paul Martin / Dino, Desi and Billy; Son of Dean Martin

Dean Paul Martin
November 17, 1951 – March 21, 1987

dino-desi-and-billy.jpgTo many, Dean Paul Martin was best known as Dean Martin’s son, but to music fans he was Dino of Dino, Desi and Billy. The Desi being Desi Arnaz Jr. Forming the group in their early teens, DD&B had a couple of semi hits that targeted the teenage girl crowd. As he grew older, Dino became Dean Paul and went on to make a name for himself playing tennis. He even played Wimbledon. Flying was yet another passion of Martin’s. He got his pilot’s license at just 16 and later earned his wings with the Air National Guard. Then in 1987, Martin was flying his National Guard fighter jet when a bad snowstorm caused him to crash it in the mountains for California, killing him and his Weapons System Officer on impact. He was once married to Olympic ice skater, Dorothy Hammill and actress Olivia Hussey.

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Dino, Desi and Billy

Died On This Date (March 19, 1982) Randy Rhoads / Guitar God

Randy Rhoads
December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982

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Perhaps not the most influential rock guitarist of the ’80s, Randy Rhoads was no doubt one of the most original. Instead of trying to be the “next Eddie Van Halen,” Rhoads was the first metal guitarist to incorporate classical styles into his playing. Learning to play as a young child, Rhoads kicked around in a few high-school bands before helping to form Quiet Riot with Kevin Dubrow. That led to an audition to play in Ozzy Osbourne‘s post-Black Sabbath solo band. Rhoads easily landed the gig and with his incendiary shredding, Ozzy’s first solo album Blizzard of Oz, became one of the greatest rock albums of the era. Within just a couple of years, Rhoads’ career was kicking into high gear. But then on March 19, 1982 while the band was en route to a festival in Orlando, they decided to stop and visit Jerry Calhoun, the owner of their bus company. It was while at the house, the band’s driver, Andrew Aycock persuaded Rhoads and a hairdresser to take a spin in Calhoun’s small plane. While in the air, it was reported that Aycock tried to “buzz” the band’s tour bus in order to startle them awake. On the third attempt, they clipped the side of plane which caused it to crash into Calhoun’s mansion, killing all three, including Rhoads at just 25 years of age.

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Blizzard of Ozz (Expanded Edition) - Ozzy Osbourne

Died On This Date (March 19, 1976) Paul Kossoff / Free

Paul Kossoff
September 14, 1950 – March 19, 1976

In 1968, Paul Kossoff with Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser and Simon Kirke formed the band Free. By 1970, Free were touring the world on the success of their third album and its hit “It’s Alright Now.” Just two years after forming, the band called it quits. While Rodgers and Kirke went on to greater fame with Bad Company, Kossoff kicked around releasing solo albums and doing session work. Kossoff never quite got over the break up of Free which likely contributed to his addiction to drugs. Kossoff died on a flight from New York to Los Angeles at just 25 years of age. The cause was ruled drug related heart problems.

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Fire and Water (Deluxe Edition) - Free

Died On This Date (March 19, 1990) Andrew Wood / Mother Love Bone

Andrew Wood
January 6, 1966 – March 19, 1990

Andrew Wood is best remembered as the lead singer of influential Seattle grunge band, Mother Love Bone.  Formed in 1988, Mother Love Bone was quickly embraced by the area youth thanks, in part, to Wood’s Robert Plant-like vocals and wildly charismatic presence on stage.  But before  Mother Love Bone could get its chance to likely become the biggest band of the grunge scene, Andrew Wood died of a heroin overdose and cerebral hemorrhage on the eve of their debut album.  He was just 24 years old.  Former band mates Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard went on to form Pearl Jam.  Bands like Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Faster Pussycat and the Cult have since paid tribute to Wood on various recordings.

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