Died On This Date (March 16, 2008) Daniel MacMaster / Bonham

Daniel MacMaster
July 11, 1968 – March 16, 2008

Daniel MacMaster was a Canadian born singer who is best remembered as the voice of Bonham, the popular ’90s rock band that was founded by Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham.  Formed in 1989, the band released its debut album, The Disregard of Time Keeping the following year.  That release quickly went gold.   They released one more album before calling it quits in 1992 but then reunited in later years.  MacMaster released a solo album in 2005 and was working on another project at the time of his death.  On March 16, 2008, 39-year-old Daniel MacMaster died of Group A streptococcal infection.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number1Albums for the assist.

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Bonham

Died On This Date (March 14, 1991) Doc Pomus / Songwriting Genius

Jerome “Doc” Pomus
June 27, 1925 – March 14, 1991

doc-pomus.jpgThere isn’t enough room here to list the world-class artists who have recorded or covered songs written by the great Doc Pomus. From Brook Benton to the New York Dolls; from Andy Williams to Elvis Costello; from Dolly Parton to the Misfits. Okay, one more, from Dusty Springfield to Johnny Thunders. Oh and did I mention “Viva Las Vegas?”  Pomus’ life was no picnic, however.  As a child, he developed polio, so he needed crutches.  And after an automobile accident later in life, those crutches were replaced by a wheelchair. Doc Pomus succumbed to lung cancer on March 14, 1991 at the age of 65.



Died On This Date (March 10, 2005) Danny Joe Brown / Molly Hatchet

Danny Joe Brown
August 24, 1951 – March 10, 2005

As lead singer and songwriter for Molly Hatchet, Danny Joe Brown helped the Southern Rock band achieve success with such hits as “Flirtin’ With Disaster” and “Satified Man.” After an early stint in the US Coast Guard, Brown helped form the band which would be named after a 17th Century prostitute who earned her name by chopping off the heads of her johns. Diabetes started to take its toll on Brown so he was forced to retire from the band in 1980. He had a massive stroke in 1998 and passed away from renal failure due to the diabetes on this date in 2005.

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Flirtin' With Disaster - Molly Hatchet

Died On This Date (March 10, 2009) Freddy Frogs / ’80s Rockabilly Revivalist

Freddy Frogs (Born Ferdinando Toscano)
September 21, 1942 – March 10, 2009

freddy-frogs

Freddy Frogs was a dynamic performer during the rockabilly’s revival of the ’80s, when he was popular draw at clubs throughout New York and beyond.  As was the case with most rockabilly revivalists, Frogs found his most success in the U.K. where his band, the BMT’s had a hit with “Crazy Little Mama.”  It has been reported that upon his return from England, he convinced the Stray Cats to go play the U.K., which ultimately sparked their successful career.  Freddy Frogs, age 66, died of a heart attack on March 10, 2009



Died On This Date (March 10, 2008) Barry “Byrd” Burton / Amazing Rhythm Aces

Barry “Byrd” Burton
DOB Unknown – March 10, 2008

Byrd Burton is best remembered for his time as guitarist for popular country rock band, the Amazing Rhythm Aces.  Burton’s guitar talents can be heard on such records as their 1975 hit single, and their 1976 Grammy-winning “The End is Not in Sight (The Cowboy Tune).”  Burton left the band in 1977 and went on to have a successful career as a session player.  In the studio, he played on records by the likes of Nanci Griffith, Emmylou Harris, as well as on Don Williams’ “Tulsa Time.”  He was also in the touring bands of Brooks & Dunn, Dolly Parton and Dan Fogelberg.  In 1999, Burton learned that he had leukemia but fought it into remission for the next several years.  It returned in 2007, and on March 10, 2008 he died as a result of the disease.  He was 61 years old.