Philip C. Newbaker V
November 17, 1970 – March 20, 2009
Philip C. Newbaker, guitarist for Pennsylvania based death metal bands, Mausoleum and Necrotomie died March 20, 2009. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Randy Rhoads
December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982
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.
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.
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.
John Phillips
August 30, 1935 – March 18, 2001
As the driving force behind the Mamas & the Papas, Papa John Phillips has been called one of the greatest pop songwriters of the last forty years. If there was one American group that could hold its on against the British Invasion, it was the Mamas & the Papas (John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Mama Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty) with their hits, “Monday Monday,” “California Dreamin’,” and “Got A Feeling.” Outside of the Mamas & the Papas, John had a huge hit with Scott McKenzie’s recording of his “San Francisco,” while helping to create the Monterey Pop Festival, a moment in musical history that introduced us to Jimi Hendrix. Three of his “greatest hits” were daughters Mackenzie Phillips, Chynna Phillips and Bijou Phillips. John battled substance abuse late into his life and passed away from heart failure on March 18, 2001.
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