Rock

Died On This Date (February 14, 2002) Mick Tucker / Sweet

Michael “Mick” Tucker
July 17, 1947 – February 14, 2002

Mick Tucker is best remembered as the drummer for the internationally acclaimed ’70s glam rock band, Sweet (sometimes referred to as The Sweet).  In  1968,  Tucker and Brian Connolly, with whom he played in a band that also included Ian Gillan, recruited Steve Priest and Frank Torpey to form a group that would eventually be known as Sweet.  Over the next decade, the band released a series of albums that made them international superstars by successfully marrying the best of bubblegum with that of glam rock.  Albums like Desolation Boulevard, Give Us A Wink and Level Headed produced iconic hits like “Ballroom Blitz,” “Fox on the Run,” “Action,” and “Love is Like Oxygen.”  Tucker played in different formations of the band up until 1991.  He was 54 when he died following a long struggle with leukemia on February 14, 2002.

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Sweet

Died On This Date (February 14, 1989) Vincent Crane / ’60s Prog Keyboardist

Vincent Crane (Born Vincent Cheesman)
May 21, 1943 – February 14, 1989

vincent-craneVincent Crane was a progressive rock keyboardist who is perhaps best remembered for his collaborations with Arthur Brown.  In 1968, Crane played in Brown’s group, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, on their self titled debut.  That album, which was executive-produced by Pete Townsend, included the underground rock hit, “Fire.”  In 1969, Crane and another band member, Carl Palmer (later of Emerson, Lake and Palmer) left to form Atomic Rooster who had a handful of UK rock hits in the ’70s and early ’80s.  Crane also collaborated with Rory Gallagher, Peter Green and Dexy’s Midnight Runners throughout his career.  On February 14, 1989, 45-year-old Vincent Crane died of an overdose of pain killers.  Atomic Rooster’s John Du Cann passed away in 2011.

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In Hearing of Atomic Rooster (Expanded Deluxe Edition) - Atomic Rooster

Died On This Date (February 14, 2010) Lee Freeman / Co-Founder Of Strawberry Alarm Clock

Lee Freeman
November 8, 1949 – February 14, 2010

Lee Freeman is best remembered as a founding guitarist and co-lead singer for ’60s psychedelic rock band, Strawberry Alarm Clock.  Formed in Glendale, California in 1967, the band scored a handful of charting hits, including their biggest, “Incense and Peppermints.”  Freeman was still in high school when, in 1965, he co-founded and sang lead for local garage band, Thee Sixpence.  Within a couple of years, the group evolved into Strawberry Alarm Clock, a name chosen to pay tribute to the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever.” “Incense and Peppermints” took a bit longer than most singles to become popular, but by the time it did, it propelled the group’s debut album to #11 on the Billboard charts.  It ended up being their only album to chart.  Over the next couple of years, they shared the bill with the likes of the Who, Country Joe & The Fish, the Beach Boys, and Jimi Hendrix.  Strawberry Alarm Clock disbanded in 1971, but reunited permanently in 1982.  In recent months, Freeman and the group were working on new material for potential release on a label owned by Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins.   Lee Freeman died on February 14, 2010 following a long struggle with cancer.  He was 60.

Thanks to Bryan for the help

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Strawberry Alarm Clock

Died On This Date (February 13, 2010) Dale Hawkins / Rockabilly Pioneer; Wrote “Suzie Q”

Delmar “Dale” Hawkins
August 22, 1936 – February 13, 2010

Dale Hawkins was a singer, songwriter and guitarist who launched his career in Louisiana during the mid ’50s.   He was one of the earliest to take the rock and rockabilly of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly and marry it with the deep Louisiana blues he grew up hearing around him.  It was the birth of swamp rock that would later reach the masses thanks to the likes of Elvin Bishop and Creedance Clearwater Revival.  In 1957, Hawkins released “Susie Q,” a single that took up both sides of the record.  It peaked at #27 on the singles chart but was eventually recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.  The song has been since covered by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Gene Vincent, Johnny Rivers, the Velvet Underground, Bruce Springsteen, and most famously, Creedance Clearwater Revival in 1968.  Hawkins was reportedly the third artist ever to perform on American Bandstand and the first white person to perform at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.  During the late ’50s,  he hosted his own dance show for NBC-TV, The Dale Hawkins Show.  Later, he worked as a producer and label executive, most notably for RCA Records.  He began working as a social worker during the late ’80s.  In 2006, Dale Hawkins learned he had colon cancer which would be the ultimate cause of his death on February 13, 2010.  He was 73 years old.

Thanks to Ed Hardy for the assist.

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Dale Hawkins

Died On This Date (February 10, 1975) Dave Alexander / The Stooges

Dave Alexander
June 3, 1947 – February 10, 1975

Member of the 27 Club

Dave Alexander was the founding bassist for the Stooges.  Formed by Iggy Pop, Ron Ashton, and Scott Asheton in 1967, the Stooges strongly influenced punk, alternative and metal bands for generations to come.  Their “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” is considered one of the most iconic rock songs of the era.  Besides playing bass, Alexander helped out with composing music for, and arranging the band’s first couple of albums.  Unfortunately, Alexander suffered from alcohol addiction which lead to the band firing him in 1970.  On February 10, 1975, Dave Alexander died of pulmonary edema, of fluid accumulation in the lungs, which was likely a result of his drinking.  He was 27 years old.

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Raw Power - Iggy & The Stooges