Rock

Died On This Date (January 31, 2009) Dewey Martin / Buffalo Springfield

Dewey Martin (Born Walter Midkiff)
September 30, 1940 – January 31, 2009

deweyDewey Martin is best remembered as the drummer of Buffalo Springfield.  Martin first began playing in a group while still in high school and soon was playing in combos around the Ottawa area.  He later moved to Nashville where he played on tracks by such greats as Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline and Carl Perkins.  He became part of Faron Young’s band, and decided to stay in California when they went out there on tour.  In 1966, he became the founding drummer for Buffalo Springfield and stayed with the band until they broke up in 1968.  Martin continued working in various bands and on numerous recordings well into the 2000s.  He died of what is believed to have been natural causes on January 31, 2009.  He was 68.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums and Brett Ortone for the assist.


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Died On This Date (January 31, 2010) Pauly Fuemana / Lead Singer For OMC; Had Big ’90s Hit With “How Bizarre”

Pauley Fuemana
February 8, 1969 – January 31, 2010

Pauley Fuemana was the lead singer for OMC, or Otara Millioniares Club, a New Zealand duo who had an international hit with “How Bizarre.”  Formed with Alan Jansson in 1995, the group scored an instant smash with “How Bizarre.”  Even though the song received massive airplay, it was never released as a single in the U.S. , so never appeared on the singles charts.  The album from which it came sold over one million in the U.S. and in excess of four million worldwide.  The song has been cited as the biggest selling record of all times from a New Zealand act.  OMC broke up in 2000, but then reunited in 2007 and released “4 All of Us” which featured television actress, Lucy Lawless on vocals.  On January 31, 2010, Pauly Fuemana died after a short illness which has been reported to be neurological in nature.  He was 40 years old.



Died On This Date (January 28, 1983) Billy Fury / Early British Rock ‘n Roller

Billy Fury (Born Ronald Wycherley)
April 17, 1940 – January 28, 1983

billy-furyBilly Fury was an early British rock ‘n roll star who rivaled the Beatles with his 24 UK hit singles throughout the ’60s.  During the mid ’50s. Fury fronted a popular skiffle band, playing a popular form of music that would heavily influence the Beatles.  After scoring several hits fronting the Blue Flames (which included Georgie Fame), Fury fired the band and began auditioning for a new band.  It was the early ’60s.  When John Lennon and his Silver Beatles tried out, they were offered the gig, but only if Lennon fired Stu Sutcliffe.  He declined, but only after securing an autograph of Fury.   Fury went on to have many British hits and perform in front of countless adoring fans throughout the UK over the next several years.  He also took a shot at acting, appearing in a handful of British films.  In 1971, Fury underwent the first of three heart surgeries he’d have over the next several years.  With his career all but over due to his health problems, Fury filed bankruptcy in 1980.   In early days of 1983, Fury had a new album and tour in the works, but died of a heart attack on January 27, 1983.  He was 42.

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Died On This Date (January 28, 2009) Billy Powell / Lynyrd Skynyrd

Bill Powell
June 3, 1952 – January 28, 2009

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Though born in Corpus Christi, future Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist, Billy Powell spent much of his “navy brat” youth in Italy until his father passed away when he was just eight years old. Back in the United States, the Powell family settled in Florida and Billy was enrolled in military school where he learned the piano. Noted as a natural with the instrument, Powell continued his training in college and soon took a job as roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Eventually he was offered a spot in the band after Ronnie Van Zant heard him play. But in 1977, tragedy struck just three days after the release of their landmark Street Survivors album when a plane carrying the band crashed into the swamps of Mississippi killing Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and manager Dean Kilpatrick. Powell was one of the survivors. For the time being, Lynyrd Skynyrd was no more, so Powell continued on in such bands as Alias, Vision and the Rossington-Collins Band alongside his former Skynyrd band mates Allen Collins and Gary Rossington. In 1987 Powell, along with the surviving members of Skynyrd reformed and have been together ever since.  In the early morning hours of January 28, 2009, paramedics arrived at Powell’s home, responding to his 911 call, reporting he was having shortness of breath.  Finding him unconscious, the paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive him.  He died of what was presumed to be a heart attack at the age of 56.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd - Lynyrd Skynyrd