Rock – Page 147 – The Music's Over

Died On This Date (December 23, 2008) Don Randall / Co-Founder of Fender Guitars; Coined “Stratocaster”

themusicsover December 23, 2009 0 Comments

Don Randall
October 30, 1917 – December 23, 2008

Don Randall was one of the driving forces behind the success of Fender Guitars. It was Randall’s marketing savvy that helped secure such loyalists as Ritchie Valens, Jimi Hendrix and Dick Dale. Randall also had to responsibility of naming the guitars that the company created. In that capacity, he coined the name Stratocaster, given to the 1954 model that would help revolutionize the way musicians approached the instrument. It was popularized by Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Holly and countless others. In 1965, Randall helped negotiate the sale of the company to CBS and stayed on as Vice President and General Manager until is retirement from the company in 1969. He later launched the successful Randall Instruments that built amplifiers and PA systems. Don Randall passed away on December 23, 2008 at the age of 81.

Musician Punk Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 22, 2002) Joe Strummer / The Clash

themusicsover December 22, 2009 1 Comments

Joe Strummer (Born John Mellor)
August 21, 1952 – December 22, 2002

Joe Strummer was the co-founding lead singer of the Clash, arguably the most influential band on modern rock. The Clash made their professional debut on America’s bicentennial, July 4, 1976, in support of the Sex Pistols at a Sheffield, England club. They soon signed with CBS Records and began releasing some of rock music’s most important albums. It was the band’s seamless marriage of punk, reggae and rockabilly along with their politically charged lyrics that endeared them to both critics and fans alike. Their ambitious by punk standards double-album, London Calling, was selected by Rolling Stone magazine as the best album of the ’80s even though it was released in 1979. Much like the Beatles in their time, the Clash made many a young kid around the world pick up a guitar and start a band. Along with the Sex Pistols, they laid the foundation of what would eventually be called alternative rock. Following the break up of the Clash in 1986, Strummer contributed to the Sid and Nancy soundtrack and gave a hand to former Clash mate, Mick Jones’ new band, Big Audio Dynamite, as well as the Pogues. Strummer also made a go at acting, appearing in such films as Walker, Straight To Hell, and Mystery Train. By 1999, Strummer had formed a new group called the Mescaleros, a band that carried on in the spirit of the Clash. They made three albums together before Strummer’s untimely death. On December 22, 2002, Joe Strummer, 50, died suddenly of a congenital heart defect.

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the-clash-london-calling — Click to find at amazon.com

Musician Punk Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 22, 1985) D. Boon / The Minutemen

themusicsover December 22, 2009 0 Comments

Dennes “D.” Boon
April 1, 1958 – December 22, 1985

d-boon

Member of the 27 Club

D. Boon was the founder, lead singer, guitarist and primary lyricist for Southern California punk band, the Minutemen. Formed in 1980, the trio included bassist Mike Watt and George Hurley on drums. Though mostly underground, their influence on alternative rock can not be denied, particularly on bands like Sublime. The band recorded four albums and eight EPs for SST Records, helping bring the label international acclaim. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine selected Boon as the 89th greatest guitarist of all time and included the Minutemen’s Double Nickels on The Dime on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. On December 22, 1985, Boon was laying in the back of the band’s tour van when they got in an accident along an Arizona highway. Because he wasn’t wearing a seat belt, Boon was thrown from the van and was killed instantly at the age of 27.

What You Should Own

the-minutemen-music — Click to find at amazon.com

Musician Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 21, 1988) Paul Jeffreys / Cockney Rebel; Died On Pan Am Flight 103

themusicsover December 21, 2009 1 Comments

Paul Avron Jeffreys
February 13, 1952 – December 21, 1988

Paul Jeffreys is best remembered as the bassist for British rock band, Cockney Rebel. Formed by Steve Harley in 1972, the band hired Jeffreys once they heard him audition the following year. The band soon signed to EMI Records and released two influential albums with Jeffreys. After leaving Cockney Rebel, Jeffreys played with such bands as Be Bop Deluxe and the Electric Eels. On December 21, 1988, Paul Jeffreys and his new bride, Rachel Jones, died along with 270 others on Pan Am flight 103. The ill-fated plane exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, due to a bomb placed on board. Jeffreys was 36 when he died.

Musician Rock

Died On This Date (December 20, 2009) James Gurley/ Played With Janis Joplin

themusicsover December 20, 2009 3 Comments

James Gurley
December 22, 1939 – December 20, 2009

James Gurley was a Detroit born rock guitarist who is best remembered for his work along with Janis Joplin in Big Brother & The Holding Company. Gurley began teaching himself to play the guitar when he was 19, mostly by practicing along with old blues records. In 1962, he moved to San Francisco and became immersed in the local music scene. In 1965, he was invited to join Big Brother. They soon added Joplin to sing lead, and after signing with Columbia Records, the group became a breakout act of the San Francisco scene. They released such landmark rock albums as 1967’s self-titled debut, and it’s follow-up, Cheap Thrills. Following the 1971 break up of Big Brother, Gurley continued on over the next three decades collaborating with other artists or playing bass in his own new wave band, Red Robin & the Worms. James Gurley, 69, died of a heart attack on December 20, 2009.

Died On This Date (December 23, 2008) Don Randall / Co-Founder of Fender Guitars; Coined “Stratocaster”

Died On This Date (December 22, 2002) Joe Strummer / The Clash

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (December 22, 1985) D. Boon / The Minutemen

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (December 21, 1988) Paul Jeffreys / Cockney Rebel; Died On Pan Am Flight 103

Died On This Date (December 20, 2009) James Gurley/ Played With Janis Joplin

What You Should Own

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