but the songs live on forever

Rock

Musician Rock

Died On This Date (October 27, 2007) Ricky Parent / Enuff Z’Nuff Drummer

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Ricky Parent
September 5, 1963 – October 27, 2007

Ricky Parent is best remembered as a drummer for the pop metal band, Enuff Z’nuff.  Born in New Jersey, Parent began playing the drums at the age of five.  When he got older, he decided he wanted to pursue a career in music, so he moved to Los Angeles to find a band to work with.  He landed a job with War & Peace, the band formed by ex Dokken bassist, Jeff Pilson.  The band soon broke up and Parent was picked up by Vince Neil to lay down tracks for his first solo album.  In 1992, Parent learned that Enuff Z’nuff was looking for a new drummer, so he moved to Chicago and got hired on as their drummer.   He played in the band for the band for the next 13 years.  Ricky Parent died of cancer at the age of 44.



Musician Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (October 27, 1980) Steve Peregrin Took / T-Rex

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Steve Peregrin Took (Born Stephen Porter)
July 28, 1949 – October 27, 1980

Steve Took is best remembered as the original drummer in Marc Bolan’s rock band, T. Rex.  After answering an ad in a 1967 London newspaper, Took met Bolan and together, they formed T. Rex as a duo.  While Bolan sang and played guitars, Took played bass and percussion.   The band built a strong cult following in and around the UK after releasing three albums in the late ’60s.  Famed UK disc jockey, John Peel helped them land a record deal.  Unfortunately, Took’s excessive drug use and abnormal behavior lead to Bolan releasing him from the band after their first U.S. tour in 1971.   Took began playing with a band called the Pink Fairies, while Bolan and his band’s fame took off.    He also worked as a solo artist for a couple of years before his death.  Steve Peregrin Took, 31, died after a night of drug use.  Official reports indicate that he died from choking on a cocktail cherry, though some believe drugs played a part.



Disc Jockey Rock

Died On This Date (October 25, 2004) John Peel / Influential English Disc Jockey

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John Peel (born John Ravenscroft)
August 30, 1939 – October 25, 2004

John Peel was an extremely influential British disc jockey and journalist.  For nearly 40 years, he hosted a program on BBC Radio that featured an eclectic mix of psychedelic rock, punk, reggae, pop, alternative rock, hip-hop and death metal.  It was the first place many listeners heard future superstars.  He was also a frequent host of BBC Television’s popular Top of the Pops program during the ’80s.  A popular segment in Peel’s radio show was the John Peel Sessions during which artists would perform a handful of songs live in the studio.  Over the course of his career, over 2000 acts recorded over 4000 sessions.  Many have been made available on album or CD.  A thorough list of artists who have been featured on the John Peel Sessions can be found here.  John Peel, 65, died of a heart attack on October 25, 2004.



Jazz Musician Rock

Died On This Date (October 24, 2008) Merl Saunders / Played With The Grateful Dead

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Merl Saunders
February 14, 1934 – October 24, 2008

With Jerry Garcia
With Jerry Garcia

Merle Saunders was an exceptionally talented keyboard player who was a familiar face along the jamband scene beginning in the early ’70s.  He first teamed up with the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia in 1971, and together they made several albums throughout the years.  Saunders also sat in with the Dead on many occasions.  He also fronted his own band with whom he recorded as well.  Over the years, Saunders has collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, Miles Davis, Widespread Panic, and Phish.  In 2002, Saunders suffered a serious stroke which eventually lead to his death in 2008.  He was 74.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Live At Keystone, Vol. 1 - Bill Vitt, Jerry Garcia, John Kahn & Merl Saunders

Country Early Rock Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (October 23, 1964) David Box / Replaced Buddy Holly In The Crickets

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David Box
August 11, 1943 – October 23, 1964

David Box is best remembered as the singer who replaced Buddy Holly in the Crickets.  It is Box’s voice you here on “Peggy Sue Got Married,” which was arguably the best Crickets song after Holly’s death.  Box left the Crickets to go to college where he studied art under Norman Rockwell.  He also recorded under his own name and toured with the likes of the Everly Brothers.  Remarkably, David Box was killed in a small airplane crash just as Holly had been. He was just 21 years old.



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