Died On This Date (October 27, 1980) Steve Peregrin Took / T-Rex
themusicsover 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.
Jimmy Miller was a musician, songwriter and producer who helped create some of rock’s most popular albums. As a songwriter, Miller co-wrote the classic Traffic song, “I’m a Man” with Steve Winwood. He produced Sticky Fingers, Let It Bleed, Beggars Banquet and Exile on Main Street for the Rolling Stones. He also played percussion on a handful of Stones songs. That list includes drums on “Happy,” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and the opening cowbell on “Honky Tonk Woman.” Miller also produced records for the likes of the Plasmatics, Blind Faith, Spencer Davis Group, Nirvana, the Move and Motorhead. Jimmy Miller died of liver failure on October 22, 1994.