Died On This Date (October 4, 1994) Danny Gatton / Rock Guitar Great
themusicsover Danny Gatton
September 4, 1945 – October 4, 1994
Danny Gatton was a guitar player’s guitar player. His playing was admired by no less than Slash, Eric Clapton, Les Paul and Willie Nelson. He’s been in the touring bands for Robert Gordon and Roger Miller, and he’s gone lick for lick on stage with the likes of Alvin Lee, Jimmie Vaughan and Roy Buchanan. And Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at #63 on their 2003 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Sadly though, Danny Gatton ended his own life by shooting himself in his garage at the age of 49.
What You Should Own
Darryl DeLoach was the original lead singer and lyricist for San Diego psychedelic rock band, Iron Butterfly. Some consider Iron Butterfly to be the very first heavy metal band. The group released their first album, Heavy, in 1968. It contained several songs written by DeLoach who left the band shortly after its release. The band’s next album (without DeLoach) contained their biggest hit, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” DeRoach continued to record post-Iron Butterfly, but not much is known about his more recent years. He died of liver cancer at the age of 54.
Benjamin Orr is best remembered as the bassist and co-lead singer of popular Boston new wave band, the Cars. Formed by Orr and Ric Ocasek in 1976, the band released a string of multi-platinum albums and hit singles that helped define ’80s pop music. They were also one of the early bands adopted by MTV. Orr sang lead on such hit singles as “Drive,” “Just What I Needed,” and “Let’s Go.” In 1986, he left the group and recorded his solo debut, The Lace, and then left the group the following year. Orr continued to record and perform live in various incarnations up until just a few months before his death. Benjamin Orr, age 53, died of pancreatic cancer on October 3, 2000.
Bruce Palmer is best remembered as the bassist for Buffalo Springfield. Born and raised in Canada, he played in a few local bands throughout the early ’60s. One in particular, Jack London & The Sparrows would evolve into Steppenwolf after he left to join the Ontario, Canada based R&B group, Mynah Birds, featuring Neil Young on guitar and future funk star, 