Died On This Date (April 15, 2013) Scott Miller / Game Theory; The Loud Family
themusicsover Scott Miller
April 4, 1960 – April 15, 2013
Scott Miller was the founder and lead singer for Northern Californian ’80s college rock band, Game Theory. Formed in 1981, the critically acclaimed group released several albums including their 1987 classic, Lolita Nation. Although the album received near universal praise, it failed to succeed at the cash registers so eventually went out of print. Due to its influence on more recent bands, original copies of the CD have since become highly collectible and valuable. The band released four proper albums before calling it quits in 1989. Miller went on to for the Loud Family in 1991, and again, the band released several critical faves but eluded much success beyond a cult following. He was reportedly planning to reunite with Game Theory and record a new album during the summer of 2013. Scott Miller was 53 when he passed away on April 15, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.
Chi Cheng was the founding bassist for California alt-metal band, Deftones. Formed in Sacramento in 1988, it didn’t take long for the band to build a loyal following and catch the ear of Madonna‘s label, Maverick Records. What followed was a series of albums that helped define the nu metal movement of the late ’90s/early 2000s. The band’s first trio of albums easily went platinum with Cheng playing on all three as well as their next two. In 2008, Cheng was in a serious automobile accident which left him in a coma. In 2010, he began showing signs of recovery after which he began undergoing additional operations and extensive rehabilitation. In early 2012, more signs of improvement surfaced and Cheng was allowed to go home from the hospital only to suffer a setback with pneumonia. On April 13, 2013, it was announced that Chi Cheng passed away earlier that day. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 42.
Andy Johns was an English record producer and engineer whose resume reads like an encyclopedia of rock. Still in his teens, Johns hit the ground running working as Eddie Kramer‘s second engineer on recordings by the likes of 
Neil Smith was an early bassist for legendary Australian rock band, AC/DC. As the replacement for original bassist, Larry Van Kriedt in 1974, Smith was in the band for less than a year before being replaced by Rob Bailey. In 1979, Smith joined Rose Tattoo, another popular Australian hard rock band of the day, for a brief period. Neil Smith lost his battle with cancer on April 7, 2013.
Roy Cox was the co-founder and bassist for Texas psychedelic rock band, Bubble Puppy. Formed by Cox and Rod Prince in San Antonio in 1967, the band had a #14 hit with “Hot Smoke And Sassafras.” The band’s lived debut came later that year when they opened for the Who in San Antonio. Signed to International Artists, the band released “Hot Smoke And Sassafras” in 1969 which was followed by their album debut, A Gathering Of Promises. The band parted ways with International Artists and moved to Los Angeles in 1970. Contractually, they could no longer use the name Bubble Puppy, so they rechristened themselves Damian and released a self-titled album the following year. The band split up in 1972 due to financial problems. Bubble Puppy reunited and recorded their long-awaited second album in 1987 and continued on and off for the next two decades. All original members reformed to play at the Austin Music Awards in 2011 as well as for a handful of later special dates. During his gaps with Bubble Puppy, Cox found time to form the Blues Knights, who released two CDs in 1999 and 2001. He later formed the NYC Outlaws while living in New York. Roy Cox was 64 when he passed away on April 2, 2013.