Died On This Date (August 25, 2012) George Gallacher / The Poets
themusicsover George Gallacher
October 21, 1943 – August 25, 2012
George Gallacher was the co-founder and lead singer of ’60s psychedelic pop band, the Poets. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland 1962, the band we’re an instant local hit thanks to their marriage of blues, hard R&B, and melodic pop. They were often compared to early Kinks and the Small Faces. The hipper kids also liked their fashion sense – ruffled shirts, velvet jackets, and tight pants. By 1964, the Poets were one of the biggest concert draws in all of Scotland, and legendary artist manager and producer, Andrew Loog Oldham took note. The Rolling Stones manager took the group on and even prompted the Stones to mention them in interviews on occasion. He produced their first single for Decca, “Now Were Thru.” Although they never went on to release an entire album, nor had singles sell much beyond Scotland, most garage rock rarity collections which chronicle the era include at least one of their recordings. By the early ’70s, the group had disbanded, but came back together for a show or two in 2011. On August 25, 2012, George Gallacher was behind the wheel of his car when he suddenly became ill. He was immediately taken to a local hospital where he died of undisclosed reasons. He was 68.
Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.
Jason Noble was a guitarist and lead vocalist for three popular Louisville, Kentucky underground bands Rachel’s, Rodan, and Shipping News. With Rodan, Noble released 1994’s Rusty which is considered an early indie rock classic. His later groups, Rachel’s and Shipping News were equally influential even though their styles of music varied slightly. In 1999, Noble was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma, a rare cancer that ultimately took his life on August 4, 2012. He was 40.
Joe South was an Atlanta-born singer-songwriter who penned some of the most popular songs of his era. South was given his first guitar when he was just 11. A quick learner, he was playing on his local radio station within a year. Gifted electronically as well, South figured out how to build his own tiny radio station so he could broadcast his songs over the local airwaves. He apparently mounted it in his car in order to stay one step ahead of the FCC. In 1958, South scored a minor novelty hit with “The Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor,” which generally resurfaces on the radio each year around Halloween. By the early ’60s, South was making a name for himself as a songwriter. His songs were either recorded or performed live by the likes of Billy Joe Royal (“Down In The Boondocks”), 
Kevin O’Hare was a respected Boston area music critic who also fancied himself a human encyclopedia when it came to music trivia. Although his writings appeared in dozens of periodicals across the US, he called The Republican home since 1982. Starting out as a sports writer, he later became a news writer, and eventually the paper’s senior music writer. His weekly column, “Playback,” included interviews of the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel and Paul McCartney who once marveled at how at ease O’Hare put him during his interview. Throughout his career, O’Hare critiqued over 7000 albums and nearly 2000 concerts. During the early ’80s, O’Hare played in the Cardiac Kids who built a sizable regional following. Kevin O’Hare was 55 when he passed away on August 4, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released but he had been suffering from an undisclosed illness.
Mark Abrahamian was the most recent lead guitarist for the iconic American rock band, Starship. Originally formed as Jefferson Airplane in 1965, the band was known by a few different names over the years – Jefferson Starship, Starship, and ultimately, Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas. It was with Thomas’ incarnation that Abrahamian had played since 2000. After graduating from The Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, Abrahamian went on to play live with the likes of Christopher Cross, Pat Travers, and Chuck Negron. Immediately following a Starship performance in Nebraska on September 2, 2012, Mark Abrahamian reportedly collapsed back stage and was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead of a heart attack. He was 46.