Died On This Date (July 17, 2012) Danny American / West End Crooks
themusicsover Danny American (Born Danny Abromovitz)
DOB Unknown – July 17, 2012
Danny American was the bassist for up-and-coming Arizona punk band, West End Crooks. Formed on the west side of Phoenix, the band was reportedly working on new material at the time of American’s passing. American was a well-liked member of the local music scene and was also in his third year at the Phoenix College of Law where he excelled in his classes. He was the recipient of two legal scholarships. Danny American was 32 when he died unexpectedly in his sleep. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Keyboardist Dennis Flemion, along with his brother Jimmy Flemion made up the Milwaukee, Wisconsin lo-fi duo, the Frogs. Formed in 1980, the band wrote and performed short pop songs that tended to invite controversy for their lyrical themes dealing with homoerotica, race, and religion. Although they never really broke out of their cult status, that cult was very loyal and included some of rock music’s most influential figures. During the early to mid ’90s, the Frogs were invited to open for the likes of Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, and Mudhoney. 
Jeff Sugarman was the founding bassist for popular Boston-area garage band, the Prime Movers. Formed in 1981, the band, with their Who and Kinks influenced beat, built a sizable following throughout the northeastern states. In 1984, they released their Matters of Time EP on Throbbing Lobster Records and found their cult status rising across the country. The Prime Movers disbanded in 1987, but reunited in 1995, and again, more permanently, in 2003. Remarkably, it wasn’t until 2006, that they released their debut full length album, Back In Line. Outside of the Prime Movers, Sugarman also played in local bands, the Strangemen and the Slaves. Jeff Sugarman died of cancer on June 21, 2012.