Died On This Date (March 23, 2012) Eric Lowen / Celebrated Singer-Songwriter; Lowen & Navarro
themusicsover David Eric Lowen
October 23, 1951 – March 23, 2012
Eric Lowen is perhaps best remembered as one half of the much beloved duo, Lowen & Navarro. Formed with Dan Navarro first as a songwriting team during the early ’80s, Lowen and Navarro went on to pen songs for the likes of David Lee Roth, the Bangles, Dave Edmunds, the Four Tops, and the Temptations. Their biggest hit as tunesmiths came in 1984 with Pat Benatar’s Grammy-nominated version of their beautiful song, “We Belong.” In the early ’90s, Lowen & Navarro made the transition from songwriting to performing and recording together. Many of their songs became staples of what would later be called Triple A radio while their intimate performances wowed audiences around the world. In 2004, Lowen learned he was suffering from ALS, or as it’s commonly know, Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Rather then give in to the disease, the duo made three more albums, including 2004’s All The Time In The World, which is, by most accounts, their best. They also went on to perform upwards of 200 shows over the next five years, culminating in their final performance together on June 6, 2009. After that, Navarro forged on alone while Lowen kept the duo’s legacy alive online and by overseeing the release of archival performances. Eric Lowen ultimately died of complications from ALS on March 23, 2012. He was 60.
Thanks to Tracy Bachman for the assist.
What You Should Own
Karl Roy is best remembered as the charismatic and popular lead singer of Filipino rock band, Kapatid. Roy first came to prominence during the early ’90s just as alternative Pinoy rock was taking hold throughout the Philippines and beyond. The first band of note for which he sang was Advent Call. He later formed P.O.T. Kapatid was founded in 2003 and quickly built a sizable and dedicated following thanks to their dynamic shows and albums like Kapatid and Luha. Roy suffered a stroke in 2007 but he made a full recovery and returned to the stage within two years. Karl Roy died of cardiac arrest on March 13, 2012. He was 43.
Michael Hossack was a rock drummer who is perhaps best remembered for his tenure with the Doobie Brothers. After serving in Vietnam for the US Navy, Hossack returned home where he joined a band called Mourning Reign. He soon caught the ear of the Doobie Brothers who invited him to jam at one of their shows. The year was 1971, and the band was impressed enough to hire him to play alongside John Hartman as dual drummers. Hossack went on to play on such classic Doobie Brothers albums as Toulouse Street, The Captain And Me, and What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. In 1974, he left the group to take a break from the grueling tour lifestyle. He continued on with other acts for the next several years. In 1987, the original Doobie Brothers got back together for a series of shows to benefit Vietnam vets. Hossack, a Vietnam vet himself, was asked to come along. The tour was such a success that the group officially reunited and signed with Capitol Records for their comeback album, Cycles, of 1989. Hossack continued to record and perform with the band until 2010, when he left after being diagnosed with cancer. Michael Hossack ultimately died of the cancer on March 12, 2012. He was 65.
Terry Teene was an American singer, musician, and prolific songwriter who reportedly penned over 300 songs during his career. He personally claimed to have played on over 100 additional records and wrote songs under more than 70 different pen names. Noteworthy records of his include “Pussy Galore” (written for, but unused in the James Bond film Goldfinger), “Just Wait Til I Get You Home,” and his biggest hit, 1960’s “Curse Of The Hearse.” The latter went on to become a yearly staple on Dr. Demento’s annual Halloween radio programs. Over the years, Teene shared the stage with Alice Cooper, the Kinks, and Cheap Trick, to name a few. Away from music, Teene enjoyed a successful career as a clown – even writing books and teaching courses on the subject. He also appeared in such films as Man On The Moon and Raging Bull. On March 7, 2012, Terry Teene was seriously injured when he was hit by a tow truck while riding a bicycle. He succumbed to his injuries on March 9, 2012. He was 70.