Died On This Date (November 13, 2011) Charlie Phillips / Hampton Grease Band

Charlie Phillips
DOB Unknown – November 13, 2011

Photo by Phil Libben

Charlie Phillips was a beloved bassist and drummer who, during the ’60s, played in several bands, including the Hampton Grease Band. The group was fronted by Bruce Hampton and included Phillips’ brother, Glenn Phillips.  Hampton Grease Band built a sizable underground following for their unconventional blues rock sound and shared the stage with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, the Allman Brothers and the Grateful Dead.  They have been likened to Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart. Outside of music, Phillips worked as a teacher, played competitive softball, and practiced law, working with many bands and musicians over the years.  Charlie Phillips was 65 when he passed away in his sleep on November 13. 2011.  Cause of death was initially believed to be heart failure.

Thanks to Steve Cabral for the assist.

Died On This Date (November 13, 2011) Doyle Bramhall / Influential Texas Singer-Songwriter & Drummer

Doyle Bramhall
February 17, 1949 – November 13, 2011

Doyle Bramhall was a much respected Texas singer-songwriter and drummer who was a fixture of the Austin music scene since the 1970s.   Bramhall was still in high school when he joined fellow Texan, Jimmy Vaughan in the Chessmen, whose biggest claim to fame was opening for Jimi Hendrix in Dallas.  During the early ’70s, Bramhall moved to Austin where he formed the Nightcrawlers which also included Vaughan’s younger brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar.  Bramhall went on to contribute several songs to Stevie Ray’s albums, including “Dirty Pool” and “Life By The Drop.”  He also played drums on the Vaughan Brothers’ album, Family Style.  Bramhall recorded a handful of his own albums over the years as well, including 2003’s Fitchburg Blues which reached #6 on the Billboard Blues Chart, as well as 2007’s Grammy-nominated Is It News.  His son, Doyle Bramhall II is a respected Texas musician as well.  Doyle Bramhall was 62 when he passed away in his home on November 13, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released, but reports indicate that he had been ill.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

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Is It News - Doyle Bramhall

Died On This Date (November 10, 2011) Andy Tielman / The Godfather Of Indorock

Andy Tielman
May 30, 1936 – November 10, 2011

Andy Tielman on guitar

Andy Tielman was a popular Indonesian singer and guitarist who, during the ’50s and ’60s, popularized a genre of music called indorock.  Known as the “Godfather of Indorock,” Tielman combined the best of ’50s American rock ‘n roll with Indonesian rhythms.  By doing so, he became one of the most popular acts throughout Europe during his peak years.  He was also praised for being an excellent showman on the stage.  By the late ’50s, Tielman had moved with his family from the Dutch East Indies where he was born, to the Netherlands.  And in 1958, he released what is referred to as the first Dutch rock ‘n roll single.  He and his band, the Tielman Brothers went on to become one of the most influential pop groups in Dutch history.  They continued to record and perform well into the 2000s in one form or another.  Tielman himself has been cited as a direct influence on the likes of Barry Hay of Golden Earring, and Jan Akkerman of Focus.  Andy Tileman, age 75, died of gastric cancer on November 10, 2011.

Thanks to Harry for the assist.

 

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Indo Memories - Andy Tielman

Died On This Date (November 6, 2011) Jesse Morris / San Francisco Busker

Jesse Morris
DOB Unknown – November 6, 2011

Photo by Jenner Davis

Known throughout the San Francisco area as the “Punk Rock Johnny Cash,” Jesse Morris was a local musician who by day, busked at the city’s train stations, and by night played clubs fronting Jesse Morris & the Man Cougars.  The charismatic singer earned his nickname for his near perfect delivery of Cash songs along with punk and metal covers in the same crushed velvet baritone voice.  In 2008, Morris went into the studio to begin recording a country album.  Though never finished, several tracks are available through the Different Fur Studios site. Jesse Morris was 28 when he died of an apparent suicide on November 6, 2011.

Thanks to Kim Shepard for the assist.



Died On This Date (November 3, 2011) Cory Smoot aka Flattus Maximus of GWAR

Cory Smoot
August 25, 1977 – November 3, 2011

Cory Smoot, or as he’s better known to fans, Flattus Maximus, was the lead guitarist for notorious heavy metal band, GWAR.  Formed in 1984, GWAR built a legion of fans due in part to their over-the-top sci-fi inspired costumes and comic book violence that ran through their lyrics and live shows.  Not an original member, Smoot joined the band in 2002 and was the longest running Flattus Maximus in the band’s history.  Besides playing on every album since he joined, Smoot helped with production and mixing duties as well.  He can be heard singing lead on the band’s “Release The Flies.”  As reported by MetalSucks, during the morning hours of November 3, 2011, Cory Smoot’s GWAR band mates discovered his lifeless body as they were preparing to travel into Canada on tour.  Cause of death was attributed to a coronary artery thrombosis.

Thanks to Ken McCullagh for the assist.

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Lust In Space (Bonus Track Version) - Gwar