Rock

Died On This Date (May 28, 2011) Mick Fisher / Bassist For Flannelette

Mick Fisher
DOB Unknown – May 28, 2011

L-R: Gordon Patterson, Matty Campbell, Tyler Gunn, Mick Fisher

Mick Fisher was the bassist for up-and-coming Brisbane, Queensland band, Flannelette.  Formed in 2010, the hard rock group had been building a regional following thanks for their dynamic live shows and recently self-released EP.  The band members were driving home from a gig on the Gold Coast when their van was reportedly struck by a semi-trailer as they were attempting to pull off the road after experiencing engine trouble.  Mick Fisher (age 30), guitarist Tyler Gunn (age 24), and a female companion died as a result of their injuries.  Singer/guitarist Matt Campbell, who was reportedly driving the van, survived the accident.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.


Died On This Date (May 20, 2011) John Kuhlken / San Diego Musician

John Kulhken
July 31, 1961 – May 20, 2011

John Kulhken was an accomplished musician who took up the drums when he was just 8 years old.  Born and raised in the San Diego, California area, Kulhken joined the Air Force after graduating from high school and later earned a Journalism degree from San Diego State University.  A true journeyman drummer, Kulhken played in many local bands including the MacAnanys, the Nards, the Rugburns, and Sara Petite and the Sugar Daddies.  A 10-year survivor of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma for which he received a bone marrow transplant, Kulhken was hospitalized after not feeling well on May 20th only to learn he was suffering from a blood infection that ultimately took his life several hours later.  John Kuhlken was 49 when he passed away on May 20, 2011.

Thanks to Lisa Holt for the assist.

Died On This Date (May 10, 2011) John Carter / Respected Producer and A&R Man

John Carter
June 14, 1945 – May 10, 2011

John Carter
was a successful producer, songwriter, A&R man, and artist manager who due to the respect he garnered, was commonly referred to as simply, Carter.  His earliest success came in 1967 when “Incense and Peppermints,” a song he co-wrote, became a hit for the Strawberry Alarm Clock.  He in fact also came up with the band’s name by putting together random words he found on the singles chart.  He was soon hired by Atlantic Records where he worked in promotion, and eventually went to work at Capitol Records where he produced numerous hit albums by the likes of Sammy Hagar, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, Bob Welch, and the Motels, to name just a few.  In 1983, he made perhaps his biggest mark on pop music by A&Ring Tina Turner’s landmark album, Private Dancer, which sold over 20 million copies, collected numerous Grammy’s and made the singer relevant again.  In later years he held high positions at Chrysalis, A&M, Atlantic, and Island Records.  John Carter died of cancer on May 10, 2011.  He was 65.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour for the assist.

Died On This Date (May 7, 2011) John Walker / Lead Singer of the Walker Brothers

John Walker (Born John Maus)
November 12, 1943 – May 7, 2011

John Walker was a the co-lead singer of the Walker Brothers, a popular California-born “British” rock band during the ’60s.  Ironically, the band moved to England while British bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were taking over America.  As a sort of rock version of the Righteous Brothers, the band became immensely popular in England, with a fan club that once counted more members than even the Beatles’. During the early ’60s, Walker began building a name for himself throughout the hip Hollywood night spots while working with the likes of Phil Spector, the Monkees, and Ritchie Valens in the studio.  Meanwhile, he was forming the Walker Brothers with co-lead singer Scott Walker (born Noel Scott Engel) and drummer Gary Walker (born Gary Leeds) while playing in the house band at Gazzari’s on the Sunset Strip.  The band soon moved to England where they helped fill a void that was created when the popular British bands were trying to conquer America.  Over the course of their run, the Walker Brothers reportedly sold some 20 million records with hits like “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore,” “My Ship Is Comin’ In,” and “Love Her.”  In recent years, Walker regularly toured the UK as part of nostalgia tours.  In December of 2010, he was diagnosed with liver cancer.  John Walker was 67 when he died of cancer on May 7, 2011.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at number1albums for the assist.

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Died On This Date (April 27, 2011) Dag Stokke / Keyboardist For TNT

Dag Stokke
April 1, 1967 – April 27, 2011

Dag Stokke was the touring keyboardist for popular Norwegian metal band, TNT.  Formed in 1982, the band benefited from heavy video play on MTV in 1985.  Stokke came on board in 1987 and performed at the band’s live shows until 1992 and then again from 1996 until the time of his death.  Although he wasn’t an official member of TNT, Stokke played on all of their albums between 1992 and 2010.  In January of 2011, Stokke learned he was suffering from cancer, and played his final gig with the band that following March 5th.  Dag Stokke was 44 when he died of cancer on April 27, 2011.