Died On This Date (December 4, 2010) Jimy Rogers / Lead Singer Of The Mauds
themusicsover James “Jimy” Rogers
DOB Unknown – December 4, 2010
Jimy Rogers was the lead singer of Chicago-area rock unit, the Mauds. Formed in 1965, the band built a sizable regional following thanks to their rockin’ R&B sound and the charisma of Rogers. While other local bands were mimicking the British Invasion of the time, the Mauds stuck by their soul roots. By some accounts, they were the first all-white band to play at the legendary Chess Studios. On stage, it was Rogers who wowed the audiences with his all-out sweat drenched performances. During the late ’60s, the band scored a handful of regional hits which included “Hold On,” “Soul Drippin,” and “Knock On Wood.” Over the course of an on-and-off run that spanned over 40 yars, they recorded for such labels as Mercury, Philips, and RCA. Jimy Rogers died of cancer on December 4, 2010. He was 63.
Thanks to Gary Case for the assist.
Armando Acosta was the founding drummer for doom metal band, Saint Vitus. Formed in Los Angeles in 1979, Saint Vitus was one of the genre’s earliest and most influential bands. They called it quits in 1996 but reformed briefly in 2003 and then again in 2008. Over the years, they released seven albums, four of which on the great SST Records. Acosta left the band in 2009. Armando Acosta was 58 when he passed away on November 25, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Known by the stage name, Sleazy, Peter Christopherson is best remembered as a founding member of British avant-garde industrial band, Throbbing Gristle. He was also part of such projects Psychic TV, Coil, Soisong, and The Threshold HouseBoy’s Choir. Throbbing Gristle formed in 1975, with Christopherson mostly handling synthesizers and vibraphone. The group developed a very loyal following thanks in part to their sometimes controversial shows that often included disturbing visuals of Nazi concentration camps and pornography. Throbbing Gristle were pioneers of incorporating prerecorded tapes, or “samples” into their shows, and paved the way for such bands as Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Front 242. The group broke up in 1981 but then reformed in 2004. Remarkably prolific, they recorded numerous albums for the highly influential Mute Records, also the one-time home for Depeche Mode, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and Erasure, to name a few. While he wasn’t making music, Christopherson was a video director, graphic artist, and photographer. Peter Christopherson passed away in his sleep on November 24, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 55.
Reg King was a respected British singer and songwriter whose band, the Action, with all due respect to the Kinks, Small Faces and the Who, were widely considered the best of the UK mod scene. King also helped popularize “blue eyed soul” throughout the region. What endeared the Action to mods was that they were edgier than their contemporaries and often included the latest American soul covers in their live sets. Even though they never were able to break out of a cult status, their fans were markedly loyal. Formed in 1963, the Action were signed to Parlophone Records in 1965. Even though they had developed a rabid fan base thanks to their live shows, none of their records sold very well. In spite of that, future stars like Paul Weller and Phil Collins claim them as favorites and inspirations. In fact, Collins played with the Action for a reunion show in 2000. Reg King was 65 when he died of cancer on November 8, 2010.
James Freud is best remembered as the lead singer and bassist for ’80s Australian new wave rock band, the Models. Formed in Melbourne (originally without Freud) in 1979, musically the Models had much in common with fellow countrymen, INXS, including a handsome and charismatic front man in Freud. Over the next ten years, the group scored a handful of moderate hits, both in Australia and the U.S., but they never quite broke out of cult status. Freud was just 16 when he formed his first band, and after hearing the Sex Pistols a year later, he realized rock ‘n roll was his true calling. By the end of the ’70s, James Freud & the Radio Stars were causing a local stir and were quickly signed to Australia’s storied Mushroom Records. Their first single “Modern Girl” was successful enough to land them on a Gary Numan tour. Freud then joined the Models in 1982, and went on to write a some of their biggest hits. Records like “Barbados” and “Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight” helped them become one of Australia’s post-punk bands. After they broke up in 1988, Freud embarked on a solo career which included Mushroom’s most expensive album to date, Step Into The Heat. He also wrote two autobiographies, 