Rock

Died On This Date (September 3, 2010) Mike Edwards / Cellist In The Electric Light Orchestra

Mike Edwards
May 31, 1948 – September 3, 2010

Mike Edwards was a respected English cellist who is perhaps best remembered for his years playing with the Electric Light Orchestra.  He joined the group for their earliest gigs of 1972, but departed roughly three years later.   Classically trained, Edwards apparently had little interest in any music outside of baroque, let alone rock, but made an exception to play of several of ELO’s most famous albums.  That list includes ELO II, On The Third Day, and Eldorado.   On September 3, 2010, Mike Edwards was driving near his home in Devon, England, when a 1300 pound bale of hay accidentally came loose from a tractor, rolled down a hill, landed on his van and crushed it, killing him instantly.  He was 62.

What You Should Own

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Eldorado - Electric Light Orchestra

Died On This Date (September 2, 2003) Bruce Waibel / Firehouse, Allman Brothers

Bruce Waibel
July 9, 1964 – September 2,2003

Bruce Waibel was a rock bass guitarist who played for numerous bands, but most notably, the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, and Firehouse.  Basically a professional musician by the time he turned 13, Waibel began his career as a roadie for Gregg Allman who later added him to the band, first as guiarist then ultimately, their bassist.  Waibel also played with Rick Derringer and Stevie Ray Vaughan.   In 2000, he was invited to join Firehouse, with home he played for the next three years, when he left the band to spend more time with his family.  On September 2, 2003, Bruce Waibel was found dead in his home of an apparent suicide.



Died On This Date (September 2, 2009) Guy Babylon / Played Keyboards For Elton John

Guy Babylon
December 20, 1956 – September 2, 2009

guyGuy Babylon was a composer and keyboardist who, in 1989 was hired by Elton John to tour and record with him.  He won a Grammy in 2001 for his work on Aida, a rock musical by John and Tim Rice.  While swimming in a pool on September 2, 2009, Guy Babylon suffered a fatal heart attack.  He was 52.



Died On This Date (September 1*, 2005) Barry Cowsill

Barry Cowsill
September 14, 1954 – September 1*, 2005

barrycowsill

Barry Cowsill was drummer (and later, guitarist) brother of the Cowsills, the real life inspiration for the Partridge Family.  The family began playing together in the late ’50s and began making records in 1965.  In 1967, the group was signed to MGM Records.  Their first album included the single, “The Rain, The Park and Other Things” which climbed to #2 on the pop charts and sold in the neighborhood of three million copies.  Over the next few years, the group scored million-selling hits with “Indian Lake” and “Hair.”  In 1969, the family were offered their own sitcom playing themselves, but that the part of mother, Barbara Cowsill, would be played by actress, Shirley Jones.   They declined the offer without Barbara, so the show was re-cast and re-christened The Partride Family.   Barry eventually settled in New Orleans where he performed in local clubs and was apparently working on making a comeback of sorts when Hurricane Katrina hit the city.  Barry Cowsill was last heard from on September 1st, 2005.  His body was discovered when it washed up on a New Orleans wharf on December 28.  Cause of death was ruled a drowning at the hands of Katrina.  Date of passing is assumed to be September 1, 2005.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Cowsills - The Cowsills

Died On This Date (September 1, 2009) Jake Brockman / Echo & The Bunnymen

Jake Brockman
DOB Unknown – September 1, 2009

jakeKeyboardist Jake Brockman was a longtime touring member of Echo & the Bunnymen, when he joined the band in 1989.  Prior to his official tenure in in the band, Brockman was affectionately known as the “Fifth Bunnyman.”  He played with the band during their “golden” years, but his first album as a full time member was 1990’s Reverberation.  The band broke up following its release.  53-year-old Jake Brockman was killed on September 1, 2009 when his motorcycle collided with an ambulance on the Isle Of Man.  Original Echo & The Bunnymen drummer Pete de Freitas also died in a motorcycle accident.