Rock

Died On This Date (August 24, 1978) Stacy Sutherland / 13th Floor Elevators

Stacy Sutherland
May 28, 1946 – August 24, 1978

sutherlandStacy Sutherland was the original guitarist in Roky Erickson’s 13th Floor Elevators, a psychedelic garage band that burst out of Austin, Texas in 1965.  Sutherland also had a hand in writing some of the band’s material.   And it was Sutherland’s use of reverb and echo that inspired a generation of garage bands.  When Erickson was committed to a mental institution in 1969, the band members went their separate ways with Sutherland formed his own band.  Later that year, he went to prison on drug charges.  Upon his release during the mid ’70s, Sutherland attempted to make another go with it, but was losing his battle with alcohol addiction.  On August 24, 1978, Stacy Sutherland, age 32,  was shot and killed by his wife during a domestic dispute.  His death was ruled an accident.

What You Should Own

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Easter Everywhere - The 13th Floor Elevators

Died On This Date (August 23, 1995) Dwayne Goettel / Skinny Puppy

Dwayne Goettel
February 1, 1964 – August 23, 1995

Dwayne Goettel was a one-time keyboardist for Canadian electronic industrial band, Skinny Puppy.  In a band that once opened for Skinny Puppy, Goettel was asked to join the group in 1986.   He quickly became a key contributor to Skinny Puppy’s music.  He formed his own band, Download in the early ’90s.  Goettel reportedly died of a heroin overdose while trying to kick the habit at his parents’ house Alberta.  He was 31.

What You Should Own

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Mind: The Perpetual I*********e - Skinny Puppy

Died On This Date (August 23, 2008) Steve Foley / Bash & Pop; Played Drums For The Replacements

Steve Foley
1959 – August 23, 2008

Steve Foley at bottom with Bash & Pop

Steve Foley was a popular Minneapolis-area drummer who played in several local bands, the most famous being the Replacements during their final days and tour.  He was also a member of Tommy Stinson’s post-Mats band, Bash & Pop.  Prior to his days in the Replacements, Foley and another Replacements replacement, Slim Dunlop, played with Curtis A.  Steve Foley died of an accidental overdose of his prescription medicine at the age of 49.  His brother, Kevin Foley, who was also in Bash & Pop, died suddenly on March 24, 2011.

Thanks to Craig Rosen Number1Albums for the assist

What You should Own

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Died On This Date (August 22, 2006) Bruce Gary / The Knack

Bruce Gary
April 7, 1951 – August 22, 2006

Bruce Gary is best remembered as the drummer of ’80s power pop band, the Knack.  A drummer from an early age, eventually found himself playing on the road with Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor and Carla Bley.  In 1978, he joined up with Doug Fieger, Burton Averre and Prescott Niles in the Knack.  Their debut album, Get The Knack included the song “My Sharona” which became a massive era-defining hit thanks in part to Gary’s instantly recognizable opening drum beat.  The album eventually went on to sell over six million copies.  The group broke up in 1982 and Gary went on to perform on records by the likes of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Sheryl Crow and John Lee Hooker.  He also worked as a producer, working with such acts as the Ventures.   Bruce Gary died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 55.

What You Should Own

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Get the Knack - The Knack

Died On This Date (August 21, 2008) Buddy Harman / Session Drummer

Murrey “Buddy” Harman
December 23, 1928 – August 21, 2008

As part of Nashville’s storied A Team of studio musicians, Buddy Harman’s drums can be heard on some 18,000 recordings.  Throughout his career, Harman played on the biggest hits by such greats as Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard to name just a few.  Harman died of congestive heart failure at the age of 79.

Watch an interview of Buddy Harman at Namm.org

Thanks to Dan Del Fiorentino at NAMM for the assist