Rock

Died On This Date (August 21, 2008) Jerry Finn / Produced Blink-182, Green Day, Sum 41

Jerry Finn
March 31, 1969  – August 21, 2008

Jerry FinnJerry Finn was a well-respected producer who lent his talents to a who’s who of alternative rock, artists like Blink-182, Green Day, Sum 41, AFI, Rancid, the Offspring, Morrissey, Alkaline Trio and many others. While working on a Morrissey release in July of 2008, Finn suffered a massive brain hemmorage.  Never regaining consciousness,  he was taken off life support on August 9 and passed away twelve days later.  He was just 39.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist


Died On This Date (August 20, 2009) Larry Knechtel / L.A. Session Musician; Bread

Larry Knechtel
August 4, 1940 – August 20, 2009

LK_2Larry Knecthel was a Los Angeles session keyboardist and bassist who played on hits by the likes of the Doors, Simon & Garfunkel and the Beach Boys.  After spending a few years as part of Duane Eddy’s touring band in the early ’60s, Knechtel went to work in the studio with Phil Spector, adding his own mark to the legendary “wall of sound.”  Knechtel also played on several Doors records since they didn’t have their own bassist.  He joined the easy rock band, Bread in 1971.  In later years, Knecthel did session work for producer Rick Rubin, most notably on albums by the Dixie Chicks and Neil Diamond.  Larry Knechtel passed away in a Yakima hospital just two weeks after his 69th birthday.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist


Died On This Date (August 19, 1979) Dorsey Burnette / Rockabilly Pioneer

Dorsey Burnette
December 28, 1932 – August 19, 1979

Dorsey Burnette was born into a musical family that included brother, Johnny Burnette.  But early on in life, the brothers pursued another dream, boxing, each becoming Golden Gloves champs.  In 1949, they met fellow pugilist, Paul Burlison who also shared an interest in music.  They soon formed the Rock and Roll Trio which would become one of the foundations of American rockabilly.  Dorsey continued to perform with the group and later as a solo artist well into the ’70s.  His music found a home with rockabilly, pop and country fans alike.  Dorsey Burnette died of a massive coronary on August 19, 1979.  He was just 46.

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Dorsey Burnette

Died On This Date (August 19, 2008) LeRoi Moore / Dave Matthews Band

LeRoi Moore
September 7, 1961 – August 19, 2008

LeRoi Moore was the saxophonist in and founding member of the Dave Matthews Band.  Moore met Matthews in 1991 and the two began to collaborate and eventually form the band.  He also wrote several songs for DMB, including the hits, “Stay (Wasting Time)” and “Too Much.”  LeRoi Moore died of pneumonia related to an ATV accident three weeks prior.  He was severely injured when he flipped an ATV on his property. Moore was 46 when he died.

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Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King - Dave Matthews Band

Died On This Date (August 18, 2010) Kenny Edwards / Guitarist In Linda Rondstadt’s Stone Poneys

Kenny Edwards
February 10, 1946 – August 18, 2010

With Linda Ronstadt

Kenny Edwards was a folk-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist who is best remembered as a founding member of the Stone Poneys along with Linda Ronstadt and Bob Kimmel.  Formed in 1965, the group helped pave the way for the popular “Laurel Canyon” sound of ’70s country rock.  Their 1967 album Evergreen, Volume 2 included the hit single, “Different Drum,” which helped set up Ronstadt’s wildly successful solo career.  Even though the group’s recording career lasted just 15 months, they remarkably, released three full albums.  After the Stone Poneys parted ways, Edwards formed the moderately successful Bryndle, then went solo, and collaborated with the likes of Karla Bonoff, Warren Zevon, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, and Don Henley.  In 1974, Edwards and Ronstadt again joined forces to release one of her most popular albums, Heart Like A Wheel.  They continued to work together for many more years.  Kenny Edwards passed away on August 18, 2010.  He was 64 and had been battling prostate cancer.

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Evergreen, Vol.2 - The Stone Poneys