Rock

Died On This Date (August 5, 2008) Robert Hazard / Wrote “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”

Robert Hazard (Born Robert Rimato)
August 21, 1948 – August 5, 2008

Robert Hazard was an American singer/songwriter who gained popularity during the New Wave period of the ’80s.  His biggest mark on pop music was writing “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” which was made into a massive era-defining hit in 1983 by Cyndi Lauper. Hazard also had a couple of hits of his own with, “Escalator Of Life” and “Change Reaction.”  A life long fan of country music, his final few albums were country.  Hazard died on August 5, 2008, following surgery for pancreatic cancer.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Robert Hazard

Died On This Date (August 5, 1992) Jeff Porcaro / Toto

Jeff Porcaro
April 1, 1954 – August 5, 1992

Born into a musical family, Jeff Porcaro began playing the drums at an early age. His father was well-known session drummer, Joe Porcaro, and his brothers, Steve and Mike Porcaro are active studio musicians as well. Drum lessons began for Jeff at age seven, leading to a career as one of the most respected drummers of his time. At seventeen, Porcaro landed his first job, playing in Sonny & Cher’s touring band. By his twenties, he was playing with the likes of Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs. In 1977, Porcaro, Steve Lukather, and David Paich co-founded Grammy-winning rock band, Toto. Having sold some 30 million albums to date, they are considered to be one of the most successful mainstream rock bands of all time. Even with all that success, Porcaro had time to play on recordings by a who’s who of popular music, including Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, Paul McCartney, Miles Davis, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton and Paul Anka. On August 5, 1992, Porcaro suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 38. Some speculated that his death was caused by an alergic reaction to insecticide. The offiicial autopsy concluded that he died of a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Essential Toto - Toto

Died On This Date (August 5, 1980) George Scott III / The Raybeats

George Scott III
DOB Unknown – August 5, 1980

George Scott III at left with Lydia Lunch and 8 Eyed Spy.  Photo by Michael Halsband
George Scott III at left with Lydia Lunch and 8 Eyed Spy. Photo by Michael Halsband

Born in Iowa, George Scott III was the founder and bassist the Raybeats, a New York City based instrumental rock group that formed in 1979.  Scott’s tenure in the band didn’t last long as left the band in the spring of ’79.  Throughout his career he played with the likes of 8 Eyed Spy (with Lydia Lunch), the Contortions and John Cale.   Scott died of an overdose in August of 1980.



Died On This Date (August 4, 2007) Lee Hazlewood / Country Music Great

Barton Lee Hazlewood
July 9, 1929 – August 4, 2007

Lee Hazlewood was a country singer, songwriter, musician and producer whose work with Nancy Sinatra during the ’60s are essential records of the era.  Hazlewood settled in Arizona as a disc jockey after being leaving the military in the early ’50s.  He soon partnered with Duane Eddy as a songwriter and producer on such hits as “Peter Gunn.”  During the mid ’60s, he began working with Nancy Sinatra, writing and producing “These Boots Are Made For Walking,” and many more.  Hazelwood all but retired from music during the ’70s, but his songs lived on having been covered by such unlikely artists as Megadeth, Beck, Nick Cave, Lydia Lunch and the Tubes.  He died of renal cancer at the age of 78.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com

Died On This Date (August 2, 2009) Billy Lee Riley / Rockabilly Pioneer

Billy Lee Riley
October 5, 1933 – August 2, 2009

Billy LeeBorn to poverty in Arkansas, Billy Lee Riley moved to Memphis after a stint in the army during the ’50s.  Having learned to play the guitar from the local black farm workers, Riley set out to make a name for himself in music.  He was soon recording for Sam Phillips at Sun Studios.  During his Memphis years, Riley released such hit records as “Flying Saucers Rock and Roll,” and “Red Hot.”  In the early ’60s, Riley moved to Los Angeles where he played on records by the likes of the Beach Boys, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.  He retired from music during the ’70s but returned during the ’90s, releasing the Grammy-nominated Hot Damn! in 1997.  Billy Lee Riley died of colon cancer on August 2, 2009.  He was 75.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Very Best of Billy Lee Riley: Red Hot! - Billy Lee Riley