Died On This Date (July 25, 2010) Todd Sampson / Las Vegas Punk Pioneer
themusicsover Todd Sampson
DOB Unknown – July 25, 2010
Todd Sampson was a punk singer who began his professional career as a Las Vegas high schooler back in 1980. Just sixteen years old at the time, he was asked to join the Swell, which soon changed its name to M.I.A., and relocated to Newport Beach, California. No less than the All Music Guide has called them one of the top 50 Southern California punk bands of that generation. Soon after the move however, Sampson left the group and formed Self Abuse, which began to build a solid following throughout the local scene, mainly by covering other popular local punk band’s songs. That lead to Sampson’s Army which he formed in 1984, who, for the most part, called it quits during the early ’90s. In 2008, Sampson rejoined M.I.A. following the unexpected death of lead singer, Mike Conley. In the early hours of July 25, 2010, Todd Sampson, 46, passed away after nearly collapsing and being helped offstage during an M.I.A. performance at a Las Vegas Club. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Bob Bell for the assist
Hiram Bullock, known to David Letterman fans as the “barefoot guitarist” in Paul Shaffer’s World’s Dangerous Band has passed away on July 25, 2008 after battling throat cancer for several months. Besides his work on the Letterman show, Bullock lent his talents to recordings by some of music’s greatest artists. He can be heard on Sting’s Nothing Like The Sun, Paul Simon’s One Trick Pony, and Billy Joel’s The Stranger. Bullock also released several of his own albums throughout his career. He was 52 when he passed away.
Phillip Walker was a respected electric blues guitarist and vocalist who, over the course of some fifty years played with Little Richard, 
John Dawson was a co-founder and leader of New Riders Of The Purple Sage, a psychedelic country rock band that made the scene during San Francisco’s scene of the ’60s. By the early ’70s, Dawson formed the New Riders with Dave Nelson, with it’s original line up including Garcia, Phil Lesh and Mickey Hart. Dawson guested on a handful of Dead albums, including Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty. He also co-wrote their classic “Friend of the Devil.” New Riders continued well into the ’90s with Dawson calling it quits in 1997. The band was resurrected by Nelson in 2005 with Dawson making guest appearances at a some shows. John Dawson died of stomach cancer at the age of 64.
Long John Baldry was an English born blues singer who played a pivotal role in the British blues rock scene of the 1960s. A towering presence at 6′-7”, Baldry was nicknamed Long John and had a booming voice to go with it. He was one of the first British singers of note to perform in blues clubs. As part of 