Billy Brown
July 22, 1929 – January 10, 2009
Billy Brown was an American rockabilly guitarist and singer who launched his career upon his return from the Korean War. Brown released a handful of singles before he was signed by Columbia Records in 1957. A young Jerry Reed played on a few of those early Columbia recordings. None of his releases sold particularly well. Billy Brown was 79 when he passed away on January 10, 2009.
Kenny Pickett
September 3, 1947 – January 10, 1997
Kenny Pickett was the lead singer of British mod band, the Creation. With a sound and style similar to the Kinks and the Who, many have wondered why they were never more popular. They had solid songwriting, a great vocalist and a guitarist who Pete Townshend once asked to join the Who. At one point Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones was in the band. Their “Making Time” is one of the greatest rock songs of the era. Although they never really caught on in the UK or the US, they were pretty popular in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. And the great independent label, Creation Records is said to be named after them. Pickett suffered a fatal heart attack on January 10, 1997.
Elbert “Sonny” Forriest
May 21, 1934 – January 10, 1999
Sonny Forriest was an R&B and rock ‘n roll electric guitarist best remembered for his playing on records by the Coasters. He played on such hits as “Besame Mucho,” “Wake Me Shake Me,” and “Thumbin’ A Ride.” He also did studio work for the likes of Hank Crawford and Ray Charles. Sonny Forriest passed away on January 10, 1999.
Greg Pineda
April 20, 1954 – January 3, 2009
Greg Pineda, was the lead singer and guitarist for Southern California band, Aluminum Marshmallow. Originally formed by Pineda and Tom Behrens back while still in elementary school in 1967, the group had reunited several years ago. Since then, they have become local favorites in Sierra Madre, California. Pineda also owned and operated a recording studio, All Media Services, in Westlake Village, California. It was there that he produced a series of music videotapes called The Hollywood Music Store with the help of Chuck Negron, as well as members of Ambrosia, REO Speedwagon, Chicago and more. Greg Pineda was 54 when he passed away on January 3, 2009. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a few months earlier.
Thanks to Sierra Madre Sue for the help
Randy California (Born Randy Wolfe)
February 20, 1951 – January 2, 1997
Randy California was the original lead singer, guitarist and primary songwriter for the psychedelic rock band, Spirit. Formed in Los Angeles in 1967, the group is best remembered for their 1969 hit, “I Got A Line On You.” California mastered the electric guitar as a child and when he was just 15, he was invited to play in Jimi Hendrix’s Jimmy James & the Blue Flames. It was Hendrix who began calling him Randy “California” to distinguish him from the band’s Randy Palmer who then became known as Randy Texas. It is believed that California would have become a member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Since he was just 15 at the time, his parents would not allow him to go with the Blue Flames to Europe where Hendrix ultimately formed the Experience. California soon helped form Spirit who released their first album, Spirit, when he was still just 17. That album included the song, “Taurus,” a song that includes a California guitar part that many have accused Jimmy Page for lifting when he wrote Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” By the early ’70s, California parted ways with Spirit and released his first solo album, but then reformed a new version of the group with original member, Ed Cassidy in 1974. They continued on until California’s tragic death. On January 2, 1997, Randy California drowned while rescuing his son from a powerful rip tide while swimming in the ocean off Hawaii. His son survived, but California was killed at the age of 46.
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