Singer

Died On This Date (November 1, 2012) Mitch Lucker / Lead Singer Of Suicide Silence

Mitch Lucker
DOB Unknown – November 1, 2012

Mitch Lucker was the lead singer of the popular Riverside, California extreme metal band, Suicide Silence. Formed with Lucker in 2002, the band quickly built a loyal following thanks in part to their live shows and debut EP.  Within a few years of forming, the band signed to respected metal label, Century Media, who released The Cleansing, their full length debut, in 2007.  The album debuted at #94 on the Billboard Top 200 and was followed by No Time To Bleed and The Black Crown which reached #32 and #28, respectively. Meanwhile, the band were a very popular draw at extreme metal festivals across the US and beyond.  At around 9:00 pm on October 31, 2012. Mitch Lucker, 28, reportedly lost control of his motorcycle while riding it in Huntington Beach, California.  He was quickly taken to an area hospital where he died of his injuries the next morning.  Exact cause of the accident was still undetermined in the in the immediate aftermath.

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The Black Crown - Suicide Silence

Died On This Date (October 26, 2012) Natina Reed / American Rapper & Singer; Member of Blaque

Natina Reed
October 28, 1979 – October 26, 2012

Natina Reed was a Queens, New York born singer and rapper who is best remembered as one-third of the popular R&B singing group, Blaque.  Formed in 1999, the group, which also included Shamari Fears and ultimately, Brandi Williams, the group caught the ear of TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes who signed them to a production deal.  Lopes became a mentor to Reed.  Blaque went on to release three albums with Reed contributing her raps to hits like “Bring It All To Me,” “Can’t Get It Back,” and “808.”  In all, the group charted five singles in the US through 2004 when the group split up after Reed joined a ministry.  Reed reunited with Blaque in later years, while Reed dabbled in acting.  She also began work on a solo album.  On October 26, 2012, Reed was struck and killed by a vehicle as she walked across a street near her home.  Early reports indicate that it was an accident, and that the drivers of the vehicle cooperated with the police.  No charges were initially filed.  Natina Reed was  32 when she passed away.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at the Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

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Blaque

Died On This Date (October 10, 2012) Nils Koppruch / Popular German Singer-Songwriter

Nils Koppruch
1965 – October 10, 2012

Nils Koppruch was a German singer-songwriter who also worked as a freelance artist.  Strongly influenced by American folk, blues, Americana, and bluegrass, Koppruch built a dedicated following as the front man for Finch from 1996 to 2006.  After Finch dissolved, Koppruch continued on as a solo artist performing in a style he called “city folk.”  He toured throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland, gaining loyal fans along the way.  Koppruch released two solo albums, The Hell Do (V2 Records) in 2007 and Caruso in 2010.  In 2012, he collaborated with Gisbert zu Knyphausen on an album entitled simply, I.  Nils Koppruch was 46 when he passed away on October 10, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (September 30, 2012) Raylene Rankin / The Rankin Family

Raylene Rankin
1960 – September 30, 2012

Raylene Rankin was the co-lead singer for influential Canadian Irish folk group, the Rankin Family.  Formed in 1989, the group, which also included siblings, Jimmy, Cookie, Heather, John Morris, and David, won numerous awards, including six Juno Awards – Canada’s answer to the Grammys.  Shortly after the Rankin Family formed, they began self-releasing their music on cassette.  By the early ’90s, they were signed to EMI Records and touring all over Canada and beyond.  The 1992 EMI re-release of their Fair Thee Well Love sold more than 500,000 in its initial years.  The group released several more albums through the years including the quadruple platinum North Country, and their most recent, 2009’s These Are The Moments.  Meanwhile, Raylene released a handful of solo albums as well.  During the she early 2000s, Raylene was diagnosed with cancer, and on September 30, 2012 she died of breast cancer.  She was 52 when he passed away.

 

Thanks to Ken Morton, Jr. at The Nashville Sound for the assist.

What You Should Own

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The Rankin Family

Died On This Date (September 27, 2012) R. B. Greaves / Had Hit With “Take A Letter Maria”

Ronald “R.B.” Greaves
November 28, 1943 – September 27, 2012

R.B. Greaves was an American singer whose biggest hit came in 1969 with “Take A Letter Maria.”  Born on an American Air Force base in Guyana – and a cousin of Sam Cooke, Greaves grew up on an Indian Reservation back in the US.  To further his career, Greaves eventually moved to England where he performed under the name of Sonny Childe in his band, the TNTs.  During the late ’60s, he wrote “Take A Letter Maria” which was initially recorded by both Stevie Wonder and Tom Jones.  In 1969, Greaves recorded it under his own name and released it on Atco Records.  The song shot to #2 on the Billboard singles chart and went on to sell well over two million copies by the end of 1970.  Greaves followed that with a series of covers that also charted. That list includes “Always Something There To Remind Me” and “Whiter Shade Of Pale.”  R.B. Greaves was 68 when he passed away on September 27, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

What You Should Own

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R.B. Greaves - R.B. Greaves