Died On This Date (September 21, 2011) John Du Cann / Guitarist For Atomic Rooster
themusicsover John Du Cann
1945 – September 21, 2011
John Du Cann was an English guitarist and singer who is most often acknowledged for his work with ’70s psych rock outfit, Atomic Rooster. He also played in the Attack, the Sonics (UK), and Andromeda – all bands who were on the front end of the progressive rock movement. Initially in Andromeda, Du Cann to join Atomic Rooster in 1970 to play guitar and sang lead. The band soon released Death Walks Behind You which included the UK hit, “Tomorrow Night,” resulting in the album ultimately reaching #12 on the UK charts. He took part in the band’s follow-up, In Hearing Of Atomic Rooster, but left shortly after its release only to briefly rejoin the band in 1980. In 1974, Du Cann filled in on guitar for a Thin Lizzy tour of Germany. He also recorded at least one solo album, 1977’s (but not released until 1992) The World’s Not Big Enough, which some have compared to a cross between Status Quo and the Sex Pistols. In 1979, he scored a #33 UK hit with “Don’t Be A Dummy.” As reported by Sea Of Tranquility, John Du Cann died of a suspected heart attack on September 21, 2011. Depending upon your source, he was either 65 or 66. Atomic Rooster’s Vincent Crane passed away in 1989.
Wilma Lee Cooper was an accomplished bluegrass and country performer who joined the ranks of the Grand Ole Opry in 1957. Born and raised on West Virginia, Cooper was just a child when she began singing in her family gospel group, the Leary Family. In 1939, she married fellow musician, Stoney Cooper with whom she went on to perform and record with as Wilma Lee & Stoney Copper and the Clinch Mountain Clan. Throughout the late ’50s and early ’60s, the duo released a series of charting records that included “Big Midnight Special” and “The Tramp On The Street.” After her husband passed away in 1977, Cooper continued on as a solo artist until a stroke in 2001 forced her retirement. She did however, return to the Opry stage in 2010 as part of a group sing-along to celebrate the venue’s grand re-opening. As reported in 
Don Wayne was a respected Nashville songwriter whose songs have been recorded by a who’s who of country music legends. Born in Nashville, Wayne took a shine to country music at an early age, often catching his favorite singers on the Grand Ole Opry program on his radio. In 1953, George Morgan recorded his “Lonesome Waltz” for Columbia Records, making it Wayne’s first major label recording. In later years, his songs were made into hits by the likes of 
Jonas Bergqvist, known professionally as B, was as songwriter and founding guitarist for Swedish narcotic metal band, Lifelover. Formed in 2005, Lifelover began building a sizable following thanks in part to such albums as 2006’s Pulver, Dekadens (2009) and their most recent, Sjukdom, released in February of 2011. They were also a popular concert draw across Europe. Jonas Bergqvist died unexpectedly on September 9, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.