Songwriter

Died On This Date (April 11, 2017) John Geils / Founder Of The J. Geils Band

themusicsover April 11, 2017 No Comments

John Geils
February 20, 1946 – April 11, 2017

Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

John Geils, known professionally as J. Geils, was the founder and lead guitarist of the popular Boston blues rock band, the J. Geils Band. From an early age, Geils was surrounded by jazz and blues music thanks to his dad’s influence. As a child, he could work out Miles Davis’ music on the trumpet and drums. He also taught himself the by listening to the likes of Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters on the radio. When it came time for college, Geils chose Northwestern University where he played trumpet in the marching band. He soon moved over to Worcester Polytechnic University where he met Peter Wolf, Danny Klein, Magic Dick Salwitz and Seth Justman, and the J. Geils Band was soon formed. They released their first album in 1970, but even though they received plenty of FM airplay and marveled concert audiences all over the country, it took another 12 years and 11 albums before they hit #1 with Freeze Frame. The band have several charting singles throughout their run, including “Musta Got Lost,” “Freeze Frame,” “Love Stinks,” and most famously, “Centerfold.” The J. Geils Band broke up in 1985, after which, Geils began driving race cars and opened an auto restoration shop. In 1996, he sold the shop and went on to participate in band reunions over the next two decades before retiring in 2012. On April 11, 2017, local police paid a well-being visit on J. Geils’ home only to find him deceased at the age of 71. Cause of death was not immediately released.

What You Should Own

Early Rock Musician R&B Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (March 18, 2017) Chuck Berry / Rock and Roll Pioneer

themusicsover March 18, 2017 No Comments

Chuck Berry
October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017

As one of the founding fathers of rock and roll, Chuck Berry refined the early sounds of rhythm and blues, added catchy teen-centric lyrics, and turned up the volume of his guitar. By doing so, he became one of the most influential artists pop music has ever known. Launching his recording career during the mid ’50s, Berry created songs that not only became a part of America’s fabric, but would be played on radios, at parties, in concerts, on television, and in movies for the next 60 years. His remarkable output included such unforgettable songs as “Johnny B. Goode,” “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” and “Rock and Roll Music.” On stage, he stood head and shoulders above most of his peers by adding a showmanship that included dazzling guitar solos, and of course, that “duck walk” across the stage. His direct influence is staggering – the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Beach Boys, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Prince, Ted Nugent, Tom Petty, and George Thorogood (to name just a very few) have all cited him as a significant influence or honored him in some way. In 1986, Berry was deservedly part of the initial class inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he went on to receive countless accolades for the rest of his life. And of course, a pop music-related “Best Of” list that does not include him or one of his records somewhere near the top, should be taken to the shredder. Chuck Berry was 90 when he passed away in his home on March 18, 2017. Cause of death was not immediately released.

What You Should Own

R&B Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (February 23, 2017) Leon Ware / Successful R&B Songwriter & Producer

themusicsover February 23, 2017 No Comments

Leon Ware
February 16, 1940 – February 23, 2017

Photo by David Corio. Source: rollingstone.com

Leon Ware was an American singer, songwriter and producer who was celebrated for the many hits he crafted for others. Born in Detroit, Ware began writing professionally in 1967. Later that year, the first recording note of a song he co-wrote was released; “Got To Have You Back,” by the Isley Brothers. A couple of years later, he hooked up with Ike & Tina Turner to co-write six songs on their album, Nuff Said. What followed was nearly four decades of hit songs for the likes of Michael Jackson, Minnie Riperton, Quincy Jones, and Marvin Gaye. In Gaye’s case, every song on his I Want You album was penned or co-penned by Ware who also produced the landmark album. It sold over a million copies and is considered a must-have for any album collection. Ware also recorded nearly a dozen albums of his own, the most successful being 1979’s Inside Is Love, and the most recent, 2008’s Moon Ride. Leon Ware was 77 when he died of prostate cancer on February 23, 2017.

What You Should Own

Musician Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (February 3, 2017) Robert Dahlqvist / The Hellacopters

themusicsover February 3, 2017 No Comments

Robert Dahlqvist
April 16, 1976 – February 3, 2017

Robert Dahlqvist is best remembered as the longtime guitarist for Swedish garage band, the Hellacopters. His tenure with the group ran from 1999 to 2008, and again for a recent live album set to come out at a later date. Born in Uddevalla, Sweden, Dahlqvist learned to play the guitar at a very young age. In 1999, he joined the Hellacopters who were already a popular band across Sweden and beyond. He played on their next several releases over the following decade. The Hellacopters built a loyal legion of fans worldwide due to their fiery loud-guitar, and pounding drum/bass sound that draws influence from the likes of KISS, the Ramones, MC5, and the Stooges, to name a few. While playing with the Hellacopters, Dahlqvist also found time for two side-project bands, Thunder Express and Dundertåget, two bands that were not sonically dissimilar to the Hellacopters. Robert Dahlqvist passed away on February 3, 2017. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 40.

What You Should Own

Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 31, 2017) John Wetton / King Crimson; Asia

themusicsover January 31, 2017 No Comments

John Wetton
June 12, 1949 – January 31, 2017

John Wetton was an English bassist and singer who is best remembered for his time with King Crimson and for fronting his own popular prog-rock band, Asia. After several years of playing and singing in local bands, Wetton was invited by Robert Fripp to join King Crimson as bassist and lead singer. The year was 1972, and over the next two-plus years, he performed on the band’s critically acclaimed Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Starless and Bible Black, and Red. Following the release of Red, King Crimson went on hiatus, s0 Wetton worked with several other groups, including Roxy Music, Wishbone Ash, and Uriah Heap. In 1980, he formed Asia, a super group with Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, and Carl Palmer. The band’s self-titled debut of 1982 reached #1 on the US and UK charts and went on to sell over 8 million copies worldwide. In later years, Wetton released several solo albums while collaborating with the likes of Steve Hackett and Renaissance. In 2006, he reunited with the original members of Asia to release Phoenix, their first since 1983. They went on to release a handful of new studio albums over the next several years. John Wetton died of colon cancer on January 31, 2017. He was 67.

Died On This Date (April 11, 2017) John Geils / Founder Of The J. Geils Band

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (March 18, 2017) Chuck Berry / Rock and Roll Pioneer

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (February 23, 2017) Leon Ware / Successful R&B Songwriter & Producer

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (February 3, 2017) Robert Dahlqvist / The Hellacopters

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (January 31, 2017) John Wetton / King Crimson; Asia

What You Should Own

Subscribe Today!

You Missed

Sonny Rollins, Jazz Saxophone Giant, Dies at 95

Rob Base, Hip-Hop Pioneer, Dies at 59

Clarence Carter, Legendary Southern Soul Singer, Dies at 90

Alex Ligertwood, Santana Vocalist and Rock Journeyman, Dies at 79