Died On This Date (December 30, 2009) Rowland S. Howard / The Birthday Party
themusicsover Rowland S. Howard
October 24, 1959 – December 30, 2009
Rowland S. Howard was an Australian guitarist and songwriter who is best remembered for his work with Nick Cave in the Birthday Party, a proto-punk / art-rock band that formed from the ashes of the new wave band, the Boys Next Door. The band created a loyal cult following thanks in part to Howard’s aggressive guitar and feedback. After leaving the group in 1983, Howard collaborated with numerous artists including Lydia Lunch, Henry Rollins, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Epic Soundtracks, and Nikki Sudden. Howard released just two solo albums, Teenage Snuff Film and Pop Crimes, both of which were positively received by fans and critics. In later years he was relatively inactive due to personal and health reasons. On December 30, 2009, Rowland S. Howard died of liver cancer at the age of 50.
What You Should Own
Tim Hardin was an American folk singer and songwriter who is best remembered for his “If I Were a Carpenter” and “Reason to Believe.” After serving a tour of duty as a marine in Vietnam, Hardin moved to New York City where he became immersed in the local folk scene. In 1963, he moved to Boston where he was signed to a recording contract with Columbia Records. Unfortunately, Columbia didn’t quite understand what they had in Hardin, so he was dropped from the label before any records were released. He was soon snapped up by Verve who began releasing a series of albums that are considered milestones of the folk movement. His songs have been made into hits by the likes of 
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Freddie King was a Texas blues guitarist who directly inspired no less than 