Died On This Date (March 6, 2013) Alvin Lee / Ten Years After
themusicsover Alvin Lee (Born Graham Barnes)
December 19, 1944 – March 6, 2013
Alvin Lee was an English rock musician who is best remembered as founder and lead singer of the influential blues rock band, Ten Years After. Considered one of rock’s greatest guitarists, Lee began playing at age 13. In 1962, he formed his first band, the Jaybirds, who haunted the same Hamburg clubs that had recently hosted the pre-fame Beatles. By the late ’60s, the Jaybirds morphed into Ten Years After who quickly built a sizable following throughout Europe and scored a record deal with Deram Records. Finding their way to the San Francisco airwaves, songs from their self-titled debut caught the ear of Bill Graham who invited them to tour the US in 1968. The following year, they played the Woodstock Festival and appeared in the iconic film documentary of the event. Soon, the band found themselves playing arenas and stadiums all over the world, and Lee’s remarkable talent as a guitarist could not be denied. After recording 10 albums with the group, Lee decided to move on in 1974. What followed were a series of solo albums and collaborations with the likes of George Harrison, Mylon LFevre, Bo Diddley, and Jerry Lee Lewis. He reunited with Ten Years After for a couple of albums and tours during the late ’70s. Lee continued recording and touring until the release of his final album, 2012’s Still On The Road To Freedom. Alvin Lee died unexpectedly on March 6, 2013. According to a post on his website, he “unexpectedly passed away early this morning after unforseen complications following a routine surgical procedure.” He was 68.
Thanks to David Plastik of eRockPhotos for the assist.
Own A Piece Of Rock ‘N Roll History
What You Should Own
As an original member of Motown’s legendary R&B group, the Miracles, Bobby Rogers sang on some of popular music’s most lasting songs. Born on the same day and in the very same hospital as Smokey Robinson, Rogers wouldn’t meet his future band mate until 15 years later. In 1959, the Miracles became the first group signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown/Tamla Records, and within a year, they had the label’s first million seller with “Shop Around.” The group went on to release countless hit singles with Rogers singing on “You Really Got A Hold Of Me,” “The Tracks Of My Tears,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “I Second That Emotion,” and many many more. He was also reportedly responsible for the group’s onstage choreography. Rogers remained in the Miracles until 1978, but participated in reunions in 1980 and 1993. He ultimately retired from the group in 2011. As a Motown songwriter, Rogers wrote or co-wrote such hits as “The Way You Do The Things You Do” (the Temptations), “What Love Has Joined Together” (
Magic Slim was Chicago by way of Mississippi blues man who released some 40 albums over a career that spanned seven decades. Slim initially learned to play the piano, but moved to the guitar after a cotton gin accident took one of his fingers. In 1955, he went to Chicago to check out the local scene. By the mid ’60s he was back for good and offering up a house-rockin’ good time to all who went to see him. By now he was fronting his own band, Magic Slim and the Teardrops and slugging it out at the local juke-joints. He recorded several singles throughout the ’60s and early ’70s until releasing his first album, Born Under a Bad Sign, in 1977. Over the next 35 years, he released albums for such legendary blues labels as Alligator, Wolf, and Blind Pig. During the ’90s, Slim settled in Lincoln, Nebraska where he regularly played with his son, Shawn “Lil’ Slim” Holt. Over the course of his career, Slim was recognized with Band of the Year honors at the W.C. Handy Awards six times. Magic Slim was 75 when he passed away on February 20, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Kevin Ayers was an English musician who was largely responsible for the birth of the British psychedelic movement of the ’60s. Born in Kent, Ayers was in college when he immersed himself in the storied Canterbury scene where a collective of progressive rock, avant-garde and free jazz commingled to create something new and exciting. He soon found himself playing alongside Robert Wyatt in the Wilde Flowers. In 1966, the band morphed into Soft Machine with Ayers starting out on bass and shared vocals but later switching to guitar. Soft Machine quickly grew a strong local following, often performing with 
Tony Sheridan was an early English rock and roll singer, guitarist and songwriter who is most often recognized for his work with the pre-fame Beatles. He holds the honor of being only one of two non-Beatles to ever be credited on one of the groups recordings – the other being 