Malina Olinescu
January 29, 1974 – December 12, 2011
Malina Olinescu was a Romanian pop singer. In 1998, Olinescu represented Romania in the popular Eurovision Song Contest with her song, “Eu Cred” which came in at #22. On December 12, 2011, Malina Olinescu reportedly took her own life by leaping from the 6th floor of a building. She was 37.
Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.
Karryl Smith
DOB Unknown – December 10, 2011
Karryl “Special One” Smith was one half of the popular San Francisco hip-hop duo, the Conscious Daughters. Smith formed the act with Carla “CMG” Green in 1992, and within a year, they were signed to Paris’ label, Scarface Records. Their first album, 1994’s Ear To The Street, included their first hit, “Somethin’ to Ride (Fonky Expedition).” They went on to secure a deal with the iconic Priority Records who released their follow-up, Gamers, which landed on the Billboard charts and sold upwards of 300,000 copies. More releases followed, including 2011’s The Jane Of All Trades. Special One was reportedly found dead inside her home on December 10, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.
David Astor
September 26, 1919 – December 10, 2011
David Astor’s contribution to popular music was the regional teen dance program he created and hosted for many years. In 1956, Portland, Maine television viewers were introduced to The Dave Astor Show: For Teenagers Only, a weekly dance program that Astor developed and hosted on WMGE. The American Bandstand type show, which aired every Saturday at 5pm, was an instant hit with the city’s youth and stayed on the air until 1971. The show featured area high school kids singing, lip-synching, and/or dancing to popular hits played by a student band – if they maintained good grades, of course. David Astor passed away on December 10, 2011. He was 92.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.
Dustin Hengst
October 14, 1972 – December 9, 2011
Dustin Hengst was the drummer for the popular Boston-area pop-punk band, Damone. Formed in 2001, Damone quickly built a local following that was hungry for their skate punk attitude and crunchy guitars. Within a couple of year, the band was signed to RCA Records and was sharing the stage with the likes of the Ataris and the Juliana Theory. They released their well-received debut, From The Attic in 2003. They were eventually let go by RCA but bounced back with their solid Island/Def Jam release of Out Here All Night in 2006. Hengst left the group in 2008. He also played behind the band, Bleu. On December 9, 2011, Dustin Hengst, 39, died in a Texas hospital where he had reportedly been struggling with health related issues for a few weeks. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Steve Cabral for the assist.
Alan Styles
DOB Unknown – December 8, 2011
Alan Styles was a long time roadie for legendary rock act, Pink Floyd. More than just a roadie for the band, Styles built somewhat of his own following, due in part from being memorialized on Atom Heart Mother’s “Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast.” The song features the band playing behind Styles talking about breakfast and such. He can also be seen on the cover of Ummagumma. Alan Styles was 75 when he passed away on December 8, 2011. He had been in a local hospital being treated for pneumonia.
Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.
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