Died On This Date (May 20, 2011) John Kuhlken / San Diego Musician
themusicsover John Kulhken
July 31, 1961 – May 20, 2011
John Kulhken was an accomplished musician who took up the drums when he was just 8 years old. Born and raised in the San Diego, California area, Kulhken joined the Air Force after graduating from high school and later earned a Journalism degree from San Diego State University. A true journeyman drummer, Kulhken played in many local bands including the MacAnanys, the Nards, the Rugburns, and Sara Petite and the Sugar Daddies. A 10-year survivor of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma for which he received a bone marrow transplant, Kulhken was hospitalized after not feeling well on May 20th only to learn he was suffering from a blood infection that ultimately took his life several hours later. John Kuhlken was 49 when he passed away on May 20, 2011.
Thanks to Lisa Holt for the assist.
Bob Flanigan was the founder and lead singer of influential jazz vocal group, the Four Freshmen. Formed in 1948 while they were still students at Butler University, the group went on to release numerous hit records and perform in front of sold-out audiences the world over. They would be cited as direct influences on the likes of the Manhattan Transfer, the Lettermen, and most notably, Brian Wilson who often gave credit to the group’s vocal harmonies for guiding his vision of the Beach Boys sound. It was Flanigan’s distinctive high pitch that could be heard above the others on most of the group’s recordings. He was also an accomplished trombonist and bass guitarist, in fact all the original members played instruments, which separated them from other vocal groups of the era. Upon retiring in 1992, Flanigan retained the rights to the group’s name and was involved in selecting new members. Bob Flanigan was 84 when he died of congestive heart failure on May 15, 2011. Co-founder, 
M-Bone was a Los Angeles rapper and member of up-and-coming hip-hop group, Cali Swag Disrict. Formed in 2010, the group scored a hit with “Teach Me How To Dougie,” which ultimately cracked the the Top 30 on the Billboard singles chart. Signed to Capitol Records, Cali Swag District’s debut album was expected to be released in 2011. M-Bone was shot and killed during an apparently random drive-by shooting outside an Inglewood, California liquor store on May 15, 2011. He was 22.
Jack Richardson was a respected Canadian record producer who was ultimately honored by having the Juno Awards’ Producer of the Year Award named after him. He was also an instructor at the most prestigious music schools in Canada. While working for an ad agency in 1968, Richardson created a bottle-cap reimbursement campaign for the Canadian Coca-Cola company. Those who purchased designated Cokes could collect the bottle caps and ultimately redeem them for a promotional album, A Wild Pair, which featured the Guess Who on one side and the Staccatos (later known as the Five Man Electrical Band) on the other. The campaign was so successful that the album reportedly would have achieved gold status had it been an “official” release. Richardson went on to produce several Guess Who albums and singles including their biggest hits, “These Eyes” and “American Woman.” He also produced Bob Seger’s landmark album, Night Moves, as well has hit albums by the likes of Alice Cooper, Poco, Badfinger, and the Irish Rovers. His son, Garth Richardson is an in-demand producer as well who has worked with Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and System Of A Down. Jack Richardson was 81 when he passed away on May 13, 2011.