Died On This Date (October 20, 2010) Ari Up / Lead Singer Of The Slits
themusicsover Ari Up (Born Ariane Forster)
January 17, 1962 – October 20, 2010
Ari Up was the lead singer for the British punk band, the Slits. Born in Germany, Up was exposed to the rock music world at a very young age by her mother, Nora Forster, who was friends with Jimi Hendrix, Chris Spedding, and later married John Lydon of the Sex Pistols. By the late ’70s, the Forster home was somewhat of a halfway house for starving punk musicians, with Up taking it all in, even learning to play the guitar from Joe Strummer. In 1976, Up, who was just 14 at thetime, formed the Slits with Palmolive (Paloma Romero). The band built a solid following thanks to its reggae and dub leaning punk sound, which was heavily influenced by the Clash, and Up’s energetic live performances. In 1979, the band released its debut album, Cut, on Island Records to some controversy as the cover featured the women dressed only in loin cloths and covered in mud. Even though it was never considered a “hit,” the album generally appears in “best of” lists to this day. Following the break up of the Slits in 1981, Up all but retired from music, moving to the jungles of Indonesia and Belize with her husband and children to live amongst the indigenous people. She made music occasionally and resurfaced in 2005 to release her first solo album, Dread More Dan Dead. The following year, Up reformed the Slits and released an EP and toured the world. Since then she has appeared on albums by the likes of Lee “Scratch” Perry, the Jammyland All Stars, and Mark Stewart. Ari Up passed away on October 20, 2010 at the age of 48. Cause of death was not immediately released, but she apparently had been suffering from an undisclosed illness.
Thanks to Mike Woodford for the assist.
What You Should Own
Born in Denmark, Ole Beich was an aspiring bassist who moved to Los Angeles during the early ’80s to find a career in music. In 1983, he was hired by Tracii Guns to play in his glam metal band, L.A. Guns who would also eventually include Axl Rose on lead vocals. The band soon morphed into Guns ‘N Roses with Beich serving as bassist for a short period. After playing just one show with G ‘N R in 1985, he quit the group and was replaced with Duff McKagen. On October 16, 1991, Ole Beich drowned to death in a Copenhagen lake. The circumstances were reportedly suspicious leading some to speculate that Beich committed suicide.
Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Eyedea grew up to become a popular freestyle rapper. He was also an accomplished guitarist. During the early days of his career, Eyedea was a “battle emcee,” throughout the competive circuit. His victories included Scribble Jam ’99, Blaze Battle 2000, and Rock Steady Anniversary 2000. In 1998, he partenered with DJ Abilities (Gregory Keltgen) to form Eyedea & Abilities, and in 2001, they releaseed First Born on Rhymesayers Records. Two new albums followed over the next few years, helping cement them as two of the most popular artists of the underground rap scene. Eyedea also released several other albums and 12″ singles under names and configurations (Oliver Hart, Face Candy, Carbon Carousel). Eyedea was 28 when he passed away on October 16, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Norman Johnson, known professionally as General Johnson, was as Grammy-winning songwriter, as well as a producer and the lead singer of popular late ’60s/early ’70s soul group, Chairmen of the Board. Johnson was just 16 when he made his first recordings for the storied Atlantic Records. In those early days he fronted his own group, the Humdingers, and shortly thereafter, the Showmen. It was with the latter that Johnson first started cracking the R&B singles chart with such records as “39-21-40 Shape.” After a short and less fruitful run as a solo artist, Johnson formed the Chairmen of the Board. The year was 1967, and it was with that group that he went on to release such hits as “(You’ve Got Me) Dangling On a String,” “Pay the Piper,” and “Give Me Just a Little More Time,” which sold in excess of one million copies. In 1970, Johnson won a Grammy as the songwriter of the mega hit “Patches” as recorded by Clarence Carter. 
Huddy Combs, also known professionally as Huddy 6 was a respected hip hop performer and promoter based out of Harlem, New York. Combs’ entry into the music business came via Ma$e’s rap group, Harlem World. He can be heard on their 1999 release, The Movement. Combs was childhood friend of fellow rapper Cam’ron, and reportedly once saved his life after the latter was shot outside a party. Huddy Combs was involved in and automobile accident on New York City’s George Washington Bridge in the early hours of October 13, 2010. He died at the scene.