Rick Garberson
DOB UNK – July 15, 1979
Rick Garberson was the drummer for Akron, Ohio based post-punk band, the Bizarros, who formed in early 1976. Hailing from the city that gave us Devo, Pere Ubu and Chrissie Hynde, the Bizarros were an integral part of the scene and were in fact, the first local band to be signed by a national label, Mercury imprint, Blank Records. Garbeson died of carbon monoxide poisoning on July 15, 1979.
Julia Lennon
March 12, 1914 – July 15, 1958
Julia Lennon did more for popular music than give birth to John Lennon, she unknowingly contributed to the greatness he later became by being perhaps his only early champion when it came to music. Julia gave John his first guitar as a child. And when he couldn’t quite learn the chords, she helped him by teaching him on a smaller banjo and ukele. This all against the wishes of her sister, Mimi Smith, who was raising John at the time since it was not, at the time, socially acceptable that Julia was living with another man after John’s biological father basically abandoned the family. Perhaps another of Julia’s lasting impressions on John were the times she played early Elvis Presley records for him. In the year prior to her death, Julia was reportedly one of John’s pre-Beatles band, the Quarrymen’s biggest fans, dancing and cheering for them at at least one early show. Unfortunately Julia was never able to see the greatness her son eventually became. On the evening of July 15, 1958, Julia was struck and killed by a car driven by an off-duty policeman who was drunk at the time. Julia was just 44 at the time.
Trouble T Roy (Born Troy Dixon)
October 19, 1967 – July 15, 1990
Trouble T Roy was a hip-hop dancer best known for his work with Heavy D & the Boyz for three years during the late ’80s. While on tour with the group in July of 1990, Trouble T Roy accidentally fell from a theater balcony while horsing around with other members of the group. He died at an area hospital from his head injuries. He was just 22. Heavy D passed away in 2011.
Gar Samuelson
February 18, 1958 – July 14, 1999
Gar Samuelson was the original drummer for thrash metal band, Megadeth. Prior to joining Megadeth, Samuelson played in a jazz fusion band with future Megadeth guitarist, Chris Poland. But metal was Samuelson’s calling, and once he met Megadeth leader, Dave Mustaine, his mind was made up, he had to be in that band. Samuelson played on just two Megadeth albums, Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good, and the classic, Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? and toured with the band during those years. But heavy drug abuse, specifically heroin, led to his firing by the band in 1987. During the mid ’90s, Samuelson was playing alongside his brother in a thrash metal band called Fatal Opera which released two albums. The last years of his life found him in Orange City, Florida where he built and ran a recording studio. Gar Samuelson died on July 14, 1999 of liver failure at the age of 41.
DJ Randy Flash (Born Rendell Miller)
DOB Unknown – July 14, 2010
DJ Randy Flash was a pioneering turntablist from Philadelphia, PA. Following a 10 year career in a local record store, Flash went on to become one of the most respected house DJ’s of the city. Music makers like ?uestlove of the Roots and DJ Jazzy Jeff have been admirers of his work. While DJing at a a local event, 41-year-old DJ Randy Flash was shot and killed by an unknown assailant it what initially appeared to have been random shooting.
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