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Died On This Date (November 1, 2014) Wayne Static / Frontman Of Static-X

themusicsover November 1, 2014 No Comments

Wayne Static (Born Wayne Wells)
November 4, 1965 – November 1, 2014

wayne-static Wayne Static was the lead singer and multi-instrumentalist for the Los Angeles based industrial metal band, Static-X. Formed in 1994, the band built a legion of followers thanks to a sound that co-mingled industrial metal, groove metal and nu-metal. Over the course of the band’s 16 year run, they released six albums including their Platinum-selling debut, Wisconsin Death Trip. Static was the only original member of the band throughout its entire lifespan. Seemingly musically gifted at an early age, Static’s parents bought him his first guitar at the age of seven, and by the time he was 12, he was in his first band. He eventually moved from Chicago to Los Angeles where Static-X was born. After a very successful run, the band went on hiatus in 2009 during which time Static released his solo debut, 2011’s Pighammer, which peaked at #97 on the US Album Charts. He formed a new version of Static-X in 2012, but disbanded it for good the following year. Outside of Static-X, Static collaborated with the likes of Skinny Puppy, Godhead, Soil, and Run DMC. He was scheduled to tour with Powerman 5000 and American Head Charge in November of 2014. Wayne Static was 48 when he passed away on November 1, 2014. Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (October 25, 2014) Jack Bruce / Bassist For Cream

themusicsover October 25, 2014 5 Comments

John “Jack” Bruce
May 14, 1943 – October 25, 2014

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As the founding bassist, songwriter and singer for the psychedelic rock trio, Cream, Jack Bruce will be remembered as one of popular music’s greatest bass players. Formed with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker in 1966, Cream quickly formed a legion of fans thanks to their powerful hybrid of hard rock, electric blues, and psychedelic rock. Like no other group before or since, each instrument was as prominent as the other to the point where Bruce’s bass, Clapton’s guitar, and Baker’s drums could be called the “lead” instrument. Even though they recorded only four albums across the span of just two years, Cream is regarded as one the most successful and influential “supergroups” of all time. Their third album, Wheels Of Fire was the world’s first platinum double album. Born into a musical family, Bruce took a shine to jazz bass early and eventually earned a scholarship to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where he supported himself during by playing in a local jazz band. In 1962, he joined the Graham Bond Organisation where he met Baker. After leaving the band in 1965, Bruce released a solo album and then joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers where he met Clapton, who he recruited for his new band. After Cream broke up, Bruce released several solo albums and collaborated with numerous rock and jazz fusion artists before reuniting with Cream in 1993 for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and again in 2005 for a series of successful shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London and Madison Square Garden in New York City. Bruce continued to record and perform live until his passing from liver disease on October 25, 2014. He was 71.

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Musician Reggae Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (October 19, 2014) John Holt / Reggae Great

themusicsover October 19, 2014 No Comments

Winston “John” Holt
July 11, 1947 – October 19, 2014

john-holt John Holt was a respected reggae singer and songwriter who began his career by performing at talent shows in an around Kingston as far back as 12 years old. After winning upwards of two dozen of these contests, Holt recorded his fist single, “Forever I’ll Stay,” for the great Leslie Kong. The year was 1963, and two years later, he joined a band that would eventually become the Paragons, one of reggae’s biggest acts during the golden age of mid ’60s rocksteady. During that period, Holt wrote one of the band’s best known hits, “The Tide Is High,” which became a worldwide smash for Blondie in 1980. After the Paragons disbanded in 1970, Holt went on to have a successful solo career becoming one of Jamaica’s biggest stars of the ’70s. His hits included “Stick By Me,” “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” and “Touch Me In The Morning.” Holt released more than 40 albums and toured regularly throughout his career. In 2004, he was recognized with the Order Of Distinction by the Jamaican government for his contribution to the island’s music. In June of 2014, Holt was diagnosed with colon cancer and fell ill in August. He was 67 when he passed away on October 19, 2014.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

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Musician Rock

Died On This Date (Otober 19, 2014) Raphael Ravenscroft / Provided Iconic Sax Solo On “Baker Street”

themusicsover October 19, 2014 3 Comments

Raphael Ravenscroft
June 4, 1954 – October 19, 2014

Raphael Ravenscroft was an in-demand session musician whose saxophone can be heard on albums by Robert Plant, Daft Punk, Mike Oldfield, Duffy, and Pink Floyd to name just a few. He most famously provided the iconic sax parts for Gerry Rafferty‘s 1978 hit single, “Baker Street.” The song reached #2 on the US charts, #1 in Canada and Australia, and #3 in the UK. In 2010, BMI recognized the it for having been played more than 5 million times around the world. Throughout his career, Ravenscroft also wrote several regarded saxophone instruction books. He also composed music for numerous major advertising campaigns. Ravenscroft semi-retired in 2012 due to health issues and died from a suspected heart attack on October 19, 2014. He was 60.

Early Rock Musician Rock

Died On This Date (October 4, 2014) Paul Revere / Paul Revere & The Raiders

themusicsover October 4, 2014 No Comments

Paul Revere Dick
January 7, 1938 – October 4, 2014

Paul Revere was the founder, keyboardist and iconic face of late ’60s/early ’70s rock and roll band, Paul Revere & the Raiders. Formed in Boise, Idaho in 1958 as the Downbeats (with Mark Lindsay on lead vocals), the band scored its first regional hit in 1961 with “Like, Long Hair.” The song eventually found enough of a national audience to crack the Top 40 of the national charts. By the mid ’60s, the group, now known as the Paul Revere & the Raiders, relocated to Los Angeles and began working with producer, Terry Melcher. What followed was a string of future garage rock classics that positioned the band as America’s answer to the British Invasion. Records like “Just Like Me,” “Hungry,” “Good Thing,” and “Kicks” became radio staples throughout the second half of he 1960s. For at least the year of 1967, the band was Columbia Records’ biggest-selling rock band. The early ’70s found the Raiders’ style of music falling out of fashion, so they responded with 1971’s socially conscious “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)”, a #1 hit that went on to sell over six million copies. The album from which it came, Indian Reservation, reached #19 on the album charts. It was the band’s final appearance of any significance on the charts. In 1976, Revere announced his retirement, only to return to the stage with a new Raiders lineup in 1978. He continued to perform in front of cheering crowds along the oldies circuit until his second retirement in August of 2014. In recent years, Paul Revere & the Raiders enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to carefully curated reissues and Hall of Fame type accolades. Paul Revere was 76 when passed away on October 4, 2014. Cause of death was not immediately released.

Died On This Date (November 1, 2014) Wayne Static / Frontman Of Static-X

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Died On This Date (October 25, 2014) Jack Bruce / Bassist For Cream

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Died On This Date (October 19, 2014) John Holt / Reggae Great

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Died On This Date (Otober 19, 2014) Raphael Ravenscroft / Provided Iconic Sax Solo On “Baker Street”

Died On This Date (October 4, 2014) Paul Revere / Paul Revere & The Raiders

What You Should Own

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