Died On This Date (December 31, 2000) Eddy Shaver / Gifted Alt-Country Guitarist

John “Eddy” Shaver
June 20, 1962 – December 31, 2000

Eddy Shaver was an electric guitarist, songwriter and son of legendary country-outlaw, Billy Joe Shaver with whom he performed as Shaver.  As a youngster, Shaver was given his first guitar and given lessons by Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers.  After growing into a fiery electric guitarist, Shaver played alongside such greats as Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, and of course, his father.  As a songwriter, Shaver is best known for “Live Forever,” a song co-written with his father that has been recorded by the likes of the Highwaymen and Patty Loveless.  In the mid ’90s, Eddy teamed up with his father, Billy Joe to form the rock-leaning alt-country band, Shaver.  Together they released a handful of critically praised albums, including the excellent Tramp on Your Street.  On December 31, 2000, Eddy Shaver was scheduled to perform a New Years Eve show with his father, but never made it there.  He was dead of a heroin overdose at the age of 38.

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Tramp On Your Street - Billy Joe Shaver

Died On This Date (December 31, 1984) Ann Sheldon / Psychedelic Furs

Ann Sheldon
DOB Unknown – December 31, 1984

Ann Sheldon was a musician who is best remembered as a cellist for popular rock band, the Psychedelic Furs.  Sheldon toured with the band during the early ’80s and played on their 1982 release, Forever Now.  The album included one of the band’s biggest hits, “Love My Way.”  On December 31, 1984, Ann Sheldon was killed in a car accident while traveling on an icy road in the Catskill Mountains.

Thanks to Chris Lane for the assist.

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Forever Now - The Psychedelic Furs

Died On This Date (December 31, 2002) Jim McReynolds / Bluegrass Great; Jim & Jesse

Jim McReynolds
February 13, 1927 – December 31, 2002

Jim McReynolds was a guitarist and singer who, with his brother, Jesse McReynolds, made up a popular bluegrass duo, Jim & Jesse.  Whether working just side-by-side, or within the confines of their group, the Virginia Boys, the McReynolds brothers were the longest running musical duo in history, with a career that lasted over 55 years.  Over the years, the Virginia Boys included such musical greats as Vassar Clements, Carl Jackson, and Earl Scruggs.  By the early ’50s, Jim & Jesse were recording for Capitol Records, and later, Columbia and Epic Records.  They also hosted their own national weekly radio program, The Suwannee River Jamboree during the late ’50s and early ’60s. They continued to record and perform together up through Jim’s death.   Jim McReynolds died of cancer on December 31, 2002.

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Jim & Jesse

Died On This Date (December 31, 1997) Floyd Cramer / Country Great

Floyd Cramer
October 27, 1933 – December 31, 1997

cramer

Floyd Cramer was a legendary country pianist who is considered one of the foundations of the “Nashville Sound.”  Cramer got his start in music in 1953 when he recorded his first record, “Dancin’ Diane” which lead to a tour with a then unknown Elvis Presley.  In 1955, Cramer moved to Nashville and became one of the city’s busiest session players.  He soon found himself playing on records by Presley, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison, to name a few.   Cramer released several albums on his own as well.  From those came such hits as “Last Date,” “San Antonio Rose,” and “On The Rebound.”  Floyd Cramer was 67 when he died of lung cancer on December 31, 1997.

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Floyd Cramer

Died On This Date (December 31, 1994) Leigh Bowery / Australian Performance Artist

Leigh Bowery
March 26, 1961 – December 31, 1994

Leigh Bowery was a popular Australian performance artist, actor, model and pop star whose influence was felt in the ’80s and ’90s London and New York City.   After graduating from high school, Bowery moved to London where he began building a following due to his dance and music performances as well as his outlandish costumes.  In 1985, Bowery launched his weekly disco club night called Taboo, which quickly became London’s answer to Studio 54.  It was also very influential to the city’s fashion scene until it closed in 1987.  In 1993, Bowery formed the band, Minty who scored a minor hit in the Netherlands, but failed to ignite much excitement beyond the controversy surrounding the theatrics of their shock-horror laden concerts.  Bowery is said to have influenced the likes of Boy George, Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons, and the Scissor Sisters.  On New Year’s Eve of 1994, Leigh Bowery died of AIDS related conditions.  He was 33 years old.