Died On This Date (December 25, 1998) Bryan MacLean / Love
themusicsover Bryan MacLean
September 25, 1946 – December 25, 1998
Bryan MacLean was a songwriter and guitarist best known for his work in the ’60s psychedelic garage rock band, Love. Formed in 1965, the group is known to have influenced such bands as the Damned, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and the Stone Roses. No less than Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant has called Love’s Forever Changes one of his favorite albums of all time. While growing up, MacLean envisioned a career as a traveling folk singer, but after seeing the Beatles in A Hard Day’s Night, he set his sights on rock music. Around 1964, he met Arthur Lee and within a year they would evolve into Love, get signed to Elektra Records, and begin releasing a trio of LPs that included Forever Changes, by many accounts, one of rock’s greatest albums. The band’s most significant records were “7 & 7 is,” “Hey Joe,” “My Little Red Book,” and the MacLean-penned, “Alone Again Or.” Love broke up in 1967, and MacLean, who had been struggling with drug addiction set out to turn his life around. He became a devout Christian, but continued to make music over the three decades. In later years, he lent a hand to the career of his half-sister Maria McKee and her band, Lone Justice. His “Don’t Toss Us Away,” is one of the stand-out tracks on their debut album. While planning a comeback in 1998, Bryan MacLean suffered a fatal heart attack on Christmas Day. He was 51.
What You Should Own
Robert Ward was a respected blues and R&B guitarist who came to prominence during the ’60s. After moving to Dayton, Ohio from his home in Georgia, Ward formed a group called the Ohio Untouchables which eventually morphed into the popular funk group, the Ohio Players. He later moved to Detroit where he collaborated with many of R&B’s greatest acts, including 
Tony Bellamy is best remembered as the one-time lead guitarist for the Native American rock band, Redbone. Formed in 1969, the band achieved its most success during the early ’70s. In 1974 they scored their biggest hit single with “Come and Get Your Love,” which reached the top 5 on the Billboard singles chart. Prior to his days with Redbone, Bellamy played with Dobie Gray and the pre-Moby Grape band, Peter and the Wolves. He left Redbone in 1977 and went on to form his own group, Bimbam. He reunited with Redbone for special events in later years. Tony Bellamy was 69 when he died of liver failure on Christmas Day, 2009. 
Billy Hill was a Songwriter Hall of Fame tunesmith who penned several hits throughout the ’30s. Born in the Boston, Hill studied music and played the violin and piano, eventually earning a living at it as part of dance bands. His first hit as a songwriter came with 1933’s “The Last Roundup,” which made that year’s The Hit Parade and lead to him becoming one of Tin Pan Alley’s most successful writers. His most well-known first came to prominence in 1936. “The Glory Of Love” was made into a hit that year by