Died On This Date (October12, 2009) Brendan Mullen / Founder of L.A. Punk Club, The Masque

Brendan Mullen
DOB Unknown – October 12, 2009

Photo by Adam Wallacavage
Photo by Adam Wallacavage

Brendan Mullen is best remembered for The Masque, the legendary Los Angeles punk club that he opened in 1977.  After moving to Los Angeles from London in 1973, Mullen took over a filthy room that sat right behind the notorious Pussycat Theater in Hollywood and transformed it into a rehearsal space for  local bands.  In a matter of matter of months, the room became a venue that some consider the flashpoint of the local punk scene of the late ’70s.  Bands like the Germs, X, the Weirdos, the Go-Gos, and the Plugz all played some of their earliest gigs there.  As could be expected, Mullen clashed on numerous occasions with area merchants, the fire department and the L.A.P.D. before the club was temporarily shut down in 1978.  It briefly re-opened in another location in 1979 before closing permanently.  Mullen later went on to book shows at The Other Masque and Club Lingerie, both also in Hollywood.  In later years, Mullen wrote such books about the L.A. punk scene as We Got the Neutron Bomb: The Untold Story of L.A. Punk, Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and the Germs, and Live at the Masque: Nightmare in Punk Alley.  Brendan Mullen died in a Los Angeles hospital on October 12, 2009.  He had suffered a massive stroke.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Died On This Date (October 12, 1999) Frank Frost / Blues Harmonica Great

Frank Frost
April 15, 1936 – October 12, 1999

Frank Frost was a delta blues harmonica player who was arguably one of the best.  He cut his musical teeth however, on guitar, most significantly as part Sonny Boy Williamson’s touring band.  It was Williamson who taught him to play the harmonica.  He left Williamson in 1959 and began working with drummer Sam Carr and guitarist Big Jack Johnson.  It was this combo that caught the eye of legendary producer, Sam Phillips who produced his first album, Hey Boss Man!.  In later years, Frost formed his own record label, Earwig Music Company to showcase his music.  Frank Frost continued making records until into the late ’80s and died of cardiac arrest on October 12, 1999 at the age of 63.

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Harpin' On It - Frank Frost

Died On This Date (October 11, 2009) Don Decker / Lead Singer Of Anal Blast

Don Decker
September 11, 1968  – October 11, 2009

analblastDon Decker was the lead singer and main songwriter for Anal Blast, the Minneapolis pornogrind/death metal band .  Formed in 1994, the band released just two albums, Vaginal Vampire and Battered Bleeding Bitch.  Cause of death has not been released, though some reports indicate it may be related to a condition for which he received a liver transplant in recent years.  Decker was 41 years old.



Died On This Date (October 11, 2008) Neal Hefti / Composed “Batman” and “Odd Couple” Themes

Neal Hefti
October 29, 1922 – October 11, 2008

Neal Hefti was a jazz musician and composer who is best remembered for writing the theme music for the Batman series and the Odd Couple movie and series.  Prior to his career as a composer, he played the trumpet in Woody Herman’s band.  He also arranged for Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich and Count Basie.  Neil Hefti passed away in his home at the age of 85.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Neal Hefti

Died On This Date (October 11, 2008) William Claxton / Legendary Music Photographer

William Claxton
October 12, 1927 – October 11, 2008

William Claxton was a respected photographer who documented the American jazz scene of the ’50s and ’60s.  He captured some of the era’s most iconic images.  His list of subjects included Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, and most famously, Chet Baker.  His images of Baker casually dressed in a t-shirt were instrumental in developing the overall hip image of the musician.  Claxton is also responsible for many famous pictures of the likes of Sting, Barbra Streisand, Steve McQueen, Frank SinatraJudy Garland, Isaac Hayes, and many more.  William Claxton died of congestive heart failure just one day before his 81st birthday.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums

Chet Baker by William Claxton
Chet Baker by William Claxton

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