Died On This Date (October 8, 1997) Jo Bruce / Afro Celt Sound System
themusicsover Jonas Asher Bruce
February 9, 1968 – October 8, 1997
Jo Bruce was a founding member, songwriter and keyboardist for the Afro Celt Sound System. Signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World label, the band accrued countless fans around the world with their unique blend of West African and Irish music. The son of Cream’s Jack Bruce, Jo Bruce helped form the group in 1992. Thanks in part to a heavy touring schedule that included high profile festivals such as WOMAD, the groups debut album sold in the neighborhood of 250,000 units, making them the best selling artist on the label, besides Gabriel. But just as the band released its much anticipated second album, Bruce died suddenly of a massive asthma attack at the age of 29.
Steve Ferguson is best remembered as a founding guitarist of the New Rhythm and Blues Quintet (later Quartet), or NRBQ. Formed in 1967 in Miami, Florida, the group has amassed a fanatical cult following for its musical gumbo of R&B, jazz, rockabilly, blues, country, and bar-band rock ‘n roll. After playing on just two albums, including a collaboration with 
Mario Lanza was an American tenor vocalist and actor who was a household name during the ’40s and ’50s. He was arguably the biggest opera draw of his generation as well as a direct influence on 