Died On This Date (September 18, 2007) Pepsi Tate / Tigertailz
themusicsover Pepsi Tate (born Huw Justin Smith)
1965 – September 18, 2007
Pepsi Tate was best known as the bassist for Welsh glam metal band, Tigertailz. The band caught some attention in the 90s, due in part to their loyal cult following, and frankly a more “real” approach to glam metal than most of the fabricated bands of the day. Though heavily made up, they leaned more Motley Crue than Poison. But just as the band started to make some noise outside Europe, grunge came to town, and almost over night, their music career was over. Fortunately Tate had something to fall back on and found a successful career as a television producer, helming the successful BBC Wales political program, Dragon’s Eye. The band reformed in 2005, releasing a new album and performing at a few festivals throughout Europe. Tate was soon diagnosed with pancreatic cancer of which he died at the age of 42.
Earl Van Dyke is best remembered as the second keyboardist for the Funk Brothers, the legendary house band on so many great Motown hits. Van Dyke was in the band during the late ’60s and early ’70s, playing on such R&B staples as “Bernadette” (the Four Tops) and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (
Rob Tyner was the lead singer of Detroit garage rock band, the MC5 who were a heavy influence on the punk movement to soon follow. More than just another loud blues-rock band, the MC5 were endeared by fans for their anti-establishment lyrics. The band’s use of itself as a political voice inspired future generations to do the same. Later bands like the Clash and Rage Against the Machine have cited them as an influence for doing just that. The MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams” is one of the era’s most covered songs by countless young garage bands to follow. Even Tyner’s spirited “Kick out the jams motherfucker!” intro that he spontaneously shouted on a live recording is often repeated on cover versions. The MC5 broke up in 1972 and Tyner formed another band or two but was never able to get much going commercial. He did however, build himself a nice reputation as a manager, producer and concert promoter in the Detroit area. On September 17, 1991, Rob Tyner, according to his New York Times obituary, died in a Royal Oak, Michigan hospital after suffering a heart attack while driving near his home. He was 46. MC5 band mates 
Jimmy Yancey was a boogie-woogie jazz pianist who rose to prominence during the 1940’s. He was an early influence on rock ‘n roll and was recognized as such in 1986 when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also holds the distinct honor of recording, along with his wife, Estelle “Mama” Yancey, the first album ever made by Atlantic Records. Jimmy Yancey died of a stroke on September 17, 1951.