Died On This Date (August 4, 2012) Kevin O’Hare / Respected Music Critic

Kevin O’Hare
DOB Unknown – August 4, 2012

Kevin O’Hare was a respected Boston area music critic who also fancied himself a human encyclopedia when it came to music trivia. Although his writings appeared in dozens of periodicals across the US, he called The Republican home since 1982.  Starting out as a sports writer, he later became a news writer, and eventually the paper’s senior music writer.  His weekly column, “Playback,” included interviews of the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel and Paul McCartney who once marveled at how at ease O’Hare put him during his interview.  Throughout his career, O’Hare critiqued over 7000 albums and nearly 2000 concerts.  During the early ’80s, O’Hare played in the Cardiac Kids who built a sizable regional following.  Kevin O’Hare was 55 when he passed away on August 4, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released but he had been suffering from an undisclosed illness.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus of the Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.



Died On This Date (September 2, 2012) Mark Abrahamian / Lead Guitarist for Starship

Mark Abrahamian
February 23, 1966 – September 2, 2012

Mark Abrahamian was the most recent lead guitarist for the iconic American rock band, Starship.  Originally formed as Jefferson Airplane in 1965, the band was known by a few different names over the years – Jefferson Starship, Starship, and ultimately, Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas.   It was with Thomas’ incarnation that Abrahamian had played since 2000.  After graduating from The Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, Abrahamian went on to play live with the likes of Christopher Cross, Pat Travers, and Chuck Negron.  Immediately following a Starship performance in Nebraska on September 2, 2012, Mark Abrahamian reportedly collapsed back stage and was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead of a heart attack.  He was 46.

Died On This Date (August 20, 2012) John Stockfish / Bassist For Gordon Lightfoot

John Stockfish
DOB Unknown – August 20, 2012

John Stockfish was the original bassist for iconic Canadian singer-songwriter, Gordon Lightfoot.  Stockfish, who received his training at the esteemed Royal Conservatory Of Music in Toronto, was hired by Lightfoot in 1965.  He recorded and toured with him for four years and can be heard on such songs as “Sundown,” Song For A Winter’s Night,” and “Black Day In July.”  Throughout his career, Stockfish also worked with Jim Croce, Mel Torme, and Cab Calloway, to name a few.  John Stockfish was 69 when he died of natural causes on August 20, 2012.

Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.



Died On This Date (September 1, 2012) Hal David / Award Winning Lyricist

Harold David
May 25, 1921 – September 1, 2012

Hal David was an Oscar and Grammy-winning lyricist who penned the words to such pop music classics as “What’s New, Pussycat?,” “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” “Do You Know The Way To San Jose,” and countless more.  His best known work was with longtime writing partner, Burt Bacharach. David launched his writing career during the ’40s, when he wrote songs for the likes of Sammy Kaye and Guy Lombardo.  In 1957, he hooked up with Bacharach when the two were writing for Famous Music at the legendary Brill Building in New York City.  The pair went on to write many of popular music’s most enduring songs which were recorded by the likes of Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, the Carpenters, and Jackie DeShannon.  The pair won an Oscar for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid‘s “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.”  Their “(They Long to Be) Close to You” – a huge hit for the Carpenters, was a wedding dance favorite through most of the ’70s and ’80s.  David/Bacharach hits were on the singles charts nearly every month between 1963 and 1971.  Hal David was 91 when he passed away on September 1, 2012.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus of Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.


Died On This Date (August 29, 2012) Bill Tillman / Blood, Sweat & Tears

Bill Tillman
DOB Unknown – August 29, 2012

Bill Tillman was a gifted saxophone player and flutist who is perhaps best remembered for his three years playing in popular American rock band, Blood, Sweat & Tears.  Like contemporaries, Chicago, BS&T pioneered the use of a horn section as a lead instrument in rock music.  Tillman played in the group’s horn section between 1974 and 1977 and can be heard on eight of their albums.  Born and raised in Texas, Tillman was recognized by the Texas Public School Board as the most outstanding musician of 1965.  He soon hit the road, playing tours for the likes of Gladys Knight – as music director, the Coasters, Chuck Berry, and Roy Orbison.  In 1978, Tillman began a two-year run as a soloist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.  He also released a handful of his own albums beginning in the ’80s and culminating with 2000’s  Altogether.  On August 29, 2012, Bill Tillman passed away after reportedly hitting his head during a fall in his bathroom.  He was 65 and was awaiting a was apparently on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.