Died On This Date (May 17, 1999) Bruce Fairbairn / Producer
themusicsover Bruce Fairbairn
December 30, 1949 – May 17, 1999
Bruce Fairbairn was a Canadian trumpet player, but made a huge mark on popular music as a rock producer. Fairbairn hit his stride in the ’80s producing such albums as Loverboy’s Get Lucky, Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet, Aerosmith’s Permanent Vacation, and later, Bon Jovi’s New Jersey, Aerosmith’s Pump, Poison’s Flesh and Blood, Van Halen’s Balance, AC/DC’s The Razor’s Edge Kiss’ Psycho Circus, and many more. It was while working on Yes’ Ladder, in May of 1999 that Jon Anderson discovered Bruce Fairbairn’s body in his home. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Guy Speranza was the original lead singer for New York heavy metal band, Riot. Formed in 1973, the band struggled to make it and were on the verge of breaking up when, in 1981 the began to find their audience thanks to what was to be called the New Wave of British Heavy Metal that began to break heavy metal into the mainstream. They began touring with such popular metal acts as AC/DC and Molly Hatchet, and were soon signed to Capitol Records. Speranza sang on Riot’s first three albums, but left the after the release of their Capitol debut in 1981. He later retired from music and moved to Florida where he became an exterminator. Guy Speranza, 47, died of pancreatic cancer on November 8, 2003.
B.J. Wilson was an English drummer best remembered for his work with Procol Harum. He joined the group however, just after they recorded their hit, “Whiter Shade Of Pale.” Besides leader Gary Brooker, Wilson was the only consistent band member from 1967 until they broke up in 1977. As a session player, Wilson can be heard playing on Frankie Miller’s Double Trouble, AC/DC’s Flick The Switch, and the film score of Rocky Horror Picture Show. He also toured in 