Died On This Date (February 17, 2014) Bob Casale / Devo
themusicsover Bob Casale
DOB Unknown – February 17, 2014
Bob Casale was a founding guitarist for influential new wave band, Devo. Formed with his brother, Gerald Casale, brothers, Mark Mothersbaugh and Bob Mothersbaugh, and Alan Myers in 1972, Devo went on to become one of the most popular bands of the era thanks to such hits as “Girl U Want,” “Freedom Of Choice,” “Working In A Coal Mine,” and “Whip It.” The latter was one of the most recognizable songs of the ’80s and helped propel the album Freedom Of Choice to Platinum in the US. The song’s video was one of the most popular on MTV at the time. The band continued to release album throughout the ’80s but slowed down as the public’s taste changed during the ’90s and 2000s. In 2010, they released Something For Everybody to critical acclaim. It reached #30 on the Billboard album charts, their first charting album since 1988. Also in 2010, Devo performed during a televised broadcast from the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Bob Casale died of heart failure on February 17, 2014. He was 61.
What You Should Own
Alan Myers is best remembered as the drummer for Devo during their most successful period. Brought into the fold to replace Jim Mothersbaugh in 1976, Myers played on Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo and Freedom of Choice. Are We Not Men reached #14 on the Billboard charts and spawned the band’s biggest hit, “Whip It.”. By 1987, Myers had left the group to pursue other musical interests. He went on to play with such bands as Babooshka, Jean Paul Yamamoto, Skyline Electric, and Swahili Blonde. Alan Myers lost his battle with cancer on June 24, 2013.