Died On This Date (December 16, 2011) Jennifer Miro / The Nuns

Jennifer Miro (Born Jennifer Anderson)
May 3, 1957 – December 16, 2011

Jennifer Miro was a keyboardist and singer who played in the pioneering San Francisco punk band, the Nuns.  Formed in 1975, the band, which included Alejandro Escovedo and Jeff Olener, brought on Miro who had grown tired of playing in a local Doobie Brothers cover band.  The band quickly found its audience with the Bay Area’s underground punk lovers, and on January 14, 1978, they found themselves opening for the Sex Pistols‘ final concert at the legendary Winterland Ballroom.  For a brief time, the Nuns were managed by Bill Graham, but they parted ways due to Graham reportedly taking offense to their song, “Decadent Jew.” After the Nuns broke up in 1979, Miro played with the VIPs and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a solo career.  She also worked with Narada Michael Walden and later found some success as a fetish model.  The Nuns reunited a couple of times during the ’80s and late ’90s.  On December 16, 2011, Jennifer Miro died from complications of liver and breast cancer.  She was 54.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (June 4, 1997) Ronnie Lane / The Small Faces

Ronnie Lane
April 1, 1946 – June 4, 1997

Photo by Craig Petty

Ronnie Lane was born in the east end of London, and from an early age, he wanted to be a musician. Meeting drummer Kenney Jones at 16, Lane formed his first band, the Outkasts with him initially on guitar, but quickly switching to bass. Lane soon met Steve Marriott and together with Jones and Jimmy Winston, they formed the Small Faces in 1965. In 1972, Lane broke from the Small Faces to embark on a solo career. During that time, he hooked up with Pete Townsend to record an album called Rough Mix that was released in 1977. It was during the Rough Mix sessions that Lane discovered he was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, which barely slowed him down for a bit as he continued to tour and record. In fact he spent most of those days as a gypsy minstrel, traveling the highways of England playing acoustically along the way. In 1983, Lane’s then girlfriend, Boo Oldfield helped arrange an MS benefit concert (A.R.M.S Concert) that featured performances by Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Jones and Andy Fairweather-Low. Joe Cocker and Paul Rodgers were added to a US tour. Suffering from the effects of MS, Lane moved to the better climate of Austin TX, where he continued to work with the likes of Alejandro Escovedo. Since he wasn’t earning royalties from his days with the Small Faces, friends like Jimmy Page and Rod Stewart generously helped with the medical bills. Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan were able to arrange Small Faces royalty payments to Lane, before he died of pneumonia as a result of the MS on June 4, 1997.

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Died On This Date (May 9, 2009) Stephen Bruton / Austin Music Great

Stephen Bruton
November 7, 1948 – May 9, 2009

Stephen Bruton was a beloved Texas songwriter, guitarist, and producer.   Born in Fort Worth, Bruton’s first big break came at age 22, when he was asked to play in Kris Kristofferson’s band.   Since then, Bruton has been an entertainment jack of all trade.  After many years as a sideman, Bruton stepped out to the front of the stage and became a headliner himself.  As a respected songwriter, he’s written songs for Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Buffett, Martina McBride and many more.  As a producer, he worked the board for such greats as Joe Ely, Alejandro Escovedo, Hal Ketchum and others.  Bruton also engineered albums by the likes of Ziggy Marley, John Mellencamp and R.E.M. He even had some acting credits, appearing in such films as A Star Is Born, Miss Congeniality, and Heaven’s Gate.  But it was his outstanding guitar work that might end up being his strongest legacy.  Over the years, he’s been heartily invited to play on projects by Elvis Costello, Delbert McClinton, Carly Simon, Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge, and many more.  Bruton was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2007 and succumbed to it in Los Angeles where he was working on the soundtrack to the Jeff Bridges film, Crazy Heart.

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Died On This Date (September 26, 2009) Amy Farris / Popular Americana Fiddler

Amy Farris
DOB Unknown – September 26, 2009

farrisAmy Farris was an Austin fiddler who in recent years was living in Los Angeles.  Throughout her career, the much-respected musician and singer had collaborated with a who’s-who of Austin and Los Angeles musicial fixtures.  That list includes Brian Wilson, Peter Case, Alejandro Escovedo, Exene Cervenka and Kelly Willis.  As a session player in Los Angeles, she played on musical tracks on such television shows as Mad Men and CSI: Miami.    She was also part of Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women, both the album and the current tour.  Several online sources have speculated that Farris may have committed suicide.  Official cause of death was not immediately released.  She was 40 years old.

Thanks to Shilah Morrow of the Sin City Social Club for the help

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