Billy Squier

Died On This Date (January 1, 2015) Jeff Golub / Guitar Great

themusicsover January 1, 2015 1 Comment

Jeff Golub
April 15, 1955 – January 1, 2015

Jeff Golub was an American guitarist who was as adept at jazz as he was at rock and the blues. During a career that spanned more than 30 years, Golub released over a dozen contemporary jazz albums while earning a reputation as one of rock music’s most in-demand session players. He is perhaps best remembered for his years playing on records by and touring with both Billy Squier and David Bowie. The list of artists on whose albums Golub performed also includes John Waite, Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum, Joe Lynn Turner, and Tina Turner. In November of 2014, Golub learned that he was suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy which ultimately took his life on January 1, 2015. He was 59.

What You Should Own

Blues Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 28, 2011) Danny DeGennaro aka Dan Rio / Kingfish

themusicsover December 28, 2011 No Comments

Daniel DeGennaro
DOB Unknown – December 28, 2011

Danny DeGennaro, who also performed as Dan Rio, was Philadelphia-area singer, songwriter, and guitarist who is perhaps best remembered as a former member of Kingfish, a band which also counted Bob Weir and New Riders of the Purple Sage bassist, Dave Torbert, as members. Joining the outfit post-Weir in 1979, Rio played guitar and shared vocals until they disbanded following the death of Torbert in 1982. Rio also performed or recorded with Billy Squier, Bo Diddley and Jorma Kaukonen, Clarence Clemons throughout his career. In recent years, DeGennaro fronted his own 5-piece blues band, the Danny DeGennaro Band. On December 28, 2011, Danny DeGennaro, age 56, was shot and killed in his yard in what appeared to have been a robbery. Police had no suspects in the early weeks following the murder but indicated it likely was not a random attack.

Manager

Died On This Date (June 28, 2010) Bill Aucoin / Discovered & Managed KISS

themusicsover June 28, 2010 1 Comment

Bill Aucoin
December 29, 1943 – June 28, 2010

Bill Aucoin was a highly successful artist manager who, over the course of some 30 years, represented the likes of KISS, Billy Idol, Manowar, Billy Squier, and Starz, to name a few. After studying film in college, Aucoin was heading down a road to becoming a cinematographer when, in 1973, he discovered KISS and began managing them through the first decade of their career. His vision and the fact that he funded their first tour out of his pocket helped pave the way for the band’s massive success. They parted ways in the early ’80s, but worked together again on DVD packages in later years. Bill Aucoin died of complications associated with prostate cancer on June 28, 2010. He was 66.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

Musician Punk Rock

Died On This Date (January 14, 1992) Jerry Nolan / New York Dolls

themusicsover January 14, 2010 No Comments

Jerry Nolan
May 7, 1946 – January 14, 1992

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Jerry Nolan is best remembered as the drummer for iconic protopunk band, the New York Dolls. Prior to his work with the Dolls, Nolan played in early bands of Billy Squier, Suzi Quatro, and Jayne/Wayne County. In 1972, he was hired by the Dolls to replace the recently deceased Bill Murcia. He played on the band’s first two albums, New York Dolls and Too Much Too Soon. In 1975, Nolan and Johnny Thunders left the group and formed the Heartbreakers with Richard Hell. He eventually left the band to work on solo projects that never really got off the ground. He also collaborated with others over the years. In late 1991, while in the hospital with bacterial meningitis, Jerry Nolan suffered a stroke and fell into a coma. He was 45 when, several weeks later, he passed away as a result.