Died On This Date (August 18, 2010) Kenny Edwards / Guitarist In Linda Rondstadt’s Stone Poneys

Kenny Edwards
February 10, 1946 – August 18, 2010

With Linda Ronstadt

Kenny Edwards was a folk-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist who is best remembered as a founding member of the Stone Poneys along with Linda Ronstadt and Bob Kimmel.  Formed in 1965, the group helped pave the way for the popular “Laurel Canyon” sound of ’70s country rock.  Their 1967 album Evergreen, Volume 2 included the hit single, “Different Drum,” which helped set up Ronstadt’s wildly successful solo career.  Even though the group’s recording career lasted just 15 months, they remarkably, released three full albums.  After the Stone Poneys parted ways, Edwards formed the moderately successful Bryndle, then went solo, and collaborated with the likes of Karla Bonoff, Warren Zevon, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, and Don Henley.  In 1974, Edwards and Ronstadt again joined forces to release one of her most popular albums, Heart Like A Wheel.  They continued to work together for many more years.  Kenny Edwards passed away on August 18, 2010.  He was 64 and had been battling prostate cancer.

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Evergreen, Vol.2 - The Stone Poneys

Died On This Date (June 4, 1973) Murry Wilson / Beach Boys Manager

Murry Wilson
July 2, 1917 – June 4, 1973

murryMurry Wilson was a songwriter, musician, record producer, and most importantly, the father of Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.  Wilson began as a songwriter during the ’50s, having a couple of his songs covered but never gaining much success.  All the while, he was teaching his own sons how to write, sing and play music.   The brothers eventually added cousin Mike Love and schoolmate, Al Jardine to become the Beach Boys.  The Beach Boys would soon become one of the most popular bands in rock history by almost single-handedly defining a musical genre.  While managing the boys’ career, Murry was known to be a fierce negotiator, and was reportedly just as ruthless at home.  He and his sons had a tough relationship that may have actually fueled their creativity and drive.  Murry Wilson died following a heart attack at the age of 55.

Died On This Date (March 25, 2008) Gene Puerling / The Hi-Lo’s

Gene Puerling
March 31, 1929 – March 25, 2008

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Gene Puerling, the one-time leader and celebrated vocal arranger of the Hi-Lo’s passed away March 25, 2010 of complications from diabetes. He was 78. His group’s complex vocal arrangement were said to influence Brian Wilson, the Mamas and the Papas, the Gatlin Brothers, Take 6 and the Manhattan Transfer who earned Puerling a Grammy for his 1981 arrangement of “A Nightingale Sang In Washington Square.”



Died On This Date (March 22, 1991) Dave Guard / The Kingston Trio

Donald “Dave” Guard
November 19, 1934 – March 22, 1991

dave-guardDave Guard was an influential American folk singer, best remembered as a founding member of the Kingston Trio.  Formed in 1957, the group helped launch the folk revival of the ’60s while becoming one of the first groups to enjoy big sales on the LP format.  Their first hit single, “Tom Dooley” is considered one of the most important songs of the era.  Artists like Brian Wilson, Joan Baez, Lindsey Buckingham, Jimmy Buffet, and Tim Buckley have all been cited as having been influenced by the Kingston Trio.  Guard left the group in 1961 and formed the Whiskeyhill Singers who released one album and sang a handful of songs on the soundtrack for How The West Was One.  After the Whiskeyhill Singers, Guard kept busy working with other artists while writing and recording music.  He all but retired from the public eye during the final two decades of his life, making only a few local public appearances and Kingston Trio semi-reunions.  On March 22, 1991, Dave Guard died of lymphoma.  He was 56 years old.

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The Kingston Trio

Died On This Date (February 6, 1998) Carl Wilson / The Beach Boys

Carl Wilson
December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998

carl-wilsonCarl Wilson was the youngest of three  brothers who formed the Beach Boys.  With Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine, Wilson helped create one of the best-selling and most influential bands in pop music history back in 1961.   Some have called them the “American Beatles,” a band with which they had a friendly rivalry during their early years while actually strongly influencing each other.  Carl was the lead guitarist for the band while handling an occasional lead vocal.  It was he who sang lead on “God Only Knows,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Darlin’.”  Carl released a handful solo albums during the ’70s and became the first Beach Boy to mount a solo tour.  The turbulent goings-on within the band as well as at the Wilson home have been well documented.  What many don’t know is that Carl was seen as the peacekeeper within the group.  It was he who generally tried to keep the peace within the family and band.  In 1997, Carl was diagnosed with brain cancer.  He died less than a year later at the age of 51.

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Pet Sounds (Mono / Stereo) - The Beach Boys