Died On This Date (January 22, 2017) Jaki Liebezeit / Drummer For Can
Jaki Liebezeit
May 26, 1938 – January 22, 2017

Jaki Leibezeit was the founding drummer for the influential German avant-garde rock band, Can. Initially performing free jazz during the early- to mid-’60s, Leibezeit moved more toward experimental rock when he co-founded Can in 1968. Can incorporated elements of world music, psychedelic rock, jazz, and electronic, with Leibezeit providing the prominent drum beat along the way. By doing so, Can helped build the foundation of Germany’s krautrock movement. Over the years, they released several albums including two of their most popular, Tago Mago and Ege Bamyası. Outside of Can, Leibzeit collaborated with Jah Wobble, Depeche Mode and Brian Eno, to name a few. Jaki Leibezeit was 78 when he died of pneumonia on January 22, 2017.
What You Should Own


Known by the stage name, Sleazy, Peter Christopherson is best remembered as a founding member of British avant-garde industrial band, Throbbing Gristle. He was also part of such projects Psychic TV, Coil, Soisong, and The Threshold HouseBoy’s Choir. Throbbing Gristle formed in 1975, with Christopherson mostly handling synthesizers and vibraphone. The group developed a very loyal following thanks in part to their sometimes controversial shows that often included disturbing visuals of Nazi concentration camps and pornography. Throbbing Gristle were pioneers of incorporating prerecorded tapes, or “samples” into their shows, and paved the way for such bands as Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Front 242. The group broke up in 1981 but then reformed in 2004. Remarkably prolific, they recorded numerous albums for the highly influential Mute Records, also the one-time home for Depeche Mode, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and Erasure, to name a few. While he wasn’t making music, Christopherson was a video director, graphic artist, and photographer. Peter Christopherson passed away in his sleep on November 24, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 55.

Born in Chicago, Melvin Bliss began his career in music at the age of six, first performing gospel and then moving on to jazz. In 1973, he released “Synthetic Substitution” a soul record that went on to become one of the most sampled songs in music history even though it was an obscure b-side. Below is a partial list of songs that borrowed elements from Bliss’ recording. Melvin Bliss was 75 when he passed away on July 26, 2010.
Bobby Troup was a producer, jazz pianist and songwriter who penned one of pop music’s most lasting songs. He was also an actor who is familiar to many for his starring role in the popular ’70s drama, Emergency!. He played Dr. Joe Early opposite his wife, 


