Died On This Date (September 27, 2013) Lorne Black / Bassist For Great White
themusicsover Lorne Black
DOB Unknown – September 27, 2013
Lorne Black is perhaps best remembered as the original bassist for Los Angeles metal band, Great White. Originally formed as Highway in 1978, the band morphed through a few different names and lineups until finally settling as Great White with Black on bass during the early ’80s. Black played on the band’s debut EP, Out Of The Night as well as their first three LPs, Great White, Shot In The Dark, and Once Bitten while helping them build a sizable following outside their hometown by nearly non-stop gigging. Those early shows included tours supporting Whitesnake and Judas Priest. After parting ways with the band during the late ’80s, Black went on to play in a prog rock band, LBC, do soundtrack work, and record at least one solo album, Who’s Doing Who?. Lorne Black passed away on September 27, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
What You Should Own
Chris Bailey was the longtime bassist for legendary Australian pub-rock band, the Angels. Also known as Angel City so as to not be confused with Angel outside of Australia, the Angels formed in 1974, with Bailey coming on board when original bassist, Doc Neeson moved over to lead vocals in 1977. Often compared to as well as helped along by AC/DC, the Angels went on to release a string of hits at home and abroad. They are said to have been an influence on Guns N’ Roses, Great White, and many of the Seattle grunge bands. Bailey was part of the band throughout their peak years of the late ’70s and early ’80s. He can be heard on their two biggest releases, Face To Face and No Exit. Bailey left the group in 1982 and went on to play in other bands before returning in 1982. He continued on and off with them until his final days. Chris Bailey lost a long battle with throat cancer on April 3, 2013. He was 62.
Frank C. Starr was a charismatic lead vocalist for hard rock bands, Alien, SIN, and most famously, the Four Horsemen. Raised on Long Island, NY, Starr eventually landed in Los Angeles to take his shot at the big time. After a short run in a band called Alien, Starr began to make a name for himself fronting a band called SIN through the mid ’80s, but struggled to get noticed in the same Sunset Strip scene that gave us Guns ‘n Roses, Ratt, and Great White. After the band called it quits in 1984, Starr landed in the Four Horsemen, a rock band that took its cue more from ’70s rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd or AC/DC than such contemporaries as Poison or Faster Pussycat. After self-releasing a four-song EP in 1989, the band were snatched up by Rick Rubin’s Def American label and went into the studio with Rubin producing. The resulting album Nobody Said It Was Easy, garnered enough critical praise and fan support to land them on the road touring with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Black Crowes as well as regular video rotation on MTV. But all this wasn’t enough to translate into significant album sales. At the same time, word was getting around that Starr was developing a reputation for his drug use and subsequent run-ins with the law, reportedly leading to a stint in jail on drug charges forcing the label to drop the band. But all were false claims according to the band, the only reason they were dropped was because of poor record sales. The sudden rise of grunge as well as some internal fighting seemed to be the end of the Four Horsemen, but after some personnel changes, they regrouped and began working on a new album in 1994. But after losing original drummer, 
Ty Longley was born in northwest Pennsylvania. In 2001, he joined metal band, Great White, one of the top rock acts of the ’80s, as they were beginning to mount a comeback for the new millennium. Unfortunately, their return to the national headlines was caused by a tragic event that claimed Longley’s life. While on stage at The Station club in West Warwick, Rhode Island, on February 20, 2003, the band’s pyrotechnics accidentally set off a fire that quickly consumed the venue. In all, 100 people perished in the fire, including 31-year-old Ty Longley.