Died On This Date (November 26, 2011) Keef Hartley / Replaced Ringo Starr in Rory Storm & The Hurricanes

Keith “Keef” Hartley
April 8, 1944 – November 26, 2011

Photo by Jan Persson

Keef Hartley was a British drummer whose first notable gig came when he replaced Ringo Starr in Rory Storm and the Hurricanes when Starr was hired away by the Beatles.  It wouldn’t be a stretch in fact, to call Storm and his band equally popular as the Beatles throughout England – albeit during their early days only.  Following his tenure with Storm, Hartley went on to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.  He can be heard on such Mayall albums as The Blues Alone and Crusade.   Hartley went on to form the Keef Hartley Band – a jazz rock combo in the vein of Chicago.  In 1969, the group played Woodstock, but unfortunately followed Santana who had just played one of their greatest sets ever, so needless to say, they didn’t leave as lasting an impression as they might have otherwise.  Hartley went on to release several albums that did moderately well over the years.  Keef Hartley was 67 when he passed away on November 26, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.

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Keef Hartley Band

Died On This Date (October 18, 2011) Bob Brunning / Fleetwood Mac

Bob Brunning
June 29, 1943 – October 18, 2011

Bob Brunning was an English musician who, in 1967 was hired by former John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers guitarist Peter Green to play bass in his new blues rock outfit, Fleetwood Mac.  While Brunning likely presumed he had a permanent slot in the band, Green actually had his sights set on John McVie who soon replaced him.  Brunning can however, be heard on “Long Grey Mare” on the band’s debut album, Fleetwood Mac.  Brunning went on to briefly play in Savoy Brown as well as a handful of other bands, but pretty much devoted the rest of his professional life to teaching and writing.  The subjects of his books included the British blues scene and the history of Fleetwood Mac.  As reported by Roy Bainton Writes, Bob Brunning was 68 when he died of a heart attack on October 18, 2011.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.




Died On This Date (April 23, 2011) Dutch Tilders / Dutch Australian Blues Musician

Matthew “Dutch” Tilders
August 29, 1941 – April 23, 2011

Dutch Tilders was a blues musician born in the Netherlands but who moved to Australia with his family while still in his teens.   Tilders was playing the harmonica by the time he landed his first gig at the age of 15, but soon switched to the guitar.  He went on to release several albums while performing with the likes of Taj Mahal, John Mayall, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry.  Back home in Australia, he was dubbed the “Godfather of Blues,” and even the great B.B. King  once proclaimed that regardless of his European birth, Tilders was a genuine bluesman.  He continued to tour as recently as late 2010 despite the fact that he was diagnosed with lung cancer in May of that same year.  Dutch Childers officially retired in February of 2011 and passed away from the cancer on April 23, 2011.  He was 69.



Died On This Date (February 6, 2011) Gary Moore / Blues Rock Guitar Legend

Robert Gary Moore
April 4, 1952 – February 6, 2011

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Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Gary Moore was an Irish guitarist and singer who, over a career that spanned over 40 years, became one of the most acclaimed electric blues guitarists the world has ever known.  Moore was just 14 years old when he decided to pick up the guitar, and even though he was left-handed, he quickly taught himself to play with his right.  His early influences included John Mayall, Albert King, and Jimi Hendrex, but it was Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac who first recognized his talent and tutored him whenever he came through Dublin.  In 1969, Moore joined Skid Row, a blues rock band that included Phil Lynott who would later gain fame with Thin Lizzy.  Over the years Moore played with a diverse who’s who of popular music.  That list includes George Harrison, G-Force, Ozzy Osbourne, Thin Lizzy, Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Beach Boys, and Albert Collins.  He released his first solo album in 1973 and continued making albums up until as recently as 2008.  On February 6, 2011, Gary Moore died in his sleep while on vacation in Spain.  He was 58.

Thanks to Craig Rosen for the assist

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Still Got the Blues - Gary Moore

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Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF



 

Died On This Date (November 24, 1993) Albert Collins / Texas Blues Guitar Great

Albert Collins
October 1, 1932 – November 24, 1993

Albert Collins was an electric blues guitarist so great, that he was awarded not one, but three nicknames – the Iceman, the Master of the Telecaster, and the Razor Blade.  Born in a small Texas town mid-way between Dallas and Houston, Collins took an early shine to the music he heard around him.  When he was 7, he and his family moved to Houston, and it was there that he eventually began making a name for himself by playing a style that was equal parts Texas, Mississippi, and Chicago blues.  In 1952, Collins formed his first band and within two years, he was headlining clubs in and around Houston.  He began making records in 1958, and went on to record for such respected labels as Imperial, Alligator, and Point Blank.  Collins was also an in-demand side man and be heard playing on records by the likes of David Bowie, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, John Mayall, and Gary Moore.  In August of 1993, Albert Collins learned he was suffering from lung and liver cancer.  He died of the disease three months later, on November 24, 1993.  He was 61.

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Showdown! (Remastered) - Albert Collins, Robert Cray & Johnny Copeland