Died On This Date (May 20, 2014) Randy Coven / Bassist For Steve Vai & Yngwie Malmsteen

Randy Coven
June 24, 1958 – May 20, 2014

randy-covenRandy Coven was a rock bass virtuoso who counted no less than guitar gods, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen as band leaders.  Born on Long Island, Coven picked up the bass at an early age and was lucky enough to get some early schooling from a neighbor and fusion legend, Jeff Berlin.  After high school, during which he played in local hard rock cover bands, Coven continued his music education at the Berklee School of Music in Boston.  It was there that he met fellow student Vai, with whom he formed Morning Thunder.   After they broke up, Coven joined a Canadian fusion band, Orpheus.  He later moved back to New York where he formed his own band.  Throughout the ’90s, he played with the likes of C.P.R., Leslie West‘s reunited Mountain, and Malmsteen.  Throughout his career, Coven released three of his own albums, Funk Me Tender (1990), Sammy Says Ouch! (1990), and Witch Way (2002).  Randy Coven was 56 when he passed away on May 20, 2014.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (January 18, 2013) Steve Knight / Keyboardist For Mountain

Steve Knight
1935 – January 18, 2013

Steve Knight at far right
Steve Knight at far right

Steve Knight is best remembered as the original keyboardist for American hard rock band, Mountain.  Formed in 1967 by bassist and famed Cream producer, Felix Pappalardi, the band, which also included singer and guitar great, Leslie West,  went on to have one of the era’s most familiar songs, “Mississippi Queen.”  Climbing!, their debut album from which it came, reached #17 on the Billboard charts and achieved Gold status.  Their two follow-up albums failed to produce any hit singles but did achieve Gold status as well.  In 1969, Mountain was one of the highlights of Woodstock with just their fourth live performance ever.  Although they can be heard on the album, they did not appear in the legendary film of the event.  After Mountain broke up in 1972, Knight returned to his first love, traditional jazz.  He enjoyed a long musical career as a sound engineer, author, songwriter and session player.  He was known to pop up on stage with West from time to time as well.   During the mid 90s, Knight settled in Woodstock, New York, where he was active in local politics, serving two terms on the Woodstock Town Board.  Steve Knight died of Parkinson’s disease on January 18, 2013.

Thanks to David Plastic from erockphotos.com for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com




Died On This Date (December 14, 2011) Ed Roman / World Renowned Guitar Maker

Ed Roman
DOB Unknown – December 14, 2011

Ed Roman was a fiercely independent Las Vegas guitar builder whose creations were lovingly played by Ted Nugent, John Entwistle, Billy Gibbons, Ace Frehley, and Rick Derringer, to name just a few.  Roman began playing the guitar as a youngster growing up in Connecticut where he found early inspiration in the Ventures.  He began building guitars in 1976 and eventually settled in Las Vegas where he opened his world famous guitar shop.  The list of faithful customers also includes Lita Ford, Leslie West, Keith Urban, and Marie Osmond.  Ed Roman was 61 when he passed away on December 14, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released, although he had reportedly been ill.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.



Died On This Date (October 27, 2011) David Rea / Influential Folk Singer-Songwriter

David Rea
October 26, 1946 – October 27, 2011

Photo by Jack Bawden

David Rea was folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist who, although he was born in Ohio, became a longtime fixture of the Canadian folk scene.  Over a career that spanned four decades, Rea collaborated with the likes of Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Judy Collins, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt, Tom Rush, and perhaps most famously,  Ian & Sylvia, and Gordon Lightfoot. He can be heard on Lightfoot’s debut album as well as tapes from his early shows.  For Ian & Sylvia, Rea played on So Much For Dreaming, Nashville, and Full Circle.  The duo recorded a handful of Rea’s songs as well.  As a songwriter, Rea’s biggest hit came with Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen” which he co-wrote with Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, and Corky Laing.  He recorded several respectable albums of his own over the years as well.  As reported by Spinner, 66-year-old David Rea passed away on October 27, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.