Died On This Date (June 4, 2011) Kevin Kavanaugh / Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

Kevin Kavanaugh
DOB Unknown – June 4, 2011

Kevin Kavanaugh was a New Jersey keyboardist who is perhaps best remembered for his many years playing alongside John Lyon in his legendary band, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes.  Kavanaugh can be heard on the Jukes’ outstanding This Time It’s For Real, Hearts Of Stone, and I Don’t Want To Go Home albums.  In Kavanaugh’s early days as a musician, it was Bruce Springsteen who inspired him to look for a band that would command the same adulation from its audience.  It wasn’t long before he was actually playing with Springsteen, in his Dr. Zoom & the Sonic Boom, and eventually in the Jukes.  In 1982, Kavanaugh played on Little Steven’s first album away from Springsteen, Men Without Women.  After leaving Southside Johnny in the early ’90s, Kavanaugh continued to play with numerous Jersey Shore bands like the Bobby Bandiera Band, High Voltage Brothers and Cats On A Smooth Surface, the so-called house band of Asbury Park’s storied Stone Pony club.  Kevin Kavanaugh passed away on June 4, 2011 following a long illness.

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Hearts of Stone - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

 

Died On This Date (August 28, 2007) Hilly Kristal / Owned CBGB’s

Hilly Kristal
September 23, 1931 – August 28, 2007

Hilly with Little Steven
Hilly Kristal with Little Steven

Opened in 1973, Hilly Kristal’s CBGB became the epicenter of the punk and new wave movement thanks to his early bookings of such acts as Blondie, Talking Heads, New York Dolls, Patti Smith, Television and the Ramones.  After moving to New York City after serving in the Marines, Kristal became manager of the storied Village Vanguard jazz club where he booked such acts as Miles Davis.  In 1968, he co-founded the Central Park’s Schaefer Music Festival which, over the next decade, hosted the likes of the Who, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, the Doors and Aerosmith.  In 1973, he opened CBGB – OMFUG, which stood for  “Country, BlueGrass, Blues and Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers.”  He closed the club during a much publicized rent dispute in 2006.  Hilly Kristal died of lung cancer at the age of 75.


Died On This Date (May 24, 2008) Sonny Okosun / Nigerian Pop Star

Sonny Okosun
January 1, 1947 – May 24, 2008

Sonny Okosun was one of Nigeria’s most popular musicians through most of the ’70s and ’80s.  His most popular song was 1977’s “Fire In Soweto,” which was featured on Little Steven’s anti-apartheid album, Sun City.  Another of his songs, “High Life” was later featured on the soundtrack for 1986 film, Something Wild.  By the mid 80s, Okosun had moved out of the pop arena and transitioned into gospel music.  He died of colon cancer on May 24, 2008 at the age of 61.