but the songs live on forever

NRBQ

Musician Rock

Died On This Date (January 6, 2012) Tom Ardolino / Long Time Drummer For NRBQ

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Tom Ardolino
January 12, 1955 – January 6, 2012

Tom Ardolino is best remembered as the long time drummer for influential rock outfit, NRBQ. Formed in 1967, the band has built a legion of loyal fans thanks to its ability to marry elements of jazz, rock, and blues, and for its raucous live shows.  NRBQ loyalists include Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Costello.  In 1974, Ardolino was asked to join the band as a replacement original drummer, Tom Staley.  He had first been a dedicated fan and swapped live concert tapes with band co-founder, Terry Adams.  Ardolino continued on with the group until they took a break in 2004.  He participated in occasional band reunions in later years.  Ardolino can be heard playing on such NRBQ classics as Scraps, All Hopped Up, and Grooves In Orbit.  Outside of NRBQ, he played on albums by the likes of Marshall Crenshaw, Jerry Lee Lewis, and NRBQ band mate, Al Anderson. On his own, Ardolino released Unknown Brain in 2004.  Tom Ardolino passed away from health related issues on January 6, 2012. He was 56.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.


Jazz Musician Rock

Died On This Date (July 25, 1992) Gary Windo / Contemporary Jazz Saxophonist

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Gary Windo
November 7, 1941 – July 25, 1992

Gary Windo was an English musician best remembered for his saxophone work with the Psychedelic Furs.  After learning several instruments as a child, Windo ultimately settled on the tenor sax.  During the early ’70s, he formed his own group, the Gary Windo Quartet.  Throughout career, he worked with the likes of Todd Rundgren, Carla Bley, NRBQ, and Robert Wyatt to name a few.  He also played on much of the music heard on Saturday Night Live.  Gary Windo passed away on July 25, 1992.

Thanks to Chris Lane’ for the help

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Club Owner Folk Manager Record Label Rock

Died On This Date (January 25, 1986) Albert Grossman / Legendary Artist Manager

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Albert Grossman
May 21, 1926 – January 25, 1986

Albert Grossman is best remembered as an artist manager representing, among others, Bob Dylan between 1962 and 1970.  He also co-founded the Newport Folk Festival with George Wein in 1959.  In 1961, Grossman put three folk singers together, Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, otherwise known as Peter, Paul and Mary.  Over the years, Grossman also represented John Lee Hooker, Johnny Average, Ian & Sylvia, Odetta, Janis Joplin, and the Band.  Grossman also built the legendary Bearsville Recording Studio outside of Woodstock, NY and formed Bearsville Records.  Acts like Todd Rundgren, Foghat, NRBQ and Jesse Winchester recorded for the label. On January 25, 1986, Albert Grossman died of a heart attack while flying from the U.S. to London aboard the Concorde.  He was 59 years old.



Musician

Died On This Date (October 14, 2009) Captain Lou Albano / Pro Wrestler & Music Video Star

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Lou Albano
July 29, 1933 – October 14, 2009

With Cyndi Lauper

Captain Lou Albano was a world famous WWF wrestler who helped professional wrestling crossover to the mainstream, thanks in part to his appearances in Cyndi Lauper’s popular music videos during the ’80s.  His towering image appeared in Lauper’s videos for “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “She Bop,” and “Time After Time,” as well as “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough.”  WWF leader, Vince McMahon capitalized on Albano’s pop music presence by creating the Rock ‘n Wrestling storyline which culminated in a wrestling “showdown” between Lauper and Albano after he “upset” her for claiming he was her manager, thereby orchestrating her success.  After “losing” to Lauper, Albano publicly apologized, endearing him to wrestling fans around the world.  He became the voice of the Rock ‘n Wrestling campaign.  That, along with Hulkamania helped turn professional wrestling into the pop culture phenomenom it has since become.  In 1983, Albano dueted on NRBQ’s tribute to him, “Captain Lou.”  Lou Albano passed away on October 14, 2009 at the age of 76.



Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (October 7, 2009) Steve Ferguson / NRBQ

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Steve Ferguson
November 21, 1948 – October 7, 2009

fergusonSteve Ferguson is best remembered as a founding guitarist of the New Rhythm and Blues Quintet (later Quartet), or NRBQ.  Formed in 1967 in Miami, Florida, the group has amassed a fanatical cult following for its musical gumbo of R&B, jazz, rockabilly, blues, country, and bar-band rock ‘n roll.  After playing on just two albums, including a collaboration with Carl Perkins, Ferguson left the group to launch a solo career.  Over the next couple of decades, Ferguson kept busy either playing solo, collaborating with former NRBQ band mates, or  producing the likes of Johnnie Johnson, Chuck Berry’s former pianist.  Although not a name that is recognizable to most music fans, Steve Ferguson is considered one of the era’s greatest and perhaps most underrated guitar players.  He died of cancer at the 61 on October 7, 2009.

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