Died On This Date (October 10, 2013) Jan Kuehnemund / Lead Guitarist For Vixen

Jan Kuehnemund
November 15, 1961 – October 10, 2013

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Jan Kuehnemund is perhaps best remembered as the founding lead guitarist for Vixen, an all-female glam metal band who achieved a worldwide fan base during the late ’80s.  Originally formed with Kuehnemund was in high school in 1974, the band quickly split up but then reformed in 1980. After settling in Los Angeles, the group – often referred to as “the female Bon Jovi” started building a sizable following throughout the flourishing Sunset Strip scene.  In 1987, they appeared in Penelope Spheeris’ acclaimed rock doc, The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years.  That was quickly followed by a recording contract with EMI Records who released their self-titled debut in 1988.  The album, which included the Richard Marx-penned hit single “Edge Of A Broken Heart,” rose to #41 on the Billboard charts and was nearly as chart-successful in the UK.  Rev It Up followed in 1990, while the band was taking the hair metal world by storm.  Throughout those couple of years, the band toured with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, KISS, and Scorpions.  The band split up in the middle of 1991 and then reformed a few times over the next several years with Kuehnemund not coming back to the fold until 2001.  A version of the band with just Kuehnemund from the original line up released two albums in 2006. The classic late ’80s/early ’90s edition got together for VH1’s Bands Reunited series in 2004.  Jan Kuehnemund passed away following a courageous battle with cancer on October 10, 2013.  She was 51.

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Died On This Date (June 4, 2012) George Marino / Legendary Recording Engineer

George Marino
1947 – June 4, 2012

George Marino was a much-respected mastering engineer whose talents can be heard on such iconic albums as AC/DC’s Highway To Hell, Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions, Guns N’ Roses Appetite For Destruction, Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet, John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy, and Whitney Houston’s Whitney.  Marino’s began his career as a musician, playing guitar in various bands in New York City. In 1967, he was hired by Capitol Records as a librarian and assistant in their New York studio.  After Capitol closed the studio, he went to work at the Record Plant before landing at Sterling Sound in 1973.  It was there that he worked on many of the most iconic albums of the rock era.  Besides those mentioned above, Marino worked on albums by Metallica, Coldplay, Cyndi Lauper, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, and many more.  Throughout his career, he was recognized with three Grammys including Arcade Fire’s Suburbs in 2011.  George Marino died of lung cancer on June 4, 2012.



Died On This Date (October 3, 2011) Davy Kirkwood / Respected Audio Engineer

David “Davy” Kirkwood
DOB Unknown – October 3, 2011

Davy Kirkwood was a respected Scottish audio engineer and sound mixer whose resume reads like a who’s who of rock and pop music.  After an early career that found him working as a telephone engineer, Kirkwood set his sights on music.  He first sang in a band called the Beings, but then eventually moved behind the board.  Over the years, Kirkwood worked with such musical greats as Supertramp, Motley Crue, Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Joss Stone, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Ronnie James Dio, and many more.  As reported by Roadie For Life, Davy Kirkwood, who was 63, passed away on October 3, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

Died On This Date (August 22, 2011) Frank DiLeo / Label Veteran; Managed Michael Jackson

Frank DiLeo
October 23, 1947 – August 22, 2011

With Michael Jackson

Frank DiLeo was a longtime and sometimes controversial music industry executive as well as a part-time actor.  Launching his music career just after high school, DiLeo first worked as a rack jobber in Pittsburgh. He went on to work for several labels in radio promotion, while along the way, building a reputation for getting records played.  He held high-ranking positions at CBS Records, Bell, RCA and ultimately, for Walter Yetnikoff at Epic, where during the ’80s, he was credited for taking the label from #14 in the U.S. to #2.  He was largely responsible for the success of such acts as Michael Jackson, Quiet Riot, REO Speedwagon, Ozzy Osbourne and Cyndi Lauper, to name a few.  His methods may have been considered less than above-board by some, but he clearly got results.  After the success of Jackson’s Thriller, the singer asked DiLeo to be his manager in a partnership that lasted until 1989.  Over the years, DiLeo also managed Richie Sambora, Taylor Dane and Laura Branigan.  He also formed a business relationship with Prince.  As an actor, DiLeo appeared in Wayne’s World, Wayne’s World 2, and Goodfellas in which he played Tuddy Cicero, based on real life organized crime figure, Vito “Tuddy” Vario.  In March of 2011, Frank DiLeo had heart surgery.  He died from complications on August 22, 2011.



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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